If Only I Could Disappear - Chapter 25

A man that everyone in the world doesn’t know of.

It was Edmund Lez Setton Mendez’s first impression of Lehman Periwinkle, after he took the time to investigate him.

The southern kingdom of Beatum wasn’t comparable to Mendez in terms of military and economic power, but the combined power of wizards was probably the best in the continent. As they tended to be exclusive towards other countries, it definitely wasn’t easy to engage a wizard, and amongst them, Lehman was an unknown wizard that had never interacted with anyone.

“Your Majesty, honestly speaking… I have no idea how Lady Sotis had invited Lord Lehman. Considering how the wizards of Beatum made it their principle not to intervene in the affairs of other countries, and he isn’t someone that a ducal princess could interact with privately, so it is quite unusual.”

The Marquis of Rosewood fiddled with his beard like he was quite mystified. As his territory was adjacent to the southern border, it wasn’t difficult for him to investigate Beatum.

“Also, Your Majesty…….”

The marquis looked around and whispered in a rather secretive voice.

“Externally, Lehman Periwinkle is only known as a Great Wizard’s disciple and the master of the Periwinkle Magic Tower……”

“Speak.”

“……In fact, since a long time ago, speculation that he himself has already met the conditions to become a Great Wizard arose.”

Edmund’s expression turned severe and his brows furrowed deeply. If these conjectures were true, he couldn’t consider this matter simply.

Apparently, one of Beatum’s wizards was equivalent to an elite unit. Given that ordinary wizards were like that, how powerful would the Great Wizards, who were within Beatum’s top five, be?

Overly powerful forces were likely used in dangerous places, and so to prevent accidents, they were managed within the kingdom. As such, when Lehman Periwinkle’s teacher awakened as a Great Wizard, he returned to his home country.

“Investigate in further detail. Even the trivial matters.”

“I receive your order, Your Majesty. Although Lord Lehman is Lady Sotis’ private distinguished guest, it might be better to send him back peacefully, if you want to avoid complicated matters.”

“……I got it, so go back.”

Edmund felt troubled in many ways.

Lehman Periwinkle was Sotis Marigold’s private guest. He was, of course, the emperor, and there was nothing he couldn’t drive out if he borrowed the power of authority. All he had to do was create a reason.

But he’d already promised Sotis. If he banished Lehman, Sotis would think that he also didn’t keep his promise this time.

Of course, based on Sotis’ nature, she wouldn’t fly into a rage because Edmund failed to keep his promise, nor would she reveal the truth through the Duke of Marigold. If she was determined to do so, a messy fight borne from blind passion would have unfolded a long time ago with Edmund. In that sense, Sotis was born with a wise and peaceful disposition.

“It’s not this is my first time breaking my promise…”

Edmund was also aware that this wasn’t the first time he failed to keep his promises with her. Sotis wouldn’t even hold any expectations for him anymore.

But for some reason, he felt so frustrated and uncomfortable.

Why?

It was just one of the many promises that Edmund broke and trampled on.

“But Sotis, this time I really can’t.”

Edmund mumbled to himself and closed the book he was reading through. None of the words were entering his eyes.

Lehman Periwinkle was the owner of the Periwinkle Tower, which governs souls and life. He reportedly played a role in supervising the lost souls of the deceased and returning them to God’s embrace.

However, if he wasn’t a high priest or a wizard, but a great wizard, the possibility of ‘managing’ or communicating and further ‘taking advantage of’ those souls cannot be ignored. In other words, he could control life and death with formidable power.

A person that could talk to the deceased and use the deceased had a close relationship with the Duke of Marigold’s daughter. Edmund couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, trying his best not to feel dissatisfied at this news.

“……The dead don’t speak.”

Edmund was unlike the lukewarm Emperor and Empress. He hated the situation where the circumstances of his birth was caught like a weakness, and he wanted to uproot the disrespectful ducal family, even if it took him time. Even if it was for the unborn child’s right to the throne.

It wasn’t impossible for him to kill the Duke and completely dig up the Duke of Marigold. It was for the sake of eliminating rumours for the future generations. In fact, it wasn’t like he didn’t know that this should have been done by the previous emperor. At that time, it would have been easier to eliminate the duke as he was a mere information broker, but now, Cheryl has married the owner of a merchant group and they have grounded themselves financially, it became more burdensome than it was previously.

In this situation, if Lehman Periwinkle intervened and assisted the Duke of Marigold.

“……”

The emperor sighed deeply as he rubbed his temples.

It was always like this.

Anything related to Sotis Marigold was tepid and frustrating. Even though he was aware of the most efficient answer, he would occasionally hesitate.

‘Right, let’s just see it in person before making a decision.’

After contemplating this much, Edmund got up unhesitatingly. He’d originally intended to stop by the Empress; Palace to wrap up work, and go over to Fynn. Fynn didn’t participate in state affairs, spent most of her days in the western detached palace, and seems to be depressed after she became pregnant.

No matter what, rather than Sotis, who tried to do everything herself, Fynn, who gave him space, was much better. In that way, Edmund easily compared the women he knew and moved to the empress’ palace. He wanted to deal with the troublesome matter quickly and be at ease.

* * *

“I greet Your Majesty. May I ask what brings you here?”

The maids greeted him politely but they could not hide their anxiety. They’d even secretly exchanged uneasy gazes.

Edmund intended to express his displeasure but gave up. If he starts finding faults one by one, there would be no end to it.

“Tell her that it’s something very important that has to do with state affairs.”

The maids hurried into the drawing room. Then, they came out with expressions that were more puzzled than before and bowed.

“My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty. Lady Sotis has a guest, and asks for you to give her a moment.”

Edmund asked in a ridiculing voice.

“I’d definitely said that it was related to state affairs though.”

“……Lady Sotis also said that she was currently discussing matters related to state affairs.”

At those words, the emperor noticed the identity of the ‘guest’ that had visited the empress’ palace first.

Lehman Periwinkle.

The both of them were probably discussing ways to solve the bizarre soul-related events and the various problems that have been occurring throughout the Mendez Empire. Technically speaking, this matter was no longer Sotis’ responsibility, but she cared a lot about those incidents since before the divorce, so she was still in charge of it.

It wasn’t a bad choice for the country’s sake, but Edmund was quite troubled as the person that rendered assistance had to be Lehman.

Maybe, he regarded him as an eyesore.

“It seems like the both of them are pretty close.”

The maid was surprised at Edmund’s question, but she quickly answered him.

“Ever since Lady Sotis’ collapse, Lord Lehman came often. He carefully examined whether Lady Sotis’ soul was damaged.”

There was a hidden meaning to the maid’s words. Only then did Edmund realise that he had never visited Sotis during that month.

But what about that? They didn’t have such a relationship. At least, that was the case for him. They weren’t a loving couple, and their political relationship was a little ambiguous.

She wouldn’t have expected anything anyway. As she always does.

Edmund, who asked deliberately when he already knew about it, frowned deeply.

“So it seems that I was the one that’s lacking in wits.”

His tone sounded like they were having a rendezvous.

The maid swallowed the urge to express her aggrievance. She then thought inwardly that if it was like this, she would rather that Edmund didn’t come to the empress’ palace at all. It’s because she thought that the usual indifference would be better than coming over and making Sotis suffer.

Also, what’s going on with that tone that seems to be criticising the relationship between Sotis and Lehman? Even if they were meeting with good feelings, what does that have to do with Edmund!

The divorce papers were settled a long time ago, and legally, Sotis was Ducal Princess Marigold. No, even if she wasn’t ‘Ducal Princess Marigold’ but the ‘Empress of Mendez’, there wasn’t anything reprehensible about their meetings. Edmund brought in and threw out so many of his mistresses and caused this small empress’ palace to become crowded, so what’s wrong about having a wizard from a foreign country?

“Your Majesty.”

Just then, Sotis came out of the drawing room. She placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head politely.

“My apologies for my delayed greetings. I have a guest inside, so if it’s alright with you, may I guide you somewhere else.”

“Never mind. It isn’t something that requires sitting down and conversing about for an extended period of time.”

“Then…”

Sotis gestured towards the hallway, seemingly realising that it was embarrassing to leave him standing like this.

“Shall we head to the garden for a moment? I also had something I needed to tell you.”

She lifted her skirt slightly so that she wouldn’t step on the hem of her skirt, and moved ahead. With each time Sotis moved her feet, her lavender hair swayed slightly.

Not only were the clothes she wore light, her hair, complexion, and voice were also pale and transparent. She was truly an indistinct person. Although she didn’t have any edges, she also didn’t have anything special. To Edmund, who was immediately attracted to vividness and intensity, she has never been outstanding.

However, Sotis Marigold was always present. Edmund abruptly realised that fact unprovoked. Sotis has been here since she was very young. When she first entered the palace after being promised the position of crown princess, she lived here, and even after her engagement and marriage, and even after Edmund’s arbitrary choice to get a divorce.

When a small building in the eastern corner of the imperial palace became the empress’ palace, and when it ended up only existing in name, Sotis repeatedly bloomed and wilted like a plant that someone has buried insincerely.

“I’ve submitted a report previously. Apparently, soul-related problems are occurring within the Mendez Empire, and the people are suffering. According to the wizard, if someone dies suddenly or the death of many occurs in a short period of time, problems might occur in their souls. It would be even better if I could personally see the dead and solve the problem.”

As she stood in the garden, Sotis began to speak to Edmund with a rare smile. She’d even forgotten that she was always intimidated in front of him, and a faint smile was on her face.

“That being said, I…”

Edmund felt inexplicably gloomy. Before he could think things through, pointed words popped out from his mouth.

“Not a chance.”

* * *