It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 114

Giscal looked into my eyes, then at the neatly arranged map on the desk, then out the window once, and made up his mind.

He rechecked the camp’s defensive posture in case of emergency and retrieved a Level 1 Motus from the command’s emergency stockpile, entrusting the Dimotus to Martenal. Martenal was the only one in the camp who knew about our absence.

“If the Small Kingdoms Alliance attacks, report immediately.”

“Understood. I’ll guard this barrack thoroughly, so don’t worry.”

“I trust you.”

Martenal saluted Giscal and came to me, grasping both my hands.

“Please return safely, miss. If you’re using a precious Level 4 Motus consecutively, it must be a very serious matter. I don’t know what it is, but I hope it’s resolved well.”

Martenal believed that I had suddenly appeared on the battlefield and that Giscal and I were using a Level 4 Motus to travel to the imperial capital.

I felt sorry for lying to her, but it was too early to tell her everything.

“Yes, I’ll do my best. You be careful too, Martenal.”

Martenal smiled and bowed.

“Safe travels.”

Trusting Martenal’s thorough vigilance, Giscal and I carefully entered the barrack.

I reached out to Giscal first. He slowly extended his hand. His firm hand overlapped with mine.

“Then let’s move.”

“Alright.”

I closed my eyes and focused. I envisioned the imperial capital at the heart of the empire, the palace located at the highest point of the capital, and at its center, the grand Berna Palace.

Even the image of Erich sitting on the ornate throne in Berna Palace, waiting for Arne’s answer.

I couldn’t imagine what expression Erich would wear while waiting for Arne. It was beyond imagination.

I didn’t know him. But he was someone I had to meet for everything to reach its conclusion.

The moment I solidified my resolve, I felt as if I were floating in midair. When I opened my eyes, the scenery had already changed.

It was Berna Palace. The audience chamber of Berna Palace, with all its lights turned off. A high platform with a throne placed on one side, a long and wide rectangular room.

The emperor would look down on countless nobles from that throne. The audience chamber, always bustling with nobles seeking an audience, was eerily quiet at this moment. The walls, usually adorned with bright lights, were now dark and lifeless.

I had never seen the audience chamber like this before. An empty, unlit audience chamber…

“You’ve finally arrived.”

It wasn’t completely empty. I turned my gaze toward the throne hidden in the shadows.

The emperor, seated like a shadow on the platinum throne, slowly lifted his face.

His pale face, illuminated by moonlight, resembled a plaster statue. That unnatural, emotionless expression typical of plaster statues clung to Erich’s face. It was as if a living person had turned into a statue.

It had only been two days. In that short time, his complexion hadn’t drastically paled nor had his body noticeably thinned. There were hardly any physical changes. But in those two days, Erich had hardened like someone no longer alive.

“Just two days.”

“Did you say ‘just’?”

“Yes. I didn’t expect you to act so quickly.”

The plaster statue’s gaze slowly shifted to Giscal.

“So you’ve returned to where he is, not Arlin Palace or the Edelheit estate?”

“Yes. Because you sent Giscal to the battlefield.”

“You must have brought some evidence, judging by your bold tone. I don’t want to waste time with you, so hand it over.”

Erich’s voice was flat and emotionless. It was exactly how I imagined a plaster statue would speak.

“I don’t enjoy facing Your Majesty either. But I must ask. I told you not to attack Edelheit, didn’t I? Since you broke that promise first, I’m no longer obligated to keep mine.”

“You’re wrong. I never broke my promise.”

“You sent Giscal to the western front before he recovered, brought Marian to the palace, and didn’t withdraw the imperial guards surrounding the Edelheit estate.”

“Right. You must’ve exchanged quite a few words with Giscal in the meantime.”

“And yet you claim you didn’t break your promise?”

I raised my voice in frustration. Giscal stepped slightly in front of me, guarding against Erich.

Erich lifted his chin slightly and replied.

“Yes.”

Still that flat, gloomy voice.

“I clearly told you I wouldn’t attack Edelheit. Isn’t that what I said? The imperial guards are merely surrounding the estate, not in attack formation. Princess Marian is my concubine, so it’s natural for her to be in the palace. And Giscal’s appointment to the western front was decided long ago. Who delivered that decree?”

I raised my head and glared at Erich.

“I’m talking about the timing. He wasn’t fully healed, was forced to ride through the night, and had to fight immediately upon arrival.”

“There can be battles at any time on the front lines.”

If Erich had blatantly feigned ignorance or made absurd excuses, I might not have been this furious.

But his continued emotionless responses stirred up even more unintended anger.

“Is this really how you’re going to play it? Do you think no one realizes you deliberately sent Giscal to the battlefield to get rid of him? You’re trying to use the Small Kingdoms Alliance to do your dirty work.”

I stomped on the marble floor and shouted.

“And on top of that, you kept the imperial guards around Edelheit, and took Marian as a hostage.”

Erich’s intentions were clear. Despite our agreement, he maintained a posture ready to attack Edelheit at any moment. He sent Giscal to the front lines, where battle could erupt at any time.

“You understand well.”

Erich finally admitted it. I clenched my fist triumphantly, but Erich always exceeded expectations.

“I didn’t harm him directly, did I? That’s enough to say I kept my promise.”

Erich shamelessly admitted the real reason for sending Giscal to the battlefield. Even Giscal’s eyebrows twitched as he stared at the throne.

Erich was a thick-skinned man who didn’t offer a single excuse.

“So let’s stop this meaningless talk.”

Erich slowly extended his right hand.

“Give me what you received from her.”

I instinctively raised a hand to my chest. Erich’s eyes narrowed.

“So you did bring something.”

A mistake. Erich slowly rose from the throne and took a step forward.

I instinctively stepped back, then looked at Giscal’s back, standing firm to protect me. He was unwavering in his gaze toward Erich. So I couldn’t retreat either. I planted my feet firmly.

“Yes. I have a letter written by Arne herself. And she entrusted it to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means it’s up to me whether or not to deliver it to you.”

Erich’s brow furrowed.

“I said I’d bring evidence, and I’ve brought Arne’s letter into this world. I’ve fulfilled our deal.”

“I can’t listen to your nonsense any longer.”

Erich muttered ominously.

His glare was so intense my lips went dry. Of course, I knew I was playing word games. But to ensure everyone’s safety, I had to take risks.

I pulled the letter from my chest. The modern white envelope had a different texture and color from the paper of this world.

“This is the letter Arne wrote to you. And I can send it anywhere in this world at any time. The palace’s barrier can’t stop me.”

“You dare…”

Erich bared his teeth. If he raised his voice, the guards waiting outside would rush in.

Of course, before their blades reached me, Giscal and I could escape. But then the deal would be void.

“If you had truly kept your promise, I wouldn’t have resorted to such petty tactics. I clearly asked you not to harm those who cared for me. I trust you understand that physical violence isn’t the only form of harm.”

I swallowed and continued.

“So keep your promise properly. Then I’ll hand over the letter without hesitation.”

It was a threat, holding a single letter hostage. I knew it was petty and cowardly.

I couldn’t be sure how much Erich valued this letter. If his anger toward me outweighed his obsession with Arne’s few written lines, the threat wouldn’t work.

Yet Erich didn’t call for the guards.

I took a deep breath and laid out my demands:

Withdraw the imperial guards surrounding the Edelheit estate and guarantee the safety of the Edelheit family. Ensure the safety of Marian, Elliot, and Perlo, and grant them the freedom to research Motus. Do not harm the people of Edelheit or the soldiers loyal to Giscal.

And finally, revoke the order to massacre the citizens of the Small Kingdoms Alliance.

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