C196
Why was Roland Cassius imprisoned in the imperial palace prison?
There was something funny hidden here.
First of all, it started with the emperor.
As he lost the empress who had been with him for a long time due to Liena, and furthermore suffered a permanent disability.
How did he feel while lying there?
Naturally, he would have burned with revenge. He must have felt very offended by Liena.
However, Liena, the main culprit of the incident, had already left, and the emperor's anger turned toward the Cassius family, who had raised her carefully.
However, this did not mean that the emperor had lost his reason.
He was also very aware that he could not pin Liena's sins on the Cassius family, which had previously expelled his adoptive daughter.
So the emperor decided to get rid of the Cassius family on a large scale.
"How many beings in the world can detach themselves without a speck of dust?"
In particular, large families like the Cassius family were prone to commit large and small transgressions.
Usually, the imperial family turns a blind eye in exchange for loyalty, but if you decide to rush, the outcome is obvious.
Investigators sent by the imperial family searched the Cassius mansion and the attached houses in the capital, as well as buildings owned by Cassius.
They even raided Cassius's vassal families and confiscated accounting books and various documents worth decades.
What was the result? As you can see.
"Release me immediately! I can't survive even one day in such a harsh place!"
In all likelihood, the emperor's target was Edman Cassius, Liena's father and current Duke of Cassius, but the person dragged and imprisoned was Roland.
I asked in a cold voice.
"So, why did you commit so many corruptions when you were the duke?"
According to what Terence told me, Edman did not live his entire life respecting the law, but compared to his father, he was a new breed.
How could it be that the Emperor, who was gnashing his teeth, took Roland and imprisoned him instead of Edman?
"It was very extravagant, including tax evasion, bribery, the creation of funds for bribes, and forced demolition."
Roland, ahem, cleared his throat.
"I don't know, Viscountess Lucibiu, but a small transgression is a necessary evil to govern a huge territory well."
A small transgression?
"Well, aside from that, why is there so much history of assaults? There is more than one person who has come forward saying they were beaten by the old man. Is this the equivalent of waving a cane as an annual event?"
"Well, okay. I guess I hit him because he deserved it! Anyone who dares to be arrogant with me deserves a beating!"
This shows no sign of remorse.
"Yes, I guess he was originally this kind of person."
Even in <Return and Walk Along a Path of Flowers>, which was written based on Liena's memories, he was described as having a bad personality, so he was a person with a clear sense of humanity toward the negative.
Still, Liena, who was infinitely generous when it came to her own comfort, described him as "a grandfather you couldn't hate", but for most people, he was simply a hateful person.
"Viscountess Lucibiu! Please save me quickly!"
He can make such a shameless request as if it were completely natural.
"No, why would I? I have no desire to save you, and I have no authority to do so."
"Why don't you have authority? Indeed, aren't you the true saint chosen by the goddess and saved the world by defeating that witch? Not even His Majesty the Emperor can ignore your words!"
I touched my forehead in silence.
Was it a mistake, after all, to honestly tell this person what happened in the realm of the demon beasts?
However, just as I arrived in the capital, Roland, who had not yet been imprisoned, began to bother me so much that I ended up telling him everything.
This old man knew of Caius's existence, so it didn't make sense to cover it up with lies....
"Besides, I was too excited back then."
The overwhelming emotion of the Siege of Miloam was still there, and my heart softened because I had received help from the old man regarding Caius's matter.
I also thought that this old man might be on my side, that he would be someone difficult to hate.
"Anyway, don't dream in vain and reflect on it."
Then, he began to pound on the door leading to the cell, and an angry voice was heard through the hole where the food tray came in and out.
"Traitor! You don't even want to marry my son! Thanks to me, you also defeated that witch!"
"Yes, yes, I never said I was going to marry. This is different from receiving help."
"If you're going to be like that, why did you come to see me today?"
"Oh, I also prepared a gift to check on your condition."
"A gift? What is it?"
It was not necessary to answer that question.
Because the man who approached with the guard and was behind me did it.
"Father, it's me."
"Isaac!"
Roland, who recognized his son's voice, asked expectantly.
"Are you here to visit me?"
At that moment, the guard opened the cell door with a key.
"Or maybe you used a bribe to get me out..."
Isaac Cassius responded confidently as he entered the cell.
"No, I got caught too."
Showing the handcuffs on his wrists.
"What?!"
Because the door was open, Roland's face colored with surprise when he finally saw it.
"Why?!"
"It's just that I got caught doing something a moment ago."
I kindly told him the situation.
-"It's a fraud offense. It came to light during the investigation of the entire Cassius family."
I shot a cold glance at Isaac, who was removing the handcuffs with the help of a guard.
-Somehow, during the last investment scam, I felt like you had previously developed your skills. At that time, you pretended it was your first time.
The man shrugged.
-You shouldn't believe the words of a swindler.
-Why do people with so much money commit fraud?
-Isn't it natural to want to annoy someone who is stupid but has a lot of money?
I shook my head at Isaac's shamelessness and bad personality.
In that sense, the rich were really the same.
-"You can't do that!"
-"Move! I'm not guilty! I'm getting out!"
Meanwhile, Roland was behaving shamefully, trying to escape through the open door but being stopped by the guard.
Of course, it was a nonsensical story, and the guard pushed Roland inside with all his might and closed the door.
-"Wait a moment! Isaac, you have to get this guy out!"
Roland shouted, pounding hard on the door.
-Oh, this is my gift.
-What gift?
-He'll share the same room as his son. I thought it would be very lonely to live in solitary confinement, so I personally proposed it to His Majesty the Emperor and got permission.
It seems that the emperor didn't even care about Roland from the beginning, so he willingly followed my wishes.
-I don't need it!
However, the person in question coldly rejected my favor.
-Do you want me to stay in this small room with this guy?
-It's an exclusive prison for nobles, so it's the largest prison in the empire.
-There's only one bed!
-A father and son should sleep together peacefully.
-This is torture!
-Father, since that's the case, please take care of me from now on. For your information, if you snore during the night, I'll throw you out of bed.
-Take this guy away!
I escaped from the imperial prison ignoring the cries of a criminal.
If you did something wrong, you should be punished.
It was an extremely simple logic.
-So something like that happened.
Terence nodded as he listened to my story.
We were currently spending a quiet time in my room after dinner together.
-I really did it out of kindness, but I didn't know it would be taken as torture. Well, that's what prisoners in solitary confinement struggle with the most.
-Eventually, he'll realize your deep meaning and be grateful.
-Well. In the case of that old man, I think he'll have a hard time for the rest of his life.
As we conversed, our gazes met, and we burst into laughter.
It's amazing. It's not a very funny story, but talking to him made me laugh and feel joyful.
Feeling like this is love, I secretly observed Terence's feelings.
"…The atmosphere is nice, and maybe it's possible today?"
Alright, let's try it.
I prepared myself and quietly leaned towards Terence.
-Hey, Terence. It's late at night, so let's have a drink...
At that moment, Terence got up and headed to the bed.
"Oh, really so soon?"
However, contrary to my expectations, he laid me down on the bed and covered me with a blanket.
-Ethel, I think you should rest for today. Aren't you tired because you visited several places during the day, including Duke Cassius's house and Margaret's mansion?
-What? Not at all! I didn't walk, I traveled by carriage.
-No. Fatigue must have accumulated. I'll leave now, so rest in peace.
-Now, wait a moment.
-Then I'll see you tomorrow.
So, I had to look in vain at Terence's back as he left.
-I failed again...
After he left, I silently stared at the ceiling, muttering helplessly.
I, Ethel Lucibiu. Now that I had saved the world and resolved all my concerns, I was facing a serious problem that seemed like an ambush.
My lover has been avoiding me whenever he pleases for the past few days.
How did this problem arise? The story goes back to the day we had just returned to the capital.
That day we celebrated our safe return and made a small toast at dinner.
A friendly atmosphere continued. Until I got drunk while drinking wine.
The red wine that I spit out with a scream stained the corners of my mouth and forehead red. Like fresh blood.
-Ah... This is embarrassing.
When I finally stopped coughing, I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.
But his attitude was a bit, no, very strange.
He just stared at me with an extremely pale and tired face.
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