What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 193

Finally, the holy ground disappeared. It was Elisabeth who broke the long silence.

“Escort her with the utmost respect.”

“Understood, Deputy Commander.”

Respectful replies followed.

Form’s body was recovered by the Imperial Guards, who had already surrounded the lake.

I realized that the basket the old woman had brought was an old item from the Andregi County.

Inside were the silk clothes Henriette wore when she was abandoned, and a few apples.

Christel added the old woman’s diamond necklace and a worn notebook to her belongings.

I held the basket tightly, not letting go. This was all evidence.

“Requiescat in pace…”

Sir Johann murmured, looking at the old woman being carried away on a stretcher.

It was a sentence in an ancient continental language I didn’t know, a divine language. [“Requiescat in pace” is Latin for “Rest in peace.”]

“Elisabeth, send an urgent report to the Imperial Palace. Report the situation to His Majesty and immediately bring the clown troupe that came to Juliette here…”

Following that, the Crown Prince commanded in a fearsome voice. It was quick judgment and action.

I knew he wasn’t just a child, but perhaps because his anger was vividly displayed as flames, all his decisions felt dramatic.

Lady Elisabeth swiftly carried out the Crown Prince’s orders.

“Marquis, Benjamin and Ganael are here. I see As as well.”

Christel pointed towards the Lord’s Castle. I quietly nodded.

Before leaving the lawn, I took one last look at the two moons floating in the sky and the lake.

Dduk-ssim rubbed his body against my neck.

*

The next morning.

The best clown troupe in the Imperial City arrived in Serenite.

They received thorough protection on the way, and all expenses were paid by the Imperial Family.

Chantal, the head of the Lord’s Castle servants, was excellent at her job.

After receiving the situation from Benjamin, she immediately contacted the bishop of the Serenite diocese.

He treated us who had come suddenly with the utmost hospitality and prepared guest rooms for the clown troupe overnight.

“Thank you, Chantal. And to the other staff as well. Thank you for your hard work late at night.”

“It is nothing. It is my duty to understand and serve the Marquis’s heart.”

She smiled gently.

It was easy to say, but Chantal came from a prestigious family that had served the Imperial Family for a long time.

It wouldn’t have been easy to welcome a clown, who was treated almost like a commoner in the Toegye Gong worldview, as a guest. [This likely refers to a Confucian scholar’s traditional disdain for entertainers.]

I was grateful that she had seen into my heart and prepared everything like that.

“Marquis, please sit here.”

“Yes, Benjamin. Ganael, come here too.”

“Yes.”

When I gestured, Ganael sat obediently behind me.

A smile came to my face as I saw him clinging to the Young Count.

The boy, who had cried his eyes out after hearing the story, had swollen eyelids.

Serenite’s only temple was small and simple.

The clown troupe, who attended Form and Henriette’s funeral ceremony, filled more than half of the seats for believers.

Henriette’s body had already been cremated, but we decided to hold the ceremony together.

There was no room to step with Christel and I, Crown Prince Cedric and Sir Johann, servants and guards all seated.

Joan, who was sniffling, also attended. Everyone except the clergy wore white veils on their heads.

-Dong, dong, dong…

The bell outside the temple rang several times. It was the sound announcing the beginning of the ceremony.

The noisy interior, filled with sobs and murmurs, quieted down.

-Click, creak

Blaze Bonn, the bishop of the Serenite diocese, entered with neat steps as the front door opened.

Because it was such a small diocese, there was only one priest following him.

The two stood before the altar with reverent attitudes, bowed to the old woman lying in the coffin, and then took their respective seats.

The bishop spread his arms towards us.

-Saaa…

Soon, the golden sanctuary enveloped the coffin decorated with wildflowers.

The warm light caressed and comforted even some of the believers’ seats.

[We pray that the Lord God will have mercy on those who have returned to their true home.]

“Hic, ugh, ugh…”

In the front row, the playful Serge couldn’t contain his sadness and sobbed.

Other acrobats also seemed to be barely holding on.

The colleagues who had learned about the two women’s circumstances too late gritted their teeth and suffered.

Their voices, murmuring why they hadn’t told them and whether they weren’t one, were filled with grief.

Amidst the tears, the bishop’s main prayer continued calmly.

[Lord God. Forgive the sins of your children, Form and Henriette, and remember and cherish their present lives forever…]

I suddenly looked to the side. Sunken orange eyes met my gaze directly.

“Thank you.”

I whispered. Then the Crown Prince’s low voice returned.

“For what.”

“For allowing them to have a proper funeral. Even though they have heartbreaking stories, the two are sinners, so I know this is Your Highness’s consideration. And for bringing the circus troupe here.”

“…”

He looked at me for a moment, then silently turned his head and stared at the bishop.

The corners of my lips crept up.

Christel, who was sitting on the right, was offering a sincere prayer.

I followed her, closed my eyes, and clasped my hands together.

And I earnestly prayed for the repose of their souls.

*

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless. I am deeply grateful. I am truly grateful…”

At the entrance of the temple after the sermon and ceremony, the circus troupe knelt down towards us.

It was right before they covered the coffin Form was lying in with silk and left for the crematorium.

A gentle southern breeze caressed everyone’s hair.

“Th, these noble people have bestowed upon us an indescribable grace. Grandma too…. Henriette would surely be moved too. Of course.”

The playful Serge stammered.

His clothes were thin because he had come down in a hurry, and his face was gaunt from being investigated and interrogated until recently.

It was warm here, so it was okay, but it was obvious that it would be very cold when he went up to the Imperial City.

I took off the robe I had been wearing since Juliette Palace and wrapped it around his back.

David, who was standing behind, let out a startled groan.

The acrobat was startled and lowered his head even further. His thin body trembled.

“M, Marquis. How, how can you give such precious cloth to someone like me…”

“I don’t get cold easily.”

I scratched my cheek and replied. As ‘Jung Yeo-seo’, I didn’t, so it wasn’t a lie.

“If you ever feel like settling down…. Come to Serenite with your colleagues. There is quite a bit of vacant land and empty houses.”

‘I like people who are good at arts and sports.’

I added that to ease the atmosphere, but Serge and the acrobats groaned and put their foreheads on the floor.

Joan, who was stuffing her veil into her pocket, snickered.

I wondered if I had said something wrong, so I glanced back.

Benjamin and Chantal nodded, crinkling their eyes. That’s a relief.

“Eusha.” [Likely a cheer or exclamation of encouragement.]

“Let’s go, Grandma!”

“We have to take care of her from here. We do.”

The clowns, who got up one by one, put the old woman’s coffin on their shoulders.

Then they started walking bravely towards Serenite’s only crematorium.

Two or three soldiers from the Lord’s Castle became guides.

A song from the clowns, which I heard for the first time, echoed.

“We cried a lot, so it’s time to go to the bar. Glug.

We drank a lot, so it’s time to go play. Yahoo.

We played a lot, so it’s time to go to sleep. Snore.

After sleeping a lot, it’s all a dream. Haha…”

We stood quietly for a while, watching the scene.

Just as the circus troupe, which had become a black dot, disappeared beyond the corner, Joan spoke.

“Marquis, that grandma.”

“Yes.”

“Can I draw her? I saw an empty wall on the way.”

“I would be grateful. Please leave your granddaughter’s name as well.”

I looked at her and replied.

Joan smiled brightly, gave us an awkward bow, and quickly retreated with the guards.

She must have gone to find paints and brushes.

She was a genius painter who had to draw as soon as inspiration struck.

Perhaps a masterpiece that couldn’t even be compared to would come out.

Afterwards, we expressed our gratitude for the service of Bishop Blaze and the priest and said our goodbyes.

The clergyman, who blessed us with a kind face,

“I will ring the bell to soothe the soul. That is the last step of the ceremony.”

And left with the priest. Before long, only our group remained in front of the building.

-Swaaaa…

-Dong, dong, dong…

The wind-blown fallen leaves and trees waved their hands in unison.

The clear bell sound seemed to be heard from very far away, and it also seemed to be ringing right next to us.

Sir Johann’s white hair fluttered like a kite.

Christel and the Young Count were leaning against each other.

I stroked Dduk-ssim and looked up at the clear sky.

“Shin-jeung [A rare disease or condition].”

At that time, the Crown Prince opened his mouth quietly. This time, I sought his gaze.

I was sure I was wrong, but it seemed that a faint fear was reflected in his crimson irises.

“The fact that the dead woman had to sleep up to 18 hours a day means that there is a high possibility that it is an ether problem.”

“…Your Highness, Henriette just slept a lot. I heard that she had never been shown to a healing priest. How could you.”

My words were cut off, and my jaw slowly dropped.

The Crown Prince was sure of the symptoms of a patient he had never met. Could it be.

“Have you had the same experience?”

“…”

Christel asked cautiously, and he did not answer.

It was a positive meaning. The end of the man’s black glove curled into a fist.

I moved my lips, but decided not to take out any of the questions swirling in my head.

Even though it was an indirect way, it was the first time he had confessed his condition himself.

I didn’t want to react loudly and make him take two steps back.

I knew that he had severe ether depletion since he was a baby. Let’s not surprise him.

I calmly continued the conversation.

“I see. Then you should include orphanages in the investigation of Shin-jeung patients. There are cases of abandoned children showing similar symptoms…”

“You are right.”

The Crown Prince looked straight down at me. What?

“There is no fault in the grandson of Sarah Beliard.”

“Uh…”

I blinked at the sudden change of topic. The man’s deep eyes shone seriously.

He was now talking about the story I had brought up on the Harvest Festival parade day.

It was a conversation we had in Sant’s studio.

‘I’m sorry. I thought there seemed to be a rift between the Imperial Family and Lord Beliard.’

‘We’re not close, but I feel sorry for my sick grandson.’

Emperor Frederick entrusted me with the cultivation of Sunhalo grass in the Imperial Palace for a while.

He also asked if there was anything he wanted in return. After much deliberation, I told the Crown Prince.

Lord Beliard’s young grandson had been unconscious for a long time, and I wondered if it would be a good idea to have him take Sunhalo grass.

At the time, he showed a strong aversion.

“…Do as you wish.”

Today was not the day!

“Thank you.”

I smiled brightly.

I didn’t know what changes had taken place in the Crown Prince’s mind.

I could only make a vague guess that the stories of the two Victoires had influenced him.

Still, I was sincerely happy.

Even if the child, who was the grandson of a journalist, was a real Shin-jeung patient, I was able to suggest a new medicine.

It was also a great development that the Crown Prince had opened up to us even a little.

Christel heard it clearly, so would she feel like treating the male lead better?

“Anyway, it worked out well, right? Even though I don’t know what it is.”

Christel sparkled her blue-gray eyes and poked her head out. I gladly accepted the words.

“Yes. It seems like the first button is buttoned well.”

“Then let’s go button the second button.”

The Deputy Commander suggested in a splendid voice.

I didn’t understand what he meant for a moment, but Sir Johann, who was holding the evidence basket carefully, smiled like a painting.

“I’m talking about the Andregi County, Your Highness. If possible, arrest the head of the family first and…”

*

I couldn’t hear the rest!

It was because Christel was horrified and covered my ears.

Lady Elisabeth even covered my eyes in case I read her lip movements.

I’m dying to know even now, a day later. I wasn’t a child, I was a veteran.

Sir Johann wasn’t a bad talker either. What on earth was it?

-Kukung!

“His Majesty Emperor Frederick enters!”

The heavy sound of the audience chamber door opening rang out. The servant announced the monarch’s entrance in a booming voice.

The great nobles, who had been constantly whispering, closed their mouths and lowered their eyes all at once.

Boots that were as sleek as new moved over the long red carpet.

Tap, tap, tap…

“Bring in the criminals right away. I don’t want to waste time.”

The Emperor spat out before even ascending to the throne. The servants accepted the imperial order and stepped back.

At the end of the deeply lowered field of vision, the splendid uniform and the figure of the treasured sword Durandal flashed.

The Sword Master instantly occupied the top of the stairs.

And declared.

“Count Gerald Andregi and his family will be judged by me today.”