The Predator’s Contract Partner
chapter-220

“… … What does that mean?”

“This woman will know. Bring it!”

Tuk— Soon, something was placed in front of the emperor and empress. Only after Elisha peered very closely through the portrait hole did she realize what it was. It was a small, ancient tombstone.

“What is this—a tombstone? Just looking at it makes me feel bad. Plus, it looks like a very old item. Looks like I just dug it up… … . Plus, this looks like the emblem of an ancient god. Plus this… … . It’s the symbol of an evil god?”

The empress seemed to have some relevant knowledge. Ilione answered.

“Yes. That’s right, Royal Mother. This is the holy relic of the evil god. It’s an object used to curse someone. It is often said to be an item used to destroy the child of someone you wish to curse.”

“It can’t be … .”

The empress’s eyes quaked as if she realized something.

“Where did you dig this thing out?”

“This was buried under the floor of the Empress’s palace, in Royal Mother’s room.”

The empress let out a brief scream.

“How long on earth has this been buried? Don’t time me, Yepnen… … .”

“That’s right. It was buried before Yepnen was born. Do you remember, mother? I was born before Royal Father ascended the throne. So, the two of you were outside the imperial palace… … . You gave birth to me in a local castle. But Yepnen was born inside the imperial palace.”

“… … .”

“The room that the late Empress Shen used in the Empress’s palace.”

The room was filled with cold silence. Ilione pointed to the courtier.

“Hurry and tell them!”

The old courtier was loudly trembling. She looked disheveled and ragged as if she had been interrogated before coming here.

“I have committed a mortal sin. I could not disobey the late Empress Shen’s orders. The day Prince Jewel was born— As her last breath was dying— Empress Shen had commanded me—This evil god’s relic… … . Hide it under the floor of the empress’ palace.”

“Keep talking— Hurry!”

The emperor roared into anger like a beast. The palace servant was now almost crawling on all fours.

“Please name the newly born Prince Jewel. After that— If His Majesty’s son is born, Prince Jewel’s position will be in jeopardy. So she told me to hide this evil god’s sacred relic.”

The emperor’s hands trembled.

After the emperor came to the throne, the country was at peace. But there was only one tragedy that befell the royal family. As Yepnen grew, he was losing command of his legs.

“Now that I think about it, it’s strange, Royal Father.”

Ilione noted,

“There has never been a time in our family’s history… … . No child has ever been born with symptoms like Yepnen’s. There must be some reason. You know how effective the items of evil gods are. The temple of the evil god created all kinds of cursed objects and caused harm to the world. So, he is an ancient god who was subjugated by the main god’s temple army!”

The emperor sighed.

“Are you saying it’s because of this item that Yepnen is limping?”

“Maybe so. But what does it matter, Royal Father! One thing is important. I don’t think Her Majesty the late empress could do something like this alone… … . Did His Majesty the Former Emperor not know? Perhaps the two held hands and prayed before the emperor passed away. Please don’t let Royal Father’s biological son be born!”

Ilione’s words felt so real that the emperor’s face turned pale.

“Royal Father raised Jewel like his own son. How could he do such a thing. In the end, he only cared about his child.”

“… … .”

“Will you not protect your own child, Yepnen?”

Elisha wanted to smile; Ilione had exceeded her expectations.

‘I thought Ilione was clueless. But she is successful in every matter that she’s involved in. You are a very intelligent princess.’

This morning.

Elisha approached Ilione while Lucerne was looking elsewhere in the temple.

‘Read this secretly. Without Lucerne knowing. Without anyone knowing.’

Elisha handed Ilione the note. It contained earth-shattering information.

[Empress Shen passed away, leaving a tombstone of an evil god buried on the floor of the empress palace. The story behind it can be revealed by the palace servant who served Empress Shen on her deathbed. The old courtier knows. Somehow open her mouth.]

That wasn’t just her.

Carola hadn’t been the only one toiling and busy laying the groundwork for today.