Chapter 133

Rahar fumed, bringing up the fact that among Tearen’s past lovers was Young Lady Uzroben—Rahar’s very first crush. He practically foamed at the mouth, demanding to know if Tearen had dated even her without truly loving her.

However, Tearen threw him off balance by counter-asking if his first love wasn’t actually the spirit arts teacher from their academy days.

“You said you’ve never dated, but it seems you’ve been pining after people without rest,” Belona remarked, glancing sideways at Rahar. He became flustered, stammering and unable to find his words.

“I-it wasn’t exactly pining, I was just young back then…”

“In any case, it doesn’t seem like something to oppose. Honestly, an older brother stubbornly blocking his sister’s romance is a bit unsightly.”

“U-unsightly…!”

“Besides, the person she’s dating isn’t some random noble son you’ve never met before; he’s your friend, isn’t he?”

Belona pointed out that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Tearen other than his history of casual dating. She warned that if Rahar continued to oppose them without a valid reason, he would be the one looking strange, which made Rahar’s expression stiffen.

Thousands of reasons why Tearen and Roseanne shouldn’t be together swirled in his head, but Rahar kept his mouth shut, unable to say a word to Belona.

“Then, I’ll take that as your permission.”

“Permission, my foot.”

“Is this really something that requires Rahar’s permission?” Belona interjected the moment Rahar glared at Tearen. She turned to Rahar and asked with a simple “Hmm?” wanting to hear his thoughts.

“This is a matter directly linked to my sister’s happiness. As her brother, naturally…”

“Then you should start by changing your criteria for that happiness.”

“…?”

“Your sister is head over heels for Sir Tearen, don’t you see? You probably don’t know, but do you have any idea how lovely Lady Roseanne becomes when she’s with him?”

At Belona’s words, Rahar reflexively looked at Roseanne. His vision was filled with the sight of Roseanne and Tearen looking so happy it confirmed everything Belona said.

“Leave your sister’s happiness to her and Sir Tearen, and just wish them well, Rahar.”

“….”

“And focus on your own love life. How long do you plan to remain a man who’s never even met a woman? An inexperienced, innocent man is cute, but they can be a handful in many ways, you know?”

At that, Rahar’s face turned just as red as Roseanne’s.

“I-I will never be a handful.”

Rahar muttered, turning his back to Belona. Seeing his ears turn a vibrant shade of red, Belona let out a short laugh and called out to him.

“I know a great woman nearby, want me to introduce you?”

Rahar whipped his head back around instantly, his brow furrowed deeply.

“I don’t need it, okay? Mind your own business.”

“Really? That’s a shame. There’s a truly wonderful woman I know.”

Belona crossed her arms as if she were genuinely disappointed. Rahar raised an eyebrow, huffing that she had far too many things to be disappointed about.

***

“It ended well, but somehow I feel like I’ve just seen a preview of my brother’s future relationship, and it feels a bit strange.”

Roseanne set down her teacup and gave a bittersweet smile.

“Why? Because it looks like the light mage is going to wrap your brother around her finger?”

“…No, rather than that…”

Roseanne explained that while she wanted her relationship with Tearen to be celebrated by Rahar, she found herself unable to fully understand Rahar falling for Belona.

“In that situation, I felt like I understood why my brother was trying to block my relationship with Lord Tearen.”

“….”

“Oh, of course, I don’t mean that Lord Tearen is lacking in any way… No, the more I talk, the more I feel like I’m straying from my point…”

As Roseanne trailed off in embarrassment, Tearen nodded and spoke to her.

“I know what you mean. Rahar rejected me as your partner because he’s worried you’ll be unhappy because of me, and you’re worried your brother will be unhappy because of the light mage.”

“…Miss Belona only recently lost Groen, whom she truly loved, to the black mage. And she even deceived herself by thinking someone else was him because she couldn’t accept his death.”

Roseanne confessed that those parts still worried her. While it might just end as an unrequited love on Rahar’s part, she even worried if Belona might be using Rahar’s feelings just to find stability for her soul and comfort for her body.

“Of course, I don’t think Miss Belona is such a selfish or calculating person. But…”

“All humans are calculating to some degree. It’s just a matter of how much.”

Tearen admitted that he had even considered using illusion magic just to ensure there were no obstacles to his relationship with Roseanne.

“I can’t be certain that there’s absolutely nothing bothering you about being with me, but…”

“Th-there isn’t! There couldn’t be…!”

Roseanne shook her head vigorously, interrupting him, and Tearen smiled tenderly with a nod.

“Yes. Perhaps Rahar has the same kind of certainty regarding Miss Belona as you do.”

“….”

“Of course, everyone around them, including themselves, will surely have worries about them being together. It would be a lie to say otherwise.”

“…That’s true.”

“Yeah. Even Caldeon, who usually doesn’t care about others’ business, would probably ask if it’s a well-thought-out choice.”

But Tearen told her that Rahar would surely make the best choice for himself. Besides, since Rahar’s feelings for Belona were still just a one-sided crush, there was no need to worry too seriously yet.

“Right. Let’s just think about our own business. On that note, may I visit the Kaznaren estate tomorrow?”

Tearen muttered that while Rahar’s mountain was easier to cross than expected, Roseanne’s father would not be so easy, his face tensing with nerves.

Roseanne gave him a happy smile and placed her hand over his.

“I’ll be on your side, Lord Tearen.”

A bright smile spread across Tearen’s face.

***

“Ooh, I truly feel refreshed now.”

The Emperor’s face brightened after receiving the recovery magic from Enria. The invisible, heavy energy that had been weighing down his entire body felt completely gone, and his previously weary expression vanished like a lie.

“Fortunately, you shouldn’t feel troubled for at least a month.”

“A month?”

“Yes. Since it is fundamentally the energy flowing within Your Majesty’s body, it will clump up again if it isn’t used.”

“…Hmm.”

The Emperor wore a subtle expression at Enria’s words. Seeing this, Caldeon quickly stepped in, attempting to change the subject.

“That is good news. Now, regarding the matter for which I requested this audience…”

“Did you say your name was Enria Ribenus?”

The Emperor ignored Caldeon and looked directly at Enria. Caught off guard, Enria nodded and answered, “Yes.”

The Emperor then said to her: “I would like you to visit the palace once a week and do what you did today.”

“Pardon…?”

“That is not possible, Your Majesty.”

Caldeon refused the moment the Emperor finished speaking. He had likely tried to change the subject specifically to avoid the Emperor making such a request. When the Emperor looked at him, Caldeon continued with an unwavering expression.

“She is to be the Grand Duchess soon.”

“I am well aware. Isn’t that why you sought an audience with me?”

“Once she becomes the Grand Duchess, she will be incredibly busy. She won’t have the luxury of time to frequent the palace…”

“I will provide a Warp Stone.”

The Emperor cut Caldeon off and looked at Enria.

“Once a week. I will provide a Warp Stone that leads directly to my office.”

“Ah…”

“I will surely attend the wedding as well. I will approve any wedding date you desire. If you can let me feel this refreshed just once a week, what is there that I wouldn’t do for you?”

The Emperor was desperate to continue receiving recovery magic because Enria had instantly cleared away the fatigue that no amount of sleep, healthy food, or changes in physicians could touch.

Enria nodded to the Emperor while stealing a glance at Caldeon. She believed he would understand her nod was inevitable, as he knew better than anyone that one does not simply refuse an Imperial command.

As Enria expected, Caldeon stopped opposing and instead offered a new proposal to the Emperor.

“However, I have one condition.”

“A condition? What is it?”

“Please prepare a space in the Imperial Palace where we can stay for a day.”

“A space to stay for a day?”

“Yes. I am asking you to prepare a space within this palace where Enria and I can rest comfortably.”

A faint, soulless smile appeared on Caldeon’s lips. Since things had turned out this way, he decided he wouldn’t send Enria to the palace alone. He would accompany her and turn it into an opportunity to be alone with her for a full day, without even Hayden’s interference.

Truly, his quick wit was a thing to behold.