TGW Chapter 35 Part 1

 

THE PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE

Upon hearing of the Silver King's unexpected visit, Violet rushed out to greet her.

“Your Highness! Please, come in!” Violet beamed, her joy unmistakable.

Despite the late hour, Violet didn’t ask why Sienna had come. She was simply happy to see her.

The fact that Sienna had been bedridden for days had been kept a secret, with Patricia and Beth working together to ensure no word got out, fearing the repercussions such news might have.

The two women entered the reception room.

“The Iron King is not here at the moment. You’ll have to wait for him. Oh, I’m so sorry,” Violet apologized, as if she were the one imposing, despite Sienna being the one who had arrived unannounced.

Sienna smiled softly. “I didn’t come to see the Iron King, Violet. I came to see you.”

Violet gasped, her eyes widening in surprise, her hands clasping at her chest in genuine delight. “Truly?”

Sienna nodded, then glanced at Violet’s noticeably rounded belly. “How are you feeling? Still having trouble eating?”

“It’s better now, but I have a new problem… I suddenly crave certain foods.”

Sienna chuckled, “And why is that a problem?”

“Well, it’s not food you can easily find in the palace. Earlier, I couldn’t stop thinking about some street snacks we had at the market with the Iron King… He actually left the palace to fetch them for me.”

“The Iron King went to the market? To get the food you wanted?” Sienna raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, he remembered where we had them, so…” Violet trailed off, laughing bashfully.

“He’s a good husband.”

Violet’s face flushed with happiness. “Yes, he is.”

Sienna smiled, lifting her teacup. Yet, even as she sipped the tea, her heart ached. Had I ever felt this kind of happiness when I was pregnant in my dream?

Her gaze fell again on Violet’s stomach, which was now visibly showing. It had only been a few months since they last met, and the change was undeniable. Violet must be about five months along now.

“Can you feel the baby move yet?” Sienna asked.

“Oh, absolutely! It’s like little flutters,” Violet responded, her face lighting up.

Sienna blinked in surprise. “It moves already?”

“Yes, it’s like the baby is reminding me they’re there. It’s adorable,” Violet giggled.

Sienna stared at Violet’s belly, her heart tightening. Tentatively, she asked, “May I… may I feel it?”

“Of course!” Violet said eagerly.

Without hesitation, Violet stood and sat beside Sienna, reclining slightly to make it easier. Sienna hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering above Violet’s belly before she gently placed it down.

It was soft—softer than Sienna had imagined. She had thought the skin would be taut, but it wasn’t.

Sienna’s mind flashed back to the dream, to the emperor’s grief. She couldn’t fully comprehend the maternal love the emperor had felt, but the memory of her sobs, that heart-wrenching cry of agony, lingered in her ears. It had been a sorrow so deep that it pained even the listener.

“Your Majesty, it’s been so long since a child was born in the royal family, hasn’t it?” Violet said, bringing Sienna back to the present.

“I was the last,” Sienna replied. “Yes, it’s been quite some time.”

“Everyone seems so excited.”

Sienna withdrew her hand. “Who is showing interest?”

“Well, His Majesty summoned me and asked many questions. The Red King as well…”

At the mention of the Red King, Sienna’s expression darkened. She frowned sharply, causing Violet to flinch.

“What did the Red King want?”

“Oh… um… I was invited to the Red King’s palace recently…”

“The Red King invited you? To her palace?”

“Yes…”

“And? Did you go?”

“I couldn’t refuse, Your Majesty… There was nothing unusual, I assure you. We just had tea, and she asked about the baby, gave her congratulations….”

“And that’s all?”

“When I mentioned my morning sickness, she sent me some tea to help ease it…”

Sienna’s frown deepened. “Did you drink it?”

Violet hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. “Well… yes.”

“Violet,” Sienna’s voice was stern.

“The tea really helped! Every time I drank it, the nausea disappeared,” Violet tried to explain.

Sienna glared at her, disappointed. She had warned Violet so many times.

“I even showed the tea to the physician, just to be sure! They said it was safe,” Violet added quickly, seeing Sienna’s exasperation.

Sienna sighed deeply, and Violet shrunk back, lowering her head even more. Though she always kept Sienna’s warnings in mind, she hadn’t imagined the Red King would do something suspicious with such a public gift.

And the tea had been remarkably effective. She couldn’t even stand the smell of water, yet the tea instantly soothed her nausea.

“Is there any of the tea left?” Sienna asked.

“Yes, I haven’t drunk it since my morning sickness eased.”

“Give the rest to me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Violet quickly called a maid to fetch the tea leaves.

“If the Red King sends you any more tea, don’t refuse it…” Sienna paused, reconsidering her words. “In fact, accept whatever she gives you. But send it to me. Don’t say a word to anyone. Can you manage that?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Violet replied, though Sienna wasn’t entirely convinced of her resolve. Violet was always quick to agree but had a trusting nature that made Sienna worry.

Violet reminded Sienna of a small, innocent creature unaware of the dangers around her—unaware that a predator could be lurking just behind, ready to pounce, even as she smiled sweetly. Sienna couldn’t imagine Violet being suspicious or hateful. She hoped she would never have to change.

As Sienna smiled faintly, Violet, noticing the change in her demeanor, grinned in return.

I must protect her, Sienna thought. I won’t let that smile disappear.

 

***

 

Jeffrey and Randell reunited. It had been almost four months since their last meeting in the Duke of Bless’s domain.

It had been nearly a month since Duke Bless arrived in the capital. The Duke had already heard about Investigator Jeffrey's arrival before coming to the capital, but he hadn't bothered to seek him out.

It was Jeffrey who contacted Randell to meet. The meeting place was the Duke’s mansion in the capital, where Randell was staying.

“Come on in. You’re looking well,” Randell greeted his friend with a smile. He seemed different from when they last met four months ago. The gloomy aura he had back then had noticeably lightened.

“You’re looking well yourself. You must have had quite the journey.”

“Is that what someone says after finally showing up? If your message had been delayed by even one more day, I would’ve sent a letter cutting ties with you.”

“Good thing I wasn’t late then.”

Jeffrey burst out laughing. Seeing his friend’s bright laughter, Randell’s expression softened in satisfaction.

“How long has it been since you last came to the capital?”

“I haven’t been here since I was young. Let me think… when was the last time? After that incident, I thought I’d never return to the capital in my lifetime. But it’s nice to be back after so long. It brings back memories.”

Jeffrey nodded in agreement.

“His Majesty has aged quite a bit. When I last saw him, he was in his prime.”

“Time spares no one.”

“Indeed, time is the only thing that treats everyone equally. Still, it’s reassuring that His Majesty has a strong successor. That brings me peace of mind.”

Jeffrey, raising his glass to his lips, suddenly paused.

“... Successor? Who are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Silver King. Who else but her could succeed His Majesty?”

Jeffrey’s brow furrowed. Unaware of his friend’s growing discomfort, Randell joyfully drank his wine.

“He’s capable and resolute. I felt that when he visited the duchy last time. He’s intelligent, upright, and even noble in character. When he ascends to the throne, he’ll govern the empire even better than the current emperor.”

Randell continued to heap praise on Silver King. As he did, the smile on Jeffrey’s face gradually disappeared. When Randell started talking about his youngest son and casually mentioned, “Andre, that boy is hopeless. He was turned down by His Highness,” Jeffrey realized the seriousness of the situation.

‘Damn it.’

He sensed that his friend’s loyalties had shifted toward Silver King.

‘Should I have brought up Dian back when we met in the duchy?’

“So, do you support Silver King?” Jeffrey asked, probing.

Randell didn’t fall for the bait. Their lives had followed different paths. While Jeffrey lived as a fugitive, Randell had been a major lord managing his domain. He was far better at hiding his true feelings in conversation.

Randell responded lightly, as if it were an offhand remark.

“He’s the one who will ascend to the throne, isn’t he? It’s only natural for the noble families to support him.”

Jeffrey could detect no unusual hints in his friend’s expression.

‘Alright. It’s not too late yet.’

He resolved to reveal the truth and persuade Randell. He needed his friend’s help. In the midst of all the corrupt nobles, there was no one like Randell.

“The one who will ascend to the throne is not Silver King,” Jeffrey said, lowering his voice. His eyes trembled with the excitement of someone holding a great secret.

“What are you talking about?”

“Prince Dian—the Iron King—is Edith’s son.”

Randell’s eyes widened. His hand gripped his glass tightly. Even someone as skilled as him at controlling his expression couldn’t hide his shock. It didn’t take long for him to understand the implications of this revelation—that the line of succession would change if Dian’s origins were revealed.

‘Does Silver King know this?’

The first person that came to Randell’s mind was Silver King. As Jeffrey feared, Randell’s heart had already fully shifted toward her.

“That’s… I never imagined. Edith had a child? Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Conceiving before marriage isn’t something to boast about. I intended to tell you once her marriage plans were finalized.”

Jeffrey sighed deeply.

“... But in the end, it came to this.”

The atmosphere grew heavy, and their conversation paused for a moment.

“Then why haven’t you revealed it yet? Ah, the Acheron family must be reinstated first. Has there been a delay in that process?”

“The reinstatement is only a matter of time. I just need more time.”

“What time?”

“What’s the point of a name alone? The Iron King will need strong support.”

“You’re being too ambitious. The Acheron family is reduced to its foundations. How long do you think that will take?”

“I don’t have time to build a new house, so I’ll have to take over one that’s already built.”

“I heard there’s trouble in the Duke of Rimone’s domain. Was that your doing?”

If Randell had asked seriously, Jeffrey would have been cautious.

But Jeffrey just smirked and shook his head.

“No. That’s His Majesty’s will.”

“His Majesty’s?

Randell was inwardly surprised. He had suspected that Jeffrey might have been involved in the events at the Rimone Duchy, but Silver King had only pointed to the emperor as being behind it, without mentioning Jeffrey. It wasn’t a matter of lacking information— Silver King’s information was precise.

“So, you’re saying you had no involvement in what’s happening at the Rimone Duchy?” Randell asked.

“I don’t have the time or energy for that. Just running around the capital has been exhausting enough,” Jeffrey replied.

Having lived as a fugitive, Jeffrey hadn’t been able to interact with people normally. His understanding of the world had stopped in his youth. Naively, he believed that if he reappeared, crowds of people would flock to him.

But the world was cruel. The glory of the Acheron family had faded long ago, and people remembered it only as a distant memory, not something worth trading for their current benefits.

Recently, Jeffrey had become a popular figure in social circles. Everyone wanted to meet him, and invitations piled up every morning. But that was the extent of it.

Even if the Acheron family were reinstated, Jeffrey lacked money and power, making him unappealing. People subtly avoided him, fearing he might bring up the topic of money.

Jeffrey was now fully aware of the harsh reality—that the Acheron family was truly ruined. He was confronting this bitter truth head-on, and he confided his struggles to his friend.

“This is not something a man my age should be doing. By the time night falls, I’m so exhausted that I just collapse,” Jeffrey admitted.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Randell offered a polite response, carefully observing his friend’s expression. It seemed true that Jeffrey didn’t have the time to concern himself with the Rimone family.

‘That makes sense. He’s just returned to the capital. He wouldn’t have the capability to pull off something like that yet,’ Randell thought. If Jeffrey had been hiding some secret move, he would have already acted on it.

‘So that’s why Marquis Raad introduced Jeffrey that day...’ Randell had met Jeffrey at Whitestone Castle, arranged by Marquis Raad. At the time, Randell hadn’t come to a conclusion about the relationship between the two. It wasn’t due to a lack of information, but rather an overabundance of it.

During his years of distancing himself from the politics of the capital, Randell had focused on gathering information about the world outside the empire. There was likely no noble in the empire who knew more about the Raad family than he did.

Randell had long considered the Raad family, despite not holding any territory, to be a group to be wary of. Their wealth was beyond imagination.

However, the marquis’s actions had been puzzling. After receiving the unprecedented title of marquis, instead of expanding his political influence, he hadn’t done much. The scandal with Silver King only added to the confusion. What was that man aiming for?

So even though Randell had come across information linking Marquis Raad to the Iron King, he hadn’t immediately connected Jeffrey with the Iron King.

‘But the fact that the Iron King is Edith’s son... What a stunning twist.’

Was Marquis Raad trying to gain something from the Iron King once he became emperor?

‘And what about Silver King? Does she know about this? Surely, Her Highness isn’t being deceived by that man, is he?’

Despite his complex thoughts, Randell continued conversing with Jeffrey without showing any sign of inner turmoil.

“Once your connection with the Iron King is revealed, people will be scrambling to curry favor with you,” Randell said.

Jeffrey sneered.

“That’s why I need to weed out people now. To see who will stick around long-term and who’s just a starving dog chasing after immediate gains.”

“Doesn’t the Iron King already have Marquis Rad as a strong ally?”

Jeffrey frowned.

“That man won’t do.”

“Is there a problem with him?”

“He’s not someone who will bow his head and submit to the Iron King. And it’s troublesome if someone who isn’t an imperial citizen gains too much influence.”

Jeffrey was unaware that the alliance between Dian and Kuhn had already been broken. Dian had kept this to himself, quietly observing the shifting behavior of those around him, particularly figures like Count Miller. Jeffrey had no inkling that he, too, was being watched by Dian.

“You make a fair point. But hasn’t Marquis Raad already provided significant support to the Iron King? Do you think he’ll back down so easily?”

“The world isn’t that simple. Even if you sweat and work hard on a farm, there’s no guarantee of a good harvest.”

Randell hid his disapproval with a silent, bitter smile. His friend’s words, dismissing loyalty so easily, left him disappointed.

‘You’re underestimating Marquis Raad. He’s not someone who would allow himself to be betrayed by you.’

Randell refrained from offering any advice to his friend. He could see the excitement in Jeffrey’s expression, like someone lost in a sweet dream. Jeffrey was so swept up in his enthusiasm that he wouldn’t listen to any reason.

“I need your help,” Jeffrey said.

“Me?”

“Help the Iron King. Once he ascends to the throne, you could provide valuable advice to help him govern well.”

Randell laughed.

“I have little influence in the capital’s political scene. Do you think others would stand idly by if I suddenly became involved?”

“They’re all spineless, just following the tide. We just need to remove the Rimone family.”

“And how long will this mess at the Rimone Duchy last? I’m worried it might spill over into the Bless Duchy.”

Jeffrey furrowed his brow.

“Hmm. I don’t know. I’m planning to meet with His Majesty soon to ask about his intentions. It’s fine to shake up the Rimone family, but they shouldn’t be completely destroyed. After all, a broken weapon is useless.”

Jeffrey continued persistently trying to persuade Randell, extolling the Iron King’s virtues, explaining why he needed to become emperor, and painting a rosy picture of the empire under his rule.

Randell responded positively, encouraging Jeffrey’s excitement with phrases like, “As expected of the nephew of my late uncle.” Randell’s words were skillful—though he never explicitly promised to help the Iron King, Jeffrey took it that way.

Had it been anyone else, Jeffrey might have been more cautious. But he never imagined his friend would deceive him with vague language. As they finished their drinks, Jeffrey left looking highly satisfied.

“I won’t be able to visit often, but I’ll drop by when I feel like having a drink.”

Randell smiled and saw him off.

“There’s nothing better in life than enjoying a drink with an old friend.”

After Jeffrey left, Randell turned to the servant who had come in to clear the table.

“Leave it as it is.”

“Yes, master.”

Randell picked up his glass and moved an armchair toward the window.

“A broken weapon is useless...” he repeated, letting out a quiet sigh.

“You don’t care at all about the people who will suffer, do you?”

Had his friend changed, or had revenge consumed him to the point of losing himself?

He raised his glass to the air.

“One drink for the memories we share. One for the late uncle. And one for the friend I’ve lost once again...”

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