Chapter 131: Find Yuria (1)
by rosalie‘Does he know Xavier is a beastman?’
Even if the Crown Prince had regressed in the original story, I never imagined he would know Xavier’s true identity.
In the original, it was only written that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had dealt with Xavier and his knights when they infiltrated the imperial palace.
It simply said that Xavier had died by the Crown Prince’s sword!
“Are you surprised that I know?”
“…….”
“Heh. When Rosetta drained him of his holy power, he collapsed and transformed into a beast as he died.”
“Don’t insult Xavier.”
“And you, Yuria, weren’t a saintess either.”
“I am a saintess. Goddess Maha chose me. Don’t mistake your delusions for the truth, Your Highness.”
“Delusions? Are you calling me a madman?”
“Even if what you say is true, I have no intention of becoming your saintess.”
There was no reply.
Instead, Arthur clenched his fists tightly. Watching his trembling hands, my mouth went dry with fear.
“You dare reject me again?”
Arthur’s voice erupted into a furious scream.
“Your Highness?”
His expression turned dangerous. He sat down beside me, the bed creaking ominously under his weight.
“Get away from me!”
Despite my protests, Arthur leaned closer, his lips aiming for mine. I turned my head sharply to avoid him.
“How dare you!”
Arthur’s veins bulged with rage as he let out a blood-curdling scream. The sound was enough to make my ears feel like they would burst.
“Ahhh!”
Suddenly, a flash of light blinded me.
Arthur’s fist struck my face.
‘I’m going to die. It hurts so much.’
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as tears streamed down my face. The white dress I had worn for the ceremony was soaked with tears and blood. A golden light shimmered faintly on the wall as my injuries began to heal.
“Huff, huff.”
“Why do you only push me away? You accepted that beast Xavier, didn’t you?”
The deranged Crown Prince furrowed his eyebrows, his face contorted into an expression of pitiful sorrow. It was hard to believe this was the same man who had just looked at me with such madness.
“Is Xavier the only one you pity? I lost my beloved mother to the beastmen too. Can’t you see the wounds they’ve inflicted on me? Why won’t you be my saintess?”
His shoulders trembled as he whimpered. The silver hair that caught the flickering candlelight looked beautiful, but to me, it was nothing short of grotesque.
“You insane bastard.”
Terrified, I muttered a curse under my breath and shifted toward the edge of the bed. Arthur, still feigning tears, moved closer to me.
“Look at me, Your Eminence. Love me.”
“Stop this, Your Highness.”
“Say you’ll come to me.”
“No.”
Though my injuries had healed, the lingering pain in my jaw was unbearable. Out of sheer stubbornness, I glared at Arthur.
His eyes, which had seemed sorrowful, suddenly narrowed with fury, flames of anger igniting within them.
“You dare!”
“Ahhh!”
The meaningless struggle continued several more times, and each time, the cursed golden light would seep from my back.
‘Xavier, Xavier, Xavier!’
I endured, calling his name in my heart.
＊
“Th-The Madam has disappeared?”
Rosetta muttered, scratching at the scab that ran vertically down her cheek.
“I wanted to ask her about it today.”
Rosetta had witnessed the Duchess vanish from the ceremony. After the event ended, she sought out the Crown Prince, believing he might know how to find her.
If not…
Her handmaid had returned the bracelet she had given her.
Rosetta fumbled with the bracelet’s bell before it slipped from her grasp.
“Could it be…?”
‘There’s only one way to undo it. Kill the saintess.’
Recalling the Crown Prince’s words urging her to kill the saintess, Rosetta froze in place.
“I need to confirm this.”
She hurriedly pulled a robe from her wardrobe, wrapped it around herself, and headed for the main palace.
In her view, Arthur was as insane as she was. Outwardly composed, but inwardly rotten and festering.
When she arrived at the main palace, she saw Arthur leaving alone. It was suspicious for him to be out at this hour by himself.
She decided to follow him.
Arthur led her to a small annex.
It was said that young maidservants used to stay there for training, but now it was abandoned, a place even the servants avoided.
Arthur exchanged greetings with a man standing in front of the annex before entering.
Upon closer inspection, the man was Count Willem. Aside from him, several mercenaries appeared to be guarding the annex. With her street smarts, Rosetta could tell at a glance that they were highly skilled.
How long had it been since Arthur entered?
“Ahhh!”
A woman’s scream echoed from inside the annex. Rosetta flinched, her body trembling.
It was unmistakably the voice of the Duchess—the one who always smiled and called her warmly.
‘No, this can’t be. I hated her, but not enough to want her dead!’
Arthur’s words, which had tempted her by claiming she was the saintess, began to lose their hold on her.
A moment later, Arthur emerged, his appearance disheveled. He began conversing with Count Willem at the entrance.
Rosetta crept closer, relying on the thick foliage and darkness for cover.
“Will she submit?”
“It won’t be that easy, Count Willem.”
“Surely, you won’t kill her, Your Highness? The entire nation is in an uproar searching for the saintess.”
“Heh. As if anyone would suspect the saintess is hidden within the imperial palace. Besides, why would I kill her? This is my chance. Even if Saintess Yuria dies, there’s no guarantee Rosetta will become the next saintess.”
“Pardon? But didn’t you say before that Lady Rosetta might become the saintess…?”
“That was just speculation. Goddess Maha chose Saintess Yuria. I need something certain. Now that she’s in my hands, I’ll either persuade her or force her to obey.”
“I-I see.”
Count Willem, his face pale, barely managed to respond. He could still hear the saintess’s screams ringing in his ears.
Rosetta, who had been eavesdropping, felt her own complexion darken.
‘What? So it didn’t matter whether I was the saintess or not from the start?’
Count Willem hesitated before offering advice to Arthur.
“Your Highness, please refrain from striking her. If the saintess were to die…”
“I only hit her three times.”
Arthur flexed his hand as he replied.
“…….”
Count Willem felt that the Crown Prince’s behavior was becoming increasingly unhinged but chose not to comment. He viewed this situation as an investment for the future of the Willem family.
Arthur, now looking pleased, asked Count Willem,
“You’ve dealt with Margaret properly, haven’t you?”
“Yes. She was struck by an arrow and fell into the waterfall. We saw her body float away.”
“What a shame. If I’d known she’d be useful, I would’ve kept her alive. If only we had driven a proper wedge between the saintess and Rosetta earlier.”
“Y-Yes, indeed.”
“She claimed to be skilled at sowing discord, but she was incompetent. Rosetta still seems unable to forget the saintess. Well, it doesn’t matter now.”
‘Sowing discord?’
Rosetta couldn’t believe her ears.
The conversation between the two maids at the camp before heading to Berg had been a complete fabrication.
Ah, foolish Rosetta.
Her well-manicured nails dug deep into her palm, drawing blood. Though the pain furrowed her brow, she didn’t make a sound.
‘Arthur, you bastard!’
What exactly had I done to the Madam?
“Make sure to deal with the kitchen maid at the Duke’s residence as well. We can’t have any loose ends.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ve already taken care of it.”
“As expected of you, Count Willem. I’ve informed His Majesty of my desire to depose Rosetta and take Lady Doris as my consort.”
“Ah, is that so? Thank you, Your Highness!”
Count Willem bowed deeply, his mustache quivering.
“His Majesty will soon approve the punitive expedition against the Beast Kingdom. At long last, my long-cherished wish will come true!”
Arthur patted Count Willem’s shoulder with a satisfied smile.
As they chatted, the two men left the annex and headed toward the main palace via a back path.
Rosetta, hidden in the bushes, gritted her teeth and clutched her robe tightly.
Depose me?
Now I know what I must do.
＊
A pulsating blue wave twisted the space around it. Past midnight, Xavier emerged from the black portal into the office at the Duke’s residence.
“You’ve returned?”
“Your Grace.”
His two loyal retainers had stayed up, waiting for him in the office. But Xavier had no energy or patience to acknowledge their dedication.
“Rexton, what of the spies planted in the imperial palace?”
“They’ve gone into hiding due to the recent incident involving the Graham family.”
“Of course.”
Albert asked anxiously,
“Master, what about the Madam? Wasn’t it the King of the Beast Kingdom who took her?”
“No.”
“Then we must inform His Majesty immediately.”
“Wait.”
Xavier raised a hand, stopping Rexton. He buried his face in his hands, trying to collect himself.
Traveling through the portal twice had left him nauseous, but that wasn’t the real issue.
‘I’m worried sick about Yuria. I miss her so much it’s killing me.’
Black smoke began to coil around his body.
“Your Grace!”
“I’m fine.”
Xavier pulled the patch from his pocket and pressed it onto the back of his hand. The golden light from the patch illuminated the room beautifully, dispelling the dark aura and calming his nausea. But the sight only deepened his anguish.
“I’ll search the entire Empire to find her. Even if it means storming the imperial palace.”
Even if it means committing treason and losing my head.
‘Xavier, I have no choice but to hibernate soon. Please, find your wife.’
With the people Lucas had lent him, perhaps it was possible.
Swallowing his last thoughts, Xavier spoke in a low voice.
“Come out.”
From the still-unclosed portal, massive creatures, as black and deep as the abyss itself, sprang out with agile movements.