Chapter 95

"Right now... please return to the shrine. The place where you originally were. Anyway, staying here would only make you uncomfortable because of the surrounding gazes."

After the chaotic court meeting ended, Latil entered his office and, after much deliberation, came to a conclusion. He decided to send his mother back to the shrine where she had lived before coming to this side. He chose this place on purpose, of course, and also decided to secretly send people to monitor the situation, fearing that something similar might happen again. Latil loved his mother, felt resentful towards her, and pitied her. He couldn't punish her, forgive her, or understand her. While his anger towards his brother was the strongest, he also harbored some resentment towards his mother, which is why he didn't want to face her for now, even if they might live together again someday.

"Will it be okay?"

However, Haysins seemed worried that Latil's decision was too lenient.

"The main culprit is Lean, but your mother is an accomplice, after all."

Latil shrugged and straightened out a piece of paper to write the letter to the shrine.

"Mother knew that Kalain was the mercenary king but still let me follow her."

"What about Lean? What will you do with Lean?"

"I'd like to crush him to bits..."

Latil unscrewed the ink bottle cap forcefully while grinding his teeth. Perhaps because he used too much force, a crack appeared on the cap.

"Attacking my brother now would only be seen as a way to vent my anger."

"So what if it's venting anger?"

"I've already killed one half-brother, you know."

"He came back to life, didn't he?"

"Others don't know that. Anyway, thanks to the act of my brother killing me, his supporters think he's pitiful. They believe he had no choice but to do such things because he's a filial son who couldn't refuse his mother's request. There are too many of his supporters to ignore."

Still, if he had to punish someone, he could. After all, a wrong is a wrong. But during the party, zombies appeared, the dead prince came back to life, and bodies were disappearing in villages. If Latil were to harshly punish his half-brother and then his full brother, the national atmosphere would undoubtedly become eerie. This eerie atmosphere could lead to negative rumors about Latil spreading. People, terrified, would look for any place to vent their anger. Lean's excuse—that his mother was the mastermind and he followed her to protect his younger brother while secretly helping Latil—worked because of his scholarly and peaceful image. In contrast, Latil's image was the opposite, which didn't help in this situation. Latil scribbled with the pen in the ink bottle and then slammed it down on the letter paper, creating black stains everywhere. That was exactly how Latil felt inside. * * *

This time, Haysins provided a lot of help, but he couldn't stay long. He had many things to resolve and investigate in Karisen. After staying for just one day, Haysins left. Latil then found the chamberlain and the nanny, whom he had been curious about during his escape.

'Did they really fall for my brother?'

Before leaving, his mother spoke in defense of the chamberlain.

"Marquis Sablé initially said he would follow Lean. Marquis Sablé also knew about your father's investigation of you."

"You knew?"

"He knew but thought it was absurd."

"..."

"But Marquis Sablé, while saying he would follow Lean, tried hard to contact you in secret. He was caught and put under house arrest."

After his mother left, Latil found out that the chamberlain had indeed been working as usual at first but, a few days later, was put under house arrest for allegedly helping a few people. It was likely that he was trying to find Latil, but they used the excuse of helping a few people.

"Release Marquis Sablé from house arrest, and tell him to come to me after he rests and recovers."

Fortunately, the nanny had taken a leave of absence from the beginning. She didn't even pretend to be swayed, using the excuse that she had been working for too long and her health was poor. Calculating the end of her leave, Latil decided not to call her immediately, as she had indeed been busy.

However, the chamberlain, contrary to the order to rest, came to Latil immediately with the messenger.

"Chamberlain... you didn't have to come so soon. Take a rest first."

"I've been resting, Your Majesty."

Perhaps because he had been confined to his house, the chamberlain looked a bit heavier than the last time they met. Latil was moved and muttered.

"Indeed. That's how it looks."

After learning of his brother and mother's betrayal, Latil had suspected the chamberlain of betraying him, which had been painful. Despite his mental suffering, seeing that the chamberlain had gained weight was reassuring.

"How did you get caught?"

"When Prince Lean tried to imprison Sir Sosuran, I defended him and was suspected. Eventually, they caught me trying to contact Your Majesty."

"At least you're safe. I'm glad you didn't betray me."

"Your Majesty..."

As the chamberlain sniffled, Latil felt a lump in his throat. He quickly handed him a tissue and asked.

"Do you know where Sir Sosuran is?"

"Yes. He was caught trying to meet Sir Sosuran but managed to escape and has been missing since then."

But now that Your Majesty has regained your position, he will likely come as soon as he hears the news. Latil nodded at the chamberlain's suggestion, as he had been thinking the same thing.

"Marquis Sablé, while I was away, please make copies of all the decisions made by my brother and mother. If any of them don't align with my direction, I need to cancel them quickly, and even if I don't cancel them, I need to understand how things are progressing."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After the chamberlain left the office, Latil immediately called Tashir and gave him instructions.

"Drug. Use the Black Forest assassins to spread the story that I was usurped from the throne and have now reclaimed it."

Latil didn't know where Sosuran was, but spreading this rumor would help Sosuran find out where Latil was.

"Is 'Drug' my official nickname, Your Majesty?"

"Also, investigate every move my brother makes and report back."

"It seems so... I understand."

"Drug."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I love you."

Tashir, who had been a bit disappointed that Latil only talked about work after their long-awaited reunion, was taken aback by the "I love you" as if he had heard something he shouldn't have. Latil, who had said "I love you," was even more embarrassed. But it was only for a moment. Tashir then smiled widely and slowly approached Latil, leaning close and teasing him.

"Has our love finally blossomed in the secret letters we've been exchanging?"

Latil laughed and picked up a cookie he had been eating and offered it to Tashir. Tashir took the cookie, looking at Latil with a "What's this?" expression.

"A reward."

"A reward filled with affection?"

"A reward filled with trust."

Honestly, the "I love you" was a lie. It was easy to say because it was a lie. Moreover, Latil was certain that Tashir didn't love him. To Latil, Tashir was just the leader of the Black Forest playing the role of a concubine. But separately, he was someone Latil could trust. Tashir held the cookie in his hand, smiled subtly, and looked at Latil intently before putting the cookie in his mouth.

He chewed it slowly, and a satisfied, fox-like smile appeared on his face, like a tamed fox enjoying its food.

"It's quite tasty."

"Ah, Tashir, have you seen it?"

"Seen what?"

"The clothes you wanted to develop. The ones that come off with a single touch."

"!"

* * *

The magic item in the form of a wig that Lean had. Despite Lean's great performance in shifting all the blame to his mother, he couldn't resist giving up this item. Latil immediately destroyed the item after receiving it from Lean.

'It's better to get rid of it.'

While cutting the wig with scissors, Latil recalled the number 3 at the corner of the mask he had obtained.

'Maybe this means there are three such items. If so... I need to be careful.'

It would be dangerous whether it fell into Lean's hands or those of Tlana Heum.

'If I could read people's inner thoughts directly, I wouldn't have to worry about hidden faces. Can this ability really not be improved further?'

Just as Latil finished his work and was disposing of the evidence, the doorbell rang, signaling a visitor. Latil responded, and the guard outside the door announced.

"Your Majesty, Duke Artaxi and Lord Chancellor have come to see you."

"Let them in."

Latil checked the time and responded. He had personally invited them, as Tashir had said they had been a great help this time.

"Congratulations on your safe return, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, we have been eagerly awaiting your return."

As the two entered the room and greeted him, Latil gestured for them to sit and praised their efforts.

"Tashir told me that you two worked hard to maintain the atmosphere among the ministers."

"Even if the gods worked hard, could they match the efforts of Kalain, who directly assisted Your Majesty?"

"Lord Tashir also worked hard, using all the information networks of the merchant guilds for Your Majesty."

Strangely, both powerful figures praised Tashir and Kalain before themselves. Latil smiled inwardly at their seemingly humble praise.

'These guys are just praising the two commoner concubines.'

But since they had done a good job, Latil suppressed his urge to tease them and sincerely praised them.

"Through this experience, I've learned who my true allies are. Since Lananwen and Gestah are on my side, Lord Chancellor and Duke Artaxi are like family to me."

"Family!"

"Family!"

The Chancellor and Duke seemed pleased with the "family" expression and shouted it in unison, then glared at each other and quickly shut their mouths. After a few more words of praise, Latil, remembering the tasks he still needed to handle, dismissed them, saying they could talk more later. About 30 minutes later, Duke Artaxi, who was supposed to have left, came back to see Latil.

"Didn't you leave yet?"

Latil, puzzled, still invited Duke Artaxi in and had him sit on the sofa.

"What's the matter? Is there an urgent issue?"

When Latil asked, Duke Artaxi lowered his voice and spoke seriously.

"Your Majesty, did you know that our Lananwen didn't speak a single word to the fake Your Majesty until you returned?"

Fortunately, it wasn't an urgent matter at all.

"Is that why you came?"

When Latil asked, Duke Artaxi nodded seriously.

"Really. You can ask anyone. You won't believe how diligently he handled the situation."

The diligent Lananwen. The combination of words didn't fit at all, and Latil laughed awkwardly. But the main point was yet to come.

"But Naewon, the son of the Lord Chancellor, who looks innocent, apparently got along very well with the fake Your Majesty, as if he was taking out insurance."