SLDS 55

Cecil bent over to endure the pain, then barely managed to stand up by holding onto the table. However, he collapsed after taking only a few steps.

“Huck, ack, kugh…”

Cecil pressed his forehead to the floor and trembled. It hurt so much that he couldn’t even groan properly. Thinking he might die here, Cecil clenched his teeth and crawled across the floor.

He finally managed to pull out a medicine bottle from a nearby drawer. The pills that had helped him when he had collapsed before spilled out onto the floor. He roughly gathered them and pushed them into his mouth. Without a moment to feel the taste or anything else, he desperately chewed and swallowed them.

White saliva mixed with crushed medicine powder dripped down in a long string. In a short time, his entire body was soaked and damp with sweat. After finally chewing and swallowing all the medicine, Cecil lay down on the floor, face down.

‘I’ll never get used to this, not until the day I die.’

At the thought that suddenly crossed his mind, a hollow laugh escaped him despite the pain. He was surely going mad.

He clutched his chest, gasping for breath, and at some point, he lost consciousness. His limp form was quite a sorry sight, but it was for the best. At least he could escape the pain.

When he suddenly regained consciousness, his surroundings were completely bright. Cecil mustered his energy and barely managed to pull his heavy body together.

Having lain on the hard floor instead of a bed for several hours, his joints ached all over. The only relief was that the pain in his chest had vanished as if it were a lie.

Wasn’t it a relief that although it hurt enough to make him pass out, there were never any lingering effects? Cecil let out a weary sigh and slowly raised his upper body.

A sour smell of sweat emanated from his entire body. Moreover, his shirt was unpleasantly wrinkled. His appearance clearly showed how terrible the pain of the previous night had been, without him having to say a word.

“Ah, I want to wash up.”

Cecil scowled at the unbearable stickiness. His limbs hung heavily, but he forced himself to get up and pull the bell cord next to the bed.

Tinkle, the bell rang, but it was quiet outside. The attendants, who always responded quickly, were not reacting at all today.

“What’s going on?”

Feeling uneasy, Cecil walked toward the door himself. Before he could even reach it, the heavy double doors shook with a thump, thump.

What audacious person was knocking so menacingly? Cecil hesitated for a moment, then pulled the handle. Standing outside the flung-open door was none other than Knight Commander Claude Vandel.

“What, being so rude in the morning.”

Claude was quite angry. His gaze as he looked Cecil over was almost a glare.

“I believe I asked what’s going on? There must be a reason you were pounding on my bedchamber door like that.”

“I have one thing to ask. What were you doing last night?”

The abrupt question without any explanation was just baffling. However, Claude’s glare and voice were both much sharper than usual, so Cecil couldn’t just laugh it off either.

“I just slept like a log. I just woke up.”

“……”

“What on earth is going on? I can’t stand this frustration.”

Cecil swept back his messy, sticking-up bangs. His physical condition was already poor, and Claude’s frustrating attitude was irritating him.

“You’ll have to come with me for a moment.”

“Where?”

“His Highness is looking for you.”

Cecil fell silent. A gut feeling told him that something unusual had happened.

“Alright, I need to get ready first, so please wait. I can’t seem to find any of my attendants…”

“The attendants of the Peridot Palace are all in the dungeon.”

“…What?”

“That is why he is looking for you. Please hurry and prepare.”

He could no longer afford to be leisurely. Without even changing his clothes, Cecil immediately followed Claude.

It was a brighter morning than ever. But belying the refreshing weather, a solemn silence pervaded the reception room of the Saint Palace. There, Cecil met Alexis and Yuria, who were sitting with stiff faces.

Seeing Yuria with a white bandage wrapped around her shoulder, Cecil was quite taken aback. Before he could even ask if she was alright, Alexis spoke first.

“Yuria was attacked last night.”

At the successive shocking news, Cecil’s mind went blank.

“How could such a thing happen? The knight order should have been taking turns guarding her.”

“They said they came on an errand from you, Cecil. Saying they were an attendant from the Peridot Palace.”

As proof, Alexis threw a dark green robe onto the table. Cecil only lowered his gaze to examine the robe. The embroidery on the hood and collar and the red brooch were definitely those of the Peridot Palace attendants.

Cecil steadied his trembling breath.

“This alone cannot be proof. Someone could have stolen the robe.”

“Then how about this?”

As if he had been waiting, Alexis took out another item. Cecil couldn’t believe his own eyes. Why was the dagger Alexis had given him here? On top of that, there was clearly blood on the blade.

“This is the weapon the assailant who attacked Yuria dropped. Could there be any more certain proof?”

“……”

“You told me once before. That the treasured sword I gave you was too precious to use, so you were keeping it stored separately. You said you had hidden it in a safe place.”

“…This is ridiculous. My attendants… have no reason at all to harm Yuria.”

“We will find out when we investigate. Who knows. It might be something they did at someone’s instigation.”

“That can’t be…”

Cecil muttered in a daze. He was so shocked that his mind refused to think.

Then he let out a long sigh and clutched his forehead. He had to get a grip. If he broke down here, the situation would escalate to a point where it would be difficult to resolve.

“I have a few questions for Yuria.”

Alexis gave a nod of permission, and Cecil held his head up straight and looked at Yuria.

“First, I’m sorry you were hurt. I’m sure you’re scared and having a hard time, but this is an important matter, so I have to ask. Yuria, did you see the face of the person who attacked you?”

“…They were wearing a hood, and it was dark, so I couldn’t see their face. They started swinging the knife out of nowhere, so I didn’t get to hear their voice either.”

“What about their height or build?”

“They had a small and slender build, and their hands were clean, without any scars. Their height… I think it was probably similar to yours, Mr. Cecil.”

Cecil bit his lip hard. As it happened, most of the attendants in the Peridot Palace had similar heights and builds. At this rate, he couldn’t even identify the culprit.

Alexis watched what Cecil was doing with his arms crossed. It was all information he had already confirmed, but Cecil looked so desperate that he had no choice but to allow it.

“Are you finished with your questions?”

“What do you intend to do?”

“I’ll have to interrogate them one by one. I can’t repeat the same mistake as last time, so I will monitor them thoroughly.”

Alexis was more serious than anyone. He truly believed that one of Cecil’s attendants had attacked Yuria. It was natural given the circumstances, but…

Cecil clenched his fists. The attendants of the Peridot Palace were not the type to be instigated by someone or to betray him.

“That can’t be it. They are innocent.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“……”

“Then who do you think did it? Was it you, Cecil? Were you planning to harm Yuria with the very dagger I gave you?”

Alexis deliberately chose hurtful words to provoke Cecil. He didn’t really think Cecil had done it, but he wanted to make him realize the seriousness of this incident.

The two men’s eyes clashed sharply across the table. It was Cecil who looked away first. Cecil clenched and unclenched his jaw until his lower jaw throbbed and said.

“The Peridot Palace requests a formal investigation. If you wish to take my attendants for questioning, please proceed after receiving approval from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Fine, I will. But know this. The investigation will be thorough. There will be no special treatment just because they are your attendants, Cecil.”

Alexis left with a cold warning. As he disappeared out of the reception room, Cecil was finally able to breathe again. Then he covered his face and sorted out his jumbled thoughts.

Cecil left the Saint Palace and headed straight for the dungeon. Of course, he couldn’t go in alone. Claude followed him like a shadow, and the visit took place under strict surveillance.

“Mr. Cecil!”

Leo was the first to notice the approaching presence. The moment he saw Cecil walking through the dark corridor, he burst into tears and ran to the front of the prison bars.

The other attendants were the same. They had all been dragged away without knowing the reason, so they were terrified. They had pleaded that they were innocent, but no one listened, so they were frustrated and scared.

“Is everyone okay? Is anyone hurt?”

“Sob, Mr. Cecil, I’m scared.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll be nothing.”

Cecil caressed each of the attendants who were clinging to the bars one by one.

“We are truly innocent. We have committed no crime!”

“I know, just wait a little. I will definitely get you out.”

He had bought some time, however short, until the Emperor’s approval was granted. The investigation would probably begin soon, and it was clear that the attendants would suffer mentally and physically.

He held tightly onto the hands that were desperately reaching out from behind the bars. Cecil had no doubt that they were innocent.