Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 61

Chapter 61

"I'd never seen Father so furious. He drew his sword and shouted like a madman, saying he'd take the throne by force if necessary. Mother held him back, but... Father had already realized who was behind it all."

"The former Emperor and Isaac."

"Yes. After that incident, Isaac inherited the Grand Duchy and has been living a smooth life ever since."

"But what did the former Emperor gain from it?"

"What?"

"Isaac got what he wanted—the Grand Duchy. But what about the former Emperor? The cleanup after the fire was handled by his people. That means he supported Isaac... but why?"

"Grand Duke Lambert wasn't favorable to the former Emperor, so wasn't it just about putting someone on his side?"

Would he really wipe out an entire ducal house for that? The losses outweigh the gains.

"A deal where the losses outweigh the gains. Was the former Emperor that foolish?"

Kali muttered with contempt, having had the same thought.

"...He was a fool. Even after Isaac became Grand Duke, nothing changed. The empire declined under an incompetent tyrant. Eventually, Father took the throne by force, just as he'd wanted."

What did the former Emperor get from Isaac? Was it truly something precious enough to justify wiping out an entire family?

"Isaac will do whatever it takes to keep his position. And if he finds out the heir is alive, he'll try to kill you first."

"I know."

At Kali's calm reply, Philip blinked a few times and rubbed his face with both palms.

"...And lately, the dark mages have been stirring. Those who remained neutral even when the former Emperor lost his head are slowly coming into the light."

"What does the former Emperor's death have to do with dark mages...? Wait. Don't tell me?"

"The former Emperor colluded with dark mages. That's more than enough to tarnish the imperial authority, isn't it?"

Philip let out a dry laugh.

"Ar-are you crazy?! The Emperor of a nation colluded with dark mages?"

"That's exactly why it's dangerous—you should know that. So why are you telling me this?"

"Because you have the right to know."

Philip's expression grew serious. He was right—more than any of us, Kali deserved to know the truth about that incident.

How was it in the original? Grand Duke Caelius had been hostile toward every house, including the imperial family. I'd always found it odd that the imperial family seemed powerless against him—so this was why.

Because he was the son of a dear friend who died due to his father's mistake?

"We've actually encountered dark mages a few times."

"What? You've encountered them? Multiple times?!"

"They've been lurking around. Those bastards."

Philip stared at me with his mouth agape.

Surprised? I'm surprised too—that I've run into basement-dwelling dark mages so often.

"The connection between Isaac and the dark mages who colluded with the former Emperor is strong. A dark mage faction is forming around Isaac. I don't know their purpose yet... but be careful. Especially you, Caelius."

We'd encountered dark mages twice. Once at the villa, and once with the ones trying to buy Colton's mansion. The latter weren't interested in Kali, but the former were—they'd been after him.

"They might have been suspicious for a while."

"I never thought I could hide it forever."

"Still, it's best to deny it as much as possible, Kali."

"Hari's right. The moment Isaac is certain you're the Czerban heir, it'll become dangerous."

Before that happens, I need to catch them all and send them to the grave. But since I don't know their purpose, I can't approach them first.

"Father is watching Grand Duke Isaac, but he doesn't have solid evidence yet."

What benefit do dark mages get from siding with Isaac? Weren't they just madmen obsessed with forbidden research? I have too much to investigate when I get back.

"Did you at least tell your Duke about this?"

"Oh."

"Go back! You idiots!!"

"Wait. Your real name isn't actually Philip, is it?"

"Latarta Rune Dateon. I'll allow you to call me by a nickname—Teo."

"Can't I call you Philip?"

"No!!"

Leaving Teo behind as he said he wouldn't attend tonight's ball, we slipped out of the detached palace.

"Kali."

"What."

"Why did you act like that earlier?"

I couldn't just ignore Kali's rampage. Since there was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again, I wanted to figure out the cause and prevent it.

I blocked his path and looked at him firmly.

"My head suddenly heated up."

"Why did your head heat up? What were you thinking?"

"Thinking?"

"Yeah! Thinking!"

Kali searched his memory, and his expression shifted rapidly. First puzzled, then surprised, and then—oh?—even his ears turned red.

"What? What is it?"

"...Nothing. I just wasn't prepared to face Isaac like that, and I lost control."

"That doesn't seem like the whole story."

"It was because you kept stepping in front of me. That pissed me off. Happy now?"

"What are you, some kind of raging volcano?"

"Volcano?"

"Never mind. It's a thing—a red creature that shoots fire from its head when angry."

With his ears still red, Kali walked ahead, leaving me behind.

No, that's not it. It's obvious he exploded because he was worried about me always trying to protect him.

"Just say you're worried about your noona! Not that I'd listen even if you did!"

"Shut up!"

Chasing after Kali as he disappeared, I laughed. He still had a long way to go. When will he ever grow up?

In my eyes, Kali still looked like the thirteen-year-old kid he'd been. That's probably why I keep stepping in front of him whenever we face danger.

"You troublemakers!"

Before we even returned to the ballroom, Irein grabbed the backs of our heads.

"Where have you been?"

"J-just looking around the palace? Hehe."

"Go back inside. Your parents were worried."

"What about you, Brother?"

"Hmm. I have some things to take care of."

Behind Irein, I saw something squirming. I tried to crane my neck, but his large hand pushed my head back into place.

"Okay. I'll go ahead!"

I decided not to look. I had a rough idea what it was—and I heard groaning, but I didn't look!!

We crept back into the ballroom as quietly as possible, trying to act like we'd been there all along—but I immediately met Father's gaze.

"Come here."

His cold nod seemed to speak the words aloud. I pursed my lips and headed toward him with Kali.

"I was worried—you were out of sight."

"Well, Kali seemed a bit suffocated, so we took a short walk!"

"Huh? Why are you pinning it on me?"

"And you—not a single sip of anything alcoholic. Got it?"

Father's palm suddenly appeared between our faces.

"Enough. We'll be here another hour or two—why don't you try making some friends? If you find a young lady or young master you like, let me know. I'll drag them over to introduce you."

I'd actually come with that intention, but somehow everyone's eyes seemed hostile.

"Then why did you go and dump the Crown Prince on me like that!"

I whispered quietly enough for only Father to hear, and his shoulders flinched.

"How did you find out?"

"How did I find out...! Look over there!"

Pressing my forehead against Father's, I turned my head toward where the Emperor was seated. At that moment, His Majesty, looking bored, met my eyes—as if he'd been watching me all along.

"Eep!"

I gasped as Joseph—Uncle Joseph—winked and curled his lips.

"I was unsure at first, but it's really him! Uncle Jo—I mean, that gentleman!"

Of course, I'd heard it from Philip—I mean, Dateon—but if I mentioned meeting him, I'd get more scolding, so I kept quiet.

"Your father did nothing wrong. It was an imperial command."

Liar! He just thought it was fun!

The days of clinging to Uncle Joseph, shouting, and body-slamming him flashed through my mind.

"Don't take it too hard. That's exactly why he came looking like that."

Father patted both mine and Kali's shoulders. It sounded like he'd be coming looking like that again in the future.

Since he's Father's friend, I can't exactly tell him not to come... how awkward!

Just then, Father put his arm around Kali's shoulder and pulled him closer. The man whose very appearance set the room buzzing had arrived—Grand Duke Isaac.

"Kali. Remember the Grand Duke's face."

"Yes."

"The Grand Duchess isn't here."

The Grand Duchess had died of illness less than two years after marrying Isaac, leaving behind only a daughter—Kali's cousin. From the look on Kali's face, it seemed he wouldn't spare even her.

"It's been a long time, Duke."

"Count Orlan. Long time no see."

I should have slipped away, but Father had me trapped, introducing me to other nobles. The endless introductions and greetings were making my face twitch.

If I'd grown up in society, it might have been easier, but standing still and chatting after being used to running around made my whole body ache.

"Will your children be participating in the hunting competition in four days?"

A marquis who'd been speaking with Father asked, gesturing toward me and Kali.

"Since it's our first official event in a while, everyone except the second son will be participating."

"Oh dear, I'll tell my son to do his best."

A hunting competition! Yes—that's much more my style than a ball.

"He's called the prodigy magic swordsman, isn't he? You must be proud to have such an outstanding son."

"Hehe! I didn't know the Duke was aware of my son's reputation."

The count cleared his throat and closed his gaping mouth.

"Oh dear, I've been keeping the Duke for too long. I'll take my leave. See you in four days."

The moment the count disappeared, I distanced myself from Father. If I stayed nearby, he'd grab me again at the wrong moment.

Father quickly grabbed my sleeve, as if to say not to leave me alone, but I turned away coldly.

Ugh, I can't take any more!

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