[T/N: As brought up by the readers and voted on in the discount server, Tae-oh is now Theo]

(EP-14.2) Do You Dream Of Freedom? #2

014 – Does A Sheep Dream Of Freedom? #2

Belmott had no responses to Pilaf's sarcastic remarks.

He did dream of severing the link between Theo and Queen Aira.

However, that was back when he could still count on the Dawn Association and his slush funds to change the country.

But now, they were all gone.

If Theo, the only one who could control the Queen, disappeared from his seat, Belmott could never imagine what would happen to the court in the future.

He hated even imagining it.

Pilaf then said.

"The Mad Queen's leash is loose and someone needs to rein it in. But who would want to hold a tiger's leash? This is troublesome…”

Belmott had to agree with him.

How did the relationship between Queen Aira and Theo Gospel, which looked like it would last for thousands of years, ended so suddenly?

This was really bad.

What if the slanders that he had spread really had a belated effect?

‘Not good.'

Belmott really hated to admit it, but as long as his daughter was being held hostage as a palace maid, Theo’s presence was a necessity for the court’s peace.

“So, Lord Pilaf, do you happen to know where and what Theo Gospel is doing?”

“Do I?”

Pilaf smirked.

This cunning bald bastard. He pretended to be stupid, but behind the scene, he saw all the strings. Of course, the same could be said for Belmott.

No, everyone here in the court was deliberately feigning stupidity. Since acting smart would lead to all kinds of extra work.

It was like a group assignment at school where the outstanding one had to lead.

Pretending to be an idiot had worked fine so far.

In fact, for the past year, Theo had to take care of all the annoying dirty work himself…

So, where was he now?

Leaning in close, Pilaf revealed the location of Theo.

Belmott was startled.

Because it was the most incompatible place for Theo.

No, maybe it was also the most suitable place, but….

“… The underground prison!?"

* * *

Cholkong, cholkong.

“Theo Gospel, your meal.”

As I was locked up in a cage, someone brought a tray towards me.

Lifting my head, I saw a maid with blonde hair that was neatly tied back. There was a hairband on her head. Upon approaching, she looked down on me with contempt.

“Miss Clara, what's on my menu for today’s lunch?”

“Mushroom Soup. Heung, it's actually quite nice for someone who manipulated the foolish Queen and jailed innocent people. You didn't think you would end up in a dungeon, did you?"

Clara, the daughter of Finance Minister Belmott, gave me a scathing remark for being locked up in the dungeon. She really didn’t like me.

It made sense.

Since she would never be working as a maid if it wasn’t for me.

I said my excuse.

“I have never jailed someone innocent, only those who deserve it.”

“Who would believe that?”

“It's up to you whether or not you want to believe it, but that is the truth. And the truth doesn't become a lie just because you don't want to accept it."

Clara snorted.

As we talked, I started looking at Clara's appearance. Her face was glowing and there were no signs of being hit or injured.

“Is the court job worth it?

“Great~. Thanks to you!”

Newcomers were targets for harassment.

Maybe it was because of my slap that she got to skip the usual ‘welcome ceremony' and received the sympathy vote from the senior maids instead.

Of course, Clara didn’t know that.

“Now what, Court Gardener Theo Gospel? No, you're nothing but Theo Gospel now. Will you be executed?”

“Would you like that?”

“Can’t say that I don’t~.”

She couldn't help but mock.

I took the soup and joked.

“You didn’t spit in the soup, did you?”

“…….”

No answer…

Just as I was about to put the spoon down, Clara said.

“I didn’t spit in it. There's no need to. After all, you got abandoned by the Queen and left here to rot. I actually feel sorry for you~.”

“You know, you keep on insulting and provoking me. But what if I ever get out of this cage and go outside? Can you handle the consequences?”

You, dealing with me. Could you handle it?

I asked the question that one could hear from a movie line, to which Clara chuckled as if it was utter nonsense.

“You getting out of the palace dungeon? Unless you're a corpse, you can't get out of here, be it a maid or a prisoner. You know this better than anyone, right, Gospel?”

True.

But, my case was a little different.

"What's this? There's a guest? Waa, look at you Theo. A girl is even willing to visit you in prison!”

Someone was walking in the distance with a torch. She then stood in front of my cell and opened the door using the key she was holding in her hand.

“You are from the Lioness’s…. Why are you here?”

"Ah- Is that you Clara? This is the first time we've seen each other since Aira's birthday a year ago. Are you working as a maid here?”

“Uh, uh-uh…”

“The maid outfit suits you well! Anyways, step aside, I have to go in.”

Elga Lioness pushed past Clara and entered my prison. She then proceeded to unlock the chains and shackles that were attached to my wrists.

Jolgeurok, tong. Tong.

“Half a day in the dungeon. Now that it's over, prisoner Theo Gospel is released from his imprisonment. I have also decided to take your personal safety into my hands.”

Seureuk, seureuk.

I rubbed my wrists and legs with the joy of being free. Even though it was only half a day, staying in this prison was a terrible experience.

There were rumors of ghosts haunting the dungeon. Plus, this place had so many bugs. It was simply terrible!

“…Uh, how?”

Clara shivered. She never expected that I would get out of prison, let alone this soon. The trauma when I slapped her must still be there.

“As I said. Can you deal with the consequences?”

“…Heu, heuiik.”

As I growled menacingly, Clara fell on her butt. Seeing her like that, I smiled brightly, revealing all of my teeth.

"Just kidding~."