Chapter 10.2

The Imperial Palace’s teleportation circle connected to the outside world is located in the guard post next to the main gate.

Naturally, the palace’s magic circle can only be used with prior permission. Immediately after teleporting, users are subjected to a thorough identity check while under a binding spell. It was a procedure that even high-ranking nobles, famous by name, and even the royal family, had to follow.

However, there was a troublemaker who would use the magic circle as he pleased, ignoring all these procedures as if it were his own home. Well, it was his home, in a way.

The moment the captain of the guard heard the report that the magic circle was flashing, he let out a sigh. The rookie, who had been assigned to the guard post less than a week after finishing training, was tense and frozen. ‘Did I make some kind of mistake…?’

The captain put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. He took a deep drag, then put it out without a second thought and stood up. The rookie, following the captain out of the office empty-handed, timidly asked a question.

“Captain, shouldn’t you take the logbook?”

“Don’t need that crap.”

“Huh? Isn’t it a rule to record and get a signature from all magic circle users?”

“Ha, this kid doesn’t listen. Just shut up and follow me.”

As soon as they opened the iron gate, a familiar back was visible. The captain wasn’t curious why the Second Prince, whose face was harder to see in the palace than a star in the sky these days, was here, and he didn’t want to know.

“Your Highness, how long are you going to torment me…? I’d rather you just climb over the wall…”

“Don’t say a word. I’m really angry.”

A savage, growling voice like a beast made the captain’s hair stand on end for a moment. The rookie was shaking his legs uncontrollably.

As the captain looked at Jeras with a mix of injustice and fear, an unusual pink color shimmered in his eyes. It was a soft and gentle color like a flower, one that absolutely did not suit Jeras.

‘What is it?’

The moment he leaned in for a closer look, a woman’s voice flowed from within Jeras’s arms.

“I’m not just making excuses. I’m telling you, it’s serious! There’s smoke everywhere like there’s a fire, but you can’t see it?”

“I don’t feel energy, I see souls, so I can’t see it. So I can’t tell if the princess’ words are true or false.”

“Why would I come all the way here and lie?”

“How would I know the heart of a princess who is trying to run away after making a vow?”

“I’m not running away, I told you.”

The captain couldn’t believe the scene unfolding right in front of him. Jeras was embracing the woman as if protecting something precious, and the woman was not at all afraid of his voice, which held a murderous aura that could freeze the air. He almost fainted when he realized the woman was Princess Kilmaria.

No matter how little Jeras cared about formality, how close must their relationship be for them to speak so casually to a princess?

“Ah, really! Anyway, I’ll just go… I’ll go over there. Your Highness, please don’t forget what I asked you to do.”

Eloe, who finally spotted the captain and the rookie standing stock-still in the distance, quickly changed her attitude.

Jeras glanced back and unfolded his cloak to cover Eloe. His cold eyes, like a blade, scanned the two from head to toe.

‘Get lost.’

The captain, who somehow understood the unspoken meaning in his eyes, grabbed the rookie and fled into the office in a panic.

“If you really want to go, we’ll go together.”

“No. If we go together, it’ll be awkward if they get the wrong idea. It’s better if I go alone.”

“The wrong idea?”

Jeras’s patience had reached its limit. If the ‘wrong idea’ was about their special relationship, it wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a fact that would soon be known to everyone.

But to call it a misunderstanding… He was beyond disappointed; he was angry.

Instead of twisting his face, Jeras put on a terribly radiant smile. His lips were definitely smiling, but his eyes were cold and hard.

“You don’t want to keep your vow, and you don’t want to go with me. So what do you want me to do?”

“Don’t be angry… I’ll be back soon and won’t do anything dangerous. I’ll be back in 10 minutes, no, 5 minutes. Okay?”

“Don’t leave my side for even a second from now on. I’ll tell you in advance, this isn’t a request or a suggestion. It’s an order.”

“I’m not your subordinate, so I have no reason to listen to your orders.”

“Princess Kilmaria.”

“…Alright.”

She was expected to continue being stubborn or try to find a chance to bolt, but Eloe surprisingly gave in.

However, Jeras didn’t let down his guard. Slipping away while pretending to listen was Eloe’s specialty. Giving in knowingly was not her style.

He linked his arm through hers, folding his arm with hers. ‘Tsk.’ He heard Eloe click her tongue, but he didn’t care.

He was just about to take a step with Eloe towards the Sword Palace where Kieryk was.

“Jeras.”

“Ah, I think someone’s talking to me, but I can’t hear them. Am I going d…”

Chu.

A kiss approached without a sound and then withdrew with a cute noise. It happened in the blink of an eye, but the soft, moist sensation of lips remained vividly on his cheek.

Jeras looked down at Eloe with eyes so wide they seemed about to pop out. Eloe’s ears and neck were beet red, and when their eyes met, she gave a bashful smile.

Jeras lifted her chin. Eloe didn’t avoid him as he approached slowly. The distance was completely gone, so close their eyelashes were touching.

The lips that had left a soft feeling on his cheek a moment ago parted slowly. Her faint breath was so sweet, his throat felt a little sore, as if he had held sugar in his mouth.

“I’m really sorry.”

“…What?”

Distracted by the surprise cheek kiss, Eloe managed to free her arm, darted forward, and vanished in an instant.

It happened so fast that Jeras just stood there for a moment, dazed. So Eloe kissed his cheek, and then…

She disappeared.

“Eloe!”

As soon as he realized Eloe was gone, he opened his eyes. But he couldn’t see Eloe’s soul.

‘That can’t be.’ As long as they were alive, as long as they had a soul, no one could escape his sight.

A small note fluttered down onto his visibly flustered head. Jeras roughly unfolded the note. Eloe’s handwriting, written with mana, was immediately visible.

[I’ll take a quick look from a distance and go straight to the Sword Palace.]

 

***

 

“What kind of woman is she, anyway…”

A disgruntled sigh echoed in the empty corridor of the Sword Palace.

Jeras messily ruffled his hair. His neatly combed hair became a messy bird’s nest, but he didn’t care.

He never thought she would go as far as to kiss his cheek to distract him.

It was natural that he couldn’t feel the seriousness of the situation, no matter what he heard, since his eyes couldn’t see it.

Still, it was her request, so he was going to take her after meeting Kieryk. The situation must be serious enough for her to have to kiss his cheek.

Why was she in such a hurry? She was completely different from the meticulous, tortoise-like Sion.

Jeras sighed and gently touched the cheek where Eloe’s lips had been.

‘Is it better to chase after her now? It would be a pain if we miss each other.’

Should he go to the Flowers Palace to find Eloe, or wait here until she came?

As he was contemplating, Kieryk appeared from the opposite direction. His head was bowed, and his steps were so shaky he looked like he was about to fall. Jeras quickly walked over and supported Kieryk.

“Brother, are you alright?”

“Ah… Jeras. I heard you went on a subjugation mission outside the capital. When did you get back?”

“Not long ago. Are you ill? You look pale.”

“The headache won’t go away. I’m receiving treatment from the priests every day, so I should be fine soon.”

Kieryk, who forced a smile with a pale face, patted Jeras on the shoulder.

‘Is that priest a proper priest? Is the headache due to another reason? Do you remember attacking Nia a few days ago?’ He had many questions, but Jeras didn’t ask. He wouldn’t get a proper answer anyway.

He took out a small box from his pocket and held it out to Kieryk.

“What is this?”

“A gift for you, Brother.”

“Oh. This is nice. When we were young, I used to get gifts from you every day, but it’s been a while recently.”

“…It has. Go ahead and open it.”

Kieryk opened the box and checked the contents, then tilted his head slightly. It was a brooch that priests always carried to pray to God.

Kieryk gave Jeras a look that said, ‘Why are you giving this to me?’, but he couldn’t hide the smile that blossomed at the subsequent answer.

“The princess prepared it, not me. I consulted with her recently about your health. The princess and several priests gathered to imbue it with blessings. She said you should always wear it if possible.”

“Oh, really. The princess made it herself…”

Kieryk looked incredibly happy as he held the brooch. A hot lump welled up in Jeras’s chest.

He also wanted a gift that Eloe made herself. He was confident he would be happier than his brother. If it was a special item she made herself, shouldn’t she have given it to him first, even if it was a gift without a hidden agenda?

The childish jealousy, once kindled, spread uncontrollably and consumed Jeras. He lowered his eyes to hide the jealous fire.

“By the way, Jeras.”

“Yes, Brother. What is it?”

“Did you meet the princess? Where?”

Kieryk’s tone was strangely sharp. Jeras raised his head. The brooch Eloe made glittered in Kieryk’s palm, a testament to its presence.

‘That’s just an item to check on my brother’s condition.’ No matter how much he whispered this to himself, the jealousy and possessiveness wouldn’t subside. So a curt voice came out.

“You don’t need to know, Brother.”

“I don’t need to know? Jeras, answer me properly. That’s not the answer I was looking for.”

“I met her by chance when I went to the Grand Duke’s residence to see Sion. Is that enough?”

“When I went to see her, they said she wasn’t there. Several times.”

“You went to the Grand Duke’s residence? Why?”

“You don’t need to know. It’s none of your business.”

The two fell silent at the same time. Silent sparks flew from their eyes, which looked ready to devour each other.

It was Kieryk who first broke the hostile silence.

“The princess is not an object you can treat however you like.”

“You shouldn’t speak so casually when you don’t know anything, Brother. I have never treated the princess like that.”

“You’re treating her that way right now. What is this situation if not you trying to monopolize the princess?”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant. I was wondering what you were talking about.”

‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll be honest.’ Jeras reached out and grabbed the brooch.

“You’re right, Brother. I want to monopolize Eloe.”

“You…”

“I don’t want to show her to any other man. Not even you, Brother. If it weren’t for Eloe’s request, I would never have given you this brooch. I haven’t even received a gift she made herself yet.”

His hand, holding the brooch, tightened on its own. He knew. Eloe stayed up for two nights to make the brooch because he had whined about being worried about his brother.

Jeras tried his best to suppress the incredibly childish feeling of jealousy and pinned the brooch on Kieryk’s clothes. He didn’t want Eloe’s hard work to be in vain due to a momentary feeling.

“As you know, Brother, Eloe is so kind and gentle that she has a hobby of meddling here and there without thinking. It turns my stomach to see her, so I’ve even thought about locking her away somewhere no one knows about.”

Kieryk silently grabbed Jeras’s wrist. Jeras glanced at his hand and twisted his lips into a smile.

“I didn’t want her to hate me, and it’s enough if I just protect her from her side, so I gave up on that idea. Above all, as you said, Brother, Eloe is not an object, is she? I’ll let Eloe do whatever she wants. That’s my way.”

“So you’re saying I should give up?”

“I have no right to tell you what to do, Brother. I don’t intend to, either. I just wanted to tell you that I’m serious. I don’t treat her like an object.”

Jeras straightened the crooked brooch. But Kieryk didn’t let go of Jeras’s wrist. Instead, he gripped it so hard his fingertips turned white.

The twisted smile on Jeras’s face disappeared.

“Make sure to wear it. Don’t take it off even when you sleep. Eloe stayed up for two whole nights to make that.”

“Where is the princess?”

“Hmm, now that I know you feel the same way, Brother, it’s a bit difficult to tell you. All men are wolves, aren’t they? No matter how much I like you, it’s hard.”

“Don’t try to gloss over it. I need an answer.”

“I’m not glossing over it. I told you before, I’m serious.”

Jeras’s other hand wrapped around Kieryk’s wrist. Immediately, a strong force that could crush bones compressed Kieryk.

For Jeras, who could swing a greatsword with one hand, breaking a human’s wrist bone was easier than breathing. Kieryk reluctantly released his grip. Jeras also immediately let go of Kieryk’s wrist.

A dark red bruise appeared on Kieryk’s wrist. It was the first time he had hurt Kieryk since he had come of age. The savage look in Jeras’s eyes softened.

“I’m sorry, Brother. I didn’t mean to do that. I’ll call a priest.”

“Let go.”

Kieryk answered coldly, then turned and stumbled away. A little while later, the sound of Kieryk locking the door to his room echoed. The sound felt like the closing of his heart, and it wasn’t just a feeling. Jeras put a hand to his forehead.

However, since the two of them held the same feelings, they had to clash at some point.

He could have broken the doorknob and gone in, but Jeras didn’t. He only opened his eyes and checked Kieryk’s soul from a distance once more. The yellow and black colors were still mixed as they were a few days ago, but the yellow energy seemed to be faintly suppressing the black energy.

‘Is the brooch working?’

Hoping it wasn’t a misconception, Jeras turned and walked to find Eloe.

He thought it was a good thing that Eloe hadn’t been there.

 

***

  

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

She had been walking with her gaze fixed on the sky the whole time and bumped into a maid coming the other way. The maid, holding a stack of boxes with both hands, hadn’t seen Eloe.

Eloe gave a troubled look as the maid apologized so profusely it was embarrassing. Every time the maid bowed her head, the boxes wobbled as if they would collapse. Eloe held them up with her hands so they wouldn’t fall.

“It’s okay. I wasn’t looking where I was going either.”

“No, it’s all my fault. Please… please spare my life. Forgive me. I will never use this path again!”

‘Her reaction is too much, isn’t it? Why is she acting like this?’

The maid who had been apologizing nonstop finally started to cry. With a youthful face that seemed to have just reached adulthood, she bit her lip.

Eloe looked in the direction the maid had come from and thought for a moment. The single path with no forks led to the Flowers Palace where Empress Florese resided.

‘Is she a maid who works there?’

To calm her down and get some information, Eloe spoke to her as gently as possible.

“It’s really okay… Could you help me then? I’m trying to go to the Flowers Palace, but I don’t know the way.”

“Oh, yes…! If you follow this path, you’ll reach the palace. B-but… you shouldn’t go there now… It’s almost sunset.”

“Why? Does the gate lock at sunset?”

“…You don’t know the rumor?”

The maid hunched her neck and asked in a faint voice. 

‘Rumor?’ 

When Eloe shook her head, the voice, even smaller than before, almost a whisper, answered.

“Lately… they say screams can be heard from the Flowers Palace every night… I haven’t heard them yet, but a friend of mine who works with me said she’s heard them many times. And there’s a widespread rumor that maids and servants who work at the Flowers Palace have gone missing. They’ve actually been sending people who work elsewhere there more often. I was originally in charge of cleaning the Moon Palace, but today, all of a sudden…”

The maid’s voice trailed off, and she shook her head frantically. She was worried that the terrible rumor might cling to her and bring bad luck.

She bowed to Eloe and left in a hurry as if she were being chased.

‘They’re preparing a ritual with sacrifices. That’s why that horrible smoke is rising.’

It had been hard to tell since there were no definite signs other than Kieryk’s condition getting a little worse, but it was clear that Empress Florese hadn’t given up yet.

Eloe was once again amazed by her nerve and execution, trying to perform a resurrection ritual in the middle of the Imperial Palace.

Attempting to awaken an ancient demon using her only son’s body was something a normal person couldn’t even imagine in the first place.

‘What on earth is power that she would go to such lengths? I wonder… I think I might understand it a little bit.’

Before she was possessed, as ‘Han Seha,’ she wouldn’t have understood it at all. Just as a person prefers familiar food over something they’ve never eaten, it was hard for her to understand what was so good about power or wealth since she had never had either.

However, after living as a duchess, she could feel how much power and wealth enriched and made life happy. Above all, not having to worry about the basic necessities of life was wonderful.

The peaceful life that ‘Han Seha’ had to fight for every day was possible here just by waking up every morning. Eloe treasured this peaceful and affectionate daily life so much.

Lost in thought, she had arrived near the Flowers Palace. Eloe, who had snapped out of her thoughts, covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief at the foul smell that stung her nostrils.

The Flowers Palace, used by the Empress and concubines, was covered in black smoke to the point where its shape was barely discernible. The stench Eloe smelled was not an actual odor but the demonic aura that only she could perceive, like smoke.

‘It makes me want to throw up. I can’t go inside.’

She had told Jeras she would just look at the outside and go back, but seeing the situation firsthand, it was much more serious than she thought, and she wanted to look around the inside for a moment.

According to what she knew, the altar was likely prepared in the basement of the palace where Empress Florese resided. 

‘Is there no way to at least confirm that fact?’ 

If she followed the smoke back, she might be able to find the source.

Eloe braced herself and wrapped herself in mana like a barrier. The smoke that was creeping towards her vanished without a trace the moment it touched her mana, turning into dust. She tried putting her hand down, and there was no smell.

‘Good. I think I can make something work with this.’

“Do you need any help?”

Suddenly, someone spoke from behind her. Eloe turned to the source of the sound. A priest in a pristine priest’s robe was looking at her.

The moment their eyes met, both of their expressions hardened.

‘He’s… a demon, isn’t he?’

Even if he disguised himself with an ordinary appearance that wouldn’t be memorable if they met on the street and a priest’s robe, he couldn’t deceive Eloe’s eyes, which could sense mana. A black and ominous mana shimmered around him like a heat haze.

The demon also easily recognized the light mana surrounding Eloe.

He had heard rumors about a human woman who possessed annoying and troublesome energy. As a high-ranking demon in charge of the ritual to resurrect Agtatius, he had often boasted that he would kill the woman as soon as he met her.

“I have a letter to deliver to Empress Florese… Would you mind guiding me?”

Eloe smiled as if she didn’t know anything. The demon also put on a benevolent expression and slowly approached her.

Even if she had a bothersome ability, she was just a lowly human. Moreover, the woman was alone now. Without the crazy hunter who was always with her, there was no better opportunity.

It was a good chance to prove that he was far superior to Tervana, who had relied on a weak summon and was eventually defeated.

“Of course. I’d be happy to guide you.”

‘But not to the place you want.’

The demon transformed both hands into blades and lunged at Eloe. Eloe hurriedly strengthened the barrier around her body. The blades that aimed for her neck were blocked by the barrier.

The demon clicked his tongue and changed one hand into a spear. A spear was much more powerful than a blade for piercing such a barrier. The barrier wouldn’t be very tight from a sudden attack, so he would be able to break it down quickly…

“…Huh?”

Something unbelievable happened. The tip of the spear was burned white the moment it touched the barrier. The pain came after that.

The demon quickly reverted his hand to its original form. However, the white flames that had already burned his fingers grew larger as if to devour the demon’s body as well.

“That’s impossible!”

The demon screamed and tried to block the quickly approaching flames, but it was impossible. He felt like he would have to cut off his arm to block it.

Even while he was thinking, Eloe’s mana was eating away at his body. Only then did he realize that this woman’s mana was mana that a human could never possess. It was a realization that came too late.

“Aaaaaagh! I can’t… I can’t die like this…!”

The demon gathered all his remaining strength into his one hand and tried to tear at Eloe’s barrier. It was to create one small, minuscule gap.

This woman, who had mana that far exceeded the human realm, would be a major obstacle to their plan. Since he was going to die here anyway, he had to take her to hell with him.

“The princess is popular. Is she even getting courted by demons now?”

His tone was playful as always, but she could feel the sharp thorns hidden within it.

Jeras, who had approached quickly, stopped abruptly beside Eloe. His gaze was fixed solely on Eloe. It was as if he couldn’t even see the demon huffing and puffing nearby.

“All sorts of strange guys keep flocking to you. Humans and demons must have similar tastes. I’m glad I came, I was worried.”

“I’m fighting as best as I can!”

“Why are you being so stubborn? If we had moved together, this wouldn’t have happened. The result of disappearing with a surprise kiss is just this, huh?”

“W-why are you bringing that up here…?”

“Isn’t it a natural thing to talk about? It was my first kiss, and I couldn’t even enjoy the afterglow properly. All because the princess disappeared.”

“Jeras!”

Eloe’s face turned red, and she glared at Jeras. Her attention was completely on Jeras, and the firm barrier was momentarily disturbed.

The demon’s eyes, filled with despair and defeat, glittered with greed. He felt he could probably escape from this place if he squeezed out all his remaining strength.

‘First, escape and save my life.’ 

Revenge and helping Agtatius’s resurrection were problems for later. He couldn’t do anything if he wasn’t alive, right?

“Do you really think you can get away from me after touching the princess? You’re a positive thinker, I’ll give you that.”

Jeras’s hand, which shot out too fast to be seen, gripped the demon’s neck. His windpipe was squeezed, and he couldn’t even scream.

But Jeras had no intention of killing the demon easily. He controlled his strength with exquisite precision, just enough to keep the demon alive but in great agony, and pulled him away from Eloe.

Eloe, who had been watching Jeras’s expression, quickly hid behind his back.

“Did you deliver the brooch properly? How was it? Did it seem to have some effect?”

“Who knows. I might have delivered it to my brother properly, or I might have been blinded by jealousy and stolen it myself. You guess which one it is.”

“Haa… You came here determined to be difficult.”

“I haven’t even been truly difficult yet.”

Jeras turned to Eloe and smiled. It was a pleasant smile with his eyes crinkling and the corners of his lips curving gently, but Eloe’s stomach was churning.

She didn’t know if he was just teasing her to make things difficult or if he was angry and expressing it this way because he couldn’t lash out.

She let out another deep sigh.

She understood. If their roles were reversed, she might have been even angrier than Jeras was now. Filled with a sense of apology, she gently held the hem of Jeras’s clothes.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“Hmm. Okay. Temporary truce. Let’s deal with this guy first.”

“Ugh, heeeeaaagh…!”

The demon’s body was lifted into the air. Jeras had raised him with one hand. Pressed down by his strength, the demon couldn’t move a finger, and in that moment, Eloe gathered mana to form chains. The chains wrapped tightly around the demon, restraining him.  

The mana seeping from the chains pierced into his body, inflicting pain. In the end, the demon lost consciousness and collapsed onto the floor.  

“With such meager skill, how did you even make it this far?”  

Jeras clicked his tongue and nudged the demon with his boot. He had assumed the creature must be quite capable to wander so brazenly through the palace disguised as a priest.  

Since when had he been coming and going from the palace? Jeras felt annoyed with himself for failing to uncover such a thing.  

He had often been absent, dealing with monsters that appeared as if on cue, but it was no excuse.  

‘Or perhaps someone has been sheltering him.’  

“What kind of ghastly situation is this?”  

A sharp, ringing voice pierced his ear. Empress Florese had appeared, striding through the wide-open gates toward them.  

Contrary to her reputation as the most dazzling woman in the empire, she wore a black dress and a wide-brimmed black hat. Her ladies-in-waiting followed behind, all looking pale and sickly.  

“It has been a while since I last greeted you, Your Majesty,” said Jeras.  

“I would love to welcome you warmly, but the situation does not permit it. Since this uproar has broken out before my own palace, I would like an explanation.”  

“I have only just arrived myself, so I cannot say for certain. I was about to question a suspicious figure.”  

“The young lady behind you—she is the Kilmaria noblewoman, isn’t she?”  

“Yes, Your Majesty. Eloered. I could not interrupt while the two of you were speaking, so I offer my greetings belatedly. Forgive me.”  

“The lady seems to wander the imperial palace as if it were her own home. Without so much as prior notice, too.”  

“I brought her here. I urgently needed her help. The lady is not at fault, so if blame must be given, let it fall on me.”  

Jeras and Florese locked eyes. Eloe bowed her head in silence. To Florese, it looked like an apologetic gesture, but in truth she was hiding her grimace at the stench.  

It was more revolting than even the reek of Kieryk—or the demon lying crumpled on the ground. It was a stench unlike anything she had ever smelled before, almost unbearable.  

“S-spare me…”  

The demon regained consciousness, gazing up at the empress with desperate eyes. Still disguised as a priest, he startled the maids, who stifled gasps and screams.  

Florese lifted her chin and looked down at him. Beneath the shadow cast by her hat brim, her eyes glinted coldly.  

“Do you know this man?”  

“No, a face I have never seen before.”  

“Don’t spout nonsense! You brought me your son several times a day! I’ve gone through so much to craft a fitting body for that exalted one—!”  

“He must have lost his wits. Pitiful, truly. What a state for one who claims to serve the gods.”  

The empress covered her mouth and took several steps back from the demon. His bloodshot eyes glared at her with hatred. Being ordered about by some human woman—disposable like trash—was an insult his pride could not endure. Agtatius, perhaps, but a mere woman? Unforgivable.  

“I’ll kill you!”  

He staggered to his feet, howling as his body swelled grotesquely.  

Jeras, already watchful, drew his sword, and at the same instant, Eloe’s mana surged forward from behind him.  

“I’ll offer your souls to Lord Agtatius!”  

With a final shriek, the demon’s body exploded. Just before the blast, Jeras had pulled Eloe into his arms, shielding her.  

Dust clouds rose, choking their vision, and the earth quaked with the shockwave.  

“Are you hurt?”  

“N-no, I’m fine.”  

Held against Jeras, Eloe’s face turned red. Finding her answer unsatisfactory, he quickly realized the truth.  

Her mana hadn’t targeted the demon. Instead, she had enclosed him in a barrier to contain the explosion, sparing everyone around. Thanks to her, even Florese—standing nearest of all—was unharmed, not a single hair out of place.  

The empress cast a sharp glance at the pair clinging to each other, then turned her gaze to the pile of ash where the demon had perished.  

“Could there be a death more ugly than this? In any case, I ask that you cease causing disturbances, Your Highness. The First Prince has been unwell, and I’ve been worrying over him day and night. Rather than assisting, you stir up chaos and leave me with a pounding head.”  

“Understood. But surely you owe the young lady some gratitude? It was she who protected you, Empress.”  

“Indeed. Lady Kilmaria, thank you for saving me. You spared my life. I had heard of your talent for magic, but to see it firsthand is truly astonishing.”  

“It was nothing. Just a coincidence.”  

“Coincidence or not, I must repay you. What would be fitting, I wonder…? Oh, I know. You’re not yet betrothed, are you? I have been searching for a suitable bride for the First Prince. I wonder what you might think of such a match?”  

Florese clasped Eloe’s hand warmly. Jeras’s expression turned glacial, as though he might erupt at any moment.  

Eloe sent him a warning glance and gently withdrew her hand.  

“I appreciate the thought, but I only recently entered the Academy. My parents and I both believe it is too soon to consider engagement or marriage.”  

“There’s no need to feel pressured. I don’t mean for you to wed at once. I’ll arrange a meeting with the prince—just a light conversation, nothing more.”  

“No, truly, that won’t be necessary…”  

“It would be best to stop pressing her, Empress. The young lady is clearly uncomfortable.”  

At last, Jeras could not hold his tongue. Florese gave him a radiant smile, her eyes curving.  

“Uncomfortable? It seems to me it is Your Highness who is ill at ease. In any case, it is late, so I shall take my leave. Lady Kilmaria, we shall meet again soon.”  

She herded her frightened maids back into the Flowers Palace. The great gate closed behind them with a heavy thud.  

“Phew…”  

Eloe sagged against Jeras the moment Florese disappeared from view. The empress had been far more troubling to face than the demon. And besides…  

‘That demon mentioned Agtatius. He must have been preparing some ritual with her. Good thing Jeras heard it too. It’s time I told him everything.’

As she tried to steady her breath and organize her thoughts, Jeras’s firm hand tightened around her waist. She jolted, staring up at him.  

“What if someone sees!”  

“I don’t care. Let them.”  

“Calm down. She was just trying to provoke you on purpose. An engagement with the First Prince and me? It’s absurd. The prince himself has no such intention. More importantly, there’s something I need to tell you—”  

“And what if that’s not true?”  

“Huh?”  

“What if it’s not absurd? Then what will you do?”  

Eloe nearly asked ‘Not true in what sense?’ but the intensity in his eyes stopped her.  

Ever since returning from Kieryk, he had been strangely unsettled, and it bothered her. She could guess that it had something to do with her.  

Surely not…? Please, don’t tell me this has turned into one of those twisted clichés where the hero’s older brother ends up tangled in some love triangle. Please, no!  

Her unease showed in her shifting eyes.  

“Dense as ever.”  

Jeras gave her a mild scolding, then smiled with his crimson eyes glinting.  

“Never mind that. A lying, naughty lady deserves a little punishment.”

 

***

 

So there really are people who say things like that out loud.  

I’d only ever seen such lines in comics or novels, but hearing one for real? It wasn’t fresh or thrilling in the least—it made my hands and feet curl up from secondhand embarrassment. Well, Jeras is the male lead, so maybe it shouldn’t be surprising. Still, he’s never been the syrupy type, just sly at times.  

Either way, the instant I heard it, goosebumps spread all over my body. Famous lines are famous for a reason, I guess. Hearing them directly in my ears made me realize just how devastating their impact could be.  

Too flustered, I couldn’t bring myself to look Jeras in the eye. I only sensed from his presence that his face was suddenly far too close, so I raised my hand to keep him from coming any nearer.  

“A grown adult talking about punishment, really.”  

“Someone who breaks promises is bad whether they’re a child or an adult. Running off without a word, saying you’d be right back, and then getting caught up in pointless trouble.”  

“The situation was urgent. You saw it yourself, didn’t you? The demon disguised as a priest.”  

I pointed at the spot where the demon’s remains had been. Now, as if nothing had happened, not even ashes were left behind.  

“Her Majesty the Empress claimed she didn’t know him.”  

“Obviously a lie. Florese was the one who called him. Do you remember what the demon said? About her entrusting her son to him and all that? Listen, Jeras. The truth is, Empress Florese has been—”  

“So you already knew.”  

His cold voice cut me off. I froze, words spilling out a moment ago now stuck in my throat. I had thought this was the perfect chance to finally tell him about the empress’s scheme and Kieryk’s condition.  

Jeras pressed his lips into a thin line and stared straight at me, unblinking, as if trying to pierce through me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but one thing was certain: he was angry.  

Unable to endure the chill in his expression, I lowered my head.  

“You knew all along and pretended you didn’t.”  

“I… I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t want to confuse you with unconfirmed information—”  

“You didn’t trust me.”  

I snapped my head up in shock. Jeras’s mouth was twisted into a crooked smile, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all. His crimson gaze seemed to be looking straight at me, yet at the same time, not at me at all.  

“To you, I was worth only that much.”  

“No, Jeras! That’s not what I meant—!”  

“That’s enough. Go back for today. I won’t see you home.”  

The arm that had been around my waist, the warmth of his embrace holding me up—vanished in an instant. I reached for him, but he deliberately stepped aside, avoiding my hand.  

He looked at me one last time before turning his back. With no choice, I followed after him.