Had she chosen Keris because she’d sensed Siegfried’s feelings for me? Would she still be focused on me this time?
Doubt and anxiety churned in my mind, making it a total mess. I noticed my hand shaking as I held the teacup and tightened my grip to steady it. Calm down. Now’s not the time to raise suspicion.
I knew she couldn’t read my mind like Professor, but that didn’t mean I should let my guard down—one mistake could be fatal.
“Um, I’m honored by His Majesty’s feelings, but I’d rather serve him as a loyal subject,” I said.
“Oh, my. Turning down the king himself? Perhaps I should host a little tea party to soothe his broken heart.”
“No need for that, Risthea. I’m planning to keep loving him until he loves me back.”
“I’d expect nothing less from you, Your Majesty. You need Lord Kreis by your side. It’s almost like you’d fall apart without him.”
It was a convincing display. She even gently placed a hand on her cheek like she was genuinely touched. But I caught a hint of a smirk on her face when she turned her gaze away. It was a slight change no one would notice unless they knew who she really was.
“Please stop teasing me, you two. Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I’d like to go over those documents with you now if you don’t mind.”
I had restrained myself from confronting her thus far, but I’d slip up if I stayed here any longer. I had confirmed what I needed to—what I’d seen that day hadn’t been a nightmare or anything of the sort. It was reality. I drained the last of my tea. Siegfried narrowed his eyes and completely missed the mark, as usual.
“See, Risthea? Now Kreis is upset because of you.”
“Oh dear, how rude of me! I suppose I was just a little envious of how happy His Majesty looked. I might’ve taken my teasing a bit too far.”
“Heh. Did I really look that happy?”
“You do. And you should cherish that happiness, Your Majesty.”
Even though her smile seemed to celebrate Siegfried’s joy, I couldn’t help but hear the sinister intent beneath the surface. At one time, I might’ve found the way they smiled at each other heartwarming. But now I just had the urge to rip them apart.
This woman was hiding malice toward Siegfried behind the face of a perfect lady, and I didn’t want her anywhere near him.
I tugged at his sleeve. I knew it was rude, but I didn’t care. I just couldn’t take it anymore. He noticed immediately, placed his hand over mine, and turned to Risthea without teasing me.
“We’ll be going now,” he said.
“Excuse me, Lady Risthea,” I said, rising to my feet and bowing toward her.
Risthea stood up too and dipped into a graceful curtsy. “I look forward to our next meeting, Lord Kreis.”
Next time we meet, I’ll rip that mask right off your face.
The condemnation of Gilles and Claude went smoothly. I’d been through it so many times at this point that I knew exactly who would do what and when.
The first time, I thought I’d gotten to the end of the road, but now I knew better. It was just another checkpoint.
“Are you all right, Kreis?” Siegfried asked.
“I want to say yes, but this hit me harder than I expected. Are they bringing my father in too?”
“Yes. He can’t claim ignorance anymore. Claude testified, and that’s enough to confirm your father helped fake the revelation alongside Gilles.”
“Yeah, I figured. Listen, I have a favor to ask.”
“Of course. You’re not just involved in this. You’re a victim too.”
“I want you to have Lady Risthea present at the council meeting,” I said.
“Why Risthea?”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done, but you’re quite biased in my favor. I think she’ll give a more neutral perspective.”
That was a lie, of course. I knew exactly what Risthea would do—argue for leniency on Gilles’s behalf. But it was better to keep her in that room than let her act unchecked behind the scenes.
It wasn’t going to be a quick meeting. House Louboutin still had power, and since Claude was the crown prince it wouldn’t be easy to punish him. It would take at least half a day. Worst-case scenario, it could drag on for days. Either way, I had things I needed to do while they were kept occupied.
“Are you saying I’m too in love with you to be objective?”
“Siegfried...”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Fine, I’ll bring Risthea. We can talk through it together.”
“Thank you.”
I’d basically just questioned Siegfried’s judgment as king, and he hadn’t even flinched. He just accepted it quietly, without getting angry. It made me feel guilty, but I couldn’t take back what I’d said, so I just bowed instead.
“In the meantime, I’m going to need you to stay here at the castle,” he said.
“Of course. I was planning on it.”
The prime minister came in to summon him like always, and I watched him hurry off. As soon as he was out of sight, Professor appeared behind me without a sound.
“Is it my turn now?”
You’ve barely got any divine energy left, right?
“At least you’re not alone, though.”
I guess, but you’re just watching.
“Aw, don’t be like that. You’re relieved to have me here, and you know it.”
Stop reading my mind.
But he was right. It did feel different this time. Knowing I wasn’t alone gave me more comfort than I expected.
“Risthea’s busy with Siegfried right now.”
“That won’t last forever.”
“That’s why I’m using the time we’ve got.”
It wouldn’t be long before Albert arrived at the castle, and once he did I would confront him directly.
“You’re really reckless, you know that?”
“Worst-case scenario, I’ll die and try again.”
“That’s pretty grim. You know the pain is real each time, right?”
Oh, I knew. The fear of death still lingered. Every time my vision went dark I wondered if it was the end. There were some moments when I wished it was and others when I was terrified it might be.
Just because I had this power to cheat death didn’t mean I could trust it. What if it didn’t work next time? What if this was the final death loop? It was certainly possible this time could be the last time because of the whim of some god.
I had been terrified the first few times it happened. After that, the deaths were so painful I begged for it all to be over so I could have a release.
But I didn’t care how many times I had to die, as long as I could protect him. As long as I got past the pain and suffering, I’d return from death. And I could handle the pain and suffering, all for the sake of the real Kreis, the one Siegfried cherished.
“Humans don’t change easily, you know. But even after dying over and over again, you still don’t think about your own happiness first? It’s unbelievable.”
“I do think about it.”
My happiness would come when I saw him hold the one he truly loved with a smile on his face.
“Yeah, yeah. I know nothing I say is going to change your mind right now. Let’s just take a break until Albert gets here. I’m starving.” Professor looked thoroughly exasperated and flicked his tail dramatically as he turned to leave the throne room. “Come on, hurry up! Time to eat!”
“Fine, fine. You’re so greedy.”
He glanced back at me, I ran after him and then walked by his side. I was grateful that he stayed with me, despite all his complaints.
Much sooner than I’d expected, one of the royal guards told me Albert had been brought in, and I went to see him right away.
He wasn’t in a prison cell, probably because he’d never openly claimed to have received the revelation, but he was still confined to a room under heavy guard. He wasn’t happy about it either.
“Did you come all this way just to mock me?” he spat before I even had the chance to greet him.
“Mock you? Don’t flatter yourself. Although I have to admit, it’s disappointing to see a former marquis forget basic manners just because he was stripped of his title. Instead of greeting your guest, you insult him, father?”
“I haven’t been stripped of my title yet! Don’t get cocky!”
His hair was disheveled and his clothing wrinkled, which suggested he’d either resisted arrest or thrown a fit once he was dragged here. Either way, he was clearly rattled.
Even now, he thought he could get out of this. Maybe he didn’t fully grasp the situation, or maybe he was hoping my grandparents would bail him out.
Unfortunately for him, my grandparents had already sent official papers naming me their successor. There were no kind words, no pity, and no apology—it was quite businesslike. But honestly, that was enough for me.
Albert didn’t know it yet, but the title of Marquis Louboutin was already mine.
“He never knows when to give up.”
Professor slowly trotted over and sat behind me, almost like he was standing guard at my back. Albert had never seemed particularly aware of his presence before, but now he seemed afraid of him.
“A-Are you going to sic that thing on me and maul me to death?”
“Of course not. I don’t need to do anything so dramatic.”
You’ll be judged either way. No intervention needed on my behalf.
“Then why are you here? Did you finally realize how foolish you’ve been and come to apologize?”
What kind of twisted logic is that?
I folded my arms in exasperation and dropped the last shred of decorum I’d been holding on to.