Chapter 13 – Betrayal of Betrayal (Part 6)

The news that Inferno was critically injured and unconscious because of Bellaruse quickly spread through the social circles. It didn’t stop there; rumors of Inferno teetering on the brink of death even reached the citizens of the capital.

“Oh dear, what terrible news.”

“Did you hear about it?”

“Of course, I did.”

The merchants who were talking looked around. Their eyes were filled with unease.

It was understandable. Ever since the children delivering The Scene were arrested, the market’s atmosphere had become tense. Knights and soldiers with swords patrolled the area. Anyone spreading bad rumors about the imperial family was promptly arrested, making the commoners even more cautious.

Once they confirmed there were no soldiers or knights around, they resumed their conversation.

“They say the prince had problems.”

“They say he hit a woman… and the noble lady couldn’t take it anymore and tried to kill him.”

“So, the article in The Scene wasn’t a lie?”

“When has The Scene ever lied? They might exaggerate, but they never make things up.”

“Is that why they arrested the kids delivering The Scene? Because they exposed the imperial family’s dirty secrets?”

“Ahem!”

As their voices grew louder, other merchants coughed to signal caution. They looked around again before speaking more cautiously.

“What a world we live in.”

“The prince has always been controversial. Didn’t he abandon his fiancée of several years to marry a new noble lady?”

“Yes, that’s right. And the lady who caused this incident is that same lady, isn’t she?”

“Then the lady he loved enough to abandon his fiancée stabbed the Prince?”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

One of the merchants, seeing knights approaching from a distance, gave a loud signal. Upon hearing his cough, the merchants dispersed and returned to their tasks.

The market’s atmosphere gradually turned against the imperial family, just as Reubellina had planned.

***

“How could this happen? For a member of the imperial family to be harmed by a mere baron’s daughter!”

“We are investigating the details and will receive news soon.”

“How dare someone brandish a blade at a member of the imperial family!”

It wasn’t exactly a blade but a hair ornament. However, in the enraged Emperor’s ears, it was all the same.

“Where is she now!”

“She has been imprisoned in the dungeon.”

The chamberlain, bowing deeply, answered the emperor’s question about Bellaruse’s whereabouts. He hesitated to mention the unsettling rumors circulating outside the palace. If he spoke now, the emperor’s misdirected rage would surely fall upon him. 

Deciding to relay the news later, the chamberlain trembled, hoping the emperor’s anger would subside.

“I will go to the dungeon myself!”

The emperor’s declaration was interrupted as the door to the chamber opened, revealing Selena. Her eyes widened as she saw the emperor, and tears began to fall.

“Your Majesty, is it true? Has my brother been hurt?”

“That is not your concern.”

“But…”

“You should stay quietly in your quarters.”

Selena bowed her head at the emperor’s dismissive words. A cold light flickered in her eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

Just then, Crown Prince Monterno hurriedly entered.

“Your Majesty!”

“Why are you only arriving now!”

The emperor’s reaction to Monterno was starkly different from his response to Selena. Realizing she was an intruder, Selena bowed and withdrew.

‘All my decisions are your fault.’

Biting her lip, Selena left the emperor’s chambers. Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as she turned away.

***

Reubellina received a report from Teryn on the spread of the rumors. The stories were spreading far and wide, just as she had planned. Although Bellaruse’s actions were unexpected, Reubellina couldn’t help but think about how desperate she must have been to act that way.

‘Worrying won’t change anything…’

At least, if the social circles rallied, it might save Bellaruse’s life.

Lost in thought, she tapped her desk with her finger. The office she used at the Duke’s estate remained unchanged, allowing her to use it as a temporary workspace.

According to Teryn, the imperial family had tried to cover up Bellaruse’s attack on Inferno, but there were too many witnesses among the servants and maids to keep it quiet.

‘Then they might use other methods… they wouldn’t go so far as to turn this into a matter for the entire nobility, right?’

Reubellina didn’t dismiss the thought. The emperor, obsessed with strengthening imperial authority, was capable of using his son’s misfortune to his advantage. He could easily fabricate a story that Bellaruse had acted under the influence of a noble faction.

‘They wouldn’t dare accuse Tartenon of being behind this, would they?’

Suddenly anxious, Reubellina stood up abruptly. Heather, who had been guarding the office, widened her eyes at Reubellina’s sudden movement. Ignoring her, Reubellina left the office.

She asked a passing servant where Tartenon was and headed to the training grounds at the Duke’s estate.

As she walked, her mind raced with uneasy thoughts. The outcome of this incident could determine the fate of the north.

‘I shouldn’t have come here.’

If this had happened while they were in the north, they could at least have an alibi, but now the situation was different. The incident occurred after she and Tartenon arrived in the capital.

Although Bellaruse was someone they had a contentious history with, public opinion could easily be swayed to make it seem otherwise. People’s tongues could turn fiction into fact. Reubellina had always been wary of rumors, which was why she had spread them herself.

“Sigh.”

“Your Grace, is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

She couldn’t speak easily. Nothing was certain yet.

Reubellina hurried to meet Tartenon to discuss the matter. But as she stepped into the training grounds, she froze.

Tartenon, stripped to a light shirt, was sparring with Hemil, who knelt before him. His muscular torso, glistening with sweat, was exposed through his open shirt. Reubellina, seeing his chiseled chest, turned her head quickly but then stopped herself.

‘Why should I? This is too good to miss.’

It was a breathtaking sight, like looking at a beautiful jewel. She had never realized how delightful it was to see a well-built man’s body.

Reubellina couldn’t take her eyes off Tartenon. Other knights were also stripped down, but none captured her attention like he did.

With his silver hair fluttering in the wind, Tartenon disarmed Hemil. Noticing Reubellina’s presence, his blue eyes met hers.

“Reubellina.”

Seeing Tartenon’s gaze soften as he looked at her, Reubellina forgot to breathe. Under the bright sun, his golden figure looked like a god from mythology. Mesmerized by his outstretched hand, she walked towards him as if in a trance.

Tartenon’s lips curled into a slight smile. His smile captivated her. Unable to hide her own smile, Reubellina walked towards him.

“It might be dangerous. Why are you out here?”

“I was looking for you.”

“For me?”

At Tartenon’s signal, Hemil and the other knights left the training grounds. Their coordinated movement went unnoticed by Reubellina, who only had eyes for Tartenon.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably. Trying to steady her breath, she whispered to him,

“Yes, for you.”

At her reply, Tartenon’s eyes curved once again, and Reubellina realized then. She could no longer leave this man.