How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

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A ship with white sails cut silently through the deep sea. The island gradually receded beyond the breaking waves. Leaving behind the ashen trees, crumbled rocks, desolate salt fields, and shadowy caves, the Hezekian fleet set course for Ashurana.

Having rescued the missing youngest prince of the Sar Empire, along with hundreds of civilians including the children of high-ranking nobles, we had achieved unprecedented results for a foreign fleet. Royal rewards were certain, and Hezekia’s name would be widely recognized in Ashurana.

Yet the fleet was cloaked in a somber mood.

It was likely because we had encountered Hezekians who had been presumed dead in an unexpected place. Particularly, the pitiful sight of Walter, a loyal Hezekian, weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts. Memories of the Crown Prince couple’s forgotten deaths resurfaced in the minds of those present.

Leaning against the ship’s railing, I gazed at the gently undulating waves, recalling the succession structure of the Rubyere royal family as described in the original story.

Currently, the succession situation in the Rubyere Empire was rather delicate.

The emperor of the Rubyere Empire had two legitimate sons: the first prince, Sehanou, born to the late empress of the main palace, and the second prince, Everett, born to his consort, Countess Dearsby.

Everett, a bastard, had long been denied recognition as a prince, so Sehanou was appointed crown prince early on as the sole legitimate heir. To stabilize the Hezekian autonomous territory, he married Tristan’s older sister, the Grand Duchess of Hezekia, who bore the crown prince, Constantine.

With both the crown prince and his son, the succession seemed solid and stable. However, not long after, the crown prince couple mysteriously died in a carriage accident while visiting Hezekia.

Many Hezekian retainers were caught up in the incident. Loyal knights, including Walter, were summoned to the royal palace and disappeared. The case, which shook the empire, concluded suspiciously quickly, with no trial or leniency.

Everyone, except the aging emperor, suspected the second prince Everett and his mother, Countess Dierceby. There was one more person blind to the truth—Ruellin, who was hopelessly infatuated and not in their right mind. Fortunately—or unfortunately—my consciousness having entered Ruellin’s body meant that obsession ended quietly.

Naturally, the issue of succession surfaced.

The crown prince’s son was still an infant. Moreover, aside from the deceased crown prince, the emperor had another son, Everett, who was now recognized as the crown prince after a few whispered suggestions at the bedside. If the crown prince couple had survived, none of this would have been possible. Constantine remained in Hezekia, as Tristan did not wish to return him to the palace, and Everett sought to limit the infant’s influence. Both sides tacitly agreed to this arrangement.

Over the years, Everett consolidated his position as the sole crown prince. The support of Ruellin’s adoptive father, Count Elsworth, was significant, and rumors suggested covert assistance from the privateer fleet led by his stepfather, Count Dierceby.

Having rescued Walter and the other Hezekian knights, the dark shadow of Everett, long forgotten, now slowly seemed to loom over Hezekia’s future once more.

Soon, a direct confrontation with Everett might be inevitable. Yet we were still unprepared.

The sea breeze brushing my cheek was gentle, but an inexplicable unease lingered. The future felt as murky as thick fog.

As I pondered these worries, Tristan quietly spoke.

“Ruellin.”

I turned to him. His neat, unwavering gaze was fixed squarely on me.

“We are about to arrive in Ashurana.”

I silently nodded. For now, I would focus only on the good that lay ahead. The voyage had been successfully completed, and the remaining journey across the Eastern Continent would also conclude smoothly.

That alone made today a good day.

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No. I had been mistaken.

It wasn’t just a good day. It was really, incredibly, absolutely wonderful!

With each crate of goods the merchants displayed before me, my eyes nearly rolled back in amazement. Boxes brimming with richly scented tea leaves, black gold—pepper with its pungent aroma, nutmeg and star anise… countless rare items overflowed around us. And all of it was ours, purchased in bulk at prices close to wholesale.