Chapter 167: Side Story 23

The child who had been shedding tears led Alexa and Terrun to a place where several other children had gathered. These were the children of maids and servants learning their duties in the imperial palace, children brought by staff members, or errand runners coming and going from the palace.

It was almost astonishing to see that there were so many children within the imperial palace.

“Ah! It’s an adult!”

“Cornelly! It’s okay now, an adult is here. Hang in there just a little longer!”

As murmurs spread among them, the children stepped aside. They looked a bit frightened. After quickly checking on the group, Alexa moved deeper inside with Terrun. What had the children all been gathered around?

Alexa’s eyes widened. Though she couldn’t fully grasp what had happened, she saw one child curled up tightly on the ground, and beside them…

They were able to piece together what had happened through the children’s panicked explanations.

“Something heavy came down with a loud thud right on top of Cornelly!”

“It was so heavy we couldn’t move it alone, so we all gathered to help lift it!”

“Cornelly cried so hard, it must’ve really hurt!”

The children blurted out their words in an excited frenzy. A statue from the garden had, for some unknown reason, toppled over and fallen on a child passing by. It had landed on the child’s leg, and the other kids had all rushed over to try and move it.

“Where were the adults?”

“Uh… they’re busy.”

The children shook their heads.

“The new Emperor is coming, and they said he’s sick!”

“They said the palace needs to be cleaned! Something about a banquet?”

“No idea where they all went, we haven’t seen them!”

The new Emperor must be Jeremiah, though Alexa wasn’t yet aware of any banquet plans. She gave a slight nod, taking it all in for the moment.

“Terrun.”

Alexa tugged at Terrun’s arm. Terrun bent down and carefully lifted the child into his arms. The little body was limp, likely having passed out from the pain. Alexa inspected the child’s leg, her face dark with concern.

‘It looks broken.’

Thankfully, the child was still young. With proper care, the bones should heal quickly.

‘But the bones are crushed into several fragments.’

Alexa glanced worriedly at the child.

“Let’s go, Terrun.”

Terrun nodded and started walking quickly. After sending him ahead, Alexa turned to the children.

“Where does Cornelly work? Do you know who his guardian is?”

“I do!”

One child shot their hand up high.

“Cornelly and I are super close!”

“I see.”

“We’ve been friends since three years ago! We always eat together and play ball too!”

Alexa listened patiently to the child’s enthusiastic story.

“I see. Sounds like you’ve been a good friend.”

“That’s right! Cornelly used to live in the tower, but recently moved to the annex where Her Highness the Queen lives. I was so happy when he moved. But then this happened…”

The child quickly became sullen. With emotions that shifted rapidly, the child clearly needed gentle care. Alexa patted the child’s head.

“Cornelly’s going to be just fine. I promise.”

“Who are you, sister?”

“I’m… Alexa. Alexa Eneroff. I’m staying here at the palace for now… I guess you could say I’m a friend of the new Emperor?”

“Huh? A friend? But they said Emperors don’t have friends!”

“Then let’s say I’m the Emperor’s doctor.”

“Wow! Then Cornelly’s really going to get better fast!”

“Of course!”

Alexa gave a firm nod. The children finally seemed to relax at her words. Once she had calmed them and sent them on their way, she hurried off again.

‘Wait a minute… the child works at the Queen’s palace?’

The Queen was Jeremiah’s biological mother.

Alexa sighed, her face troubled. She wasn’t entirely sure how Jeremiah felt about his mother. For him, the Queen was someone he harbored guilt and resentment toward. After all, the Queen had failed to protect Jeremiah.

Instead, she had expected her young son to protect her. Jeremiah had abandoned her and paid dearly for it, suffering deeply. Alexa had both read about it in the novel and witnessed it firsthand.

But after all that…

How did Jeremiah feel about his mother now?

Alexa swallowed a sigh. This wasn’t the time to get lost in thought. Right now, a child was waiting for her, in pain, hoping she would arrive.

“Terrun! Where’s the patient?”

“Here!”

Terrun pointed to the child, still lying limp from pain, guarding them with firm resolve.

* * *

Count Jertho had finally gained entry to the imperial palace, just as he had hoped. A direct summons had come from the palace itself, stating that if Count Jertho would take charge of preparing the banquet, they would accept his offer.

‘They’ve lowered their tail. What would those country bumpkins know anyway?’

Count Jertho let out a smug smirk. Since it was thanks to him that the previously sealed-off palace was now accessible, the nobility would surely hold him in higher regard. Though the banquet preparations had come with unexpected expenses, the gains far outweighed the losses.

Count Jertho arrived at the imperial palace. He was immediately guided to where Violeta and Ysildus were waiting.

“Young Lord, Lady Violeta. I’ve heard about the two of you. I understand you’re direct descendants of the Thersion ducal house?”

Ysildus offered a mild smile, while Violeta clicked her tongue lightly and nodded.

How pitiful, to be so arrogantly ignorant. Count Jertho likely believed that the palace had opened simply to fall in line with his plans, but Ysildus…

“I heard you’re overseeing the banquet.”

“That’s right, Lady Violeta. I’ve long worked in the palace. It’s only natural that someone like me, with experience, should handle it. There’s no senior figure left to manage things here.”

“I’m counting on your capable hands. Oh, by the way, there’s a rumor going around. That this banquet will be used to choose the Empress.”

“I’ve heard that rumor too. Who knows where it started. But truthfully, nothing about the banquet has been officially decided.”

Count Jertho feigned ignorance.

“With such rumors flying around, neighboring nations are in a frenzy. We ought to hold a grand banquet. Will His Highness Prince Jeremiah be recovered in time?”

That was the core of his visit – to assess Jeremiah’s condition. Since Jeremiah had entered the palace, there had been no way to confirm his state. No one who might have had information had been seen since the palace gates closed.

“You needn’t worry about His Highness. He should be well enough by the time of the banquet. When are you planning to hold it?”

“About two weeks from now seems appropriate. I’ve heard that princesses and noble ladies from surrounding countries have already set out…”

Count Jertho stole a glance at Violeta. Since Ysildus remained silent, it seemed Violeta held the real authority here. Perhaps, despite Thersion’s fame, Ysildus was just a figurehead?

“We’ll also need to open the palace gates, won’t we? If we’re expecting guests.”

That was the second reason Count Jertho had arranged all this. Unless the palace gates were opened, his own people couldn’t come to see him nor could he spy on the goings-on inside. And unless he knew what was happening, he couldn’t act accordingly.

“Well…”

At that moment, Ysildus finally spoke. Until now, he had stood there like a picture, smiling but silent. Count Jertho’s attention naturally shifted to him.

A face that would be hard to find even in the capital. Surely the young ladies of the continent would be drawn to him. Perhaps he should arrange a meeting between this man and his niece before the banquet.

Just as Count Jertho’s mind was busy with schemes… 

“Opening the palace gates will be difficult.”

“What do you mean…?”

“His Highness is still unwell. The perpetrator hasn’t been caught yet either. The situation is quite dangerous.”

Ysildus continued in a slow, composed tone. In that instant, Count Jertho realized that Ysildus was no naive boy. Every word carried weight and authority.

“Which is why it would be best to keep the palace sealed until His Highness has recovered.”

“Well… there is the coronation to prepare…”

“Recovery comes first. And identifying the criminal is just as important.”

Ysildus spoke with unwavering resolve.

“Then… the guests…”

“Why not leave them to you, Count Jertho? I hear your influence is so vast it’s reached even Thersion.”

Count Jertho was struck speechless.

You want me to shoulder the burden for all this… alone?