Chapter 97: The Left Forearm’s Secret

Rohan immediately grabbed his mother’s hand and led her outside.

“How did this happen, Mother? Why is that person here… I think I need an explanation.”

“Crown Prince.”

Perhaps expecting her son’s reaction, Amanda gently pulled Rohan over to the window and began to speak in a low voice.

“After the strange incident at the North Tower, His Majesty personally interrogated Empress Emilia.”

Outside the window, the evening glow was fading, and its crimson light shone upon Amanda’s serious face.

“She isn’t completely blameless. However… she has Prince Elliot and Princess Noah, and for the sake of her children, she promised to cooperate with everything from now on.”

“Do you believe her, Mother?”

Rohan’s fist clenched tightly.

In his previous life, that mother and daughter had used him as their puppet, and said countless harsh things to him.

Especially Emilia, who was obsessed with making Elliot Emperor, always glared at him with fierce eyes.

She was power-hungry and hated losing to anyone.

“Later, it was revealed that Empress Emilia was also a victim of that man, Kazin. In a way, perhaps she suffered the most, precisely because she was the closest to him.”

“……”

His mother had a kind heart, but she was not one to make up stories out of sympathy.

If she spoke so decisively, there must be something to justify it.

‘Is it something… about Empress Emilia’s hidden wounds, something she can’t say out loud to me?’

Rohan let out a small sigh.

“Did His Majesty approve this?”

“Of course. Who could dare release her from prison without His Majesty’s consent?”

Amanda warmly clasped Rohan’s hand.

“Crown Prince. His Majesty made his decision after much deliberation. Empress Emilia has lost all her authority except her title and is under 24-hour surveillance, but she has been given a chance to atone to her children.”

She looked through the slightly open door with a gentle smile.

“Look. See what expressions Elliot and Noah are wearing.”

“……”

Peering through the gap, Rohan could only fall silent.

Elliot, and Noah nestled in Empress Emilia’s arms.

Their faces were more peaceful and happy than ever.

‘…Blood really is thicker than water.’

Emilia, Elliot, and Noah instinctively needed one another.

“She isn’t evil by nature. She simply lived as she did, trying to survive.”



---



“So much really happened while I was away.”

After dinner, Rohan headed not to his bedroom, but to his office.

William was waiting for him there.

“Ah, Your Highness.”

When Rohan opened the office door, William, who had arrived first, rose and greeted him.

“Did you enjoy the dinner?”

“That’s why I called you here, William.”

Rohan sat down in his office chair and intertwined his fingers.

“What exactly happened? My mother told me the gist, but I need the full story.”

“Hm.”

William hesitated, wondering where to start.

In fact, ever since he’d heard that Rohan wanted to see him, he’d expected this very question.

And, for the day Rohan returned, he had already gathered all related information.

“You know about the incident at the North Tower, right?”

“I do. Guard Bertolt was killed by a shadow, wasn’t he?”

“And that shadow was actually Kazin Fabian?”

“That wasn’t in the letter, was it?”

Under Rohan’s gaze, William scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“It wasn’t certain at the time, so I didn’t include it in the report. Anyway, back then Kazin Fabian threatened Empress Emilia…”

William explained smoothly, without pause.

Kazin threatened Emilia, telling her she must wait for him, and if she didn’t behave, she’d end up like Guard Bertolt.

Terrified, she said nothing for a long time, but when she heard that Elliot and Noah were waiting for their mother, she finally confessed everything before Emperor Beltar.

“Based on Empress Emilia’s testimony, a thorough investigation was conducted. That’s when one fact came to light.”

“What was it?”

“That Empress Emilia’s life was threatened by my father, Kazin Fabian.”

“What?”

Rohan’s eyes narrowed.

That can’t be.

She was the only one who could say anything she wanted to Kazin, who feared nothing in this world.

“Well, I didn’t believe it at first either…”

William raised his left arm as he spoke.

“They say Empress Emilia’s left forearm is covered with countless old scars. The oldest one dates back to when she was just three years old.”

“Huh.”

Hearing William’s words, Rohan recalled something.

In his previous life, Kazin had once said something similar to him.



―My father trained me harshly from a young age. If I didn’t live up to his expectations, or if I even slightly angered him, he’d mercilessly lash my left forearm with a whip.

―But I don’t resent him for it. His violence made me stronger, and it became the driving force that allowed me to surpass him in the end.



He’d said it with a smile, but the look in his eyes as he recalled those days was filled with killing intent.

‘So in the end, he passed that brutality right down to his daughter.’

Rohan never did know why Kazin told him such things.

Perhaps it was an attempt to justify his own merciless violence toward his daughter.

Of course, back then he had no way of knowing.

“If she ever showed pity for someone or shed tears, she said that night would always become a nightmare. So she gradually shaped herself into the image her father wanted.”

“Hmm.”

It was a difficult matter.

“Even so, I still can’t trust her.”

“Of course not. And I suspect… neither His Majesty, nor the Empress, nor Lady Amanda, who sometimes dines with her, trust her completely.”

“Which is why her meetings with the children are strictly regulated, right?”

“Yes, exactly.”

He’d overheard during dinner earlier.

Empress Emilia could meet with Elliot and Noah once a week, for two hours.

Even then, she was never allowed to be alone with them—a rule required either the Empress or Lady Amanda to be present.

Outside of that, Emilia was kept alone at the old guard post beneath the North Tower.

So, her seeing the children at tonight’s dinner was the one precious meeting allowed per week.

“Well… I suppose it’s a relief the adults have set up so many safeguards.”

She still had to be watched, never knowing when she might change.

“That’s right. So please try not to worry too much. Lady Amanda is also paying close attention because of this matter.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Rohan gave William a wry smile.

“Thank you for the explanation, William. You can go rest now.”

“It’s nothing, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave, then.”

William bowed and exited the office.

“…Hah, really. Change the future, and all sorts of things happen.”

Kazin’s coup had failed, the World Tree of Darkness had appeared out of nowhere…

Now there was Jenon and Lucretia’s romance, and even Empress Emilia’s release.

“It’s enough to make my head spin.”

Many things had changed, but with some things in history staying the same, Rohan intended to use all his knowledge to his advantage.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a tapping sound came from the window.

Creak.

When he opened it, a crow fluttered away, leaving a letter in its place.

“Oh, finally.”

The capital sightseeing list he’d asked Lucretia for earlier today!

It had finally arrived.

Rohan ran through the list, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

“Heh, as expected—perfect.”

Tomorrow was the day for the departing Elpirians to tour the capital.

He was already looking forward to their reactions.

“For tomorrow’s sake, I’d better turn in early tonight.”

How long had it been since he’d slept in his own comfortable bed?

Rohan rubbed his tired eyes and headed toward his bedroom.



---



The next morning.

Rohan and William arrived at the North ‘Assembly Hall.’

When they went inside, the Elpirians were already prepared.

“Nas isn’t here?”

“She told us to go ahead. Apparently she’s meeting separately with the Emperor later.”

“Ah, I see?”

It seemed there were matters for the national representatives to discuss among themselves.

A pity, but it couldn’t be helped.

“This is my aide William. He’ll be helping guide us today.”

“I’m William Gerald.”

As they introduced themselves, the others did as well.

“Lunabellin.”

“I’m Bayan.”

“I’m Oyen.”

The two scholars introduced themselves as siblings.

“Hakum.”

Finally, the Elpirian warrior finished, and Retina laughed.

“Everyone’s looking forward to today’s tour. We’re counting on you to show us some wonderful places.”

“Of course.”

Rohan nodded with a smile.

“We’ve got carriages ready; we’ll ride into the city center first.”

William went outside and guided the Elpirians to the carriages.

Rohan, William, and Retina took the first carriage.

The other four Elpirians boarded the second.

“So, where are we going today?”

“We’ll visit the National Museum, then have lunch… and afterward we’ll go to the biggest market on the outskirts, ‘Marinta.’”

“Oh, Marinta!”

Retina’s eyes sparkled.

“I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it the best market in Schubert, developed along the Marianne River?”

“Haven’t you ever been?”

“No, never.”

Then, suddenly, Retina looked a bit disappointed.

“I’m glad to go sightseeing… but it’s still a bit of a shame.”

“Why?”

“If you go to a market, you have to shop. But while I’m fine, the others don’t have any Imperial currency.”

“Ahh.”

Rohan gave William a knowing look and smiled.

“Of course I anticipated that.”

Naturally.

The Elpirians, who’d only ever lived in Silvaren, couldn’t possibly have Imperial money.

He’d even heard that Silvaren didn’t have the concept of currency at all.

Following Rohan’s cue, William reached under the carriage and pulled out a wooden box.

Clatter!

Even just the sound hinted there was something unusual inside.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared the money.”

Inside the box William produced were four black pouches filled with Imperial coins.