Chapter 108

“We’ve taken care of all the suspicious individuals upstairs.”  

Rayden and Duke Tereon Dinever descended the stairs with light steps as they spoke. Aitor, who had been searching the first floor, nodded but tilted his head in confusion.  

The location indicated by Lucas’s magic formula was undoubtedly here, but no matter how thoroughly they searched, there was no place where Vivian could be hidden.  

The scattered broken bricks and precariously standing wooden pillars, rotting at their bases, looked dangerously unstable. Abandoned furniture had long since become home to rats.  

“Could they have set up a barrier?”  

Teresa, seeming to agree with Aitor’s suggestion, took out a magical device from the pouch where she kept her magical tools.  

“There’s no time, and calling Zero now would be dangerous, so this is our only option…”  

The magical device Teresa pulled out was one that nullified magic within a certain range for a limited time. It was difficult to make, and even if completed, there was a low chance of it working properly. Teresa had only one of these precious items.  

“If we can’t use magic, the risk will be too high.”  

When Rayden objected, Duke Tereon looked up at the large hole in the roof. The twilight that had blanketed the sky when they entered was fading, and an early white moon now hung in the sky.  

“There’s no time. If they realize we’re not the ones they’re expecting…”  

People disguised as them were supposed to meet Robert Fame at the arranged location. If their imposters were discovered, there wouldn’t be time to search for Vivian at leisure. Louis swept his disheveled hair back and looked at Teresa.  

“How long does the effect of that magical device last once activated?”  

“Thirty minutes.”  

It was a period that could be either short or long.  

Frowning as he deliberated for a moment, Louis turned his gaze. As darkness descended and the wind blew, the decrepit building groaned with strange noises.  

Through the gaping holes, the eerie sound of the wind echoed, and the movement of animals—perhaps rats that had taken over the place long ago, or cats hunting them—made the creaky wooden floor emit unpleasant squeaks.  

“What about the ones in the building?”  

“They’ve all been dealt with.”  

At Rayden’s report, Louis nodded and spoke to Teresa.  

“Activate the magical device, and we’ll find Vivian and escape within thirty minutes. The nullification of magic will affect not just us but also them. Rayden, Duke Tereon, and I will move quickly to rescue Vivian.”  

Louis explained the plan swiftly and clearly.  

“Teresa, you’ll stay here with Aitor and keep watch. If a dangerous situation arises, leave immediately, hide, and observe the situation.”  

“But, Your Highness…”  

Aitor raised an objection to Louis’s strategy.  

“Aitor. Their plan is to take me hostage and demand something from the Emperor. If I lose my life, it will mean war. That’s their last resort, so there’s no need for you to risk your life to protect me.”  

After quickly explaining to Aitor, Louis shifted his golden gaze to Teresa.  

“In the worst-case scenario, if I’m taken hostage and the situation is beyond your abilities to resolve, head straight to the Empire and report to the Imperial Family.”  

Louis tossed the pocket watch he had been using to Teresa.  

“I leave the judgment of the situation here entirely to you, Teresa. Aitor, follow your Master.”  

Clutching the Crown Prince’s pocket watch tightly in her right hand, Teresa nodded. Her firm, red eyes turned toward her disciple.  

She approached Aitor and whispered something to him, and he nodded resignedly.  

“I’ll activate it now.”  

Teresa walked a short distance away from the group and knelt on one knee.  

The magic stone in her hand, which was similar in color to her eyes, emitted an eerie glow. As Teresa muttered something, the stone let out a low hum and floated into the air.  

‘Bang!’  

The growing hum culminated in a small explosion, releasing a piercing high-pitched sound.  

‘Beep—’  

The shrill noise, like tinnitus scratching at their ears, made everyone except Teresa cover their ears with their hands. Moments later, the surroundings fell silent as if the sound had never existed.  

“Couldn’t you have warned us about that noise beforehand?”  

Duke Tereon complained to Teresa with a face full of dissatisfaction. Teresa snorted and brushed the dust off her knees.  

“Aitor, are you all right?”  

Unlike Teresa, who seemed unaffected, Aitor swayed unsteadily and pressed his palm against his temple as he leaned against the wall.  

“Aitor is an exceptionally powerful mage by nature, so the impact is probably more severe for him.”  

Still grimacing in pain, Aitor waved his hand.  

“I’m fine, so hurry, hurry and find Vivian.”  

At Aitor’s words, Louis, Rayden, and Duke Tereon moved swiftly.  

It was now a time when even the magic stones that illuminated the area were rendered useless. They waited briefly for their eyes to adjust to the darkness before thoroughly searching the first floor.  

“This seems to be the place!”  

Duke Tereon found a door behind a barely functional sofa.  

“It wasn’t here earlier… So, there really was a barrier.”  

Teresa tapped the door Duke Tereon had discovered. With a creak, the door opened to reveal a narrow staircase leading underground.  

“Aitor and I will wait here.”  

Teresa, still watching over the dazed Aitor, spoke. Nodding, Duke Tereon stood at the door.  

“I’ll go first.”  

There was no time to waste.  

Duke Tereon stepped forward, followed by Louis, with Rayden bringing up the rear as they descended the stairs.  

The narrow staircase was shorter than expected.  

As Duke Tereon carefully made his way down in the pitch-darkness, he stopped and signaled to Louis and Rayden that there was a door.  

“D*mn it.”  

“What’s wrong?”  

Duke Tereon cursed under his breath. When Louis asked, the Duke stepped aside and pointed to the lock.  

“The lock made of magic stones seems to have been disabled, but there’s another one attached.”  

At his words, Rayden tapped Louis on the shoulder.  

“I’ll take care of it.”  

At Rayden’s offer, Duke Tereon and Louis shifted positions in the cramped space, letting Rayden step forward.  

‘Bang!’  

Rayden struck the lock hard with the hilt of his sword, and the loud noise reverberated through the narrow hallway.  

‘Bang!’  

With another strong strike, accompanied by a cracking sound, the lock didn’t break—but the door itself came loose and fell off its hinges.  

“Well, as long as it opens, right?”  

Rayden awkwardly laughed as he propped up the crooked door. Setting the heavy door aside, Duke Tereon quickly entered with his sword drawn.  

***

It was a perfect spring.  

The Dovelia Palace, newly adorned for the season, was brimming with vitality. The gardens of the Empress’s palace were no exception. Flowers that had been curled up underground to escape the winter cold were now budding and growing under the warm spring sunlight.  

As she strolled through the garden, Empress Annette suddenly stopped.  

“The Crown Prince still refuses to receive visitors?”  

The maids and attendants following her also stopped in their tracks.  

“My apologies. I will send word requesting another visit.”  

“Never mind.”  

Letting out a sigh, Empress Annette resumed walking, only to stop again after taking ten steps.  

“I will go to His Majesty the Emperor. Request an audience and prepare for my departure.”  

Alina bowed and quickly left the garden to carry out the Empress’s orders.  

Empress Annette was displeased with the Crown Prince, who had been refusing visitors and remaining secluded in his palace, as well as the Emperor, who didn’t seem to care and continued his work as usual. 

Louis had always been like this. Though he was generally healthy, when he fell ill, he would suffer severely. He would lock himself in his room and endure the illness alone, only emerging once he had fully recovered.  

“It’s the fault of an unworthy mother.”  

Empress Annette let out a deep sigh.  

Feeling like she had failed to be a source of support for her son, her heart had been heavy for days. She resolved to storm into the Crown Prince’s palace with the Emperor if necessary.  

Today, she was determined to see the Crown Prince with her own eyes and then visit Duke Tereon Dinever to confirm the situation regarding Vivian. Her violet eyes were resolute.  

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire.”  

Empress Annette greeted the Emperor as she stepped out of her carriage. The Emperor glanced disapprovingly at the Crown Prince’s palace before nodding in acknowledgment of the Empress’s greeting.  

“A grown son—what has you so worried?”  

At the Emperor’s words, Empress Annette slowly raised her head.  

“I am worried. Our only son returned gravely injured and has barely recovered. He has secluded himself in the Crown Prince’s palace for four days to focus on his recovery. His fiancée is missing. Am I worrying too much?”  

The Emperor’s eyebrow twitched at the Empress’s sharp retort.  

The Empress, who was usually calm, was now visibly agitated. Blinking slowly, the Emperor led the way into the Crown Prince’s palace.  

“I-I greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”  

Allen felt like dying.  

It had been hard enough to keep refusing the Empress’s visits, but now the Emperor had shown up. Cold sweat dripped down his back.  

“Where is the Crown Prince?”  

“Well, that is…”  

“Is he in his chambers?”  

The Emperor asked, and the Empress followed up.  

What should I say?

A flood of thoughts raced through Allen’s mind in that brief moment.  

Should I lie as instructed by the Crown Prince and somehow send them away, or should I tell the truth and beg the Emperor for forgiveness?  

“Summon the Crown Prince.”  

“Pardon?”  

Allen instinctively looked up in surprise. Meeting the Emperor’s icy golden gaze, Allen dropped to his knees and prostrated himself on the floor.  

“I have committed a grave sin, Your Majesty.”  

The Emperor ignored the trembling Allen and strode toward the Crown Prince’s chambers.  

Throwing the door open, he found, as expected, the large bed devoid of any warmth of a human presence. The Empress, who had followed him, ran her hand over the empty bed.  

“Where is the Crown Prince?”  

The Empress shouted.  

“Well, that is…”  

The Crown Prince’s attendant, Jayden, trembled as he confessed the truth to the Emperor and Empress. As Jayden explained, the Empress’s face turned pale.  

“Y-Your Majesty!”  

The Empress clutched her head and collapsed to the floor.  

“Annette!”  

The Emperor urgently grabbed her shoulders and shook her, but the Empress had already fainted.  

“Summon a physician immediately!”  

At the Emperor’s urgent command, people hurriedly moved.  

“When did the Crown Prince leave the palace?”  

The Emperor asked as he looked at the unconscious Empress leaning against his shoulder.  

“Four nights ago.”  

“…Summon Duke Tereon Dinever.”  

At the Emperor’s order, Allen bowed and spoke.  

“Duke Tereon is likely with His Highness the Crown Prince.”  

The Emperor’s formidable gaze made Allen decide. When the Crown Prince returned, he would submit his resignation immediately.  

“Commander of the Knights.”  

“Yes, Your Highness.”  

“Gather all available knights and send them to the gate leading to Palterno.”  

“I will carry out your orders.”  

The commander of the First Knight Order, who had been standing outside the Crown Prince’s chamber, knelt on one knee and bowed his head.