As soon as the door closed, the lion roared.
“Princess bunnyyyyy~~!!!”
Ryan was able to exchange quite warm greetings with the Emperor at their first meeting.
I even heard an invitation to have dinner together.
His mood was at its peak right now.
"My light, my salvation, my future!"
“Wait, wait! Don’t come near!”
Hiding his excitement, he entered my room, and as soon as we were alone, he hunted me down as I tried to escape.
“Aargh!”
“A runaway wife? I don’t need her! Even if Clara comes back, you’re my number one, Vania!”
The tossing began on me as I was helplessly held captive.
“D-D-Don't do that! I feel dizzy!”
“Ahahahaha!”
I was lifted into the air several times in the arms of a lion that would be a corpse if it let go, and only after being spun around was I finally able to put my feet on the ground.
"Gasp. Gasp."
“What? I’m the one using the strength, so why are you out of breath?”
“Gasp. Is that, gasp. Is that even something you can say?”
“Hey, you’re the best. How on earth did you bring His Majesty the Emperor here in just one day?”
“Gasp. Phew.”
“No, more than that. Our first meeting was truly perfect. I was worried, but I think I can make a good impression now. Wow!”
“...”
As I caught my breath watching Ryan, who was genuinely happy, I was momentarily stunned.
In fact, he does not need to go to such lengths to curry favor with the Emperor.
Since I'm the one who has to live in the imperial palace.
“...Do you like it that much? Why?”
I felt bad for no reason, so I asked a question I already knew the answer to.
"I can let that slide for me, but what does Dad do to curry favor with His Majesty the Emperor?"
“Huh? What kind of talk is that? Of course, I have to make a good impression, too. That way he’ll look after you, and yiu can live comfortably in the Imperial Palace without being mistreated!”
Yeah, because of me.
Because you're worried.
For my sake.
Worried about triggering the Emperor's trauma, gnawing away at their own nerves, and being overly concerned about making a good impression...
'Fool.'
I choked up, so I quietly approached and hugged Ryan.
“What? Do you want me to do it again?”
"No."
It fell immediately.
The tossing and turning make me want to throw up.
“Dad, I’m telling you in advance, just in case you get flustered if this comes up at the banquet later.”
“Huh? What?”
"His Majesty the Emperor knows that I have supernatural abilities."
"What?!"
“Shh, shh.”
“Suddenly? Why? How did he find out? You wouldn't have just blurted that out yourself, would you?”
“Yeah, well...”
Actually, the fact that I treated him while shedding blood might be partly why the Emperor's heart softened.
But I have no intention of telling Ryan that right away. I’m sick and tired of being chewed out by Nike.
“It looks like the Prince mentioned it by chance while talking with His Majesty while I was away.”
Sold Nike.
He indeed talked about me, so it is not a lie.
“I don’t know why that came up so suddenly, but it doesn’t matter, does it? It was something I had to explain to His Majesty soon anyway.”
“...”
Ryan blinked his eyes.
“...That’s right.”
He soon nodded in agreement.
“That’s nice. Well then, I’m off to change. I should dress up nicely~ Since this is my first meal with the Sun of the Empire~.”
"Ah, yes!"
Ryan, whom I expected to pry further, left my room without saying a word.
Phew. That's a relief...
'Crazy, crazy, crazy!'
As soon as he left the room, Ryan stretched his fist into the air and let out a silent cheer.
'The 3rd Prince is so damn loyal~~!!!'
Going back in time, two days ago.
Ryan had quietly made a request to Nike before he left for the Emperor's resting place.
“Your Highness, could you possibly tell His Majesty that I completely wiped out those Wassenberg bastards before the regression?”
"What?"
“Please. I beg of you. After all, His Majesty the Emperor will soon find out about my secret, won’t he?”
Ryan really wanted to win over the Emperor's heart for Vania's sake.
However, before carrying out the grand scheme, he was a man with absolutely nothing to show for the Emperor.
He's planning to soon slit the throat of his father, who has tormented the Emperor his entire life, but right now, he has nothing to boast about.
With a face just like his father's, Ryan can't even hang around the Emperor.
“I don’t think we really need to bring that up. After all, just as you said, I will soon... be able to get along well with His Imperial Majesty...”
Naturally, Nike hesitated.
Tell the Emperor the entire long-winded story from before the regression?
That means to emphasize the fact that Ryan is a national hero.
At the same time.
Because it also meant that he had to let people know that he had betrayed the empire.
“You confessed everything to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, too!”
“As for my brother, I needed help, so I had no choice...”
Nike felt a heavy burden in telling the Emperor, even if he didn't know the Crown Prince.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Emperor was mentally murdered by Duke Wassenberg.
However, there was a hidden timeline where a righteous slaughterer uprooted Wassenberg entirely...
His son, of all people, personally nullified that great revolution?
And to fall in love with a woman from an enemy family, and revive the entire Wassenberg family just to save her?
"Ahem!"
Come to think of it, selling Nike out just to appear as a hero to the Emperor was a terrible thing to do.
If the Emperor knew the whole story, he would look upon himself, who eliminated Wassenberg, and Vania, who escaped the family to eliminate him after her regression, with gratitude and affection.
Nike, Nike!
“No, not at all. I made an excessive request. Please pretend you didn't hear that.”
“...”
That was how the conversation ended...
'That's really touching.'
Ryan was deeply moved.
'Why would he suddenly reveal that Vania is an ability user? The Third Prince spilled everything for my sake.'
He felt as though he were about to cry at Nike's loyalty.
The one who was happiest about the Emperor's return was the Crown Prince.
In fact, the Crown Prince had something he wanted the Emperor to approve ahead of the major undertaking.
“Nike!”
Bane looked for his younger brother's room first.
“How on earth did you manage to escort His Majesty here in just one day? You did a great job!”
"Vania suffered, not me."
"Oho."
Bane thought of Vania.
Certainly, that one would have melted the Emperor's heart better than the indifferent younger brother.
“You must be tired from just returning to the palace, but let’s talk about business. Since His Majesty has returned as well.”
"Yes."
"That..."
Once he actually opened his mouth, Bane hesitated.
"Please feel free to speak."
“As for the events before the regression, what do you think about informing His Majesty?”
"Yes?!"
Nike was noticeably flustered.
The events before the regression referred to the incident where Ryan massacred Wassenberg.
“It might be confusing, but please listen to me. What was his reason for telling my brother that?”
The fact that Bane heard directly from Ryan's mouth is that he is the possessor of the supernatural ability <Instant Death>.
And the desire for revenge that has long been harbored against Wassenberg.
There were only those two things.
Therefore, Bane naturally had no choice but to worry.
Should I trust him and give him the authority to execute?
Just because you possess powerful supernatural abilities, can you subdue every supernatural ability user?
The previous <Instant Death> holder was eliminated, too, wasn't he?
What if it fails?
What if it just ends up stirring up Wassenberg for no reason?
“He was trying to reassure you and let you trust Ryan, so we could proceed with the operation.”
That's right.
“...Don’t worry, Brother. He will succeed. Because he has already succeeded once.”
To reassure the Crown Prince, who had no choice but to consider the possibility of the coup failing.
To let them know how Ryan intends to eliminate them, and also to give them assurance that his plan has succeeded once...
The fastest way was to reveal the truth before the regression.
Nike did so because he felt it was a waste of time for the Crown Prince to needlessly worry.
"But why go out of your way to ask His Majesty..."
"It is because I need the Emperor's inherent authority, which I have not been delegated."
“...!”
Nike's eyes widened as he understood.
The Emperor's inherent authority cannot be delegated.
It refers to the right of summary execution.
This also meant that they should completely discard the intermediate steps of the grand plan they had planned so far and take the quick route.
'Is it a wild boar?'
I'm thinking.
"Did you think I was just blindly crashing into you?"
“...”
Nike flinched as he was immediately seen through.
"I know it's hard to say."
Bane grabbed his younger brother's shoulder tightly and said.
“But I beg of you. As you know, His Majesty would never abuse the power of summary execution.”
That goes without saying. Even if they are criminals, it is a matter of skipping the trial process and simply ordering the death penalty.
“Even I, who have built trust with Ryan over a long period, hesitated, so I cannot persuade His Majesty with just a few words right now.”
“...”
“The only way to get His Majesty’s permission is to tell him about Ryan’s whereabouts before the regression.”
“...I understand. May I ask why you intend to change your plan?”
"Alright, I will explain now. This is also about protecting your lover."
Imperial Palace Banquet Hall.
The Emperor, Nike, Ryan, and Vania were having a warm and friendly first dinner.
To have a comfortable conversation, the Emperor dismissed all the attendants and listened attentively to Ryan's story.
Things from his time in prison, or when he was struggling after just settling in Belzer...
Even though it was a topic that the Emperor was not particularly interested in, he kept asking questions, and Ryan choked up several times while talking.
"You’ve really gone through a lot of trouble."
When the Emperor comforted him with pity, he felt like he was going to cry for real.
'What? He's a good person...'
How many people would be generous enough to treat a man who looks exactly like his enemy so affectionately?
Nevertheless, Ryan was moved by the Emperor.
Ryan, who grew up without receiving any love from his biological father.
It was only natural to get choked up at every kind word of comfort from the Emperor, who was old enough to be a father.
"Your Majesty."
Ryan called out to the Emperor while rubbing his stinging nose.
“Your Majesty, it seems you heard what we had to say...”
“Hmm? Ah.”
The Emperor looked at Vania for a moment.
"Right. I ended up finding out by chance. Don't worry. Nothing will get out."
“Yes? I’m not worried about that.”
We've been in the same boat for a long time, so what?
Ryan spoke to the Emperor with a determined expression.
“This time, for sure! I will slit the throats of those Wassenberg bastards and offer them to you! Just trust me!”
“...?”
Silence fell.
The Emperor blinked his eyes.
Seeing the expression that seemed to completely misunderstand what he meant, Ryan immediately realized that something was wrong.
He glanced to the side of the Emperor.
Nike, with pupils trembling with panic.
This time, he looked at Vania next to him.
Vania, with her mouth wide open and a look that said, "Are you crazy?"
'Hmm, I must have made a mistake.'
Ryan nodded and quickly placed his hand on the table.
Next, he glanced at Vania.
Agile situation management!
However, the problem is that the Emperor knows that his son is a user of the regression ability!
He eerily recognized Ryan's gesture asking to turn back time and spoke to Nike.
“Don’t do it.”
Silence descended once again.
The Emperor asked Ryan with a confused expression.
“...What did you mean by that just now?”
“Princess bunnyyyyy~~!!!”
Ryan was able to exchange quite warm greetings with the Emperor at their first meeting.
I even heard an invitation to have dinner together.
His mood was at its peak right now.
"My light, my salvation, my future!"
“Wait, wait! Don’t come near!”
Hiding his excitement, he entered my room, and as soon as we were alone, he hunted me down as I tried to escape.
“Aargh!”
“A runaway wife? I don’t need her! Even if Clara comes back, you’re my number one, Vania!”
The tossing began on me as I was helplessly held captive.
“D-D-Don't do that! I feel dizzy!”
“Ahahahaha!”
I was lifted into the air several times in the arms of a lion that would be a corpse if it let go, and only after being spun around was I finally able to put my feet on the ground.
"Gasp. Gasp."
“What? I’m the one using the strength, so why are you out of breath?”
“Gasp. Is that, gasp. Is that even something you can say?”
“Hey, you’re the best. How on earth did you bring His Majesty the Emperor here in just one day?”
“Gasp. Phew.”
“No, more than that. Our first meeting was truly perfect. I was worried, but I think I can make a good impression now. Wow!”
“...”
As I caught my breath watching Ryan, who was genuinely happy, I was momentarily stunned.
In fact, he does not need to go to such lengths to curry favor with the Emperor.
Since I'm the one who has to live in the imperial palace.
“...Do you like it that much? Why?”
I felt bad for no reason, so I asked a question I already knew the answer to.
"I can let that slide for me, but what does Dad do to curry favor with His Majesty the Emperor?"
“Huh? What kind of talk is that? Of course, I have to make a good impression, too. That way he’ll look after you, and yiu can live comfortably in the Imperial Palace without being mistreated!”
Yeah, because of me.
Because you're worried.
For my sake.
Worried about triggering the Emperor's trauma, gnawing away at their own nerves, and being overly concerned about making a good impression...
'Fool.'
I choked up, so I quietly approached and hugged Ryan.
“What? Do you want me to do it again?”
"No."
It fell immediately.
The tossing and turning make me want to throw up.
“Dad, I’m telling you in advance, just in case you get flustered if this comes up at the banquet later.”
“Huh? What?”
"His Majesty the Emperor knows that I have supernatural abilities."
"What?!"
“Shh, shh.”
“Suddenly? Why? How did he find out? You wouldn't have just blurted that out yourself, would you?”
“Yeah, well...”
Actually, the fact that I treated him while shedding blood might be partly why the Emperor's heart softened.
But I have no intention of telling Ryan that right away. I’m sick and tired of being chewed out by Nike.
“It looks like the Prince mentioned it by chance while talking with His Majesty while I was away.”
Sold Nike.
He indeed talked about me, so it is not a lie.
“I don’t know why that came up so suddenly, but it doesn’t matter, does it? It was something I had to explain to His Majesty soon anyway.”
“...”
Ryan blinked his eyes.
“...That’s right.”
He soon nodded in agreement.
“That’s nice. Well then, I’m off to change. I should dress up nicely~ Since this is my first meal with the Sun of the Empire~.”
"Ah, yes!"
Ryan, whom I expected to pry further, left my room without saying a word.
Phew. That's a relief...
***
'Crazy, crazy, crazy!'
As soon as he left the room, Ryan stretched his fist into the air and let out a silent cheer.
'The 3rd Prince is so damn loyal~~!!!'
Going back in time, two days ago.
Ryan had quietly made a request to Nike before he left for the Emperor's resting place.
“Your Highness, could you possibly tell His Majesty that I completely wiped out those Wassenberg bastards before the regression?”
"What?"
“Please. I beg of you. After all, His Majesty the Emperor will soon find out about my secret, won’t he?”
Ryan really wanted to win over the Emperor's heart for Vania's sake.
However, before carrying out the grand scheme, he was a man with absolutely nothing to show for the Emperor.
He's planning to soon slit the throat of his father, who has tormented the Emperor his entire life, but right now, he has nothing to boast about.
With a face just like his father's, Ryan can't even hang around the Emperor.
“I don’t think we really need to bring that up. After all, just as you said, I will soon... be able to get along well with His Imperial Majesty...”
Naturally, Nike hesitated.
Tell the Emperor the entire long-winded story from before the regression?
That means to emphasize the fact that Ryan is a national hero.
At the same time.
Because it also meant that he had to let people know that he had betrayed the empire.
“You confessed everything to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, too!”
“As for my brother, I needed help, so I had no choice...”
Nike felt a heavy burden in telling the Emperor, even if he didn't know the Crown Prince.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Emperor was mentally murdered by Duke Wassenberg.
However, there was a hidden timeline where a righteous slaughterer uprooted Wassenberg entirely...
His son, of all people, personally nullified that great revolution?
And to fall in love with a woman from an enemy family, and revive the entire Wassenberg family just to save her?
"Ahem!"
Come to think of it, selling Nike out just to appear as a hero to the Emperor was a terrible thing to do.
If the Emperor knew the whole story, he would look upon himself, who eliminated Wassenberg, and Vania, who escaped the family to eliminate him after her regression, with gratitude and affection.
Nike, Nike!
“No, not at all. I made an excessive request. Please pretend you didn't hear that.”
“...”
That was how the conversation ended...
'That's really touching.'
Ryan was deeply moved.
'Why would he suddenly reveal that Vania is an ability user? The Third Prince spilled everything for my sake.'
He felt as though he were about to cry at Nike's loyalty.
***
The one who was happiest about the Emperor's return was the Crown Prince.
In fact, the Crown Prince had something he wanted the Emperor to approve ahead of the major undertaking.
“Nike!”
Bane looked for his younger brother's room first.
“How on earth did you manage to escort His Majesty here in just one day? You did a great job!”
"Vania suffered, not me."
"Oho."
Bane thought of Vania.
Certainly, that one would have melted the Emperor's heart better than the indifferent younger brother.
“You must be tired from just returning to the palace, but let’s talk about business. Since His Majesty has returned as well.”
"Yes."
"That..."
Once he actually opened his mouth, Bane hesitated.
"Please feel free to speak."
“As for the events before the regression, what do you think about informing His Majesty?”
"Yes?!"
Nike was noticeably flustered.
The events before the regression referred to the incident where Ryan massacred Wassenberg.
“It might be confusing, but please listen to me. What was his reason for telling my brother that?”
The fact that Bane heard directly from Ryan's mouth is that he is the possessor of the supernatural ability <Instant Death>.
And the desire for revenge that has long been harbored against Wassenberg.
There were only those two things.
Therefore, Bane naturally had no choice but to worry.
Should I trust him and give him the authority to execute?
Just because you possess powerful supernatural abilities, can you subdue every supernatural ability user?
The previous <Instant Death> holder was eliminated, too, wasn't he?
What if it fails?
What if it just ends up stirring up Wassenberg for no reason?
“He was trying to reassure you and let you trust Ryan, so we could proceed with the operation.”
That's right.
“...Don’t worry, Brother. He will succeed. Because he has already succeeded once.”
To reassure the Crown Prince, who had no choice but to consider the possibility of the coup failing.
To let them know how Ryan intends to eliminate them, and also to give them assurance that his plan has succeeded once...
The fastest way was to reveal the truth before the regression.
Nike did so because he felt it was a waste of time for the Crown Prince to needlessly worry.
"But why go out of your way to ask His Majesty..."
"It is because I need the Emperor's inherent authority, which I have not been delegated."
“...!”
Nike's eyes widened as he understood.
The Emperor's inherent authority cannot be delegated.
It refers to the right of summary execution.
This also meant that they should completely discard the intermediate steps of the grand plan they had planned so far and take the quick route.
'Is it a wild boar?'
I'm thinking.
"Did you think I was just blindly crashing into you?"
“...”
Nike flinched as he was immediately seen through.
"I know it's hard to say."
Bane grabbed his younger brother's shoulder tightly and said.
“But I beg of you. As you know, His Majesty would never abuse the power of summary execution.”
That goes without saying. Even if they are criminals, it is a matter of skipping the trial process and simply ordering the death penalty.
“Even I, who have built trust with Ryan over a long period, hesitated, so I cannot persuade His Majesty with just a few words right now.”
“...”
“The only way to get His Majesty’s permission is to tell him about Ryan’s whereabouts before the regression.”
“...I understand. May I ask why you intend to change your plan?”
"Alright, I will explain now. This is also about protecting your lover."
***
Imperial Palace Banquet Hall.
The Emperor, Nike, Ryan, and Vania were having a warm and friendly first dinner.
To have a comfortable conversation, the Emperor dismissed all the attendants and listened attentively to Ryan's story.
Things from his time in prison, or when he was struggling after just settling in Belzer...
Even though it was a topic that the Emperor was not particularly interested in, he kept asking questions, and Ryan choked up several times while talking.
"You’ve really gone through a lot of trouble."
When the Emperor comforted him with pity, he felt like he was going to cry for real.
'What? He's a good person...'
How many people would be generous enough to treat a man who looks exactly like his enemy so affectionately?
'Well, I suppose it’s partly because you already know my whole story from before I came back.'
Ryan, who grew up without receiving any love from his biological father.
It was only natural to get choked up at every kind word of comfort from the Emperor, who was old enough to be a father.
"Your Majesty."
Ryan called out to the Emperor while rubbing his stinging nose.
“Your Majesty, it seems you heard what we had to say...”
“Hmm? Ah.”
The Emperor looked at Vania for a moment.
"Right. I ended up finding out by chance. Don't worry. Nothing will get out."
“Yes? I’m not worried about that.”
We've been in the same boat for a long time, so what?
Ryan spoke to the Emperor with a determined expression.
“This time, for sure! I will slit the throats of those Wassenberg bastards and offer them to you! Just trust me!”
“...?”
Silence fell.
The Emperor blinked his eyes.
Seeing the expression that seemed to completely misunderstand what he meant, Ryan immediately realized that something was wrong.
He glanced to the side of the Emperor.
Nike, with pupils trembling with panic.
This time, he looked at Vania next to him.
Vania, with her mouth wide open and a look that said, "Are you crazy?"
'Hmm, I must have made a mistake.'
Ryan nodded and quickly placed his hand on the table.
Looking at Nike, he pressed his fingertips together and pretended to draw a circle.
'Please accept my regards.'
'Since I can’t remember, you should stop me before I say something.'
However, the problem is that the Emperor knows that his son is a user of the regression ability!
He eerily recognized Ryan's gesture asking to turn back time and spoke to Nike.
“Don’t do it.”
Silence descended once again.
The Emperor asked Ryan with a confused expression.
“...What did you mean by that just now?”
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