I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 174

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 174

Count Trabel had tried to hide his illness. When I first asked him if he was suffering from a disease, he questioned me in return.

“Who told you?”

Information known only to a select few trusted aides. Count Trabel grew furious at the thought that one of them might have leaked it. And the only one who knew about his illness was—.
“…You.”
Count Trabel’s voice trembled. Anger born from profound betrayal. At the sight of my grandfather like this—something I had never witnessed before—everyone, including the Emperor, held their breath. It felt as though a great mountain was shaking.
Count Trabel’s golden eyes, blazing with fury, fixed upon Kane.
“You.”
The words that followed were left unspoken, yet they carried immense meaning. Kane was one of the trusted aides who knew of Count Trabel’s illness. Kane had betrayed my grandfather.
Without any inclination to hear excuses, Count Trabel turned away. Kane’s face went ashen as he scrambled out of bed and fell to his knees, his voice breaking as he spoke.
“G-Grandfather. No, that’s not it…!”
“Your Majesty.”
But Count Trabel did not spare even a glance at his grandson kneeling and pleading. Instead, he bowed his head toward the Emperor.
“I must offer my apologies for this matter, Your Majesty. I am deeply sorry.”
“Ahem.”
The Emperor straightened his collar and stood upright. He had been dazed, overwhelmed by Count Trabel’s overwhelming presence, but now he seemed to have regained his composure.
“Well, there’s no need for a Count to bow and apologize. It seems there was some trouble, but I shall show magnanimity in this matter. We are practically family now, are we not?”
The Emperor glanced at Theon and me in turn as he spoke. Theon released the Knight’s hand, which he had been gripping to channel his aura into, and was wiping his own hand with a handkerchief. When our eyes met, Theon gave me a subtle smile.
‘This is not the time to be pleased.’
If Theon had a tail like Jeffrey’s, it would surely be wagging uncontrollably at this very moment. Of course, mine would be doing the same.
But this was not the moment to indulge in such ticklish romantic feelings. The Emperor’s words meant that if Count Trabel wished to cover up Kane’s wrongdoing, His Majesty would do the same.
‘That cannot be allowed, Grandfather.’
I could not let Kane return to the Trabel Estate without any punishment. Count Trabel fell silent for a moment at the Emperor’s words.
Then, as if he had made his decision, he slowly opened his mouth.
“…I am most grateful for your words, Your Majesty, but there is no longer any need for such consideration. As of today, that wretch is no longer a member of the Trabel Family, so I ask that he be dealt with according to the laws of the Imperial Capital.”
It was past midnight. And it was the day of the new year.
“Please send any damages incurred to the Trabel Estate, and we shall provide compensation.”
Kane had caused significant financial losses to Diamond House and was excommunicated.
The Emperor agreed to do so and left with Count Trabel, while Theon, Roxie, and I also departed from the room. Knights who had received orders rushed past us to apprehend Kane. Behind us as we walked down the Corridor, Kane’s bestial screams echoed.

***

According to the treaty between the Heishal Empire and the Aubaut Order, crimes committed by priests of High Priest rank and above are punished according to the Order’s laws.
The High Priest came to take custody of Yuraha the following morning.

“…I have no face to show Reytan.”

It had been several months since I last saw the High Priest. Unlike that day when he wore a smile, his face now bore the weight of years added to it, heavy with sorrow.

“I will compensate Reytan as much as possible. If there is anything you desire, please consider it.”

Priests dressed in pristine white vestments walked with Yuraha at their center.
A silent procession through the Imperial Palace. It was like watching a funeral march for someone. The Aubaut Order seemed engulfed in shock at the misdeeds of the next High Priest.
“Shouldn’t they go easy on him since he was going to be the next High Priest? They say family takes care of their own.”
Jeffrey muttered while resting his chin on my shoulder. We stood by the window of Theon’s Room where we could see the procession clearly.
“That won’t be possible.”
Theon removed Jeffrey’s head from my shoulder as he spoke.
“The Master demanded that the High Priest not control the media.”
“Ah. Theon, I’m hurting, you know? I’m a patient, so be gentle with me?”
Jeffrey grumbled. As Theon said, the Aubaut Order could not go easy on Yuraha.
Already, today’s newspaper front page featured a massive photograph of Yuraha raising his sword toward Father.
“With so many eyes watching, the Order will administer appropriate punishment.”
I agreed with Theon’s words and fixed my gaze out the window. We were on the second floor. The procession was close enough that if I opened the window and called out to Yuraha, I could have a conversation with him.
“….”
An impulse to touch the window lock kept surging through me. There was something I wanted to ask Yuraha.
‘No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand.’
The reason Yuraha tried to kill Father. No matter how much I pondered his motive, it seemed I could only learn the truth by hearing it directly from Yuraha.
“Whoa. He’s looking here.”
Jeffrey pressed his face close to the window again and spoke. Yuraha had lifted his head and was looking up at the second floor where we stood. With restraints on his wrists and ankles, Yuraha’s pace was not swift.
“Is he looking at Berry?”
Jeffrey murmured.
For just over a minute, Yuraha kept his gaze fixed in our direction. His expressionless face revealed no emotion.
It was when the procession began to turn the corner of the building where we stood. Yuraha smiled slightly and moved his lips.
‘See you again….’
I focused on the shape of Yuraha’s moving lips.
‘Berry Quartz?’
I couldn’t help myself and opened the window. I wanted to ask what he had just said, but Yuraha disappeared from my sight as he turned the corner.
I leaned my head out the window and watched the corner where the procession had vanished.
“Berry. Don’t worry.”
Noticing my growing anxiety, Theon spoke to me.
“Yuraha cannot hurt anyone.”
I turned my head. Theon stood in the Crown Prince’s chambers, dressed in the Crown Prince’s robes.
“Absolutely not.”
Theon spoke to me with conviction. Strangely, my anxiety vanished in an instant at his words. I looked at Theon, released my grip on the window frame, and closed the window.
“Yes.”
I nodded, and Theon smiled as he reached out his hand.
“Let me fix your hair.”
His gentle fingertips touched my forehead. Only then did I feel as though I’d returned to ordinary life. A smile was beginning to bloom at the corners of my lips.
“But brother, sister. Isn’t this the wrong time to worry about Yuraha?”
Jeffrey, who had walked over to the sofa at some point, spoke up. He leaned against the sofa and waved a newspaper folded to fit in one hand, showing it to us.
It was today’s edition of the Daily Sunrise, which he’d been reading just moments before.
“Why?”
At my question, Jeffrey unfolded the newspaper. Above an article featuring Yuraha’s photograph, my picture receiving a medal and Theon’s picture wearing the Crown Prince’s insignia were placed side by side. They were close-up facial photographs.
“Your engagement announcement is in the newspaper too, brother and sister.”
At Jeffrey’s following words, the smile that had been hanging on my lips vanished in an instant.
“Reytan will know about this now too.”

***

If there is a goal you wish to achieve, you must not shy away from any consequences to reach it.
I had done everything to save Father, and inevitably, I had caused trouble.
“Berry.”
But after achieving my goal, who would take responsibility for my actions?
“Yes?”
“What kind of child announces an engagement without their parents’ permission?”
At Father’s words, I took a step backward.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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