Chapter 174: Come Find Me

King Eloin was in his chamber.

Having returned as king from Cain, he was gazing at the Lilac flowers brought to him by Ian.

Next to them were numerous lilacs arranged elegantly.

It was at that moment that the king stood up.

With a swift motion,

He snapped one of the flowers.

“The fake has served its purpose. It’s time for the real one to return.”

He did not turn his body but instead asked the Black Lion Knights standing behind him, particularly Lawrence of the third seat.

“How are the nobles faring?”

“The chairman of the Council of Elders is making a huge fuss, saying he wants to see Your Majesty personally. He says he wants to prove his innocence.”

This development was inevitable.

The Council of Elders stood as a formidable force supporting the royal family alongside the inner court.

While their influence had been a source of strength, the recent events involving Jarken had severely compromised their credibility.

“They are disassociating themselves from Jarken. They likely don’t want to lose their power over something frivolous involving Jarken. It seems they want to maintain it at all costs.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Pfft. I knew Your Majesty would say that. The authority of the inner court and the Council of Elders will soon be back in Your Majesty’s hands.”

King Eloin intended to properly establish his royal authority this time.

The powers and authority of the council were set to be significantly reduced.

However, both the king and Lawrence planned to handle this quietly without revealing the facts.

“With the nobles and the Council of Elders bowing their heads on their own, we must quickly place Lady Lila in the position of queen.”

“It shall be done.”

“I have specifically warned them as a precaution. If they interfere again this time, Your Majesty will not forgive them.”

“Well done.”

King Eloin’s smile in response to Lawrence’s words conveyed satisfaction.

Progress was smooth, paving the way for Lila’s ascension to the throne without hindrance from the council, nobles, the current queen, or her maternal kin.

‘That Ian kid. He’s quite useful.’

However, not everything had been resolved. King Eloin soon recalled this fact and asked in a cold voice.

“What about that particular matter?”

“Ah… You mean Queen Lila?”

“Yes.”

The king’s eyebrows shot up.

It had been quite some time since he had ordered an investigation, yet there were still no results.

His gaze cast doubt on the abilities of the Black Lion Knights.

“What happened? It was you who reported that she was dead, wasn’t it?”

“Hahaha… Well, you see…”

Lawrence was flustered. But he quickly composed himself and spoke calmly.

“I clearly saw with my own eyes that Lady Lila passed away. And not only me, but even the physician, confirmed her death.”

“Then how is it that she is alive?”

“That is…”

At that moment, Umtina, who had been standing like a statue beside them, interjected.

“Sir Lawrence is not at fault.”

“What?”

“During the investigation, I discovered something strange.”

“What is it?”

“The timing of the death of the physician who had confirmed the body with Sir Lawrence at that time is strange.”

At the time, everyone’s attention was focused on Lila’s death, so no one noticed.

However, recent re-investigations have revealed new information.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but I heard that he died a mysterious death shortly after. The investigation results say that he died from excessive drinking and hitting something, but…”

“Continue.”

“Circumstantially, it is highly likely that he was killed by someone.”

“!”

King Eloin and Lawrence’s expressions hardened.

The fact that the royal physician who confirmed Lila’s death was murdered alongside her death raised suspicions.

“Why did the Black Lion Knights not notice anything at that time?”

“Probably because of the situation at that time. We were so busy fighting against the spies from the other continent. And because of the Crown Prince, no, the First Prince’s coronation ceremony, we were so short-handed…”

“There’s no need for excuses.”

It was clearly someone’s plot.

The reason for being short-handed could not justify falling victim to such a plot.

Moreover, what was important to the king now was not that.

“So, the one who confirmed her death ended up dead? After that, she escaped the royal palace and lived as a servant?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Bump.

“Dare they plot against my woman within my castle?”

No matter how busy he was with the conquest war, it was the same.

He had executed all those involved at the time, but it was clear that some seeds had been left behind.

‘Whoever it is, this time I will uproot them completely.’

“You may dig up his grave. Check the body.”

“But… even so, digging up the grave of a deceased person, especially that of a royal physician with merit to the royal family…”

“Are you defying my orders, Lawrence?”

“No, I will carry it out immediately.”

The king could never forgive his enemies.

However, there was one thing he could not understand.

“Why did she run away instead of coming to me?”

If she were alive, she could have simply asked for help.

Then, under the authority of King Kaistein, a safe place could have been arranged for her.

At that moment, Lawrence cautiously spoke up, “Perhaps she felt her life was in danger?”

“So, she ran away because she didn’t trust me?”

“That is…”

Lawrence swiftly held his tongue, realizing the sensitivity of his remark.

But King Eloin soon organized his thoughts.

‘I don’t know exactly where things went wrong, but it’s time to set everything right.’

The woman he thought he had lost forever had returned alive.

To make matters even better, the council, which had previously obstructed him from making her queen, was now bowing down.

The Queen was secluded, and the remaining queens were just watching cautiously.

Now, all that was left was to make her the queen.

‘This time, no one will be able to interfere.’

King Eloin smiled.

It was only natural.

Not only had he regained the woman he thought he had lost, but he had also gained a lovely daughter.

His daughter, hailed as a saint and revered even in the Holy Empire, had garnered the attention of the restless Pope, who dispatched envoys pleading for her return.

‘I might have to reward the youngest one again.’

He was a guy who not only raised the authority of the royal family but also destroyed his enemies on his own.

It was nothing but good news for the king. Just then,

“Y-Your Majesty!!!”

A frantic chamberlain burst in. King Eloin tilted his head in confusion.

“Why are you alone? Where are Lila and Elaira?”

“Th-that is…”

The chamberlain struggled to speak, barely able to catch his breath, and the king’s expression turned serious.

And then, a sound that echoed throughout the great hall rang out.

***

A beautiful flower garden.

In a beautifully painted mansion, Ian, Lila, and Elaira were leisurely having tea time.

Especially the two women were deeply fascinated by the beautiful garden in the mansion

Ian smiled at them both.

‘I’m glad I came here after all.’

His mother and younger sister had been trapped like puppets for a long time.

They had never truly experienced freedom until now.

Therefore, they deserved proper compensation.

The only obstacle was the king.

‘As long as I have the token, he won’t be able to chase us.’

Even if he did chase after them, there was a problem.

He couldn’t order the owner of the token to return.

Normally, the king himself would have to come, but he couldn’t do that either.

‘He should be dealing with the nobles and council members who have been arrested for treason first. He wouldn’t want to miss this good opportunity.’

Unless he was the king, he couldn’t command them to return. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

That was the power given to the owner of the token.

‘The original owners probably never enjoyed such authority, as they never left the royal family.’

Ian, however, exploited this authority to its fullest.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve had such leisure.’

Now that he thought about it, ever since he became a bastard son from a serf, he had been running non-stop.

He had taken a few breaks, but resting with family felt entirely different.

It was truly healing.

Just as he was fully enjoying the warm feeling he had never felt in his previous life, Nathan approached.

“Your Highness, the First Princess is persistently trying to reach you. What shall we do?”

“Ignore her.”

“But…”

Nathan hesitated and held out a necklace.

The continuous shining indicated that the princess was urgently trying to make contact.

It was inevitable.

“Is she asking to save the Queen?”

“Probably because she’s her biological mother.”

“But I can’t forgive the person who did that to my mother.”

“Y-Yes, indeed.”

Ian fell into deep thought for a moment.

However, as if something had come to mind, he spoke up.

“Tell her that if she wishes to save the queen, she must prove her worth in the upcoming reinforcements for Cantum. If she can secure Cantum as we discussed, then I will reconsider.”

“Really?”

“Of course, it’s just a preliminary idea. I need a gift that will satisfy my mother and sister.”

“Understood, I will relay the message immediately.”

As Nathan hurriedly left, Ian couldn’t help but smile slightly.

It was because Nathan seemed to be trying to act nonchalant, but it was clear he was concerned.

‘Perhaps the two of them might end up together…’

Just then, Elaira voiced her concerns with a troubled expression.

“Is it truly acceptable for us to do this, Brother?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even so, leaving without informing His Majesty… He will surely be worried.”

Ian chuckled.

“Haven’t you been confined all this time? Think of it as a short vacation. You deserve freedom as well.”

“However…”

Elaira glanced around anxiously.

“Isn’t His Majesty likely to be displeased if we depart without the Black Lion Knights, Sir Cain, who was tasked with our protection?”

“He won’t have the luxury of being upset.”

“Pardon?”

“He will be preoccupied for some time.”

It was to be expected.

He had to deal with all the corrupt officials and assert his royal authority.

It was a perfect opportunity to completely overhaul the council and the inner court.

The very reason he was trying to make his mother the queen during this chaotic time was to take advantage of the confusion.

However, that plan was now off the table.

‘I can’t place my mother in a position obtained through such a hasty move.’

Even entering the royal family during such a chaotic time was problematic.

His mother and sister would have to face the fierce inner court completely unprotected.

‘As a prince, I have not endured the cutthroat politics of the inner court…’

Despite this, Ian was not naive.

The memories of mistreatment by the royal family in his past life still haunted him.

He didn’t want to give such memories to the two who had finally found freedom.

Instead, he wanted to give them something else.

“How do you find this place? Do you like it?”

“Absolutely!”

“I’m glad you enjoy it. I will give this mansion to you.”

“R-Really?!”

Elaira’s eyes widened in surprise.

The thought of receiving such a beautiful mansion, like something out of a storybook, was unimaginable.

She was astonished by Ian’s generosity.

But just at that moment…

“Cough, cough…”

Only one person was so shocked that he could hardly breathe.

“No! You can’t just give away this place so easily! Do you realize the significance of this mansion?!”

It was Sir Nathan. Having just concluded his conversation with the First Princess, he appeared on the verge of tears.

“It’s the most beautiful mansion in our territory! It’s not something you can give away so carelessly!”

“It’s mine, so what does it matter?”

“Do you know how much this mansion would be worth? No, this mansion is so precious it can’t even be measured in money!”

It was because it was a villa he had won from a bet with Marquis Adelas.

It was built on the most prime land in the Marquis Adelas’ territory, which was famous as a resort.

But Ian just laughed.

“What does that matter? I’m giving something precious to my family.”

“Nevertheless…”

“Sir Nathan, prepare to depart. We have matters to attend to.”

“Ugh… Yes…”

Leaving the tearful Nathan behind, Ian called for Galon.

“Please look after these two in our absence.”

“As you command.”

Ian and Nathan made their way outside.

Elaira called out before they left.

“Where are you headed, Brother?”

“I’m going to find something good.”

Ian smiled, recalling the message he had received before leaving the royal palace from the Third Prince.

[There is important information that could change the course of the succession war. Come meet me.]

It was time for him to finally meet the Third Prince, a meeting he had been putting off.

Author's Thoughts

Why didn't the king ask Lila directly? You make things complicated.