Hetor's fingers, strained with effort, touched the nape of Roxana's neck.
Roxana, her lips raised arrogantly, then gently pressed the back of his hand so that Hetor wrapped his arms around her neck.
Her action was unexpected.
Hetor flinched, trying to pull his hand away.
"It's been a while since you touched me?"
Roxana said, caressing Hetor's large hand around her neck.
Come to think of it, Hetor hadn't had any contact with Roxana since the day he accidentally kissed Melanie in the carriage.
It wasn't that there hadn't been an opportunity.
He just hadn't felt the desire to.
This, too, was something he'd just realized.
Upon truly facing Roxana, the antidote began to take effect.
Memories felt fresh.
Hetor tried to recall when and where he'd taken the obedience potion.
The morning he set out from the Duchy of Aklatto to the Lapion Empire was the most likely.
Roxana had offered him a glass of fruit juice, her usual sweet smile fading into a soft one.
"Yes, that was it."
Hetor remembered what Bellos had told him about obedience potions. He had heard that obedience potions for use between the opposite sex only worked between those already in a relationship.
Obedience began after taking the potion, when he saw the subject again.
Now that he thought about it, it was when he met her again at the monastery where the dignitaries from each nation were staying during the Continental Hunting Tournament that he began blindly following her orders. In fact, he had been attracted to Roxana ever since he first saw her in the castle after taking control of the Duchy of Aklatto.
She was like a rose with thorns.
Roxana's air, proud yet somewhat sad, possessed a distinct charm, different from the women of Tanya Island.
He had even vowed to be a loving husband after their wedding.
If Roxana had secretly administered the obedience potion to him because she longed for his love, he might have forgiven her.
But if she had used his power to become another man's wife, it would be a different story.
She was using him to corner her prey.
A loyal hunting dog.
And a plaything, occasionally used to satisfy her lust.
His use was nothing more, nothing less.
Roxana had kept him by her side, showering him with affection.
With his sealed emotions and reason released, everything became absurd.
Hetor's mind flashed with the faces of several subordinates who had rebelled against him in the monastery, following Roxana's orders.
"I beheaded you with a single stroke,"
Roxana, her lips raised arrogantly, then gently pressed the back of his hand so that Hetor wrapped his arms around her neck.
Her action was unexpected.
Hetor flinched, trying to pull his hand away.
"It's been a while since you touched me?"
Roxana said, caressing Hetor's large hand around her neck.
Come to think of it, Hetor hadn't had any contact with Roxana since the day he accidentally kissed Melanie in the carriage.
It wasn't that there hadn't been an opportunity.
He just hadn't felt the desire to.
This, too, was something he'd just realized.
Upon truly facing Roxana, the antidote began to take effect.
Memories felt fresh.
Hetor tried to recall when and where he'd taken the obedience potion.
The morning he set out from the Duchy of Aklatto to the Lapion Empire was the most likely.
Roxana had offered him a glass of fruit juice, her usual sweet smile fading into a soft one.
"Yes, that was it."
Hetor remembered what Bellos had told him about obedience potions. He had heard that obedience potions for use between the opposite sex only worked between those already in a relationship.
Obedience began after taking the potion, when he saw the subject again.
Now that he thought about it, it was when he met her again at the monastery where the dignitaries from each nation were staying during the Continental Hunting Tournament that he began blindly following her orders. In fact, he had been attracted to Roxana ever since he first saw her in the castle after taking control of the Duchy of Aklatto.
She was like a rose with thorns.
Roxana's air, proud yet somewhat sad, possessed a distinct charm, different from the women of Tanya Island.
He had even vowed to be a loving husband after their wedding.
If Roxana had secretly administered the obedience potion to him because she longed for his love, he might have forgiven her.
But if she had used his power to become another man's wife, it would be a different story.
She was using him to corner her prey.
A loyal hunting dog.
And a plaything, occasionally used to satisfy her lust.
His use was nothing more, nothing less.
Roxana had kept him by her side, showering him with affection.
With his sealed emotions and reason released, everything became absurd.
Hetor's mind flashed with the faces of several subordinates who had rebelled against him in the monastery, following Roxana's orders.
"I beheaded you with a single stroke,"
He warned, threatening to refrain from questioning his decision, insisting that Roxana's will was his own.
Palto, his right-hand man, almost lost his head that day.
From then on, as he lived with Hetor in the Lapion palace, Palto would constantly complain whenever Roxana carried out her orders.
It was only natural.
It was utterly incomprehensible that his master, who had even pledged marriage to Roxana before leaving the Duchy of Aklatto, would suddenly take the lead in making her the Empress of another country.
Despite his discontent, Palto ultimately followed his orders, thinking, "The King must have had his own agenda."
Perhaps because they were from a remote island and made their living as pirates, they had never suspected their master of taking some kind of obedience potion.
"You picked the wrong day, Hetor,"
Roxana said with a sly smile, glancing up at him.
"What?"
"Emperor Adrian will be arriving soon."
Palto, his right-hand man, almost lost his head that day.
From then on, as he lived with Hetor in the Lapion palace, Palto would constantly complain whenever Roxana carried out her orders.
It was only natural.
It was utterly incomprehensible that his master, who had even pledged marriage to Roxana before leaving the Duchy of Aklatto, would suddenly take the lead in making her the Empress of another country.
Despite his discontent, Palto ultimately followed his orders, thinking, "The King must have had his own agenda."
Perhaps because they were from a remote island and made their living as pirates, they had never suspected their master of taking some kind of obedience potion.
"You picked the wrong day, Hetor,"
Roxana said with a sly smile, glancing up at him.
"What?"
"Emperor Adrian will be arriving soon."
Only then did Hetor regain his composure, a sentiment he hadn't shared with Roxana.
"Haven't you heard the specifics yet?"
"Yes. We were supposed to meet yesterday, but it rained and our departure was delayed by a day, so we'll meet today."
"I see..."
"So, now take your hands off me. If this plan succeeds, I'll have your back."
Roxana removed Hetor's hand from around her neck and kissed the back of his hand.
It felt even more unpleasant than a snake's tongue.
Hetor wiped the hand that had touched Roxana's nape on the side of his thigh.
Roxana's behavior was a bit different than usual.
Perhaps she had become affectionate, perhaps generous.
Now, she was not at all pleasant. However, Hetor sensed something ominous about this change in Roxana.
And a moment later, there was a knock on the door, and Emperor Adrian entered the room.
He ran a hand through his silver hair and stepped out onto the terrace where the two were.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Roxana greeted Emperor Adrian from her chair, and Hetor bowed his head in greeting.
“I’m late, Your Majesty.”
“No, Hetor has just arrived. Please have a seat.”
“Yes, it was pouring rain yesterday, but today the weather is surprisingly nice. You should have a seat too.”
Emperor Adrian sat down and offered Hetor a seat.
Hetor, who had been standing, also sat down.
“Is the Galaco ready without a hitch?”
Emperor Adrian asked Hetor.
“Yes, our ship will set sail as soon as the congratulatory delegation ships sail. And as soon as you give the order, I’ve arranged for the Galaco to be released at my signal.”
“Good. Very good.”
Emperor Adrian laughed heartily, his expression filled with satisfaction.
“It must be a very hungry galaco.”
“...Of course.”
Hetor didn't mention that the male Galacos had only one head left after a wyvern attack.
"How did you normally deal with the Galacos after they finished their work?"
"Before releasing them, we prepare small beasts that have been poisoned and killed. Then, we lure them by throwing the poisoned beasts towards the target."
"I see..."
"So, now take your hands off me. If this plan succeeds, I'll have your back."
Roxana removed Hetor's hand from around her neck and kissed the back of his hand.
It felt even more unpleasant than a snake's tongue.
Hetor wiped the hand that had touched Roxana's nape on the side of his thigh.
Roxana's behavior was a bit different than usual.
Perhaps she had become affectionate, perhaps generous.
Now, she was not at all pleasant. However, Hetor sensed something ominous about this change in Roxana.
And a moment later, there was a knock on the door, and Emperor Adrian entered the room.
He ran a hand through his silver hair and stepped out onto the terrace where the two were.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Roxana greeted Emperor Adrian from her chair, and Hetor bowed his head in greeting.
“I’m late, Your Majesty.”
“No, Hetor has just arrived. Please have a seat.”
“Yes, it was pouring rain yesterday, but today the weather is surprisingly nice. You should have a seat too.”
Emperor Adrian sat down and offered Hetor a seat.
Hetor, who had been standing, also sat down.
“Is the Galaco ready without a hitch?”
Emperor Adrian asked Hetor.
“Yes, our ship will set sail as soon as the congratulatory delegation ships sail. And as soon as you give the order, I’ve arranged for the Galaco to be released at my signal.”
“Good. Very good.”
Emperor Adrian laughed heartily, his expression filled with satisfaction.
“It must be a very hungry galaco.”
“...Of course.”
Hetor didn't mention that the male Galacos had only one head left after a wyvern attack.
"How did you normally deal with the Galacos after they finished their work?"
"Before releasing them, we prepare small beasts that have been poisoned and killed. Then, we lure them by throwing the poisoned beasts towards the target."
"Did you use the same method during the Continental Hunting Tournament?"
"Yes. After attacking the target like that, the Galacos' bodies will become weakened as time passes by due to the poison. Then, we either kill the Galacos on the spot, or capture some of them, detoxify them, and lock them back up in their cages."
"Oh, so that's how you were able to succeed as a pirate with a small crew. Hahaha!"
Emperor Adrian listened to Hetor's words and applauded, then slowly his smile faded, and he continued to speak to Hetor.
“You won’t have to hijack trade ships from now on. If this goes well, shouldn’t you secure a place in the Lapion Empire? Oh, becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Shattonil would be nice.”
Emperor Adrian seemed intent on eliminating even Grand Duke Martins, who would become the new ruler of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
"Yes. After attacking the target like that, the Galacos' bodies will become weakened as time passes by due to the poison. Then, we either kill the Galacos on the spot, or capture some of them, detoxify them, and lock them back up in their cages."
"Oh, so that's how you were able to succeed as a pirate with a small crew. Hahaha!"
Emperor Adrian listened to Hetor's words and applauded, then slowly his smile faded, and he continued to speak to Hetor.
“You won’t have to hijack trade ships from now on. If this goes well, shouldn’t you secure a place in the Lapion Empire? Oh, becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Shattonil would be nice.”
Emperor Adrian seemed intent on eliminating even Grand Duke Martins, who would become the new ruler of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
“...Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
Hetor bowed his head with a grateful expression.
“It will be night.”
Emperor Adrian whispered, glancing between Roxana and Hetor.
“Huh? Night?”
Roxana asked.
“Our plan will be accomplished at night.”
Emperor Adrian emphasized again, his eyes brimming with joy.
Roxana, too, couldn’t hide her expectant smile, her lips parted.
“Three days in total. It takes three days to sail from the port city of Polt to the port of the Pasha Empire. When do you plan to release Galaco?”
Hetor asked an important question.
But he already anticipated that Emperor Adrian wouldn't give him a definitive answer to his question.
"I'll tell you that once we board the ship. I'll prepare the carrier pigeons, so communication with your subordinates in the Principality of Aklatto should be no problem."
As expected, Emperor Adrian didn't reveal specific plans in advance.
"Yes, then I will tell you to prepare everything so that we can release the Galacos immediately upon receiving the order."
Emperor Adrian nodded happily at Hetor's answer.
"Hetor, you should leave now."
Roxana smiled and dismissed him, indicating that she had something to discuss with Emperor Adrian alone.
"...Ah, yes."
Hetor was slightly taken aback, but obediently rose from his seat.
"I heard it's Melanie's birthday today, right?"
"Yes. That's right."
"The she might think it strange if her dedicated knight leaves her for too long, so it would be best for you to return to Melanie's palace."
Roxana said with a rather kind smile.
"...I see. Then I will be leaving now."
Hetor, feeling a bit uneasy, said goodbye to the two before leaving Roxana's room.
"Your Majesty, is there anything you would like to say to me?"
Emperor Adrian, who was quick to point out the situation, asked her subtly as soon as Hetor left.
"I think we should revise the plan a bit."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it would be a good idea to deal with Emperor Linel as well."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Roxana's answer was too clear to be a joke.
"Surely you're planning to put Hetor on the throne? The ministers would never allow that. There would be a rebellion."
Roxana waved her hand in response to Emperor Adrian's words.
"Of course. Hetor is not fit to rule an empire. He might be ruling a small island, but that's another matter."
Then who are you thinking of when you say such things?
Emperor Adrian carefully opened his mouth and asked,
"Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Of course,"
Roxana said firmly.
"But if we eliminate Emperor Linel, there will be no successor to the Lapion Empire..."
"Don't worry, there is."
Roxana replied, gently placing both hands on her stomach. She then watched Hetor's back as he left the Empress's Palace for a moment.
After lunch, Melanie heard that a gift had arrived from her family and hurried up to her bedroom.
Linel, Prince Norton, and I left Melanie's palace and strolled around the West Palace, chatting.
"Has there been any further news from Prince Calvain since you sent your reply?"
Linel asked Emperor Norton, holding my hand as we walked.
“Yes, Your Majesty. As I wrote in the letter, we will not make any hasty moves until we reach the Pasha Empire.”
Prince Norton had already sent a letter in response to the carrier pigeon from Prince Calvain, urging them to refrain from any rash actions until the congratulatory delegation from the Lapion Empire arrived in the Pasha Empire.
He had also mentioned that it would not be too late to hear the truth about the Wyvern Lord directly from Emperor Linel, and this part was a direct instruction from Linel to Prince Norton.
“That is fortunate, but that is not because we are hesitant to make any hasty moves... Strictly speaking, aren’t we expecting Emperor Adrian to plan something before we do? It’s like trying to blow our nose without doing anything.”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty,”
Prince Norton apologized with an apologetic expression.
Rosie’s expression also sank.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. After all, not only the Pasha Empire but also the Delroy Empire’s Emperor Katria would likely feel the same way.”
Everyone nodded at his words.
Linel smiled bitterly and continued speaking.
“It’s highly likely that Emperor Adrian won’t tell Hetor or Roxana the detailed plans in advance.”
“Then when will he tell them?”
I asked. Prince Norton answered cautiously in Linel’s stead.
“At the very least, there will definitely be instructions right after boarding the ship.”
“Oh, I see.”
I replied quietly and looked down at my feet.
Perhaps it was the muddy ground from the rain, but my steps back to my quarters felt heavy.
Returning to Melanie’s palace, Hetor stopped by the kitchen, grabbed something, and headed to her bedroom.
Knock, knock.
After knocking, he entered to find Melanie preoccupied with opening dozens of gift boxes.
“Who is it?”
Melanie asked, turning her back to the bedroom door and opening a jewelry box.
“A gift.”
At Hetor’s voice, she tossed the jewelry box onto the bed and turned around.
“What? What do you mean?”
Melanie asked, staring intently at the carrot Hetor was holding.
“I saw you were good at neighing earlier.”
“So-?”
“Then I thought you’d like this too.”
Hetor held out a carrot to Melanie.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that there was even a ribbon tied to the carrot.
“Eww-! I was secretly looking forward to it because you said you’d bring a present... What is this!”
Melanie snatched the carrot away and glared at him, taking a bite.
The way she ate it with a crunching sound looked more like a rabbit than a horse.
Hetor removed the ribbon tied around the carrot and attached it to his own neck, saying,
“The real present is me.”
Hetor bowed his head with a grateful expression.
“It will be night.”
Emperor Adrian whispered, glancing between Roxana and Hetor.
“Huh? Night?”
Roxana asked.
“Our plan will be accomplished at night.”
Emperor Adrian emphasized again, his eyes brimming with joy.
Roxana, too, couldn’t hide her expectant smile, her lips parted.
“Three days in total. It takes three days to sail from the port city of Polt to the port of the Pasha Empire. When do you plan to release Galaco?”
Hetor asked an important question.
But he already anticipated that Emperor Adrian wouldn't give him a definitive answer to his question.
"I'll tell you that once we board the ship. I'll prepare the carrier pigeons, so communication with your subordinates in the Principality of Aklatto should be no problem."
As expected, Emperor Adrian didn't reveal specific plans in advance.
"Yes, then I will tell you to prepare everything so that we can release the Galacos immediately upon receiving the order."
Emperor Adrian nodded happily at Hetor's answer.
"Hetor, you should leave now."
Roxana smiled and dismissed him, indicating that she had something to discuss with Emperor Adrian alone.
"...Ah, yes."
Hetor was slightly taken aback, but obediently rose from his seat.
"I heard it's Melanie's birthday today, right?"
"Yes. That's right."
"The she might think it strange if her dedicated knight leaves her for too long, so it would be best for you to return to Melanie's palace."
Roxana said with a rather kind smile.
"...I see. Then I will be leaving now."
Hetor, feeling a bit uneasy, said goodbye to the two before leaving Roxana's room.
"Your Majesty, is there anything you would like to say to me?"
Emperor Adrian, who was quick to point out the situation, asked her subtly as soon as Hetor left.
"I think we should revise the plan a bit."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it would be a good idea to deal with Emperor Linel as well."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Roxana's answer was too clear to be a joke.
"Surely you're planning to put Hetor on the throne? The ministers would never allow that. There would be a rebellion."
Roxana waved her hand in response to Emperor Adrian's words.
"Of course. Hetor is not fit to rule an empire. He might be ruling a small island, but that's another matter."
Then who are you thinking of when you say such things?
Emperor Adrian carefully opened his mouth and asked,
"Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Of course,"
Roxana said firmly.
"But if we eliminate Emperor Linel, there will be no successor to the Lapion Empire..."
"Don't worry, there is."
Roxana replied, gently placing both hands on her stomach. She then watched Hetor's back as he left the Empress's Palace for a moment.
***
After lunch, Melanie heard that a gift had arrived from her family and hurried up to her bedroom.
Linel, Prince Norton, and I left Melanie's palace and strolled around the West Palace, chatting.
"Has there been any further news from Prince Calvain since you sent your reply?"
Linel asked Emperor Norton, holding my hand as we walked.
“Yes, Your Majesty. As I wrote in the letter, we will not make any hasty moves until we reach the Pasha Empire.”
Prince Norton had already sent a letter in response to the carrier pigeon from Prince Calvain, urging them to refrain from any rash actions until the congratulatory delegation from the Lapion Empire arrived in the Pasha Empire.
He had also mentioned that it would not be too late to hear the truth about the Wyvern Lord directly from Emperor Linel, and this part was a direct instruction from Linel to Prince Norton.
“That is fortunate, but that is not because we are hesitant to make any hasty moves... Strictly speaking, aren’t we expecting Emperor Adrian to plan something before we do? It’s like trying to blow our nose without doing anything.”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty,”
Prince Norton apologized with an apologetic expression.
Rosie’s expression also sank.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. After all, not only the Pasha Empire but also the Delroy Empire’s Emperor Katria would likely feel the same way.”
Everyone nodded at his words.
Linel smiled bitterly and continued speaking.
“It’s highly likely that Emperor Adrian won’t tell Hetor or Roxana the detailed plans in advance.”
“Then when will he tell them?”
I asked. Prince Norton answered cautiously in Linel’s stead.
“At the very least, there will definitely be instructions right after boarding the ship.”
“Oh, I see.”
I replied quietly and looked down at my feet.
Perhaps it was the muddy ground from the rain, but my steps back to my quarters felt heavy.
***
Returning to Melanie’s palace, Hetor stopped by the kitchen, grabbed something, and headed to her bedroom.
Knock, knock.
After knocking, he entered to find Melanie preoccupied with opening dozens of gift boxes.
“Who is it?”
Melanie asked, turning her back to the bedroom door and opening a jewelry box.
“A gift.”
At Hetor’s voice, she tossed the jewelry box onto the bed and turned around.
“What? What do you mean?”
Melanie asked, staring intently at the carrot Hetor was holding.
“I saw you were good at neighing earlier.”
“So-?”
“Then I thought you’d like this too.”
Hetor held out a carrot to Melanie.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that there was even a ribbon tied to the carrot.
“Eww-! I was secretly looking forward to it because you said you’d bring a present... What is this!”
Melanie snatched the carrot away and glared at him, taking a bite.
The way she ate it with a crunching sound looked more like a rabbit than a horse.
Hetor removed the ribbon tied around the carrot and attached it to his own neck, saying,
“The real present is me.”
“The present is you?”
“Huh.”
“Really?”
“Uh... But, what are you doing?”
Hetor asked in a bewildered voice, looking down at Melanie as she unbuttoned his uniform.
“What? We’re going to unwrap the present, right?”
“Uh, how far are you going to unwrap it?”
Melanie’s gaze slowly dropped and then rose at Hetor’s question.
“...Can’t I?”
“No way.”
The gift was approved.
“Huh.”
“Really?”
“Uh... But, what are you doing?”
Hetor asked in a bewildered voice, looking down at Melanie as she unbuttoned his uniform.
“What? We’re going to unwrap the present, right?”
“Uh, how far are you going to unwrap it?”
Melanie’s gaze slowly dropped and then rose at Hetor’s question.
“...Can’t I?”
“No way.”
The gift was approved.
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