Turning
chapter-203

"Are you... giving this to me?"

Kishiar nodded, catching sight of Aishes's skeptical gaze. His smile was simply beautiful, free of any discernible intentions. For a moment, Aishes's golden eyes wavered, revealing a greedy gasp.

The mushroom, as Kishiar described it, was a poison yet unknown to the world. Meaning, as he'd said just before, if dried and turned into powder, it could be used to kill anyone in the same way that Lenore had been killed.

Even his father, Duke Apeto.

"But... how can I accept something so precious that Your Highness must have had trouble acquiring?"

Unabashedly exposing his greedy eyes, Aishes showed a hint of refusal as a matter of courtesy. Kishiar, knowing his intention, responded with a warm smile.

"You've gone through a lot of trouble to come here, shouldn't I at least offer this much? After all, I've merely managed to obtain something earlier than it would've been available in Apeto. Consider this a small favor from me. Please, don't decline."

"In that case...... I accept. I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's consideration and wisdom."

Aishes accepted the box with more grace and courtesy than anyone else. He struggled to keep a cold smile from creeping onto his lips.

"I will investigate this thoroughly, even if only to avenge Lenore's death."

"I would be pleased if it helped."

"In fact, I also brought a gift for today's meeting, albeit a small one."

"Oh? What is it?"

Showing interest, Kishiar watched as Aishes accepted something from a servant standing beside him.

"Here."

The object he placed on the table was a folded piece of paper that seemed rather ordinary at first glance. To show that it had no traps or devices, he broke the seal and unfolded it right in front of Kishiar's eyes.

"It's a request sent to my father at the time when Lenore and my uncle Beltrail decided to study the Awakeners together. It includes the proposed research site, resident servants, material supply routes, and the estimated costs and items needed. My father gave his approval with a seal. It could be useful in the trial."

"Incredible."

Kishiar admired softly as he picked up the paper.

"Where did you get it from? It would've been the first thing your family tried to get rid of."

"Originally, it was something my uncle Beltrail had hidden in his own room within the mansion. After his downfall, while cleaning his room, a priest who happened to be connected to me found it first."

He was lucky, Aishes simply stated, but Yuder standing behind him subtly sensed the bloodshed that lay hidden behind those words.

'He says it like that, but he must've shed a lot of blood to find that and keep it safe until now.'

That piece of paper was the most concrete evidence that Duke Apeto had openly supported the research of Lenore and Beltrail. A chill involuntarily ran down his spine at Aishes Shand Apeto's calm demeanor, who was passing the weapon to strike his father's back to his enemy, all the while wearing an unaffected smile.

"Thank you. I gratefully accept this valuable gift."

Kishiar folded the paper and flipped it over to Yuder. It was Yuder standing on the left, not the formidable Nathan on the right. Yuder involuntarily turned his eyes toward Nathan. It was a situation where Nathan could have been upset, thinking that their lord had rated Yuder's strength higher than his. However, Nathan only nodded his head silently and showed no significant change.

'...The Red Stone Incident really made a lasting impression.'

Yuder silently accepted the paper from Kishiar's hand.

"And this, I haven't fully confirmed yet, but I thought I should mention it just in case."

As soon as Yuder took the paper, Aishes lowered his voice and opened his mouth.

"There are rumors flowing within the family that my father might secretly send a nocturnal visitor to the Bright Palace soon."

"A nocturnal visitor?"

"Yes. Isn't it well-known that people of the Apeto family have a temperament as volatile as fire for generations?"

As if he were talking about someone else, even though he was one of the Apetos, Aishes spoke.

"From this incident, I heard whispers of several servant corpses being secretly cleared out from that room. It suggests that he is quite upset. His judgment seems clouded, so he might really do it. It's just a rumor, but it's truly worrisome."

Aishes was talking in a roundabout way, but the 'rumor' he spoke of was hardly just a rumor.

'So the Duke of Apeto is planning to send an assassin to the palace where Prince Katchian lives. He's giving this information in such a way.'

The smile on Kishiar's face grew even deeper.

"That's... quite worrisome indeed."

"Yes. As his son, it's not my place to step forward, but I hope that you, Duke Peletta, will reveal the clear truth on our behalf."

"I will make sure to do so."

To an outside observer, it was a truly beautiful conversation.

'So, is it over now?'

They had exchanged gifts, confirmed each other's intentions, and now it seemed time to stand up. But for some reason, Aishes did not rise from his seat just yet. He requested a warm tea instead of water and kept glancing around the room. His eyes seemed to be looking for something.

Kishiar, watching him, casually opened his mouth.

"Speaking of which... you've come all this way. Would you like to meet Revlin? It was so sudden, I didn't even think about arranging a meeting between you two."

"Ah..."

Aishes flinched slightly, a subtle expression on his face at the mention of Revlin. Yuder did not miss the hint of jealousy that crossed his eyes.

"No, rather than that. Well......"

The frail young man, his eyes shifting, seemed to make a decision and opened his mouth.

"Your Highness, you said that you were deeply impressed by the letter I sent you some time ago."

"I did."

"At that time, I mentioned that while it's essential for those who deserve punishment to receive it through trial, our Apeto heritage......"

Something seemed difficult for Aishes to express aloud, and he paused momentarily, moistening his dry lips.

"... I said that the foolish acts committed by Lenore and Beltrail due to our 'Blood of Blessing' should not be made known to the outside. Do you remember that?"

"I do. Didn't you ask if I could hand over the confiscated research records in the future because of that?"

Aishes' eyebrows twitched at the brisk and direct response.

"Yes... Indeed. You did not provide a clear answer on that matter at the time. Might... might you be able to provide an answer today?"

The conversation unfolded precisely as they had anticipated while reading Aishes's letter earlier. Kishiar had criticized Beltrail, who callously sacrificed the lives of the Awakeners in search of a cure for his frailty, as foolish. But in the end, Aishess was no different.

'Didn't it cross his mind that if Beltrail had succeeded in his research, he wouldn't be in his current predicament?'

The self-serving desire apparent in his gaze made Kishiar's insides churn.

Aishes probably didn't realize it, but the Kishiar sitting before him was also enduring a hereditary issue, fighting persistently. Knowing this fact, the sight of the two sitting across each other appeared even more peculiar in Yuder Aile's eyes.

Yuder silently observed the back of Kishiar, lost in thought. Only after a considerable amount of time had passed, time enough for Aishes to grow anxious from the wait, did he open his mouth with a sigh, resting his chin on his hand.

"Well... it's hard to say for sure right now. Although it's a record I've seized, wouldn't it be difficult to decide such a significant matter at my own discretion? To win the trial, we can't overlook this fact. You know this, right, First Prince?"

"I am aware. But don't you think it's cruel to easily expose the history of pain that a family has carried for a long time, especially a family like Apeto?"

Aishes pleaded, clasping his hands.

"Your Highness, do you not know how much those in the name of Shand Apeto have devoted their bodies and minds to serving the Orr Empire? Even though I could be accused of betraying my father and family, I have carried this pain and come this far. Won't you pity me?"

It was a splendid performance, enough to deceive anyone who didn't know his ulterior motives. But Yuder knew that Kishiar was just as good at playing the game.

"What should we do? This is quite... My heart truly aches."

Kishiar, deep in thought and touching his temples, exhaled deeply. In an instant, a scene unfolded before everyone's eyes, akin to a masterpiece painting dubbed 'The Sun God's Sigh of Despair'.

"No one knows better than I do that the First Prince has come this far, prepared for great sacrifices. How could I ignore such dedication?"

"Then... if that's the case..."

Aishes mumbled blankly. It was pitiful to see him trying hard to focus his eyes, not to faint.

"I can't guarantee, but I will try to convince the court to minimize the reference to that issue. And though it's difficult to hand over the official record..."

Kishiar, who had been trailing off and gazing into space, broke into a smile.

"Don't you know? The way to see the evidence doesn't necessarily involve receiving it from me."

"..."

For a moment, Aishes' expression changed peculiarly.

"I've already sent Beltrail's research records to the court. That's all I can tell you."

"I understand."

Aishes couldn't hide his joyous expression as he quickly stood up from his seat. Yuder felt as though he could guess his next move as clearly as the back of his hand.

'He probably thinks that he can easily get his hands on the evidence submitted to the court by bribing someone.'

"I appreciate your advice, Your Highness. I should be on my way. Given that I had to avoid the family's prying eyes to come here, I cannot stay long..."

"I am aware."

Aishes swiftly disappeared with his servant. His unconcerned demeanor was striking, even though the tea he had requested hadn't arrived yet.

"Yuder, would you return that paper to me?"

As soon as Aishes was gone, Kishiar, who had been tense, relaxed back in his chair and extended his hand toward Yuder. Faced with Kishiar's playful, childlike eyes sparkling with mischief, Yuder handed over the paper and finally broke his silence.

"Sir, did you really send the research records to the court?"