RGS Volume 6 Part 10

Bang! Bang!

Thud-thud-thud―

Boom, boom, boom.

A noise echoed throughout the library, which had always been quiet. Soldiers roughly threw items to the floor as they thoroughly searched every room, including the bookshelves on the first and second floors. Dust rose from the books that were piling up on the floor, but no one turned their heads or left their places.

This was because Truyde, who had led the soldiers himself, was standing guard. The uninvited priest, in particular, stood in a corner, holding his breath, and as he watched the situation quietly, fearing that he might catch Truyde’s eye. Several soldiers brought a few medicinal herbs, bottles of medicine, and books about poisonous plants from Melmond’s room in front of Truyde.

However, he had been sitting on the chair, and appeared as if bored and kept his gaze fixed ahead since a while ago. In front of him were four people kneeling on the floor with their shoulders pressed down by soldiers. At first, he seemed to be looking at Melmond, who was at the front, but then his gaze moved a little further back. Although Melmond and the butler tried to sit in front as if to block Truyde’s gaze, hoping to avoid it even a little, it didn’t seem to have much effect.

Abel, too, was lying face down on the floor, keeping his head down to avoid showing his face, but this only attracted Truyde’s attention. The slender, pale nape of his neck was exposed because he had his head bowed low. Even when the record keeper came up next to him and reported, Truyde did not take his eyes off Abel.

“These are all the suspicious items we found. I have instructed the soldiers to tear down the walls and floors in case there is a hidden place.”

“That’s enough.”

Truyde, who had interrupted, finally turned his eyes to the evidence gathered in front of him. There was the potion Melmond had made as an antidote for the black potion, the herbs used as ingredients, and the tools for handling the herbs. As he scanned over them with his eyes, Truyde added.

“This is enough evidence. For the crime of treason, plotting to poison His Majesty.”

Melmond, shocked by the ridiculous accusation, raised his head. Truyde, seeing the astonished look in his eyes, instead scolded him in a stern voice.

“Why are you so surprised? Do you not know how many innocent soldiers His Majesty killed last night? Because of that, rumors are spreading that His Majesty has gone mad. It’s all because of—”

Truyde pointed at Melmond’s belongings with his chin.

“—the poison you made that drives people insane.”

Melmond’s mouth opened as if ready to protest anytime, but no words came out. His eyes, now fixed on Truyde, were filled with a mix of anger and injustice. However, Melmond firmly shut his gaping mouth tightly. It was an open secret that the King’s Heart was the one feeding the emperor the poison.

But to use that as a reason?

Although he didn’t know why Truyde had suddenly barged in, one thing was certain. He was trying to blame Melmond for the side effects of the black potion. However, it didn’t make sense. Melmond was a person who had no visible power or influence.

In short, he was such a trivial existence that Truyde wouldn’t even bother with him. It wasn’t worth framing such a massive false accusation on him. Initially, Melmond thought Truyde had come after Abel, but he soon realized that wasn’t the case when the soldiers brought out the potions from his room.

Then, was the reason perhaps…?

As Melmond gritted his teeth in unease, Truyde reached out. He picked up a small bottle, about the size of his palm. Inside was Melmond’s antidote. Confirming Melmond’s worst suspicion, Truyde twisted his lips into a sneer.

“Is this the potion you fed His Majesty?”

Melmond couldn’t stop his jaw from trembling. To an uninformed listener, it would seem that the potion. Truyde was asking about poison. However, Melmond, meeting Truyde’s eyes, could read his true intention.

Truyde knew.

He knew exactly what Melmond had made.

“Answer me, Melmond. Aren’t I asking you if this is the potion you fed His Majesty?”

Melmond barely managed to mumble, “No, it is not,” however, Truyde’s eyes were already filled with amusement. He stood up from his seat and walked over to Melmond, then released his grip on the bottle he was holding.

Crash!

With the sound of shattering glass that filled the air, the contents spilled out in all directions. Melmond, who was right in front of the bottle, was especially affected, getting hit by flying glass shards that left cuts on his exposed skin.

“Whether you committed treason or not will become clear after an investigation. Throw these people into prison immediately.”

At Truyde’s command, a few soldiers bowed their heads and began to lift up the people on the floor one by one. However, they couldn’t take them out right away. Truyde had suddenly ordered them to stop one person as they passed by. It was a black-haired boy who kept his head down, hiding his face.

Was he Melmond’s servant?

Truyde walked slowly towards him and asked.

“Raise your head.”

At the command, Abel flinched, but instead of complying, he lowered his head even further, as if he hadn’t heard. However, Truyde didn’t get angry and instead, smiled and reached out his hand. When he touched the pale nape of Abel’s neck, which he had wanted to touch since earlier, the flesh underneath seemed to tense up.

At his reaction, Truyde’s eyes gleamed and he tilted his head to the side. He wanted to see his face more clearly. The glimpse of his side profile that was slightly visible beneath his hanging hair suggested that the boy’s appearance might satisfy his rare excitement.

Even though he had always preferred beautiful, fair skin, he had never once been interested in black hair. However, oddly enough, this time was different. Truyde slipped his hand into his soft black hair, as smooth as a puppy’s fur, and gave another gentle command.

“Raise your head.”

Melmond’s servant did not obey his order this time either, but it didn’t matter. Truyde was ready to forcibly lift his head if necessary. That is, if there hadn’t been an interruption.

“Ha.”

The short laughter washed away the pleasure that had been rising in Truyde all at once. Truyde’s turned his sharp eyes to find the one who had laughed. The person was already looking at him first as if to acknowledge that he was the one who laughed.

“Was it you who laughed just now, Melmond?”

Truyde, astonished at Melmond’s blatant stare, asked with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Melmond nodded vigorously in response.

“Yes, Your Grace. Seeing your behavior reminded me of a certain rumor, and I couldn’t help but laugh.”

“Behavior?”

Abel, surprised by Melmond’s words, lifted his head, however, Truyde didn’t notice it. He had already taken his hand off Abel and was walking towards Melmond. It might have been regrettable for Truyde, but it was fortunate for Abel.

“Tell me. What rumor of mine made you laugh?”

Truyde’s voice seemed amused, but his fierce eyes said otherwise. Melmond, who was facing him, could not have failed to notice, but he only provoked him further.

“There’s a rumor that Your Grace has such a love for beautiful young men with blond hair that they have all but vanished. And it seems that the rumors are true. Seeing you reach out to my insignificant servant with black hair… Kugh!”

Crash!

With a loud noise, Melmond’s body tumbled to the floor. As he groaned and tried to lift his head, Truyde, who had kicked him, didn’t give him the chance. Approaching with a blank expression, Truyde stomped on Melmond’s face.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

While the two soldiers, who had approached unnoticed, held Melmond down with their spears to prevent him from avoiding the kicks, Truyde continued to kick him with a murderous glare. Abel, who was standing behind, could no longer bear it and was about to rush forward, but someone grabbed his collar.

He turned his eyes in shock to see Nani shaking his head slightly with a grave expression. As if to make him realize for whom Melmond had stepped forward on purpose.

But what if he dies just like this?

Abel, with eyes wide open in despair, saw drops of blood falling to the floor. He had to clench his fists tightly to resist the urge to run to Melmond’s rescue.

It was only when the trembling that started in his hands spread throughout his body and became uncontrollable that the violence against Melmond finally stopped. As Melmond lay there, unable to resist any longer and with his face unrecognizable under so much blood, only then did Truyde move his foot away. Looking down at Melmond, who lay sprawled and barely breathing, he brushed off his clothes with his hand.

“So much dust.”

Muttering as if annoyed, he then ordered the soldiers.

“Lock them all up in the prison.”

As soon as he turned around after giving the order, his companions called out to Melmond, as if they had been waiting. However, one voice among them stood out, echoing loudly in his ears. Even without turning around, he knew it was the black-haired servant’s voice.

He liked it even more than he had imagined. Thus, Truyde couldn’t help but turn his head. He was curious whether his appearance would live up to his expectations as much as his voice. However, it was just a simple curiosity, not a great expectation.

Perhaps that was why?

He thought that no matter how heavenly his appearance was and unparalleled even in the world, it wouldn’t be surprising. But this arrogance was soon shattered.

Eyes as big and green as if they would overflow, white skin, and red lips. As expected, this appearance wasn’t particularly different from the other Regas’ he had seen many times before.

However, it was also completely different.

It was perfect.

The sense of something subtly lacking until now had completely filled those parts with satisfaction. Surprised by the unexpected feeling, Truyde furrowed his brow.

What is this?

This one has black hair?

Black hair.

It was the only feature Truyde despised the most. No matter how much everything else matched his taste, if the hair was black, he would never get attracted to them. However, this servant was different. Rather than feeling repulsed, he felt regretful.

It would have been better if he were blond, he thought.

As he watched the servant struggle in the soldier’s grip as he tried to approach Melmond, Truyde issued another command.

“That one is not to go to prison. I will…”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

Truyde’s words were suddenly cut off by the urgent shout of a soldier from behind. Annoyed by the sudden interruption, Truyde frowned, but a smile soon spread across his face as he turned. A smile naturally flowed into his eyes as he saw the sight of the emperor walking into the library that had gone into a mess.

The fact that the emperor, who was said to never leave the prince’s palace, had come all the way here in a rush confirmed that his suspicions were correct. It was clear that Melmond’s antidote had helped the emperor resist the effects of the black potion. Truyde, having forgotten the servant who had captured his interest just moments ago, stared intently at the emperor standing nearby and slightly bowed his head,

“What brings Your Majesty here?”

Ignoring his question, Karas simply glanced around at the mess that had been made inside. Following his gaze, Truyde began to speak softly, as if explaining the situation.

“This place is the base of those who have committed treason against Your Majesty. I received the information urgently and could not notify you separately, so I immediately led the soldiers here. I am very curious as to how Your Majesty knew and came here.”

Turning his gaze from Karas, he looked at Ashler, who had followed the emperor.

“Ah, it seems you rushed to bring His Majesty here because it concerns His Majesty’s safety?”

Hearing the amusement in his voice, Ashler’s eyebrows twitched.

“Yes, we discovered signs of rebellion and rushed here. The fact that the soldiers acted without any report reaching me—what could be more of a treasonous act than this?”

As Ashler looked around the surrounding soldiers coldly, Truyde twisted his lips.

“It was such an urgent matter, so I ended up leading the soldiers myself after a brief meeting with a few nobles. What could be more urgent than a matter concerning His Majesty’s safety? Or are you upset about something else? Are you perhaps connected to these people?”

As Truyde glanced down at Melmond, Ashler replied in a suppressed voice.

“What if I am?”

“That’s a dangerous statement. If you are connected to these people, it means you too are a traitor trying to harm His Majesty.”

“On what grounds do you make such claims?!”

“Grounds? For someone so close to His Majesty, it’s pathetic that you even have to ask. Do you truly not know? That there is someone plotting to poison His Majesty?”

His voice was a stern reprimand, but his eyes gleamed with more mockery than ever before. It was as if he anticipated that Ashler, despite his usual composure, would be left speechless. And as expected, even the ever-calm Ashler found himself unable to speak.

The fact that the very person trying to poison the emperor was brazenly speaking of poisoning in front of Karas was outrageous. It was a well-known secret that Truyde had been giving the black potion to Karas since their bet. As Ashler gritted his teeth and glared at him, Truyde pressed him further.

“Ashler, you wouldn’t say you knew nothing about this, would you?”

“No. I am aware. I know that there is someone trying to poison His Majesty. However, the culprit I know is not him.”

Ashler looked at Melmond, who was lying on the floor with pity before glaring back at Truyde.

“How could someone who has no power and has only been in the palace for a short time dare to poison His Majesty?”

“Well, we’ll find out once we investigate. We’ll see what exactly he put into His Majesty’s food.”

Ashler could only glare at Truyde with murderous eyes, unable to speak further. Truyde, as if setting his sights on his next target, took a step closer to Karas.

“Your Majesty, this man named Melmond is suspected of researching poisons here and putting some unknown substance into your food. I am only concerned that it might have a harmful effect on your health.”

Karas, who had been staring at one spot, slowly turned his eyes but his reaction was different from Ashler.

“Is that so?”

He asked indifferently and then looked at Melmond lying on the floor and gave an order.

“Lock him and his accomplices here.”