The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Episode 11

“So, it was you.”

The group consisted of a gardener, two maids, a deacon, and some other lower-class aristocrats. There were all kinds of people like them. If I tried to chase them by myself, half of them would’ve fled successfully, so my plan worked out in the end. Except for the maid Amy, they all ran away when I was in a coma. They were embezzlers who took their salaries without working. Their face turned pale as soon as they looked into my eyes, hearing the ongoing rumors that I went crazy.

“Vespers.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

“What’s the punishment for them?”

“They’re heinous. Technically, they should be beheaded alongside their immediate family.”

He answered without hesitation, and the faces of those tied up turned blue.

“Your M-Majesty! I’ve sinned terribly, but spare my life, please!”

As one of them started begging for forgiveness by holding my leg, most others followed suit and bowed their heads. Even if I were crazy, they probably thought I’d forgive them because I was supposed to be weak-minded. Or they could have done that to survive, taking any chance they could.

“Recently, interesting rumors are circulating around the palace.”

“What rumors are they?”

I asked Vespers, the Lord Chamberlain while ignoring their pleas.

“That I’m obsessed with blood?”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

He replied so firmly, almost as if he never spoke indirectly. There was nothing strange about the rumor because the priest who came to give me treatment was stabbed to death in my palace. It was an immediate execution without a detailed investigation. No justification for punishing me existed at that moment, however.

Even though Queen Liness put me on probation, which was almost a joke, she was just watching me quietly. If my reputation grew worse and more violent, I would be in a different situation. Hence, I decided to only punish those who broke the law for the time being.

“Then I’ll have to keep up with the rumor.”

“…”

At my words, Vespers bowed his head without saying a word. He then told the soldiers who had brought them to put them down on their knees.

“Did you hear Majesty’s order?”

“Yes!”

“Take them. They dared embezzle the precious treasury of the kingdom. Don’t give them a sip of water and lock them up. Behead them in four days!”

“Please, god, no… Lord Chamberlain!”

“Save me!” One of them shouted sternly, ignoring those who were crying and hanging on.

“They have filled their stomachs by sucking up the taxpayer’s money. What are you waiting for? Take them now!”

The soldiers took the people who were crying away.

“I will leave now, Your Majesty.”

“Did you say it was the Queen Majesty’s order?”

“Yes, she said she had been trying to capture those who had stolen from the treasury.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

I saw a little shock in Vespers’ expression. However, he carefully smoothed over his face as if he had come to his senses.

“Your Majesty, you’re not supposed to be disrespectful to the Queen. You should be careful with your language.”

‘I’m sorry, Lord Chamberlain, but I’ve already seen everything.’

When I was young, he used to smile at me and often gave me snacks.

“I’ll hire new people and arrange them in the afternoon.”

“I want Amy to be my maid. Since she has been through a lot, I want to promote her to Chief Maid. Did you say it should be from different funding if I want to reward her?”

“That’s right.”

“Give her a big bonus.”

“I’ll do that.”

He bowed politely.

“Also.”

I caught him on his way back.

“Is it still impossible to see the King?”

He went silent at my words. “I’m sorry.”

“Is it my father’s order or the Queen’s?”

He smiled in vain at the fact that I had already figured out the situation.

“I am just delivering command.”

“That’s right. Thank you. You may head back.”

He turned silently at my words. Then, he stopped again.

“Majesty, patience is crucial in the palace.”

“I’m fine. I know what you’re trying to say, though. I’ll keep your words in mind.”

With a grin on my face, he stepped back, seemingly unconcerned. Vespers was one of those who didn’t belong to Queen Liness. I knew what he was saying wasn’t a warning but advice from his experience. Surely I was in a precarious situation in his perspective as well.

The prince with nothing was too fearless. Except what he didn’t know was that I wasn’t without anything.

* * *

‘Cut the tail.’

Queen Liness got rid of everything that could be dangerous to her in the name of her business with me. If she removed existences that could become evidence one by one, she would have nothing to be afraid of someday. She had to be aiming for that time. I thought she’d act right away, but she was being quite careful for some reason.

While reading silently, Amy came in.

“Majesty, I brought some snacks.”

“Thank you.”

She blushed at my smile.

“Your Majesty. The fourth prince and the second princess have returned to the palace.”

“Barris and Winley?”

It was surprisingly good news. I looked up, and she nodded quietly.

“Yes, he must have come straight from the country when he heard that you had woken up.”

“That’s pretty good news.”

“He said he would stop by here immediately after he meets the King.”

“Then can we just let it go? Please prepare some refreshments as well as good tea.”

She grinned and heeded my words.

* * *

The current king, Crianes Al Rown, had a wife and two concubines. The first wife was the current Queen Liness. His first concubine was Anisha, and his second was Alice.

My mother was supposed to be the queen, but she died when I was a child. Since then, some political tricks must’ve been used in removing the records of my mother. Eventually, The only traces of her existence left were the ones in the first Prince’s Palace where I stayed. When I looked at the picture without saying a word, I saw a black-haired beauty holding a little me and smiling kindly.

It felt narcissistic, but I thought my face was quite gentle and handsome. Just as I received quite a few of my mother’s genes, she was also a beautiful woman who looked really beautiful.

“Thanks to the good genes you passed onto me, your handsome son is doing well.”

I tried to talk to her, but of course, no answer came.

“Is it worth living there?”

Perhaps she reincarnated and had been living well somewhere in this world or another. There was no way to see her again, considering I could never find her.

“Please wait a little longer. I can’t just let the people who killed my mother die without first paying the price.”

“Davey, brother!”

“Big brother! It’s Winley! I’m here!”

I had been quietly waiting for them with cookies and tea when I heard two urgent voices.

“I’m here. Come on in, you two.”

It felt amazing to hear the voices that I missed so much. As soon as I let them in, the door burst open, and a little boy and girl jumped in. They were cute mid-teens who looked good with their green hair.

Fourteen years old. Fourth Prince Barris and his fraternal twin Winley, the second princess.

“Long time no see.”

“Brother! I heard that you woke up, and I ran straight to see you. What a relief!”

I stroked Barris’s head, who was shouting adorably, as Winley came up to me.

“Are you guys doing well?”

When I asked them with a smile, they nodded vigorously. “You know who I am! I’m your little brother. There is nothing hard about living in the countryside.”

“Huh! You always whine about it, though.”

“What? Hey! I’m your older brother. You’ve been complaining about the robbers too.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! You were born five minutes earlier than me.”

“Ha!”

I smiled as they chatted loudly. They were some of the few people who weren’t my enemies, and I trusted them as always.

Unlike the stupid, thoughtless second Prince Carlos and the grim, twisted-minded Benedict, they turned out to be unbelievably delightful. They looked just like a normal twin brother and sister who squabbled a lot instead of royal family members. The two wild kids busied themselves with rambling at each other.

I felt that I was really looking at the kids in their early teens. They were only fourteen years old, an age when they should still be playing around. That was how I saw it.

“I’m glad you’re doing well. Let’s see. You little ones grew up so well.”

“It’s been six years. When you got sick, we were sent straight to the countryside.”

I smiled at Barris, who murmured angrily.

“Yes, I’ve heard about the gist of it.”

It was definitely Queen Liness who got rid of any candidates to become the next king. Queen Liness was so cold that she sent Tanya away, the first daughter of the King’s concubine. She sold her to another country for her reputation. Hence, it wasn’t that strange that she got rid of Barris and Winley, who liked to wander around.

“Have you seen father?”

“Yes.”

“How is he doing?”

“He looked a little tired, and…”

Barris paused for a moment. At the same time, Winley seemed puzzled.

“Davey, have you not seen father?”

“No, not yet.”

It made Winley’s face crumple, showing her dissatisfaction.

“Oh, my God.”

His son woke up from a coma after six years. It had been five months since then, but I hadn’t seen him once.

“Maybe I’ll see him soon.”

“Brother…”

Unlike Carlos and Benedict, they had been good to me even though our mothers were different. They were so affectionate to me, though they had a strong will. That was why I trusted them.

“The Queen was too harsh…”

Winley came up to me in tears, so I patted her on the back without saying a word.

“How is your body? I saw it on the way here. The condition of the palace…”

I nodded at Barris, who couldn’t finish the sentence without tearing up as well.

“There were people who have embezzled royal funding. I’ve taken them all away before you guys. The palace should look good again soon.”

Barris gritted his teeth.

“How come they left the garden like this? They must have taken advantage of you being in bed.”