The office of the Emperor's palace.
A gaze fell over the long silence, but the Emperor made no eye contact. The Grand Duke stared at him in silence for a long time and then said with a smile in his voice.
“... If you think of a price, call me at any time, Your Majesty. I've got to go to dinner."
It was a notification, not a permission.
But despite his arrogant attitude, the Emperor had to grit his teeth and put up with it.
And after the Grand Duke left his office, the Emperor swept everything on his desk.
Prang!
"..."
"It's a story of people who spoke with noble voices and sincerity. You're curious, isn't it? If you sing with all your heart, what happens?"
From the moment he heard the legend of Lowell from the Princess, the Emperor knew that the story was not just a legend.
He had seen with his own eyes how the princess had used her power to heal the wounds of the Grand Duke.
Fearing its power, he persecuted all the green-eyed who were thought to be Lowell's descendants and gave them the gaze of a lowly dancer so that they could not even speak up. It was also not good enough, and he made them live as if they were being chased all the time.
Naturally, even in social circles, green eyes were despised. Even the noble Princess Madelaine was half-blood...
The Emperor stared at the portrait in a daze. The moment the bright green eyes overlapped and the image of Princess Madeleine came to mind, the Emperor involuntarily made a loud noise.
“... Madeleine, call Duke Madeleine!"
Gardens of the Emperor's Palace.
Edwin smiled and looked back at Winster. Winster, who would normally have rushed over and worried, was smiling.
"Why don't you ask me what happened today?"
"Today, His Majesty the Emperor overturned his desk, and it has already been rumored in the palace./, Your Highness."
Servants of the imperial palace with heavy mouths. Winster, who spoke freely with the most ironclad servants of the Emperor's palace in between, shrugged his shoulders.
"Already? It was only when I closed the door that I heard the desk flip over."
"Your Highness came down late, didn't you? It's already spreading to the laundromat."
As he spoke, Winster sensed something was wrong and raised his eyebrows.
If it's the imperial palace, especially the Emperor's palace, it's so hateful. Did His Highness spend more time on purpose?
A gaze fell over the long silence, but the Emperor made no eye contact. The Grand Duke stared at him in silence for a long time and then said with a smile in his voice.
“... If you think of a price, call me at any time, Your Majesty. I've got to go to dinner."
It was a notification, not a permission.
But despite his arrogant attitude, the Emperor had to grit his teeth and put up with it.
And after the Grand Duke left his office, the Emperor swept everything on his desk.
Prang!
At the sharp sound of something breaking, the acolyte rushed in. The servant, who bowed his head with a devastated face, hurriedly closed the door, but the Emperor could see nothing.
The Emperor let out a sigh of rage. It was only when the momentum in his office had dissipated that the Emperor vented his anger.
"He dare, he dare!"
The words that had not yet been poured out to the outgoing Grand Duke echoed like thunder through the office. Suppressed anger exploded, and the Emperor glared at his office door with bloodshot eyes.
The red eyes kept popping up in his mind. The Grand Duke's words struck him again.
"What does Your Majesty say? I can tell that Your Majesty wants to talk about Lowell's Mines."
How much did he know?
The Emperor let out a sigh of rage. It was only when the momentum in his office had dissipated that the Emperor vented his anger.
"He dare, he dare!"
The words that had not yet been poured out to the outgoing Grand Duke echoed like thunder through the office. Suppressed anger exploded, and the Emperor glared at his office door with bloodshot eyes.
The red eyes kept popping up in his mind. The Grand Duke's words struck him again.
***
"What does Your Majesty say? I can tell that Your Majesty wants to talk about Lowell's Mines."
How much did he know?
The Emperor who was looking at his liver was cut off in an instant. The Emperor looked at Edwin curiously, his red eyes, gritted his teeth, and tried to maintain a relaxed attitude.
He already knew.
So the Emperor also got down to business.
“... The mine became the Princess's property."
The words were slurred. The mine, which had always been the Emperor's weapon, was now in the hands of Olivia.
The Emperor scrutinized the Grand Duke's reaction.
He had been an Emperor all his life, so he was good at hiding his expression, but the tension he had never felt before made him break out in a cold sweat down his back.
A slow smile spread over Edwin's beautiful face, which resembled the Princess of Lowell. And not yet...
Ha ha ha.
He already knew.
So the Emperor also got down to business.
“... The mine became the Princess's property."
The words were slurred. The mine, which had always been the Emperor's weapon, was now in the hands of Olivia.
The Emperor scrutinized the Grand Duke's reaction.
He had been an Emperor all his life, so he was good at hiding his expression, but the tension he had never felt before made him break out in a cold sweat down his back.
A slow smile spread over Edwin's beautiful face, which resembled the Princess of Lowell. And not yet...
Ha ha ha.
The Grand Duke laughed. The Emperor's heart sank at the laughter of genuinely joyful laughter.
Could it be that Princess Madelaine has already handed over ownership of the mine to the Grand Duke?
All sorts of thoughts raced through the Emperor's head. Though he thought it couldn't be, the Emperor managed to hold on to his dizzying spirit. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke slowly opened his lips.
"It's not a Princess, it's a Grand Duchess-to-be, Your Majesty."
Knowing that it was a subtle remark, the Grand Dukedid not answer properly. Does it mean that there is a chance, or is it already broken?
“...... Rather, may I take this call to mean that you have prepared the price I have told you?"
"At what cost?"
"Didn't I tell you about it last time? I want to be compensated for what should have been mine."
The Emperor sobbed at the sluggish voice of the Grand Duke. Was it a mistake to choose a monopoly with the Grand Duke because the mine's whereabouts were urgent?
Could it be that Princess Madelaine has already handed over ownership of the mine to the Grand Duke?
All sorts of thoughts raced through the Emperor's head. Though he thought it couldn't be, the Emperor managed to hold on to his dizzying spirit. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke slowly opened his lips.
"It's not a Princess, it's a Grand Duchess-to-be, Your Majesty."
Knowing that it was a subtle remark, the Grand Dukedid not answer properly. Does it mean that there is a chance, or is it already broken?
“...... Rather, may I take this call to mean that you have prepared the price I have told you?"
"At what cost?"
"Didn't I tell you about it last time? I want to be compensated for what should have been mine."
The Emperor sobbed at the sluggish voice of the Grand Duke. Was it a mistake to choose a monopoly with the Grand Duke because the mine's whereabouts were urgent?
The red glow was exceptionally bright.
"Be the master. Imperial loyalists should be rewarded for their service to the Empire. Ha ha. Isn't that what you want?"
He laughed with gusto. His mouth was dry. The Grand Duke looked at the Emperor with a look of amusement.
"The white crystal mine originally belonged to Lowell. I want to be compensated for what was taken away from me that should have been mine, Your Majesty."
"Haha. As the Grand Duke of the Empire and a war hero, you will not be lacking rewards. Say something. What's lacking."
"Your Majesty, what do you think I am lacking?"
The Emperor frowned at the mischievous voice. He wasn't sure if this was a joke or if it was a sign of knowing something.
The Grand Duke smiled brightly. Then, at some point, the red eyes in his curved eyes stared at the Emperor eerily.
"You've taken away what should have been mine."
Things that the Emperor had taken away and should have belonged to the Grand Duke. There were a lot of things in his head.
For a moment, the Emperor involuntarily swallowed.
The red eyes that looked at the Emperor flashed sharply.
For the first time, the Emperor bowed his head for a long time, avoiding the gaze of the Grand Duke.
"Be the master. Imperial loyalists should be rewarded for their service to the Empire. Ha ha. Isn't that what you want?"
He laughed with gusto. His mouth was dry. The Grand Duke looked at the Emperor with a look of amusement.
"The white crystal mine originally belonged to Lowell. I want to be compensated for what was taken away from me that should have been mine, Your Majesty."
"Haha. As the Grand Duke of the Empire and a war hero, you will not be lacking rewards. Say something. What's lacking."
"Your Majesty, what do you think I am lacking?"
The Emperor frowned at the mischievous voice. He wasn't sure if this was a joke or if it was a sign of knowing something.
The Grand Duke smiled brightly. Then, at some point, the red eyes in his curved eyes stared at the Emperor eerily.
"You've taken away what should have been mine."
Things that the Emperor had taken away and should have belonged to the Grand Duke. There were a lot of things in his head.
For a moment, the Emperor involuntarily swallowed.
The red eyes that looked at the Emperor flashed sharply.
For the first time, the Emperor bowed his head for a long time, avoiding the gaze of the Grand Duke.
***
The Emperor's bedchamber, the deepest part.
"The things that should have belonged to him..."
The Emperor muttered softly, staring at the
portrait of the Princess that had been turned upside down.
Flashing through his mind for a moment was the Princess who passed. Is The Grand Duke asking him to compensate for the past of the cub that was deprived of its mother?
The Emperor shook his head, trying to turn the portrait over again. Suddenly he was furious.
As always, the Princess showed her back to the Emperor, even when she was stuffed like this. But he didn't have the courage to turn it back.
If everything was back in place, he'd laugh at her. It was him, the Supreme Emperor, who was being ridiculed now.
The Emperor sighed in grief, and another thought flashed through his mind.
Or maybe ...
"I don't know what happened to the Grand Duke."
The Emperor muttered aloud, trying to calm his uneasiness.
"Fell into the valley of Senua. The Grand Duke Vikander will be listed as missing. I'm sorry I can't show you the body with certainty, Your Majesty."
The voice of the one who was still reporting was clear. It's in the other world now. All those who knew about it died.
At first, the Emperor was upset that he hadn't been able to deal with it clearly, but it was okay if it was treated as missing and they didn't even find the body.
The valley of Senua, at the tip of Vikander.
portrait of the Princess that had been turned upside down.
Flashing through his mind for a moment was the Princess who passed. Is The Grand Duke asking him to compensate for the past of the cub that was deprived of its mother?
The Emperor shook his head, trying to turn the portrait over again. Suddenly he was furious.
As always, the Princess showed her back to the Emperor, even when she was stuffed like this. But he didn't have the courage to turn it back.
If everything was back in place, he'd laugh at her. It was him, the Supreme Emperor, who was being ridiculed now.
The Emperor sighed in grief, and another thought flashed through his mind.
Or maybe ...
"I don't know what happened to the Grand Duke."
The Emperor muttered aloud, trying to calm his uneasiness.
"Fell into the valley of Senua. The Grand Duke Vikander will be listed as missing. I'm sorry I can't show you the body with certainty, Your Majesty."
The voice of the one who was still reporting was clear. It's in the other world now. All those who knew about it died.
At first, the Emperor was upset that he hadn't been able to deal with it clearly, but it was okay if it was treated as missing and they didn't even find the body.
The valley of Senua, at the tip of Vikander.
The Emperor knew that no one could survive the rugged northern valley of the devil's mouth.
But he doesn't know why he's so anxious. The Princess, the Grand Duke, the White Crystal Mine, or...
Emperors were stunned.
There were so many things at stake that he couldn't fathom. He thought it was a good thing she didn't stick her sword in him right away after he took possession of the mine. What else are they hiding?
Remembering the smile, the Emperor put his head up. Thoughts he had never thought of in his life came flooding back to haunt him.
If he had a mine, he wouldn't have had to worry about this. In resentment, the Emperor looked out of the bedroom with cold eyes.
The portraits of the imperial family, which had been hung in the most visible place from the bed, had long since been removed.
A Princess who can't even do her job because she's sick. She couldn't stand the Empress's protection any longer.
As a Princess, she had to take responsibility for what she had done. The White Crystal Mine bestowal that was done to bind the Grand Duke to the Emperor forever is back like this!
The Emperor's mind flashed as he looked at the bedroom with sharp eyes, shaking his teeth. The Emperor hurriedly returned the portrait of the princess to its original state.
Facing the Princess with a nonchalant expression, the Emperor asked in a sharp voice.
"Was it really the Grand Duke's filial piety that made him want to keep that abandoned mine so much?"
The Princess in the portrait was silent. Ignoring the overwhelming sense of defeat, the Emperor let out a nervous breath.
“... We've got all the defenses in place."
But he doesn't know why he's so anxious. The Princess, the Grand Duke, the White Crystal Mine, or...
Emperors were stunned.
There were so many things at stake that he couldn't fathom. He thought it was a good thing she didn't stick her sword in him right away after he took possession of the mine. What else are they hiding?
Remembering the smile, the Emperor put his head up. Thoughts he had never thought of in his life came flooding back to haunt him.
If he had a mine, he wouldn't have had to worry about this. In resentment, the Emperor looked out of the bedroom with cold eyes.
The portraits of the imperial family, which had been hung in the most visible place from the bed, had long since been removed.
A Princess who can't even do her job because she's sick. She couldn't stand the Empress's protection any longer.
As a Princess, she had to take responsibility for what she had done. The White Crystal Mine bestowal that was done to bind the Grand Duke to the Emperor forever is back like this!
The Emperor's mind flashed as he looked at the bedroom with sharp eyes, shaking his teeth. The Emperor hurriedly returned the portrait of the princess to its original state.
Facing the Princess with a nonchalant expression, the Emperor asked in a sharp voice.
"Was it really the Grand Duke's filial piety that made him want to keep that abandoned mine so much?"
The Princess in the portrait was silent. Ignoring the overwhelming sense of defeat, the Emperor let out a nervous breath.
“... We've got all the defenses in place."
"..."
"It's a story of people who spoke with noble voices and sincerity. You're curious, isn't it? If you sing with all your heart, what happens?"
From the moment he heard the legend of Lowell from the Princess, the Emperor knew that the story was not just a legend.
He had seen with his own eyes how the princess had used her power to heal the wounds of the Grand Duke.
Fearing its power, he persecuted all the green-eyed who were thought to be Lowell's descendants and gave them the gaze of a lowly dancer so that they could not even speak up. It was also not good enough, and he made them live as if they were being chased all the time.
Naturally, even in social circles, green eyes were despised. Even the noble Princess Madelaine was half-blood...
The Emperor stared at the portrait in a daze. The moment the bright green eyes overlapped and the image of Princess Madeleine came to mind, the Emperor involuntarily made a loud noise.
“... Madeleine, call Duke Madeleine!"
***
Gardens of the Emperor's Palace.
Edwin smiled and looked back at Winster. Winster, who would normally have rushed over and worried, was smiling.
"Why don't you ask me what happened today?"
"Today, His Majesty the Emperor overturned his desk, and it has already been rumored in the palace./, Your Highness."
Servants of the imperial palace with heavy mouths. Winster, who spoke freely with the most ironclad servants of the Emperor's palace in between, shrugged his shoulders.
"Already? It was only when I closed the door that I heard the desk flip over."
"Your Highness came down late, didn't you? It's already spreading to the laundromat."
As he spoke, Winster sensed something was wrong and raised his eyebrows.
If it's the imperial palace, especially the Emperor's palace, it's so hateful. Did His Highness spend more time on purpose?
Did he expect the Emperor's face to burst out? Or was there something else that was holding him back?
In any case, Winster had a good feeling.
Edwin shrugged at the stares. For a moment, he thought of the Emperor.
The Emperor, who was like a snarky serpent who was good at hiding his true intentions, suddenly swallowed his words in the middle of the conversation. He averted his gaze.
Edwin didn't know what he was asking for, as if there was something wrong with him, his breathing trembling, his staggering gaze, his fingers curling up as if he was nervous.
In any case, Winster had a good feeling.
Edwin shrugged at the stares. For a moment, he thought of the Emperor.
The Emperor, who was like a snarky serpent who was good at hiding his true intentions, suddenly swallowed his words in the middle of the conversation. He averted his gaze.
Edwin didn't know what he was asking for, as if there was something wrong with him, his breathing trembling, his staggering gaze, his fingers curling up as if he was nervous.
Edwin had confirmed everything about the Emperor. What the hell is it?
Edwin wondered if the Emperor was so anxious, knowing what he wanted.
“... Don't look to the left. He throws away his eyes."
Reflexively looking to the left at the sound of Winster's stiff voice, Edwin nodded in agreement. Having forewarned, Winster turned away from the Duke of Madeleine, who walked over with a stern expression.
It was something that could have been passed over indifferently. The Duke will greet him, but Edwin himself reluctantly accepts the greeting.
However...
Even though their eyes met, the Duke did not show courtesy to Edwin. He was the head of the Imperial Sect, and his twisted mind was about to reach out.
Edwin tilted his head. Unlike his usual firm and pointed face, the Duke's expression at first glance seemed a bit of a surprise. It was as if he was shocked...
"Your Highness! Your Highness, the Grand Duke!"
The call echoed through the Emperor's garden.
Howard, rushing in the distance, had a strange face instead of his characteristic expressionless face. Mischievous Winster laughed jokingly at him to look at his face.
So did Edwin, who didn't know what was going on.
"Sir Interfield, what's going on?"
"Miss Olivia's wrist is bruised!"
Suddenly, Edwin's eyes lit up.
“... Don't look to the left. He throws away his eyes."
Reflexively looking to the left at the sound of Winster's stiff voice, Edwin nodded in agreement. Having forewarned, Winster turned away from the Duke of Madeleine, who walked over with a stern expression.
It was something that could have been passed over indifferently. The Duke will greet him, but Edwin himself reluctantly accepts the greeting.
However...
Even though their eyes met, the Duke did not show courtesy to Edwin. He was the head of the Imperial Sect, and his twisted mind was about to reach out.
Edwin tilted his head. Unlike his usual firm and pointed face, the Duke's expression at first glance seemed a bit of a surprise. It was as if he was shocked...
"Your Highness! Your Highness, the Grand Duke!"
The call echoed through the Emperor's garden.
Howard, rushing in the distance, had a strange face instead of his characteristic expressionless face. Mischievous Winster laughed jokingly at him to look at his face.
So did Edwin, who didn't know what was going on.
"Sir Interfield, what's going on?"
"Miss Olivia's wrist is bruised!"
Suddenly, Edwin's eyes lit up.
***
I thought that tonight, my last evening at the Grand Duke's residence, was a happy one.
Eating a delicious dinner while exchanging cards with regrets, exchanging short greetings, and looking forward to the day when they will meet again.
"Miss. Who made your wrists like this?"
The moment they arrived at the Grand Duke Dean found my wrist. It's all over.
"Uh-huh, Miss. It doesn't go away even when I put a poultice on it."
"Would it be best for the Healing Mage, or Bethany, to come?"
Dean gnashes his teeth, Hannah cries and Sobel fidgets calmly. The moment I saw the maids and servants snooping over the parlor and worried, I forgot all my plans and burst out laughing.
"Your Highness has arrived!"
... I'm not ready to see Edwin yet.
Eating a delicious dinner while exchanging cards with regrets, exchanging short greetings, and looking forward to the day when they will meet again.
"Miss. Who made your wrists like this?"
The moment they arrived at the Grand Duke Dean found my wrist. It's all over.
"Uh-huh, Miss. It doesn't go away even when I put a poultice on it."
"Would it be best for the Healing Mage, or Bethany, to come?"
Dean gnashes his teeth, Hannah cries and Sobel fidgets calmly. The moment I saw the maids and servants snooping over the parlor and worried, I forgot all my plans and burst out laughing.
"Your Highness has arrived!"
... I'm not ready to see Edwin yet.
My sunny face blurred for a moment.
What the heck is going on now? The words are confusing.
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