Chương 83: Remember It, My Suffering
Eugene had breakfast with Karsten.
Grand Duke Karsten ensured his wife's comfort by attending to even the smallest details. Meanwhile, Khalil, with a perplexed expression on his face, observed his parents while eating, wondering why his father couldn't let go of his mother even for a few seconds.
Kaizer, with a satisfied look, kept an eye out for Eugene.
Khalil, the only single dog: "..."
What had he done to deserve this punishment?
Eugene informed the grand duke that he would be going to the palace and ignored Kaizer throughout the entire conversation. Kaizer grew anxious and wanted to accompany Eugene, but Eugene dismissed him after breakfast and warned him not to interfere.
With only Raphael, his personal attendant, Eugene left this morning.
Keerto watched his eldest son wander around the office.
Today, since Kaizer was not in the right state of mind, the grand duke handled the work himself and took his wife along. He listened anxiously to his son's complaints. Kaizer was worried that someone in the palace might mistreat or flirt with Eugene, so he couldn't calm down. He wanted to follow Eugene but restrained himself, remembering Eugene's warning.
"Kaizer, sit down. You're making your mother dizzy."
Grand Duke Karsten held his wife on his lap and kissed his cheek.
Kaizer grumbled.
Grand Duke Karsten said, "Settle down, let's discuss land management. This week, a ceremony will be held to announce the distribution of territory. We need to plan how to manage the territory that will be granted to us. As I am in the process of transferring authority to you so that you can hold the ceremony along with Casimin and Euric, who will also inherit their parents' titles."
"We will hold a joint ceremony?"
Grand Duke Karsten nodded. "I received a letter from Catharis. Your uncle is requesting a favor. He mentioned that both households need Karsten's support to avoid becoming targets of enemies."
Kaizer frowned. "Why does Uncle care so much?"
Grand Duke Karsten sighed. "You may not know this, but one of Eugene's step-brothers from Del Viltaria is your uncle's wife. That's likely why the Catharis family is getting involved in the affairs of both households—to please their daughter-in-law."
Kaizer stroked his chin. "So, Duke Del Viltaria has another son?"
Grand Duke Karsten hummed. "Yes, it's their eldest, Arkiton's son with the duchess."
Kaizer clicked his tongue, showing no interest.
Katnier hugged his wife tightly as their son calmed down, taking in the familiar scent he had never forgotten since the day he fell in love. Looking at Keerto, who was busy exploring, Katnier felt a mix of fear and anticipation. He didn't want Keerto to remember the past, so he could continue relying on him and not leave.
He had waited long enough; he believed he had given Keerto enough time.
This time, Keerto wouldn't leave him again.
At the palace, Eugene, who had arrived early, sat face to face with the emperor, discussing his issues with the Rozans family and his desire to save Timber from Klius, who was likely planning to seek revenge.
"Your majesty, I hope you understand."
Iselus stroked his chin.
While the people saw him as an emperor and the nobles saw him as a puppet, it didn't mean he couldn't intervene in imperial affairs or others. He had forced the Marquis to arrange a marriage between the second son and the grand duke's son upon Kaizer's request. It was surprising that Eugene harbored no resentment towards such a forced arrangement. Perhaps Eugene understood his own status and knew that he could only survive with the support of the grand duke.
"Getting Timber out of the Rozans won't be easy unless we follow a traditional procedure, just like how you got out of the Shradinza Household through marriage."
Eugene's eyes widened.
"You mean Timber has to marry into another household?"
Iselus nodded.
After all, the Rozans were not easy opponents. They were cunning families, hiding their schemes behind smiling facades. While others might be easily fooled by them, Iselus, like the Rozans, was also a cunning fox.
Eugene fell into deep thought.
He was already engaged to Kaizer, so he couldn't engage with Timber anymore.
Which household was suitable? He didn't want Timber to be mistreated, and the only households he trusted were the Shradinza and Del Viltaria. But he didn't intend to force his brothers into marriages they didn't desire. What should he do? Timber was important to him, as were his brothers who sacrificed themselves for him. He couldn't be too selfish.
"I understand. Please allow me some time to think. I will write another letter once I have made a decision."
Iselus nodded.
Eugene bid farewell and left the drawing room. As the door slowly closed, he failed to witness the surprising scene of the emperor being gagged and restrained by someone emerging from the shadows.
Eugene walked along the wide hallway.
Unexpectedly, he crossed paths with the crown prince.
"Greetings, your highness."
Eugene bowed his head, his expression nonchalant. After all, the crown prince was his enemy in his past life. He didn't want to get entangled with such a person in this life and hoped that Lincoln wouldn't cause trouble for him. By sparing the crown prince's life, Eugene believed he was being magnanimous, knowing that at any moment, he could assassinate him as he pleased.
"Is it young master Shradinza who requested an audience with the emperor?"
"Indeed, to discuss a few matters."
Lincoln smiled and asked, "Are you busy?"
Eugene raised an eyebrow. "I have matters to attend to. If it's alright, may I excuse myself?" He still needed to visit the dungeon prison and check on Timber at the Shradinza Household. He didn't have time to spare for the crown prince's idle chitchat.
Lincoln bit his lip and nodded. "Yes."
Eugene bowed his head one last time and walked away.
Lincoln watched Eugene's retreating figure and clenched his fists. His mother had been pressuring him to befriend Eugene Shradinza, but it wasn't easy to socialize with someone who didn't acknowledge his existence. The only pride he had left was his title as crown prince. His mother should understand him; all he wanted was to be free.
Lincoln sighed.
"Stepping out of his shell upon hearing about the arrival of the second Shradinza..."
Maxmilian, leaning against a massive pillar, snorted. "Crown prince, are you that desperate? Should I warn you that Eugene Shradinza is already engaged and that Kaizer is not someone you can offend? Or are you blinded by the fact that with your looks, any man will kneel at your feet?"
Lincoln's face turned pale as he stopped in his tracks.
He knew his actions were always under his brother's watchful eyes, but he didn't expect his brother to witness his interactions with others so quickly.
"I have no such desire."
He respected Eugene and acknowledged the other party's talent, nothing more. It was his brother who always attributed meaning to his actions, suspecting that every man and woman he spoke to was being seduced by him.
"What do you expect from the son of a harlot?"
Lincoln's eyelashes trembled.
"Am I right? Your mother seduced the emperor and killed the empress to enjoy things that weren't rightfully hers." Maxmilian laughed mockingly. "You should just be obedient and stay in your room, and don't forget your real identity, Second Prince Lincoln."
Maxmilian's piercing gaze locked onto Lincoln's face before storming away.
Lincoln was left desolate in the hallway, biting his lips in anger and shame as he strode back to his chamber, venting his frustration by throwing things. Why? Why?! In tears, the face of someone suddenly flashed into Lincoln's mind.
Remembering Chantall calmed his agitated state. He convinced himself that it was fine; even if everyone hated him, there was still someone who claimed to love him. Losing the crown and being exiled meant nothing as long as Chantall was there, continuing to stay by his side.
It didn't matter anymore.
All he wanted was to break free from the confines of the high palace walls that trapped him.
Meanwhile, Eugene arrived at the dungeon after receiving permission and was guided by palace guards to his parents' prison cell. The underground penitentiary was in good condition, devoid of any foul smells or wild prisoners reaching out to grab anyone.
"Arkiton Del Viltaria and Aison Shradinza, you have a visitor," the guard announced.
Both Arkiton and Aison looked up.
Eugene stepped out from behind the guard, walking towards the prison cell with a cold expression. He nodded at the guard, dismissing him, as he wanted to have a private conversation.
"Son!" Arkiton smiled. "I heard about your engagement. Are you happy?"
"Are you asking if I'm happy?"
Eugene focused on adjusting his cuff. "I don't know. I've never known happiness for thousands of years."
Duke Del Viltaria froze. "W-What are you saying?"
Eugene sighed. "Duke, tell me... how can I be happy with this kind of life?"
Eugene opened his palm, summoning a small magic circle. ""I find it unfair for both of you to live a normal life after exile. Unfair that only I can remember the past while everyone else remains clueless about how they destroyed me, repeatedly, until I nearly lost myself."
Eugene reached out, grabbing his father's head and activating the magic. "Remember it, remember my pain, and live with it without the release of death."
"N-No! Eugene, what are you doing?!"
Aison rushed forward, but Eugene also grabbed him and subjected him to the spell.
"You too must remember how the son you abandoned suffered,"
Eugene's eyes glowed, and red strings floated around, wrapping the three figures. Then, gradually, the red strings that enveloped Eugene broke, leaving only Marquis Shradinza and Duke Del Viltaria entwined within them. Finally, Eugene broke free from his parents. He was now merely a god, born through the power of magic, a god bound to recognize no family ties.
After a minute of casting the spell, Eugene let go.
He watched as Marquis Shradinza and Duke Del Viltaria fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces as they held their heads and wailed, apologizing countless times and shouting his name, begging him not to die. But it was too late. In his first life, he was beheaded; in his second life, he was hanged; in his third life, he was poisoned; in his fourth life, he was killed by the son of heaven. And in his fifth life, he was killed by Cadmus, starting the cycle of his transmigration and dying repeatedly. Would they still have the audacity to ask him if he's happy now?
Eugene gazed at his parents with red eyes.
"In four lives, you both watched me die without apologizing," Eugene uttered with a low laugh. "Happiness? Is such a thing still possible for me?"
"I was deeply in love with someone, yet that person also killed me countless times. Must I die for others to recognize my worth?" Eugene exhaled. "Why is it that I, who despise pain the most, always end up suffering?"
Eugene turned around and noticed the Marchioness in the adjacent prison cell, just staring at him.
She had gone insane.
The Marchioness stared at him, bewildered, and then glanced at the Marquis and Duke, who curled up on the floor. After that, she shivered and fixed her wide-eyed gaze on Eugene, biting her lip. Eugene locked eyes with the Marchioness, smirked, and approached her as a small magic circle materialized in his hand. The Marchioness, witnessing the process of what Eugene did to her husband and the Duke, opened and closed her mouth, shaking her head.
"N-No! Don't come near me, you monster!"
The Marchioness's voice quivered.
Eugene's eyes glowed. "Come here."
Marchioness Celisha widened her eyes and screamed, but her body moved against her will, not listening to her commands. Until Eugene held her head, she continued begging and apologizing, but Eugene paid no heed as he evoked the Marchioness's consciousness, just as he had done with his fathers.
The Marchioness screamed in agony.
Countless memories flooded her mind as she fell to her knees.
"It's not that I hate you. I simply believe that you are not deserving of starting a new life without understanding how you destroyed yourself and someone else's life. So, I hope that in your next life, you will be a good woman and live free from obsessions."
Eugene wiped his hands and walked away.
The underground dungeon reverberated with screams, leaving the guard who heard them trembling in fear as he watched Eugene exit and nodded in acknowledgment.
Eugene headed straight to the Marquis's house.
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