C86
Terence took the shortest route to his destination, guiding only the Emperor, his two servants, and Jack.
Some courtiers who saw the Emperor and the prince quickly bowed. Terence ordered each one to stay in that position for half an hour. He made it clear that they would be severely punished if caught moving.
"Why the hell are you doing this? Everyone is trembling, and they can't even stand up."
When the Emperor asked that question, Terence simply replied that he would find out soon enough. As they approached monotonous and minimally decorated buildings within the imperial palace, the Emperor realized their destination.
"Are we going to the Imperial Palace's prison?"
Imperial prison.
Those caught there were special cases. Usually, they were later transferred to an external prison like common criminals. However, if they were offenders seriously dealt with by the imperial family, they were first sent to the imperial prison.
And among those currently in the imperial prison, the first person that came to mind was...
"Are we going to see Liena Cassius?"
"That's right."
"Why?"
The Emperor had already decided on Liena Cassius's release. He didn't know Terence's purpose, but it was clear that it wasn't beneficial for Liena.
"Father, could you go, even if it's just at my request?"
......
However, when his son Terence, whom he had ignored until now, said that, the Emperor couldn't ask any more questions as a father. The Emperor obediently followed his son.
A similar situation occurred after they entered the imperial prison. The palace's imperial prison was under the command of the Royal Guard, and Terence ordered all the guards they encountered to stay in place.
Then, it was when they approached the noble prison where Liena was imprisoned.
"I'm sure they told you not to move, right?"
"Ah ah… I apologize."
The guard with his sword pointed at his throat stuttered apologetically. Even after receiving orders from the prince, he was caught trying to run towards the stairs as they moved away. Jack, who followed him from a distance, grabbed him from behind.
The Emperor finally got to closely observe the faces of the guards surrounding him. They were pale. Something was off. It was an excessive reaction, even considering the surprise of the Emperor appearing without warning.
"S-Sir… Hyuk-!"
The guard acting as a gatekeeper in front of the room where Liena was held opened his mouth wide, but Terence blocked it with his hand.
"Shh, you don't have to confess."
He brusquely handed the guard over to Jack and then put his hand on the doorknob. Then, very carefully, he opened the door slightly. The door to the prison, which should have been securely closed, opened easily.
"... Please do this."
He could hear a conversation inside. Even the Emperor held his breath and listened to the conversation.
"Please say that we did a good job for you while you were here."
The person begging with both hands was the general director in charge of the imperial prison of the Royal Guard. It turned out he was standing in a place where his face could be seen through the slightly open door.
"Well, I'll think about it."
Next, a young woman's voice was heard.
Needless to say, it was Liena Cassius.
"Oh, my lady, please have mercy."
The person in charge became uneasy at those words.
"We respect you."
"Well. What should I do~?"
"Don't you feel comfortable while we fan you?"
"It's a bit hot."
"Hey! You there! Can't you fan harder?!"
When she heard the person in charge giving orders to someone, it seemed that there was someone else in the room besides the two. The person fanning Liena.
"I'm sorry. There's no cooling or heating magic here."
"It's a prison, so there's nothing we can do."
"How could such a precious person end up in such a miserable place...? Do you want another glass of cold strawberry juice?"
"I'm not very thirsty."
"Then, how about this delicious mille-feuille made by the imperial palace's pastry chef? We have macarons and eclairs."
"Is there anything else?"
"If you order, I'll have my men fetch it immediately."
"It's been a while since I had a regular chocolate muffin."
"Ah, chocolate muffin! Please wait a moment!"
Without hesitation, he opened the slightly ajar door inward. Then, he shouted outside.
"Someone go get some chocolate muffins..."
To be exact, he was trying to shout.
"Chocolate muffin?"
If only the person standing in front of him and tilting their head wasn't the Emperor, who was at the top of this empire.
"S-Sir, Y-Your..."
Is this the face of someone who sees the devil in hell? Terence guessed that the Emperor probably scared that man more than the devil did at that moment.
"You want me to bring a chocolate muffin, don't you?"
"Y-Your Majesty, that's..."