MPBAGS Chapter 114

Gabriel returned to the imperial palace rather than the temple after his conversation with Lady Totten. He had gone to request a meeting with Evangeline, but after the first meeting, he was repeatedly refused.

While searching for the whereabouts of the maid wearing a scarf, he received a report that the maid was by Tenebrae's side.

He kept watch near Tenebrae, but conversely, word spread that Gabriel was viewing Jeremia with suspicion. For a rumor that had suddenly emerged, it spread at an unusually fast pace, so someone had clearly deliberately fanned the flames. The rumor reached the ears of the person involved, and Jeremia, who was greatly shocked, fell ill.

Some believed the rumor and cursed Jeremia, but others said that Gabriel was instead bewitched by Lady Rohanson and unable to think clearly.

Regardless of which direction it took, the fact that the rumor had great impact could not be ignored.

And the Emperor broke his silence and stepped forward. The Emperor gathered his loyal retainers and entered into council.

"Lately, vicious rumors have been circulating within the castle."

"Isn't it because of Lord Gabriel?"

Since Bishop Marik was present at the meeting, no one was bold enough to curse the temple along with Gabriel. The Emperor's head ached just hearing Gabriel's name, and he pressed his brow firmly as he continued speaking.

"This is not a matter to blame Lord Gabriel for."

"How can you say we shouldn't punish him when he dares to suspect the imperial granddaughter?"

"A witness has come forward."

"A witness?"

"A servant saw Jeremia taking the sword that Evangeline Rohanson had presented."

"Your Majesty! Is there credibility to that testimony? It's merely a servant's testimony."

"Be quiet."

Though the opposition was strong, when the Emperor showed annoyance and gestured with his hand, everyone fell silent. The Emperor seemed to truly believe that testimony, and even if he didn't believe it, if the Emperor said so, they had no choice but to accept it and move on.

Those attending the meeting exchanged glances with each other. So Jeremia really becomes the culprit? That gentle princess seemed like she couldn't even step on and kill a single insect... Above all, Jeremia was the princess who had monopolized the deceased Crown Prince's favor.

"And other testimony has also emerged."

At the Emperor's words, someone whispered, "Well, of course."

"There is testimony that Jeremia and Tenebrae switched necklaces and attended the banquet. This is testimony from both of their wet nurses, so there's no reason not to believe it."

"They switched necklaces?"

"Yes."

The Emperor seemed extremely weary as he continued pressing his brow. Instead of the Emperor, who had no more strength to speak, Bishop Marik continued the explanation.

"Princess Tenebrae disguised herself as Princess Jeremia and devised a scheme. Even if the crime were discovered, innocent Princess Jeremia would take the blame instead."

"What do you mean..."

"Those seated here will know that I returned to the banquet hall again late. I felt a very ominous energy, so I returned to the banquet hall as God Rahel led. And I felt similarly sinister energy from Princess Tenebrae."

No one asked why she hadn't mentioned this at the time but was only revealing it now. Since the Emperor had stepped forward and the temple was backing it, there was no room to object.

"Everyone in the Empire will have heard of the ominous twins. I foolishly failed to trust the legend and kept the two pitiful children alive, but the price returned as my son's death."

Thus the Emperor proclaimed:

"Since Tenebrae dabbled in sorcery and murdered her own father, her crime is not sufficient even if repaid with death. Since I spared her life, I also have the right to take it. From this moment, Tenebrae is no longer an imperial granddaughter but a criminal who murdered the Crown Prince. Bring the criminal before me."

"Tenebrae. Look outside."

At Azrael's call, Tenebrae looked down out the window. On the ground, countless knights were marching in formation toward the castle where the twins stayed.

"It seems the Emperor made up his mind faster than expected."

Tenebrae rose from her seat in rapture. She had imagined this moment dozens, hundreds of times.

And before the knights arrived, Tenebrae hurriedly ran to Jeremia's room. Unlike usual, there were no knights guarding in front of Jeremia's door, making it very easy to enter the room.

"Jeremia! Wake up! Something terrible has happened!"

Tenebrae made a fuss as she woke Jeremia. Jeremia, who had become noticeably gaunt, reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up at her sister's urging, rubbing her eyes.

Tenebrae pulled the still-dazed Jeremia's body and forced her to look outside. When Jeremia looked down outside, she saw countless knights.

"They're coming to capture you."

"Te, Tenebrae, what, what are you talking about?"

Still not fully awake, Jeremia failed to notice the hint of amusement in Tenebrae's words and looked at her sister with a pale face. Tenebrae erased her smile as if nothing had happened and continued speaking with agitation.

"Lady Rohanson and Sir Gabriel conspired to trap you."

"Sir Gabriel?"

At that moment, what flashed through Jeremia's mind was the rumor that had plagued her heart until she fell asleep. Sir Gabriel had framed Jeremia as the culprit to save Evangeline Rohanson. How, how could someone called a holy knight fall for a debauched witch and give false testimony?

"Even so, Grandfather wouldn't suspect me."

 Jeremia tried to deny it. Though not as much as Oratorio, the Emperor was quite fond of his affectionate granddaughter. He would surely take Jeremia's side instead of believing the words of the wicked Lady Rohanson and Sir Gabriel who killed her father. However, Tenebrae immediately refuted this.

"You fool! Then who do you think sent those knights outside?"

Jeremia was so shocked that Tenebrae, who had never spoken harshly to her, used crude language that her mouth fell open. Thanks to this, Tenebrae's urgent feelings came across even more clearly. As Tenebrae said, only the Emperor and Crown Prince held military authority in the imperial palace. Since father had passed away... then Grandfather really sent knights to capture Jeremia?

At that moment, one knight broke from formation and cut down a maid who was blocking the castle gate. Jeremia was greatly shocked to see how easily a person could die. Tenebrae drove the point home to Jeremia.

"They say you murdered your father, Jeremia, so you must be executed."

I murdered Father? Execution? Then... would I be cut down with a single stroke like that maid just now?

"That's ridiculous... Tenebrae, I didn't do it! I didn't kill Father! I couldn't have done such a thing!"

"Yes. I believe you. This is all Lady Rohanson's scheme. Just as she deceived Sir Gabriel, she must have deceived His Imperial Majesty. Right now, His Imperial Majesty is bewitched by a witch and cannot think straight."

Since Jeremia had also seen the summoning circle drawn on the banquet hall floor, she knew well that evil sorcery was involved in her father's death. That made her even more frightened. To think Lady Rohanson killed Father and even controlled Grandfather. Then there was no way Jeremia, who had only lived a sheltered life being loved, could handle this. As Jeremia trembled with fear, a maid urgently opened the door.

"Princess Jeremia! The knights have entered the castle!"

"What should I do, Tenebrae? I... what should I do? Am I going to die unjustly like this?"

Jeremia could only shed tears of injustice. Tenebrae firmly grasped her fragile sister's shoulders. Though Jeremia's shoulders hurt from the grip, she couldn't push away Tenebrae who was like a lifeline. Tenebrae looked straight at Jeremia and told her the solution.

"Run away, Jeremia."

Run away?

"But then I'd be disobeying Grandfather's orders."

"His Majesty isn't in his right mind right now, is he? First run away, and when His Majesty comes to his senses, return then. Since these are orders given while bewitched by demons, he won't scold you for disobeying them."

"Really?"

"Of course. His Majesty is fond of Jeremia."

Tenebrae smiled brightly, and Jeremia awkwardly tried to smile back at Tenebrae who was like a mirror to her. Somehow it felt like it had been a very long time since she'd seen Tenebrae smile. Originally, only Jeremia used to smile so naturally and brightly.

Beyond the momentary silence, the sound of footsteps and murmuring could be heard in unison. Jeremia realized the knights had already come very close and turned pale.

"They, they've, they've come."

Tenebrae helped the trembling Jeremia up.

"Go, Jeremia. I'll pretend to be you here and buy time."

"Tenebrae!"

"Shh."

Jeremia was startled by her own loud voice and covered her mouth, then quietly removed her hand and looked at Tenebrae with worry.

"But what if you get caught?"

"They'll quickly realize I'm not you, so don't worry. Don't worry about me, Jeremia. I'll assign my escort knight to go with you."

Ever since rumors spread that Jeremia had killed the Crown Prince, the fragile princess had dismissed all her attendants, fearing that the retainers around her would hear the rumors and see her as the culprit. Tenebrae must have known this and was assigning an escort knight. Soon a knight appeared to escort Jeremia.

"It's Sir Azrael Astaroth."

When Azrael greeted her, Jeremia was startled and returned the greeting.

"I will serve you. Let us hurry."

"Yes, yes."

Before running away, Jeremia embraced Tenebrae tightly with a moved expression. In fact, Jeremia had long thought that Tenebrae disliked her. However, they had grown closer recently, and she never knew that Tenebrae, whom she always thought was timid, would be such a reliable support.

"Thank you, Tenebrae."

After their final embrace, Jeremia began to leave the castle while avoiding the knights under Azrael's guidance.

"Haha, I should be thanking you."

Tenebrae chuckled at the sight. The way she pretended to be affectionate and kind until the end was amusing. Jeremia didn't know that Tenebrae had no proper knights, let alone an escort. If she had paid even a little attention to Tenebrae, she would have noticed something strange about "Tenebrae's escort knight" and could have saved her life.

After the real Jeremia escaped, the knights arrived a step too late.

"Princess Jeremia!"

"What's all this commotion?"

Tenebrae asked with an innocent face that knew nothing, the kind she had seen disgustingly often. The knights hesitated whether they should tell the innocent and fragile Jeremia the harsh news that her sister had killed their father. Their representative made a decision and changed the subject.

"Did Tenebrae perhaps visit and do anything harmful to Princess Jeremia?"

"No, Tenebrae has never been here."

The knights believed Tenebrae's lie completely. And they belatedly tried to protect Tenebrae by posting guards. A young knight who seemed to have feelings for Jeremia even made cheesy lines about how he would definitely protect her.

Haha. She almost burst out laughing. They said that despite looking identical, she was gloomy enough to distinguish even without the necklace? She barely held back from mocking them thoroughly. Everyone pretended to be devoted to Jeremia and love her dearly, yet no one noticed that the person had changed. Such shallow affection indeed.