Chapter 5

Temseugung Palace was a den of evil.

That was the conclusion drawn by Bono, the bodyguard of 2nd Imperial Princess Siena Carlisle.

Becoming the guard of the Emperor or his direct line was the coveted career goal for all young knights in the Britannia Empire.

The army faction followed 1st Princess Victoria.

The trash followed 2nd Princess Siena.

And 3rd Princess Anais was supported by bankers and industrialists.

Among the three, only Siena was treated as an exception. Her infamy was so great that she was talked about as common barroom gossip in Academy taverns.

“Still, I thought the rumors were exaggerated.”

Bono soon realized at Temseugung Palace that the rumors weren’t exaggerated. The palace attendants worked in constant high tension, fearing any mistake, while Alan Medoff and the other bodyguards wielded extralegal violence like ferocious dogs. Running dogfight arenas and loan companies under dummy names was just the cherry on top.

However, what troubled Bono most was something else entirely.

Just thinking about the humiliation he experienced a few days ago brought feelings of self-loathing. He had only visited to reprimand his long-time Academy classmate Alan Medoff for his cruelty. Watching his once quiet friend’s corruption up close was extremely painful.

He confronted him directly, hoping his words would reach Alan’s fading conscience.

Though his intentions were good…

Unfortunately, Princess Siena was right outside the audience chamber when he did this. Bono was so startled by her sudden appearance that he nearly fell over in shock.

“I wanted to die right then.”

While he hadn’t suffered direct persecution yet, the silence made him uneasy. He had no idea when or how retaliation for his criticism would come, but an Imperial Princess had the means to do so.

“Please, just don’t let them target my family.”

What if his father, a non-commissioned officer in the Army, faced repercussions? Or if his older brother at the trading company suddenly got fired due to external pressure? Bono didn’t think he could bear the guilt of his family suffering because of his foolish actions.

“Maybe I should ask Her Highness Siena for mercy?”

No, his conscience wouldn’t allow that. Exposing his fear might only encourage Siena’s sadistic nature.

Then what should he do?

While he was deep in thought, someone came looking for him.

“Uh, Sir Knight?”

It was the same servant who had been brutally beaten by Alan before. He was using crutches, with splints on his legs, and his face was in terrible condition – all his front teeth were missing. Bono clicked his tongue in pity.

“What is it?”

“I’ve come to deliver a message from Her Highness. She requests you purchase some poisonous herbs. It must be done by you personally, no one else will do.”

“…”

“This… forgive me. I know it’s not a proper task for a knight, but…”

While assigning menial tasks to formal knights was absurd, Bono murmured “It’s begun,” with a bitter smile.

Though there was one strange point.

“Did you say poisonous herbs?”

“Her Highness instructed this be carried out secretly, without alerting others.”

Why poisonous herbs of all things?

“They’re practically poison, aren’t they?”

It’s an herb people chew to alleviate toothaches or headaches when they can’t afford proper medicine, but it can be fatal if taken excessively or frequently. Bono knew this from his survival training at the Academy’s Department of Swordsmanship.

“Did Her Highness say what it would be used for?”

“I wouldn’t dare ask her directly… Though… no, never mind, haha.”

The servant’s awkward laugh and hesitancy as he tried to say something but then backed off was highly suspicious.

“What could she possibly need it for?”

Bono’s suspicions only grew stronger.

Why would a princess need herbs delivered? That alone was abnormal.

Speaking of which, Alan Medoff had asked some herbalists to gather certain mushrooms recently. While it was unlikely they were for eating, there must be some purpose. For some reason, it felt connected to the poisonous herbs.

“You should hurry. You know Her Highness’ temperament, don’t you?”

“A, yes!”

While he followed the order, his suspicions only grew stronger during the errand. The herb shop where he purchased the poisonous herbs was suspiciously located in the middle of the slums and didn’t appear to sell anything healthy.

“No, it can’t be…”

Though he didn’t want to believe it, he couldn’t consider this a normal task no matter how he looked at it.

*

Of course, the person who sent Bono on this errand using the princess’s name was me.

‘He must be wondering by now what the purpose of this errand was.’

He’s probably racked his brain thinking about why I specifically asked him to secretly obtain poisonous herbs and what they’re for.

Of course, I had no need for poisonous herbs. I just wanted to fuel Bono’s suspicions.

The obvious goal was to manipulate Bono into becoming a pawn for my enemies.

Having sown doubt, it was time to encourage him directly.

“Bono, I apologize for before. I didn’t know Her Highness would suddenly appear.”

I approached Bono in the training field and spoke in a sheepish tone.

At the same time, I glared at him with eyes full of hostility. He clearly disliked me, which was the very reason I chose him.

“What good does an apology do now…!”

“I get it. Words alone aren’t enough.”

“…”

“Then how about this? If you grant me one small favor, I’ll plead on your behalf for Her Highness’ forgiveness. You know Her Highness listens to my advice, at least more than others.”

At this, Bono hesitated briefly. Though he despised Siena, he didn’t seem willing to give up the title of Imperial Princess’s bodyguard easily.

“And what exactly is this small favor?”

“You know about Her Majesty the Empress’s homesickness illness, right?”

“Of course.”

“Her Highness Siena has always been concerned about the Empress’ condition. You know how kind-hearted she is.”

“…”

“That’s why when she recently found a good medicine after searching everywhere, she’s planning to present it to Her Majesty.”

Though Bono managed to maintain his composure, his inner turmoil was evident. He was likely connecting this with the poisonous herbs and mysterious mushrooms by now.

By his trembling gaze, it seemed he had already decided what the ‘medicine for the Empress’ really was.

I continued to gently coax him without showing my true feelings.

“Bono, I’d like you to accompany Her Highness when she presents this medicine to the Empress. It should be my duty, but you know… my reputation.”

“Why me specifically? There are other bodyguards besides you and me…”

“The other knights have equally troubling reputations. However, having only recently started working in Temseugung Palace, you have a decent record and would be perfect for ceremonial duties.”

“…”

“This is a good opportunity for you.”

While saying this, I tried to smile, though awkwardly.

Even to me, Alan Medoff’s face was intimidating with its palpable hostility. Smiling wouldn’t reassure anyone, and would likely only increase their unease at my unusual behavior.

After remaining silent, Bono finally shook his head.

“I’ll have to refuse, Alan. Sorry.”

“Don’t refuse. It’s a good opportunity. You’ll regret it.”

“Thanks for the thought, but I don’t have the proper ceremonial experience…”

His efforts to hide his true thoughts were quite obvious.

It wasn’t difficult to guess what Bono was thinking right now.

No way they’d actually poison the Empress, right? Or maybe it’s not outright poisoning but a slow weakening effect? Worse, are they trying to pin all the blame on me?

“Even if it’s not you, it doesn’t matter anyway… Nevermind.”

I intentionally left my sentences incomplete and left the scene. Looking back, I saw Bono standing still, staring into the distance.

There was only one option left for the cornered knight.

“He’ll report us.”

The law enforcement in the Empire was the Military Police.

However, Bono wasn’t stupid enough to go to them. He knew what would happen when accusing a princess without clear evidence. He’d undoubtedly report to the faction of 3rd Princess Anais, who was currently studying at the Academy.

“He probably sees this as the righteous thing to do.”

This assumption proved correct when the palace guards assigned to monitoring Bono rushed to me.

“Sir Bono has just left the palace hastily!”

A report about the bodyguard who should be guarding the princess leaving without notice. The guards said they had questioned him about his destination.

“And?”

“He said he was going to the Academy. When we asked for details, he ignored us and rushed off.”

The person Bono was rushing to meet could only be 3rd Princess Anais, currently studying at the Academy.

Anais – the heroine and sponsor who helps our protagonist rise.

Initially approaching to recruit the protagonist based on talent alone, she eventually became obsessed. Though praised as having a more harmonious personality compared to Siena’s personality collapse, she was still ultimately a member of the ruthless imperial court.

There’s no way she’d pass up an opportunity to deal with her half-sister.

Now it was time for us to move.

“Your Highness, preparations are complete.”

I reported to Siena in her audience chamber.

She was reviewing some ledgers, twirling her silver hair as she examined the records. The ledger detailed transactions from the loan company run by a fallen noble family under her control – one of her many small-scale funding sources.

Judging from how she immediately closed the book upon seeing me, she was more interested in the stage I had prepared than her numbers. Filial piety is more entertaining than finances, it seems.

“Anais is quite cunning. She won’t believe this easily.”

“That’s fine. Bono will think we’ve actually used poison.”

Though I’m sorry for using him as bait, at least I plan to protect his life. He’d die if left to challenge Siena directly, so this is preferable.

Now it’s time to pay our respects.

The rest follows similarly as the original, maintaining the tone and dramatic elements while translating into proper English.

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