Published: January 4, 2026
Several days later, in the palace study during the daytime.
The master of the study, Your Majesty, was present, seated at the desk where He always sat. Across from Him stood Albert, the crown prince, and I, side by side.
All three of us wore extremely serious expressions.
In this unusually heavy atmosphere, I took a step forward, cleared my throat to break the silence, and began my report.
“Older brother—no, the investigation of Gilbert’s manor has concluded. We discovered documents in a secret room in the basement detailing what happens when Poinix’s wine and Dragon’s Claw are ingested together.”
“That’s irrefutable evidence of an assassination attempt on Your Majesty. The fact that it was hidden in a secret room is proof enough. A beast lower than a dog,” Albert spat out with hatred.
Meanwhile, Your Majesty looked as if He had aged ten years from worry, sighing heavily.
“And Gilbert?”
“Gilbert has been imprisoned as is. To prevent suicide, we have imposed magical restraints on all his movements and assigned triple the usual number of guards.”
What I reported was an unprecedentedly strict security system.
Attempting to poison the emperor is an unprecedented crime; nothing must happen before Your Majesty makes a final decision.
If Gilbert were to commit suicide in prison out of fear of punishment, every guard’s head would be on the chopping block—no exaggeration.
So I have enforced the strictest possible measures—to the point of protecting Gilbert from the world itself.
“I see... And the punishment?”
Your Majesty opened His mouth with a heavy tone and looked at me.
He sought the opinion of me, the Prince Minister of Legal Affairs.
“There is irrefutable evidence. It is undeniably treason to attempt to assassinate Your Majesty. According to imperial law, nothing but decapitation is permissible.”
“Hmm...”
Your Majesty’s expression twisted sourly.
Seeing that, I took a breath, then continued.
“However, in this case, it could be considered an attempted crime.”
Your Majesty’s eyebrows twitched.
“What would happen if it’s only attempted?”
“Of course, it remains treason, so decapitation cannot be avoided. But a one-rank reduction in severity with a stay of execution may be applied. Moreover, in treason cases, the timing of the execution can be ordered by Your Majesty as You desire.”
“I see...”
“Why complicate things like that?”
Albert tilted his head curiously after hearing my opinion.
“No, as expected of Noah. Considering both the law and human feelings.”
“...”
I silently bowed.
Given the gravity of the matter, it felt inappropriate to answer with a simple “yes.”
“You’ve thought this through well, Noah.”
“...?”
On the other hand, Albert still seemed not to understand.
Although Gilbert attempted to assassinate Your Majesty, he is still Your Majesty’s son.
He might be thinking that even if his son tried to kill him, he could not punish him.
Therefore, I proposed the concept of a stay of execution where the timing can be decided by the emperor’s sole discretion—practically a life sentence if desired.
Your Majesty understood this and praised me.
But—
“Your Majesty, there is no room for hesitation. Whoever contemplated poisoning Your Majesty should be given the death penalty.”
Albert insisted on immediate execution.
That was also correct, but—
For a moment, I saw Your Majesty frown in discomfort.
However, it was only fleeting; His expression soon returned to normal as He pondered for several tens of seconds.
“...Albert.”
“Yes?”
“I entrust the execution to you. Go.”
“As You command.”
Albert knelt on one knee and exited the study.
I secretly sighed in my heart.
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“Well done. Your sensitivity is remarkable.”
“...”
“That sensitivity alone gives me a sense of relief.”
“...”
I silently lowered my head slightly, just listening.
The already heavy atmosphere grew even heavier—perhaps to dispel it, Your Majesty cleared His throat and changed the subject.