After the execution of Leneve and Patrick, and the sudden arrival of the Baschker army occupying the square, Icar found himself escorting the lone Cael to the Paradisium Palace.

However, the sense of relief upon reaching home was short-lived.

“Cael, tell me your thoughts. How would you like me to deal with those who killed your mother?”

Emperor Icar of Baschker asked. His voice was steady, as if he would consider anything Cael said.

Cael, brought out by Baschker’s soldiers, looked at the gathered people in the grand hall of the Great Hall.

The usually impeccably groomed hair of the Paradisium Emperor was disheveled, and his attire was lighter than usual.

From that, one could infer that the Paradisium Emperor had been relaxing comfortably in the palace just a while ago.

“…”

Cael clenched his small fist tightly.

When the Empress, the most noble lady in the Empire and his mother, was undergoing humiliation and shame in front of everyone, when the Guardian Baron Siren, who had staunchly defended the western part of Paradisium, was being criticized by the spreading blame.

Even Cael, who still didn’t fully understand international affairs or politics, seemed to understand the significance of the situation.

To the Emperor of Paradisium, neither the Empress nor Baron Siren had any meaning.

Even at the moment when they were disgracefully dying, the Emperor of Paradisium was enjoying himself in the secure palace.

Cael learned to always be cautious not to fall into a state of dismay.

As seen in many histories where countries ruled by foolish emperors and kings obsessed with government affairs disappeared, and new dynasties were created.

And this was not limited to history alone.

Today, Cael keenly felt the anger emanating from the enraged crowd gathered for the execution ceremony of the Empress and Baron Siren.

The Emperor might not be able to control calamities like famines and droughts, but preparations had to be made.

To ensure that the imperial subjects did not starve.

The faces of the crowds gathered in the square were filled with anger. And they were hungry.

They needed a scapegoat, and the Emperor merely threw the most noble figures in the Empire, the Empress and Baron Siren, as prey to them.

“…”

Cael turned his gaze away from Emperor Lucius.

And he looked at the stepbrothers standing beside the Emperor’s government.

Reading Cael’s gaze, Esika, a member of the Emperor’s government, glared at Cael with a stern look, tightly embracing her son.

It was a warning glance that clearly conveyed that if he touched her son, she would not remain silent.

In the figure of the Emperor’s government and the embraced son, Cael recalled the events of this afternoon.

The sight of his beautiful mother gracefully sipping tea under the warm afternoon sun and the sudden appearance of armored knights, and her dignified and erect posture even in front of them.

His mother’s back was slender, but it was magnificent.

“…”
Of course, Empress Leneve was not someone who was endlessly affectionate. Sometimes, she would scold her son sharply and was rather strict.

Nevertheless, she always looked at Cael with warm eyes.

And what about Baron Siren?

He also regarded his one and only nephew, Cael, as precious and adorable.

Thinking of the last moments of those who left him alone, tears welled up in Cael’s eyes.

“…Reveal every single thing they did, and I hope they receive the appropriate punishment in front of everyone.”

At Cael’s statement, Icar’s mouth curled satisfactorily.

‘Like a beautiful flower in a greenhouse, I thought he only received compliments and grew up…’

Looking down at Cael’s small, round head, Icar reached out and gently stroked it.

“…?”

With a puzzled tilt of his head, Cael’s face brightened as Icar raised him up.

“Quite good.”

When Icar murmured quietly, Cael’s lips slightly parted.

“Is that… praise?”

As Cael asked, just as Icar was about to answer, Lucius burst into a bitter laugh.

“Is this… even reasonable?”

Naturally, both Icar and Cael turned their heads towards Lucius.

“For the story I made up, claiming collusion with the enemy, to become reality, leading to the removal of the Empress and the Baroness.”

It was at the moment when Lucius, in disbelief, muttered dejectedly.

“You’ve spilled your secrets on your own.”

As Icar spoke mockingly, Lucius raised his head and glared at him.

Icar walked toward the kneeling Lucius.

“Why did the Empress abdicate? Because of collusion with the enemy?”

As the enemy’s emperor approached, the tension and fear inside the Great Hall rose even higher.

Frightened, Esika pulled her son close to her chest, and the nobles following Lucius crouched defensively.

Regardless, Icar got closer.

And looking down at Lucius, he spoke.

“Baron Siren’s dismissal was also due to his involvement in collusion with the enemy…”

Lucius’s blue eyes began to shake.

He was the Emperor of the Grand Empire Paradisium. It was unthinkable to insult him so contemptuously, looking down on him as if he were insignificant!