Chapter 20

“W-What did you just say?”

I wasn’t the only one shocked. Lucas, without even looking surprised, asked calmly,

“Do you mean all of them, Your Majesty.”

He was using formal speech with Klaus.

So even our arrogant Prime Minister knows how to speak politely?

The fact that I caused all of this made my skin crawl. I must’ve lost my mind.

Oh my god.

“No exceptions.”

“…May I ask the reason, Your Majesty.”

“Did you not see. They claimed all day like parrots that they couldn’t find the sacred creature, even though it was just one step outside the castle. That is disobedience.”

“…That is unreasonable.”

Lucas’s reply clearly wasn’t what Klaus cared about.

The Emperor’s icy gaze suddenly turned toward the Chamberlain.

“Your niece, Emma Schmidt, will be brought to trial in one week. Until then, testimonies will be gathered from the servants. As her uncle, you cannot remain in the palace. You will be confined for the time being.”

A trial?

Did he just say trial?

Emma is going to trial just for losing a cat?

Wasn’t she from the greatest noble family?

Yet the Chamberlain slowly dropped to one knee, as if he had no excuse at all.

“I accept your command, Your Majesty. May the Sun of Kella be blessed by the gods of heaven and earth.”

After the Chamberlain backed out of the Audience Chamber, Lucas let out a sigh.

Klaus finally set me down on the desk, then irritably removed his cloak and tossed it aside.

There was no servant to receive it.

He snapped at Lucas.

“You as well. Leave.”

“Your Majesty…”

“I said leave.”

Lucas reluctantly turned away, but Klaus spoke again to his back.

“The executions will be carried out tomorrow morning.”

Lucas turned back again.

“Please reconsider for one more day, Your Majesty.”

Then he knelt on one knee and lowered his head.

As the cause of all this, I felt like I was going insane.

Klaus’s answer was simple.

“Leave.”

And just like that, even Lucas was gone.

Ah… don’t go, Lucas…

The Emperor is going to burn me alive with his eyes.

Well, it’s still better than the soldiers who might be executed.

Oh my god, Lucas…

What am I supposed to do if even you just leave…

The Audience Chamber was warm, but the cold radiating from Klaus made me shiver.

He was about to kill dozens because of me, yet he didn’t even glance at me.

He simply stood there with his arms crossed, staring out the window.

Guilty as I was, I stood frozen on the desk, unable to move.

Then Klaus started moving again.

He headed toward his chambers with long strides, but I wasn’t sure if I should follow.

When he paused briefly at the door and glanced back, I didn’t wait for a clearer signal and ran after him.

At this point, if the Emperor told me to bark, I would.

No wonder the people are so afraid of him…

Klaus entered his residence and immediately changed clothes.

Only then did the sharp tension ease a little.

I hesitated and followed at his feet.

Suddenly, he bent down and looked at me.

“Did you eat.”

I shook my head slightly.

After meeting him earlier, I had been so tense that I forgot I was hungry.

Klaus stood up with an incredulous expression and left the room again.

He called someone and had food prepared.

Even though it was still early, when he returned, he collapsed onto the bed as if exhausted.

Then, out of habit, he tapped near the head of the bed.

I quietly climbed up.

I worried I might dirty the white sheets after wandering outside, but Klaus showed no reaction.

For someone who obsessively kept things clean and changed bedding every day, it was surprising.

He lay facing the ceiling with his eyes closed, but when I carefully looked at him, he opened them again.

When those deep blue eyes turned toward me, I almost wanted to run away.

But I couldn’t run anymore.

I squeezed my eyes shut and lowered myself, pleading.

“Meooow…”

Really, I really did something wrong… please don’t hurt the others, Your Majesty…

“Meooow…”

Execution… that can’t happen either…

It took a long time before Klaus spoke again.

His voice didn’t sound angry, but hurt.

“You are smart enough to understand everything I say. Then why did you do it. Did you hate the Imperial Palace, or did you want to return to the temple.”

Startled, I shook my head.

Come to think of it, I really was an idiot.

I wandered outside without even thinking of the temple.

Tobi might’ve been there…

But given Klaus’s current mood, it was probably for the best.

If I had gone there, innocent people would’ve been dragged into this.

The Emperor asked again.

“Is what Emma Schmidt and her friends said true. Did you leave on your own.”

This time, I nodded.

It was true that I left by myself.

Klaus sighed.

“Why. Why did you do that. Were you scolded harshly over the torn dress.”

I had no choice but to shake my head.

Emma had actually liked that I ruined her dress.

As Klaus sighed again, a small knock was heard.

“I have brought the food, Your Majesty.”

“Enter.”

He answered and sat up.

I jumped down and received a generous bowl of soup.

Even with the bowl in front of me, I hesitated, and a low voice sounded above me.

“Eat.”

I was starving, and I also wanted to look pitiful, so I finished the entire bowl quickly.

After licking even the soup around my mouth and my paws clean, I looked up at Klaus.

He looked dumbfounded.

“Were you starving. I have never seen you finish a bowl before.”

I nodded slightly.

Klaus looked frustrated that he couldn’t figure out who had starved me.

Sigh… for once, I was glad I couldn’t speak.

He seemed to give up questioning me further.

He stood up and blew out all the candles and lamps.

Then he lay back down.

When I went near his pillow, I soon heard steady breathing.

Was he already asleep?

Had he been searching for me all night?

I felt worried and guilty.

Gathering courage, I burrowed onto his shoulder.

When I pressed my face into his neck, he shifted slightly in discomfort.

Still, I rubbed against him and purred.

If I could, I wanted to somehow ease his mood.

At last, Klaus spoke again.

“I do not like losing what is mine. Never do that again.”

I nodded endlessly and licked the edge of his clothes.

He let out a small laugh.

“So you know how to act cute when you’ve done wrong. That’s enough, go to sleep.”

Klaus might actually have a superpower.

The power to make me fall asleep.

I wanted to check if Lydia had returned to the palace, but I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until morning.

And for the first time since I came to the palace, Klaus did not go hunting.

Instead, early in the morning, the Prime Minister arrived.

Lucas wore a soft brown fur vest over a bright teal top, and a beret that made his already small face look even smaller.

His dark eyes shone like obsidian against his pale face.

“Meow.”

Hey, Prime Minister…

Aren’t you always the one who sleeps in?

For once, I wasn’t happy to see Lucas.

I had barely managed to calm the Emperor a little, and it felt like he was about to pour oil on the fire.

“Hello, kitty.”

He greeted me softly, then turned to Klaus and bent one knee with great formality.

“I greet the Sun.”

I almost jumped in shock.

Ah, what is wrong with you people…

This felt incredibly ominous.

Lucas unrolled a scroll he had brought, stood straight before the silent Emperor, and began reading.

“Jan van Schneider, age 18.”

The name meant nothing to me.

“Stefan Loris Engel, age 17.”

Hmm…?

“Alexander Friedrich, age 16. Bernd Klose, age 17. Svenne König, age 16. Peter Schneider, age 16…”

The Prime Minister continued listing names endlessly.

Klaus did not say a single word.

Finally, the last name was read.

“Loris Scholz, age 17. That is all. Do you recognize any of these names.”

Klaus answered simply.

“No.”

“That is fortunate. According to your command, they will all be executed tomorrow morning. All young and loyal men.”

Ah…

Only then did I understand what Lucas was doing.

He came to protest…

Well… this much was needed for the Emperor to reconsider.

But our Emperor didn’t seem particularly interested in those names.

He asked in a flat tone.

“Do you have anything else to say.”

“I do.”

Lucas continued boldly.

“Jan van Schneider, age 18. I brought him from a weaponsmith’s workshop in the Holla Forest. I saw him secretly practicing with a sword the craftsman made. Ha. He was better than me, and I trained four years under a knight.”

Lucas spoke politely, but his eyes and attitude were more defiant than ever.

I started to feel anxious that even Lucas might get himself into trouble.

Klaus also showed irritation and dropped into his chair.

“…Everyone knows the Walter ducal family has always been clumsy.”

“Ah, right. True.”

Lucas said that with a faint sneer.

It was the first time I had seen him look so cold.

With a chilling smile that could scare even a grim reaper, he continued.

“Next is Alexander Friedrich. The illegitimate son of Hendrik Friedrich, a knight commander who died in the north south war just before Your Majesty ascended the throne. He inherited his father’s skill and could have been knighted long ago, but he couldn’t afford the ceremony yet. Unfortunately.”

Klaus frowned.

“Enough.”