TGW Chapter 27 Part 1

 

The servant who had gone in to inform the Iron King returned. He spoke to Jeffrey with a more respectful demeanor than before.

“Please, go inside.”

As soon as Jeffrey stepped into the reception room, he paused. Dian, who had been sitting on the sofa, sprang to his feet. He wasn’t alone. When Dian stood up, the lady sitting next to him also rose hurriedly.

‘Is that the granddaughter of Lord Grossi?’

Jeffrey saw his niece’s face for the first time. She looked puzzled as if wondering who this person was that the Iron King would stand to greet.

Dian beamed widely.

“What brings you here? You came to the palace in person without any prior notice. Uncle—”

Jeffrey bowed deeply on the spot.

Dian closed his mouth. The title “Uncle” that he was about to utter was swallowed back down. He looked at Jeffrey, who was offering a courteous greeting, with a vague smile.

“Your Highness, the Iron King. I pay my respects. Have you been well? I also pay my respects to the Iron Queen. It is an honor to meet you.”

Dian hesitated to reply. He couldn’t fathom his uncle’s intentions.

“Your Highness, I am deeply moved by such a warm welcome. I am nothing but an insignificant old man who briefly shared a connection in childhood.”

Dian’s lips tightened, then curved into a smile. He roughly understood his uncle’s intention to conceal his identity from Violet.

“If a person has received kindness, it’s only right to remember it. Violet, when I was a child, I owed a great debt to this gentleman. He saved my life.”

Violet greeted Jeffrey with a gaze full of goodwill.

“You have a precious guest. Please, have your talk. I will be in my room. If there is anything I can help with, do not hesitate to call me.”

“Thank you. I will.”

After Violet left the room, Dian dismissed all the servants, leaving just the two of them.

“I wanted to introduce my wife to you, Uncle.”

“Not yet. You must be cautious about everything.”

“Violet is fine.”

“Why?”

“Because she is my wife.”

Jeffrey clicked his tongue inwardly. Foolish lad. He had his father's looks and his mother's temperament.

‘It would have been better the other way around.’

“Dian, the most dangerous adversary is not the enemy outside but the one within.”

“Are you saying Violet is my enemy?”

“I mean, never let your guard down and trust no one. You’ve achieved nothing yet. You should be as tense as if you were walking on thin ice, but what will happen if you loosen up? Now that you’ve enjoyed enough of your honeymoon, it’s time to get a grip.”

Dian started to say something but then shut his mouth. There were more than a few things he wanted to point out about what his uncle had said. Having not seen his uncle in a long time, he didn’t want to argue with him. It saddened him to hear his uncle say not to trust anyone.

‘So, should I not trust you either, Uncle?’

For some reason, if he asked that question, his uncle would likely reply coldly, “Don’t trust me either.” If he heard those words, his heart would surely ache.

‘Uncle, I want to have someone on my side. Someone who will hold my hand even if the whole world turns its back on me.’

Dian believed Violet was the person who would be “on his side.” He thought that if he wanted her to be his ally, he should also do his best for her.

‘Someday, Uncle will understand me too.’

“How was your trip?”

“The journey was comfortable.”

“If you came, then the Marquess of Raad must have come too. Has the Silver King entered the palace as well?”

“I came first.”

“What?”

“The Marquess of Raad told me to go ahead. He said he wanted to enjoy a leisurely trip without any intruders.”

Dian, who had been tilting his head, suddenly smirked.

“With the Silver King, huh? That guy… He’s definitely caught in a late love bloom. He’s fallen deeply.”

Jeffrey looked displeased. He felt sorry for his nephew, who seemed to be so clueless. Who knew what kind of scheme the Marquess of Rad was plotting behind the scenes?

“Dian.”

“Yes?”

“There’s something you haven’t told me, isn’t there?”

“Me? About what?”

“What secret agreement did you make with the Marquess of Rad? Now that I think about it, you’ve never made that part clear.”

At first, Jeffrey had thought it was the usual scenario. The Marquess of Rad had ambitions to elevate Dian to the Emperor’s throne and seize power as a patron.

Fights for royal authority happened everywhere, and so the situations were always quite similar. Patrons were the greatest allies while working towards a goal, but they became the biggest obstacles after the achievement was realized.

Before the goal was achieved, it was good to have as many allies as possible. But dealing with the Marquess of Rad afterward was a matter to be pondered.

However, the Marquess of Rada’s conduct had been somewhat peculiar. The biggest cause for Jeffrey’s suspicion was the scandal with the Silver King. It didn’t feel right, as if it had a political undertone.

“A secret agreement? To make a secret agreement, I’d have to have something to give.”

Dian shrugged as if the idea was absurd. The promise to provide land for the Rad clan to settle was a secret shared only between the two. Dian hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.

Although there was documentary evidence, even the agreement that Dian himself should have kept was entrusted to Kuhn. At the time, he had thought, “Whether I die this way or that way,” and felt a sense of resignation. He decided that instead of trying to engage in futile power games, he’d completely disarm himself.

Dian did not regret his decision. Because he treated Kuhn without any ulterior motives, he gained a reliable ally. He knew that Kuhn’s close aide, Stefan, called him a swindler, but he didn’t mind. It was true, after all.

Kuhn had invested in him when he had nothing. It was a risky gamble with low odds of success. If he were Kuhn’s acquaintance, he would have tried to talk him out of it.

Jeffrey could read nothing from Dian’s natural expression.

Being perceived as a lightweight was both a weakness and a strength for Dian. People misunderstood him as someone who couldn’t hide his true feelings. Without Kuhn’s help, Dian would not have made it this far. That was a fact.

However, surviving until he met Kuhn and gaining him as an ally was undeniably Dian’s ability.

“Uncle, as I said before, the Marquess and I aren’t in a relationship based solely on mutual benefits.”

“Friends?”

Jeffrey’s tone was skeptical as he asked again.

“Who knows if he thinks of you that way too.”

“Uncle, you’ve seen the Marquess’s character for yourself.”

“Enough of that. You can watch someone your whole life and never really know them. So, are you saying there are no secret agreements I’m unaware of?”

Dian let out a small sigh.

“Yes. None.”

“While I’m here at the palace, I must see His Majesty.”

“Right now?”

“Is that difficult for you?”

“Hmm… His Majesty often takes a midday break around this time. I frequently visit His Majesty in the Central Garden at this hour. If you go with me, no one will think it strange.”

“You’re quite something.”

Jeffrey praised Dian, feeling pleased. Dian smiled as if he was happy, but his mind was in turmoil. When he had first reunited with his uncle, he had felt as if he had gained the world just by knowing his uncle was alive. He was just glad for his uncle’s warm gaze.

In front of an adult who looked fondly at a proud child, Dian could be that child. An adult one could lean on was reassuring just by their presence.

But as his meetings with his uncle continued, Dian’s illusion slowly began to shatter. Whenever he encountered not the generosity of an elder but the stubbornness of an old man, he felt disappointed, though he could not show it.

“And Dian, don’t tell the Marquess of Rad that I am going to see His Majesty today.”

Dian, who was turning around the sofa to leave, stopped. He looked at his uncle. The two of them met each other’s gaze in silence.

“Yes.”

When Dian answered readily, Jeffrey was rather surprised. Dian approached Jeffrey and smiled slightly.

“Uncle wouldn’t do anything to harm me.”

“That’s right. Trust only me.”

Jeffrey lightly patted Dian’s shoulder.

“Let’s go.”

The smile faded from Dian’s face as he walked ahead. It would have been better if he had heard, “Don’t trust me either.”

Dian closed his heavy eyes and then opened them. Standing behind Dian, Jeffrey could not see the expression on his nephew’s face.

 

***

 

In the afternoon, the White Chip docked at the capital's harbor. It had returned exactly one month after departing from the same spot.

Sienna had boarded the ship almost empty-handed when they set out. But as she disembarked, her luggage had increased. The gifts from the Duke’s household were numerous and varied. The modified wheelchair she had prepared for Beth was particularly bulky.

Packing the luggage was a task for the servants. Sienna only needed to change back into the clothes she had worn when she left the palace to complete her preparations.

There was a knock on the bedroom door from outside. After the maids, who had been attending her, withdrew, Kuhn entered.

“Your carriage is ready to take you. All your things have been loaded as well. You should put this on too. There are still many onlookers outside today.”

Kuhn unfolded a dark blue cloak he had brought in. It was the same cloak she had worn to hide her face when she first boarded the ship. Sienna lifted her arms, and Kuhn helped her put on the cloak, slipping it over her shoulders from behind.

“A month went by in the blink of an eye,” Kuhn muttered, a look of regret on his face.

Sienna recalled the events of the previous night. The time was uncertain, likely early dawn. She usually slept through the night until morning, but last night she woke up for no apparent reason.

The space beside her was empty. When she reached over, the sheets were cold. She tried to go back to sleep, but her unease kept her eyes open. Something similar had happened a few days before. It wasn’t that she woke up in the middle of the night; rather, when she opened her eyes in the morning, he wasn’t there beside her.

Half-rising, Sienna spotted Kuhn. He was sitting on the sofa in the darkened bedroom. Only the outline of his back was visible.

Sienna remained still for a long time, silently watching him. He didn’t move a muscle. If she hadn’t heard his soft sighs, she might have thought he was asleep sitting up.

“What’s going on?”

She didn’t ask. She was cautious not to disturb him. Perhaps he had something deeply on his mind. She tried to understand him by reflecting on her own experiences. Sienna often had moments of deep thought, and the maids who knew her habits would not disturb her during these times.

She quietly lay back down and soon fell asleep. When she opened her eyes in the morning, he was back beside her, sleeping.

“Should I have asked?”

Should she have asked what was troubling him, keeping him awake at night? She would have asked what was wrong if his face had shown any signs of distress, but he acted as he always did. He smiled readily and appeared carefree as if he had no worries. Since he didn’t show it, she found it hard to pry.

“Are you going to your residence?”

“I still have some work to do on the ship. After that, I plan to stop by the trading company. I’ve been away for a while, so I’m sure there’s a backlog of things to handle. I should also report to His Majesty at the palace, but since it’s late today, I’ll do it tomorrow morning.”

Kuhn pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.

“Your birthday is in a few days. I imagine the palace must be busy preparing for the celebration?”

“Well…”

Thinking about her birthday naturally brought thoughts of her mother. Patricia was always obsessed with hosting Sienna’s birthday celebrations lavishly and grandly every year.

A shadow fell over Sienna’s face. She wondered if anything had happened during the month she’d been away. The brief respite of the trip was over. When she returned, she would have to confront her mother.

“I think I’ll miss this.”

She would likely think back on this trip for a long time after returning to the palace.

Kuhn bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“I’ll come to escort you on the morning of the celebration.”

“Kuhn.”

“Hmm?”

“The long journey was comfortable, thanks to you.”

“That’s good. If you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters. If you liked it, would you like it as a birthday present?”

“What?”

“The White Chip.”

“No.”

Sienna quickly refused, flustered. If she hesitated, he might actually gift her the ship for her birthday.

“Just, take me for a ride occasionally when needed. That’ll be enough.”

Kuhn spread his arms and hugged Sienna. He held her tightly, squeezing her firmly before letting go.

They left the cabin together. Gilbert, wearing a blue cloak, was waiting in the corridor. At the bottom of the stairs leading up to the deck, Kuhn spoke.

“Your Highness, I should see you off only this far. If I go up, I’ll be noticed.”

“I understand.”

Sienna climbed the stairs but turned back to look at him. She wanted to exchange one last look, but he remained in a respectful bow. Sienna couldn’t linger long and continued up the stairs.

As Sienna crossed the deck, Martin approached Kuhn and reported in a low voice.

“He met with the Emperor.”

Kuhn’s eyes turned cold.

 

***

 

"It is in the past," the Sky King said.

"...Well, what's the point of dwelling on it now?" the Emperor replied.

On the first day back at the palace, Sienna entered her dream. It had been almost a month since her last dream, so the timing matched, but it was still a strange coincidence.

If the journey had been a day longer, would she have dreamed on the ship? Or did she need to be within the palace to have the dream?

"I am no better than the late Emperor," the Emperor muttered self-deprecatingly.

"I occasionally hear news from the Principality. Even though my mother would try to keep things quiet, if such rumors are reaching my ears, they must not be exaggerated. 'Head north. There is a paradise where you won't starve to death.'"

"Rumors always tend to get exaggerated."

"Not this time. If the rumors were false, my mother wouldn’t desire that land so desperately," the Emperor replied with a chuckle.

"To think the late Emperor prepared so thoroughly. He made sure everything was completely based on imperial law, with no loopholes, so neither my mother nor Duke Rimone could interfere. So you have nothing to worry about. The Principality will not become imperial territory again."

The Sky King looked at the Emperor with eyes that were hard to read. Then, lowering his gaze, he bowed his head slightly.

"I am most grateful."

Sienna recalled the story he had once told her about his great-great-grandfather.

Just as his great-great-grandfather had revitalized the settlement to the point that a king would covet it, it seemed his descendant was also ruling the Principality well as a worthy lord.

“The north... According to Duke Bless, the old Acheron duchy is to the northeast of the capital.”

It seemed likely that the Blackstone Castle was the place.

“What does that fortress look like? If I had a little more time, I would have gone to see it.”

But it wasn’t a short trip that could be done in just three days by carriage, so she had given up. Still, since she had already gone as far as the Duke of Bless’s territory, she thought she should have pushed herself to make the trip.

"Has it changed much? Would there be nothing left of what I remember?"

The Sky King understood what she was asking and answered.

"The Blackstone Castle remains the same."

Only then did Sienna realize the Emperor was referring to his time at the Blackstone Castle.

"As for the rest, I don't notice much change."

"You wouldn’t, seeing it often. But if I were to go, I’d probably be surprised."

"Come see it for yourself."

The Emperor was silent for a moment, then let out a small laugh.

"My lack of interest is what helps the Principality. I've done enough damage to this empire alone."

“Your Majesty.”

There was a tone of regret in the short title.

“It is not Your Majesty’s fault.”

“It is my fault.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Even my mother and Duke Rimone—ultimately, all of it is due to my own shortcomings.”

“It is still not too late to set things right.”

The Emperor sighed instead of answering.

“Your Majesty caused the sacred tree to bloom. You are blessed by the gods.”

—What?

Sienna almost screamed.

There is a legend passed down in the royal family. On the day a new emperor ascends to the throne and wears the crown of the sacred tree for the first time during the coronation, the gods look down to assess the emperor’s qualities. If the emperor is deemed worthy of being a great ruler, the gods bless the emperor by causing the sacred tree to bloom and announcing it to all.

During Sienna’s father’s coronation, the current Emperor, the sacred tree did not bloom. Nor did it bloom during her grandfather's time. The last recorded instance was six generations ago, so it had almost become nothing more than a legend.

—I… caused the sacred tree to bloom?

Even though she couldn’t physically feel it, Sienna felt a shiver run down her spine.

---

Sienna opened her eyes. She stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment, then placed her hand on her chest. She felt as if she could hear the pounding of her heart echoing in her ears.

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