TPOSAWB 76

The Price of Saving A Wicked Beast

Translator: Rae

After a long time, the closed door finally opened. When he had first arrived here, Miguel, who had worn a triumphant expression, eventually seemed exhausted. Leaning his upper body fully onto the long table, he let out a long sigh.

[Are you alright?]

Rose asked as she brought him a cup of water. As if parched, Miguel gulped it down and shook his head repeatedly.

[He’s not human.]

While running nonstop from the west to the capital with Rose, he had assessed the Crown Prince’s situation in his own way. Honestly, like the North had done to Serrem, he believed they could profit enormously under the pretext of helping a cornered Crown Prince.

But Killian was not an easy opponent. The proposal to establish state-to-state relations was not as simple as Miguel had thought. As if an invisible, capable aide stood beside him, precise imperial data flowed continuously from Killian’s mouth.

He had confidently assumed they held the stronger hand and would dominate negotiations. Yet when he came to his senses, he had spent the entire time flustered before Killian, scrambling helplessly.

[This is bad. When I return, my father will chew me out.]

Clutching his head, Miguel muttered to himself. Rose, standing beside him as interpreter, quietly suppressed a laugh at the sight.

Soon dinner was prepared. Seated together, Killian asked Rose for detailed information about the western army.

“The western army is currently stationed in a region called ‘Kalea.’ Considering future trade with Selam, they are taking care to prevent conflict between military and civilians.”

“Travelling to Kalea from the capital would take three or four days at most.”

"Yes, that is correct." 

After the report on the western army, a brief explanation of the capital’s situation followed. Even Rose, who rarely showed emotion, was surprised enough to part her lips.

“I see… Someone named Milnyme forged His Majesty’s imperial seal. So that was his aim from the very beginning.”

Now it felt like all the pieces fell into place. Poison the Emperor slowly with Serrem’s toxin, then use a forged seal on a will to place Fabian on the throne. Even if Killian’s side resisted with force, the capital’s depleted defenses would be no match for the northern army. The young grand duke’s attempt to remain in the palace under the pretext of a wedding also made sense.

Rose’s gaze turned to Adelaide. Reading the meaning in her eyes, Killian let out a faint smile.

“Your thinking is correct. If not for the rain, I would likely be dead by now.”

“What? Ah—no. I wasn’t thinking that.”

“Truthfully, it is better to thank Adelaide instead of me to be able to gather like this, so I think so as well.”

To sit at one table with not only northerners but also the Selam tribe—just a few years ago, such a scene would have been beyond imagination.

The one who made it possible was Adelaide. Rose, Marcella, Marquis Brundell, and now even Selam’s heir. Even Roem and Bonnet, working for them elsewhere, were not Killian’s people but Adelaide’s.

Killian kissed the back of Adelaide’s hand. Her face flushed red in surprise.

“Killian… why all of a sudden?”

“It’s just… I suddenly wanted to.”

Killian recalled his childhood. 

The day when he visited the House of Afort for the first time—what would his life have been if he had not met Adelaide?

It might have been better for Adelaide that way. However, he couldn’t imagine a life without Adelaide in it.

Avoiding his affectionate gaze, Adelaide coughed awkwardly. Her ears burned red as she bent her head toward her plate. Laughter rose around the table where unlikely companions gathered.

Late at night, when it seemed no one else was awake, Killian and Adelaide stepped outside for a breath of air. Though they had to hide themselves fully beneath robes, it was something only possible on a night like this.

“There really isn’t anyone around.”

The area around the safe house was already sparsely populated, but today the streets seemed completely empty, giving off an almost unreal atmosphere.

Adelaide looked down at her toes. Sensing what weighed on her mind, Killian gently drew her into his arms.

“Don’t worry. Nothing dangerous will happen to the people.”

There will be no clash between the western army and the imperial defenders. The northern reinforcements would not come either. The military standoff was merely a smokescreen meant to make Fabian impatient and cloud his judgment.

 

"I swear. I won’t let anyone get hurt.”

She had never once desired the position of Crown Princess. As a child, she only harbored feelings for Killian—whom she thought was merely Bertholdt’s nephew—and held a vague wish to become a woman worthy of him.

But what she saw, heard, and experienced beside Killian had gradually changed her. The countless miseries she witnessed on the western border, and Katarina’s death—these were sacrifices borne by innocent people, swept into the great vortex of a struggle for the throne.

What she could not bear was that Fabian—the one who orchestrated everything—remained far from this grim reality, kept himself safe and acted as though he had nothing to do with it, as if he possessed the right to do so.

Adelaide knew one more person like that—Killian. Before losing his memory, he had resembled Fabian like a twin. Killian quietly kissed her trembling eyes.

“I promise. No one will be harmed.”

In Killian’s violet eyes, his sincere feelings shone clearly. Meeting his gaze, Adelaide’s trembling subsided. She looked up at the sky. A full moon hung bright overhead. Having hidden in Marquis Brundel’s estate and the safe house, she could not even remember the last time she had seen the moon.

'Please protect everyone.' 

Her brother who risked his life for her; Marcella, who took on the dangerous role of messenger; Viscount Romeo and Rose, who came here after persuading Serrem, who were once their enemies, and even bearing the stigma of rebellion; and Marquis Brundell, who set aside the grief of losing his daughter to aid their revenge.

And finally, Killian, standing by her side.

Even if it was greedy, she could not help it. Adelaide closed her eyes and made a wish to the moon for the sake of her precious people.

At last, all these stories were racing toward their final act.

*** 

An enraged voice spilled out beyond the door. Slamming the table, Fabian sprang to his feet.

“When exactly is the northern army supposed to arrive?”

It had already been two weeks since word arrived that the grand duchy would immediately march troops to the capital. The northern army, which should have arrived already, had not appeared at all, while the Serrem–western allied forces camped just outside the capital.

Viscount Romeo must know that delay worked against them. Yet why they did not attack and remained quiet—this gnawed at Fabian endlessly, like a blade held to his throat. At his sharp expression, everyone shrank back, watching him carefully.

Since taking over as regent on behalf of the emperor, Fabian’s reputation had plunged almost vertically. Unlike the composure he showed as the young grand duke, his ability to resolve crises was disastrous.

“That is a question we should be asking.”

"What did you just say?"

“Shouldn’t the regent—Your Highness the young grand duke—know best when the grand ducal reinforcements will arrive?”

At the blunt reply, Fabian was momentarily speechless. As he was about to shout in anger, Roem signaled to him not to show more emotion.

Realizing the situation, Fabian looked around. Only then did he notice the nobles avoiding his gaze, wearing uncomfortable expressions.

“Let us conclude today’s meeting here.”

The moment Roem finished speaking, the nobles hurried out to escape the awkward atmosphere. Their voices in the corridor reached Fabian’s ears.

Though it was meaningless murmuring, it sounded like criticism directed at him. In humiliation, Fabian gritted his teeth and glared at the table.

***

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