Chapter 230
“Your Highness.”
“…!”
“Your Highness Jin, are you alright?”
Jin’s eyes snapped open, as if he had been pulled up from the depths of a dark ocean. The pain that had gripped his chest loosened, and tears that had welled up at the corners of his eyes trickled down.
Xiao Xi knelt by his bedside, meeting his gaze. She must have been calling his name repeatedly. Since she couldn’t just touch him without permission, she was ready to summon Ian if Jin didn’t wake up this time.
“Hah, hah…”
“Are you feeling unwell? Should I call someone?”
“No.”
His whole body was drenched in sweat. As Jin slowly propped himself up, Xiao Xi supported his head with a pillow and offered him some lukewarm water. The sunlight streaming through the window was bright—it must have been well past morning.
“Did anything happen last night?”
The question came out of nowhere. Xiao Xi studied Jin’s face carefully. Fear and anxiety were clearly etched there.
Understandable. After all, his brothers were said to be demons, and for ten years they had been slowly draining him dry. Who could endure that with a sound mind?
Whatever the case, Xiao Xi’s answer was clear.
“Nothing happened.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. I stayed by Your Highness’s side all night.”
“I see. That’s good.”
Relieved, Jin absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck, shaking off the lingering unease.
Still, it was a relief. Though overwhelmed, the fact that he had stood up to Arsen gave him a sense that his eroded self was slowly coming back to life.
Burying his face in the pillow, Jin let out a breath of relief.
“Please bring some water for washing up.”
“Yes. It would be good to change the bedding as well.”
Just a simple nightmare. His body tensed naturally before the upcoming event, conjuring illusions. Jin dismissed it as nothing and tried to shake off his worries.
Knock, knock.
Soon, the attendants arrived with water and fresh clothes, helping Jin prepare for the day. He sat quietly in the chair, but something felt off.
“Is something going on outside?”
The attendants seemed uneasy, and the usual bustle was more chaotic than normal. The Magic Department was always noisy, but today felt different.
They exchanged glances, unable to answer.
“I asked you.”
“We apologize, Your Highness. There are rumors circulating in the palace.”
“Rumors? What kind?”
“That Arsen Your Highness is a monster.”
Jin’s eyes widened. That was supposed to be a closely guarded secret known only to a few. If even low-ranking attendants knew, it meant the entire palace was aware. When he went to sleep last night, none of this had happened. In just a few hours, the world had turned upside down.
Xiao Xi helped Jin put on his shoes and whispered.
“Apparently, Your Highness spoke at the assembly last night. It seems they didn’t try to keep it quiet, because as soon as dawn broke, people from other departments came rushing in. It’s a bit chaotic.”
Some had stepped forward to verify the truth, while others protested vehemently, demanding the accusations stop immediately.
The confusion wasn’t limited to outsiders. Even the mages were embroiled in heated debates over whether Ian’s statement was true.
Thud!
“Oh my, Your Highness!”
Jin refused the attendants’ help and dashed toward Ian’s office. But the crowd blocking the way forced him to stop short.
Boom! Boom, boom!
“Ian, are you in there?”
“You’ve been missing for days. When did you even attend the assembly?”
“It was held at night. I heard the carriage was prepared quietly.”
“This is the administration. We need to talk!”
“Is it true that you spoke at the assembly, Ian?”
The hallway buzzed with conversations, each person with their own agenda. Xiao Xi draped a coat over Jin’s shoulders.
“Looks like they’re scheming to take the minister’s seat.”
“Of course. They came out together, but one’s a monster and the other’s human? That’s nonsense. The magic verification ceremony is coming up soon—they’re just stirring up trouble to avoid it.”
“Still, that statement carries weight. If it’s false, it’s immediate execution. The fact that it was revealed so openly suggests there’s some truth to it.”
“Remember what the officials said last time? Arsen didn’t show his magic in front of people. They said it was because of his stamina, but maybe there’s something suspicious.”
“What’s Arsen’s camp saying?”
At the mention of Arsen’s name, Jin slipped deeper into the shadows around the corner. What would Arsen do? What would he…
Tap, tap.
“Hm?”
It was Ian, tapping Jin’s shoulder. He smiled, covering his mouth with a finger, then gestured for Jin to follow him out. Behind him was a pale-looking Romandro.
Tap, tap, tap!
“Did you cough? I heard you didn’t sleep well. Are you feeling alright?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
As they left the quiet corridor, Jin looked up at Ian. His expression was calm as always—like a vast ocean embracing everything.
Jin thought about the ocean that had swallowed him this morning and Ian’s ocean. They were different, yet similar. The one thing certain was that Ian’s ocean wasn’t frightening, even if it engulfed you.
“I heard you spoke at the assembly.”
“That Arsen is a monster? Yes.”
“Why? There’s only one day left.”
“Because there’s only one day left, it’s the best time. Even with the same phenomenon, conclusions differ depending on what facts you know. Participating in the verification ceremony knowing Arsen is a monster is very different from not knowing.”
“…I don’t quite understand.”
Jin muttered, confused. Ian thought for a moment. A simple analogy would help.
“Your Highness, imagine Beric appeared badly injured. Those who don’t know him can only ‘guess’ why he’s hurt, not be certain. Did he fall? Was he beaten by his master if he’s a slave? Or something else—”
But those who know Beric well can reach certainty without that process. Romandro, who had been listening, answered for him.
“That guy got into another fight somewhere!”
“I want everyone to think that when they see Beric injured. That’s why I shared the information that Beric is aggressive and likes blood.”
The magic verification ceremony wouldn’t go by the book like a New Year’s gathering. There would be many reactions to Arsen being a monster, and if you watch it with a blank slate, you might misinterpret the magic’s effects.
But if you watch it knowing ‘Arsen is a monster’?
“You’d notice even the smallest oddity. That’s why it’s better to inform people beforehand.”
“…I’m worried.”
“You’re worried Arsen and Hyman might cause trouble?”
At that moment, a rainbow appeared in the distance. The gardener was spraying water refreshingly. He recognized Ian and Jin, took off his hat, and greeted them.
“Arsen hasn’t refused the verification ceremony and seems confident. That means he still has the energy to activate the Oracle’s Light. He’s gained support from Hyman and his close allies. Even if Arsen himself doesn’t know, those around him are probably celebrating.”
The stakes were high. Arsen had said if he was a monster, he’d die.
It was a one-shot deal. For those controlling the situation, there was no reason to refuse officially and with a valid excuse. They could defeat Ian outright.
“So, there’s no chance Arsen would cause a scene by canceling the ceremony with only a day left.”
“Um, Ian.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Actually, I had another dream about Roberside.”
He was referring to the night two days ago when the brothers’ true nature was first revealed, and Ian had read him a storybook.
Jin was curious. If Arsen was a monster, did he realize it? Did he fully understand his cursed fate and commit evil knowingly?
“Roberside didn’t answer.”
“Because it’s a question that can’t be answered.”
“Why not?”
“Evil people don’t know they’re evil. Good people don’t think of themselves as good either. If someone dresses themselves up with flattering words, remember this: that person is more arrogant and selfish than anyone.”
Their own standards become their justice. So, they neither need nor can understand the other’s awareness. Ian squeezed Jin’s hand firmly and urged him.
“And even if Arsen doesn’t realize he’s a monster and denies his existence, don’t waver. That is pure evil. The one who will die that day isn’t your brother, but the curse tormenting Bariel.”
Jin looked Ian in the eyes and nodded firmly—a vow not to falter. Ian smiled in satisfaction and released his hand.
“Anyway, thanks to this incident, the Magic Department is a bit chaotic. Please bear with it until tomorrow, Your Highness.”
“Very well. I shall personally oversee it.”
“Thank you.”
As they exchanged playful words, mages came running from afar. The gardener must have told them where they were.
Tap, tap, tap!
“Ian! Really! Ian!”
“Why are you here? There’s chaos inside.”
“Exactly because of the chaos, I came to avoid it.”
“Please, don’t do this! Ian, you’re the Minister of Magic!”
As the mages pleaded tearfully, Ian smiled and cut them off sharply. They snapped to attention and reported.
“They’ve arrived!”
“They just passed through the palace gates.”
“Carbo priests and the Oracle’s Light!”
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes. Lord Ian has made a huge mistake. Calling His Highness Arsen a monster—how absurd is that? What about His Highness Jin, born alongside him? Honestly, it’s ridiculous.”
“I thought I must have misheard.”
“They’ve gone too far this time. It’s a deliberate attempt to belittle Arsen’s magic. We absolutely cannot let this slide.”
Clatter! Clink!
The ministers gathered in Delaina’s sitting room laughed bitterly as they each vented their frustration at Ian. All sorts of schemes were being hatched ahead of the magic verification ceremony, they said.
But when Delaina set down her teacup with a sharp clink, the room fell silent, save for some awkward coughs. Arsen, sitting beside her, stared indifferently out the window.
“Is this amusing to you? Ian’s words imply that I gave birth to a monster. It’s an insult to the Carbo family and a disgrace to both me and His Majesty the Emperor. Their necks should be wrung immediately, yet you all find this funny?”
“Lady Delaina, it’s not like that—”
“Ahem. My apologies.”
Delaina’s eyes narrowed sharply. She looked ready to tear Ian apart if anyone so much as crossed her. The ministers nervously chewed their tongues, choosing their words carefully.
“Lady Delaina, please calm yourself. Once the magic verification ceremony is over, you can do whatever you wish—wring their necks or worse. Then you’ll regain custody of His Highness Jin, and Bariel will be blessed with nothing but happiness from now on.”
At someone’s attempt to console her, Delaina gripped her son’s hand tightly. To think such a beloved, precious child could be called a monster—it only fueled the fire of anger burning inside her.
“Arsen.”
“Yes, Mother?”
“If only His Majesty the Emperor were here now.”
The mother embraced her son tightly, but the boy stared blankly at the ceiling, unmoved. How foolish. Did he really think the Emperor’s presence would have changed anything? Just as Arsen tried to pull his mother’s arm away—
Knock, knock!
“What is it?”
“A message just arrived. The Light of the Oracle has just entered the palace.”
“Oh, finally!”
“Well, that’s excellent news! Yes! Ha ha ha!”
The ministers clapped and rose from their seats, eager to greet the Light of the Oracle. Everyone wore bright expressions—everyone except Arsen, who remained strangely unmoved.
Ian had staked his life on this. Arsen’s instincts told him Ian never made a move that didn’t benefit himself.
‘…What could this mean?’
Lost in thought, Arsen felt Delaina’s hand on his shoulder, her voice laced with concern.
“What’s troubling you, Arsen?”
He quickly changed his expression, forcing a bright smile.
“Let’s go see for ourselves, Mother.”
He had never used his magic before. But now, with doubts cast on his very existence, there was nothing to lose by trying. Whether it would sway Ian, the Minister of Magic, was another matter. But he couldn’t afford to spend the day in suspicion and silence.