The Predator’s Contract Partner
chapter-221

Earlier, when Elisha had met Ilione in a small town near the duke’s house, she implicitly said this:

‘Imperial Princess. Do you know that saying? ‘A man’s best friend is a political friend.”

‘What do you mean, Elisha?’

‘The princess has always been kind to me. I also want to help the princess. At the decisive moment, believe in me— regardless of Lucerne. Just trust me and follow me just this once. You won’t lose.’

Ilione was the only exception. It was sensible. Ilione’s status was too valuable.

Wherever Elisha usually went, escorts, including Nora, followed her. However, Ilione disliked cumbersome things, so she always passed on Elisha’s knights.

Therefore, even though the guards watched Elisha from afar, they could not eavesdrop on their conversation. Ilione was the only person with whom Elisha could have a secret with.

‘Illione, anyway, you did it all in your past life.’

Years later. As Jewel gained momentum, the royal family was troubled by petty disputes. As soon as Jewel had his coming-of-age ceremony, he ostentatiously colluded with numerous vassals and accepted bribes. He also had innumerable scandals with womenfolk.

However, to the imperial family, it didn’t matter much. The emperor knew of Jewel’s bad behavior, but he could not quickly punish him because of his love for the former emperor and the public’s gaze.

She knew what had happened then because she had overheard the conversation between Carola and Jacob. The old courtier who served Empress Shen was said to be very weak-hearted. During the interrogation, the mere sound of whipping made her cry and made her confess everything.

But things changed from her previous life. Jewel’s life was probably going to be ruined here.

And Ilione would be indebted to Elisha.

‘I heard about it in my last life. The emperor gave Jewel several opportunities because he was young. But in the first place, rotten seeds are unlikely to bloom over time.’

So, like Elisha in her previous life. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if the number of people being bullied by Jewel decreased? She thought.

Then she felt a hand tightening around her wrist. Lucerne was looking at her with a questioning gaze.

‘What is this?’

His eyes seemed to ask: Elisha blatantly met his gaze and pretended to be oblivious to his concern. Soon, his hands relaxed. This is because things outside the frame of the painting of her initial scheme were reaching a climax.

“Jewel is ill. Maybe he’s a madman.”

“Ah, Royal Father! No—Your Majesty! No, uncle— please!”

“Silence. Starting today, Jewel will be confined in a forest tower within the imperial palace and treatment will begin. Let it be known, he won’t be able to have a coming-of-age ceremony or debut.”

“Please— You have to help me! You need to raise me! That was my biological father’s will! It is Your Majesty’s responsibility!”

Jewel was so desperate that he insisted like a child. The emperor could not bear it any longer and struck him in the face with his enormous fist. Then, a heavy kick landed on Jewel’s body.

“Take him and lock him up immediately,”

ordered the emperor. The knights entered the room in unison.

The footsteps of the knights resounded with finality.

Elisha knew what that sound meant. It was the sound of Jewel’s life ending.

***

Carola also faced a similar ending. Her ending was even worse.

She was trapped in her coffin for four days and then ended up in an abandoned temple in the Duke’s Forest. Of course, she was imprisoned with no one to attend to her.

She said that during the four days, Carola was locked in her coffin, she was a sight to behold. She shrieked and wailed frantically inside the coffin. She cursed, cried, and begged.

‘Help me! Help me! Elisha— That evil whore! Crazy bitch. I’ll kill you! I’m going to kill you!’

The yelling of Carola swearing at Elisha rang out and reached Lucerne’s ears.

He gave instructions to Gaju’s subordinates. They kicked the coffin from above and gave warnings several times.

‘Hee! You’re going to kill Carola! No, don’t kill her! Spare Carola!>

Whenever that happened, Carola would be delirious and mutter strange things. Lucerne ordered them to block the gaps and fill the inside of the coffin with water if she continued to swear at Elisha. It was only after hearing his instructions that Carola kept her mouth shut.

No one sympathized with Carola. This is because she already had a bad reputation.

Even her husband, Jacob, did not help her.

He wanted to divorce her from Carola. But that couldn’t happen right away. Unexpectedly, the head of the family wanted to hold Jacob accountable for this incident as well.

***