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Chapter 144
Nathan’s trembling gaze met the emperor’s vacant gaze in the air for a while.
Nathan instinctively realized this was a warning from his father.
What he had thought was an opportunity was a trap.
“Father.”
Nathan abruptly stood up.
Clang—
And then he swung his hand, sending the teacup that had been in the emperor’s hand flying.
The sudden shattering of the teacup shattered the silence between them.
“…”
“…”Despite Nathan’s unexpected actions, the emperor merely looked at him without a change in expression.
The emperor asked quietly, “Why are you doing this?”
With a sigh, Nathan knelt before the emperor.
Now the emperor was looking down at his son. “Do you have something to say?”
“Why did you… ask if I would not regret it?”
“…”
“Or was it a request from my brother?”
The emperor answered with silence.
Nathan laughed hysterically, looking up at him. “Why, Father, why?”
“…”
“Did he… think I deserved to die? Did you know everything and try to drink that tea? Did you want to kill me too?” Nathan, crawling on his knees, grabbed the emperor’s leg. “Why? Why?”
“Did the throne tempt you? Did this position seem so appealing to you?”
“…”
“Do you even count how many lives you’ve taken, how many crimes you’ve committed?” The emperor, slowly descending from his chair, knelt before Nathan in the same manner. His hand gripping his son’s shoulders was trembling. “Why did you do such things? You are descended from the noble lineage of Descarde, even if you are not the emperor.”
“No, Father…” Nathan shook his head. “I didn’t want to become the emperor. I just wanted to defeat my brother.”
“What?”
“I hate my brother. I wanted to kill him. I was jealous and wanted to take everything away. So, everything is because he’s in that position; I didn’t want to be the heir or the emperor.”
“Why on earth…”
The emperor, his face creased with a look of incomprehension, fell silent.
The tears in Nathan’s bloodshot eyes were genuine. Soon, he smiled with a twisted face and muttered softly, “Father made me, forced me into this, didn’t he?”
“…!”
The emperor swallowed his breath. He could vaguely understand the meaning behind those words.
“Why does Father only dine with my brother? Even for walks… Can you take me tomorrow too, Father?”
Nathan had come to his room crying on some occasion.
Young Nathan was a somewhat fragile child. He cried easily, sought his father’s approval, and threw tantrums at the slightest provocation.
He was nothing like Lark in every way. The only child who had no leadership qualities.
“I…”
The emperor grasped his throbbing head. He had always believed that, as the leader of the empire, he needed to remain composed for the sake of the realm.
He hadn’t shown his children any sympathy, except for the Crown Prince Lark.
Not when 1st Princess Bella had fallen into a near-death slumber, not when 5th Princess Lisbeth had been slandered…
It was undoubtedly regrettable, but he couldn’t deny that he was more concerned about Lark possibly being scarred by it.
“I thought I was inferior to my brother, stupid, and that’s why… So, I worked hard.”
Nathan, who had been fragile, had changed at some point.
He didn’t do anything to offend his father, and in his own way, he had gathered his own influence within the imperial family. He began to be mentioned as a potential leader who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the crown prince.
Upon hearing this, the emperor became uneasy and summoned Nathan to issue a warning.
“Don’t indulge in unnecessary thoughts. Sibling rivalry is the most unbecoming. Behave yourself, diligently support the crown prince in his dedication to this empire.”
The emperor didn’t find his other growing children particularly impressive. In fact, he was more bothered by any frivolous desires that might obstruct the crown prince’s path.
The emperor, in a very composed manner, severed Nathan’s two legs.
He redirected the nobles Nathan had been interacting with daily toward the crown prince and focused on shaping public opinion.
He didn’t want power to be needlessly dispersed.
He simply hoped for a smooth transition, where the crown prince could succeed him without any hindrance.
“These are the documented proofs of the crimes committed by Nathan. Though deserving of death, the law does not permit it, so I hope Your Majesty can assist.”
The Crown Prince, Lark, came to him, sharing shocking facts and seeking cooperation.
“Nathan has committed such vile acts in order to wear the emperor’s crown. I understand you may have sympathy for your child, but you must set it aside.”
The emperor’s crown. What was it all about anyway?
He was angry at Nathan’s foolishness.
But what really ignited his actions was not just greed for the throne. It was a deeper, more ultimate reason.
Feelings of inferiority, jealousy, and anger toward Lark.
And the one who had sowed these dark emotions was none other than…
Bang, bang, bang!
Suddenly, the emperor was surprised.
Nathan, who was fiercely pounding his head on the floor, seemed momentarily insane.
“Again! Again!”
Bang! Bang!
“Again! I lost again! My brother, the princess, Father, all of you! You didn’t know anything!”
“Nathan—”
“I lost again, Father…” Nathan cried like a child, tears streaming down his wounded forehead. “I’m stupid, again. Again. Huhuhuhuhu…”
“…”
“Pl-please, spare me. I was wrong. I won’t do it again. Okay?”
The emperor, unable to bear looking at Nathan, grabbed his chest and abruptly stood up. He wanted to free himself from the small sense of guilt that had arisen in his chest.
“The last thing I can do for you is to spare your life, that’s all.”
“…”
“All the things you’ve done are already before the judgment seat of the law. Even I, the emperor, cannot change that.”
Nathan’s eyes grew cold. His trembling shoulders drooped weakly.
“I’m sorry. I was a terrible father.”
The emperor left the room as if fleeing.
***
“Last but not least, I give you a solid 100 for head-pounding and tear production.” Pose floated in front of Nathan, who sat blankly with empty eyes, and murmured with a relaxed attitude, “It’s a shame the emperor’s eyes merely waver. If only you had hastened it a bit, you might have been able to persuade him. Too bad.”
“…”
“Well, even if the emperor covers up your mistakes, it doesn’t mean much. The crown prince will find a way to catch you, no matter what.” Pose patted Nathan’s shoulder while sighing. “I told you not to do it, didn’t I? It was obvious it was a trap.”
“Wow, he’s really something.”
“The crown prince?”
“Yeah.”
Pose hesitated as he looked at Nathan’s eyes, which were admitting defeat so easily. It was a strange gaze, one he had never seen before.
“I’m done now.”
“What, done with what?”
“Can’t win, can’t win.”
Nathan shook his head and stood.
“Huh? Nathan? Where are you going?”
“Just like that, all of this world…” Nathan, who was about to leave but turned back, laughed brightly and added, “…are on Lark’s side!”
“Um.”
“I’ve been running around doing all sorts of things, but that guy can easily get whatever he wants without even trying.”
“Wow, it’s the first time I’ve heard you say something like that. You really were shocked.”
“From the moment he was born out of the empress’s womb, he was the heir. He had Father’s attention, love, everything. He didn’t even have to do anything, even the nobles, who are so picky, were smitten with him. It was fascinating.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, and another thing. I wondered where he picked up that beggar, but it turns out he’s an incredibly talented gem. Ren, his assistant.”
“Unlucky, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, and now he’s got Vista’s contractee. I thought maybe that woman had betrayed him, but no.” Nathan shivered for a moment and rubbed his forearm. “Wow. She was thoroughly on Lark’s side from the beginning.”
If everything had been an act, from their first meeting to the notes she had given him, it meant that every move had been calculated.
“I’m really envious. She saw the future, played the occasional bait, acted well, and in the end, I was the last card to be played.”
“Hehe.”
“Haha.”
“…”
“And she was pretty and cute. I wish I could try dating too.”
Nathan and Pose laughed together.
Then, with a sudden change in expression, Pose said, “Get a grip, okay?”
“Hey, Pose. Think about it. Honestly, one of them could have fallen for me. Right?”
“Well, it’s pretty ridiculous when you say it like that. It’s like it was just your destiny.”
“Exactly.”
Nathan grinned and pointed his index finger at Pose. “It’s already decided. I can never beat Lark.”
As Nathan turned to leave again, Pose quickly blocked his way. “Wait a minute. Let’s plan for the future since your life’s been spared.”
“Haha, move aside.”
“You’ll be facing Vaden Island’s isolation, right? As long as you’re not dead, you can try anything! Go for it, Nathan!”
“Thanks.” Nathan laughed and pulled Pose to the side.
“You crazy bastard!”
“It’s over for me anyway. How am I going to get out of there? What’s the point? Do you think I can go back to being a noble and live comfortably?”
“Life is precious!”
Pose pretended to be concerned, but in reality, he didn’t care.
As a member of the nobility, as a leader, Nathan’s political life was over. He just needed Nathan’s help to eliminate all the summoners of this empire…
‘But this guy has lost it!’
Everything required Nathan to be alive. That’s why Pose had to stop Nathan right now.
“I’m not afraid of dying. I’d rather die than face the isolation. And I’m really tired.”
“Please, please!”
With determined steps following Nathan, Pose seemed to choke up.
“Ah!”
At that moment, Nathan’s steps abruptly halted.
For some reason, Lark was urgently approaching.
“Brother~!” Nathan greeted Lark enthusiastically, spreading his arms wide, and Lark froze in place. “How did you know I was heading to you, and yet you found your way here first?”
Before Lark could understand the situation…
Thud—!
Time came to a standstill with a single gesture from Nathan.
The entire space was painted in a lifeless gray.
Two maids and two guards who had been accompanying Lark through the wide corridor.
This was enough of an audience to witness a splendid finale.
“I apologize, brother. I’m acknowledging it a bit late.” Nathan approached Lark confidently, and he drew the sword sheathed at the waist of one of the guards next to him. With a triumphant expression, he looked at Lark and said, “I can’t beat you.”
“Perhaps I’ll never be able to beat you in my lifetime.”
Really, it’s so tiresome.
“So, just once. Let me savor the feeling of winning.”
As the blade pierced through Lark’s neck. Nathan shivered at the sensation he felt through the handle of the sword.
“Goodbye.”
Time, which had frozen, resumed its flow.
“……? Ah, aaaaah!!!”
“Uaaaah!!”
“Uaa! Ah!”
Screams echoed on the bloodstained final stage.
Nathan laughed heartily in satisfaction.
“Hahahaha…!”
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