What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 120

#120 Please (4)

“Ugh…”

Sir Johann sobbed for a long time after that.

My nose tingled, and I quietly watched the top of his head.

Cardinal Boutier and Prince Cedric also remained silent.

I wondered if he would get dehydrated like this, and I was contemplating whether I should pat him on the back to comfort him when he straightened up.

His movements were slow, and his breathing was shaky, but his face looked much better.

“Are you alright?”

“If there is anything you wish from me… I will do anything.”

He whispered, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes. I gave a bitter smile.

“Well… there are conditions. The reason Sir Johann was able to live, the reason we were able to devise a plan to save Herrit, is all thanks to His Majesty’s grace.”

“Yes.”

It was an immediate answer. I continued.

“You must make a pact with His Majesty and become his sword as an unofficial cardinal. From now on, you will serve the Liester Empire. Because you will be defecting with Herrit.”

“……”

Sir Johann slowly furrowed his brow.

He was a serious criminal, so he was not in a position to set his own conditions. Rather, he was in a position where he should be awaiting execution.

But it was also true that I had traded him like an object. I was a little worried.

Would he think that he was ultimately being treated the same way he had been treated elsewhere?

“Is that… all?”

“Huh? Oh, no, there’s also living a healthy life with Herrit. That’s my condition.”

I added hastily to his question. The Prince suddenly interjected.

“Education.”

“That’s right. You must also continue the Holy Knight education of the Prince and Princess Sarnese.”

This was also a very important condition. I calmly stared at him, waiting for an answer.

Sir Johann blankly looked at the Prince, me, and the Master behind us.

Then, as if he had witnessed a truly strange scene, he frowned,

“Haha.”

Soon, he let out a damp breath. Tears fell again from his mint-colored eyes.

He wore the brightest smile he had shown us so far and bowed his head before me.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t control his emotions like before. The man’s attitude was elegant and noble.

There was dignity in his closed eyelids and pursed lips.

“…I obey.”

Like a knight pledging allegiance.

*

Sir Johann wanted to sleep again until Herrit arrived.

I thought he should eat, but considering his son in the Holy State, he probably wouldn’t be able to swallow even a spoonful.

The Master accepted his opinion and put him to sleep again.

Before closing his eyes, the Holy Knight looked at me and said this.

‘From now on, I will dream of the future.’

I smiled softly.

A day passed.

The sky, which had been raining until dawn, was still cloudy, and today was the day Elysee was returning to the Holy State.

The Crown Princess and Cardinal Ari Schött, who had given their final greetings in the audience chamber, descended the high stairs of the Imperial Palace.

I escorted the Elder to the carriage.

It was because Emperor Frederick, in his consideration for me, had made me see them off under a strange pretext.

What was it? ‘Go and check if the carriage wheels are broken,’ or something.

“I had a good time seeing the sights, eating well, and resting well.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Elder Ari, who had been treated to a separate farewell banquet last night, seemed very satisfied.

I opened the door of the Papal carriage he had arrived in.

The attendants following him were at a loss, bowing to me.

The old man looked at me with deep eyes.

“If you ever have business at the Vatican in the future, please be sure to find me.”

“Yes, I will.”

“An old man who has been given a death date can at least give directions to a precious person.”

“You’re still hale and hearty. Please be careful on your way.”

I smiled and helped him board. He laughed softly and settled into his seat.

After exchanging a nod with the old man, I turned to the procession of carriages from the Holy State.

Elysee and Martius were standing tall, waiting for me.

Now that I see it, the imperial palace servants and guards were craning their necks, watching this way.

Even Ervé Dhiem, the captain of the Imperial Guard, was no exception. What a mess.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes, Yeseo.”

When I called Elysee, she responded kindly.

She even reached out and grabbed my shoulder. Martius chuckled as he looked at us.

The Crown Princess was still a difficult person to deal with, but I wasn’t afraid of her anymore.

Because I knew she was an eldest daughter who loved her siblings and a righteous heir to the throne.

“Stay healthy. Trust in His Majesty’s protection and do not wander around too much.”

“Yes.”

“The meals… it would be good to eat more than you do now.”

Elysee said with a bitter smile. You sound just like the Juliette Palace family.

“Please stay healthy, Your Highness, and return safely. Don’t skip meals.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that nagging.”

The Crown Princess gently stroked my head with the hand that had been holding my shoulder.

I hadn’t received this kind of skinship since I was a child, so I was flustered, but I thought it was a sign of affection, so it was okay.

When I smiled, the corners of her eyes became moist.

“That child is right. It’s not a permanent farewell, so I will also find a way.”

I don’t know who ‘that child’ is, but the Crown Princess seemed to have gained some kind of comfort from him.

Thanks to that, her expression was much more stable than when we first met in the audience chamber.

I also nodded readily, as I hoped that the three siblings of the Holy State would reunite.

Soon, her voice lowered.

“You must be wary of the Prince. Do you understand?”

“Yes?”

I blinked. He must have really rubbed her the wrong way.

“It is not unprecedented for two people to be paired together. If it is the Imperial Family and the Sarnese ducal family, then your safety can be doubly guaranteed.”

“That’s true.”

“But you must not make a Sacred Vow with the Prince. He will not let go of you, who is stopping him.”

The Crown Princess’s blue eyes were endlessly serious. My mouth dropped open.

I had never even thought about a Sacred Vow, and I shouldn’t have.

That, like naturalization, would cause an irreversible change.

Cristel is not a member of the Imperial Family, so she doesn’t have the obligation of a Sacred Vow, but anyway, if she and the Prince were to meet some kind of partner, it would be each other.

Not me!

Because I was flustered, my answer was delayed, and Elysee sighed softly.

“I have been a Holy Knight since I was six years old, but I have never seen a priest with such clear ether [spiritual energy] as you. Don’t you know that your energy is spreading widely throughout the Imperial Palace?”

“I know that.”

“But how can you be so unreserved?”

No… why am I being scolded? I looked at her in disbelief.

The criticism that she was too conservative and that she was ultimately thinking from the perspective of a Holy Knight came to my lips, but I held back.

If the conversation got longer, I might reveal a weakness in an unexpected place.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I will never make a Sacred Vow. Please give my regards to Cornelis and His Majesty.”

“…Alright. I will believe you. May the blessing of the Main God be with you.”

She kissed my forehead along with her answer.

Then, she looked at my face for a long time before getting into the carriage.

Next, Martius paid his respects to me.

“Be healthy, Your Highness. I will see you again.”

“Yes, thank you. Um.”

Not knowing what to call him, I spoke to her with an ambiguous word.

Benjamin, who was standing behind me, handed her a gift at the right time.

Martius’s eyes widened.

“This is…”

“It’s nothing great. I thought you were having a hard time assisting Her Highness.”

I mumbled.

The Imperial Palace has a very beautiful scenery when it is clear, but it has been raining frequently since Elysee and Elder Ari came.

I felt sorry for Martius, who had a bad shoulder, so I prepared something for her to stand outside Juliette Palace on a gloomy day.

This was also one of the treasures that came out of the Imperial Vault.

“Oh my, how can you be so considerate? Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.”

“No, it’s nothing. I hope you use it well.”

She couldn’t open the bundle right away due to time constraints, but Martius seemed very moved.

She carefully took the gift into her arms and got on her horse.

Soon, after confirming that the procession was ready, Captain Dhiem of the Imperial Guard spurred his horse with a ‘Heut! [A command to urge a horse forward]’

A large number of people and carriages slowly began to move out of the Imperial Palace.

-Thud, thud…

Elysee, beyond the window, smiled gracefully at me.

I waved to her as she moved away and repeatedly pledged.

My goal was to survive from the beginning, but since there is also a family waiting for the Prince, I will survive no matter what.

“Your Highness, shall we go in?”

When the procession became smaller and could no longer be seen, Ganael asked carefully.

I nodded and smiled brightly.

*

The Venetian Royal Castle was in a state of extreme tension.

It was because the Crown Princess, who had returned to the Holy State, began to emit murderous intent and fighting spirit as soon as she got out of the carriage.

She walked through the castle fearlessly, holding a golden spear.

There was no emotion melted into her elegant face.

-Twoong!

“Where is my father?”

“We, we don’t know,”

-Kwaang!

The door slammed shut violently. The servants groaned, but Elysee didn’t care.

After all, most of the Royal Castle servants were her father’s people.

She strode down the hallway and violently opened the next door.

-Kuoong!

“Where is the Prince Consort?”

“Your, Your Highness. We,”

-Kwang!

The door closed again. The servants who were walking from across the hallway quickly prostrated themselves on the floor.

It was the result of not being able to withstand her murderous gaze.

From the time Prince Yeseo disappeared from her sight, Elysee’s expression had been like this all along.

The servants and soldiers, who had no idea what was going on, were just trembling and bowing their heads.

The silver light armor, warmed by the sunlight, gleamed hotly.

Elysee’s eyes were so sharp that they seemed to cut down everything that was in the way.

It was unlike her, who was always noble and calm.

Rather, that face resembled the King, who was suffering from madness.

But no one could utter such an impious thought.

Until the Crown Princess arrived at her own bedroom with a clanging sound.

“Crown, Crown Princess. You have returned safely,”

-Beolkeok!

It was here. It wasn’t surprising.

Elysee forcefully opened the entrance, looking at the Prince Consort’s servant standing in front of her room.

Then, her eyes met the object of her love and hate.

Strength went into her left hand holding the sacred spear, and the tip of her chin trembled.

“Welcome, Crown Princess. You must have suffered a lot on the long journey.”

“……”

Father, Vernar smiled kindly. He was holding the sleeping Cornelis in his arms.

It must be a plan to weaken her heart.

The chocolate-colored eyes were warm and beautiful enough for anyone to fall into, but the Crown Princess knew the cruel and heinous things he had done.

Her teeth clenched on their own.

-Hwiik!

Elysee swung her arm. The golden sacred spear flashed. The situation happened in an instant.

“Crown Princess!”

-Kwaak!

The Prince Consort threw himself. Blood poured from his grasp.

Holding the youngest in one arm, he blocked the eldest child’s spear with his other hand.

The divine weapon and the human arm shuddered and confronted each other.

“Keuk, Elysee. What is this…”

“Let go.”

The Crown Princess said indifferently. The tip of the sacred spear was not aimed at Vernar.

It was aimed at Elysee’s own right palm. The Prince Consort looked at his daughter with a bewildered expression.

“In front of your father… in a place where your younger sibling is sleeping, eugh. How can you do such a thing!”

“I cannot kill my father.”

The blue irises that said that were so cold that they were chilling.

The Prince Consort recalled the contempt of his spouse from his daughter’s gaze.

Then, a shiver ran down his spine, and his beautiful lips turned white.

Drop, drop, the floor of the heir’s bedroom was stained red. Vernar screamed.

“Of course. My father’s masterpiece and one and only treasure, euut. How can you betray me?”

“So you will harm me.”

-Puuk!

Elysee put more strength into the spear. ‘Eueuk!’ The Prince Consort groaned in pain and bent over.

His left arm was already covered in blood.

Nevertheless, the man endured in order not to ruin his work.

Elysee, who had lost her martial arts and was not perfect, should not exist.

He could not accept ‘defects’.

“If you want me to ascend the throne completely.”

“How dare you,”

“Stop sending assassins to Yeseo.”

‘Please.’ That was Elysee’s last word. The Crown Princess released the spear without warning.

-Teoong!

“Aeu, Keut…”

As she turned around silently, the sacred spear fell straight to the side.

Only then did the Prince Consort release the tip of the spear and kneel down.

Not knowing that his clothes were stained with blood, Cornelis was drowsily fussing.

Vernar quickly hid his left hand behind his back and coaxed his youngest daughter.

Even with sweat glistening on his forehead, he smiled like magic.

“Keep sleeping, Princess. It’s okay. Shh…”

Perhaps it was not magic but a curse.

In the place where Elysee disappeared, poison seeped into the corners of Vernar’s eyes.

“It’s okay. It’s not just assassins who commit murder. Of course…”