Chapter 45
Accusation
“Ppi!”
Pipi stomped one foot loudly.
“Hm?”
“Ppii!”
She said she could do it.
“You mean you’ll bring Duke Piellion?”
“Ppi!”
Her small head bobbed up and down energetically. Rasilia tilted her head, watching her serious eyes.
“You’re… too—right, you’re a phoenix, after all.”
“Ppi!”
She said it didn’t matter that she was a phoenix. She would do it because it was something Rasilia wanted.
But she also said it would be nice if Rasilia kept remembering that she was a phoenix.
“You’ve already learned how to brag, huh.”
Rasilia stroked her tiny head.
“Ppii.”
“Mm, okay. But I don’t want to overwork you with my errands. There are other ways to summon someone. And the duke wouldn’t understand you, so I’d have to write a letter. It’s too big for you to carry.”
“Ppii?”
“Hm? The crow could carry it instead?”
“Ppi!”
“Ah… That makes sense. Sending a letter with a crow would be faster than using a person.”
No sooner had Rasilia finished her sentence than Yvette jumped in.
“I’ll bring paper and a pen.”
“That’s… No, call for the secretary instead. That would be better.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The duke might recognize the Empress’s handwriting. It was safer to have the secretary do it.
“Quickly.”
“Pardon? Oh—of course, Your Majesty.”
Rasilia only appeared calm on the outside. When she told her to hurry, Yvette realized the Empress was actually anxious and quickened her steps.
But Duke Piellion was not at the ducal estate.
By the time Rasilia had written the letter, the duke had already entered the palace and was meeting with Rescal.
“This is an insult.”
The duke stared at the emperor, raising his grey eyebrows in a sharp line.
“Surely, Your Majesty understands that.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, but he said no more.
That sense of alienness was always there, as though he wasn’t human.
The eyes, yes—but even more so, his expressionless face. Some people were emotionally reserved or poor at expressing themselves, but the emperor’s face was different.
According to records, demons had eyes unlike humans’.
They saw the darkness behind light, and the writhing things hidden in shadows.
That was why the duke was afraid.
What if the emperor had already known the mark had disappeared?
What if he had simply let the temple and the Marquis of Pashad act on their own, just to avoid personally casting aside his partner?
‘…No, that can’t be. If he had, he would’ve already talked about deposing her. He’d need to find a new partner before it was too late.’
There would be no new partner.
The Empress of the Empire was Carthagena, and it had to stay that way.
That was why even shady characters like the shamans of Trinidad had been summoned.
“This accusation is absurd. Didn’t Your Majesty confirm the mark with your own eyes before the wedding? They speak of the mark, but in doing so, they insult not just House Piellion, but the Imperial Family itself.”
The Emperor had no particular response.
Becoming nervous, the duke decided to lay all his cards on the table.
“Silence the temple. Order them to kneel before Your Majesty and tear up the accusation with their own hands. That would be the appropriate action for an emperor.”
“…Did you already know?”
The emperor, who had been silent, slowly raised his gaze and asked.
Duke Piellion resisted the urge to step back.
“What do you mean? I only learned of their claims through the accusation itself.”
As rehearsed at home, the duke feigned ignorance.
There was no other way. He had to pretend he hadn’t known that the mark was fading.
If it was revealed that he had known, had still proceeded with the wedding, and had even brought in a shaman to cover it up—then it would be treason. He wouldn’t even get a trial, like some lowborn criminal.
Even if the fading mark was exposed, he had to remain ignorant of it. That way, only his daughter would bear the guilt.
“And you didn’t send the young duke to Trinidad either?”
“What… what are you saying, Your Majesty? My adopted son in Trinidad? Why would someone from House Piellion go to such a shady place?”
“That is your official stance.”
Those golden eyes looked ominous.
The emperor already knew that Ternaiden had gone to Trinidad.
The duke felt like his insides were dissolving—who knew what else the emperor was aware of?
“What other stance could there be, Your Majesty?”
“In that case…”
The emperor nodded lightly.
The nervous duke pushed again.
“You’re being too reserved, Your Majesty. This concerns the Empress’s honor. As her father, I must know what you intend to do.”
“I haven’t decided yet. First, I need to speak with the Empress.”
“Haven’t decided? But the temple has already scheduled the trial and chosen a high judge. There’s no time to be leisurely.”
“I don’t want to make a decision without hearing her side first. Once you leave, I’ll speak with her.”
“Are you saying, Your Majesty, that you doubt your own partner?”
For some reason, the golden eyes gleamed.
“Of course not. The Empress is my partner.”
“…Then protect her, Your Majesty. Don’t let these false accusations spread unchecked.”
“I’ll handle it.”
The emperor pointed his chin toward the door.
“If that’s all, you may leave now.”
“……”
Duke Piellion clenched his jaw.
“Rian. Escort the duke out.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s shadow knight stepped forward.
The duke could say nothing more. He placed a hand to his chest, bowed, and exited the office.
Click.
The moment he stepped out into the hallway, the shadow knight disappeared after closing the double doors.
“…Insolent…”
Grinding his teeth, the duke stormed down the hall.
The emperor’s attitude had been far too lukewarm. He neither expressed outrage nor dismissed the accusation as nonsense.
The duke stomped down the corridor toward where his carriage was waiting.
“Surely he doesn’t believe it… No, he saw it with his own eyes.”
It was the final step of the engagement ceremony. The emperor had confirmed the mark, thus finalizing the engagement.
Carthagena had been embarrassed, saying it was like being naked in front of someone, and had starved herself for days to slim down.
“Still, you never know. She might’ve been careless.”
Was it really possible that the emperor hadn’t looked at the mark even once in the past four years?
That couldn’t be certain. Though he trusted his daughter’s cunning when it came to getting what she wanted, the emperor might’ve been even more shrewd.
“If that’s the case, then I…”
Just as the duke began to weigh the options for saving his family and himself—
“Ahem. Duke Piellion.”
A dignified voice suddenly rang near his ear, and the duke jumped.
Flutter!
Strangely, there was the sound of wings.
No—it wasn’t strange. A large parrot was flying around his head.
“You… you’re the one who spoke? A bird?”
“Indeed, I did. But I’d prefer if you didn’t call me ‘bird.’ I am Lord Shuraiden. The Empress requests your presence. Follow me.”
“What…?”
“You’re not too old to move, I assume? This is a secret summons, so hurry. No one’s watching now, but one never knows.”
“How can a bird…”
“Then keep your eyes open and follow.”
Flutter!
The parrot soared ahead at high speed.
“……”
Still bewildered, the duke hesitantly followed Lord Shuraiden.
“What is the meaning of this?”
That was the first thing out of his mouth upon seeing her.
Apparently, they weren’t the kind of father and daughter who exchanged greetings or embraces.
“It’s a long story. First, catch your breath.”
Unfortunately, the northern tower had no chairs. Rasilia pointed to the windowsill where she had been leaning.
“What is this place? And that talking bird?”
“That’s Lord Shuraiden. He owns this tower. He’s stepped out at my request, so that’s all you need to know.”
“A bird… owns a tower? Inside the palace?”
Explaining Shuraiden’s existence would take too long. Rasilia cut him off.
“Did you meet with His Majesty because of the temple’s accusation?”
“Your tone has changed, Your Majesty.”
Duke Piellion looked her over, puzzled.
A few days ago, she would’ve cared. Now, she didn’t.
“Perhaps it has. I assume you heard that I’ve lost my memory. I don’t remember anything from before.”
“What? Is that true?”
Shocked, he forgot to use honorifics.
“Yes. I can’t be away too long, so let’s be quick. Does House Piellion have any strategy to counter the accusation?”
“Of course not. We only received it this morning!”
Thud!
He grabbed her shoulders.
“Do you have a plan?”
“From how you speak, it sounds like you already knew about the mark.”
“Who do you think sent Ternaiden to Trinidad?”
“So that’s how it happened.”
Rasilia quickly pieced it together.
“If you’re involved, more will come to light in the trial. Are you prepared to face that?”
“What nonsense! A trial? That must not happen!”
Seeing him panic confirmed the seriousness of the situation.
She, too, knew that dragging the duke in wouldn’t help. If he got involved, this wouldn’t just be the Empress’s tragedy—it could become House Piellion’s treason.
“Then deny everything.”
“Carthi…?”
“I’ll say I kept the truth about the mark hidden alone.”
His face changed.
“You… No, this is too hasty. We don’t yet know what the emperor will do.”
“He already suspected me. He ordered his shadow knight to check for traces of magic on my body. The accusation just sealed it—it didn’t shock him.”
“This can’t be…”
The duke staggered and ran his hands down his face.
“He suspected you… Then what’s to become of our family…”
“Duke.”
Rasilia placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her.
“You must see the situation clearly. The emperor will not stop the trial. It would overstep imperial authority, and more importantly, he has no reason to. If my mark is gone, it means his true partner is elsewhere. The trial gives him a clear reason to depose me and find another.”
She didn’t know if Rescal was really thinking that way. But if she were emperor, she wouldn’t miss this chance.
It was the best way to minimize damage to the royal family while solving his problem.
Perhaps it was a good outcome for both sides.
The emperor would find his true partner, and she could return to Delarta.
“But with a trial, who knows how far the revelations will go. House Piellion could be in real danger. That’s why the best way is—”
Rasilia paused and looked at him.
“Before the witnesses testify, I’ll plead guilty.”
The duke’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“W-What? But if you do that—”
“I’ll accept the punishment. Alone.”
