What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 25
Ysaris stared blankly at the ceiling. Neither the elaborate patterns that pleased the eye nor the soft feel of the blanket wrapped around her body could soothe the overwhelming sense of despair.
In the end, she couldn’t tell if it meant she could have the child or if she shouldn’t even entertain the thought. She returned tormented and unsure. As she left the Emperor’s palace, it felt as if the gazes following her, recognizing her disheveled state, were piercing her skin.
Especially memorable was the look on Runellia’s face when they crossed paths by chance. She insulted Ysaris, calling her vulgar, but Ysaris, too drained to respond, simply ignored her and kept walking. This only made Runellia follow and pester her even more.
After much difficulty, Ysaris finally returned to her quarters, bathed, and lay down. But her drifting thoughts kept her from sleeping. Even though she longed to sleep for days to overcome her fatigue, her tangled mind would not allow it.
“Sigh…”
Ysaris sighed deeply and rubbed her face with her hands. Just as she considered taking the sleeping pills she had been given, there was a knock at the door.
“Your Majesty, the Duke of Kelloden from the Kingdom of Pyrein has requested an audience.”
“Tell him I am unwell and cannot meet him.”
Without hesitation, Ysaris refused Mikelun’s visit. She was already overwhelmed with stress and had no energy left to deal with anyone else.
But Mikelun was persistent. Despite being turned away several times due to her illness, he managed to secure a meeting with her early the next morning.
“What is so important that you had to meet me in person?”
“It’s a pleasure to see you too, Your Majesty. I’m glad to see you still look healthy.”
She wants him kicked out.
From the very first words of their conversation, Ysaris felt intense conflict. Mikelun’s sly greeting, pretending not to hear her question, already gave her a headache.
“I clearly told you that I am unwell. State your business and leave at once.”
“Oh, it seems the Duke of Pyrein is no longer worth your attention?”
“Duke!”
Ysaris raised her voice immediately, and Mikelun tilted his head in curiosity. She wasn’t one to easily show anger over such provocations, but today, she was exceptionally irritable.
She really isn’t well. It’s not just an excuse.
Mikelun glanced at Ysaris, whose patience seemed to have already worn thin, and shrugged. He was busy himself and couldn’t afford to spend much time bothering her.
“I have brought a gift from His Majesty the King. There’s also a letter enclosed, so you may read and deal with it as you see fit.”
Ysaris looked down at the pouch Mikelun offered without taking it. She felt more suspicion than joy toward a gift from her older half-brother.
Cerenus Cernian I, the first prince who had ascended to the throne of Pyrein earlier this year.
He was one of the reasons Ysaris had aligned herself with Bariteon.
“Surely, there’s no reason for him to poison me now.”
“Nonsense! His Majesty would never harm Her Majesty the Empress!”
He’s saying that because he did try to harm Ysaris. There was even a time she almost died.
Ysaris stared at Mikelun with a blank expression. His exaggerated denial, despite knowing the truth, seemed almost comedic.
Ysaris had been caught up in the all-too-common court intrigues because her influence had grown too significant. As she pushed for policies benefiting the people, she garnered considerable support, leading the princes to find various ways to keep her in check.
<Didn’t I tell you to live as if you were dead? Then, at least, I’ll spare your life.>
The most aggressive among them was Cerenus. She could never forget the voice of the middle-aged man who had openly threatened her with a smiling face.
She buried these memories, considering them part of a past long gone.
“I suppose there’s no need for that now. So, what else is in there if not poison?”
“I haven’t looked inside myself, so I can’t say. Here, Your Majesty, please check for yourself.”
How could he confidently deny what was inside when he didn’t even know himself?
Ysaris was no longer surprised by Mikelun’s shamelessness. Exhausted beyond words, she accepted the pouch rather than argue further.
Upon unraveling the luxurious fabric, two bottles of different colored potions were revealed. Folded several times alongside them was a blue paper known for its magical properties—when submerged in water, it would dissolve and vanish, often used for discreet communications during clandestine missions.
“…And you’re saying this isn’t poison?”
“Well, hmm. Certainly a suspicious combination. It’s possible Her Majesty the Empress’s suspicion may be correct. Perhaps poison and its antidote?”
Is he mocking the Empress?
Ysaris wanted to scream out all the stress that had accumulated. All she wanted was to be left alone. She wished she could take it back and throw it in the king’s face.
An uncontrollable irritation surged within her, and she almost opened her mouth to yell before biting down hard, holding back the sound.
Hold on. Hold it in, Ysaris. She had endured this far.
This too shall pass, such trivial things.
She resolved to endure it.
Ysaris closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her hands trembled uncontrollably with the tumultuous emotions coursing through her. She clenched them tightly, then released, and picked up the paper.
