TGS - Chapter 122
Chapter 122: The Revelation
This palace coup had begun with startling suddenness and ended just as quickly, as if the world had been turned upside down overnight.
Before the first rays of dawn illuminated the royal city, all turmoil had already subsided—at least, on the surface.
After a long ten years, the royal palace, the symbol of supreme power, finally returned to its rightful owner.
This morning, within the royal court, the ministers stood in their usual places before the court session began, just as they always did.
The atmosphere in the vast and magnificent hall was tense and stagnant. Those present occasionally exchanged inscrutable glances, awaiting the imminent outcome. After all, the person sitting on the throne today might not be the same one as before.
Some were doubtful, some were nervous, some were sweating profusely, and some remained perfectly composed.
Although the scale of last night's confrontation was not large, the movement of the city gate guards entering the royal palace could not be hidden.
The noble officials who had remained unharmed until now were more or less aware of the situation. When the two sides had faced each other with drawn weapons, every mansion had locked its doors and windows. Many hadn't dared to close their eyes all night, fearing some mishap.
However, in the latter half of the night, all fell silent, suggesting a victor had likely been decided.
So, the one who remained in the end was…?
Amidst everyone's speculation and unease, the outdoor shadow clock outside the hall moved to the designated mark, aligning with the black line.
At the same time, attendants rang heavy metal bells in succession, announcing the start of the court session.
The crowd fell suddenly silent. They could only hear the unhurried sound of footsteps from outside the hall doors. It was the sound of boot soles on the long white stone steps, ascending one by one, until the person came into everyone's view.
The black-haired, golden-eyed princess.
Alyuin walked down the wide path in the center of the royal court, which was covered with a scarlet carpet, passing by the solemn subjects standing on either side.
As she passed, the crowd bowed their heads even lower, able to see only her knee-high black boots. A faint, chilling scent of blood seemed to linger in the air.
At the end of the path was the crimson-gold throne. Golden leaves, engraved with the names of past Solancian kings, were forged into a shape resembling a crown and set atop the high seat.
Alyuin stepped onto the dais, turned to face the hall, and her gaze swept over the assembled nobles and ministers. Then, without hesitation or pause, she calmly sat upon the throne.
Several personal guards stood behind her, fanned out to her left and right, protecting her in silence.
Alyuin rested her hands on the wide armrests, her back naturally straight. The crown-shaped cluster of golden leaves at the top of the chair's back, when viewed from a distance below, made it seem as if she were wearing a solid gold crown.
Facing the ministers with their varied expressions, the corners of Alyuin's lips curled up slightly.
"As you can see."
"Horst has committed a grave crime and fled the city in rebellion last night. From this day forward, I will assume his duties."
This explanation was rather unexpected for many.
A palace coup was not a glorious affair, after all. At a time like this, shouldn't she have lied and claimed the former king had died suddenly from a severe illness, or pinned the blame on some insignificant figure to legitimize her own claim?
Moreover, Horst had escaped the royal city, not died…
While some officials were muttering to themselves in uncertainty, a few who had received news soon after last night's events stepped forward.
First was the noble elder, Bodoer.
Then came Carlton, the leader of the Pragmatist Faction.
It wasn't until the high priests of the various temples came forward that the few officials who had maintained a wait-and-see attitude from the beginning finally understood that it no longer mattered whether they voiced their dissent.
The Grand Vizier stood in his place, his face ashen, struggling to maintain his composure. The surrounding officials, intentionally or not, distanced themselves from him.
As a representative loyal to Horst, the Grand Vizier had gradually felt his powerlessness grow over the past three years. Although he was supposed to be the head of all ministers, the power of his position was fundamentally granted by the king.
The power held by the monarch himself, and the degree of trust the monarch placed in the person holding this position, determined the extent of the Grand Vizier's authority.
Even when Horst was on the throne, the Grand Vizier's power had been steadily shrinking. And if the Princess were to wield royal authority, what would become of his future?
To oppose was death, to submit was also death…
The Grand Vizier looked up, heaved a heavy sigh, and became the first official to raise an objection.
"What the Princess says, forgive us, but we cannot believe it."
"His Majesty Horst has always been magnanimous, benevolent, and diligent in his rule—this is plain for all to see. And as for you, you launched a coup last night and besieged the royal palace. Everyone is well aware of this."
"The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit. You have won in the end, so it is understandable that you would pin crimes on His Majesty, but to do so is truly disheartening."
At this point, the Grand Vizier shook his head sorrowfully. "If you can use such methods against His Majesty, you can use the same methods against innocent dissenters in the future, just like the royal consorts who use all sorts of vicious schemes in the monarch's harem."
"Having said this, it is impossible for you, Princess, to tolerate my existence. I would rather die here than be killed by a fabricated accusation!"
"Say no more! Have the guards drag me out now!"
As soon as these words were spoken, someone in the crowd below couldn't help but sneak a glance at Alyuin's expression.
The Princess asked with a half-smile, "Who said I was going to kill you?"
"Even if you say you don't mind, it's hard to believe. Perhaps one day you will have those of us loyal to His Majesty die an un—"
"Stop." Alyuin raised a hand, speaking nonchalantly. "You can't just say things like that. Otherwise, if Your Excellency the Grand Vizier were to take a tumble or fall suddenly ill one day, wouldn't any misfortune that befalls you be blamed on me?"
The Grand Vizier was momentarily speechless. This was indeed what he had been thinking.
Alyuin shifted her gaze from him and surveyed the crowd below. None of those among her own faction showed any unusual expression, but those who had chosen not to take a side were somewhat wavering.
This was an unavoidable phenomenon. There would always be people who wavered. But as long as she could present something more powerful to convince them, she wouldn't have to worry about it.
"I had intended to explain in detail after the Tribunal announced its verdict. However, since the Grand Vizier has raised a question, I cannot simply ignore it."
"The crime Horst committed was murdering the former king and framing the former queen." Alyuin lowered her eyes. "In other words, my parents."
A single stone stirred a thousand waves. Even the ministers who had adhered to the principle of "the less said, the fewer mistakes" and had remained utterly silent with wooden expressions since the start of the session, now showed looks of astonishment and made small noises.
Murdering the former king!
Many still had a fresh memory of Horst weeping inconsolably over the former king's coffin. Poets had even sung praises of his brotherly affection for the late king. But if this accusation were proven true, the impression Horst had given would be completely overturned.
And if that were the case, then no matter how the Princess had launched a coup to seize power, her actions would be perfectly justified and proper.
The Grand Vizier, however, knew nothing of this. When the former king was on the throne, he had been one of the powerful ministers, and had had little interaction with Horst at the time.
Hearing this, he forced himself to remain calm and said, "This is baseless slander. So many people back then noticed no problem. If it is as you say, how would the Princess know?"
The scene from that year uncontrollably replayed in Alyuin's mind.
Blood, the golden scissors plunged deep into a chest, Horst's savage face.
The image flashed past. The Princess closed her eyes; her mind was still calm and rational, not like the fierce rage of her childhood.
"I saw it with my own eyes. When Horst struck down my father the king and forced my mother the queen to take her own life, I was also in that bedchamber."
The Grand Vizier's mouth twisted.
Before he could question her, Alyuin continued, "Of course, my word alone is not enough to convince people. I know that."
"But Horst left behind evidence. He did not dare let my father's soul return to the Kingdom of the Gods, so he held no funeral for him."
"What kind of joke is this? We all attended that funeral!"
Alyuin sneered.
"Yes, Horst held a funeral for the air. The coffin used for the ceremony by the Yilu River was empty, and the one sent to the royal mausoleum was also empty. My real father and mother were discarded in an unmarked grave outside the city, buried in a black stone coffin used to suppress criminals."
A few faint gasps were heard from below the dais. The Grand Vizier's eyes widened, his hands clenched into fists.
"This... this is too absurd."
"Then, do you want to open the royal mausoleum right now and see if the coffin inside is empty?"
"..." The Grand Vizier was at a loss for words.
Alyuin gave him a cold, majestic glance.
"Horst fled in a hurry last night and didn't take all his confidants with him. Those involved in his crimes from that year have been handed over to the Tribunal. A verdict will be reached soon."
"The construction of my father's mausoleum was nearing its end back then, but it was hastily completed without proper finishing. For this reason, it will need to be renovated, and you will all see whether the coffin inside is empty or not."
"When everything is ready, I will hold a new funeral for my father and mother and move them into the royal mausoleum."
"Does anyone have any objections?"
A brief silence.
Carlton and Bodoer exchanged a look and stepped forward in unison. "We will obey Your Majesty's will."
The change in address was natural and smooth. The difference between "Your Highness" and "Your Majesty" said it all.
The officials followed their example one after another. The rest, at most, simply remained silent. The Grand Vizier watched the scene before him, silent for a long time, then let out a dejected sigh.
When the court session ended, Alyuin returned to her bedchamber.
It was the former queen's old bedchamber, cleaned out overnight for her temporary use.
Gazing at the familiar yet strange furnishings, Alyuin propped her chin on one hand and listlessly stirred the milk in her cup with a spoon. She suddenly remembered that she had once told Lotus about these things.
—About how she had discovered the empty coffin.
During the funeral back then, Horst had taken the coffin to the Yilu River for the rites. Practically every official of rank had attended, leaving the royal palace deserted and bleak, with everyone feeling insecure.
Alyuin had been locked in her room. Fortunately, Horst didn't seem to pay her much mind, having assigned only two guards to watch her.
The young princess slipped away from the guards and ran to the small room where the bodies were kept, wanting to see her mother one last time. She never expected to see her father's body.
It was covered in bloodstains, his eyes wide open in death, crammed into the same black stone coffin.
In an instant, Alyuin understood.
Horst hadn't held a funeral for her father at all. He had taken an empty coffin.
At that time, the little princess knew she couldn't let this be known, or Horst would not spare her.
She had wanted to sneak out and find her father's old retainers, but she was intercepted halfway by Horst's men. Carrying her secret, she was sent out of the royal city and exiled to the distant Kadera.
That was why she had met Lotus…
The Princess recalled the subtle expression on Lotus's face when she had spoken of this, and the hand that had rested on her head, ruffling her hair gently.
She sat quietly for a long while, then suddenly raised her hand to her black hair. Imitating the angle and pressure from her memory, she slowly ruffled it, for reasons she couldn't quite name.
…A little foolish.
Alyuin lowered her arm and gave a self-deprecating smile.
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