Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 134

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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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A café operated by the heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 134
“No, how could this… I know nothing of it. Someone has conspired to frame me!”
The Empress denied it outright, crumpling the papers in her hand. Then she shouted at the guards.
“Confiscate those documents immediately and dispose of them!”
“Disposing of them won’t help. We can simply bring more copies.”
Biedler’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“We’ve verified the results from multiple sources to rule out tampering. The common compound detected in all samples is a rare poison.”
……
“I sincerely hope Your Majesty truly knew nothing of this. Anyone involved will be charged with treason.”
The scandal was far graver than anything the Crown Prince had faced, and the shocking revelation that the Empress was implicated sent a chill through the entire hall.
“Someone must have diverted the beverages I prepared for His Majesty and poisoned them. Or perhaps you did it yourself? How suspicious that you suddenly demanded an inspection of the drinks!”
The Empress thrashed about, trying desperately to twist the situation to her advantage, but it was futile.
“This was not a single incident. We’ve detected signs of poisoning in His Majesty’s body. In our assessment, he’s been exposed to the poison for at least five years.”
Biedler had already sealed every possible escape route for the Empress.
‘When did he even manage to examine the Emperor?’
It must have been difficult given the Empress’s surveillance of him. She silently marveled at his thoroughness.
When the medical opinion was presented, the Empress could say nothing more, her lips trembling.
“And it was His Majesty the Emperor himself who commanded me to inspect these beverages.”
“What… did you just say?”
The Empress turned toward the Emperor in shock.
The Emperor did not avoid her gaze, meeting Biedler’s eyes instead. His previously clouded expression had sharpened, clarity returned to his features.
“True. I gave the order.”
“Your Majesty, why would you… Surely you didn’t suspect me?”
Biedler listened to the Empress’s desperate pleas with derision.
“He sensed something amiss with his body. After being intoxicated by poison for so long, that’s hardly surprising.”
He turned to address the assembly, speaking clearly so that all gathered would hear.
“We will find everyone involved in this plot without exception—every member of the Imperial household who turned a blind eye to His Majesty’s condition, and whoever supplied and smuggled in the poison. If anyone knows anything, come find me in private.”
Had circumstances been normal, few would have paid Biedler any heed.
But with the situation transformed, the atmosphere shifted to one of broad support for him.
Realizing there was no escape, the Empress suddenly squeezed out tears and protested her innocence.
“I truly knew nothing of this. How could this happen… I’ll have the Imperial household staff confined at once. Please, leave the investigation to me.”
When the Emperor still said nothing, she pressed herself against his side, gripping his hand and speaking with trembling affection.
“Your Majesty, it’s me. Surely I would never give you something harmful?”
……
“You do trust me, don’t you?”
Though the Empress continued to plead, the Emperor’s gaze had shifted back to Biedler.
“Biedler. You will conduct the investigation. I grant you special investigative authority, even within the Imperial Palace.”
“Your Majesty!!”
The Empress cried out in shock at this extraordinary privilege, but she had no grounds to protest.
Everyone in the hall sensed that a tremendous shift in the succession would unfold from this moment onward.
The imperial throne, which had seemed certain to pass to the Crown Prince without incident, now hung in uncertainty.
Biedler, though technically temporary in title, had acquired real power and the formidable authority to command private forces even within the Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty the Empress, I myself doubt you would go to such lengths.”
Rather than pressuring her directly, Biedler wrapped his words in sympathy, making it impossible for the Empress to dismiss him.
“However, this method bears a striking resemblance to the crime my mother was framed for. If someone has been manipulating the Imperial Palace for decades, isn’t that a grave matter?”
“That is excessive speculation. Do not drag your mother’s past into this.”
“That will become clear once we investigate.”
The Empress cast a desperate look toward her supporters, urging them to intervene, but this time no one stepped forward.
Those who would normally have rushed to her defense remained silent.
The threat of being implicated in treason was too great.
“Poison in His Majesty’s beverages… It is undeniable treason. The suspicions must be thoroughly investigated.”
“We demand a complete clarification of the facts. Second Prince, should you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask us.”
Instead, those who had built considerable strength through successive wars—not members of the Five Great Houses, but nonetheless formidable—came forward to support Biedler.
“I think… I shall retire.”
Finally, the Empress, her face drained of color, withdrew from the hall, leaning on a knight’s arm with the excuse that she needed rest.
Right after the Empress, the Emperor too slowly left the hall, supported by the knights Biedler had arranged in advance.
Once Biedler was left alone, the atmosphere grew turbulent and the noise erupted instantly.
“Rosi…”
Biedler turned to come back to my side, but was immediately surrounded and cut off by the crowd.
I sent him a look saying I was fine and quietly withdrew to the back.
“It went well.”
Having prepared thoroughly, events had unfolded exactly as Biedler intended.
Though a long confrontation with the Empress lay ahead, with the moral high ground secured, Biedler’s power would only grow.
The situation was advantageous for Seniel as well, and I was beginning to relax when suddenly several nobles began approaching me.
‘Oh no.’
Having participated alongside Biedler and with the Empress having taken interest in me, they were now trying to establish connections with me as well.
“What does your father do?”
“Which house are you from?”
“When did you first meet the Second Prince? I myself have long admired him.”
The women who approached me showed unexpectedly keen interest in Biedler.
“Well…”
“Your complexion is truly lovely. Where do you have it treated?”
“Where did you get that dress you’re wearing tonight?”
As questions poured down on me, Hestanya approached.
“Sister, could we talk for a moment?”
“Oh, Hestanya.”
I was grateful for the escape and slipped away with her to the side.
“Phew, thank you.”
“You looked uncomfortable.”
Hestanya winked and subtly signaled to keep the other young women at bay.
Thanks to her, we could speak in relative peace.
“What’s all this about? The Second Prince orchestrating something like that… I was completely shocked.”
“I don’t know much about what the Prince is doing.”
“You can tell me. Though my father is close to the Strophane Clan, he’s not one to take sides in a matter this serious.”
She covered her mouth and laughed quietly.
“Actually, I already knew all the rumors about the Crown Prince. Though I didn’t expect it to be this severe.”
“More than anything else, please keep watch over the Princess’s child so no harm comes to him.”
The more eyes watching, the harder it would be for anyone to target the child.
Hestanya nodded as if she understood perfectly.
She and I walked slowly through the hall, surveying it.
“By the way, why didn’t Seniel come? I saw the other members.”
“He said he didn’t want to work until the vacation.”
“I see. He never liked these sorts of events anyway. Would you pass this along to him? Since he’s come of age now… I brought a gift for him.”
A small, beautifully wrapped box that I had no idea when she’d prepared.
“I’ll make sure to give it to him.”
It struck me as admirable that even in this situation, Hestanya’s thoughts turned only to Seniel.
“That theft still hasn’t been resolved?”
“No. We’ve almost given up on it.”
The fact that Hestanya’s family had stepped in without solving it suggested it was definitely the work of a large organization.
As I conversed with Hestanya, Biedler—finally freed from the crowds—walked toward us.
“Then I’ll see you later, Sister.”
Hestanya hurried away, and as Biedler approached my side, he noticed the box in my hand and narrowed his eyes.
“What’s that?”
“A gift.”
“From whom?”
“From Miss Hestanya. You just saw her.”
“…So you’re popular with the women too. I have quite a lot of competition.”
I stared at him incredulously, tilting my head slightly.
“There were far more young women approaching you, Your Highness.”
“You saw that?”
“I could see it clearly.”
Biedler’s laugh deepened at that.
We naturally made our way out of the hall and descended the stairs.
The atmosphere inside the hall had been so oppressive that stepping outside felt like taking a breath of fresh air.
“It’s refreshing.”
“Indeed. It’s like a heavy stone I’ve been carrying finally dropped.”
Though he hadn’t shown it outwardly, the emotional turmoil he must have endured alone was immense.
I nodded, watching him as relief finally crossed his face.
“You prepared very thoroughly.”
“The Empress couldn’t be left any way out. I’m glad it went as planned. But the Empress won’t remain idle either.”
“Certainly. Going forward, be wary of anyone who suddenly tries to approach you.”
Most of those approaching now would have ulterior motives.
“Of course. No matter how many approach, my circle won’t change.”
“I’m not included in that circle, am I?”
“What do you think?”
Biedler closed the distance between us rapidly. I drew in a sharp breath, almost feeling our faces touch.
But he moved past me and stopped in front of the carriage we’d arrived in. He paused as if to open the door, then turned back.
“Do you… really have to leave?”
“Just as you have your duties to attend to, I have mine. You’ll be staying, won’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll need to remain at the Imperial Palace and conduct the investigation for some time.”
Biedler’s expression grew wistful.
I had the intuition that this would take quite some time. Biedler seemed to feel the same.

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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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