I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 191
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The Empress’s proposal was simple.
Lock Yeshion in a room with Adelio for three days, during which the Crown Prince’s curse would manifest.
If Yeshion died within those three days, then he would be the one who cast the curse. If he survived, it would mean someone else was responsible.
‘If we end up having s*x during those three days…… I might die in a different way……’
From being ridden to death.
As Yeshion let out a hollow laugh, one of the Empress’s attendants approached.
“A room has been prepared for the two of you to stay in during the three days. If you would just—”
“No.”
Adelio cut him off. Then, glaring at the Empress, he spoke.
“I’ll take Priest Yeshion to my room.”
The firmness in his voice made the Empress’s eyes narrow. But she soon gave a smiling nod, as if it made no difference to her.
“As you wish. It’s better to fall asleep in a familiar place on your final journey, after all.”
She spoke as if already convinced Yeshion was the one who cast the curse.
When they reached Adelio’s chambers, the Empress pushed Yeshion inside first, then turned to Eldis.
“Priests can handle curses too, can’t they?”
“……”
“Would you be so kind as to provoke the Crown Prince’s curse?”
At the Empress’s words, Eldis looked displeased.
It wasn’t hard to trigger the curse using divine power.
However, if Eldis were the one to do it, then everyone present would witness the curse for themselves. It would validate the Empress’s claims.
And by extension, lend weight to the assertion that Senior Priest Yeshion was the one who had cursed Adelio.
As Eldis silently stared at Yeshion, saying nothing, the Empress softly called out to him.
“Could it be that you don’t know how, Archpriest?”
That one sentence was packed with layers of meaning.
Clicking his tongue in irritation, Eldis sighed and stepped toward Adelio.
“Handle him with care.”
“There’s no one who wishes to protect him more than I do.”
“If things get out of hand, bite your tongue and die instead.”
“…How ruthless.”
When Adelio let out a short laugh, Eldis stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.
The moment divine power burst from Eldis’s fingertips in a flash of white, Adelio’s crimson eyes dulled. A beastlike growl rose from his lips.
“W-what… what is happening……!”
His back bent, no longer able to stay upright, and he seemed on the verge of lunging at the nearest person, unable to endure the heat surging inside him.
But with Eldis holding him back, Adelio could do nothing but snarl like a beast.
“Put him inside the room. It’ll be quite the problem if he rampages out here.”
The Empress barked coldly and gestured with her chin.
A nearby knight grabbed Adelio’s arm and shoved him into the room, slamming the door shut.
Eldis clenched his fist as he watched Yeshion standing behind the slowly closing door.
“Let us reconvene here in three days’ time. By then, you’ll understand what my words truly meant.”
“……”
“If Priest Yeshion dies in there, then all the evidence you received… will have been fabricated by Baine Anderson and Priest Yeshion. Together. Alongside my most cherished lady-in-waiting, Veronica.”
The Empress wore a bitter expression as she spoke. She looked as if she truly mourned Veronica’s betrayal, and Eldis had to resist the urge to curse out loud.
‘So this was her plan all along.’
She’d intended to cut them all away to protect her schemes.
The Empress let her lips curl into a slow smile. Beneath the long folds of his ceremonial robe, Eldis clenched his fists.
‘Please come back safely.’
Eldis stared at the tightly shut door.
If Yeshion and Adelio both emerged unharmed, everything would fall into place. They could crush the haughty Empress, make her pay for every crime she committed.
And save every life at stake.
“I apologize for dragging you all the way here because of palace affairs. If it turns out Priest Yeshion is not the culprit, the temple will be properly compensated.”
