Chapter 62【VIP】
Theodore returned to the mansion and went to the studio.
In the studio, Ludovico was still painting the statue.
He stood behind Ludovico, lowering his head slightly. "Brother, she agreed."
"I heard that." Ludovico's brush continued to move, leaving traces of paint on the canvas. "Well done."
"Dear brother, my leg is starting to hurt again." His wooden prosthesis made a sound on the floor, and he pointed to the wooden cabinet. "Can you get me some painkillers?"
Theodore didn't answer, walked to the cabinet, took out the painkillers and handed them to Ludovico.
"Thank you." Ludovico took the painkiller, unscrewed the bottle cap, lifted up his trouser leg, and applied the ointment on the joint of the prosthesis with his index finger.
Theodore didn't dare stare, his eyes drifting to the unfolded canvas.
Ever since Ludovic's leg was broken by Father Kidd, he changed from being gentle to moody and never left the house in five years - and all this was simply because he failed to complete the task given by Kidd.
Strangely enough, his brother still adored him as always, not caring at all about how his leg was broken, but just frustrated that he hadn't completed the task perfectly.
He didn't dare ask, because Ludovico would rush over to him and beat him like a madman.
Suddenly, Ludovico asked, "Did she not give the poison to Henry?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be prepared to sacrifice everything for Bright. Master Kidd said that woman has returned," Ludovico said calmly. "So, that woman is most likely her."
"Brother," Theodore finally couldn't help but ask, "Why... do you trust that priest so much?"
"Because he's an angel. I've seen him before." Ludovico picked up his brush again and painted black on the wings of the statue. "He's a god. He can lead our fallen Bright."
"But--"
"Opesha has failed. She cannot become a god-maker. She will be executed by Kidd-sama. And we must succeed in this mission." The god on the canvas waved black wings, his body stained with red blood, but his expression was still compassionate. "God must be born from pain, and we will become God's most devout believers."
Theodore could not understand Ludovico's words at all.
He was crazy. He had been crazy since the day his mother died.
Their mother was favored by the king and forced to marry him, but she eventually jumped out of the palace due to the overwhelming pressure.
Ludovico stood at the foot of the palace and witnessed this scene with his own eyes.
The king stood in the palace, ignoring all this, holding the new beauty in his arms, without even a trace of unnecessary emotion.
That day, blood dyed the white roses under the palace red.
But no one mourned the poor woman, and the red roses were replaced with new white roses by the gardener the next day.
He began to worship the gods madly, hoping that the gods could lead his mother's soul to heaven.
He became a priest and a disciple of Father Kidd. He listened to his teachings and believed in the legend of the "Chosen Son of God". He firmly believed that the "Chosen Son of God" would become a god and lead them into a new era.
"Theodore," said Ludovico, "you know I do all this for the world."
He had already committed sin for his faith.
Killed Sindriel's biological parents and sent him to a slave farm.
He became the actual controller of Pace Trading House, executing Kidd's orders behind the scenes, luring Brandt to cooperate with the trading house and buy Sinderell.
He killed Brandt's wife and daughter, married his sister Opesha to him, and began to implement Kidd's plan to create a god.
Unfortunately, all this was ruined by a strange woman.
Kidd said that it was a being from another world, a demon.
Ludovico is even more convinced that Kidd is a god, and the woman in Opesa's body is a demon from hell.
He wanted the woman to leave his sister's body, wanted Sindriel to awaken the divine power left in him by Amra, and wanted him to become a god.
But he was too impatient - so much so that he failed for the first time and lost a leg.
Kidd didn't take his life because Sinderel awakened most of his divine power due to pain. As long as he suffered again, he could ascend to become a god.
Just once... just once!
Soon, very soon he will be redeemed by God,
The brush added the final stroke and the painting was complete.
Theodore looked at the painting with a complicated expression.
In the painting, the god stretches his arms wide, gazing down at the believers below. His expression is compassionate, his eyes lowered as he gazes down at those suffering.
But behind and above its head were black and white wings.
Once black is stained with white, it can no longer become pure.
If even Theodore knew this, how could Ludovico not know it?
But he was still immersed in his utopia, indifferent to everything around him.
Now,
Theodore couldn't refuse him, because he hoped to make Ludovico come back.
Brother Lu, at least before everything happened, he was indeed a competent and good brother.
He finally
Unfortunately, no one told him the answer.
Theodore returned to the room, sat in the dim room and lit a cigar.
It will all be over tomorrow.
As long as my brother can smile again, nothing else matters.
After finishing a cigar, Theodore called out, "George."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Prepare your troops and ambush outside the palace tomorrow, ready for a coup." He paused. "Perhaps I won't be able to come out. If I'm not out by midnight, you will be in full command of the troops outside."
"Roger that, Master."
"And...if possible, try to take her along the small path tomorrow night."
"Who is the master talking about?"
"..." Theodore was silent for a moment, "...Nothing."
Maybe she won't leave.
He had already hinted to her, and as smart as she was, she should have known the secret of the macarons long ago, and she would not accept his advances.
Even if there were only two or three contacts, and even if the responses from those contacts were brief, he had a rough idea of her character.
That was a carefree and calm attitude that he would never be able to learn.
She could show her emotions on the surface, but he couldn't.
That wasn't love, that was envy, he knew it.
George left, and Theodore also prepared to rest and prepare for tomorrow's palace coup.
He originally hoped that Jian Yue could survive.
But now, forget it.
She would not allow the man who had killed her friend to become her lover.
But he is a timid and fragile person who doesn't want to see anyone live the way he wants.
And hinting all this to her was the only thing he had left, the last one - conscience.
——
On the third day, Jian Yue received news that the head of the Bright family was coming to pick up the bride.
The rumor spread throughout the palace like a plague, and wherever it went, the maids looked at it with envy or jealousy and talked about it.
Speech is always like this, with two sides.
Those who dislike her would say that she used her body to get ahead, and those who envy her would say that she is a lucky girl. In short, no matter what they say, it is impossible to mention her personal charm.
These did not matter to Jian Yue, because she had experienced worse situations in the past. The deterrent effect of these remarks could not compare to the insults and rumors she received from those who disliked her in modern times.
What she cares more about now is Theodore's actions.
She had always been the one who approached deliberately, but this time she had attracted another person with ulterior motives, which aroused her curiosity.
She secretly turned the macarons and diamond ring into poison powder and hid it in the cross. Even if she poisoned Henry, the officials would not find anything in her room.
She wanted to see how Theodore would pour this dirty water on her head.
Mary's disappearance was definitely related to her, and she would definitely settle the score with him.
Theodore fulfilled his promise and brought the most luxurious carriage to pick up Jian Yue and take her to Brett's house.
Jian Yue pretended to be happy and shed two tears, then boarded the carriage under everyone's gaze.
She pretended to wave to everyone, but then she saw something and paused.
She quickly returned to normal, pulled down the curtains, and her fingertips unconsciously stroked the cross on her chest.
"What are you thinking about?"
Theodore's voice came from the other side. He was wearing a silver suit today, with a rose brooch pinned to his collar, and his short hair was neatly styled.
"I'm thinking about the Bright family's garden." She looked away, revealing just the right amount of curiosity. "I heard they grow the rarest red camellia in the empire there?"
Theodore chuckled and twirled the family ring on his ring finger. "These were my mother's favorite flowers. Unfortunately, after something happened, there aren't many left." He suddenly leaned in, and the space inside the carriage suddenly became cramped. "But it doesn't matter. Soon, the camellias will be full of them again."
His hot and humid breath rushed towards her. Jian Yue turned her head calmly and pretended to adjust the hem of her skirt: "Lord Theodore is really good at coaxing people."
"Whether it's a lie or not, you'll soon find out." Theodore stood up straight, his eyes fixed on her fingers. "Where's your ring?"
"Oh, that's too valuable, so I put it away." Jian Yue casually pointed to the space behind her where the suitcases were placed. "It's in the suitcase, and it's a little difficult to find now."
The rain intensified as the carriage stopped in front of the Bright Mansion. The butler, waiting at the door with a black umbrella, saw Theodore get out of the carriage and his eyes flickered. "Master, the master is waiting for you in the studio."
"Got it." Theodore took the umbrella, turned around and wanted to help Jian Yue, but she dodged him easily.
"I can do it myself." She lifted her skirt and stepped out of the carriage, her eyes sweeping over the outer wall of the mansion covered with ivy.
Ancient, yet charmingly dangerous.
Next, she will face this danger without gunpowder alone.
At the same time, in the highest tower of the palace, someone stood still, looking at the palace gate which had already been cleared.
Ten minutes ago, the place was bustling with people.
Sinderel stood in front of the carved railing, his long golden hair blown by the wind, revealing his cold and hard jaw.
His spy knelt on one knee in the shadows. "Your Majesty, we've found out. Theodore bribed the palace maids to poison your tea this morning. Although the prince didn't drink it, the palace has already rioted, just as you predicted. You can take advantage of this opportunity to claim the throne."
Sinderel's fingertips traced water marks on the cold railing. "Who is his target?"
"It's Prince Henry—the maid has confessed." The spy paused. "They plan to frame Jian Yue and make you the new king."
"Oh."
A very light sneer escaped from Xindrel's throat, and a terrifying storm surged in his green eyes.
He suddenly turned around, his black cloak leaving a trail of shadow in the air. "Prepare the horse."
"Your Majesty, are you going in person?" the spy was horrified. "Theodore must have set an ambush!"
"Ambush?" Sindriel gripped the dagger at his waist tightly. "What a pity, no one has ever been able to assassinate me."
Except her.
Five years ago, his heart was strangled.
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