Chapter 6

Before morning came, in the hours of dawn after the long night had passed, Roabellin opened her eyes in a wide, comfortable bed. An unfamiliar ceiling came into view.

 

‘Huh…? Where am I… Gasp.’

 

She snapped awake as if struck by lightning. The events of the previous night flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.

 

‘Did I just fall asleep like that last night?! Do I have no sense of caution?’

 

Even if he was her first love, ‘Kai,’ he was still a man; she surprised herself by realizing she had fallen asleep so soundly and unguardedly. Just in case, she hurriedly checked her body, but she was still in her underwear from last night.

 

‘Ah… Nothing happened after I fell asleep. Kai really kept his promise.’

 

Relieved, she then remembered that this was Kaisertern’s bed.

 

‘Ah! But where is Kai?!’

 

She quickly looked around the bed, but he wasn’t there. Roabellin got up and scanned the spacious bedroom, finally spotting him lying on a sofa far away.

 

‘Why is he sleeping over there, leaving his own bed?’

 

Roabellin had no way of knowing that he had been unable to sleep all night due to his pounding heart beside her, and had eventually fled to the sofa.

 

‘I need to make my exit quickly… It would be a huge problem if someone found me like this.’

 

If she were discovered by others in this state, she would undeniably become the Emperor’s concubine right then and there. It would be tantamount to being imprisoned in the palace.

 

Roabellin quietly put on her uniform, tiptoed out, and closed the door without a sound.

 

‘If the palace servants misunderstood, what would Kai say? Would he correct the misunderstanding saying he never slept with me? Or… would he use that misunderstanding to keep me in the palace?’

 

Since Roabellin had only been focused on her goal of fleeing with the Emperor’s child, she hadn’t considered things from Kaisertern’s perspective until now.

 

‘I know Kai liked me back at the festival. But I ran away from him, and I rejected him again the night before last. Does Kai… still want me despite that? What are his feelings for me?’

 

Considering his position for the first time felt strange. But Roabellin put aside the expectations that kept rising and thought about reality.

 

‘No. The Emperor’s marriage is largely political anyway. Regardless of Kai’s feelings, he is the Emperor. Realistically, it would be difficult for him to take someone he knows as a commoner as anything more than a low-ranking concubine.’

 

Although she was a young lady who had just come of age, Roabellin, who had survived many hardships, did not dream vain dreams. Therefore, it was hard for her to take Kaisertern’s confession so seriously.

 

‘What wouldn’t a young man feverish with love say? It could just be impulsive words. Besides, he’s a man in a position to take any woman he wants. Let’s not listen too seriously and agonize over it. It’s better for me to just filter it appropriately and move on.’

 

An Emperor leading a great empire brilliantly at the age of twenty-three. His power alone was enough to tempt any woman, but he was also a seductive man with sculptured looks and a subtle sex appeal.

 

‘Roa, don’t forget your goal.’

 

Thinking of Kai, she recalled that his face sleeping on the sofa just now looked a bit tired. Then Roabellin suddenly realized something.

 

‘Ah, come to think of it, the Emperor used his own mana to personally treat a maid?’

 

Being the imperial palace, he could have summoned as many doctors as needed, and even if it was a magic problem, there would be court mages. Yet the Emperor exhausted his own stamina to treat a mere maid himself.

 

The ‘Kai is sincere’ theory raised its head inside Roabellin again, but she quickly shook off the thought.

 

‘Let’s not think too deeply. Anyway, it’s a huge relief I got out quietly. It seems I wasn’t seen by anyone. Kai won’t make an issue of me just leaving, right?’

 

Even though no one was watching, Roabellin muffled her footsteps as she returned to her room.

 

 

***

 

 

“Haa… Haa…”

 

Breathing heavily, Estina succeeded in passing through the garbage dump and escaping the central temple area. But just then, she spotted a tall figure in a black robe walking toward her from ahead.

 

‘Looks like a man… Who is it?’

 

Having just escaped, she became tense involuntarily.

 

‘If I run, I’ll look more suspicious.’

 

Estina deliberately straightened her shoulders and continued walking calmly. Her heart was pounding, but she kept her expression serene.

 

Soon the distance between them closed, and the moon emerged from the clouds, brightening her view. Estina glanced at the man and their eyes met.

 

A familiar face, but someone she never imagined meeting here. It was Iskal.

 

“Isc… Ah.”

 

She realized she almost called him Prince Iskal and quickly shut her mouth. Right now, he was Grand Duke Lexton, not a prince, and she, disguised as a maid, shouldn’t recognize his true identity.

 

It had been eight years, but Iskal had hardly changed, so she recognized him at a glance.

 

‘The last time was when we parted at the magic school the day the last vacation before the annihilation began. But why is His Highness here…?’

 

Estina considered greeting him as ‘Maria,’ the alias she used at magic school, but realized she had changed her appearance to yet another look.

 

‘Ah, he hasn’t seen my current appearance… He won’t recognize me.’

 

She didn’t know why he was here, but in a situation where she didn’t know if he was connected to the destruction of Hertenes, or if he was friend or foe, she couldn’t rashly reveal herself. Especially now, having sneaked into the royal palace.

 

So Estina tried to pretend not to know him and pass by. At that moment, Iskal spoke.

 

“Maria.”

 

Startled by his words, Estina stopped in her tracks.

 

‘I changed my face, how did he know?’

 

In fact, besides being the Tower Master and the Imperial Archmage of the Prahenfelt Empire, Iskal also held the position of Advisor Mage to the Aventador Royal Court.

 

Since he had to go back and forth between the Tower and the Empire, he visited the Aventador Royal Palace irregularly. Of course, his concurrent positions as Tower Master and Imperial Archmage were secret to the Aventador court.

 

The current Royal Archmage of Aventador was also from the Tower and was one of Iskal’s disciples. Keeping his origin secret, the two shared a lot of information, including royal secrets.

 

Detecting mana used in the palace was one of those tasks. It was the job of the magic department overseen by the Archmage, but Iskal volunteered to do it whenever he returned to the palace. In truth, it was a good task for grasping secret occurrences within the palace.

 

Although divine power was supposedly undetected in the Aventador Royal Palace, lately, divine power used for temple duties was being detected. It was just not made an issue since it was a permitted power within the palace.

 

Therefore, Iskal had already identified the source of divine power detected at the palace entrance, not the temple, about two weeks ago.

 

And today, he finally encountered her again. He intended to return after confirming she came out of the temple safely, but without realizing it, he headed toward her like a magnet.

 

“Maria. Long time no see.”

 

“P-Professor… You recognized me.”

 

Estina stammered in confusion. They had reunited at the magic school using aliases and hiding their identities, forming a relationship as student and professor.

 

Having met when very young and reuniting after 11 years, both thought only they knew the other’s identity and the other didn’t recognize their true self.

 

“Why are you here, Professor…”

 

“Ah, I am currently the Advisor Mage to the Aventador Royal Court.”

 

Just as Estina was about to accept that, he continued.

 

“It’s also where I was born and lived as a prince… Actually, right now I’m coming and going in this palace in my capacity as royalty.”

 

His tone was light as if it were nothing, but Estina’s eyes went round. He had revealed the identity he had kept hidden throughout their time at the magic school.

 

‘At school, he said he was Professor Karl Levant from the Magic Tower.’

 

She knew because she had accidentally overheard a secret conversation between Iskal and his subordinate at school, but she didn’t expect him to reveal his identity himself.

 

“At the magic school, I hid my identity for convenience. I feel sorry for unintentionally deceiving you.”

 

Estina feigned a surprised expression and answered. She intended to pretend she didn’t know the identity she actually knew.

 

“Ah, then Professor, you were… the Grand Duke?”

 

Iskal nodded slightly.

 

“That is correct, but I want to be called just Karl by you. You said that at school before. That you’d call me Karl once you graduated.”

 

To Estina, who called him ‘Professor Levant’ politely despite being close, Iskal had asked her to call him ‘Karl,’ which was his alias and also a nickname for his real name.

 

He still remembered the single remark she made eight years ago before leaving for home for her last vacation.

 

“Ah, that…”

 

Estina made a troubled face and slightly deflected his request.

 

“I treated you too informally at school not knowing you were the Grand Duke. I apologize.”

 

Not yet sure if he, a member of the Aventador royal family, was an enemy or ally to Hertenes, Estina kept her distance, pretending to know nothing.

 

Iskal, who never imagined Estina would suspect him regarding the annihilation, felt hurt by her putting up a wall.

 

Iskal had intended to pretend not to know until Estina, who was changing her appearance and using an alias, revealed herself. But when she put up a wall, he felt hurt and simultaneously wanted to hold onto her.

 

Feeling urgent, Iskal spoke impulsively.

 

“Estina. It’s me, Iskal. I was your fiancé since birth. Do you not remember me?”

 

At his words, Estina’s eyes grew as big as lanterns.

 

‘He knew who I really was?!’

 

When Estina couldn’t speak with her widened eyes, Iskal felt sorry, thinking he had pushed her too suddenly.

 

“I’m sorry. Were you very surprised?”

 

“Uh… Since when. Since when did you know?”

 

Estina spoke in a sunken voice. At her anxious expression, Iskal’s voice lowered as well.

 

“From the beginning. I went to the magic school because you were there.”

 

Estina’s mind became complicated at his words.

 

‘I used a fake identity, so how did he know I enrolled in that school? Did the Prince, a member of the royal family, monitor and report my movements at school? Did he know about the annihilation plan in advance? Even now… Is my infiltration into the palace being reported to the King? Not knowing any of that, I…’

 

As her thoughts reached that point, she felt dizzy and squeezed her eyes shut.

 

“Why. Did someone order you… to monitor me? Even now?”

 

At her sharp question, Iskal looked at Estina with surprised eyes.

 

“What? Why would you think that? It’s not like that. I… missed you. I wanted to keep other guys from hanging around you. But as you know, my situation… could be dangerous, so I couldn’t reveal my identity and approach you immediately.”

 

It was practically a confession that he had loved her all along, but to Estina, who had lived hiding her identity for so long, that part didn’t even register. Her ears only picked out the realistic parts.

 

“Why are you in danger, Your Highness? You said you hold the position of Advisor Mage loyal to the royal family. Why would the second-in-line to the throne be in danger…”

 

While questioning Iskal accusingly, Estina realized the answer herself.

 

‘Ah. Because he is too close to the succession… If the current King and Prince are gone, the throne goes to Prince Iskal. So there are forces threatening him.’

 

Indeed. Being in the line of succession meant holding a noble status while simultaneously being in a position where one could be attacked at any time. Therefore, even with his immense mana, he had to hide his claws and pretend to be harmless to the King until the decisive moment came. He couldn’t control the King with mana, after all.

 

Noticing Estina’s misunderstanding that he was loyal to the King of Aventador, Iskal sighed lightly.

 

“Estina, I know what you are thinking. But whatever it is, I want to say first that the thought that I am not on your side is entirely a misunderstanding.”

 

Iskal spoke while looking earnestly into Estina’s eyes.

 

“Why I returned to this palace, what I am doing—I will tell you everything. Please, give me a chance to explain.”

 

At his plea, Estina agonized for a moment and then lifted her head.

 

“Fine, I will listen. But the palace always has listening ears. If it’s a secret story, let’s talk somewhere else.”

 

Iskal brightened at her words.

 

“Your Highness. The evening after tomorrow, please come near the main gate when I leave the library. Your face… Ah, do you remember a student named Jordin from magic school? Please change into his face.”

 

Not yet fully trusting Iskal, Estina decided the meeting place, time, and even the face he should wear.

 

“Understood. I’ll be there on time tomorrow, Estina.”

 

“Estina? Please call me Maria in the palace. It is a place where people who know ‘Estina, Daughter of Duke Hertenes’ come and go.”

 

“Alright, Miss Maria Ratbach.”

 

Answering Estina obediently, Iskal smiled pleasantly.

 

 

***

 

Two evenings later. Estina, carefully scanning the area around the library’s main gate, spotted Iskal waiting directly opposite and approached him.

 

“Seeing Jordin’s face reminds me of magic school days. Let’s go.”

 

Iskal asked playfully.

 

“Why did you ask for Jordin’s face specifically? Did you miss him?”

 

Estina made a face asking what nonsense he was talking about, then retorted with a joke herself.

 

“Hmm. What if I did?”

 

“Then I’ll keep wearing this face.”

 

At his words, Estina ended up smiling softly despite herself. Even in a tense situation where she couldn’t fully trust him yet. Iskal seemed to have the power to disarm people.

 

Walking side by side while joking, she felt like she was back in magic school. But Estina quickly hid her expression and spoke feigning aloofness.

 

“Professor, no, Your Highness hasn’t changed even after eight years.”

 

“…Is that so.”

 

Mumbling vaguely, Iskal glanced at Estina with a look that said he had something to say. But his gaze soon slid past her face.

 

Leaving the palace, the two headed to a quiet street guided by Estina. Walking half a step ahead, Estina stopped in front of a small empty house.

 

“Come in, Your Highness. I apologize for bringing you to such a shabby place.”

 

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

 

Looking around the one-room small house, dust sat thickly on the furniture and fixtures.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

Iskal waved his hand, instantly removing the dust from the house with magic. Immediately, the furniture became clean, and the metal fixtures gleamed.

 

The atmosphere of the house became fresh in an instant. While marveling inwardly at the cleaning done in the blink of an eye, Estina suddenly thought, ‘Actually, I can do this much too. I just haven’t been able to use magic properly for eight years for fear of my mana being detected by pursuers…’

 

Thinking of that, she felt both envious and resentful of Iskal, who could show off his skills without worry. She called Iskal.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

She was about to ask if he had been detecting whether she used magic as a henchman of the royal family all this time.

 

But Iskal, who had returned to his original face in the meantime, looked back at her. His ash-brown hair and deep sky-blue eyes created a warm atmosphere just like before.

 

While Estina momentarily forgot what she was going to say, lost in sentimentality, Iskal spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“Estina, why don’t you take off your magic mask too? It’s just the two of us here. I want to see your original face after such a long time.”

 

Indeed, since Estina herself had chosen a place with no observers, there was no reason not to.

 

“Shall I?”

 

Estina released her appearance transformation magic for the first time in a long while. Platinum blonde hair, violet eyes, and features beautiful in every detail. Facing her original face, which he had pictured every day, Iskal’s heart pounded anew.

 

Iskal had found out where she lived after she fled and hid following the annihilation, and used to visit occasionally just to see from afar that she was doing well.

 

However, since settling in Avery, she always changed her face slightly when leaving the house. So even for him who had watched over her for a long time, this was the first time seeing her true face since the annihilation.

 

“Your Highness. Please cast a spell so no one can look into this house, and so the mana used here cannot be detected.”

 

At her words, Iskal obediently cast spells on the windows. Turning back, he was startled by the unexpected scene unfolding before him.

 

A small magic gate was open in one of Estina’s hands as she stood facing him. The gate swirled continuously, emitting a strange light.

 

“Estina, that is…”

 

“Yes, a small gate. I made it so no one but the caster who created it can forcibly close or arbitrarily pass through it.”

 

Even though she had come to a place she chose, Estina was anxious because Iskal’s mana was so immense and there might be followers who trailed him.

 

“I apologize for not trusting you, Your Highness.”

 

Estina intended to escape through the gate immediately if a stranger suddenly popped out or if Iskal showed suspicious movements. It was a minimum safety device for her.

 

But Iskal was flustered. The desolate feeling he had when she suddenly disappeared from the house in Avery some time ago revived. Losing track of her again was terrifying just to imagine.

 

“Estina, wait, wait a moment. Please listen to me. You should use that if you are truly in danger. But if the situation is still a bit ambiguous, could you please wait a little instead of going right away? Don’t just leave suddenly…”

 

At his desperate face, Estina’s heart softened a little.

 

“…Alright. But if I think my safety isn’t guaranteed, I will leave immediately. For now, do not come any closer to me and talk from there.”

 

Iskal showed his two hands and stood rooted to the spot as Estina ordered. He looked grateful just for that.

 

“Thank you, Estina. Thank you for giving me a chance to explain.”

 

Estina struggled to hold onto her resolve against his compliant attitude and spoke coldly on purpose.

 

“If you are thankful, speak immediately. Did you know in advance… that my family, Hertenes, would be attacked that day?”

 

Whether the question was unexpected, Iskal’s eyes widened.

 

“What? At that time, I was at the magic school with you. And at that time I…”

 

‘I was so completely fallen for you that I was even thinking of following you to the Ducal Castle for vacation.’

 

Sighing lightly in disappointment, Iskal obediently explained his past situation.

 

“Since becoming the Grand Duke, I lived avoiding the eyes of the Aventador royal family. As you said, I was in a position to be checked because I was close to the succession.”

 

Although she had been close to Iskal at magic school, since they hid their identities, this was the first time Estina was hearing about his upbringing.

 

“After my father, the late King, passed away, I stayed at my maternal family’s estate for another month before coming to the palace. In front of everyone, I officially renounced my right to succession. Afterward, I hid the fact that I had mana and pretended to live quietly stuck in the Lexton Grand Duchy.”

 

“Hiding like that, you went to the Magic Tower.”

 

“Yes. It was entirely thanks to your brother, Duke Hertenes, that I could go to the Tower in the first place. He used his connections to introduce me to the Tower. Even when my maternal family, a mage family, turned away from me in fear of suffering harm, only he helped me.”

 

Iskal’s downcast gaze traced the memories of his darkest time.

 

“But far from repaying his kindness, I was of no help at the critical moment. I should have followed you when you said you were going home for the last vacation… I have regretted it constantly. If I had been there, I could have stopped the attack.”

 

Iskal sighed deeply and continued.

 

“I waited for you at the magic school for a few more months, but you didn’t come back. So I quit my professorship and went to the Aventador Royal Palace.

 

Since I had put up a smokescreen that I was growing up sickly and stupid, everyone was surprised to see me fine. They were even more surprised when I said I was a mage. I solved various difficult tasks to prove my loyalty to my uncle, and now they seem to trust me to some extent.”

 

Estina asked him carefully.

 

“Why… did you return to the palace?”

 

“…For revenge for my father.”

 

“What?!”

 

“The day before I was sent far away to my maternal estate, my father called me separately. He told me that there had been an attempt to poison him not long ago.”

 

Estina’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Right. Even as a child, I asked. My father’s answer was this: ‘When looking for a culprit, always think about who benefits most from the deed. The person who can take the throne if I disappear now.'”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Not long after I was sent away, my young and healthy father passed away suddenly. The investigation fizzled out. So I came to the palace to find the evidence even now.”

 

“I had no idea…”

 

Since Estina was young at the time. Iskal nodded slightly as if understanding and continued.

 

“I intend to drag those who killed my father down from the throne.”

 

Estina looked at Iskal’s face as he said those words with wide eyes.

 

“Revenge by force is meaningless. If I do that, the truth will be buried, they will be memorialized grandly, and I will be a traitor.

 

So, even if it takes time, I want to make it so they and their descendants can never rise again. I plan to let distrust of the current royal family spread naturally among the people and make them voice their complaints. Then the current royal family will collapse naturally at some point.”

 

In fact, Estina also wished her enemies wouldn’t live well. But she had thought she was powerless and revenge was vaguely a matter for later generations. Therefore, she was surprised by his concrete goal.

 

“Then, what Your Highness is doing now…”

 

“I am quietly planting seeds of discord from the bottom. First, just by me, the son of the late King, coming and going to the palace and being seen by people, the seed is sown. If there are people dissatisfied with the current King’s reign, they will naturally think of my face.”

 

She had thought he was just acting as a royal henchman. Estina admired him inwardly.

 

“It was probably my uncle who poisoned my father. But I am investigating to find concrete evidence. Estina, you must have come to find out the mastermind behind what happened to your family. Perhaps our ultimate goals are similar.”

 

Estina lifted her head sharply to look into his eyes. It meant he also suspected the current King as the mastermind behind the destruction of Hertenes.

 

“What do you think? I think we can investigate together and help each other.”

 

Iskal smiled faintly and held out his hand toward Estina.

 

“…….”

 

As Estina hesitated one last time looking at his outstretched hand, Iskal added one thing.

 

“Estina, did you know a protection spell was cast on you?”

 

“Pardon? What do you…”

 

“You never checked. The day after the annihilation, I found you by your mana wavelength. I cast it on you then. So your mana wouldn’t be detected by others.”

 

With those words, Iskal drew a gentle circle with his hand in front of her. Then, the protection spell wrapped around her body like a film revealed itself in a faint blue color.

 

“This is…”

 

Since she never imagined such a spell would be on her, Estina was slightly surprised.

 

“I lived without using magic properly all this time, not knowing this.”

 

The years she couldn’t use magic, trembling in fear of detection, felt a bit futile.

 

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t in a situation to step forward and tell you.”

 

“No, why be sorry. I didn’t check. Thank you for protecting me all this time.”

 

Eventually, Estina decided to trust him. When she reached one hand back to close the swirling gate, Iskal finally looked relieved.

 

“Thank you, Estina. Really, thank you…”

 

Estina gazed at him, who kept saying thank you while standing exactly where she had told him.

 

Once a prince of a nation, he must have endured difficult times no less than her. Unlike her, he didn’t even have any remaining family. Feeling sorry for not recognizing that while spending part of those years together, she felt apologetic.

 

Hoping that feeling would be conveyed, Estina smiled affectionately as if to comfort him. At her smile, Iskal made a strange face that looked like he was about to cry and laugh at the same time.

 

 

***

 

 

The two finished talking and left the house. Since it was a bit late for dinner, they entered a tavern that sold food.

 

Iskal found the quietest spot possible, offered her a seat, and apologized.

 

“I want to take you somewhere better… but there are almost no places to eat at this hour. Sorry for bringing you to a place like this.”

 

“I’m fine. I’ve been to shabbier places.”

 

The two ordered simple food and waited silently. There were many stories they wanted to share, but this wasn’t the place for them.

 

The interior was noisy with many people talking. Most were drunkards raising their voices, and among their words, the word “Duchy” was mixed in.

 

Hearing that word, Estina and Iskal’s eyes met. Their hearing naturally focused in that direction.

 

“This is all because there’s no daughter of the Duchy in the Queen’s seat! The country is only at peace when a daughter of the Duchy becomes Queen.”

 

“Exactly, the current Queen is from another family too! They wiped out the Duchy overnight, and the Prince married a daughter from another house!”

 

Their drunken remarks were crossing a dangerous line. Iskal recalled a conversation he had with King Euraxiz not long ago.

 

“In recent years, thieves and robbers have increased throughout the country. Just the statistical numbers are more than triple the past. So public sentiment is becoming fierce. …Rumors are circulating that it is because there is no daughter of the Duchy in the palace.”

 

At the administrator’s report, Euraxiz snorted.

 

“Hmph, the people are like dogs and pigs, believing whatever they want. Do you know what a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ is? They believe life becomes hard if a daughter of the Duchy doesn’t become Queen, so it really happens.”

 

Iskal, listening from the side, recalled the reports he had seen recently.

 

‘To say that… it is true that invasions by barbarians at the border have become frequent, and epidemics continue to occur every few years. The massive grave dug at the site of the Duke Hertenes’ castle was almost filled with the pouring corpses… Even in eras where the Queen wasn’t from the Duchy because there were no daughters in that generation, the aspect is definitely different. Uncle says it’s all coincidence… but if it really was a family without such mystical power, could they have been the Queen’s family for a thousand years?’

 

Of course, that was something Euraxiz couldn’t help now even if he wanted to. Even if he wanted to marry Skark to a daughter of the Duchy now, thanks to him, not even collateral relatives, let alone direct lineage, remained of the Duchy.

 

Looking bored, Euraxiz threw a comment to the administrator.

 

“Ah, then have some people stake out places like taverns. Listen well, and if anyone blabbers such useless words, arrest them immediately and deal with them quietly.”

 

At the words to execute his own people without trial for such a charge, Iskal and the administrator’s expressions hardened.

 

The administrator bowed and withdrew, and Euraxiz turned his gaze to Iskal.

 

“Iskal. You were away for a while again. Where do you go so often?”

 

“I went to the Prahenfelt Empire to meet a mage friend.”

 

He didn’t lie. He just didn’t explain in detail that he ‘went to meet the Emperor who possesses mana as the Imperial Archmage.’

 

At Iskal’s words, Euraxiz looked pleased.

 

“Oh, the Empire. I’ve been there too. When I was Grand Duke, a legitimate 3rd Prince was born in the Empire, so I went as a congratulatory envoy. I was surprised that 3rd Prince beat his older brothers to the throne. We need to maintain good relations with the Empire, but there are no reasons to send envoys. Is there no news of a national wedding in the Empire? It would be good to discuss diplomatic agendas while sending a congratulatory envoy.”

 

“There didn’t seem to be any discussions of a national wedding yet.”

 

“Right, then I should look for a high-status beauty in our kingdom. A great lady worthy of the Emperor. If we produce an Empress, it’s good, and even if she becomes a concubine, that child will become our eyes and ears.”

 

Euraxiz looked proud as if he had come up with a great diplomatic strategy, but Iskal was dumbfounded.

 

‘A high-status beauty, a woman most suitable as the Emperor’s partner. Are you talking about the daughter of the Duchy whom you eliminated and erased from existence?’

 

Thinking of Estina and Roabellin who had lived hiding like dead people, he sighed soundlessly.

 

Recalling the conversation with Euraxiz, Iskal met the eyes of Estina sitting across from him. Relief that she was alive washed over him anew, and he smiled without realizing it.

 

 

***

 

Leaving Roabellin in the bed, Kaisertern fled to the sofa and tried to close his eyes and sleep.

 

But he couldn’t sleep a wink all night. So he heard everything in the morning: Roabellin waking up and carefully sneaking out. He watched her back as she left, lying there with his eyes wide open.

 

‘Every time she spends the night with me, she runs away like this. When will Yulli be comfortable enough to stay in my arms until morning…’

 

Imagining Yulli nestled comfortably in his arms, the corners of Kaisertern’s mouth lifted without him realizing it.

 

A little more time passed, and it grew bright outside. The sun had risen.

 

Knock, knock.

 

A knocking sound came from outside the bedroom door.

 

“Your Majesty. Are you awake? May I come in to assist with washing up?”

 

It was Yulli, arriving as the lady-in-waiting in charge of Kaisertern’s personal attendance.

 

In truth, assisting with washing up only meant standing by while he washed his face and handing him a towel when he was done. Since he disliked being waited on for every little thing, it was a task he had instructed others not to do in the past. But when Yulli took charge of his personal attendance, he included washing assistance in her list of duties. It was to maximize the time spent alone with her.

 

“Yes. Come in.”

 

Yulli, holding a clean towel, entered with a beautifully glowing face, as if she had slept well last night.

 

She paused upon seeing Kaisertern rising from the bed shirtless, then quickly lowered her head. His broad shoulders and body packed with solid muscles gave her the feeling that even staring at him was an irreverent act.

 

Going to the washstand and looking in the mirror, Kaisertern noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He called the name of the woman standing next to him.

 

“Yulli.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. Ah, no, K…ai.”

 

Since it was a space with just the two of them, Roabellin flusteredly corrected her form of address as he had ordered.

 

“Come here.”

 

Not knowing why, she approached, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him.

 

“……?!”

 

Half-embraced by him, Roabellin stood next to Kaisertern in front of the mirror with a bewildered face. In the mirror, a handsome man with dark circles under his eyes and a beautiful woman looking full of vitality faced them.

 

Kaisertern liked the sight of them standing side by side very much.

 

“Yulli. What do you think?”

 

At his question, Roabellin’s gaze moved from the mirror to Kaisertern’s face.

 

“I’m asking what thoughts come to mind seeing me looking tired and you looking in good condition.”

 

Actually, Roabellin was thinking that Kaisertern’s slightly shadowed face looked decadently sexy. But she couldn’t answer like that.

 

“Th-that, yesterday… You must be tired from using a lot of mana for my treatment… right? Thank you.”

 

Not sure if this was the right answer, Roabellin glanced at Kaisertern while speaking.

 

In fact, the reason Kaisertern was tired was that he had spent all his mental energy focusing solely on treatment while touching her body, and resisting the urge to pounce on her while lying in the same bed.

 

For him, to whom nothing in life had been difficult, last night was one of the hardest times in his life.

 

‘I counted up to a million sheep in my head, sang the Prahenfelt anthem, and later even had to think of my late mother…’

 

However, he decided not to tell the truth and instead make her feel indebted to him.

 

“Right. I used up all my strength treating you. I have an important meeting today and a lot of work to process.”

 

Seeing him speak with an uncharacteristically dispirited face, Roabellin trailed off apologetically.

 

“Thank you, but… you didn’t have to go that far for a mere lady-in-waiting…”

 

“I’ve already done it, so I refuse your decline now. Since my body is suffering because of you, take responsibility.”

 

Kaisertern’s golden eyes darkened.

 

At the unexpected words, Roabellin blinked.

 

“Pardon? Responsibility… you say? How…”

 

Kaisertern continued to answer with a pitiful-looking face.

 

“People with mana can exchange mana through their mouths. The effect is much greater with deeper contact, but even just that would be helpful to me right now…”

 

Of course, it was a blatant lie he just made up. But he wanted to use the timing when Yulli felt sorry and grateful. He was a man who didn’t miss opportunities.

 

“What do you say? Will you do it?”

 

Roabellin’s face turned a little red, and her eyes rolled to the side. Essentially, he was asking for a kiss… Her shyness and the fact that she didn’t dislike the idea battled visibly on her face, making the corners of Kaisertern’s mouth twitch upward.

 

After hesitating for a moment, Roabellin turned her body toward Kaisertern as if she had made up her mind. Then she took a step closer and pressed her body against his. Watching her with a satisfied face, Kaisertern reached out, hugged her, and bent his waist.

 

Roabellin stiffened slightly, but having done it once before, she wasn’t as flustered as on the day of the festival. Kaisertern lowered his head toward her face and gently pressed his lips to hers.

 

It started slow and calm, but the kiss gradually became intense. Their breathing quickly became ragged.

 

Not knowing what to do, Roabellin’s hand touched Kaisertern’s chest muscles.

 

‘……!!’

 

He was still shirtless. When her hand touched the bare skin covered in hard muscle, Roabellin was startled and instinctively pulled her hand away. But Kaisertern immediately caught her hand and placed it over his heart. With her hand lightly held by him, Roabellin could feel his fierce heartbeat.

 

The hot kiss ended after quite a while. Kaisertern savored Roabellin’s lips for a long time before pulling away slowly as if regretful. Roabellin looking up at him with reddened lips was infinitely lovely.

 

He was an Emperor with absolute power, and this was his bedroom. Only the two of them were there. Suddenly, a wicked impulse surged in his heart. But he suppressed the impulse with superhuman will and released his arms holding Roabellin.

 

“Are you… okay now?”

 

“…Ah.”

 

At her shy question, Kaisertern realized he had forgotten the lie he told her because he was so engrossed in the kiss.

 

“Right, a little… I think I’m better. It’s still not enough, but since there’s no time, let’s stop here.”

 

Watching Roabellin avoiding his eyes with a red face while tidying her clothes, Kaisertern spoke abruptly.

 

“Do you know that all female servants belonging to the Emperor’s Palace are considered the Emperor’s women?”

 

In fact, the Emperor didn’t touch all the female servants, and it meant ‘potentially’ the Emperor’s women in concept, but Kaisertern expressed it that way on purpose. Of course, Roabellin knew that well too.

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“Good. I’m glad you know. While you are here in the Imperial Palace, don’t forget the fact that you are my woman.”

 

Watching her mumbling with small movements of her mouth, not knowing how to answer, Kaisertern felt his heart continuing to beat wildly.

 

Feeling he wouldn’t be able to send her back if he kept looking at her like this, he forced his gaze away and spoke in a feigned calm voice.

 

“Leave the towel here and go. I will return before dinner.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

 

***

 

That day, even during meetings and while reviewing documents, Kaisertern thought of Yulli whenever he had a moment.

 

Every time he thought of her, a picture-perfect smile appeared on his face. Seeing the Emperor like that with puzzled eyes, Count Raymond spoke, “Your Majesty, something good must have happened today. Or did you come up with a good solution for the agendas discussed in the meeting earlier?”

 

Only after hearing that did Kaisertern realize he had been smiling continuously. He hurriedly cleared his throat and composed his expression.

 

“Ahem, let’s say that’s it.”

 

“Pardon? If you have a plan in mind, please give me a hint too, Your Majesty.”

 

Count Raymond’s eyes shone innocently. Watching him, Kaisertern suddenly wondered how he appeared in Yulli’s eyes.

 

Since he was young, people around him always told him he was handsome, and he had heard them whispering among themselves that he exuded sex appeal, but he thought of it as prejudice about princes or flattery.

 

Therefore, Kaisertern had always let compliments about his appearance go in one ear and out the other. But now, he became curious about others’ genuine evaluation of him. Because there was someone he wanted to look good for.

 

‘To make Yulli fall for me, I first need to objectively know the likability of my appearance.’

 

Having a rather erratic thought for him, Kaisertern called Count Raymond.

 

“No, rather than that, Evan.”

 

“Yes? Your Majesty.”

 

Count Raymond looked at Kaisertern with questioning eyes.

 

“Honestly, how is my impression?”

 

“Pardon? Why suddenly ask that…”

 

“I’m suddenly curious. Aside from being the Emperor, just looking at my face, what is the feeling?”

 

At the out-of-the-blue question, Count Raymond pondered the Emperor’s intention.

 

‘There must still be people who doubt His Majesty can run state affairs properly because he is young.’

 

Quickly grasping the hidden intention of the question in his own way, the Count answered loyally.

 

“It is a dignified impression with not an ounce of deficiency as the Emperor of a great empire. You are majestic, and sometimes an intense intimidation is felt. Your black hair shows power, and your golden eyes show nobility and wild beauty simultaneously. It is a strong impression that no one can treat lightly.”

 

Hearing the answer close to praise, Kaisertern’s face darkened in an instant.

 

‘A strong impression with intimidation… Then was Yulli scared of me? Is that why she treats me with such distance…’

 

His face, already shadowed from lack of sleep last night, now looked downright gloomy.

 

Count Raymond watched his reaction, thinking his answer had added to the Emperor’s worries, but Kaisertern paid no heed to the worried Count.

 

‘Even in other guys’ eyes, Yulli must be pretty and lovely. But Yulli seems to just fear me and want to keep away. If other guys approach Yulli friendly…’

 

He ended up imagining numerous men, including Radak and Count Raymond, coming and going inside and outside the palace, falling for Yulli and approaching her. When his imagination extended to Yulli opening her heart to them, his blood pressure spiked instantly.

 

‘This won’t do. I really need to do something so she can feel comfortable with me.’

 

 

***

 

 

Itanistad visited Byzantium again after nearly a month. It was to explain a new investment case to his valued client, Marquis Rodain. Marquis Rodain warmly welcomed Itanistad as he entered the main building of the Marquis’s residence.

 

“It’s barely been a month, but you become more dashing every time I see you!”

 

“You flatter me.”

 

Itanistad smiled shyly. When he smiled, his beautiful platinum blonde hair and blue eyes seemed to shine.

 

He was a young man in whom it was hard to find the arrogance or slyness often felt in business people. Yet he was kind to clients and passionate about his work, earning the trust of many noble clients.

 

Elina, Marquis Rodain’s only daughter, was looking down from the second-floor railing at him exchanging greetings with the Marquis.

 

Itanistad and the Marquis discussed the port development case in the reception room. The conversation that started in the afternoon only reached a conclusion around dinner time. Checking the clock with a satisfied face, the Marquis spoke with a surprised look.

 

“Oh my! The time has gotten very late. You should stay for dinner.”

 

“Thank you. I won’t refuse.”

 

At Itanistad’s genial answer, the Marquis smiled and called the butler.

 

“Prepare dinner, and ah! Tell Elina to come too. It would be good for her to exchange greetings with Little Baron Ratnen.”

 

While the two went to the dining room first and chatted, Elina entered. Elina was a beautiful young lady with abundant blonde hair and pale green eyes. Even though she had received the word to come to dinner not long ago, she looked like she had paid considerable attention to her attire.

 

However, Itanistad, who was sharp in business but inexperienced with women, didn’t even notice she had dressed up. Honestly speaking, he was the type of person who would have thought it was just a simple dress even if Elina had come out wearing a negligee.

 

“Ah, Lady Elina. I am Terick Ratnen. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

 

In fact, she had dressed up diligently to look good for him… Seeing Itanistad greet her concisely without even noticing her appearance, Elina’s expression became complicated.

 

Indeed. Elina had been nurturing feelings for Itanistad while secretly watching him come and go from the Marquis’s residence.

 

“I am Elina Rodain. Father said the Little Viscount was very handsome, and indeed you are.”

 

She deliberately mentioned his appearance hoping he would praise hers too, but Elina’s expectation missed by a mile.

 

“Me? Not at all. Haha.”

 

At his somewhat oblivious reaction, Elina lost steam.

 

Soon the food arrived. Elina glanced at Itanistad eating.

 

‘Perfect etiquette. Even among the high-ranking nobles of the capital, few eat so elegantly.’

 

Feeling her gaze, Itanistad looked toward Elina and noticed her food was almost untouched.

 

“The food today doesn’t seem to suit your taste, My Lady.”

 

Elina’s heart trembled at his smile, so she made up an excuse.

 

“Ah, well, I have to watch my weight.”

 

“Pardon? But you don’t look like you need that at all.”

 

“They say men usually like waists slender enough to break.”

 

“I don’t know about other men, but I like women who eat deliciously and are healthy.”

 

Helping the Count with business after the fall of his family, Itanistad had experienced the ‘real’ world, including the lives of commoners. Therefore, all his perspectives became the ‘overall average’ rather than the ‘noble average.’

 

That perspective applied when viewing women too. He didn’t like the sight of noble women going on severe diets and tightening corsets. It felt like they were forced into an unnatural appearance.

 

Elina quickly changed her words.

 

“Ah, it’s not that I usually don’t eat well, but your conversation was so interesting I was focusing…”

 

“Haha, I see. After you finish eating, I will summarize the content of this investment case for you.”

 

“Wh-when? Now? Or… can you make time separately?”

 

“Haha, it seems My Lady will become a big client in the future. If you visit our office in downtown Byzantium once, I will explain interesting business cases including this one.”

 

“Wow! Really? I’ll definitely go. Definitely!”

 

Itanistad, who was totally oblivious to romance, and Marquis Rodain misunderstood that Elina had a great interest in business, and Elina ended up eating all the food without leaving anything and got indigestion from overeating.

 

 

***

 

 

The next day. Itanistad was standing in front of a high-end bar in downtown Byzantium. He was waiting outside while Baron Ratnen had a meeting with a business partner and old friend.

 

To him, a woman spoke.

 

“Oh my, a handsome man I haven’t seen before? What are you doing standing here? Without coming in~”

 

Surprised, he turned around to see a stranger with heavy makeup standing there with a coquettish expression.

 

Not understanding the situation, Itanistad looked up inadvertently and saw the sign of a high-end brothel behind her.

 

He had never been there and hadn’t paid attention, so he didn’t know such a business existed right next to the bar the Viscount entered. Grasping the situation, Itanistad blushed for no reason.

 

“Ah, I apologize, but I didn’t come to go there…”

 

But the woman linked arms with him, laughing as if his reaction was cute. The smell of heavy perfume wafted over.

 

“Hoho, everyone says that~ Young man, come in. Since you’re handsome, I’ll treat you especially well.”

 

Most men might have gone in pretending they couldn’t resist. But Itanistad was different. He lived always keeping in mind that he was the person who had to continue the Duchy’s line.

 

Since he didn’t want just anyone to bear the precious offspring of the Duchy, he had no intention of having relations with a woman who wasn’t his wife. He also had a moral aversion to the act of buying and selling human bodies. There was no way he would frequent such an establishment.

 

“N-no, treat me well for what. I really have business not there, but here at this bar…!”

 

It was then, as the blushing Itanistad pulled his arm away in surprise to answer.

 

“KYAAAH!!!”

 

A piercing scream was heard along with a crashing sound from inside the brothel.

 

“Help me!!!”

 

A woman’s desperate voice was heard. Hearing the sound, Itanistad ran into the salon without hesitation.

 

Inside, the salon hall was a mess.

 

“If I pay money, I’m a customer!! How dare you pick and choose?! How dare a bitch like you!! Reject me?!”

 

A huge man was smashing things indiscriminately, and a woman, perhaps hit by him, was trembling in fear with a bruised and swollen face.

 

It seemed the woman had refused the customer for some reason, and he was taking his anger out wildly.

 

Several women came out of their rooms in surprise, but they didn’t dare to stop the man. The owner of the establishment was nowhere to be seen, having seemingly fled.

 

Just as the huge man stomped toward the woman who screamed earlier to grab her hair again, Itanistad ran and blocked his path.

 

“Please calm down.”

 

Startled by Itanistad popping out suddenly, the man scanned him up and down for a moment.

 

“Who are you? …Aha, looking at your face, you must be a guy who deals with sodomites?”

 

Judging by his pretty appearance, the man made an assumption.

 

“Hey pretty boy, move before that fine face gets a scratch. Or I’ll make you look just like that bitch.”

 

It was insulting in many ways, but Itanistad simply looked him straight in the eyes and spoke firmly.

 

“I cannot just watch you hit a weak person. Please calm down now.”

 

But the man smirked and tapped Itanistad’s cheek unpleasantly with his large hand.

 

Tap, tap.

 

“What are you gonna do if I don’t? With this pretty face, huh? What are you gonna—ARGHHHHH!!!”

 

Itanistad didn’t wait for him to finish speaking. He grabbed the wrist of the hand tapping his cheek, twisted it sharply behind the man’s back, and kicked his leg to make him fall face-down on the floor.

 

Subduing the man instantly, he asked people around for a rope and tied the man’s wrists behind his back.

 

Soon the police came and took the man away, and the messy interior began to be cleaned up. As he looked around the salon once and tried to leave, the women of the salon grabbed him.

 

“Oh my god, thanks to you, we lived~ Why are you so cool?”

 

“Really thank you~ I’ll give you service for free once, come in!”

 

Freaking out, Itanistad pulled his arms away from their grasp.

 

“Ah, no. No need for a reward.”

 

“Oh come on, we really are thankful~”

 

They argued for several minutes, but the women couldn’t break Itanistad’s stubbornness.

 

“Alright, then just your name. What’s your name, sir?”

 

“…I am Terick Ratnen.”

 

“Hmm~ You have a surname? If you are a noble… what is your rank~?”

 

“…My father is a Viscount.”

 

“Okay Sir Terick, this is a repayment! Since you refuse so much, there’s nothing we can do for you, so we’ll just spread rumors about how cool you were today.”

 

“Ah, no. Even if the intention is good, I don’t want rumors about hitting a person.”

 

As a businessman, worried about getting a reputation as a fighter, he refused her offer.

 

“Oh my? Mister didn’t even hit him… Alright, then I’ll spread a different good rumor.”

 

Only after saying incomprehensible words did they let Itanistad go.

 

A while later, Itanistad met Count Raymond and heard a strange story. The two were business partners and close friends.

 

“Terick, a huge rumor about you has spread in the social circles. Did you know?”

 

“Huh? I don’t even do social activities, what rumor?”

 

“Hmm… Don’t be surprised. They say you are a man among men. Pfft… They say you have a huge ‘thing’ and are the best man with amazing skills. They say it’s not an exaggeration to call you the Emperor of the Night of Byzantium?”

 

Count Raymond looked like he was forcing back laughter even as he spoke. Because he knew well that Terick’s conduct wasn’t like that.

 

“What?! No, why, such a rumor…”

 

While flustered, a fragment of memory struck him.

 

‘Ah, that salon’s…!’

 

It seemed they spread such a rumor as a reward. Thanks to that, he, a virgin, was transformed into the most virile man in Byzantium in an instant.

 

 

***

 

 

A few days later. Itanistad and Count Raymond met again at a high-end salon in downtown Byzantium.

 

“Why don’t you have a drink, Evan?”

 

At Itanistad’s casual suggestion, Count Raymond grumbled.

 

“Normally I would, but I can’t drink right now. I’m scheduled to meet His Majesty in a bit.”

 

“An aide meeting the Emperor outside the palace?”

 

To the puzzled Itanistad, Count Raymond shrugged and replied.

 

“Yeah, he said he had business outside. He asked to meet a little later. It’s almost time now.”

 

Count Raymond was just about to get up from his seat.

 

“Stay seated, Evan.”

 

A large man, dressed like a young noble of moderate rank, entered and spoke. However, the aura radiating from his handsome face, which gave off a noble impression, and his visibly solid body was far from ordinary.

 

“Ah, Your Maj… No, Young Master.”

 

Conscious of being outside the palace, Count Raymond quickly corrected his form of address.

 

Itanistad realized he was the Emperor and quickly stood up. Since having his name known to the Emperor could be dangerous for him living under a disguised identity, he intended to leave quietly.

 

“I will take my leave now.”

 

Just as he was about to turn, a commanding voice stopped him.

 

“It’s fine. Sit. If you’re a friend of Evan, you could be a friend of mine too.”

 

“Ah… Yes. Thank you.”

 

Since it was an invitation from the Emperor himself, Itanistad had no choice but to sit back down.

 

Kaisertern ordered drinks for three. Then, with a hint of curiosity in his golden eyes, he quickly scanned Itanistad.

 

His gaze lingered briefly on the platinum blonde hair and pretty face that reminded him of Yulli.

 

“You, what is your name?”

 

“I am Terick Ratnen.”

 

“And your title?”

 

“My father is Baron Ratnen.”

 

“Hmm, I see.”

 

It was a family Kaisertern had never heard of. He assumed they were nobles from a distant province or a vassal state.

 

“Where is your hometown?”

 

He asked just in case the answer was Avery, but Itanistad named a different place.

 

“It is Ratnen.”

 

Ratnen was the second-largest city in Prahenfelt, where he had settled when he first fled to the Empire with Viscount Biston’s family. Since he had completely removed his Aventador accent through rigorous practice, it was difficult to gauge his true hometown just by his speech.

 

“…I see. By the way, do you happen to have a sister?”

 

At the out-of-the-blue question, Itanistad thought of his younger sister who would have ended her days at the age of 12.

 

“I… did. I had a lovely younger sister.”

 

Seeing his sad expression and the past tense, Kaisertern immediately understood that the sister had died.

 

“Right. I asked a useless question.”

 

Just as the atmosphere was about to become awkward, Count Raymond intervened appropriately.

 

“Young Master. What brings you to the city, and without even bringing me along?”

 

Kaisertern glanced at Terick and said,

 

“It wasn’t anything special. I had a one-on-one meeting with my informant to receive a report… and stopped by a jewelry shop.”

 

A jewelry shop. It was an unexpected place.

 

“Uh… You, Young Master. What business did you have at a jewelry shop… You could have just summoned designers to the Palac… no, the mansion.”

 

“I just looked around to see if there was anything worth buying. Nothing really caught my eye.”

 

‘His Majesty looked at jewelry?’

 

Considering the usual Kaisertern, it was something that could absolutely never happen. While Count Raymond was surprised, Itanistad took a sip of his drink and spoke.

 

“There must be a lady you wish to give a gift to.”

 

Count Raymond looked at him with an expression saying ‘that’s nonsense,’ but when Kaisertern didn’t deny it, his expression turned even more shocked.

 

‘His Majesty?!’

 

With Count Raymond in front of him, Kaisertern recalled what had happened when he went to Yulli earlier that day.

 

 

***

 

 

Earlier that day, he felt like he would go crazy wanting to see the lovely Yulli. Perhaps because he had been physically intimate with her in the morning, he thought only of her all day.

 

So as soon as he had a brief moment, he went straight to his private chambers. He hoped to see Yulli cleaning or tidying up. However, there was no one in the immaculately cleaned room.

 

After pacing the room for a moment in deliberation, he went to Yulli’s room. Originally, the maids’ quarters were further away, but because Yulli was in charge of the Emperor’s personal attendance, a room had been provided for her right outside the Emperor’s private living space.

 

Of course, that was an idea Kaisertern came up with to keep Yulli as close as possible.

 

Since she had to attend to him in the morning, evening, and until the Emperor fell asleep at night, Yulli seemed to sleep during the late morning to afternoon hours.

 

‘If I just open this door, Yulli will be there…’

 

Standing in front of the door, he considered knocking, but lowered his hand fearing he might wake her if she was sleeping. It was then. To his extremely sensitive ears, a small sobbing sound was audible.

 

‘What is this sound?’

 

Kaisertern hurriedly pressed his ear to the door and listened intently.

 

“Sob… Sob… Mother… Father… No… Sob…”

 

It seemed Yulli was having a bad dream.

 

“The King did it, our Her… Sob…”

 

Her mumbling pronunciation while sleeping was hard to understand clearly.

 

How long did he stand there? The sobbing stopped, and the sound of rustling blankets was heard.

 

It seemed she woke up because of the bad dream. Yulli seemed to be sniffing and wiping her tears, and she tossed and turned for a long time afterward, unable to fall back asleep.

 

 

***

 

 

Kaisertern answered Itanistad.

 

“Someone looked a bit sad. I thought seeing beautiful jewels might make them feel a little better when they are depressed and sad.”

 

The first impression Itanistad had of the Emperor was one of overflowing confidence, bordering on arrogance. But now, he had sincere and deep eyes.

 

Anyone could recognize it was the expression of thinking about a loved one. So Itanistad wanted to be of help to him.

 

“Did something sad happen to that person?”

 

“Probably something from the past. I don’t know what it was. But it seems she can’t sleep properly and even has nightmares.”

 

“In that case… rather than jewelry, how about gifting her a sleeping incense that helps her have good dreams and sleep soundly?”

 

Itanistad recalled the young Roabellin who couldn’t sleep well when anxious or stressed.

 

“An acquaintance had similar symptoms, and a doctor recommended a sleeping incense mixed with lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot oil, and mana.”

 

For Kaisertern, it was an item he hadn’t thought of. Brightening up, he immediately instructed Count Raymond.

 

“Ah, such a thing existed. Evan, get that immediately.”

 

But before Count Raymond could answer, Itanistad intercepted the reply.

 

“Our merchant guild handles some magic potions as well. All top-quality goods, of course. I will give you the sleeping incense I mentioned for just 10 gold. It uses only high-purity refined top-quality ingredients.”

 

Itanistad smiled with a beautiful and harmless face. Kaisertern, who understood macroeconomics but didn’t know the prices of individual items well, looked happy. Count Raymond, who was knowledgeable about market prices, looked dumbfounded.

 

In fact, 10 gold was an amount equivalent to a month’s salary for a beginner in society who had completed regular education.

 

‘Terick, this guy… making a huge profit with that harmless face…’

 

Count Raymond couldn’t bring himself to say it and just rubbed his forehead.

 

They sent someone to fetch the highest quality sleeping incense from the Ratnen Merchant Guild office and waited while chatting in the salon.

 

From the other side of the salon, the sound of other men talking could be heard. It was an atmosphere with light conversation and calm background music, but those men’s conversation stood out a bit in this atmosphere, so it was clearly audible to them.

 

“Did you hear too? About that guy named Terick Ratnen.”

 

Kaisertern listened quietly while bringing his glass to his lips, while Itanistad and Count Raymond turned their eyes completely in that direction.

 

“Ah, you mean the ‘Emperor of the Night’? Kukhukhuk.”

 

“Not just anyone, but prostitutes who have dealt with so many men praised him as the best man! He must be enormous.”

 

“K-hmmm!”

 

Count Raymond made a strange noise trying to suppress his laughter, and Itanistad’s face turned bright red.

 

Not understanding the context, Kaisertern glanced up at Itanistad. But the chatting men showed no consideration for the bright red face of the subject of the rumor listening right there.

 

“Just how big and how spectacular are his skills?”

 

“If I were a woman, I’d want to meet him. Ah, there was even a saying. The Emperor of the Day is His Majesty in the palace, and the Emperor of the Night is Little Baron Ratnen. Hahahaha!”

 

Hearing that right in front of the Emperor, Itanistad’s face turned pale. He quickly turned to Kaisertern.

 

“Ah, no, th-that, Your Maj… no, Young Master, I am absolutely not like that…”

 

Just looking at his expression, one could tell the rumors were at least not entirely true. But finding his flustered appearance amusing, Kaisertern smiled slightly and threw a joke.

 

“So when I fall asleep at night, you played the role of Emperor.”

 

Watching him waving both hands unable to speak and just opening and closing his mouth, Kaisertern laughed loudly for the first time in a long while.

 

After laughing for a good while, Kaisertern spoke with a playful smile hanging on his lips.

 

“If you are so well-versed in relationships between men and women, I should ask for some advice too.”

 

“Pardon…? Ah, no. I am, really, not like that.”

 

Itanistad waved his hands frantically again, and Count Raymond opened his eyes round.

 

“Is there really a woman Young Master has in his heart?! How could I not have known… Who is it?!”

 

But coldly, Kaisertern gestured for the Count to leave with a slightly annoyed expression.

 

“It’s nothing like that. You, step out for a moment.”

 

After Count Raymond left, repeatedly glancing back with a disappointed expression, Kaisertern asked Itanistad.

 

“Evan… that guy works well but is a bit foolish about these things. Actually, it’s a woman who resembles you… Somehow I feel like you would understand her heart. As you know, I am the Emperor. But I want her to fall for the man that is me, not the Emperor. From a third party’s perspective, do I… seem to lack charm as a man?”

 

At the unexpected words, Itanistad scanned Kaisertern quickly without being rude.

 

A somewhat cold and dignified impression, but an incredibly handsome and alluring man. With this level of sex appeal, he would be more than enough to charm even fellow men. It was incomprehensible why a man like him would have such worries.

 

“Does that lady say she doesn’t like Your Majesty?”

 

“Actually, at first I didn’t reveal I was the Emperor. Back then, she only wanted the Emperor. But now that I revealed I am the Emperor, far from liking me, she seems to fear me. Maybe she thinks she made a mistake with me when she didn’t know I was the Emperor… I’m keeping her by my side forcibly for now, but I get the feeling she wants to leave me.”

 

It was an unexpected worry for such an outstanding man. Thinking for a moment, Itanistad spoke.

 

“Hmm… It’s a bit awkward for me to say this, but. Perhaps when she didn’t know Your Majesty was the Emperor, she said ‘It has to be the Emperor’ to reject you?”

 

Hearing his words, Kaisertern’s expression darkened noticeably, then turned into a thoughtful face.

 

“To say that…”

 

He couldn’t possibly say that they had already spent a night together and she had run away the next morning, so Kaisertern equivocated vaguely.

 

“I don’t think that’s it. Judging by the atmosphere that day.”

 

“Then… how about taking her body first? If she conceives an imperial heir, she won’t be able to leave Your Majesty forever.”

 

It was advice that would make Itanistad kick his blankets in regret for the rest of his life if he knew ‘that lady’ was his own sister.

 

But from the Emperor’s perspective alone, the advice was indeed the most realistic.

 

“I haven’t not thought of that. But isn’t it meaningless to keep only her body by my side like that?”

 

Itanistad didn’t know much about women and dating, but he wanted to help Kaisertern who seemed sincere about the lady.

 

“Your Majesty really wants to win her heart. Did you say she seems to fear you?”

 

” …It seems so.”

 

“Then, how about creating events where she can feel a bit more comfortable with Your Majesty?”

 

“Events?”

 

At the somewhat unfamiliar word, Kaisertern used his own imagination.

 

“By events… do you mean something like building a castle for her, or gifting her an island resort?”

 

“…….”

 

At the overwhelmingly burdensome options, Itanistad swallowed a groan inwardly.

 

“If she has a nature that likes flashy things, that might be good too… Ah, what is the rank of her family? Is her family wealthy?”

 

He asked thinking naturally a woman who caught the Emperor’s eye would be a noble. But the returned answer was unexpected again.

 

“No. To me, she seems like a noble… but she claims to be a commoner herself.”

 

“Ah, then she might be a fallen noble. Are there not those who sell their family name to wealthy commoner merchants because the family fortune declined, and live as commoners themselves?”

 

Since Itanistad himself had bought the name of Baron Ratnen that way, he could immediately think of that method.

 

“Aha, that could be it.”

 

Feeling like a plausible candidate for the answer to Yulli’s mystery had appeared, his mind felt suddenly brighter. Kaisertern looked at Itanistad with eyes of deepened trust.

 

“Yes, that might be the case. If so, Your Majesty must give an impression that is friendly and not strict. Since selling a title is illegal for now, if Your Majesty gives off a strict impression, she might get scared of punishment and try to run away.”

 

“I think I treat her that way in my own way…”

 

Kaisertern’s sentence trailed off without confidence.

 

“Your Majesty has a very strong impression, and above all, being the supreme ruler, it is difficult for most people to feel comfortable with you.”

 

Itanistad paused a beat to choose his words.

 

“How about creating opportunities to be alone with her? A setting where the two of you can forget your status, talk comfortably, and share your hearts.”

 

At the new idea, Kaisertern nodded slightly with a serious face.