Prince Felix sighed deeply.
"Ha."
“What’s wrong, Felix? Are we in trouble?”
Although imperfect, Consort Evelyn, with a clearer voice and mind than before, whispered to Felix and asked.
“No, Mother.”
He looked up at the dark autumn night sky and held his mother's hand tightly.
"I'd rather do as they tell me and become Emperor. It might be physically tiring, but it'd be a relief."
When Consort Evelyn tilted her head and asked in bewilderment, Prince Felix answered kindly.
"It must be more troublesome than being the Prince of the Deep Sea Palace, right? Of course, Mother, you can just go about your day as usual."
Prince Felix, his blue eyes visible behind his glasses becoming clearer, continued speaking to those surrounding him.
"Let's get out of here quickly. So many people have moved for me. I can't afford to die here."
“Yes, Your Highness.”
In this way, those who would fight the warlock who had taken over the palace, led by Felix, a member of the royal family, gathered at the Argenthoz Mansion at all times.
Furthermore, with the Demirant Guild, the best information guild, joining in, full-scale battle preparations began.
The area around the Argenthoz mansion was guarded tightly by knights and wizards.
Those who were called rebels gathered together and began to prepare for open warfare, but most of the people did not believe them to be rebels.
This was because the Demirant Guild had mobilized all their intelligence resources to spread the rumor that this was an inevitable operation to reclaim the palace from the dark magic.
News of the public opinion shifting quickly spread throughout the capital.
“I heard there’s a warlock!”
“Yeah, I thought it was a little strange.”
“In the palace? Oh my god.”
“A warlock? So His Majesty the Emperor is being threatened by a warlock?”
“I don’t know about that, but shouldn’t we save His Majesty the Emperor quickly?”
“I don’t know how to follow the state of emergency...”
It was total chaos.
The tension of an imminent battle tingled through the capital, the heart of the Verbent Empire.
And that night, as predicted, Duke Rudnine Iels returned to the Argenthoz mansion.
And he did so while holding tightly onto Princess Yvonne Argenthoz's hand.
“It’s late.”
Duke Iels, who greeted calmly, looked around but did not let go of Princess Argenthoz's hand.
At first glance, it was obvious that the two were lovers.
"Huh, huh?! Really, the rumors going around between you two were true! Of course, I'm with the Princess and Prince Felix..."
As Count Ollit jumped up from his seat and shouted without warning, Prince Felix quickly came over and covered his mouth.
“Hahaha! I heard that rumor too! Those two look great together!”
“Ugh, ugh!”
“...Yes.”
Count Ollit, not knowing the meaning of the cold gaze cast by Duke Iels, floundered.
Prince Felix lamented to himself that it was always his turn to clean up after the inconsiderate, and he wept bitter tears.
But then, Princess Argenthoz, who was affectionately holding hands with Duke Iels, aroused her curiosity.
“Why me and the Prince?”
"...Don’t listen to him, Yvonne.”
"Why? I'm curious. What is it? Is it some bad scheme? It makes me even more curious."
Prince Felix felt like running away right away as he watched Princess Argenthoz approach him with a grin.
“Yvonne Argenthoz!”
Fortunately, her curiosity ended there when Duke Argenthoz, upon hearing the news of the Princess's return, rushed over and scolded her.
“Where the hell have you been!”
“Huh? Oh, no... I just went out for a bit.”
Yvonne felt wronged.
Actually, she hasn't really reported to her father about going out or staying out overnight for several years.
But Yvonne had no choice but to keep her mouth shut when she saw the bloodshot eyes of Duke Argenthoz.
"If you really wanted to get a boyfriend and go on dates, then what?! You should've said something beforehand! Did I really look like such a closed-off father?"
Duke Argenthoz, who had been worrying about Yvonne and simmering inside, let out all the anger he had been building up.
Yvonne realized that her father was more sensitive than usual because Barden's abduction.
But since it was in front of many people, and she felt he shouldn't embarrass Rudnine who was next to her, she quickly made an excuse.
"Oh, that, that's right. Calm down, Father! I absolutely did not go on a date with the Duke of Iels..."
“No? Then why did you come back together?”
“That’s a reasonable explanation.”
"I have ears, Yvonne. I knew everything about you two!"
Yvonne decided she needed to speak alone with the excited and raging Duke of Argenthoz, and tried to pull her hand away from Rudnine.
But he didn't let go of Yvonne's hand.
This time, the Duke of Argenthoz suddenly got angry at Rudnine.
"Yes, Duke of Iels! You're a bit like that, too. How can this be? Am I being too stubborn? Tell me!"
Yvonne's face turned pale as she was upset when innocent Rudnaine was being persecuted.
And then, just as he was about to stop Duke Argenthoz, he said, "Please stop now."
“I’m sorry, Father!”
Without a moment's hesitation, Rudnine bowed at a 90-degree angle to Duke Argenthoz.
“Oh, father?”
Duke Argenthoz stuttered at the awkwardly intimate address.
Then Rudnine lifted his hips and looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Father. As Yvonne's lover, I was so unaware. I should have contacted you in advance. I won't make that mistake again. I promise."
“Oh, no. I’m not really mad at the Duke...”
“You can be angry. And please feel free to call me Rudnine.”
However, Duke Argenthoz was taken aback when Duke Rudnine, the Duke of Iels, treated him with such respect.
Ignoring the surprised nobles' whispers and glances, Rudnine looked at Yvonne with eyes dripping with honey.
“Rudd!”
“Why, Yvonne?”
“Father, you’re being too harsh. No matter what, it’s still like that... Rudd didn’t do anything wrong!”
Yvonne was upset and angry, but Rudnine smiled brightly as if he didn't care at all and whispered to her.
“As long as I have Yvonne, I don’t mind becoming a sinner.”
"Yes?!"
“You don’t like sinners?”
“Oh my! Where can you find such a handsome sinner?”
At that moment, behind the happy couple, a person who had collapsed with a face no different from a corpse suddenly let out a groan.
“...Ugh, ugh, ugh.”
“Huh! Who is that person?”
Yvonne and Rudnine, who were happily laughing in their own world as if they couldn't see their surroundings, raised their heads at Count Ollit's shout.
Yvonne shrugged.
“Ah, he’s the warlock I captured.”
“A warlock?”
"Yes. I used that warlock as a transportation magic shuttle. Is it difficult? Is it difficult? If you feel like you're going to die, let me know."
“...Oh, no, hahaha!”
The warlock, who seemed to be struggling to come to his senses, answered Yvonne's question with wide eyes and a forced smile.
But he soon started foaming at the mouth and completely passed out.
“Tsk tsk.”
Yvonne clicked her tongue and looked at the warlock pitifully, then shrugged.
But suddenly, when people started looking at her with admiration, she felt very burdened.
“Why, why is that?”
“You even captured a warlock!”
“I heard everything. I heard you were even raising Demirant’s successor!”
“Princess, we apologize for any misunderstandings!”
Yvonne laughed awkwardly as she heard the cries of those praising her.
It was because she couldn't pour cold water on those who were upset by telling them that she didn't raise Carol on purpose.
Then, Duke Argenthoz, who did not listen to Yvonne's words, grabbed her and asked.
"Yvonne. A magic shuttle? What do you mean?"
Yvonne swallowed hard.
As expected, the Duke of Argenthoz, the lord of the Verbent Empire's magic tower.
She knew very well that 'movement magic' was not a magic that could be easily put into words.
"Yes, Father. I'll explain. And I have something else to tell you."
Yvonne turned her head slightly and looked at Rudnine.
Yvonne nodded briefly at him, who smiled softly as if cheering her on, and then headed to his office with the Duke of Argenthoz.
Prince Felix approached Rudnine, who was watching the backs of Yvonne and the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Ahem.”
“...Why are you laughing?”
Rudnine's thick eyebrows rose.
"No, I'm saying this because it looks good. Even in this chaos, the Duke looks happy, so I'm happy too. Haha."
But Rudnine glared at Prince Felix, raised the corners of his mouth, and replied coldly.
“Well, I think I’ll feel more at ease once everything is resolved and Your Highness becomes Emperor and then brings in an Empress.”
“...Duke. Why do you keep hating me when I’m just minding my own business? It’s unfair! I didn’t even sign that pledge!”
Rudnine chuckled as he watched Felix jumping up and down and beating his chest, and replied casually.
"Given the circumstances, there's nothing I can do. As your subject, I will certainly pledge my loyalty, so don't worry."
"Damn it. Can't you just get married quickly? You two met on a blind date anyway, right?"
Hearing Felix's grumbling, his pitch-black eyes widened and took on a strange light.
"Your Highness, you will become a great Emperor. You are so wise. It is an honor to serve Your Highness."
“...I’m anxious, so don’t do this.”
Felix, who had been wary of Rudnine, who smiled brightly and changed his stance, sighed as he looked towards the palace.
"I'm grateful that the Duke is on my side. We have a mountain of work to do, so let's hurry and go to the meeting."
Rudnine straightened his posture and immediately followed Felix.
“I am serious when I say you will become a great Emperor, Your Highness.”
“Ugh. This is burdensome. Are you telling me to become a saint?”
Behind Felix, who had an indifferent expression, Rudnine closed his eyes and smiled quietly.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Father. I captured the warlock from Duke Iels's castle."
I slowly explained to my father, who was sitting across from me on the sofa in his office, about the events that had happened to me.
He was very angry when he heard that Crown Prince Adrian had come to see me on purpose, but he quickly moved on from that.
A large moving magic circle was created by the invading warlocks to bring Adrian back.
My father seemed quite surprised by the considerable power of black magic.
I cautiously opened my mouth to my father, who was deep in thought, rubbing his chin with a serious expression.
“Father. And... the reason I went to the North wasn’t to meet Duke Iels.”
"...then?"
It was difficult to continue speaking as I was met with eyes full of doubt.
Our family doesn't confide in each other about our weaknesses.
No, wouldn't most noble families that value individual honor and dignity be like that?
Moreover, since my mother passed away early, I never felt the warmth and affection of a warm family atmosphere.
From a young age, I couldn't even imagine telling my father or older brother about my worries.
Because that's just how I grew up.
It is difficult for people to change too late.
But now was the time to trust my father and fight together, so I summoned all the courage I had from my third life.
“Father. Actually, two years ago... I accidentally discovered that Empress Giselle was a warlock, and I was badly injured because of it.”
"What?"
Father's eyes grow bigger and bigger.
My voice was shaking even more, but I continued to speak calmly.
"Ha."
“What’s wrong, Felix? Are we in trouble?”
Although imperfect, Consort Evelyn, with a clearer voice and mind than before, whispered to Felix and asked.
“No, Mother.”
He looked up at the dark autumn night sky and held his mother's hand tightly.
"I'd rather do as they tell me and become Emperor. It might be physically tiring, but it'd be a relief."
“When you say ‘Emperor,’ does that mean he's sick?”
"It must be more troublesome than being the Prince of the Deep Sea Palace, right? Of course, Mother, you can just go about your day as usual."
Prince Felix, his blue eyes visible behind his glasses becoming clearer, continued speaking to those surrounding him.
"Let's get out of here quickly. So many people have moved for me. I can't afford to die here."
“Yes, Your Highness.”
In this way, those who would fight the warlock who had taken over the palace, led by Felix, a member of the royal family, gathered at the Argenthoz Mansion at all times.
Furthermore, with the Demirant Guild, the best information guild, joining in, full-scale battle preparations began.
The area around the Argenthoz mansion was guarded tightly by knights and wizards.
Those who were called rebels gathered together and began to prepare for open warfare, but most of the people did not believe them to be rebels.
This was because the Demirant Guild had mobilized all their intelligence resources to spread the rumor that this was an inevitable operation to reclaim the palace from the dark magic.
News of the public opinion shifting quickly spread throughout the capital.
“I heard there’s a warlock!”
“Yeah, I thought it was a little strange.”
“In the palace? Oh my god.”
“A warlock? So His Majesty the Emperor is being threatened by a warlock?”
“I don’t know about that, but shouldn’t we save His Majesty the Emperor quickly?”
“I don’t know how to follow the state of emergency...”
It was total chaos.
The tension of an imminent battle tingled through the capital, the heart of the Verbent Empire.
And that night, as predicted, Duke Rudnine Iels returned to the Argenthoz mansion.
And he did so while holding tightly onto Princess Yvonne Argenthoz's hand.
“It’s late.”
Duke Iels, who greeted calmly, looked around but did not let go of Princess Argenthoz's hand.
At first glance, it was obvious that the two were lovers.
"Huh, huh?! Really, the rumors going around between you two were true! Of course, I'm with the Princess and Prince Felix..."
As Count Ollit jumped up from his seat and shouted without warning, Prince Felix quickly came over and covered his mouth.
“Hahaha! I heard that rumor too! Those two look great together!”
“Ugh, ugh!”
“...Yes.”
Count Ollit, not knowing the meaning of the cold gaze cast by Duke Iels, floundered.
Prince Felix lamented to himself that it was always his turn to clean up after the inconsiderate, and he wept bitter tears.
But then, Princess Argenthoz, who was affectionately holding hands with Duke Iels, aroused her curiosity.
“Why me and the Prince?”
"...Don’t listen to him, Yvonne.”
"Why? I'm curious. What is it? Is it some bad scheme? It makes me even more curious."
Prince Felix felt like running away right away as he watched Princess Argenthoz approach him with a grin.
“Yvonne Argenthoz!”
Fortunately, her curiosity ended there when Duke Argenthoz, upon hearing the news of the Princess's return, rushed over and scolded her.
“Where the hell have you been!”
“Huh? Oh, no... I just went out for a bit.”
Yvonne felt wronged.
Actually, she hasn't really reported to her father about going out or staying out overnight for several years.
But Yvonne had no choice but to keep her mouth shut when she saw the bloodshot eyes of Duke Argenthoz.
"If you really wanted to get a boyfriend and go on dates, then what?! You should've said something beforehand! Did I really look like such a closed-off father?"
Duke Argenthoz, who had been worrying about Yvonne and simmering inside, let out all the anger he had been building up.
Yvonne realized that her father was more sensitive than usual because Barden's abduction.
But since it was in front of many people, and she felt he shouldn't embarrass Rudnine who was next to her, she quickly made an excuse.
"Oh, that, that's right. Calm down, Father! I absolutely did not go on a date with the Duke of Iels..."
“No? Then why did you come back together?”
“That’s a reasonable explanation.”
"I have ears, Yvonne. I knew everything about you two!"
Yvonne decided she needed to speak alone with the excited and raging Duke of Argenthoz, and tried to pull her hand away from Rudnine.
But he didn't let go of Yvonne's hand.
This time, the Duke of Argenthoz suddenly got angry at Rudnine.
"Yes, Duke of Iels! You're a bit like that, too. How can this be? Am I being too stubborn? Tell me!"
Yvonne's face turned pale as she was upset when innocent Rudnaine was being persecuted.
And then, just as he was about to stop Duke Argenthoz, he said, "Please stop now."
“I’m sorry, Father!”
Without a moment's hesitation, Rudnine bowed at a 90-degree angle to Duke Argenthoz.
“Oh, father?”
Duke Argenthoz stuttered at the awkwardly intimate address.
Then Rudnine lifted his hips and looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Father. As Yvonne's lover, I was so unaware. I should have contacted you in advance. I won't make that mistake again. I promise."
“Oh, no. I’m not really mad at the Duke...”
“You can be angry. And please feel free to call me Rudnine.”
However, Duke Argenthoz was taken aback when Duke Rudnine, the Duke of Iels, treated him with such respect.
Ignoring the surprised nobles' whispers and glances, Rudnine looked at Yvonne with eyes dripping with honey.
“Rudd!”
“Why, Yvonne?”
“Father, you’re being too harsh. No matter what, it’s still like that... Rudd didn’t do anything wrong!”
Yvonne was upset and angry, but Rudnine smiled brightly as if he didn't care at all and whispered to her.
“As long as I have Yvonne, I don’t mind becoming a sinner.”
"Yes?!"
“You don’t like sinners?”
“Oh my! Where can you find such a handsome sinner?”
At that moment, behind the happy couple, a person who had collapsed with a face no different from a corpse suddenly let out a groan.
“...Ugh, ugh, ugh.”
“Huh! Who is that person?”
Yvonne and Rudnine, who were happily laughing in their own world as if they couldn't see their surroundings, raised their heads at Count Ollit's shout.
Yvonne shrugged.
“Ah, he’s the warlock I captured.”
“A warlock?”
"Yes. I used that warlock as a transportation magic shuttle. Is it difficult? Is it difficult? If you feel like you're going to die, let me know."
“...Oh, no, hahaha!”
The warlock, who seemed to be struggling to come to his senses, answered Yvonne's question with wide eyes and a forced smile.
But he soon started foaming at the mouth and completely passed out.
“Tsk tsk.”
Yvonne clicked her tongue and looked at the warlock pitifully, then shrugged.
But suddenly, when people started looking at her with admiration, she felt very burdened.
“Why, why is that?”
“You even captured a warlock!”
“I heard everything. I heard you were even raising Demirant’s successor!”
“Princess, we apologize for any misunderstandings!”
Yvonne laughed awkwardly as she heard the cries of those praising her.
It was because she couldn't pour cold water on those who were upset by telling them that she didn't raise Carol on purpose.
Then, Duke Argenthoz, who did not listen to Yvonne's words, grabbed her and asked.
"Yvonne. A magic shuttle? What do you mean?"
Yvonne swallowed hard.
As expected, the Duke of Argenthoz, the lord of the Verbent Empire's magic tower.
She knew very well that 'movement magic' was not a magic that could be easily put into words.
"Yes, Father. I'll explain. And I have something else to tell you."
Yvonne turned her head slightly and looked at Rudnine.
Yvonne nodded briefly at him, who smiled softly as if cheering her on, and then headed to his office with the Duke of Argenthoz.
Prince Felix approached Rudnine, who was watching the backs of Yvonne and the Duke of Argenthoz.
“Ahem.”
“...Why are you laughing?”
Rudnine's thick eyebrows rose.
"No, I'm saying this because it looks good. Even in this chaos, the Duke looks happy, so I'm happy too. Haha."
But Rudnine glared at Prince Felix, raised the corners of his mouth, and replied coldly.
“Well, I think I’ll feel more at ease once everything is resolved and Your Highness becomes Emperor and then brings in an Empress.”
“...Duke. Why do you keep hating me when I’m just minding my own business? It’s unfair! I didn’t even sign that pledge!”
Rudnine chuckled as he watched Felix jumping up and down and beating his chest, and replied casually.
"Given the circumstances, there's nothing I can do. As your subject, I will certainly pledge my loyalty, so don't worry."
"Damn it. Can't you just get married quickly? You two met on a blind date anyway, right?"
Hearing Felix's grumbling, his pitch-black eyes widened and took on a strange light.
"Your Highness, you will become a great Emperor. You are so wise. It is an honor to serve Your Highness."
“...I’m anxious, so don’t do this.”
Felix, who had been wary of Rudnine, who smiled brightly and changed his stance, sighed as he looked towards the palace.
"I'm grateful that the Duke is on my side. We have a mountain of work to do, so let's hurry and go to the meeting."
Rudnine straightened his posture and immediately followed Felix.
“I am serious when I say you will become a great Emperor, Your Highness.”
“Ugh. This is burdensome. Are you telling me to become a saint?”
Behind Felix, who had an indifferent expression, Rudnine closed his eyes and smiled quietly.
***
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Father. I captured the warlock from Duke Iels's castle."
I slowly explained to my father, who was sitting across from me on the sofa in his office, about the events that had happened to me.
He was very angry when he heard that Crown Prince Adrian had come to see me on purpose, but he quickly moved on from that.
A large moving magic circle was created by the invading warlocks to bring Adrian back.
My father seemed quite surprised by the considerable power of black magic.
I cautiously opened my mouth to my father, who was deep in thought, rubbing his chin with a serious expression.
“Father. And... the reason I went to the North wasn’t to meet Duke Iels.”
"...then?"
It was difficult to continue speaking as I was met with eyes full of doubt.
Our family doesn't confide in each other about our weaknesses.
No, wouldn't most noble families that value individual honor and dignity be like that?
Moreover, since my mother passed away early, I never felt the warmth and affection of a warm family atmosphere.
From a young age, I couldn't even imagine telling my father or older brother about my worries.
Because that's just how I grew up.
It is difficult for people to change too late.
But now was the time to trust my father and fight together, so I summoned all the courage I had from my third life.
“Father. Actually, two years ago... I accidentally discovered that Empress Giselle was a warlock, and I was badly injured because of it.”
"What?"
Father's eyes grow bigger and bigger.
My voice was shaking even more, but I continued to speak calmly.
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