What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 177

#177 Decoding (3)

-Clatter, clatter…

“Goodness, I’m experiencing all sorts of things in my life.”

Frederique grumbled.

The only ones in the most grand and luxurious carriage of the Imperial Palace were, as always, her and Orelly.

It had been several hours since the ‘astonishing urgent news’ had arrived from the Juliette Palace.

She wanted to summon Prince Yeseo to the Imperial Palace immediately to understand the situation, but unfortunately, she was a monarch.

It took additional time to handle urgent matters first and postpone less urgent ones. The Cardinal, sitting across from her, smiled brightly.

“Life is fun, isn’t it? Cedric will be very happy too.”

“I think you like it more.”

The Emperor’s crimson eyes gleamed with displeasure. Orelly didn’t bother to correct her.

The fact that her only disciple had regained his Aether deeply relieved and delighted the Cardinal.

She cared deeply for her precious godson, but she also had affection for the Prince and a desire to see him grow as a Cardinal.

So, it was a good thing for everyone.

“How long has it been since the Emperor went to Juliette?”

“I’ve been talking about that all along.”

Seeing Frederique about to burst, Orelly finally laughed out loud.

That was because the two of them were personally heading to the Cold Palace to check on the Prince’s condition.

It was unprecedented since the war era.

The reason why the Prince couldn’t come to the Imperial Palace according to protocol was clear. The Crown Prince, as Romero’s master, had forbidden his outing.

The Emperor was so dumbfounded by her successor’s tyranny that she felt like her jaw would drop.

“Since when has Seidi been so attached to what he holds in his hand?”

“Well, he doesn’t seem to hold it yet.”

“Don’t say such terrible things, Adan. He’s still ordering his mother around even now.”

At that moment, the carriage slowed down. Through the window, the Juliette Palace at sunset came into view.

In the beautifully and charmingly decorated garden, small divine creatures and baby deer were playing.

The Prince and his servants seemed to be struggling to calm the animals.

The divine object, transformed into a wren, nonchalantly landed on the Crown Prince’s palanquin.

The white-haired boy hanging from the Prince’s waist also came into view. Anyone could tell he was the mercenary’s son.

A sigh escaped her lips.

“He’s set up a flower garden in the Imperial Palace.”

“Yeah, isn’t it nice?”

The Emperor glared at her partner without malice. Soon, the carriage came to a complete stop.

From the following carriages, the Imperial Palace staff, including Chief of Staff Laura, and guests got off in droves.

From afar, the Prince’s purple eyes widened and froze.

He had come out to greet the Emperor, but he seemed nervous at the sight of the arriving crowd.

Frederique’s lips quirked up mischievously.

“Well, it can’t hurt to get some fresh air.”

As soon as the carriage door opened with a click, the Emperor stepped onto the ground.

The party, led by the Crown Prince, paid their respects with extreme courtesy.

Frederique escorted Orelly, then approached the Prince with her, walking leisurely.

The divine creatures stared at the Emperor, tilting their heads.

‘Tete, that person is the biggest adult.’ The voice whispering urgently was quite amusing.

“I came because I heard you had good news.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty. I should have come to see you, but I am sorry to have you come here.”

The Prince bowed his head. His golden hair, bathed in the autumn sunlight, sparkled like jewels.

“Well, it’s not your fault.”

The Emperor replied, glancing at her son.

He had the same silent expression as usual, but she, with a mother’s eyes, captured the flickering in her child’s eyes.

He’s jumping up and down.

“If you’re done, go into the bedroom and prepare. I have come to bestow imperial grace upon you.”

“Yes?”

The Prince was startled and raised his head abruptly.

His cheeks flushed red at the word ‘imperial grace.’

Just before Frederique burst into laughter, the Cardinal swiftly pinched the Emperor’s arm.

“Ah.”

“It’s a bad joke, Prince. Shall we go check your condition?”

Then, she curved her eyes kindly. The Emperor grumbled inwardly.

*

I sat quietly in a corner of the living room, cooperating with the situation. Everywhere I looked, I saw people.

The Juliette family members were running around busily, carrying refreshments, moving tables and chairs, and so on.

It was the first time I had seen the widest space in the palace so crowded.

“Haeinmuri grass is a plant with almost no toxicity. It’s definitely not a common case.”

“Yes, I think that’s the answer. The Prince hasn’t been able to use Aether for nearly twenty days, but he took herbal tea for three days, so…”

“Your Highness, the Prince’s breathing and pulse are normal.”

A large number of priests and physicians, their servants and assistants, Sir Michel who had rushed into the palace, and most importantly, Emperor Frederique and Cardinal Boutier.

There was no end to the guests.

Just a moment ago, even Sir Johann had been summoned by imperial order.

Outside the palace, Commander of the Guard Erbe Duiem and Sir Elizabeth were boasting of strict security.

At this moment, the safest place in Liester was Juliette Palace.

-Aeung

“Oh, there are a lot of people. It’s suddenly a mess.”

I patted Tete’s bottom to soothe him.

The little one seemed quite upset about waking up from his nap.

Around that time, Sir Johann, holding Herrit’s hand tightly, began to speak. Everyone’s attention focused on him.

“There is no cause for Herrit’s illness. At least, that’s what the doctors say.”

Chief of Staff Laura quickly gestured to dismiss unnecessary personnel.

Soon, only a small number of people remained in the drawing room.

The efficacy of Haeinmuri grass could only be known by accurately identifying Herrit’s underlying disease, and only then could its effect on me be easily understood.

This might become a herb that helps many people, if we’re lucky.

“There are quite a few children in Shin-guk who show symptoms similar to my child, and the people there call it ‘God’s Syndrome.’ Many infants die because they cannot overcome the pain.”

The Emperor frowned, stopping her coffee.

“Is it a disease that only affects young children?”

Then, Sir Johann gently covered Herrit’s ears.

“…To be precise, few survive to become adults.”

“Tsk.”

The Emperor clicked her tongue and observed Herrit.

The little boy squirmed as if he didn’t know what to do.

I knew she was thinking of the Crown Prince’s childhood as she looked at Herrit.

“Just hearing the name God’s Syndrome, it sounds like a disease related to ‘vessels’ or Aether.”

“Yes. But Shin-guk has even greater authority of priests than the Empire. Ordinary people cannot show their children to healing priests in their lifetime. It is widely known that using Haeinmuri grass as a medicinal tea helps, but even that is too expensive and rare to obtain.”

The cracks appeared on my teacher’s face after hearing Sir Johann’s answer. She asked in a sad voice.

“So, your child didn’t receive a diagnosis from a healing priest either?”

“…”

The knight’s gaze fell to the ground.

The Crown Prince, who was sitting to my right, showed discomfort.

“It wouldn’t have been difficult after defecting to the Empire.”

“There are healing priests in the Imperial Palace, Sir Johann. They are all excellent.”

“…I was too ashamed.”

The knight smiled bitterly at me. ‘Oh my god.’ Sir Michel sighed.

I understood Sir Johann’s words and was greatly shocked.

In short, he meant that he didn’t ask for help because he was sorry for deceiving and trying to harm me and my friends.

He must have thought that he was receiving excessive grace just by growing Haeinmuri grass in the Imperial Palace and providing medicine to Herrit for free.

Sir Johann was a teacher to the Crown Prince and a great nobleman, and he also had the official title of Grand Preceptor.

He could have made connections with high-ranking healing priests at any time if he wanted to…

My fist clenched involuntarily. I was too insensitive.

I thought he would have shown it to a priest on his own. Foolishly.

“Little brat, come here.”

The Emperor said abruptly, looking at the boy.

The gesture of shaking the stuffed animal seemed somehow skillful.

Near the upper seat were full of Herrit’s toys that had been collected over the past three days.

“It’s okay.”

She continued.

His ears were still covered, but the child read the noble lips and looked up at his father.

Sir Johann readily let go of his son.

As Herrit hesitated and approached, the Emperor smiled and handed him a pig doll.

“The blood of a knight is brave. It’s rare for a kid to make eye contact with me.”

The child smiled shyly. The Emperor looked at me.

“Did you bestow these toys?”

“Most of them were gifts from friends to Herrit. As a reward for delivering letters to me.”

“I see.”

She said calmly, looking at the Crown Prince. Then she turned her gaze to Sir Johann.

“I respect your conscience. But if you’re a father, it’s okay to live more shamelessly and wretchedly. Unless you’re committing a crime again, no one will point fingers at someone with children.”

“…”

“Don’t you think I know how you feel?”

Her cherry-colored eyes sank heavily.

Only then did I remember the commonalities between the Emperor and the knight.

A spouse who passed away early, and an only child who had been sick since infancy.

When I turned my head, my eyes met directly with eyes filled with sunlight.

“Can I take a look?”

It was my teacher who broke the silence.

She, who had been standing next to the Emperor, took a step and approached Herrit.

The little one was shy but didn’t avoid the affectionate touch.

Very slowly, Sir Johann knelt on one knee and bowed his head before the two adults.

“…Please, I beg you.”

The man’s voice was small and low. But everyone in the room heard his words clearly.

*

The Empire’s only Cardinal. The Emperor’s religious partner and the Crown Prince’s godmother. One who has refused the title of Duke twice.

And Liester’s best healing priest.

-Saaa…

Cardinal Boutier’s clear and blue healing circle warmly enveloped Herrit, who was lying on the sofa.

Sir Johann, standing next to him, had a soft face to soothe the child.

The patterns of the circle were so complex that no human head could ever memorize them, and they were so splendid that it made one’s mouth drop open.

My teacher had not been trained as a healing priest since she was young, but she was so talented in healing that she developed her talent on her own.

She started walking the path of healing around her mid-twenties, but it took her less than ten years to reach the top.

Indeed, the one called the ‘genius of the century’ was different.

Even today, the health of the imperial family was first checked by her and the physician, and the first person to examine me whenever I collapsed was also my teacher.

“I can tell just by looking. How amazing Your Highness is.”

Christel stared blankly at Cardinal Boutier’s healing circle and admired.

That’s right, I finally met the protagonist of Toegye again!

Christel was the first outsider to hear about my recovery.

She left as soon as permission to enter Juliette was granted, and she jumped out before the carriage even stopped, and she was still cold.

She was already prone to low body temperature, but it was because she had been exposed to the autumn evening wind.

I had never heard of a knight catching a cold, but just in case, I brought her a blanket and served her hot rosehip tea.

Then she smiled proudly at the Crown Prince. She seemed happy to be together after a long time. So was I.

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve fully regained your strength yet, Prince. The flow of Aether is weak.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But it seems to be getting stronger little by little. It feels clearer now than when I opened the door and came in earlier. Congratulations.”

Christel chattered with a brighter face than ever.

The Crown Prince didn’t say much, as if he agreed.

I was a little surprised that he didn’t ask me to hand over the Aether right away, but it seemed like he was aware of it too.

Thanks for the consideration, but you could have told me.

“Why is that balcony in that state?”

The Emperor asked bluntly, looking around the window with a coffee cup.

She had discovered the shattered glass door of Romero Palace.

Then David lost his composure and began to make excuses on behalf of his master.

It’s a really extreme job…

“I think I understand. I also know that Marquis Serenite is very popular.”

The Emperor retorted, gesturing at a small table. I stretched my neck. What’s over there?

Huh.

“That’s not it, Your Majesty.”

I hurriedly denied.

What she found was a letter from the Blanquer Duchy, most of which were written by knights and soldiers from the region.

It mainly thanked me for saving Duke Cecil Blanquer and Knight Commander Jacques.

There were also letters of gratitude from the Duke himself and his wife.

“It’s just a greeting.”

“The Prince of Shin-guk has won the hearts of the notoriously cold-hearted East. Even in a duchy bordering the country.”

She said in a playful tone.

I was making a difficult expression when the Cardinal inhaled from over there.

Our gazes crossed the room at the same time.

[Oh my god, Johann.]

My teacher’s beige eyes were stained with embarrassment.

Surprised, Sir Johann looked at her.

[This child’s vessel has Aether.]