Even with the sword right before him, Tigrinu did not waver.
He sat calmly, with eyes that had transcended the anguish of life and death.
“Take a look. It’s a double-edged sword, more suited for stabbing than slashing.”
Blayden had no intention of assassinating Tigrinu. Not yet.
“It’s not yours, is it?”
Five years ago, when the Continental Unification War began, Tigrinu had bestowed a sword upon Blayden.
The one before him now was not that sword.
“No. If I were to strike you down now, Your Majesty, a loyal knight of Ekillium would be placed in a difficult position.”
Blayden gestured with his eyes to the eagle figure adorning the sword’s hilt.
In the Forest of Forié…
“Wielding another’s sword doesn’t suit me.”
“Then put it away. Holding a sword you won’t use is disgraceful.”
Tigrinu had grown old and weak, but still he remained unshaken.
That is why—now is not the time.
He would be struck down when he feared death.
When he writhed in pain, repenting his sins.
The sword was sheathed.
Tigrinu’s gaze fell to the queen on the chessboard.
“If I make Kiabel the queen, Kallian will be hurt. He must be thinking he’ll become king.”
From the mouth of the king came the name of the prince.
“So it is also your task to soothe that child. If you succeed in that, this kingdom will be yours. You need only marry Kiabel and produce an heir.”
You need my seed.
So that’s why you’ve kept me alive.
“One day, the one who carries the blood of Ekillium and the woman I love shall rule this kingdom.”
“It’s a generous offer, but I must decline.”
“Blayden Rehart. At a single word from me, you’d be on your way to the execution grounds. Even though your life is in my hands, you dare act so arrogantly. Just what is it you believe in that—”
In the middle of his outburst, Tigrinu suddenly clutched his chest.
“Cough!”
A harsh, dry cough burst out, and soon blood gushed from his mouth.
The dark red clots stained his white silk robe.
“Cough! Cough!”
Watching Tigrinu vomit blood in pain, Blayden quickly scanned the bedchamber.
A dark room veiled by curtains. Candles burning all around.
Could it be—?
Just as he moved toward the nearest candle, its flame flickered
Among the calm flames, only one was moving.
A breeze from outside.
Blayden stared at the wall behind the candle.
A crack.
An eye.
A spy.
An observer.
He must be careful with his words and actions.
His swift step retreated—and then turned toward Tigrinu.
“Your Majesty!”
Blayden helped Tigrinu lie down on the bed.
“Are you alright?”
Tigrinu’s eyes were glazed, unfocused.
“Because of you, Lavinia died. I lost her. My love. If it weren’t for you, I could’ve gotten her back.”
Why is that my fault?
“You had your father castrated. That man should not have died as a man.”
The light in Tigrinu’s eyes faded as he spoke those harsh words.
A tear formed in the wrinkled corners of his eyes, and his bony hand groped the air.
“Blayden. My beloved’s bloodline. How I wish you had been my son.”
Tigrinu’s cold hand touched Blayden’s cheek.
As though shaking off a disgusting snake, Blayden turned his head away and grabbed Tigrinu’s shoulder.
“Your Majesty, please, stay conscious!”
This can’t go on, Tigrinu Olauus.
“Blayden Meteus Lehart. Your middle name saved you. The blood of my love that flows in your veins saved you. So, you must pass Lavinia’s blood onto future generations.”
The king’s hand fell limply.
Blayden, staring at the collapsed Tigrinu with his eyes closed, ran to the door.
The servant outside stood like a statue with a neutral expression on his face.|
Whether he didn’t know what was going on inside, or had been told to act as though he didn’t, was unclear.
Blayden lowered his voice and gave instructions.
“Find the master of the theater troupe that left not long ago.”
“Yes.”
“Bring him to my room. Quietly.”
“Yes, Sir Lehart.”
The servant nodded and moved.
Blayden entered the chamber and locked the door behind him.
Leaning against the door, he surveyed the room.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
When he entered the room, Tigrinu and Skalson’s chess game was nearing its endgame.
If it had gone that far, Skalson had probably been here for a while.
If something had happened to him, the king’s symptoms could be a clue, and if he was unharmed, he could be a suspect.
Either way, the person needed to be detained.
Blayden approached the bed again.
As he examined Tigrinu’s complexion, the dim, flickering light in his eyes suddenly flashed open.
“God’s tears.”
Blayden brought his ear closer to Tigrinu’s lips.
“The shadows are coming. Wash away the darkness with the god’s tears. More blood will stain this continent…”
Tigrinu’s mouth could not finish the sentence and closed again.
It didn’t open after that.
The sticky blood that had formed at his dry lips dripped down his chin.
Blayden turned away, watching the blood streak on the floor like a bug.
The flickering flame had grown still.
Someone had moved beyond the wall.
Whoever it was, wherever they went.
Swoosh.
The sword slid out of its sheath.
Blayden swung it, cutting through a short block of wax with one strike.
A bee was buried in the wax.
The eyes of a dead winged insect were red.
A red-eyed bee.
An obsession that poisons.
Blayden sighed.
To think Tigrinu would collapse like this.
The plan had gone wrong. What now?
***
The sound of footsteps echoed between the stone walls.
Leni glanced sideways at Martin, who was walking beside her down the long corridor.
His expression was darker than when they had gone to meet the king.
She couldn’t shake the feeling about his thumb, tucked under his clenched fist.
“Father, you said it was fine to act as usual in front of the king, but were you really okay with it?”
“You did well.”
“I tried to maintain proper manners in front of the king, but why do I feel like I made a mistake?”
“There was no mistake, so don’t worry.”
Actually, I made a huge blunder.
I wasn’t unfamiliar with Sir Red Wolf Lehart, and when I first met him, I treated him like a forest keeper and was rude.
Should I confess that?
Leni’s mind raced.
Her father was close to the king.
Sir Red Wolf had met with the king.
The words could eventually reach her father’s ears.
Instead of getting caught, it might be better to confess.
Yes, I’ve decided.
“Father, the truth is—”
Just as she was about to speak, unexpected words reached her ears.
“We’re going to meet with Princess Kiaebel now. Be as honest as possible in front of the princess as well.”
Meeting the princess?
What day is it today?
The king and the princess…
She must have been surprised to be given such roles, but to actually meet royalty…
While she was excited by the thought, her father’s expression remained stern, and his eyes were clouded with concern.
“Do you remember Princess Kiaebel?”
“Yes.”
It was already a year ago.
They had performed in the kingdom of Verden at the invitation of King Verden.
At the time, Princess Kiaebel was a hostage of King Verden, and she had been practically dragged out to watch a comedy by the Skalson troupe.
Back then, Lenny had dressed up as a tree and stood in the corner of the stage.
She probably wouldn’t recognize me, but I suppose this could be considered fate.
“Lenny.”
Her father called her name.
“Yes?”
“You need to find someone to protect you. You must win the heart of the next king. Just in case.”
The next king? Just in case? Could it be…?
“Father, will Princess Kiaebel… become the Queen?”
Lenny thought about Tigrinu, who had seemed unwell.
“The princess…”
Her father’s words cut off in the middle.
He was probably imagining death.
She, too.
But thoughts of the king’s death should not be voiced.
Lenny changed her approach.
“Father, will Princess Kiaebel become my benefactor?”
The troupe relied on support from royalty and nobility.
The income from performances was minimal, and without the gold coins of the wealthy, it would be difficult to sustain the troupe.
Some nobles sponsored specific actors, offering not just money, but fine clothes and rare jewels.
Political protection was also crucial.
In times like the past five years when war had ravaged the continent, such kindness was even more essential.
“Lenny, in two days, you’ll be twenty years old. After your birthday, a big change will come.”
“What do you mean, Father?”
“Your life will never be the same again. Forever.”
Is he assigning me a role?
Leni was intrigued, but a shadow passed over her father’s face.
“I won’t be able to protect you anymore.”
“What?”
“But you’re a smart child. You’ll find your way.”
“Father, why are you saying this?”
Leni’s throat tightened with unease.
Martin, who had been about to speak, frowned and pressed his hand to his forehead.
“Ugh.”
The unsteady body collapsed with a soft thud.
“Father!”
Leni shouted and hurriedly supported Martin.
“Father! Father, what’s wrong with you?”
When she raised her head to seek help, a young man approached from the end of the hallway.
He was a servant who had been guarding the king’s quarters. Behind him were two soldiers.
“Leni.”
Martin pulled out a pass from his chest and shoved it into her hands.
“Go find Princess Kiaebel. Introduce yourself and stay by her side until your birthday passes. Do whatever it takes.”
“Why, Father?”
“The princess is in danger. She must never be left alone. The fate of this kingdom… no, the continent is at stake.”
Leni was frightened by these incomprehensible words.
“Father. You need to check your health first.”
“I’m fine!”
Martin shouted angrily and shoved the pass into Leni’s hand.
“Right now, protecting the princess is the most important thing. There’s no time. Go now!”
The servant was getting closer, and the soldiers’ spears gleamed sharply.
“Hurry!”
Martin pushed Leni forward.
Gasping for breath, Leni was suddenly swept backward like being caught in a strong wind.
Her body flew toward the wall.
When her back hit the stone wall, the air whirled around her.
What was that?
It didn’t hurt when I hit the wall.
A sensation like being pulled into a swamp took hold, and her vision blurred.
When her body thudded onto the cold, hard floor, Leni opened her eyes.
Everything around her was pitch black, and a foul smell filled the air.
It smelled like moss and dry leaves, like being in a forest.
Lenny groped the air with both hands as she struggled to breathe.
Faint light flickered before her eyes.
Her arms were glowing.
From her elbows to her wrists, they shimmered, as if covered in silver powder.
A cold wind blew sharply toward her.
Leni was pushed backward again.
The sound of her backside hitting the ground echoed loudly.
“Ha!”
Her heavy breathing scratched the silence, and the light on her arms grew brighter.
The pure white light alternated between warm and cold.
It turned blue, then transparent, and even began to emit smoke.
Through the sparkling smoke, mysterious, gem-like light particles flickered in the darkness.
“Father?”
Leni quietly called out.
The darkness remained silent.
There was no response, and only her voice echoed back.
‘Where am I? What’s happening to me right now?’
Dizziness struck, and her vision spun.
Then her breath grew shallow.
In the overwhelming silence, a wave of fear ran down her spine.