Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 148
On their way to the banquet hall, Riegel mumbled apologetically to Izar.
“I apologize on his behalf, Duke.”
“It’s alright.”
It wasn’t unexpected. Since Izar was in a cooperative relationship with the prince, he could endure the old man’s resentment.
“But are you sure we can proceed with the event?”
Izar had hinted that monsters might appear at this hunting festival, potentially threatening the imperial family. However, Riegel nodded calmly.
“It’s time I shed the reputation of being a weak prince. If I flee out of fear, there will be much talk later.”
“If you insist. But…”
“Hmm?”
“…My wife has something she wants to present to Your Highness.”
Wife. That simple word rolled off his tongue like a dew-laden petal.
In any case, receiving something from Freesia and showing genuine delight in front of others was an unspoken request to boost his dignity.
“Ah-ha. Haha, I understand. Don’t worry.”
Yet, as Riegel smiled kindly, indicating he fully understood, Izar averted his gaze. It was just a small favor in line with their cooperation, but Riegel’s look made it seem like he was treating him as a man with a jealous streak.
‘It’s not that at all.’
He had merely decided to keep Freesia by his side. His quick steps to the garden to find her were simply because he didn’t want to give any other man an opening…
‘Because I once failed to keep my promise.’
It was a reflection on allowing that incident at the Antares mansion to happen.
Though he vaguely knew that neither this annoyance nor the unexplained excitement fully justified his swift steps toward the garden.
Additionally, he was aware that despite the presence of Lady Alpheratz and guards, his focus was solely on Freesia under the evening glow.
The peridot jewelry he had given her scattered light across her face in the setting sun. This sight satisfied him, yet he also realized there were many places he had yet to leave his mark.
A profound sense of satisfaction and a burning thirst. The presence that made him feel these conflicting emotions simultaneously.
As soon as Viela Alpheratz saw the Duke, she bowed quickly like a startled cat and withdrew. Freesia sighed with relief when Izar appeared.
‘No matter how safe it feels now, it’s still uncomfortable.’
The events at the Antares mansion were still a fresh wound. The relief that Izar had shown up on time this time was overwhelming.
“Duke, are you done with your business… ah!”
However, when Izar suddenly pulled her into his arms, her hands froze in mid-air in shock.
‘Aren’t we… outside?’
When he kissed her left cheek again, Freesia squirmed and whispered.
“You shouldn’t do this.”
“Why not?”
“Because! Such things should be done in the bedroom…”
Freesia anxiously looked around while trembling in his arms. She had heard of people engaging in indecent acts in the palace gardens, but surely…
Izar noticed her thoughts and reprimanded her.
“Haha. Do you think I would embrace you out here?”
“But during archery practice!”
“Who was it who said she would accept the punishment first?”
Freesia turned her head, unable to come up with an excuse. She knew well that her already flushed face couldn’t be hidden even in the dark.
His golden eyes reflected her face, filled with desire. He wanted to be alone with her immediately.
“…This way.”
He took her hand and led her away, her forehead reddened in embarrassment.
The night was far from over.
* * *
After the meeting with the duke and the prince ended, the high priest also prepared to leave. However, the emperor called out to him sharply.
<High Priest. Follow me.>
The old man’s harsh tone left the High Priest wondering what he intended. But the emperor’s words in the private chamber brought him to full attention.
“If you comply with my request, I will share one of the sanctuaries with the temple.”
“Your Majesty…!”
“Haven’t you been asking to know at least one location for a long time?”
“Yes, but…”
The High Priest’s eyes trembled at the emperor’s proposal.
Except for the Arcturus family, those with specialized magical abilities were rare. The imperial family had not produced any powerful ability users for a long time.
However, the reason the Betelgeuse family still reigned as the imperial family was because of a relic they received from Adamant in ancient times.
A sacred land where vast magical energy flowed like a network of veins.
Only the imperial family knew its existence and location, and only a High Priest could learn about it through texts.
‘If only we could use that!’
The High Priest licked his lips and cautiously spoke.
“Your Majesty, haven’t the sanctuaries also been in decline for a long time? With just one…”
“If you are not willing, forget it.”
The emperor cut off the High Priest’s greed brusquely. He knew his grandson viewed the temple negatively and had no intention of giving more.
“That land still holds magical power, but the method to harness it has been lost. It will be up to the temple to discover it.”
“If you leave it to us, the temple will handle the rest. So what is Your Majesty’s desire?”
“…”
Shadows fell in every crease of the emperor’s face.
His life had halted twenty years ago, the last time he saw his living children.
A son who had gone wild, insisting on searching for his missing lover.
The emperor himself, who had shouted at that son, calling him a disgrace and telling him to go die immediately.
The eldest son and his wife who chose a distant villa to cool the younger brother’s head.
And the three headless bodies that were returned to him.
Since then, the emperor had felt like he was suffocating every single day.
