The Prince Seduces Me with His Body Chapter 126

“…Execution?”

 

“Yes…”

 

The butler of Viscount Sudsfield’s household shut his eyes tightly, bowing his head in despair. He couldn’t bear to look at his master and mistress. After all, the news he had just delivered was the confirmation of the execution of Millard Sudsfield, their legitimate son and heir.

 

The viscount felt his head go numb and pressed his hand to his forehead, frowning deeply. Normally, the viscountess would have come to his side to support him, but instead, she sat blankly at the edge of the bed. They were in a hastily arranged guest room, not the Viscount’s bedroom, which had one window completely shattered.

 

The viscount had been rushed to the hospital by the butler and barely survived, but the mental shock was another matter entirely. He had spent his entire life as a merchant, working tirelessly to rise in status, thinking he had seen it all. Yet he never could have imagined that his own flesh and blood, his son, would try to kill him. Even after regaining consciousness, the viscount had been unable to fully grasp the situation.

 

The viscountess, who had run from her room upon hearing the commotion, was not faring much better. She had fainted after witnessing their son, screaming like a madman, being dragged away by the guards. Her face was as pale as a ghost, drained of all color.

 

“Why…” Tears fell silently down her corpse-like cheeks. She muttered as if in a daze. “Why would Millard… Why would he do this…”

 

“…”

 

“He was greedy, yes, but he wasn’t the kind of boy to do something like this… There must have been a reason…”

 

She had married the viscount for his money. When Diana, the illegitimate child, had appeared, she had even slapped him in anger. But there had always been a bond, a love of sorts. Despite her complaints and anger, she hadn’t left him, partly for the money but also because she had grown used to the warmth. The idea that their son, Millard, had tried to kill his father was something she couldn’t accept. Or, more accurately, didn’t want to accept. It was too horrifying.

 

As she rambled incoherently, the butler hung his head even lower. Meanwhile, the viscount, only half-listening to his wife’s words, suddenly felt a chill run through him, and he instinctively gripped the blanket.

 

“He was greedy, yes, but he wasn’t the kind of boy to do something like this… There must have been a reason…”

 

Could it be…?

 

Humans have an uncanny ability to sense foreboding danger.

 

At that moment, urgent footsteps approached, and the door burst open.

 

“Ma-Master!”

 

“How dare you…! Have you forgotten how to knock? And why is that letter so crumpled?”

 

A pale-faced servant came rushing in, holding a crumpled letter. The butler scolded the servant in shock, but the servant seemed too flustered to notice.

 

The viscount, on the other hand, didn’t even have the energy to bother with etiquette anymore. After all, his son had just tried to kill him. He shook his head slowly.

 

“…Enough. What is it?”

 

“T-The first princess…! She has sent a notice of engagement annulment!”

 

“What…?” The viscount froze at the servant’s words.

 

Of course, with Millard’s execution confirmed, the marriage to Rebecca was over. But dying as the fiancé of an imperial family member and dying as a mere noble were two very different things.

 

As the fiancé of an imperial family member, at least he would be spared a beheading. He would die slowly, drinking a potion imbued with the power of spirits, allowing his body to remain intact. But as a noble guilty of attempted patricide… He would surely face execution by beheading, leaving his body mangled.

 

In Valhanas, having one’s body defiled in death was considered a fate worse than death itself. As shocking as it was that Millard had tried to kill the viscount, he was still their son. He didn’t want his son’s body to be desecrated.

 

But now, what? A notice of annulment?

 

The viscount’s face twisted in fury. His voice was harsh as he questioned the servant. “Are you sure it’s a notice, not a settlement?”

 

“Y-Yes. It states that the first princess cannot marry a criminal who is guilty of attempted patricide. She’ll handle the compensation and sever all ties—”

 

“Leave the letter and get out.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Get out! Now!”

 

At the viscount’s roar, the butler quickly dragged the servant out of the room. The door slammed shut with a thud.

 

“Haha, ha…” The viscount let out a bitter laugh, sounding almost insane. Through clenched teeth, he muttered to himself. “…The first princess.”

 

“…”

 

“She must have been after the mine all along. She manipulated Millard… And she must have had a hand in how quickly his execution was confirmed.”

 

Now that her plan had failed, Rebecca had discarded Millard without hesitation. To become a ‘perfect’ sovereign, she couldn’t afford to be associated with her former fiancé branded as an attempted patricide.

 

It was only then that the Viscountess understood why Millard had done what he did. Her bloodshot eyes filled with anger. “She dared to use my son…”

 

The viscountess didn’t absolve Millard of his guilt. No matter how much Rebecca had pushed him, it was Millard who had chosen to go through with the act. But that didn’t erase the fact that Rebecca had deliberately led him on.

 

“…Honey.”

 

The viscountess turned to her husband, her eyes blazing. The viscount’s expression was similarly cold, shaking with betrayal. They shared the same thought.

 

After a long pause, the viscount spoke heavily. “…As soon as I recover, I will go see the third prince.”

 

To put Prince Kayden on the throne—there was no better way to exact revenge on Rebecca.

 

The fragile thread that had tied the Sudsfield family to Rebecca had finally snapped.

 

* * *

Knock, knock. A knock echoed through the small room at the top of the tower. Carlotta, who had been quietly reading at her desk, turned her head in surprise.

 

“…?”

 

She had been scheduled for trial right after the founding festival, but various events had prolonged the discussions regarding her fate, leaving her still imprisoned.

 

Carlotta hadn’t tried to escape or take her own life; she simply waited quietly for the verdict. Having lost her reason to live, she no longer feared death. Because of this, the guards didn’t watch her too closely. They didn’t even search her room thoroughly when delivering her meals. But now, a sudden knock. Could it be…?

 

Knock, knock.

 

“Your Highness, are you inside?”

 

“…Come in.”

 

When no answer came from inside, the knock sounded again, the voice suspicious, as if wondering if she had fled.

 

Finally, Carlotta reluctantly replied, bracing herself. She sat back in her chair, though all that meant was leaning further back. To her relief, it was just a familiar guard who entered, bowing politely and stepping aside.

 

“You have a visitor, Your Highness.”

 

“A visitor? Who…”

 

Carlotta frowned, her expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. But then her face changed. Her eyes widened as she saw who stepped forward from behind the guard.

 

Dark, well-kept hair. Eyes equally as deep and dark. And a face that seemed even more striking than the last time she’d seen it. The man, who now exuded an unmistakable air of royalty, took a step forward.

 

Kayden smiled faintly. “It’s been a while… Older Sister.”