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Chapter 29
Inside the imperial palace of Trwalin.
Cassian took a deep breath as he looked at the palace corridor, exactly the same as it had been when he last saw it at the age of eleven.
‘I’ll just say what I came to say and leave.’
Reminding himself of his purpose, Cassian took a heavy first step forward. It was early, so the corridor was empty.
Only the echoing footsteps of Cassian and Louis, who followed behind him, filled the silence.
“Do you truly intend to just deliver your message and leave?”
Louis’s formal tone grated on his ears, but considering they were inside the imperial palace, Cassian chose to ignore it.
“Of course.”
Louis stopped walking. Cassian took two more steps before turning back. Louis was staring at him with clear dissatisfaction.
“Even when His Majesty is urging you to return?”
“That’s the Emperor’s thought. Not mine.”
Louis knew better than anyone how Cassian had lived and endured all this time. He understood Cassian’s reaction—but still found it regrettable that he would refuse the Emperor’s offer.
‘If he accepts this offer, Cassian’s position will change instantly. So why refuse? He wanted to become Emperor. Did he change his mind?’
Cassian frowned openly, clearly irritated by Louis’s gaze.
“You really don’t know why I’m like this?”
Louis couldn’t answer.
Cassian let out a low sigh, pressing a hand to his forehead.
“Ha… seriously.”
After taking a moment to steady his breathing, Cassian approached Louis.
“I was under assassination threats for fourteen years—from the age of eleven until last year. Who do you think sent those assassins?”
Louis remained silent.
“Don’t say you don’t know. You’ve faced assassins yourself.”
Louis slowly closed and opened his eyes, stepping back.
“I know. That’s why I’m asking! This is the perfect chance to take that person’s position. So why are you refusing?!”
Cassian let out a hollow laugh.
To him, the one who tried to kill him and those who knew but stood by were no different.
Could a mother who only remembered she had two sons when her younger child turned twenty-five truly be called a mother?
Could a father who ignored what his wife and eldest son were doing, yet expected forgiveness after sending a few letters, erase years of resentment?
No. Absolutely not.
“Have you ever eaten poisoned soup? Slept in a bed with a venomous snake coiled beneath you? Been attacked in your sleep? Of course you haven’t—yet you say this to me?”
Louis sighed.
“Cassian.”
Cassian turned sharply.
“If you haven’t experienced it, don’t speak. I wrote hundreds of letters begging to be saved—begging them to stop my brother. Even knowing I’d never get a reply.”
Louis could only watch Cassian walk away.
The Emperor had asked him to persuade Cassian—but truthfully, Louis didn’t want to.
‘If they’re so desperate, they should do it themselves. Why pressure me while acting shamelessly like they’ve done nothing wrong?’
Frowning deeply, Louis followed behind Cassian.
He had made enough of an effort—he wasn’t going to try any harder.
Cassian arrived at the Emperor’s bedchamber, where he encountered the head steward approaching with attendants.
The steward stared at Cassian in shock.
His dark blue hair, sky-like clear blue eyes, strong jawline, and languid expression—it was like looking at the Emperor in his youth.
“Have you forgotten who I am after not seeing me for so long?”
At Cassian’s cold remark, the steward quickly bowed.
“It has been a long time, Your Highness.”
In Trwalin, the title “Prince” referred only to Cassian. His older brother Kiesterro had been called “Crown Prince” since Cassian was born.
“I hope you have been well—”
“Open the door. I have something to say to His Majesty.”
“Yes.”
The door opened, and Cassian strode inside.
The Emperor, still in his robe, turned—and froze.
“Ca—”
“Eternal spring of Trwalin, great current of the imperial family—I greet Your Majesty.”
The Emperor looked silently at his son bowing like a subject.
Even after more than ten years away, Cassian’s etiquette was flawless.
Seeing how much he resembled him, the Emperor’s eyes reddened.
“It has been a long time.”
“I came to say something.”
“Yes… fourteen years, after all. Say whatever you wish. Take your time—stand up first.”
His voice was gentle.
Cassian hated it.
He had never heard that tone before.
In his memories, the Emperor had always ignored him.
Cassian stood and met his gaze.
“You are busy, so I will be brief. Do not contact me again. Stop sending people to watch me. I have tolerated it until now. I read your letters because I am your son. But—”
He paused, then continued coldly.
“From now on, I will kill them on sight. This is not a threat or a warning. It is simply my will. If you continue sending people, I will consider them targets you wish dead—and execute them for you.”
The Emperor flinched slightly, clearly shocked.
“Thank you for your time.”
Cassian bowed and turned away.
As he reached for the door—
It opened from the other side.
The Empress stood there.
“Ah…”
Her eyes filled with tears as she reached toward him.
Cassian stepped aside.
Her hand grasped nothing.
He gave a minimal bow.
“I greet Her Majesty, creator of Trwalin’s new current.”
Seeing her frozen, Cassian smiled faintly.
“You seem busy. I’ll take my leave.”
He walked past her.
“Cassian!”
He didn’t stop.
“Cassian! Please—just a moment!”
Her desperate voice echoed, but he kept walking.
Louis finally spoke,
“Perhaps you should hear her out, Your Highness.”
Cassian reluctantly turned.
The Empress rushed toward him.
Before she could speak, he said:
“Do not worry, Your Majesty. I have no desire for your son’s position. Nor for the throne. I will never return here. So there is no need to ask me to leave or stay away.”
He smiled as he said it.
Louis sighed inwardly.
‘He really has to say it like that…’
The Empress grabbed his sleeve.
“That’s not it… Cassian… my son—”
Cassian pulled away.
“Your son is Crown Prince Kiesterro, is he not? If he hears you call me that, he might be displeased.”
Louis thought bitterly:
Cruel.
Tears streamed down her face—but now mixed with anger.
“Are you mocking me?”
“If it sounded that way, I apologize. I’ve been away too long—perhaps I’ve forgotten proper etiquette.”
She clenched her skirt tightly.
“Then I, the thorn in your son’s side, will take my leave.”
His smile only deepened.
Beautiful. Cold.
The Empress shook her head slowly.
“You… are not my son.”
She stepped back, repeating it.
Cassian let out a small laugh.
“Of course. When was I ever?”
He turned without hesitation.
The Empress collapsed to the floor.
Her attendants rushed to her side.
“Your Majesty!”
