The dim candlelight flickered, illuminating a small space.
Outside the sleeping quarters, the night was as dark as ink, exuding an indescribable eeriness.
On such a night, it was easy to recall the frightening tales that grandmothers used to scare children.
Simon called out to Ysabeau twice more, but the person in the bed remained silent. This made his mind race with all sorts of thoughts.
He had transmigrated into this world, where belief in ghosts and spirits was prevalent. In such an environnt, reality sotis felt more dramatic than television.
"Ysabeau, don’t try to scare , or else I won’t be polite!" Simon’s voice trembled slightly. He wasn’t afraid of people, but tales of supernatural beings unsettled him.
The suffocating silence in the room was his only response.
Simon started to panic. The figure under the blanket was clearly a person. If not a ghost, could it be an assassin?
After all, it hadn’t been long since the last assassination attempt.
Even though he was born a prince in this world, deep down, he still felt lonely and afraid.
Facing an unfamiliar world alone, such emotions were only natural.
"Roland!" In the end, he chose not to approach, prioritizing his own safety.
"Here!" A voice responded promptly as Roland rushed in. "My Lord, what happened?"
In Simon’s mory, the only person he truly trusted was Roland. He pointed at his bed and ordered. "Go, lift the blanket and see what’s inside!"
Roland looked at him strangely and spoke. "My Lord, of course, it’s Ysabeau. Didn’t you ask her to warm your bed? She knows she overstepped today and dares not disobey your command."
"Really? Then why won’t she answer ?" Simon’s anxiety eased slightly, but he was still annoyed at the fright he had just experienced.
Roland explained. "My Lord, Ysabeau and Joan have always served by Her Ladyship’s side. They’ve never encountered a situation like this before. It’s only natural for her to be nervous on her first ti."
Simon frowned. It seed like no one around him could give him peace of mind. He sighed and said, "Forget it. Have her leave. She’s just giving a headache."
As soon as he spoke, muffled sobbing ca from under the blanket.
Then, Ysabeau suddenly lifted the covers and, crying, pleaded. "My Lord, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have tried to be clever and angered you today. But I only did it for your sake, to prevent the servants from gossiping. If Chief Steward Baldwin hears of this and reports to Your Highness, then Her Ladyship’s request for you to visit Eldora next year might be delayed again."
"That’s right, Your Highness." Roland sighed. "No one misses you more in Eldora than Her Ladyship. Please consider her heartfelt wishes."
Hearing Consort Isolde ntioned, Simon suddenly felt a pang of bitterness.
No matter how much of a troublemaker he had been, Consort Isolde had always doted on him. Every ti he made a mistake, she would endure Alaric’s scolding just to plead on his behalf.
"Hmph, fine. Leave be." Simon relented. "I only ant to remind you, use your intelligence wisely, understand?"
Ysabeau bowed gracefully, tears still glistening in her eyes. "Yes, My Lord. I understand. I won’t dare again."
Roland glared at her. "Hurry up and leave! You’ve already upset His Highness enough."
Ysabeau wiped her tears, bowed again, and disappeared into the night.
As she left, Simon turned to Roland and spoke. "You all conspired against , thinking I wouldn’t notice?"
"My Lord is indeed wise. I knew we couldn’t hide it from you." Roland chuckled. "But truly, Your Highness must think of Her Ladyship. The emperor’s health is deteriorating. If he passes away, Her Ladyship will have no one to rely on in the palace. And if soone proposes the old tradition of consort burial..."
At this, Roland’s eyes turned red with worry.
"Who dares?!" Simon roared, an uncontrollable fury erupting from within him, as if a hidden nerve had been struck.
Throughout history, it was common for consorts to be buried with deceased emperors. In such tis, the only protection for a concubine was the status of her son. Those without strong backing were the first to be sacrificed.
Roland continued. "My Lord, forgive this old servant for speaking bluntly. Ever since your severe illness, I’ve noticed a great change in you. I had once lost all hope, believing that when Her Ladyship passed, I would follow her. But now, I believe Your Highness can turn things around. If you govern wisely and strengthen your fief, no matter who ascends the throne, they will have to consider your influence."
Simon nodded, sensing the sincerity in Roland’s words.
He had taken over Simon’s body, which ant he was Simon now. Having co to this world, he belonged to this world.
Roland’s words made him realize sothing crucial. There were people here who needed him, and people he needed as well.
"I understand your concerns." Simon said solemnly. "During my illness, I reflected on my reckless past. I won’t live as I did before."
"My Lord!" Roland’s eyes welled with tears.
Simon smiled and patted his shoulder. Roland must have felt like a barren tree that had finally blood after a thousand years.
But now, Simon could truly be himself.
After studying Roland for a mont, Simon felt sothing strange.
He only rembered that Roland had been serving Consort Isolde ever since he was born. But looking at his unwavering loyalty now, it seed almost excessive.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Simon asked. "Roland, why are you so devoted to my mother and ?"
He asked this not out of sentintality, but out of a deep-seated fear, what if, one day, Roland tearfully confessed, ’I am your real father.’
Roland hesitated before answering. "My Lord, years ago, my father was accused of composing a poem that allegedly criticized the emperor. He was frad and would have been executed along with our entire family, if not for Her Ladyship’s intervention. Thanks to her, we were spared execution and only sentenced to servitude. I was sent to the palace, where I was often bullied by the younger eunuchs, until Her Ladyship took under her care."
Simon nearly blurted out, ’So you’re a eunuch?’ but stopped himself.
Now he understood.
"Why does every dynasty have a literary inquisition?" Simon muttered. Then he said firmly. "One day, I will clear your family’s na."
"My Lord!" Roland’s expression was overwheld with emotion as he knelt down.
"We are master and servant, working together toward the sa goal. No need for formalities." Simon said. "Now rise, I have sothing important to entrust to you."
At this mont, he fully trusted Roland.
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