I'll Just Be Friends With My Ex-Husband - Chapter 95

As Alexid sipped the tea Yunelli made, his nervousness seemed to subside. Alexid looked at her in surprise.

“Are you all right now?”

“Yes, I feel better now.”

“It contains herbal medicine that calms the nerves.” Yunelli smiled.

A benevolent yet clever light shone behind her glasses. “I heard you would come, so I prepared it in advance.” Alexid’s eyes shone with affection.

“I know what you came to see me for.” Alexid lowered his head.

He couldn’t even guess, but Gerald read the Duchess’s will at once. After all, Alexid had done nothing on his own.  Sorrow rose with guilt. Why was he so lacking? Alexid clenched his teeth. The Duchess probably thought it was alright for Alexid to stay by Gerald’s side without knowing anything.

“Wait a minute.” Feeling sick for a moment, Alexid raised his head. Mercé didn’t say anything directly to Alexid even though the mansion was clearly safe.

That… That…

“Grandmother, could the Prince have planted someone in the Duke’s residence?” His anxiety grew even more.

“The Prince’s aide, not the Crown Prince himself, could have done that, Alexid. There are no secrets anywhere in this world.”

“Then isn’t it dangerous for mother and father?”

“They’ll be relieved to have you safe. They are not weak.”

Alexid’s face turned white. He finally realized the perfect reason why Mercé sent him out.

“I——”

“I was already notified before anything happened.  The rest were also informed. Isn’t it from the Logan family?”

“How did you——-”

“Even if I’m an old woman living alone in a mansion, I still don’t know anything. Isn’t it an unstable era?” Yunelli smiled.

“You can stay here. That’s what Merce wants. I’ll send someone to Turandot. The King of Turandot will act for Louella.”

Alexid leaped out of his seat. “I have to get out of here! I can’t be the only one doing nothing——-”

“It’s not that you’re not doing anything. Isn’t Louella locked up right now? If the Crown Prince doesn’t intend to release Louella as it is, he might blame Leander for treason. It’s dangerous for you and Arthur to go since he is the next heir.”

“Grandma!”

“Don’t worry too much about that, Alexid. You might as well wait here for those who will come from Turandot. Maybe we can find a way to sneak into the temple with them.”

“What do you mean?”

Yunelli filled Alexid’s teacup once again and he slowly drank it as Yunelli wished. Her persuasion was irresistible.

“Do you know why no one can ignore Turandot despite being a small kingdom?”

“…….”

“It’s because their Royal Family has secrets. They have been worshiping the Black Uroboros since a very long time ago. A small kingdom cannot defeat a great one, but Turandot has continued to pursue the Black Serpent.”

“…….” It was the first time he heard about it. What was there to hear about other kingdoms? Yunelli didn’t mean to talk about this either.

However, the Black Uroboros was about to return to the world. Nigrum had reemerged and people were rallying. More and more people were shouting the name of the Black Uroboros.

“They were endowed with ‘magic’ from the traces of the Black Serpent. Magic is different from divine power and the sword is derived from the Uroboros itself. The people of Turandot are made up of those who can handle magic freely.”

“But mother and you——-”

“People who chose to live outside Turandot had to give up their powers. Merce and I had already left so we had no choice but to tell you.”

“Turandot might be able to exert its power in the temple so why don’t you wait here a little bit? It won’t take too long for them to arrive.”

Yunelli opened one of the several cages that she always kept beside her.  Then, a white-feathered bird came out and flapped its wings before perching on Yunelli’s fingers.

“I should go to Turandot. I will let the King know what’s going on in the Empire and ask him if we can borrow his people. Turandot’s daughter, Merce, needs help.”

The bird screeched once and disappeared. Alexid stared at it in surprise.  It was unthinkable. The magic that he had only read in fairy tale books was unfolding in front of his eyes. Yunelli looked at Alexid with nonchalance.

“It is often more reliable to see than to hear. Turandot has been investigating the connection between the White Uroboros and the monster wave.”

“Monster wave?”

“Yes. Perhaps, we’re facing a great catastrophe. If my theory is correct, the white snake must be the master of those monsters. I’m sure he’ll drag the monsters here to protect himself. Leander will have to prepare for the war between the humans and monsters before it breaks out again.”

“Then what should I do? Just wait here with bated breath?”

“We have to find Louella. Didn’t I tell you that it will be possible with magic? What could be more important than rescuing a hostage?”

How strange. Alexid frowned. He felt like his vision was getting blurry as his eyelids fell shut. Alexid stumbled as he tried to get up.

“Carefully.” A servant helped Alexid into the chair.

The last thing Alexid saw was the kind smile on Yunelli’s face.

* * *

“Did you find it today?”

She shook her head at the priest’s question. It was her second outing but there was nothing to look for. Did the Black Uroboros lie? She couldn’t see anything! He said that she would see it if she got closer. Maybe, it wasn’t in the temple.

“Tell us what you’re looking for so that we can help you.”

“I don’t even know what it is exactly.”

The priests sighed with regret. However, it was a relief that she came back safely today. The paladins were still guarding her room as if their mission wouldn’t end until the day.

Their presence made it difficult for her to go outside, but she didn’t think the Crown Prince could come in either. Well, what if they keep searching like this but she still couldn’t find it? Would it be better, to be honest with the priests and ask for their help? Perhaps, a new strategy was needed.

If only they could look for it without her having to go outside. The next morning, a new article appeared in the newspaper. The priests rushed to her room in fright while holding the newspaper in their hands.

The article said that the Crown Prince had blamed all the crimes on the High Priest and was planning to impeach him. The priests’ faces turned pale. The only hope left for them was really her. This seemed rather good. Now she had another reason to believe in those priests.

“Since the High Priest was falsely accused and impeached, am I going to be released soon?”

“We don’t think so, princess. I heard that all the people protesting in front of the temple were taken. Your immediate release won’t be that easy no matter how guilty the High Priest was. They’re going to have to start with an investigation.”

“What investigation?”

“I don’t know about that.” The priests shook their heads tearfully.

“You must never abandon us, princess.”

“Really. The other priests are upset too. Depending on who becomes the High Priest, we might have to get out of here. I really have nowhere else to go, princess.”

“Why would I betray you guys? You have helped me a lot. I’ll never forget

your efforts.” She smiled brightly at the priests. “That’s why I have one more favor to ask you.”

The priests nodded with twinkling eyes as if they were desperate to put debt on her for their own survival.

“The beads which collect souls? I heard you have the same thing. Do you know anything?”

“Bead collecting souls? I don’t know about that. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, wait a minute. You know the room that the Crown Prince often goes to, right? Isn’t it there? But we can’t go in there.”

“If we ask your cousin, he can go in.” The priests exchanged conversations over her.

Judging by the flow of the conversation, she seemed to be thinking about something.

“Then can you take me there?”

“Yes, princess!” The priests bowed their heads at the same time.

All right, then.

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