MBHE | Chapter 1.4

For the first time since birth, Iellon pleaded with Helen. It was the only way he could, having neither power nor authority over her.

‘Please, I beg you… Mother.’

In the end, Helen agreed to turn a blind eye to the situation for now, on the condition that Iellon didn’t neglect his studies or swordsmanship and became a perfect emperor.

Iellon, who always gave a gaze too cold and chilling to be that of a child looking at his mother, knew they both understood she thought she had found his weakness, but the deal was made nonetheless.

“I’ve let it go until now, but if you continue like this, I won’t tolerate it anymore. I won’t forgive you for getting caught up in trivial play and confusing your position, making yourself look frivolous to others.”

The sharp words made it clear. The incident with the cookie laced with a blade had reached Helen’s ears.

Since Iellon, the victim, didn’t speak up, Helen couldn’t do anything. If she brought it up and Iellon denied it, she’d look foolish.

If she harmed Freesia or Carpe directly or indirectly, and it became known that she was at odds with Iellon, a strong candidate for crown prince, her position would be truly precarious.

Of course, if that happened, Iellon, without backing, would also be in danger, but he was less desperate than Helen, who needed to become the empress dowager and seize power.

Moreover, if he stayed silent after such an incident, people would see him as weak, and someone might think of using Carpe to harm Iellon.

Helen was angry about all of this. It was clear what she wanted.

Iellon apologizes and agrees to bring the incident to light. Then, they bring down the troublesome sixth concubine, Freesia.

The best choice afterward would be to eliminate Carpe as well, but under the pretext of doing it for Iellon, they spare his life but crush him enough that he could never become emperor.

By doing so, they eliminate the enemy and do Iellon a favor. After all, they mercifully spared Carpe, whom he cherished so much.

‘Damn…’

Iellon had two choices.

First, he could bow lower, kneel, and beg for mercy.

If this failed, Carpe would be ruined, and if it worked, Freesia and Carpe would live, but Iellon would have an even tighter schedule. So busy that he wouldn’t have time to see Carpe.

If rumors spread that Iellon and Carpe had grown distant, those targeting Carpe’s life would increase. They’d be eager to hire assassins, having nothing to fear.

So, the only option left was the second method. Iellon clenched his fist and then relaxed it. A gentle smile appeared on his handsome face.

“Come to think of it, His Majesty seems to be quite unwell these days.”

“What nonsense are you…”

“Despite your devoted care, Mother. It’s unfortunate.”

Helen’s demeanor changed. The blazing fire hesitated, replaced by suspicion. Watching this, Iellon rubbed the blood seeping from his torn flesh with his tongue. The sharp pain cleared his mind.

“What do you mean?”

“I know that you prepare medicine for His Majesty every night, Mother. You’re too shy to give it directly, so you ask Ben to do it, right?”

Ben was the one who served directly by the emperor’s side. Though he was bought by Helen and thoroughly on her side, no one knew this. Except Iellon.

Iellon’s red eyes curved mischievously. The innocent, childlike tilt of his head didn’t match the malice in his eyes, making it feel almost terrifying to those who saw it.

“Shall I deliver it for you? How much you… love and care for His Majesty, going so far as to secretly obtain precious herbs and feed them to him.”

Blood seeped from Helen’s bitten lip. Her red eyes, identical to Iellon’s, glared at her son with anger.

“Oh dear, why are you trembling? Have you caught His Majesty’s illness? If so, you should rest soon.”

“…No. Thank you for your concern.”

The voice, squeezed out through gritted teeth, dropped to the floor. Iellon smiled as if he had received a sincere thank you.

“You’re welcome.”

Helen’s blood pressure seemed to rise audibly. Despite her anger, her expression didn’t show much. Helen’s poker face was perfect. It was only relaxed in front of her son, Iellon.

“Anyway, seeing your dedication, I’ll try harder. I’ll strive to become the emperor you want, Mother.”

The blood disappeared down his throat with his saliva. Now that there was no need to hide the wound, he could confidently get it treated and heal quickly.

“Well, if I try my hardest and still can’t do it.”

But the wound on Helen’s lip would remain for a long time. Her pride wouldn’t let her admit she bit her lip in anger at her son’s threat. She wouldn’t even call a maid to avoid revealing she was injured after meeting her son.

“Then it must be a problem with my bloodline.”

Raphael, an incompetent playboy unaware of his position as emperor. Helen, who was mocked by everyone for abandoning her fiancé and getting caught up in a fling.

Helen, once the beautiful daughter of a duchy, had her engagement broken and was ridiculed by many nobles after unexpectedly becoming pregnant with Iellon. Iellon knew that part of the reason his mother wanted to make him emperor was the humiliation she faced back then.

You, or the person you chose. My failure is your fault.

At her son’s words, Helen’s red eyes twisted fiercely. Two pairs of rubies, devoid of affection, stared at each other.

“By the way, the person who gave me the cookie was a knight named Houston. He insisted Carpe bring it to me. I’m sure it was his independent act.”

“…I see. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll handle it.”

Helen’s tone was as usual. Her ability to change her expression and tone as if nothing happened the moment she realized her defeat was almost impressive. Iellon might learn it with practice. After all, he was her son.

Of course, Houston had nothing to do with this. But it was important that Iellon pointed someone out, even if it wasn’t the real culprit. Someone who touched him was punished. With this fact, no one would dare mess with Iellon, and Freesia would hesitate a bit.

Leaving the room at the cold dismissal, Iellon closed the door and took a deep breath.

He managed to get through this time. He wanted to save this information for later, but he had no choice. For now, it would be okay, but once Ben was dealt with, who knew what minor thing they’d use to shake him next.

‘I need to get stronger.’

That thought echoed in his mind. He needed to become stronger and more perfect so that there wouldn’t be any pretext in the first place.

A firm resolve appeared on his face, neither child nor adult.

The medicine distributed in the imperial palace was excellent. He heard there was medicine containing divine power, but even that didn’t work, so he couldn’t imagine how potent Helen’s concoction for Raphael was.

Injuries were common when learning swordsmanship. As a result, Iellon frequently met with Rachel, a healer he felt a certain kinship with, and blinked slowly at her touch.

“If you had such a wound, you should have called me immediately.”

A woman with light brown hair streaked with white, showing the passage of time, and sand-colored eyes filled with life’s wisdom, scolded him in a sharp voice.

Rachel, a healer who had worked in the imperial palace for nearly 40 years, was still active due to her exceptional skills.

Held by her warm fingers, Iellon abandoned the thought of making excuses and shrugged lightly. Despite her displeased gaze, her touch applying ointment to his mouth was very gentle. He felt grateful for her constant watchful eyes, worried he might be in pain.

“All done. Even if it feels strange, don’t touch the medicine in your mouth with your tongue.”

As soon as he closed his mouth, Iellon, who had been touching the cold, slightly bitter medicine, quickly withdrew his tongue and nodded. Rachel, letting out a small sigh, gently rubbed the bandage on Iellon’s cheek.

“I’ve been here a long time, but you’re the first to come with an injury for such a reason.”

Many royals had hurt each other in the struggle for the throne. Having witnessed and treated this for 40 years, Rachel seemed to realize this wasn’t just a simple behind-the-scenes conflict.

A prince sacrificed himself for another prince. Rachel was pointing that out. And in her sand-colored eyes, there was no anger, contempt, pity, or doubt.

It was the first time. He never particularly wanted to hear praise from anyone, and Rachel probably didn’t mean it as praise, but Iellon unknowingly blushed and fixed his gaze on the floor.

“Because we’re family.”

The perception of Carpe in the castle was mainly as ‘Iellon’s toy.’ Something he was temporarily attached to but would eventually discard. After all, there shouldn’t be any royals of the same generation left except for the crown prince.

Iellon immediately regretted his first genuine statement. If Rachel mentioned it somewhere, the situation would become much more serious.

Just as he was counting his racing heartbeat and about to say it was a lie.

“That’s right. Family. You two look very much alike.”

The most likely candidate for crown prince snapped his head up. His red eyes, which always seemed to view the world through a glass wall, shone with expectation.

“Really? Do Rachel and Carr look a lot alike to you?”

“Yes. Your hair is the same, your noses are the same, and your lips are the same. Anyone can see you’re family.”

Rachel said so, but in truth, except for the silver hair, the two had little resemblance.

Even at five, Carpe had distinct features, destined to become a handsome man who would break many hearts, while Iellon was more of a beauty than a handsome man. Even their hair texture was different.