Episode 163
Despite the dawn, King Felix was still alive. In fact, he was staying at the Imperial Palace as a guest.
The nobles, hearing this news, gathered in hushed whispers, their voices filled with indignation.
“He was so confident, and yet he didn’t kill King Felix?”
“Exactly. Don’t tell me he’s planning to join forces with him.”
“Don’t be absurd. What would he gain from that?”
“…Perhaps he’s planning a marriage alliance for peace. Who knows how many monsters they have hidden away.”
“Even so, a marriage alliance? Mixing Ravanta’s noble bloodline with Heilan’s vulgar blood?”
“In the past, Heilan wouldn’t even dare to look Ravanta in the eye. A marriage alliance is out of the question.”
They denied the reality, but they all knew.
It seemed absurd, but it was the most likely scenario. Some opposed it for the reasons mentioned above, while others secretly supported it, desperate for survival.
Elonia’s maids were furious when they heard the rumors.
“That’s ridiculous! Her Highness would never marry that vile king of Heilan!”
“Exactly! And he’s so old! It’s absurd!”
“People will say anything!”
Sarah was also angry.
Elonia was only sixteen. Her biggest worry should be exam results, not political marriages.
Of course, Elonia was the sole heir to the throne, the only royal currently capable of wielding imperial authority. She couldn’t simply dismiss such concerns.
‘But Her Highness needs adults to protect her.’
Even though Artius and Caroline were incapacitated, Elonia still had many allies.
Aaron was handling Ravanta’s administration in her stead, and Alberich and Garnethia were working tirelessly behind the scenes.
And everyone in the Imperial Princess’s Palace would support her if she asked.
But it wasn’t enough.
‘Her Highness needs more allies.’
Adults with political power, adults who could shield her from external criticism, even if they couldn’t offer direct assistance.
Adults who could firmly support her.
Duchess Asta and Marquis Hellington weren’t enough.
She couldn’t delay any longer.
Sarah stood up. Canaria asked, surprised,
“Lady Sardia? Where are you going?”
“…I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re not going to beat up some nobles, are you?”
The maids who had witnessed her “mad dog” days prepared to stop her. Sarah chuckled and shook her head.
“No, nothing like that.”
She held a piece of paper in her hand, its edges worn from repeated folding and unfolding.
The maids, seeing the paper, relaxed.
Despite Sarah’s reassurances, Elonia remained confined to her office, even after sunrise.
‘There must be a way. A way to save Mother, Lucius, and Ravanta.’
She sat curled up in the large chair, biting her nails anxiously, her eyes unfocused.
There had to be another way.
But,
‘…I can’t think of anything.’
Her hand fell limply to her side.
She couldn’t find the holy relic, and Tristan’s power seemed insurmountable.
The smile Lucius had shown her before leaving last night lingered in her mind.
‘Why did Lucius smile?’
It hadn’t seemed fake, but it hadn’t seemed entirely genuine either. Who would want to become a slave? Lucius must be afraid too.
‘Is there really no other way?’
Elonia’s eyes stung.
She couldn’t protect Ravanta alone. If Artius were here, would things be different? Would he have a better solution?
A young and inexperienced ruler wasn’t what a nation in turmoil needed. Just as Elonia buried her face in her knees, overwhelmed by her own inadequacy,
The hallway outside grew noisy.
“You can’t enter Her Highness’s palace without permission.”
“What are you doing? Take this man to the annex.”
The annex? That meant Felix. Elonia lifted her head.
‘Why is Felix…?’
Her question was short-lived. An idea sparked in her mind.
There was still leverage.
‘My life.’
They still needed her. Resurrecting the dead was only possible after Tristan became a god. If she died now, their plans would be ruined.
The only drawback to this negotiation was returning to Heilan. Heilan was hell for her. But,
‘Mother and Lucius were willing to die for me. I can do this.’
Elonia’s eyes regained their focus.
Nothing could stop her now. She strode towards the door, flung it open, and lifted her head high.
Felix stood there, a smug grin on his face, bowing mockingly.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“We apologize, Your Highness. We’ll escort him away immediately.”
Ethan and Ricardo moved to apprehend Felix, but Elonia stopped them.
“…Y-Your Highness?”
Ethan stammered, confused. Elonia addressed Felix directly.
“King Felix, a word.”
Felix smirked.
“Perhaps a game of chess while we talk?”
Elonia led Felix to the reception room and dismissed everyone.
Felix chuckled, picking up a white chess piece.
“Finally made up your mind, Chelon?”
The stage was set, but the words wouldn’t come out. Felix shrugged nonchalantly.
“Well, there’s only one path forward anyway. Let’s talk slowly over a game of chess.”
“…”
“Ah, surely you haven’t forgotten how to play chess?”
Twitch. Elonia’s fist clenched.
It was a provocation. But she couldn’t forget. They were letting her live for now, because the time wasn’t right.
The black chess pieces were placed in front of her.
“I’ll let you go first.”
“How generous.”
Elonia moved her knight first. Felix moved his pawn two spaces forward. A nostalgic sigh escaped his lips.
“You’ve grown so much.”
“…What?”
“So Princess Elonia was you, Chelon… Your face has changed so much. If it weren’t for Tristan, I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
Felix picked up his bishop. The white bishop moved diagonally, positioning itself near Elonia’s black knight.
“Killing Dolce must have been your decision, Chelon, not Princess Elonia’s.”
“…I heard Tristan’s offer to Lucius.”
Elonia moved her knight again, changing the subject. Felix, seemingly unfazed by the potential loss of his knight, chuckled and nodded.
“So he reported back. And?”
“…Release Lucius and Mother.”
Felix’s expression turned incredulous.
His bishop swiftly advanced, deep into Elonia’s territory.
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“Yes. If you refuse, I’ll die here.”
Elonia met his gaze, her eyes unwavering, as she moved a pawn, opening a path for her king. It was a position easily captured by Felix’s bishop.
Felix frowned.
“Then where will we get the apostle’s power? We need that too.”
“…I’m not saying don’t take his power. Just don’t kill him. Let Lucius live.”
Elonia, as if possessed, leaned forward, listing the reasons why they needed her alive.
“You have to accept my proposal. It would be inconvenient if I died here, wouldn’t it? Heilan’s military strength is inferior to Ravanta’s. Even with your chimeras, you can’t use them recklessly. If they rampage and kill all of Ravanta’s citizens, there will be no one left to generate faith, and Tristan won’t be able to become a god.”
Felix never missed an opportunity to seize his prey. And yet, he hesitated, his face contorted, unable to declare checkmate. He was clearly shaken.
Elonia pleaded again, her voice filled with desperation.
“So just let Lucius go. Then, I’ll submit to Heilan peacefully.”
Felix stared at her for a long moment.
Elonia held her breath, anxiously waiting for his answer, her gaze fixed on his lips.
But his reply was neither acceptance nor rejection.
“I don’t understand why you’re crying.”
“…What?”
Elonia quickly touched her cheeks. They were wet. Tears were streaming down her face.
She hastily wiped them away with her sleeve. Felix crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair, and murmured, as if fascinated.
“I’ve only seen you cry twice. Once when Alexia died, and again when I sent you to war, using Olivia and Simon as hostages.”
“…”
“You didn’t cry even when Dolce tormented you. And yet, you shed tears for Lucius.”
At the mention of Dolce, anger flared within her, and her hand clenched on the table.
But she had to endure it. The powerless couldn’t afford anger.
Felix captured her bishop instead of her king and asked,
“Don’t you hate Alexia?”
Elonia looked up. Felix asked, genuinely puzzled.
“She was a terrible mother. If it were me, I would have sacrificed Alexia and saved Lucius.”
“…Don’t speak ill of my mother.”
“Hmm, well. Fine. Even if she was a bad mother, you fought alongside her against my mother for ten years. There must be some camaraderie. But Chelon, if you want a family so badly, you can make one with Lucius.”
“…What?”
“Didn’t Lucius tell you? Tristan promised to unite you two if you brought Alexia to him. He seems quite fond of you, and you want a family, don’t you? Isn’t it a mutually beneficial proposal?”
“Wait, unite me with whom…”
Lucius hadn’t said anything like that. And Lucius being fond of her?
Before Elonia could process his words, Felix continued his barrage of questions.
“You’re so obsessed with family, what’s so great about it…? Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t kill Artius, knowing your memories. Artius is your enemy, the one who brought you shame. Surely you haven’t forgotten how you died?”
Flinch. Elonia’s hand, hovering over a chess piece, trembled.
“Shut up. Don’t insult my father.”
Thud! Elonia roughly moved her knight, capturing Felix’s pawn.
Felix, unfazed by the loss of his piece, chuckled dryly.
“Father? Ha. You always addressed my deceased father as ‘Your Majesty’. And now you call him ‘Father’? You were so desperate for a family that you accepted the Emperor of Ravanta as your father?”
Elonia looked up and glared at Felix.
His green eyes, still filled with the same loathing she remembered.
Even after sixteen years, she still hated the sight of him. Anger threatened to consume her, but she suppressed it, forcing out each word through gritted teeth.
“Don’t compare Artius to the likes of Vermon.”
“I don’t understand how you can consider your enemy family. Was playing house with him that enjoyable?”
Felix leaned back nonchalantly, his face contorted in a sneer. He had no intention of understanding.
Elonia had too many weaknesses, and Felix had no qualms about exploiting them.
“Chelon, Emperor Artius is not your real family.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Your only family is the Heilan royal family.”
“No, my family is—!”
Just then,
Clang.
The sound of metal hitting the floor echoed from the hallway outside.
Elonia, startled, turned towards the door. And she saw it.
The door was slightly ajar.