Chapter 226 - 3−30
I didn't know the circumstances that brought Theodore-sama to this place. Even so, he was alive. We had successfully reunited. That fact alone filled me with enough relief to make me want to burst into tears.
The Emperor, who had rejected every single tribute from the First Prince, gave the instruction to "keep" only Theodore-sama for some reason. Theodore-sama was led out of the Audience Chamber by knights, separated from the other gifts.
I almost reached out toward him, but Lute-sama stopped me with his hand.
"Rachel-sama, not yet. Please endure just a little longer," Lute-sama whispered as I struggled to look away from Theodore-sama. "I will make time. Use that chance to go and speak with him."
From Lute-sama's gaze, I knew "him" referred to Theodore-sama.
"He is Theodore Camus, Viscount Frion. There is no mistake, is there? ...I do not know how he came to be in this country, or why he was in that place in such a slave-like state. But if he truly is Viscount Frion, you wish to speak with him, do you not?"
I nodded, clutching my hands tightly against my chest. Lute-sama's eyes softened gently.
"I can likely only create a few minutes. During that time, I shall draw His Majesty's attention."
"...Th-thank you."
I still didn't trust this man. That hadn't changed. But right now, I had no reason to refuse his offer. I was bursting with questions for Theodore-sama.
"Your Majesty. After this, I ask that you confirm the tribute you decided to keep in the side room."
"...I suppose I cannot simply leave it be. How tedious."
"It is fine if Rachel-sama accompanies us as well, is it not?"
"Fine."
The Emperor glanced at me, then stood up and walked quickly toward the door without looking back. As I walked silently behind the Emperor and Lute-sama, my mind was filled with Theodore-sama's changed appearance. Why had he cut his hair? Were his wounds healed?
More than anything, what had happened to him since then?
"Now then, Rachel-sama, please wait in this room. ...Ah, I am placing a knight in front of the door, so leaving on your own is impossible, understood?"
Lute-sama's voice snapped me back to reality. It seemed we had arrived at our destination.
"Now, Your Majesty, this way."
At Lute-sama's urging, the Emperor entered the room to the left. I was told by the knight who had appeared behind me to enter the door on the right.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my restless heart. I entered the room with my head down, and the door clicked shut behind me immediately. The room contained only a chic navy two-seater sofa and a small table. The curtains of the small window were open, allowing the sunlight to brighten the entire room.
The silver hair sparkled as it caught the sun's rays. The moment I saw him, time seemed to stop and all sound vanished. Every nerve in my body focused on the single person before me.
"...Theo...dore-sama."
I squeezed the words out. Did he hear me? Theodore-sama, his back straight and his glass-bead eyes turned toward me, made me feel as if time had begun to move again. I rushed toward him, but he looked at me with eyes devoid of emotion.
"Oh, thank goodness... It really is you, the real Theodore-sama."
I pressed my hand to my mouth as tears of gratitude welled up. I had believed we would meet again, but in truth, I had been terrified. I feared that Theodore-sama might have truly vanished in that moment. I had suffered many nightmares in the room where I was confined—dreams where Theodore-sama's life was extinguished and he was gone forever.
His long, beautiful hair was now quite short, but otherwise, nothing had changed. The person before me was undeniably the Theodore-sama I knew.
"I've been so worried since then... I believed in you, but I was so scared. More than anything, I'm so relieved you're safe. Of course, there are still a mountain of problems... but even so, having you here is so reassur—"
My feelings poured out like a broken dam, but my joy was gradually replaced by suspicion.
"Theodore-sama? Um...?"
Why is he looking at me with those eyes?
His eyes were stripped of all emotion. He stared at me blankly, with no hint of familiarity. The person before me was definitely Theodore-sama, so why...? As I stood there bewildered, Theodore-sama slowly opened his mouth.
"Why do you call me Theodore?"
The voice was flat, yet it was a clear, resonant tenor. It was the familiar voice of Theodore-sama. There was no mistake.
And yet, it sounds like the words of a complete stranger.
"I do not know you."
"What? What do you mean... Theodore-sama, it's me... Rachel! Um, I..."
"There is no one named Rachel among the people I know," Theodore-sama said in a monotonous tone. The shock hit me like a blow from a blunt weapon, and I stood frozen, forgetting even to blink.
"As I thought, this one is the rat that snuck in the other day."
I spun around at the amused voice coming from behind me. The Emperor was there, leaning against the door and letting his gaze wander between me and Theodore-sama with interest.
"An individual recklessly snuck into this castle alone, despite it being called the most difficult to infiltrate on the continent. He vanished before he could be captured, but to think he would become my brother's tool. How very interesting."
The Emperor approached, his boots clicking on the floor as he scrutinized Theodore-sama from head to toe. "Lute, did you find anything?"
"Yes."
Lute-sama answered immediately. He was already standing in the doorway where the Emperor had been.
"This person is indeed Viscount Frion... However, it is highly likely that a Dragonewt Ability has been used on him."
"What did the letter from my brother say?"
At the Emperor's question, Lute-sama looked down at the paper in his hand, his brows lowered in a troubled expression. "He says he picked up something rare on the side of the road and is offering it to you. He says Your Majesty may do as you please with him—boil him or burn him."
Picked up on the side of the road? Like an object... Every member of the Tratia imperial family treats human lives as nothing.
I bit my lip in frustration while the Emperor chuckled as if it were the funniest thing in the world.
"I see. Margaret, who favors the Kingdom of Dutoit, would likely have a fit if she heard that. ...So, is anything else written?"
"He says he has made him 'blank'."
Blank? What on earth does that mean?
Unlike me, who was looking back and forth between Theodore-sama and Lute-sama in confusion, the Emperor placed his hand on his chin and seemed to be thinking. He slowly curled his lip into a smirk.
"It is a kind of warning to me. My brother is showing off his ability to me, is he?"
"Wh-what do you mean...? What is 'blank'... and what do you mean a Dragonewt Ability was used...?"
I couldn't understand their conversation, but a terrible sense of dread washed over me at the anomaly that had befallen Theodore-sama. Despite it being about himself, Theodore-sama remained unchanged. He simply stood there with perfect posture, his glass-bead eyes looking at nothing in particular.
He's just like the numerous servants in this castle. I can't see any emotion, as if he's wearing a mask.
"...Theodore-sama," I whispered, my voice trembling with agitation.
"You and this man are acquaintances. And he came to this country to save you, is that it?" The Emperor nodded as if he had reached a conclusion, then inspected Theodore-sama from various angles. "He broke into a place full of enemies, wanting to be your knight and protect you. In the end, he couldn't save you and fell powerlessly into the hands of the enemy. ...What a pitiable man. The end result of a man who couldn't become a knight."
"Do not... insult him." My voice shook slightly with anger.
If anyone is powerless, it isn't Theodore-sama. It's me.
I knew with what feelings Theodore-sama had acted. The Emperor's words trampled upon his actions, his convictions, and his feelings. And yet, I, who understood that, could do nothing about this situation. Was this anger directed at the Emperor? Or was it directed at myself?
"...Now, how shall I dispose of him?"
"D-do not lay a hand on him!" I desperately pressed the cold Emperor. But the Emperor's eyes, which had been narrowed with amusement until now, turned sharp and freezing.
"He is already my property. What I do with him is my business."
"...!"
At that moment, Theodore-sama, who hadn't moved an inch since entering the room, took a step forward. I looked at him, but he wasn't looking at me at all; his gaze was fixed on the Emperor.
"...Your Majesty," Theodore-sama murmured. His voice, usually a soft tenor like a refreshing breeze, was now hard and hollow. Rather than being surprised by his voice, I was shocked to the core by his next action.
For Theodore-sama dropped to one knee on the spot.
"Theodore-sama, what are you... Why?"
Kneeling before the Emperor of the Tratia Empire... Why would he show loyalty to the Emperor...?
I whispered in disbelief and horror. But Theodore-sama remained motionless with his head bowed, as if he couldn't hear my voice at all. I pressed my hand to my mouth and stepped back slightly, only for the Emperor to catch my back.
"That face dyed in despair is quite a good look. If you are going to show me such a face... it would be a waste to dispose of him just like that."
The Emperor's eyes were distorted with amusement as he peered into my face. He looked back and forth between Theodore-sama and me, then turned toward the door.
"Lute mentioned it before. Is this the magician from the Spirit Country who might be useful?"
"Yes. As far as I know, he is the strongest among the spirit users."
"...I see. It is a country I will destroy anyway, but it might not be bad to learn the power of spirits before then. It might serve as a diversion. ...I shall keep him by my side for a while."
"I shall make the preparations, then," Lute-sama replied flatly to the Emperor's whim. The Emperor gave a satisfied glance at Theodore-sama, who was still kneeling.
"Ah. Well, there is no reason to stay here any longer, is there?"
"No. That concludes today's duties."
"I see. Then I shall return to my room. I leave the remaining chores to you."
"U-um..."
I accidentally called out to the Emperor as he turned on his heel, but he only spared me a glance.
"Talk to Lute if you have tedious things to say. ...Lute, return her to her room as well."
"Understood."
The Emperor passed by Lute-sama, who bowed his head, and left the room. Only Lute-sama and I remained. And Theodore-sama, who still hadn't moved from his kneeling position.