I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 195
“…”
Left alone, Viren gazed blankly at Rufus’s retreating figure in the distance.
He felt unsettled.
His head throbbed as if a hive of bees was buzzing inside it. Even though he had finally recovered his mother’s cherished relic, his heart wasn’t filled with the joy he had expected.
Rufus’s message had been shocking. That Imperial Prince Erius was planning a rebellion?
‘No. That can’t be true.’
Viren shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the thought.
Rufus’s claims were baseless nonsense. No matter how ambitious Erius was, would he truly strike against his sister, who held so much power?
Rufus must be mistaken. Rufus was still young and lacked worldly experience—he had simply misunderstood. Surely, that was all.
Surely…
Surely… it had to be that way.
“…”
Viren gripped the queen’s sword tightly. For some reason, he couldn’t easily dismiss Rufus’s words from his mind.
“I have found Queen Echinacea’s sword, as promised.”
This was the man who had managed to accomplish something Viren himself had believed impossible. He didn’t seem like someone who acted recklessly.
‘He must have had firm reasons to bring such a report to me.’
As he thought this, a heavy weight settled in his heart. Rufus’s parting words, above all, lingered in his mind.
“But you should prepare for the possibility of a broken alliance with the Empire. Otherwise, the people may suffer greatly.”
It was a somewhat puzzling statement. Even if the alliance with the Empire fell apart, the ones to suffer most would likely be the upper echelons entangled in political relations. What exactly would the common people lose?
No matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.
Rufus Inferna, what are you truly thinking?
* * *
After leaving the Crown Prince, Rufus headed toward the secluded palace.
‘This should be enough.’
Rufus thought to himself, picturing Viren still lingering at the cemetery’s main gate.
He had said all he needed to say to the Royal Crown Prince—that Imperial Prince Erius was on the verge of leading a rebellion in the Empire and that this would bring great harm to the people.
He wasn’t expecting the Crown Prince to believe him.
In fact, it was better if he didn’t believe him. If Viren had readily accepted his words, he might have grown suspicious of Rufus’s true motives.
Whether Viren believed him or not wouldn’t change much at this point. Sooner or later, Imperial Prince Erius would lead a rebellion in the Empire, and as a result, the alliance between Hevania Kingdom and the Empire would be strained.
“Welcome back.”
As Rufus entered the secluded palace, the servants greeted him with respectful bows. Each wore a black scarf in mourning for the deceased princes.
“Where are the Baroness and Edelweiss?”
“They are resting in their chambers.”
“And Lady Sarubia?”
“The Saintess is in her room as well.”
Hearing this, Rufus headed directly to Sarubia’s room.
After Prince Tarek’s death, Rufus had moved his family and Sarubia to the detached palace.
With Prince Tarek gone, there was no reason to remain in his palace. His value had only extended that far.
“Oh, Rufus.”
Upon a gentle knock, Rufus entered, and Sarubia, who had been sitting, rose to greet him.
“Welcome back. I was waiting for you.”
Even though the funeral had ended, Sarubia was still dressed in her black mourning dress.
Rufus found it displeasing to see her mourning for the princes. After all, they were people who had deserved to disappear for Sarubia’s sake.
“Why are you still dressed like that?”
“The princes have passed away. It’s only proper to wear mourning attire,” Sarubia replied calmly. “By the way, come over here. I have something to say.”
At her words, Rufus immediately stepped closer. He was a man who would follow her even to the depths of hell if she asked.
“Where is Sir Roroel?”
Barely seated, Sarubia pressed him with her question. Though she looked as lovely as ever in Rufus’s eyes, she was trying to put on a fierce expression, her brows raised in determination.
“That guy? Why?”
“Tell me, Rufus. Sir Roroel isn’t dead, is he?”
“Sarubia, why ask me about Iruel’s life or death? Am I a guardian of trash?”
“You say that, but you’re kind-hearted enough that you probably saved Sir Roroel. And I know he’s still alive. I can tell.”
“…”
Rufus stared at Sarubia in silence.
So she knew. Of course, she did.
It was never a secret that could be hidden from the saintess who could foresee death.
Sarubia had once made a prophecy herself—that Iruel would die happily alongside the woman he loved. So she must have realized early on that Iruel hadn’t died at the hands of Prince Camus.
‘Well, well.’
He didn’t know who the unfortunate woman was that the debauched Iruel supposedly loved, but he couldn’t help but pity her. To be loved by such trash—it truly was a tragic fate.
“Rufus, answer me quickly. Sir Roroel is alive, isn’t he? Yes?”
