Beloved Tyrant

Death came so easily.

The servants dragged the body of the rum clown out of the banquet hall.

The pale maids wiped the blood from the floor. Aurest, who swung the knife sideways to shake off the blood, walked in front of me with a polite smile. Blood drips splashed on his cheeks.

“I can’t stand to see a clown mocking us at my dear sister’s birthday feast.”

No matter what the clown says, it’s an unwritten rule to laugh and move on. But all I could hear from my throat was the clattering and rough breathing. The heart beat on the horn. My heart went up and down. Aurest, who was staring at me with ice-clear eyes, took off his bloody gloves.

It’s not okay.

It’s not okay to be with you!

The dizzying smell of blood came from his red velvet coat.

He, who likes to wear white, came in red today. The red clothes were lukewarm and damp. Aurest loosened his arm. The front of the blue dress that matched Aurest’s chest was wet with red. He said anxiously.

“Oh, my clothes are already dirty. It’s alright. Would you like to open my present?”

Gift?

The clown said he would give me a present. My mind was in haze. Aurest smiled patiently and said energetically.

“Come on. I’m waiting.”

Aurest has no patience. He doesn’t like to wait. You shouldn’t make him wait any longer.

I sweetened my lips without frowning and made the maid open Aurest’s gift. It was an elegant glove made of thin lace and a gorgeous embroidered dress on red velvet.

“Thank… You. Brother. I really… Like it…”

“I can’t wait to see you wear it.”

You are telling me to wear it right away.

“Well, brother, I’d like to try it on right now.”

“Did you like it that much?”

You… You son of a bitch, you’re telling me to wear it right now. You left my clothes behind.

“Yes, I love it so much. Thank you very much.”

I bent my trembling knees and raised my stiff lips to express my gratitude once again. I left the banquet hall to change my clothes. The red velvet dress worn with the help of the maids fit perfectly, as if covered in blood.

Eventually, my imagination became reality.

The clown’s corpse was mixed with the corpses of servants and maids that escaped to the back of the Imperial Palace. The room of the clown in the Imperial Palace was also cleanly emptied. His bloody gloves and blue dress went into the incinerator. All I had, after losing my only friend, was Aurest’s shallow affection.

Aurest…

You son of a bitch…

“Your Imperial Highness. This.” The maid who gave me the package hurried back before I could ask anything.

It was embarrassing.

Everything that goes down to the royal family is subject to strict procedures. There can never be a case in which a maid delivers anything. I turned the package around. It is about the size and weight of a book. It may be better to have one’s subordinates open it because it may be a dangerous item. But I haven’t received the clown’s gift yet.

I opened the package on impulse. There were no insidious words, no traces of poison, no dead birds. However, there was only one thick book and one short book.

[Congratulations on being born, my dear Erin.

I hope you like the present.]

A dry smile spread around my mouth. I don’t even know the name of my friend. You won’t know from now on.

I opened the notebook. The first page was accompanied by a simple genealogy of the current major aristocrats and their corresponding annotations. There was an explanation of the history of the family, which was written under the name of the family, as well as the history of the family, friendly families, hostile families, in-laws, main business, troops, property size, and future prospects. There were also necklocks of books that would be good to read for reference. A letter flew out of the notes.

‘Knowing the past and the present allows us to predict the future and make other friends that will help Erin in the future. It’s homework. Read and memorize it. Where is there a clown in the world who is not just a chess teacher but also offers customized education?’

The last question mark got wet. The ink has spread. The letter soon became spotted. I rubbed my eyes.

I wanted to cry.

Don’t cry.

Rather than making it funny, the clown will feel sorry for ringing.

I turned over the next page of my notebook. It took hours to read and memorize hundreds of pages of notes from beginning to end. I have noticed the Duke of Rowenthal since then. It was because I remembered what the clown once said.

‘It was pure luck that Lawrence, the current Duke of Rowenthal, became a Duke. His brother Winston, who was the heir, died in an accident. In the end, Lawrence succeeded to the title of Duke instead of his older brother, and instead married his brother’s fiancee, Lady Vathorlia of Count Claudine.

People talked about it, saying that his brother must have killed his brother blinded by power and women. But people who really know the truth knows that’s not true. It was the Emperor, Laius Tantal, who killed Winston.’

‘Father?’

‘Yes, only people who know this story know that Winston and Laius were rivals.

So when Duchess Rowenthal, Vathorlia Rowenthal, was from Count Claudine’s Estate, the late Winston Rowenthal was the Rowenthal Ducal House’s Heir, and Emperor Laius was then Crown Prince Laius.

Back then, Vathorlia chose Winston instead of Laius. And Winston was murdered by the vindictive Laius.’

‘Did he think she would marry him when Winston died? If so, my father did something worthless. Because Vathorlia is married to Lawrence.’

‘Yes, well. Maybe Vathorlia didn’t know Laius’ secrets. If she found another love, she found it, but she wouldn’t have thought of holding him in the arms of Laius.’

‘So you’re saying that the new love of Vathorlia was Lawrence?’

‘You never know that. Vathorlia loved Winston enough to abandon the crown prince, who would be the next emperor, and choose the small work. Lawrence was a brother-in-law who was rarely seen in those days.

Maybe there was some kind of contract between Vathorlia and Lawrence.’

‘What about some kind of contract?’

‘Revenge, for example. Wait, Erin! That card in your sleeve! Is that a trick? Who told you that?’

If the clown’s guess is correct, the Duke and Duchess of Rowenthal will be preparing for revenge. Even if they don’t, they will surely go through the edge of revenge as long as they poke out the seeds of hatred and blow in the right wind.

* * *

The beauty of Vathorlia Rowenthal, the Duchess of Rowenthal, was close to evergreen trees. She welcomed me with a smile that seemed to last forever.

As I’ve spent my entire life looking at myself, I’ve got an estimate of who doesn’t like me and who likes me even if I add a few words. Vathorlia was kind to me like a woman who dominated society, but she didn’t seem very pleased.

It’s strange that someone like Vathorlia has taken on a liking on the princess, who sticks to Aurest’s side and who is striving for luxury and enjoyment while trembling.

“It’s a beautiful necklace. It goes well with the color of Her Highness’ eyes.”

“Oh, really? My brother gave this to me as a present saying that I would suit this.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has a very good eye.”

“In fact, this red dress, earrings, shoes, all from my brother. Oh, my God. I think blue looks depressing. Why did you take it all the blue? Oh, this glove was also bought by my brother.”

I took off my gloves that came down below my elbow. There was a scarlet bruise on the wrist.

“My father didn’t say anything. I like short gloves.”

“Your Imperial Highness.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a blue dress. Could you introduce me to a good dressing room?” I haven’t laughed in a long time. Vathorlia still wore a gregarious smile.

“Of course. There’s a wardrobe I use a lot. I’ll send you a letter soon.” Of course it is, of course, but Vathorlia didn’t believe me. I made the most of what I knew to win her trust.

Aurest had a room in front of me. He talked about all sorts of information. I memorized it all, refined it, filtered it and delivered it to Vathorlia. Finally, I won the trust of Vathorlia and actively cooperated with her rebellion.

But it’s all in the past.

The Duke of Rowenthal died in battle and Vathorlia just died. Tristan Rowenthal, who did not join the rebellion, will also die today.

‘Why didn’t you bring Tristan in? The reputation of the blue knight on the western front can never be ignored. If you put him in the lead, you’ll definitely get more support.’

‘That’s enough for now. You don’t have to get him involved.’

‘No matter how thorough the preparation is, it’s not too much. Vathorlia. What are you worried about?’

‘Being the youngest, I keep getting worried.’

‘Vathorlia…’

‘If we fail… Please plan the future with Tristan.’

‘Don’t mention failure. We’ll succeed.’

‘It would not be easy to kill the person who has fought for the country for his life on the battlefield even if he is the son of a traitor.’

‘You don’t know Aurest. Aurest doesn’t like blue knights. He will never miss a chance to get Tristan out quickly and justly before his eyes.’

‘Tristan, please. I believe in Her Imperial Highness.’

Vathorlia, believe in who? Even I couldn’t keep any of my friends.

All I can have is the things that Aurest is happy about. When he’s not happy about something and that gets into my arms, it’s either dead or broken. Just like my blue dress that Aurest burned down.

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Aurest wouldn’t be willing to put Tristan in my arms.

Is there really no way?

Aurest was still leaning forward with the railing tight. The urge to push him out of the railing lingered. But instead of pushing Aurest, I pulled his hem.

~~~