'So this is where I am now.'
Geoffrey was struck by a strong headache. From here, he could already imagine how chaotic the current situation was for the future.
'First, if I fail to save Virelle. Then that will be death for me.'
That was something Geoffrey didn't want at all!
Absolutely impossible!!
The Emperor was a stubborn man. Seeing him directly like this made Geoffrey understand that this man was obsessed with his own daughter.
Because of that, by any means, he would definitely force Geoffrey's abilities to their limit, which meant death for Geoffrey.
'Second... If I succeed. What about the second princess, who should have gotten extraordinary character development when her older sister, the Empire's first princess died?'
Besides that, Geoffrey also thought that the first princess's presence would clearly change the entire contents of the novel gradually.
While contemplating, Geoffrey glanced at the emperor through the corner of his eye. He had been silent for quite a while, while the Emperor seemingly happily gave him a little space to think.
Even so, Geoffrey couldn't be at ease.
"Your Majesty," Geoffrey called hesitantly. "You should know well that I have no experience whatsoever with curses."
That was the fact.
Although Geoffrey's Bloodline was related to curses, neither the original Geoffrey nor the current one had ever touched actual curses.
Rather than curses, Geoffrey more often used types of poison and simple diseases because he was unwilling to feel the pain from the side effects of every curse.
'I actually intended to seal my own bloodline so I wouldn't have to use it...'
Geoffrey almost sighed. Fortunately, the emperor's voice cut him off before he could act carelessly.
"For now, yes, you cannot be relied upon."
The Emperor propped his face with one of his hands resting on the desk. With a flat expression, he stared at Geoffrey without any interest in his dark, swirling eyes.
"But what if you were given time?"
Geoffrey began to understand how the Emperor was thinking about this situation. Because the current situation had made him very desperate, a situation where not a single healer was able to approach Virelle because of the curse that would kill anyone who got close.
The Emperor intended to change his approach.
Initially, Geoffrey was definitely not the best choice. But in the current situation, Geoffrey had become the best choice for the Emperor.
"What you must do is simple." Said the Emperor, then continued in a flat tone as it should be:
"There are many healing professionals I employ to find out medicine to cure Virelle. You will learn with them, whether it's curses or medicine. You must study anything related to Cascading Decay."
Geoffrey smiled, even for too long.
"Very well, Your Majesty." He said cheerfully.
That was truly a forced expression, his face twitched unclearly. Fortunately, the Emperor seemed not to care, or just didn't pay attention to what was happening.
At the same time, Geoffrey repeated one same word in his mind:
'Bastard.'
***
After Geoffrey left the emperor's office, Vincent now entered and greeted the Emperor who hadn't moved from the start.
"Any progress?" The Emperor asked, certain that Vincent would immediately know where this conversation was directed.
Vincent, that polite man, bowed with closed eyes.
"So far, there is no significant progress." He answered, then without waiting for the emperor to ask anything, Vincent immediately continued:
"Even with Geoffrey's presence, I highly doubt there will be rapid progress in the near future."
For the first time in such a heavy time, the Emperor's expression seemed to crumble and was full of despair.
"...We don't have much time... Virelle can no longer endure that long."
Vincent understood well about the emperor. After all, he had stood beside the emperor since he was inaugurated and given the crown.
Because of that, seeing the emperor's expression, he, who was like the emperor's old friend, clearly felt the despair and tremendous emotion of sadness.
".... What will You do if the situation becomes uncontrollable?" That was a very sensitive question.
But as someone who had accompanied the emperor and helped the emperor to improve and maintain this Empire, it was a necessary question.
The emperor's body flinched, his hands clenched hard. Then, a smile appeared on his face distorted by madness and despair.
"I will... Kill Virelle with my own hands, as emperor and her father."
Vincent's body shuddered with a creeping coldness. He immediately lowered his head.
"...I see." He answered softly.
After that, Vincent excused himself from the emperor's office. He had to bring Geoffrey together with a healing professional to ensure that Geoffrey immediately got the right lessons about curses and medicine.
In the middle of his walk, Vincent stopped for a moment. He sighed and shook his head heavily.
'Is it right... For a father to be an executioner for his own child?'
Fate was truly cruel.
Vincent couldn't imagine that the emperor now and before were the same person.
He understood well. That, although called a tyrant, he was actually a fair emperor and only acted tyrannical toward those who deserved it.
Besides that, the Emperor was also the type of man who smiled very easily for his family. Unfortunately, that was only a past.
Vincent had never again seen the emperor's warm smile to his family, since the queen passed away and his first daughter who suffered from a terrible curse that had no hope at all.
Heavily, Vincent walked down the corridor. He then immediately found Geoffrey standing and staring at the ceiling through the window.
Now, Vincent could only pray for the best. For the entire Imperial family, as well as a child who knew nothing and had to be involved in all these complicated problems.
"Young master Geoffrey, please follow me."
'May there be a glimmer of hope and a miracle that blesses everything.' Vincent thought while giving a polite greeting to Geoffrey.
***