After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 111

At Tatiana’s words, the conference hall fell into a frozen silence.

No one dared to open their mouths, the nobles were too busy scrutinizing each other’s faces.

Marcus then realized why he hadn’t been informed of this matter in advance.

‘Could she still be…’

He recalled the old days when he had torn Tatiana away from Alexander according to the wishes of his father, the head of the Seonja family.

He remembered how heartbroken and tormented she had been back then.

The words he had used to force her to accept it as the will of the family swirled in his head and then scattered.

‘That was a long time ago…’

He had been at the center of power as a great noble his entire life.

It was difficult for him to accept the sudden attempt to poison the Emperor at face value.

‘Could it be that she started a rebellion for Alexander.’

He realized that he had been too preoccupied with Ayla’s situation and had neglected other matters.

‘If that’s the case, things can’t proceed like this.’

Just as Marcus was about to say something amidst the growing murmur, another shout came from outside the door.

“His Imperial Majesty enters─!”

Immediately, the inside of the conference room froze as if a storm had passed through.

Tatiana’s expression, in particular, was a sight to behold.

Across from her, Alexander even jumped up in surprise, his face filled with astonishment.

As the large doors opened to both sides, Friedrich, who was said to be on the verge of death, walked in with dignity.

“Your Majesty…?”

His face, which was said to be on the verge of death, was so peaceful.

His face was flushed with color, and his eyes were clearer than ever.

The red cloak draped over his golden ceremonial robes fluttered with each confident step he took.

Friedrich surveyed the room once before leisurely walking to his seat and sitting down.

“You all look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

At the pointed remark, one of the pro-Emperor nobles, who was sitting relatively close, opened his mouth.

“Until just now, we heard that Your Majesty was poisoned and hovering between life and death, Your Majesty.”

“It seems I’ve caused some concern. It’s true that I’ve been resting for the past few days due to a slight health issue, but it seems the rumors have been exaggerated.”

Friedrich looked back at the nobles with expressions that seemed to say, ‘That can’t be,’ and said once again.

“As you can see, I am perfectly fine.”

At Friedrich’s appearance, seemingly unharmed, the nobles’ gazes turned to the Empress.

“I cannot understand, Your Majesty. Then why would Her Majesty the Empress.”

Friedrich took over the words of the noble who was casting a suspicious gaze.

“It seems the Empress has misunderstood something. You should have paid more attention to me.”

“……”

“It seems like this was caused by a misunderstanding, so it would be best if the Empress left now.”

However, Tatiana did not seem to have any intention of leaving like this.

“It is true that Your Majesty was poisoned. This can be confirmed by the court physician.”

She stared at Friedrich’s hardening expression and opened her mouth as if interrogating him.

“It is fortunate that Your Majesty overcame the poison and awoke, but this matter cannot be covered up like this. Are you trying to cover up the First Prince’s rebellion by trying to treat it as if it never happened?”

“Rebellion…”

Friedrich repeated her words as if in disbelief.

He had given her a chance to let this matter pass without escalating it.

If she gave up and left the conference room, he was planning to take appropriate measures without making this matter public.

“Tatiana.”

Friedrich’s attitude changed in an instant.

“If you are labeling something as a rebellion before even starting an investigation, with no evidence, am I to understand that it is because you were plotting a rebellion?”

“Are you now trying to pin the First Prince’s rebellion on me?”

She calmly retorted, but her voice was filled with both anger and anxiety.

“I had no intention of doing so. It is because I have not yet investigated the truth of this matter in detail. However, Tatiana.”

Friedrich met her gaze head-on.

“If there is someone who is already drawing conclusions and acting on such a serious matter, wouldn’t it be inevitable to think that that person is the mastermind behind this?”

In other words, Tatiana gritted her teeth at Friedrich’s words, which were asking if she was the one who started this. Unable to watch any longer, Alexander rebuked her in a stern tone.

“Leo kidnapped Edward. How do you explain that?”

“Well, brother. Why would Leo do such a thing?”

“That’s…”

Alexander hesitated for a moment before composing himself and saying.

“How would we know what’s on his mind? However, judging from the fact that he kidnapped Edward, he must be dissatisfied with the Crown Prince competition, or there must be some other reason we don’t know.”

“Then we have no choice but to ask him.”

Friedrich sighed as if he couldn’t help it and called a servant.

“Bring Leo here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The nobles simply blinked at the rapidly changing situation.

Some had serious expressions as if they understood the situation, while others looked around, unsure of what was going on.

As if he had been waiting, First Prince Leomund walked in through the opening doors.

The conference room buzzed once again at his appearance, and the Empress’s expression, who had been claiming that he had committed treason, froze in an instant.

Leo walked in with a calm step and stood to Friedrich’s left.

“Leo. The competition we promised is over. So, tell us directly about your future plans.”

Leo, who had been staring at the Empress with cold eyes, turned his head at Friedrich’s words.

He stepped forward and looked around at the nobles surrounding the table before opening his mouth with an indifferent face.

“I think I’ll return to the North now.”

His voice was calm.

“I didn’t jump into the Crown Prince competition in the first place, my father wanted me to. The reason is…”

Leo glanced down at Friedrich before continuing.

“He must have wanted to give me a chance, but the truth is, it was because of Edward.”

His gaze was now directed at Tatiana.

“He wanted him to learn and grow through the competition.”

It was truly a futile denial.

To bestow affection on a child who wasn’t even his own, using the hand of his own son.

“Lies! How can we believe that? It might be to cover up this incident.”

“You’ll know if you send someone to the Grand Duchy. He’s already made considerable preparations to return.”

“Then talk after you release Edward first!”

“I don’t know why you’re looking for Edward, who is in the middle of the Crown Prince competition, from me. Don’t you remember what the conditions of this competition were?”

At his words, the nobles buzzed as if they had realized something.

Leo looked back at them and said as if driving a wedge.

“Do not leave the slums until the competition is over. That is also proof that I, who am here now, will return to the North.”

“That’s a lie! Edward wasn’t in the slums!”

“Send someone to check. You can find out if Edward is there or not.”

He shrugged his shoulders with a relaxed face.

Then, he warned the Empress, who was staring with wide eyes as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Whether you believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. But you better remember one thing.”

“……”

“The only reason that neck is still attached to your body is because of my father’s request.”

Tatiana’s eyes shook violently at Leo’s undisguised murderous intent.

Groans of the nobles pressed by his murderous intent erupted from all over the conference hall.

Unable to watch any longer, Friedrich raised his hand and ordered the servant.

“What are you doing? Escort the Empress to her room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Leo frowned at the approaching servants and clicked his tongue with a displeased face before withdrawing his energy.

Friedrich, who was watching the scene, said with a tired expression.

“I’ve shown you all a lot of unsightly things. It would be best to end today’s meeting here. And…”

He looked at Alexander and added.

“Brother, please have a word with me.”

After the meeting.

Marcus pushed through the nobles who were talking to him and moved forward.

It was to chase after Leo.

Leo, who sensed the presence, stopped walking. Then, he waited for him to get closer and asked indifferently.

“What’s wrong, Duke?”

“Ayla, what’s happening to that child?”

Judging from the situation a little while ago, he could immediately deduce that Tatiana had tried to do something and failed.

Also, that Ayla had been used in that matter.

At Marcus’s appearance, rushing to confirm Ayla’s whereabouts with an anxious expression, Leo was silent for a moment before deciding to show some kindness.

“She was transferred from the Empress’s Palace to the Town House.”

“To the Town House. I see.”

Marcus, who was now clearly relieved, asked in addition.

“The words about returning to the North are they true?”

“Yes.”

“Then when…”

Marcus’s hesitant appearance was unfamiliar.

Leo stared silently at him, who seemed smaller than usual today, before letting out an annoyed sigh and saying.

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