Boom! As Emperor Shangjing swung his sword, a strong wind swept through, causing the earth to tremble. The assassin who blocked the sword held on for a moment but was soon flung backward.
"Maebyul! Maebyul, are you alright?"
Shangjing, who had run over without even a hint of breathlessness, held my cheek with his trembling hand.
Perhaps because the tension had eased, I felt a bit dizzy, but otherwise, I was fine.
Sighing in relief, Shangjing adjusted his grip on the sword and stood in front of me.
"I don't know who sent them, but it's best to give up on the idea of returning alive."
All I could see was Shangjing's back, and I couldn't tell what expression he was making, but I could feel that he was very angry. However, before Shangjing could swing his sword again, one of the assassins whistled. At that signal, they all fled in different directions.
Just then, the knights arrived. Shangjing, unable to leave my side, gave them orders.
"Chase them down. Not a single one must escape!"
The sound of the knights rushing off was heard. I collapsed into Lari's arms, feeling utterly drained. I couldn't muster the strength to stand.
'Is it because the tension has eased?'
No, it was a bit different. It felt as if all my energy had drained out of me.
"Shangjing. What's going on?"
Shangjing, who had been standing by the door, turned to me with a look of shock. A trickle of blood ran from my nose.
I weakly blinked my eyes and then fainted.
Lari's shrill scream and Shangjing's desperate voice calling my name were the last things I remembered. ***
In the palace, the physician's body shook like a leaf.
"Why isn't she waking up?"
Estephan's voice was as cold as ice, driving the physician into a deeper fear. His eyes were filled with madness, and his face was expressionless. Anyone who had known Estephan from his days as the crown prince and the early days of his reign would recognize this look. The physician, one of those people, felt his mouth go dry as he struggled to speak.
"Your Majesty, as I said, it appears that Her Majesty is in a deep sleep. She should wake up soon. Please give her a bit more time..."
"Alright. I'll believe you."
The physician's expression brightened, but Estephan's next words were like a slap in the face.
"If Maebyul doesn't wake up by today, I'll cut off your head."
"Wh-what! But, Your Majesty..."
As Gustav left, the bedroom fell silent again. Estephan, without taking his eyes off Maebyul, continued his conversation with Oscar.
"It would be easier if there was proof that this was Devlincia's doing. But the pursuit failed."
"Yes. The assassins completely destroyed all evidence. I ordered the search for the boundary guardians who were bribed."
"I hope the search is successful."
Oscar's gaze also turned to Maebyul as they spoke. Before they knew it, it was almost midnight.
"It's late. Go back, Oscar."
"Will Maebyul wake up tomorrow, Father?"
"The physician said she would wake up today."
The physician's body trembled violently. He had never made such a promise, but it had become a fact.
'Am I going to die like this?'
The physician, who had unwillingly overheard the conversation between the Emperor and the Prince, had already let go of his attachment to life.
'They are a crazy father and son.'
People like them, who didn't value human life, and even a young prince not yet ten years old, discussing the destruction of Devlincia as if it were nothing. The physician had held his breath countless times while listening to them.
"Have a good night, Father."
"Be careful on your way back."
Despite the ordinary father-son conversation, the physician's heart was empty.
'It was a wonderful life...'
Time ticked by. Eventually, the day he had hoped would never come arrived.
"Maebyul... still hasn't woken up."
The physician bowed deeply, trembling in fear. Death was imminent.
"Please, spare my life! I have a wife like a fox and children like rabbits, sob."
"You must pay the price for deceiving me."
"Gustav, did you find out anything?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. As we suspected, five of the boundary guardians have gone missing. We searched their homes, but it seems they left with all their belongings. They were most likely bribed."
"Track them down. If anyone tries to hide them, arrest them all. I will interrogate them myself."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
As Gustav left, the physician started to tremble again. Estephan's eyes darkened as he looked at Maebyul, who was still asleep. It had been two days since she had closed her eyes, and there was no sign of her waking up. There were no signs of an attack, and the only clue was the swarm of bees. But there were no signs of her being stung.
He thought the palace was safe, surrounded by a protective barrier, so the risk of an attack was minimal. He had felt secure with just one guard, Lisandro, who was a rare genius among swordmasters, known for his delicate control of sword energy. But the attack happened just when Lisandro was removed. He strongly suspected there might be a spy within the palace. Fortunately, the knights he had assigned were skilled enough to hold out until he arrived. If he had been late, the situation could have been irreparable. Estephan gritted his teeth.
"Gustav. Did you find anything?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. As we suspected, five of the boundary guardians have gone missing. We searched their homes, but it seems they left with all their belongings. They were most likely bribed."
"Track them down. If anyone tries to hide them, arrest them all. I will interrogate them myself."
It was three days later that Maebyul finally woke up. ***
For some reason, the surroundings were unbearably noisy. Even though I tried to ignore it and go back to sleep, the conversation continued.
"Yes. The assassins completely destroyed all evidence. I ordered the search for the boundary guardians who were bribed."
"I hope the search is successful."
It was the voices of Emperor Shangjing and Oscar. I tried to go back to sleep, but just as I was about to drift off...
"Please, Your Majesty...! I have a wife like a fox and children like rabbits, sob."
'What kind of ridiculous line is that?'
The old man's desperate voice made me open my eyes.
I rubbed my eyes and lifted my head, and Shangjing, with wide eyes, reached out to me.
He suddenly lifted me up. I was bewildered to find myself in Shangjing's arms as soon as I woke up.
His trembling hand gently stroked my head, as if he was afraid to apply any pressure.
"Maebyul, do you know how worried I was? You didn't open your eyes, and I was so..."
I woke up to find my father suddenly emotional. I couldn't understand this sudden change. Just when I wished someone would explain, my eyes met the old man's.
I demanded an explanation, but...
"Your Majesty is a blessing from the gods!! I will serve Your Majesty for the rest of my life! Please, lead the great empire of Ermanno with safety and righteousness!"
...I got a passionate oath of loyalty instead. ***
It took a while for me to understand the situation.
'So, I lost consciousness after the assassins left?'
I vaguely remembered the situation. Suddenly, all my strength drained away, and I fainted. According to the physician, there was nothing wrong with my body, so I speculated that it might be related to my ability usage.
'This was the first time I communicated with so many creatures at once.'
I had only ever talked to a mole or three rabbits at most. According to Yangyi, my ability hadn't fully blossomed yet. Or perhaps my young body couldn't handle it. After understanding the situation, I faced another problem.
'How do I deal with this guy...?'
It was Emperor Shangjing, who wouldn't leave my side!
"My loud daughter is also very lovely."
"Who would dare to stand in your way?"
"Do you want me to leave? Alright, let's go together."
'No matter what I say, he interprets it to his advantage.'
It was three days later that I finally had some time alone. Even though I was surrounded by guards, I understood. After all, I was the Emperor, and I had been attacked right in the heart of the palace. It was a sensitive issue.
'Someone tried to kill me.'
Every time I thought about it, I couldn't help but flinch, even though I knew there were more guards now. Admitting that I couldn't just get over it made me feel better. So, I decided to do what I could.
Sitting on the bed, I was waiting for someone.
'He should be here by now.'
I was waiting for the wasp I had secretly ordered to follow the assassins.