<CHAPTER 34>
The First Time We Met
“Vane, Acrain.”
At that moment, as if he had read his thoughts, the Crown Prince called for his aide.
Vane flinched and bowed his head.
“………………Executing a noble without just cause will bring controversy………………”
“She poisoned Lady Raven.”
There is no proof she poisoned her.
The priest said the master of the Winter Palace is fine, and you acknowledged that.
Perhaps your Evelyn merely coughed up blood at the right moment and never drank any poison.
So please, I ask you to let this matter go, Your Highness.
He could not say that.
So Vane pointed out something else instead.
“……The master of the Winter Palace has not yet ascended to the position of Crown Princess.”
He meant that excessive punishment should be avoided, but Rexfail remained resolute.
“Execute her.”
Faced with the overwhelming pressure that allowed no defiance, Vane bowed even deeper.
“Your Highness.”
“I will not retract my order.”
His words failed him.
He could not find a way to stop his lord, who was trying to cut down one of the greatest supporting factions of the Crown Prince.
For a moment, his gaze turned toward Fenril, but the lowered eyes told him that even he had no solution.
‘If only she would wake up soon.’
Vane barely restrained himself from directing a resentful gaze toward the master of the Winter Palace.
He thought he needed time and began searching for an excuse to buy it.
“………………We must follow procedure.”
Rexfail looked at Vane while holding Evelyn in his arms.
Vane carefully chose his words so it would not sound like an excuse, trying instead to show his willingness to carry out the execution.
“It will not take long. Given the severity of the crime, the necessary interrogation will be conducted. Depending on whether she confesses, the duration may vary, but one week…………… no, three days.”
Vane initially gave a generous estimate but quickly corrected himself after seeing the warning gleam in the Crown Prince’s eyes.
“………………Three days will suffice. By then, the procedures will be completed, and preparations for execution can be finalized.”
“Proceed.”
After giving the order, Rexfail rose to his feet.
He held the peacefully sleeping woman tightly in his arms.
The arriving physicians followed behind the moving Crown Prince.
“………………What should we do?”
The administrative officials of the Crown Prince’s palace looked flustered.
They knew how serious this matter could become.
However, even their superior, Vane Acrain, had no clear solution.
“We’ll have to wait.”
Those present kept their mouths shut, and the summoned priest and physicians were placed under temporary detention.
Three days.
Vane Acrain sincerely hoped that within that time, the master of the Winter Palace would wake up safely and set everything right.
***
“We must appeal to the Crown Prince.”
Count Ibiton was known for rarely engaging in social activities despite living in the capital.
People said it was because he wished to avoid meeting his twin brother, Marquis Berzac.
He did not want to bow his head to the brother who had taken the marquis title that could have been his.
Thus, the fact that he had personally left his estate meant something of great importance had occurred.
For example—
“There are rumors that my daughter has been detained. Is this true?”
Before he could even lament who had spread the news, Vane felt a sense of helplessness knowing this matter could not be hidden anyway.
Sylon Ibiton arrived with his two sons and demanded his daughter’s return.
But that was impossible.
Not while Lady Raven remained in a deep sleep.
“For the Crown Prince of the Empire to execute a young lady who has not even been proven guilty!”
“Not yet…………….”
At that point, Vane realized his mistake.
Sylon Ibiton’s face darkened.
The faces of his eldest son and second son were no better.
“Is it true that His Highness has gone mad?”
“Refrain from such insolent speculation, Young Count Ibiton.”
However, Vane’s warning carried little weight.
The Young Count, glancing at his distressed father, spoke sharply as if ready to lash out.
“Return my sister.”
“………………We are persuading him.”
“She must be returned unharmed.”
Vane did not respond, and the Young Count, guessing the condition of his youngest sister, grew furious.
“Has His Highness truly lost his mind!”
“Young Count!”
“Is this the reward the great southern families receive for supporting and protecting the Imperial Family with loyalty!”
Now was not the time to point out that they had merely chosen not to support Duke Embrio.
Nor was it the time to question why what happened to the daughter of House Ibiton was being treated as a tragedy of all southern noble families.
“House Ibiton will withdraw its support for His Highness.”
“Count Ibiton!”
How laughable.
They had only been waiting for the right timing, especially now that Lady Camilla had a chance to become Crown Princess since Ivy Ibiton had failed to catch the Crown Prince’s interest.
“Please think carefully and calmly, Count Ibiton.”
Nevertheless, since they had given him a reason to attack, Vane tried to calm him.
But Sylon Ibiton seemed resolute.
After leaving one final warning, he turned away.
“I am being perfectly calm. That is why Saintmarin is still territory of Delpeo.”
“Count!”
Saintmarin, known as the land where Narya, the youngest of the six demigods of Remensias, rests, was also a land of pilgrimage and a contested territory between the Imperial Family and the Temple.
Until now, the southern families led by House Ibiton had maintained neutrality.
If they suddenly leaned toward the Temple, it would cause serious problems.
The taxes collected from the southwestern region centered on Saintmarin were enormous, accounting for nearly one-fifteenth of the Delpeo Empire’s budget.
The wealthy merchants of the southwest were eager for independence if it meant paying fewer taxes.
If given justification and opportunity, no one knew what chaos might follow.
“I too hope such a thing does not happen.”
With those words that sounded like a threat, the Count left the Crown Prince’s office with his sons.
“……Sir Acrain.”
Ignoring the concerned officials, Vane returned to Serenia’s estate.
He was in no state to work.
By the time he arrived at the mansion, which had no permanent staff, it was already night.
“Ah… please…………….”
But upon seeing the lit entrance and the carriage waiting outside, Vane despaired.
It bore the crest of the Berzac family.
***
After hearing the report, Rexfail asked calmly.
“Do you think Sylon will support the independence of the southwest?”
“………………He will not. There is a reason why the idea has existed for so long yet has never been seriously attempted. The Count knows that as well.”
“I see.”
That was all.
Rexfail returned his attention to Evelyn, and Vane noticed.
The aide, exasperated, spoke again.
“The young and wealthy commoners will be shaken.”
“They will learn reality.”
“This is not something to take so lightly.”
Vane expressed his frustration.
“Marquis Berzac is aiming to become Your Highness’s father-in-law.”
“There are always candidates for that position.”
“He came knowing Count Ibiton had moved. In exchange for his support, he wants to proceed with an engagement to Lady Camilla.”
“It seems Ivy Ibiton will gain a companion.”
“Your Highness.”
It was frustrating.
Vane began to wonder if the Crown Prince had truly gone mad.
“………………The rumors are not good.”
Without moving from his position beside Evelyn, Rexfail merely shifted his gaze toward Vane.
The aide spoke quickly, almost pleading.
“Immoral people dare to question Your Highness’s sanity. Rumors tied to your birth are beginning to circulate again.”
He did not even mention the whispers that it was time for the Delpeo Imperial line to end.
Even what he had already said was serious enough.
Vane hoped that at least this report would make the Crown Prince come to his senses and return to his duties.
At the very least, to try to appear normal.
“So you think so as well.”
“Your Highness!”
Rexfail turned his gaze back to Evelyn.
Still leaning awkwardly between the window and the bed, he had spent all three days watching only her.
“I’m not trying to interrogate you, Vane.”
As if loosening his stiff body, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back before returning it.
Then once to the left, and once to the right.
His large hand grasped his neck as if checking his condition.
“You are wise, so you must have realized it before anyone else.”
In a monotonous tone, he continued with words Vane did not want to hear.
“I am indeed mad. I have been for a long time.”
Perhaps since the very first time he met Evelyn.
Vane’s face turned pale.
