After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 106

Leo fell silent.

Because Isla’s head moved up and down.

He already knew that the current Empress was the arranged marriage partner of his uncle, who was originally the Crown Prince before he was even born.

After the sudden death of the previous Emperor, the Crown Prince was changed to his father under the leadership of the Everett family.

Because of that, his uncle lost both his position as Crown Prince and his arranged marriage partner, and his father, who was already married to his mother, had no choice but to marry again.

His mother, who was nothing more than a hostage from a defeated nation, could not become Empress, and in the end, that incident led to him being banished to the North.

But, those two were still having an affair…?

‘So that’s why.’

Now he understood.

A few days ago, there was one strange thing in the report from the spy planted in the Empress’s palace: his uncle was visiting the Empress’s palace.

Not enough times to be suspicious, but…

‘To think they’ve been having an affair all this time.’

His uncle left the Empire not long after stepping down from the position of Crown Prince, and since then, he had wandered around various countries like a vagabond.

He sometimes stayed in the Empire, but it was for a short period, and after he was sent to the North, he even came to visit him.

As Leo struggled to accept it, Isla’s explanation continued.

“They looked like lovers to anyone who saw them. And it was ongoing…”

“You must have a reason to be so sure?”

At Leo’s question, Isla swallowed dryly and opened her mouth.

“I heard it.”

“?”

“The Second Prince, I mean, His Highness Edward’s biological father… is Alexander.”

A brief silence flowed.

‘My uncle is Edward’s…?’

It was a completely unexpected development.

That’s because ‘that’ magical tool exists to prevent such things.

Of course, it’s possible that his father didn’t use such a magical tool, given his personality. Still, this is…

Leo stroked his chin and let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

‘She was a much scarier woman than I thought.’

To think that the person who always pretended to be elegant and maintained her position as Empress with a calm face was hiding such a huge secret behind her back.

Even he, who was rarely surprised, was shocked by this incident.

What was even more surprising was that Isla’s revelations were still continuing.

“Alexander didn’t seem to know about it.”

“He didn’t know?”

“Yes. I think he kept it a secret to himself… I guess because you were going to become the Crown Prince…”

“Ah, I see. Damn competition.”

“Yes. That’s probably why he revealed the secret he’s been hiding until now.”

Leo couldn’t help but sigh.

The question that remained in one corner of his mind was resolved, but he felt that he couldn’t rest assured.

“Since your uncle found you, has anything else happened?”

“No. That day, I promised Alexander that I wouldn’t tell you either. I ended up telling you, but it’s not like anyone will change if you know about it. More than anything, I don’t want to keep secrets from you.”

Leo stared silently into Isla’s eyes.

Her sincerity was conveyed directly through those clear eyes.

He was overwhelmed by that feeling, but at the same time, he was worried that she had learned something she shouldn’t have.

“Do you really have to go?”

“I need a chance to score points with my father, too. There won’t be a chance like this after this competition…”

“…Okay, then. But you must take Ian and the guards with you. Got it?”

“I will.”

Leo let out a dissatisfied sigh at her nodding with a smile as if she understood his worries.

Then, he turned his gaze to the sound of footsteps moving away down the hill, and soon lost interest.

Right now, he didn’t want to devote his thoughts and time to anything other than Isla.

After spending time talking about this and that, Leo got up from his seat as he watched the setting sun.

“It’s a shame, but it’s time to go back. The sun is setting.”

“I’m not going?”

“What?”

“You probably haven’t slept for days. I’m going to sleep with you tonight.”

He was flustered by her saying such dangerous things so casually.

Leo swallowed the groan that came out of him and called her name sternly.

“Isla.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t say ridiculous things and go back.”

“Why is it ridiculous?”

“How are you going to sleep here?”

“The bed was fine.”

Leo took a breath and pressed his temples.

Her sincerity was appreciated and sorry to dismiss it as mere stubbornness.

“I’ve lived like this for over ten years. You don’t have to worry about my sleeping problems. I mean it.”

“I’m so upset that you’ve lived like that for over ten years. You don’t have to anymore.”

“…But not here. This isn’t a problem at all…”

“I want to be with you.”

Isla pouted with a sullen face as if she didn’t understand why he kept trying to send her away.

“Am I the only one who wants to be with you?”

Leo lost his words at that one sentence.

His lips were sealed as if they were glued together.

Why wouldn’t he want to be with her?

But what couldn’t be done, couldn’t be done.

In the end, Leo was able to put her in the carriage only after properly explaining why he couldn’t let her sleep here.

For example, this place is not soundproof at all, or he is not confident that he can only sleep with her next to him.

Two days later.

Isla walked along the corridor leading to the Imperial Palace’s garden.

Ian and several knights were escorting her behind her.

Following the servant’s guidance, she entered the inner part of the Imperial Palace, and a beautifully landscaped indoor garden unfolded before her eyes.

This was a place where the Emperor mainly rested, and it was also a very private place where only a few people who were trusted by him were invited.

“You’ve come. Welcome.”

In the middle of the garden, Friedrich, who was chatting, discovered her and waved with a gentle smile.

Empress Tatiana and Alexander were sitting side by side next to him.

Isla moved her steps without hesitation and stood in front of them and bowed.

“I greet the sun and moon of the Empire, Your Majesties.”

“Haha. Enough with the formalities, come and sit down.”

Friedrich waved his hand and offered her a seat.

“It’s been a while, Isla.”

Empress Tatiana also greeted her with a soft smile.

Isla exchanged eye contact with Alexander as if she was glad to see him, and then carefully sat down in the seat guided by the servant.

Then, she took out the return gift she had prepared and presented it politely.

“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. It’s just a small token of my appreciation, but I prepared it with all my heart.”

Friedrich opened the box and smiled lightly.

“Isn’t that Bloody Rose?”

“I heard that Your Majesty likes this wine. I heard that the flavor is doubled when you drink it on a sunny day?”

“That’s right. The heavy and sweet taste lingers for a long time. It wouldn’t have been easy to get, but your sincerity is commendable.”

“You flatter me. I’m happy if Your Majesty is happy.”

Tatiana, who was watching, smiled softly and added.

“It’s a perfect gift for a day like today. Your Majesty, how about enjoying a glass at this gathering? In consideration of Isla’s sincerity.”

“That would be good.”

At Friedrich’s nod, a maid who was waiting prepared wine glasses and placed them on the table.

The servant standing behind the Emperor stood next to him and carefully removed the wax that sealed the wine.

As the lid was opened, the rich aroma of grapes spread subtly in the air.

Friedrich smiled contentedly and nodded once again to the servant as if telling him to pour it.

Wine with a good color rippled and filled the transparent glass.

Friedrich lifted the glass, smelled the aroma, looked at the color of the wine as if savoring it, and then tilted the glass.

The wine scent, as if containing the sunlight, swirled in his mouth as if boasting its flavor.

But the first sip he swallowed pleasantly was subtly different.

He realized something was wrong with the second sip he swallowed in succession.

Friedrich felt a sudden convulsion. The moment he instinctively spat out the wine that remained in his mouth.

He vomited blood along with the taste of iron that rose up his throat.

“Your Majesty!”

The Empress was the first to get up from her seat and shout.

Alexander rose to his feet with a surprised expression, and Isla froze in an instant.

Friedrich’s vision shook dizzyingly.

The glass he dropped from his hand hit the floor and shattered, and soon his upper body began to lean to the side of the table.

“Bring the court physician! Call the court physician, quickly!”

The servant ran up to him, supported him, and shouted.

“What are you doing! Immediately detain Imperial Princess Isla!”

In Friedrich’s darkening vision, Alexander’s voice crossed the garden like thunder.

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