The Prince Seduces Me with His Body – Chapter 145

Author: alyalia

“There were not five attributed elemental spirits, but six…?”

“I-Is that true that a monster became a spirit?”

“How could such a thing happen…? Does that mean the Findlay family has been manipulating history all this time to conceal the truth? How disgraceful!”

The contents of the tomes were publicly revealed throughout all of Valhanas.

At first, people were shocked and couldn’t believe it. The revelation was so overwhelming that rumors began to circulate, suggesting that Kayden had fabricated the evidence to take the throne smoothly and protect his wife, Diana.

However, Kayden had initially commissioned the translation of the tomes right after the National Foundation Day parade, and after returning from the Findlay estate. The claim that he manipulated the evidence after defeating Xavier Findlay and the demonic dragon in order to secure the throne didn’t add up. Moreover, those who had been saved by Kayden and Diana kept a watchful eye on anyone trying to spread false rumors, so the suspicions quickly died down. Instead, people hurled stones and curses at the now-ruined Findlay estate, which looked like a tomb.

Once the confusion subsided, it was replaced by unparalleled joy. To have elementalists who had contracts with both the Spirit King of Light and the Spirit King of Darkness simultaneously in Valhanas—and they were a married couple who had saved countless lives! Tilia has blessed Valhanas! The people of Valhanas were overjoyed, praising Kayden and Diana by playing instruments and singing in the streets every day.

First Prince Elliot declared his renunciation of the throne immediately after the battle ended, and though Rebecca had briefly participated in the battle, she was still regarded as a criminal. Thus, the people openly referred to Kayden as emperor and Diana as empress, eagerly anticipating their coronation.

It would have been understandable for Rebecca to feel bitter about this, as she certainly had before going into battle. But somehow, Rebecca found it all pointless. Perhaps it was because of those foolish knights that something inside her had changed.

Though Xavier Findlay’s actions had overshadowed hers, Rebecca’s crimes were no less severe. So she had just returned from the trial, where she had made a declaration.

“…I renounce my imperial status.”

She had renounced her status as imperial of her own accord. Naturally, the courtroom had erupted in shock. Anyone who knew how hard Rebecca had fought to claim the throne would have reacted the same.

Yet, Rebecca felt nothing but relief. It surprised even her, but she truly felt lighter. Perhaps, deep down, she had accepted, as Xavier had cursed her, that she was never meant to sit on the throne. Or rather, she had realized that there was someone far more suited to the throne than she was.

In the end, when Xavier Findlay received no response from her, he gave up and fell silent. Enjoying the quiet, Rebecca lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.

Third Princess Consort… Diana.

The fever dream she had once had—though it was surely just a fantasy—still lingered in her mind. But ever since the battle ended, Rebecca hadn’t dreamt about it again. Or perhaps she had and simply couldn’t remember.

I hope I can dream tonight.

With idle thoughts about what had happened to Diana Sudsfield, dragged out of the courtroom, and what had become of Rebecca Bluebell as the empress, Rebecca drifted off to sleep.

* * *

“Ah…”

Rebecca awoke with a grimace, feeling as if her entire head had been split open by a headache. The stench of alcohol filled her breath as soon as she opened her eyes, and she immediately felt nauseous.

“Uugh.”

After retching once more, she collapsed back onto the bed. At least her headache had subsided after throwing up. Her mind was still fuzzy. How many days have passed?

Since Diana Sudsfield’s trial, Rebecca had instinctively reached for alcohol. The betrayal had hurt so deeply that she couldn’t bear to stay sober. Given her low tolerance for alcohol, it was no surprise she had passed out after drinking too much.

For days now, she had been caught in a cycle of drinking herself senseless, passing out, and then waking up only to seek more alcohol. She was starting to feel like she was losing her mind. Her rationality was fading, replaced by impulses.

Rebecca staggered as she stood up.

“…That wretch.”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became at Diana. In her intoxicated state, Rebecca allowed herself to be consumed by her impulses, doing something she never would have done when sober. Wearing only a thin robe over her nightgown, she stumbled barefoot into the hallway.

“Oh my god, Your Majesty!”

“What are you doing?”

“If you need anything, please let us know. The imperial doctor said you still need to rest…”

But before she could even reach the prison, the servants grabbed hold of her. She tried to push them away in frustration, but her weakened body nearly collapsed. Barely holding onto one of the servants for support, Rebecca muttered.

“Prison…”

“Did you say prison, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, I need to see Dian… Diana Sudsfield. I need to know what she hated about me so much—no, no, just bring her here. Now.”

The servants exchanged anxious glances, startled by her command. It wasn’t that they questioned her sanity, but rather the content of her words seemed to disturb them. That made Rebecca uneasy.

What is it? As she furrowed her brow in confusion, one of the servants hesitated before speaking.

“But, Your Majesty, Diana Sudsfield has already been executed.”

“…What?”

Suddenly, it felt as though someone had plunged her into ice water. Rebecca tightened her grip on the servant’s shoulder and spoke slowly.

“Her execution date hasn’t even arrived yet…”

“But Duke Findlay said Your Majesty had ordered her execution date to be moved up…”

Thud. Somewhere, something heavy seemed to fall.

Moved up the execution date? I did? Rebecca desperately searched her memory, but her alcohol-clouded mind couldn’t recall anything about Duke Findlay.

“…What about Diana Sudsfield’s body?”

“D-Duke Findlay took… Your Majesty!”

Rebecca immediately shoved the servants aside and rushed to Findlay’s estate. But when she arrived at the ducal mansion…

“Oh gosh, Your Majesty. What brings you here?”

“If you had waited a little longer, I would have personally come to take her life. I never imagined you would hide such a precious thing right under your nose.”

“But it’s fortunate that I found out now.”

Holding the heart extracted from Diana’s corpse, Duke Findlay stood in the middle of his personally arranged laboratory, smiling brightly.

* * *

Diana, who was crunching through the snow, suddenly stopped her tracks. She shivered and muttered under her breath. “…I think I can hear Sir Remit’s wailing from somewhere. Shouldn’t we head back soon?”

“He’s smart enough to know that if we work ourselves to death, it would only be a bigger loss. We need these moments to catch our breath, too.” Kayden smiled slyly and pulled her along by the hand. Diana, pretending not to notice, smiled back and resumed walking.

Lately, they had been buried in a mountain of paperwork. They had to clean up Xavier Findlay’s mess. Since First Prince Elliot had renounced his claim to the throne and declared he would live outside the imperial palace, they also had to decide on a title for him. They also needed to determine Rebecca’s fate. With Amrien’s help, they also had to correct the erased and distorted history. And on top of that, they had to prepare for their coronation. It felt as though they needed ten bodies to handle it all.

Unable to bear it any longer, Kayden had whisked Diana away from the palace for a brief escape. They were now strolling through a snowy hill near the capital, enjoying the fresh air.

Diana traced flower petals in the snow with her toes and smiled faintly. “When we first met, it was spring.”

When she had returned to the past and met Kayden again, eventually marrying him, it had been during the height of spring. Now, they were walking together through a snow-covered hill. Diana laughed at how quickly time had passed.

Kayden nodded as he drew stems and leaves beneath the flowers she had made. “Yes. Back then, my feet hurt from running around chasing wanted criminals. Now, it’s my hands that ache.”

Diana burst into laughter at his playful comment. Watching her with delight, Kayden suddenly spoke. “Diana, did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Today marks the end of our contract.”

“What… Oh.”

Blinking in confusion, Diana recognized the document Kayden pulled out and sighed. It was the contract they had signed, vowing to perform a flawless marriage for one year. Overcome with curiosity, she stopped walking and teased him.

“Why? Do you suddenly want a divorce?”

“…Don’t even joke about that. It’s terrifying.” Kayden winced at the mere thought of it.

Diana found his reaction both amusing and curious. Why bring that up now? Was he planning to keep it as a keepsake?

Seeing the question on her face, Kayden smiled gently and held the top of the contract in both hands. Without hesitation, he tore it in half. Rip—His smiling face appeared through the torn paper.

Diana, holding her breath, watched in astonishment. As she stood frozen in surprise, Kayden summoned two Elfand and gave each half of the contract to them, saying seriously, “Do whatever you want with these. Eat them, toss them into a fire, or throw them into a river. But make sure you go in opposite directions.”

The two Elfand nodded and dashed off in different directions. The white leopard-like spirits quickly disappeared beyond the snowy hill.

“What is…” Diana still couldn’t fully grasp the situation.

Kayden then knelt on one knee in the snow and pulled something out from his coat. When she saw it, her throat tightened with emotion.

Kayden carefully slipped a ring onto her left ring finger, clasping her hand as he smiled. His voice, as gentle as the snowflakes falling on his shoulders, whispered in her ear. “When we return, let’s write a new contract, Diana.”

Tears welled up in Diana’s eyes at his words. She fought hard to keep from crying as she playfully asked. “Will this new contract have an expiration date?”

“Of course. But this time, it’ll be different…” Kayden nonchalantly embraced her, pretending not to notice as she wiped her tears on his shoulder. He whispered with a smile in his voice. “I’ll write ‘until death do us part.’”

As he finished speaking, he kissed each of Diana’s fingers in turn. When Kayden kissed the ring on her fourth finger, he even made a playful smooching sound. The silly, mischievous sound of the kiss made Diana laugh through her tears.

“Pft.”

“If you cry and laugh at the same time, something’s bound to happen to you.”

“Don’t even think about checking…”

“Oops, you caught me.” Kayden clicked his tongue, joking that she knew him too well, drawing another laugh from Diana.

“Your Highness-! Please come back-!”

While they were basking in their happiness, the palace was in chaos as the servants searched for their runaway master. And with the recent events, their coronation had been delayed, adding a wedding to the workload… But regardless, they promised to cherish their current happiness and swore to be together forever.