Chapter 43
TL:Zimming
It's all because of me. All because of me.
Come to think of it, ever since Diana entered school, Blake's condition began to deteriorate.
In the novel, Blake was seriously ill in the year he turned 11. But it was after the Festival of Lights. It wasn't this early.
It's all because of me. All because of me.
I held Blake's hand tightly. His left hand was always cold. Perhaps because the sentence of the curse, it was cold and often numb.
I used to hold Blake's hand when he fell asleep. But no matter how hard I tried, the place where the curse spread did not get warm.
"I'm sorry. Your Highness, I was greedy."
Diana is the only one who can lift Blake's curse. I knew it, but I was greedy because I want to stay by his side.
I don't know if the person who showed me the past and led me to Tenlarn Palace is really the goddess or someone else in charge of this world, but I thought I knew the reason why they showed me the golden door that had nothing to do with solving the curse by using Macul.
Phillip is much worse than I think, and the Goddess of Light will not forgive him. It is to stop my false hope.
"I won't be greedy. So please, please don't let Blake get sick..."
I prayed. I couldn't tell whether I was praying to the goddess of light who cursed him or to the god who was in charge of the world in this novel.
In the original novel, I could see why Tenstheon was deceived by Richard's black magic.
"It's my fault. I'll leave as soon as Blake wakes up. So please..."
"....Don't go."
I looked up in surprise. Blake's crimson eyes were looking at me.
"Your Highness, are you awake? How are you feeling? I'll call the doctor right away!"
As I rushed out of my chair, Blake grasped my hand tightly.
"Ancia, don't go."
"Your Highness."
"You can't go...Don't leave..."
"Ah, I'm not going. Where am I going?"
I couldn't tell him I was going to go away in front of his desperate eyes. I shook my head reflexively.
"Promise me..."
His voice sounded weak. Then he closed my eyes again.
***
Blake didn't wake up the next day. He opened his eyes for a while last night, but only told her not to go, and he lost consciousness again.
His breathing was feeble and his body temperature kept rising.
"He has never pass out for this long. He still unconscious for 4 days?"
"Shh. Her Highness might hear you."
Outside the door I could hear Hans and Melissa's voice. Now they could no longer pretend to be calm.
I held Blake's hand tightly. I wish I was Diana. Blake might not be ill if I am her.
She is the heir to the light. Even if she hadn't done many things, she would be much more helpful than me.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry."
I apologize to him again. Suddenly, the door opened.
It was Tenstheon.
For the first time since Blake was cursed, the emperor came to see him. I had been looking forward to it so much, but my heart sank as soon as I saw Tenstheon.
I asked the emperor over and over again to meet Blake, even for once.
But Tenstheon didn't do the request. But I thought it was the only way to protect Blake.
Tensteon did this on his own accord. It meant Blake's condition was serious.
"Father..."
After patting me on the back, he approached the bed where Blake lay. And after three years, he touched his son's face.
"I'm sorry. This father is too late..."
Tenstheon apologized to his son. But even though his father came, Blake didn't open his eyes.
I approached the emperor.
"It's not too late. This is the beginning."
"He'll be all right. He'll wake up soon."
I answered valiantly, clearing his anxiety.
There was only one time in the original novel when Tenstheon visited Blake. It was after he decided to move his son's curse on him.
I was worried that it might be like that again this time.
"So don't think about anything weird. You have to protect him for a long time."
"I have two children to protect. There's no way I would do anything strange, right?"
"You shouldn't believe in dark magic, just in case."
"Why are you saying that again?"
"Somehow I'm nervous."
"Don't worry because I don't want to be scolded by you, and I'm not interested in that kind of trick."
Tenstheon held my hand firmly.
Yes, I told him that for three years, so he won't be fooled by black magic like the original.
I believe in Tenstheon. He can't leave Blake's side in vain.
"Yes, I'll believe you."
***
Tensteon stepped into the Crown Prince's room. It was the first time since Blake was cursed.
News of Blake's critical condition spread quickly.
But Frank, the eldest son of Duke Cassil and the most likely candidate for the next crown prince, was full of complaints.
"What if the Emperor went to find the monster? Does this make sense? We should take this opportunity to send the monster to the southern island! What the hell are the other nobles waiting for?!"
Frank raised his voice in anger. When Richard saw his half-brother and clucked his tongue, Frank notices him.
"Slave, did you just laugh at me?"
"That's not going to happen. I just wondered why you're going to exile someone who might die today."
"I'll tell the monster to die on the southern island! The monster's presence in the Imperial Palace itself is gruesome!"
Frank is stupid, simple and had to do whatever he wanted to do to relieve his anger. That personality of his got worse as he got older.
Unable to tolerate Blake's presence, Frank was obsessed with kicking him out of the palace.
The crown prince is going to die. Is that a problem? Richard looked at Frank with a look.
"Is the Crown Prince really going to die?"
After hearing the news that Blake was sick, the third child, Neon, who had been quiet, asked him.
"You idiot. That's why I'm going crazy. I can't wait to find out. He's going to die anyway. But, before that, kick him out of the palace. It's where I'm supposed to be, but if the monster dies, it will be a bad luck for me."
Frank was excited at the thought of becoming a prince. When Blake dies, he's going to be the new crown prince. Ah, there is the Duke of Cassil, but he is only a year younger than Tenstheon. It was more likely to be himself.
But Neon had a different view from Frank.
"Is there any cure or something? Our father has a lot of precious medicines. Why didn't he send it?"
"Neon, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you jealous of me being the crown prince? Or are you trying to take my place ?"
Even his own brother could not be forgiven if he wanted to take his place. Frank shouted. But Neon shouted louder.
"Of course I'll save him! If he dies, it's our turn!"
"Our turn?"
Frank blinked slowly through his small eyes. Weirdly, he seemed to be shocked.
Richard glanced at his half-brother.
How stupid is he? He's not even a nine-year-old.
"If the Crown Prince dies, as Neon said, the curse will be passed on to one of the royal families. We don't know who will take over the curse, but given the history, the blood of the imperial family is strong, and those who are not yet of age are more likely to be cursed."
Frank's expression, excited at the thought of becoming the Crown Prince, was quickly covered with fear.
"What? Then he can't die now! I need a year before I become an adult! Tell him to live longer in the meantime!"
"Brother, what if I'm cursed!"
"Ah, why ask me that!"
Frank was irritated. It would be nice to be safely crowned without being cursed.
Neon was greatly disappointed by his brother's cold hearted answer.
"You think you can be the Crown Prince just because the monster dies?"
"What?"
"If Blake dies, the Emperor will adopt the Crown Princess as the empire's princess."
"Are you a fool? Do you believe that crap? How can an unrelated child be a princess!"
"Why doesn't it make sense? The emperor cherishes the crown princess more than his own child. Then, someone just have to marry Ancia as the princess. Then her husband might become the emperor in the end."
"Hey, slave! Is this true?"
Frank looked at Richard. He always ignored his half-brother, but when something important happened, he would check it out.
Chapter 44
TL:Zimming
"There's a story like that. The duke also went to see the Chancellor to get to the bottom of the rumor."
"Slave! Why would you say that now!"
"The story was delivered in the morning."
"You should have said that!"
But Frank is rather angry. Richard kept his mouth shut because this always happens. Even though Richard didn't say anything, Neon who was angry with his brother, said to him instead.
"If Ancia becomes the princess, the crown prince position might not be yours."
"What are you talking about!"
"Brother, are you stupid? Wait, Huh? You're already engaged. How could you marry Ancia?"
"Ah..."
Frank, who had just figured out the situation made Neon's mouth sneer.
"I think the next emperor will be me. I'll also get a pretty bride. I hope that Blake will die soon and the curse will go away."
"You bastard!"
Frank punched Neon.
"Why do you hit me! You said you didn't care if I was cursed!"
"Don't even call me brother, you bastard! Since when have you been after my place!"
Frank kept swinging his fist at his brother. Richard look at them indifferently and left the room.
***
The fight between the brothers was not surprising. Richard went back to his room.
He stood on the balcony and looked down at the palace. Originally, the duke was part of the imperial palace. It is said that the Empress's son, Arnold Cassil, was very dear to her.
Unless he is the crown prince, the prince must leave the palace when he became an adult. She wanted to keep her son close to her so she made a tower near the palace and gave him the duke title.
Originally, it was like living in a palace because there was no fence. However, when Tensteon was crowned, a tall wall was built between the duke and the palace. Now, even if I went up to the top of the duke's place, I could not see the palace.
Even now I could only see the desolate fence, but Richard glanced. Ancia must be there.
How does she feel by now? Would she be happy as a princess when the Crown Prince dies? Or will she be sad? Now that she's finally out of the monster's grasp, did she feel better?
If Ancia is the light, Blake is the darkness. They were so different.
At ten o'clock on the dot, a man in a black robe appeared. It was Domiram, Richard's wizard.
Richard asked him the same question as yesterday.
"How was it?"
"There was no response."
Tenstheon is a great emperor. His brother, Duke of Cassil, had been expected as the next crown prince, but Richard had a different opinion.
Even if Blake dies, Tenstheon will not take the greedy Duke of Cassil, the stupid Frank, or the weak Neon as the crown prince.
For Richard, the Duke of Cassil is his enemy, but at the same time he's a stepping stone to make himself the emperor.
If there's another Crown Prince, the authority of the Duke of Cassil will fall indefinitely. Richard's chances of becoming an emperor are also a little.
Richard was told that Blake was in a critical condition, and came to a conclusion.
'Let's get rid of the Tenstheon.'
Let's kill Tenstheon, and make the Duke of Cassil an emperor.
If Tenstheon chose an outstanding person among the royal family, it was difficult to be chosen no matter how excellent Richard was. But if Duke Cassil became emperor, it will be easy.
Frank's arrogance has reached the point where even his father, the Duke, would be slighted.
The Duke of Cassil, who cherished him as his eldest son, was also gradually disappointed and began to show interest in Neon. If I provoke Frank to self-destruct himself and kill Neon for opportunity, I can easily become an emperor.
Even the Duke of Cassil who hates Richard would prefer to pass the throne on to his own child rather than to someone unrelated.
Richard decided to do so and ordered Domiram and to secretly spread the word.
'There is a wizard among the Roums who uses ancient magic. They can even transfer the curse of the goddess.'
I thought the emperor would definitely show interest. But Tenstheon didn't take the bait Richard threw.
Rather, he called people in to discuss the appointment of Ancia as a princess. Upon hearing the news, the Duke of Cassil hurried to meet the Chancellor. It's high likely that it's true.
Tenstheon chose Ancia as his successor, not his own brother or others in the royal family.
"Should I throw more bait?"
Richard shook his head at Domiram's question.
"Enough. Stop the plan."
When Ancia becomes a princess, her husband will be an emperor.
I need to make her mine, I had a chance to be taught by Tenstheon. I can become a family with them and achieve my dream. Isn't that the perfect ending?
Tenstheon was the only one Richard recognized. This time, the situation was unavoidable, so I tried to kill him, but I wanted to save him if possible. Moreover, if he had Ancia, he had no reason to kill him.
"Rather, I should get a present for Ancia. Something very precious and hard to refuse."
Richard's red eyes flashed with desire.
***
Blake had been unconscious for ten days. The palace doctor said that it would be hard to live normally if he didn't wake up today.
Dark clouds hung over the crown prince's palace.
Eunhan tried to use the magic, but he was blocked by the strong force that flowed over Blake's body and eventually gave up.
Inside Blake, a huge force is blowing up like a whirlpool. Under these circumstances, forcing magic could be toxic to Blake.
I urgently contacted the Knights Academy and tried to call Diana, but I couldn't reach her because they had left for training near the Valley of Chaos.
His condition was much worse than in the original novel.
It's because of me. It wouldn't have happened if I had left the story untouched.
Changing the original story for him might have caused a butterfly effect and caused Blake pain.
'Get up, Your Highness. Goddess of light, please don't cause Blake any pain. Blake didn't do anything wrong! He didn't choose to be born as a descendant of Phillip. Please release the curse!'
Tenstheon consoled me with a soft voice while I was holding Blake's hand and praying earnestly.
"Ancia, it's not your fault."
"What?"
"It's not your fault. So don't blame yourself."
"I'm not blaming myself."
I shook my head in a hurry.
"More than that, father, you should eat. You haven't eat anything today."
"You call me a father again? You only call me a father when you ask for something. I'm disappointed."
He said to me warmly, unlike his words.
"In the end, I couldn't lift Blake's curse. I'm too shameless to call you a father."
"Why do you have such a ridiculous thought?"
"But..."
"Ancia, if I knew you were under such pressure, I wouldn't have allowed you to go to Tenlarn Palace. No, I should have stopped you when you said you wanted to find a way to lift Blake's curse. Blake's curse stems from the sins of Geracillion's ancestor, and I am incompetent. You have no responsibility over it."
"But if only I had the power to lift Blake's curse..."
"You're our present. Your existence alone is precious. So, never think like that again."
Tenstheon held my hand tightly.
"If this child dies, I swear I will make you a princess."
"What? What do you mean?"
I look at Tenstheon in surprise.
"I thought I wouldn't have any children. But I met my beloved woman. It's all my fault that Blake was cursed."
"It's not father's fault."
"No, it's my fault. I really want to pass Blake's curse on me instead. I don't want Blake to feel any pain."
"......"
"The goddess of light cast a curse on Phillip Geracillion, who used her to become an emperor. If his descendant abandon the throne the goddess may release her anger. If Blake couldn't survive, I'll make you a princess. And I will pass the throne to you."
Tenstheon spoke tome as if he is prepared for his son's death.
Tenstheon. He cared for me and treated me like a biological child. It was something I was grateful for. But right now, I am angry at him for thinking like that.
"Don't say that. He'll get through it! I'm going to lift his curse.
"Yes, of course. But if..."
"Don't say 'if'! It won't happen anyway, so don't think about it."
I hug Blake's body. It was scary to think that Tenstheon might give up on Blake.
"Blake will wake up! I'll make sure of it. He'll get thorugh it!"
I screamed at Tenstheon. I couldn't stand it because I thought that Blake might really die if his loved ones give up on him. At that moment I could hear a small voice.
"...Ancia."
Blake called my name as I looked at him in astonishment. His crimson eyes are staring at me. Unlike his tired eyes a few days ago, his eyes are lively.
"Your Highness!"