I’m the Only One Who Can Put the Tyrant To Sleep Chapter 109

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

I stood up, confused.

“Your Majesty?”

“Ive.”

Caesar glanced around at the palace staff surrounding me, then gave a silent nod—an unspoken signal to follow him.

I followed behind him, trying to make it look as casual as possible to avoid drawing attention. Still, inside, I was filled with curiosity.

He had been silent just moments ago. Why had he come to find me now?

Without saying a word, Caesar led the way. Before I knew it, we had left the area where the ceremony was taking place and were headed toward the graves of other royal family members.

“Um… Your Majesty? Where are we going?”

I asked, watching him walk on without hesitation. He paused and looked back at me, then began to speak.

“I don’t have any memories of my parents. My mother died when I was too young, and my father… was never really a father to me. Just the Emperor.”

It wasn’t a direct answer to my question, but I could sense what Caesar was trying to say. I kept quiet and listened.

Caesar resumed walking and continued.

“So I always thought I didn’t love him. Not only that… I thought I couldn’t.”

His voice trailed off. It was the first time Caesar had spoken so personally about the former Emperor—about his father.

“I wasn’t that sad when I found out he was dying. But when it actually happened… I felt strange.”

We had walked far enough that no other nobles were in sight.

I looked around, then gently reached for Caesar’s hand. It was the only thing I could do for him. From his hand came a quiet, trembling wave—one that seemed to speak his heart.

Caesar gripped my hand tightly and spoke.

“If today’s ceremony had gone wrong… I probably would’ve felt that strange feeling even more. …Thank you, Ive.”

“It’s nothing.”

I answered, slightly embarrassed. In truth, I’d never really thought of the late Emperor when I worked to stop Viscount Krause from planting the mogofos flowers.

I had only been focused on blocking Ian’s plot and drawing Krause to our side.

Caesar probably knows that. That’s why he’s thanking me anyway.

We continued walking, still hand in hand. Soon, we reached the far edge of the royal cemetery. The scenery was different from earlier— There were scattered graves here, and unlike the well-kept area near the late Emperor’s, this part felt… barren.

It wasn’t neglected by any means—it was still a royal cemetery—but there was no extra care either. It felt like these graves had been placed here out of obligation.

Caesar stopped in front of one of them. Naturally, I stopped as well.

He stepped through the low fence surrounding the grave and quietly looked down at the headstone. He brushed a few leaves off it with his own hands and then spoke.

“This is where my mother is buried.”

“…Oh.”

A short, surprised breath escaped me. Of course—this was the royal family’s cemetery. It made sense that Caesar’s late mother would be buried here too.

Even though I knew her death anniversary was on New Year’s Day… I hadn’t made the connection.

I should’ve brought flowers or something…

“I’ve come here every New Year,” Caesar said in a quiet voice.

“No matter how hollow it might be, there are always so many people gathered at my father’s grave. But here… it’s always just me. I used to dream of moving her to a more beautiful resting place someday…”

He spoke calmly as he looked at the headstone, but I could feel the wave in his hand growing stronger. As if asking me to understand his wavering heart.

“I can’t forgive my father.”

And now I understood why he’d said he felt something strange at his father’s death. Anger. Hatred. Maybe even guilt… and sympathy.

The former Emperor was his father by blood, but he was also the one who made his mother’s life so miserable.

I gripped his hand tightly and said,

“You don’t have to forgive him.”

Caesar gave a small nod. After a moment of silence, he murmured,

“Still… I think I’ll finally let go. Of all of it.”

He stood there quietly, gazing down at the grave for a long time. As if taking in every letter carved into the stone.

Then finally, he turned to me with a faint smile.

“I just… wanted to come here with you.”

I nodded without replying. I didn’t want to ruin the moment with a clumsy attempt at comfort.

Caesar hesitated, then said softly,

“…Would you come with me again next time?”

“Of course! Next New Year, we’ll come together properly. We’ll bring flowers, and her favorite food, too.”

Feeling bad that I hadn’t prepared anything this time, I spoke quickly. Caesar smiled a little more at that.

Through our joined hands, I could feel a now-steady wave— calm and at peace.

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

Several days passed. The late Emperor’s memorial ended without incident, and we were enjoying a stretch of peaceful days.

After a quiet meeting with Viscount Krause, we confirmed that Ian had fully believed her excuse—that the letter hadn’t arrived properly.

That meant we could continue to gather information about Ian through her.

She also reported that, for now, Ian wasn’t making any significant moves. It seemed we didn’t have to worry for the time being.

That was confirmed through the magical device still embedded in her body, which we continued to use to eavesdrop.

So recently, my concerns had shifted—not to Ian, but elsewhere.

I had just finished a short meeting with Floria and was returning to the Imperial Palace when I overheard something in the hallway that proved my concerns weren’t unfounded.

Two maids were whispering in a corner.

“No way. Seriously?”

“I’m telling you! With terrifying powers and all…”

They fell completely silent the moment they saw me. Then, with a quick bow, they hurried off.

Maids from the Princess’s wing…

I hadn’t caught the full conversation, but I didn’t need to. I already knew what it was about— The rumor that Caesar was a tyrant.

It had come up even back during our picnic in Summerhill. And lately, the rumors seemed to be spreading especially around the Princess’s quarters.

Even after Viscount Krause joined our side, the rumors hadn’t gotten worse—but they hadn’t died down either.

Even though Caesar was the one who rescued Floria from being kidnapped…

It was a baseless, absurd rumor. And after that ordeal, Caesar’s relationship with the Empress had improved too— So maybe, if left alone, the gossip would eventually fade.

But we couldn’t just sit back and wait. After the memorial, Caesar had been considering relocating his mother’s grave.

Compared to the former Emperor, it was true that his authority as ruler was more stable. Still, moving a royal tomb without a compelling reason would be difficult.

He could force it through, yes—but that would only fuel more bad rumors.

To the public, it’s just the tomb of a former Empress.

They’d say it was a wasteful use of funds.

So first, we needed to repair Caesar’s reputation.

Should I use Viscount Krause—the one who started these rumors in the first place?

Lost in thought, I entered Caesar’s office.

“Your Majesty, I—”

I began my usual greeting, but froze at the sight before me: The Duke of Bryden.

He seemed to be having one of his usual conversations with Caesar.

This was the first time I’d seen him since learning the truth about Ian. I flinched, but quickly masked it and offered a polite bow.

“I didn’t realize you were here. I’ll come back later.”

“No, no need.”

The Duke waved his hand dismissively and stood up.

“I was about to leave anyway. His Majesty kicked me out.”

“…Sorry?”

Kicked him out?

“Stop talking nonsense and get going already.”

Caesar responded coldly, as if the Duke was telling the truth.

Is this because of Ian?

The Duke had done nothing wrong… I looked at him with concern, but he simply gave a hearty chuckle. There was a mischievous glint in his expression.

“Please do consider what I said.”

Even with that cryptic comment, Caesar gave no reply.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

The Duke exited the office with perfect manners. As soon as the door shut, I turned to Caesar.

“What happened? What did he say?”

“It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing…”

I sat across from him and stared him down.  With a quiet sigh, Caesar finally spoke.

“He brought up marriage.”

“…What?”

“He said that since I’ve had my debut, it’s about time I got married. The usual nonsense.”

Caesar shook his head, clearly annoyed.

Well… thinking about it, he was the right age. Maybe even a bit late, if you looked at it from a royal standpoint.

Royal marriages were usually arranged from a very young age.

In Caesar’s case, he’d spent years as little more than a figurehead Crown Prince, neglected by his parents. That’s why it had been delayed.

But now that he was Emperor, there was no more putting it off.

“So? Did the Duke have a potential match in mind?”

I asked casually— But Caesar’s face instantly turned stiff.