I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 127
“To jest with your only younger brother upon his return, that’s too much.”
“How did you survive?”
Prince Camus asked coldly.
“Didn’t you suffer a fatal injury from the Demon King Audixus? How on earth did you manage to return alive?”
The intent behind Prince Camus’s scrutinizing gaze up and down Prince Tarek was clear. He was quite displeased with Tarek’s unscathed return.
Naturally, Prince Tarek wanted to overthrow Crown Prince Viren and ascend to the throne himself, while Prince Camus supported Crown Prince Viren. With such conflicting ambitions, Prince Tarek and Prince Camus were bitter enemies.
Iruel recalled the conversation he had with Rufus on the way back.
‘Iruel, now that you’ve taken on Prince Tarek’s identity, you are an enemy of both Crown Prince Viren and Second Prince Camus.’
Rufus had told Iruel this while they were traveling to the royal capital in the carriage from the border.
Lying lazily in the carriage, Iruel had been startled and sat up straight at those words.
‘What? I transformed into a prince to lead a leisurely life, and now you’re telling me that the Crown Prince and another prince are my enemies?’
‘Yes.’
Iruel scratched the back of his head at that response.
‘Damn it, that’s really annoying… But they won’t actually poison me or anything, right?’
‘You might be poisoned.’
Rufus replied without blinking an eye.
‘Prince Tarek was nearly poisoned before. Although the culprit wasn’t caught, it’s an open secret that it was Camus who did it.’
‘What? Are you serious? Damn, what should I do then?’
Iruel’s expression turned to one of near tears.
‘You have to strike before they can strike you.’
Rufus looked directly at Iruel, who was sitting opposite him.
‘Iruel, let’s start eliminating the royals one by one.’
Rufus smiled coldly.
‘Prince Tarek has already been dealt with. Next, we eliminate Prince Camus.’
“……”
Remembering Rufus’s final words, Iruel composed himself once more as Prince Tarek.
Second Prince Camus. The half-brother of Prince Tarek and a sycophant trying to cling to Crown Prince Viren. A man who would soon meet his end due to Rufus’s machinations.
Thinking this, Prince Tarek faced Prince Camus with a smiling face.
“I appreciate how much you’ve been concerned about me, Brother Camus. However, I am tired now, so I shall take my leave.”
“Wait.”
Just as Prince Tarek was about to turn away, a voice stopped him from behind.
“What is it, Brother?”
“You are aware that Queen Echinacea’s tomb, the mother of Crown Prince Viren, was desecrated.”
Of course he knew. It was an incident that shook the entire kingdom a few months ago. How could he not know?
“I am aware. It was a dreadful event.”
Prince Tarek deliberately put on an exaggeratedly sorrowful expression.
“The cursed sword that the Queen left behind was stolen. Were you aware of that?”
“Of course. Aren’t those grave robbers truly despicable? They should be caught and executed immediately.”
At Prince Tarek’s glib response, Prince Camus’s face grew even more severe.
“You continue to deny everything, Tarek.”
“Deny? What are you talking about, Brother?”
“Everyone in the kingdom knows that you covet the position of Crown Prince. Are you going to claim that the robbery of the Queen’s tomb has nothing to do with you?”
At the fierce exchange between the two princes, Sarubia gulped with difficulty.
Sarubia had spent her entire life serving Princess Sordid in her palace. She knew little about the power struggles and intrigues among the three princes, having only heard vague rumors from other servants. But witnessing the actual conflict between the princes filled her with an unfamiliar fear.
“……”
Rufus gently grasped her trembling hand. Startled, Sarubia looked up at him with wide eyes.
‘It’s alright.’
Rufus looked down at her with a kind smile.
“……”
Sarubia smiled slightly and nodded.
Prince Tarek let out a long sigh.
“You are falsely accusing an innocent person, Brother. Is that all you have to say to your younger sibling who has returned alive from the battlefield?”
“You continue to live in lies. It is shameful to share the same royal blood as you.”
Prince Camus ground his teeth and glared at Prince Tarek.
“Soon, all your crimes will be exposed, Tarek. Your end is near…”
As he turned to leave with a grim expression, Prince Camus suddenly paused.
His gaze had landed on a woman standing behind Prince Tarek.
She was like a woman holding the sun. Despite her small stature, her eyes held a mature look, and her long ivory hair flowed like fine silk. She shone alone in the cold silence.
Prince Camus immediately recognized who she was.
‘That woman is…’
Saintess Sarubia.
A mysterious figure who had revealed her identity after serving in his sister, Princess Sordid’s, palace until recently.
What unique magic does she possess as a Saintess? Was it said that she could predict death?
‘It’s a waste for her to be with Tarek.’
Prince Camus glanced at Sarubia.
At that moment, Prince Tarek’s mocking voice broke the silence.
“Brother Camus, if you have nothing more to say, I shall take my leave.”
Prince Tarek waved his resplendent attire lightly and turned away triumphantly.
“I shall see you again at the banquet celebrating my return, Brother.”
Soon, everyone else gathered in the area followed Prince Tarek and disappeared.
