“You and I don’t seem to differ much.”

After Caliph’s lengthy speech, Gadrro, who had seemed lost in thought for a moment, nodded. It was unexpected that the conversation would go smoothly like this. Caliph was quietly surprised but didn’t show it, maintaining his silence.

Having spoken this much, the next decision should be left to Gadrro. It was never going to be a decision advantageous or beneficial to Ustia. Therefore, Caliph could wait.

However, when Gadrro, who had maintained silence, finally spoke, Caliph couldn’t erase the stiff expression.

“Even so, don’t act hastily.”

“Father.”

“What you need to do is to stay by the Crown Princess’s side. You’ve done your duty by imprisoning those who might be culprits, including the Empress. Leave the rest to your father.”

Gadrro firmly opposed Caliph. Caliph’s forehead crinkled without hesitation. Yet Gadrro didn’t back down.

“The Crown Princess has fallen due to poison. It’s clear that your mother is involved. How can you tell me to just stand by and watch?”

Caliph expressed his frustration openly. Once the matter of imprisoning Ustia and her maids was settled and he withdrew, it was primarily because the urgency of Evelia’s condition was pressing, but more importantly, he needed the Emperor’s permission to exercise full authority over this issue.

To thoroughly investigate this matter, he needed the Emperor’s approval. Therefore, even if it meant acquiring the dreadful title of the ruthless Crown Prince, he was determined to resolve this issue coldly.

But now, to stay still? How could he? Evelia was struggling in such a state, how could he just stand by!

Caliph couldn’t contain the rising anger. His emotions were vividly displayed on his face.

Gadrro, who had been calmly observing, let out a heavy sigh and firmly grabbed Caliph’s shoulders.

“I’m not doing this because I don’t understand your feelings.”

“If you really understood my feelings, you wouldn’t make such a decision.”

“Whether the Crown Princess is in a critical condition or has already passed away, my decision wouldn’t change. And when you sit on the throne as Emperor, I hope there won’t be such an incident again. However, if such an incident happens again, you will have to make the same decision as me.”

“Father!”

“That is the weight of this seat you will occupy in the future, the destiny of the one who becomes the Emperor.”

Caliph’s lips closed straight as if the water had turned sour. It felt like a complete reversal. As his heart calmed down, Gadrro’s expression became more vivid.

“Ustia is my wife and your mother. To put it differently, although I am a different person from you, I am blood to you.”

“…….”
“When Ustia was pointed out as a suspect or mastermind, if I were to punish Ustia, I would become a cruel emperor, but if you were to punish your mother, you would only become a heartless son. Do you understand what I mean?”

Gadrro spoke in an extremely rational tone. If it were any other time, Caliph would have sneered at how impressively Gadrro suppressed even the emotions that the situation might allow.

However, now he seemed to understand. Gadrro’s highly rational appearance was the best effort to set an example for his only son, a manifestation of his sincere love for his son.

“Riurian, my child. I never take this matter lightly. I will make you feel how serious the crime is for anyone who dared to jeopardize the Crown Princess’s life, whether it is your mother, Ustia.”

“…….”

“I promise you, at least for that.”

Gadrro squeezed Caliph’s shoulders with force in his gripping hand. Then, he put on a never-before-seen benevolent smile.

With that alone, Caliph could perfectly read Gadrro’s sincerity. Though the anger in his heart had not subsided, he could do nothing but nod reluctantly.

That was the only response that could repay Gadrro’s profound love that he had shown.

The next day, Ustia sat upright at the table in the bedroom. Her slow-blinking eyes perfectly captured the vigorously rising sun beyond the window.

Even though she hadn’t slept a wink all night, there was no sign of fatigue on Ustia. Instead, her emotionless face looked so calm that it could be frightening.

She sat without moving until the sun rose completely. Only then, did she recall the past, while feeling the intense sunlight streaming into the room.

“Your Majesty.”

Terot, who had been guarding the Empress’s bedroom all night with sleepless eyes, cautiously approached her. Even so, Ustia remained unresponsive.

Terot belatedly regretted whether his choice had been reckless. He thought that revealing the truth to Ustia was the best for her, but the result seemed too tragic given the circumstances.

There might be some commotion after the Crown Princess collapsed, but even then, he thought the situation would be resolved with a few maids losing their lives, caught in the trap he set.

If it turned out to be worse than that, he only thought of it as the worst-case scenario, with him being executed as a result of his own traps.