Sigrid Novel Chapter 91

"I see."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Ah, Arkana."

"Yes."

"Thank you for telling ."

Even though it wasn't exactly good news.

"It wasn't for your sake."

Arkana said spitefully and vanished on the spot. This was always fascinating to see. Beramund stared blankly at the space where he had disappeared before slumping back onto his bed.

"Phew—"

He exhaled deeply and sank into thought.

'It's best to keep this secret.'

There's no benefit in spreading this information further. He decided to keep it from Serios as well, and to feed Sigrid minor but true information.

If she gained the Emperor's trust through such actions, it would be easier for Sigrid to get closer to him.

'I hoped she wouldn't get in deeper.'

Beramund smiled bitterly.

'Then again, has she ever done what I wanted?'

Not once.

Not even once.

'Ah— This is a heavy blow.'

He sat in the darkness for a long while, his face buried in his hands.

'I need a drink.'

Finally, he got up and lit a candle.

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Awen fidgeted as he looked at the other person, then reached out to hold Sigrid's hand. Seeing this, Erial smiled gently and said kindly:

"It's nice to et you, young master."

"Why did you want to see ?"

Though he couldn't et her eyes, his words ca out clearly.

"I just wanted to see you. We've never really talked before. So we don't know each other well."

"Is there a need to know each other?"

"My goodness, you're my husband's brother, aren't you? We're family."

At Erial's words, Awen's lips curled into a sneer.

"Do you know that the most bloodshed occurs between mbers of the royal family?"

At those words, Erial stood up and straightened her back. She dropped her coaxing tone and soothing gestures that were reminiscent of dealing with a child.

"I don't want that with you."

She said firmly. Awen looked at her, seemingly surprised, and asked:

"Why?"

"I don't like such things."

It was a childish statent, but her deeply furrowed brow made it seem as if she felt a visceral aversion to it.

"Killing each other, siblings keeping each other in check. I understand my words might sound foolish. But still, I don't like it."

Awen stared at her warily. He didn't respond. Erial didn't seem to expect an answer as she smiled and said:

"Well then, how about we have so tea together?"

Awen glanced at the prepared tea table. His eyes lingered briefly on the three-tiered plate before he nodded.

"Alright."

"Wonderful."

Erial said, adjusting her skirts as she sat down. The tea table set up in the Crown Princess's Palace garden was beautiful in itself. Awen whispered to Sigrid:

"You'll stay the whole ti, right?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

Sigrid pulled out a chair for him. Awen licked his lips as he gazed at the elaborate cakes and cookies. With a cup of tea heavily laced with milk and sugar before him, Awen received a slice of cake from the attendant and began to enjoy his snack like the child he was.

Watching him, Sigrid beca lost in thought.

'It's been so hard to et Beramund lately......'

What could be going on?

There were tis when she had gone to the Imperial Guard room to see him, but he was off-duty most of the ti. Despite appearances, Beramund was surprisingly diligent and rarely took days off or was absent without leave.

He rarely was, but lately, his absences had beco noticeable.

Even when she asked Nas, he just said there was nothing particularly wrong.

'Of course, Nas would have to answer that way to , a mber of the Imperial Guard.'

She had only t him once in the past week. And even then, it was very briefly.

Sigrid felt worry welling up inside her. Could His Highness have assigned him another heavy task? Was he out on a mission sowhere without her?

'What if he gets hurt again?'

The scene of his injury was still vivid in her mind.

Just thinking about it made her chest tighten.

"—rid? Sigrid?"

Lost in thought, Sigrid jerked her head up.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"What were you thinking about so deeply?"

As Erial asked with a puzzled expression, Sigrid lowered her head.

"It's nothing. I apologize."

"No, why don't you join us for tea?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Then have this, it's delicious."

Awen handed Sigrid a cookie from his plate. It wasn't proper etiquette, but the goodwill was clear. Sigrid accepted the cookie and bowed her head slightly.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Erial tilted her head, then looked at Awen and said:

"How is Her Majesty the Empress these days?"

"She's ill."

Awen answered matter-of-factly, as if it were a common occurrence. Erial frowned.

"Is she very unwell?"

"Mm, she's often like this, so it's probably not too serious."

"She was never one for social activities, but I thought she'd been even more withdrawn lately. So she's been unwell. I should send my regards."

Erial said with a sigh.

Brushing the cookie crumbs from his hands, Awen asked:

"Can you show

my niece?"

"Oh? Of course."

Erial smiled and gestured for a lady-in-waiting to co closer.

"Bring the child."

The lady-in-waiting looked uneasy but obediently bowed her head. A mont later, a wet nurse appeared carrying the baby in her arms. Erial took the child and called to Awen.

"Co here, young master."

Awen hesitantly peered at the swaddled infant. His eyes widened.

"She's so small!"

Erial burst out laughing and said:

"You have the sa reaction as Sigrid. But she's grown a lot since she was born."

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. She's such a little glutton, you know."

Erial said in a whisper, gently rocking the baby. Despite the presence of strangers, the baby didn't fuss, blinking her blue eyes.

"She's pretty......."

He reached out unconsciously. The wet nurse flinched, but Erial calmly watched his hand. Awen gently poked the baby's cheek.

"So soft......."

It felt completely different from his own cheek. Awen unknowingly touched his own cheek. Erial soothed the baby a few more tis before handing her back to the wet nurse.

Awen watched the scene with envious eyes.

"You haven't officially nad her yet, right?"

"No, but we've already decided on a na, just haven't made it official."

"What is it?"

"Lucy."

"Lucy."

Awen repeated the na to himself.

"It suits her."

"I think so too."

Erial smiled brightly. Awen took a step back and said:

"Today was fun. I should go now."

"Oh, already?"

"I'm full, and it's ti for my lessons."

"I see. I hope we can et again."

At Erial's words, Awen shrugged one shoulder and said:

"If I have ti."

As that was close to agreeing to et again, Erial smiled and stood up to see him off. As they left the Crown Princess's Palace, Awen whispered to Sigrid:

"Sigrid."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Was I like that too?"

Sigrid looked down at Awen at those words.

"Did Mother look at

so preciously too?"

"I'm sure she did."

"Then why now....... What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing, Your Highness."

Sigrid's answer was firm. Awen let out a sigh that seed too heavy for a child.

"What about you, Sigrid? Did your parents treat you well?"

"I'm an orphan, Your Highness."

"Ah—"

Awen exclaid in surprise, then nodded.

"I see."

When they arrived at the Prince's Palace, Morris and Alkerto, who had been waiting, stood up. Sigrid handed Awen over to them and said:

"Your Highness, I'll take my leave now."

"Why?"

Awen frowned.

"I have a separate task from His Majesty....... I'm sorry, Your Highness."

There was nothing to be done when it was an order from the Emperor. Awen thought about throwing a tantrum to make things difficult for her but decided against it.

"Alright."

Sigrid smiled slightly, nodded, and looked at Morris and Alkerto.

"I'll leave him in your care."

"Leave it to us."

Alkerto answered with a grin, while Morris looked at her with a worried face before nodding. The Emperor's interest in her didn't sit well with him.

Sigrid didn't need a guide from an attendant. Not only did she never forget a path she had taken once, but she had also been here countless tis.

Today, when she arrived at the secret room, instead of the Emperor, soone else was there.

'Who is it?'

The room was inherently dark with minimal lighting, and the person was wearing a hood, making it difficult to identify them.

"Sigrid Ankertna?"

"......Yes......."

Not knowing who it was, Sigrid decided to use formal speech for now.

"I've co in place of His Majesty. Tell

the information you've heard."

Sigrid honestly relayed the small piece of information she had heard from Beramund during their brief encounter.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, it's been difficult to et him lately......."

"Why don't you try a little harder? Hmm?"

"......."

Sigrid didn't answer and lowered her head.

"The dicine......"

At her question, the man pulled out a small pouch from his sleeve.

"Do you think you deserve this? With such paltry information? Hmm?"

Sigrid remained silent. The man waited wordlessly.

It was exactly the seventh day.

Sigrid felt the effects of the poison slowly rising. At first, her stomach ached dully, then quickly changed to a twisting pain. A faint sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Soon after, a headache swept over her. At the sa ti, the pain in her stomach transford into a stabbing sensation.

"Hng—"

She gritted her teeth. The man approached and kicked Sigrid, causing her to fall helplessly to the side.

"Ugh......."

She tasted blood in her mouth. Blood was regurgitating from her throat. Her entire body trembled, convulsing with pain. The man stepped on her head, but the other pains were already so intense that she had no capacity to feel it.

"Next ti, I hope you'll bring better information."

Just then, the door to the secret room opened. The light felt like it was gouging her eyes, and Sigrid let out a short scream.

"What are you doing here?"

The voice that ca was familiar.

"I was giving a warning to the bitch, Your Majesty."

"You'll end up killing her that way."

At the Emperor's words, the man bowed and dropped the pouch on the floor. Sigrid reached out and grabbed the pouch. Her hands, her fingers were shaking so much that it took a long ti to open the pouch. She spilled the pills on the floor and put one in her mouth.

Slowly, the pain subsided.

Sigrid, breathing heavily, slowly raised her body. Getting up on all fours, she gathered the pills and put them back in the pouch.

"Your face is a ss."

The Emperor said this and clicked his tongue.

"She's a valuable source of information, so we can't kill her."

As he reprimanded the man, the man replied in a low voice, "She brought such useless information." The Emperor turned to Sigrid and said:

"This is Adolf, my personal aide."

Adolf didn't even bother to greet her at the introduction, rely snorting in response.