The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

After a full day’s journey from the Quisel family’s domain, Kundel arrived at Sevellinus.

As the Chancellor of the Royal Academy and one of the few 9-star sages on the continent, the royal family welcomed him with the honors befitting a VIP.

Kundel’s visit was primarily to meet with the Emperor, but due to the Emperor’s ongoing recovery, he had been asked to wait a little longer. Thus, Kundel found himself idly waiting within the palace walls.

“Is meeting with His Majesty the Emperor still difficult?”

“It seemed there was some improvement, but then there was another relapse. I am sorry, but a private audience with His Majesty might not be possible for a while…”

An official brought the unwelcome news, filling Kundel’s face with worry.

“What about Prince Luinel?”

“He- he hasn’t gone out, so I believe he is in his room…”

“Then I will go to meet the prince.”

Kundel stood up without hesitation.

“However, His Highness has declared he will see no one during his self-imposed seclusion…”

“Then tell him I will wait outside his door until he agrees to meet.”

Kundel’s bold attitude left the official with no options.

Just as Kundel was about to stride out to seek an audience,

“Princess Violet has arrived.”

It was neither the Emperor nor the Prince, but a third party who came seeking him.

Kundel, apparently not expecting this, furrowed his brow and asked,

“Princess Violet has come to see me?”

As the doors to the audience chamber opened, the Empire’s Second Princess, who had been waiting outside, revealed herself.

“It has been a long time, Chancellor. No, grandfather…”

Though they were blood relatives, the term ‘grandfather’ coming from her mouth felt incredibly foreign to Kundel.

“Please forgive my rudeness for not rushing to greet you upon your arrival at the palace. Have you been well?”

“Oh, it has been a while, Princess Violet…”

Though she was his granddaughter, her status as a royal princess was undeniable.

Given that this was the palace, not the academy, Kundel did not hesitate to show respect.

“I would like to have a moment to speak with my grandfather, if you would please excuse us?”

“Yes, of course…”

Following the Princess’s request, everyone but the two of them soon left the room.

Kundel, left behind unexpectedly, looked at the second princess with a doubtful gaze.

“Please, speak comfortably. Grandfather. It will be easier for you to speak that way.”

“…What are you thinking, Violet?”

Kundel asked straight to the point without beating around the bush.

“First, please take a seat. I won’t take much of your precious time, Grandfather.”

Kundel sat down with a half-believing, half-doubting heart at her outwardly appearance, which he had not seen even at the academy.

“I really appreciate you augmenting my knight escort for this tour. Thanks to you, I was able to return safely without any issues.”

Kundel responded with silence.

Having received news about the tour from the dispatched knights, Kundel already knew what had happened there.

The princess’s words that there were no issues were clearly a lie.

“You are wary of me.”

Noticing this, she said with a bitter smile.

“Why would you think that?”

“The look in your eyes, Grandfather, when you look at me, is so different from before. It’s unfortunate. The one you should be wary of right now is not me…”

At that moment, Kundel’s gaze turned icy.

The Princess Violet, undeterred, continued speaking.

“I already know my brother was one of the reasons you sent those knights.”

“…!”

“Furthermore, I know that there was an attempt to create chaos there and kill me. You sent me those knights to prevent that, didn’t you?”

Kundel, once again controlling his emotions, asked.

“Since when did you know?”

“I’ve known about my brother’s feelings towards me for a long time. That’s why I had also prepared my countermeasures in my own way. Though it seems it didn’t go entirely as planned…”

Kundel was not unaware of what those countermeasures meant.

“So, I will speak bluntly.”

“What is it you are saying?”

“Make me the emperor, Grandfather.”

Kundel neither jumped up in surprise nor tilted his head as if he hadn’t heard.

Only questions about why she would mention becoming the emperor filled his face.

“The health of His Majesty the Emperor is deteriorating day by day. The frequency of his illnesses is increasing as well. Yet, his intention to appoint my brother as his successor remains firm. If things continue this way, the throne will surely go to my brother.”

Unless there was a rebellion from the current empress’s side, the situation was expected to proceed smoothly.

“However, I don’t think he will be a true Emperor. You know that too, Grandfather.”

“On what basis do you say that?”

“Let me ask you, Grandfather. Do you really think that, with my brother as Emperor, the rest of us siblings will survive?”

“…”

Kundel couldn’t affirmatively respond.

“It’s said that an Emperor without unity and inclusiveness can only lead to destruction. The moment my brother ascends the throne, he will kill everyone. Is that really what you want, Grandfather?”

Of course not.

That would be true for anyone, including the Emperor himself.

That was why he was here now.

“But I am different. I am truly prepared to embrace everyone. An Emperor of the rightful empire you wish for… I can be that.”

Kundel thought for a moment.

Was this woman he was facing really the Princess Violet he knew?

She was so different from the person he had seen over the last six years at the academy.

Was it that she had changed, or had her true nature been hidden all this time? Unable to tell, Kundel was filled with doubt and confusion.

“I may not have been around you all the time, but I’ve noticed something over the years.”

After a not-so-short period of silence, he finally spoke.

“You’re not the type to step forward, no matter where you are. Even if a fight breaks out, you prefer to watch rather than participate.”

The princess nodded in agreement, as if acknowledging his observation.

“What happened to change your mind?”

With a slight chuckle, Princess Violet responded.

“Nothing much. I just saw the light.”

“Light?”

“Yes. A bright light to ascend to the highest place for the empire, and furthermore, for the continent and its people…”

Kundel furrowed his brows, not understanding.

Meanwhile, the princess maintained a mysterious and inscrutable smile.

* * *

The newly appointed instructor Boris had applied for leave due to personal reasons, and Chancellor Kundel, who seldom left the academy, had also departed for the palace without providing any reasons. This news had spread throughout the academy.

As the students’ return was gradually completed, and the academy was just about to get back on a normal track, another unexpected event occurred, causing the atmosphere within the academy to become uneasy once again.

Arin, sitting and reading a book, glanced towards an empty seat.

It was Cyan’s seat, who had applied for a leave of absence due to personal reasons.

“Sigh…”

With a sigh she didn’t even understand why she let out, she closed her book.

It had been ten days.

Not only had he taken a leave of absence, but he also hadn’t mentioned when he might return, leaving a chance that she might not see him for the rest of the semester.

Though she was focusing on her studies with the mindset of doing her part well, Arin still found Cyan’s empty seat to be very distracting.

-Creak-

Amidst these thoughts, the classroom door at the back opened.

Assuming another student had entered, Arin did not divert her gaze from the empty seat.

Then, to her surprise, a student walked past her and sat down directly in Cyan’s empty seat, starting to prepare for the class as if it were nothing unusual.

“Cy- Cyan?!”

Startled, Arin instinctively stood up and approached him.

“Wha- what’s going on, Cyan? How did this happen?”

“I came to attend class.”

“No, I mean. Have- have you returned to school?”

“Yes.”

His indifferent short answer made all her questions seem pointless.

“Did- did everything go well?”

“Yes.”

“What was it about?”

“It’s personal.”

His typically dry response left Arin at a loss for words.

His consistently unchanging demeanor, even after years, made her wonder why she had expected anything different.

Deciding to talk more after class, Arin returned to her seat.

As time passed and the class ended, Arin quickly packed her things and glanced back at Cyan’s seat, only to find it empty.

“Uh?”

All she saw was an unoccupied chair.

Puzzled, Arin looked around.

“What’s the matter, Lady Arin?”

“Resimus! Have you seen Cyan?”

“Oh? He was just here a moment ago.”

Cyan had already left the classroom at a speed faster than light.

“So, it’s like that.”

Thinking further seemed pointless now.

Without any disturbance, Arin, along with Resimus, headed towards the Royal Hall.

As they exited the main building, a group of strangers appeared before her, bowing politely.

“We greet Her Imperial Highness, Princess Arin Severus.”

Though the faces were unfamiliar, Arin instinctively knew they were from the imperial palace.

“What brings you here?”

“We have brought a message from His Majesty the Emperor at the palace.”

“From Father?”

Arin’s eyes widened in confusion.

Though she occasionally received letters, they were mostly mundane inquiries about her well-being.

However, having messengers come directly to her was unprecedented, not even when her brothers, Fabian and Nerobian, were attending the academy.

The significance of their arrival was unmistakable.

She returned to the Royal Hall with the messengers.

The Emperor’s message was elegantly wrapped in colorful silk.

“…”

Arin took a deep breath to steady her nerves before cautiously unfolding the message.

Initially, it contained concerns about her life at the academy and her well-being, reflecting the Emperor’s deteriorating health, which Arin was already aware of.

However, her attempt to control her emotions was short-lived as she reached the shocking content on the last page.

“What is this?!”

Her face flushed with heat.

Her hands shook as if caught in a breeze, and with a disbelieving gaze at the messengers, she exclaimed,

“An engagement… with Cyan?!”

(To be continued)