“...What did you mean by that just now?”
The Emperor asks Ryan.
Ryan, flustered, just twitches his lips.
Vania turned pale.
Amidst them, Nike's mind also went blank.
'Why did Ryan suddenly say something like that?'
Nike could not understand.
However, since they asked to be sent back after making a bold move, it didn't seem deliberate.
"Ryan."
The Emperor urged.
Ryan was looking only at Nike with wavering eyes. He seemed unable to understand why he wasn't fast-forwarding time.
Eventually, Ryan said.
At those words, the Emperor turned to look at Nike.
The Emperor won't remember it anyway if he returns.
However, the reason Nike is hesitating is.
“As for the events before the regression, what do you think about informing His Majesty?”
This is because the Crown Prince requested it.
“We must skip the trial process with His Majesty’s help.”
The original plan was to examine Wasenberg's charges one by one, put him on trial, and secure a death sentence.
However, if the Emperor exercises the power of summary execution, that process is omitted.
The reason the Crown Prince intends to do so is.
“...Do you understand? It’s for Vania’s sake.”
The conversation was long, but the conclusion was to protect Vania safely.
Nike slowly turned his head and looked at his lover's face.
Yes.
I even betrayed my own country for you.
What's so hard about confessing that fact for your sake again?
"Father."
Nike, having made up his mind, looked back at the Emperor.
However, for some reason, as soon as he saw his father's face, the conversation from last night came to mind.
“...I hope you don’t have to suffer anymore. If you’ll just let me, I want to try being a father before I die.”
The night he fell asleep lying side by side with his father for the first time.
Father, who has long regretted the past.
Apology. And understanding.
The moment when their true feelings were exchanged.
How will the relationship with his father, which had just barely grown closer, change with the truth he's about to confess?
'Shit...'
Cold sweat formed on Nike's agonizing forehead.
"It's for Vania's sake."
"I want to try being a father."
"It's for Vania's sake."
"I want to try being a father."
"Father!"
Nike spoke while trying to hold onto his spinning vision.
"Please... give me some time to prepare myself."
“...”
“An hour... no, even just 30 minutes.”
“...”
The Emperor, blinking slowly while looking at his son, nodded and picked up the tableware he had set down.
“...Yes. Let’s finish it and do it.”
Nike's Room.
I was arguing with Ryan.
“Why on earth are you saying that right there out of the blue!”
“What’s so random about that! You’ve been saying so many nice things, so I just wanted to show my determination out of gratitude!”
“Even so, why did you talk without us even agreeing to it beforehand!”
“I thought it was agreed! Because I had asked His Majesty if I could tell my story!”
“When did you even tell me that...! I mean, do I have to grant every request?!”
“I thought it would be difficult, too! I thought he would at least listen! Otherwise, why did you suddenly tell His Majesty the Emperor that you have supernatural abilities?!”
“...”
Startled.
“Why did you bring up Vania?!”
Ryan asked Nike, who was sitting with his head bowed low, only the crown of his head visible.
"Dad!"
I quickly stopped Ryan.
“...Come to think of it, it was a situation where Dad could easily have been mistaken. For now, we don’t have time to fight amongst ourselves. The damage is already done, so let’s just clean it up.”
"There is nothing to fix."
Nike stood up.
"It’s something I had already decided. I just really needed time to mentally prepare myself."
"Are you crazy?!"
I grabbed Nike, who was trying to leave.
“There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t! Before being a father, your father is His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire! It is obvious how disappointed he would be if you told him about your time before the regression, so why would you say that!”
Nike, who resurrected the entire Wassenberg for me.
Thank you. If it weren't for Nike, I would have been killed by Ryan long ago.
But that is romantic and something to be grateful for, only to me, Nike's lover.
To others, he is nothing more and nothing less than a member of the royal family who betrayed the country.
“I told you. It’s for your sake.”
Nike looked down at me as I tried to stop him and spoke quite firmly.
Yeah, this time too, for my sake.
He is a really romantic man.
"It would be advantageous to go without a trial."
Ryan, who had quietly slipped in, placed his hand on Nike's shoulder. His eyes gleamed as if he were greedy.
“...If I just close my eyes and Your Highness gets screwed just this once, wouldn’t it be a happy ending for everyone?”
“Dad?! Is that what you should be saying right now?”
What Nike seeks to obtain by revealing Ryan's actions before the regression is the Emperor's 'right of summary execution'.
This was intended to bypass the trial process.
The reason for wanting to omit it?
“His Highness the Crown Prince, aren’t you taking this a bit too far? He suspects that just because I married the Prince, Duke Wassenberg might be hiding some kind of power from me? The Duke isn’t a god; how could his thoughts possibly extend that far?”
“...”
“...”
Nike and Ryan stared at me blankly.
Eventually, Ryan muttered.
"I see my father sporadically..."
The capital, Duke of Wassenberg's residence.
Edgar burst out laughing after receiving the aide's report.
“What? Hahaha!”
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were meeting with noble families day after day. It is said that this was to push for the Third Prince's royal marriage.
The opponent is Vania Belzer.
She is his daughter.
“The Crown Prince must have lost his mind. What on earth is so special about Ryan that he would go to such lengths?”
His actions to bring the two illegitimate children, Vania and Alexander, into the family through Christa must have reached the Crown Prince's ears long ago.
If it were the Crown Prince, he would have foreseen even the plan to take Ryan away through them.
But?
You're saying the Crown Prince is using the ultimate card he held—the royal marriage—just to protect Ryan?
"I don't understand."
The 3rd Prince. The last remaining unmarried member of the royal family.
If Edgar were the Crown Prince, he would have used the Third Prince's marriage as a strategic move to increase the power of the imperial family.
Wasn't the reason the Third Prince was kept unmarried until now to use him at the optimal timing?
But why would he try to keep Ryan on his side, even going so far as to share the royal castle?
"Was he a fool?"
The Crown Prince?
That can't be true.
"It seems I am missing something."
Edgar's eyes gleamed sharply.
"I see my father sporadically..."
Actually, I don't watch it sporadically.
If it were my father, he certainly wouldn't think we are getting married because we are madly in love.
A sudden royal marriage. They would question, "Why my incompetent illegitimate son, whom I excommunicated long ago?"
That question extended to the suspicion, 'Is there something going on with him?'
We had to anticipate that it could even lead to an order to 'keep an eye on things just in case.'
'Wasn't I the one who resolved to respond just as thoroughly if I were to face a father who could see ten moves ahead?'
Therefore, I fully understand the Crown Prince's wish not to needlessly stir up trouble with his father while proceeding with the trial.
He means to hold your breath and prepare, then swoop in with the power of summary execution.
If you take legal action, the suspicion that 'there really seems to be something going on' will only intensify.
Ha, so the problem is that we tried to get married too soon.'
However, it was another unavoidable choice to stop my father from taking me back to the family.
Since taking the imperial castle and escaping quickly was the best option available.
"I'll be back."
“Y-Your Highness...”
I grabbed Nike once more with trembling hands.
I want to stop it, I really want to.
'Wow, seriously, if only my boyfriend were screwed, everyone would be happy...'
That's why it's driving me crazy.
"Vania."
Nike, standing there with a soulless expression, muttered weakly.
"Will you give me some courage?"
“Hmph. Of course!”
I hugged him tightly.
We, who had sold out our country, embraced each other and comforted one another like that.
"Ahem."
Ryan, who was watching, chimed in with a smile.
“Shall I teach you a tip on how to ram into things without getting scolded too much?”
“...”
Nike was intrigued.
Soon, Ryan grinned slyly and began whispering in his ear.
"I will exterminate Wassenberg and relieve Father's long-standing worries."
The Emperor's eyes widened.
"Please order summary execution so that we can eliminate them when we are ready."
The Emperor's Adam's apple bobbed.
"Please state your demands while His Majesty's heart is still pounding."
"Ryan is not incompetent."
“Before the question ‘What on earth are you going to do?’ comes up! Keep them relentlessly on the edge of their seats!”
"He's a user of the Instant Kill skill."
The Emperor's mouth dropped open.
"And since you're about to get scolded soon, make sure you set the stage properly before then. Be bold and manly in your speech and actions, no matter what."
"It is something I have been planning for a long time. Me, together with Ryan."
The Emperor asks Ryan.
Ryan, flustered, just twitches his lips.
Vania turned pale.
Amidst them, Nike's mind also went blank.
'Why did Ryan suddenly say something like that?'
Nike could not understand.
However, since they asked to be sent back after making a bold move, it didn't seem deliberate.
"Ryan."
The Emperor urged.
Ryan was looking only at Nike with wavering eyes. He seemed unable to understand why he wasn't fast-forwarding time.
Eventually, Ryan said.
“Oh, hurry up and wrap it up.”
The Emperor won't remember it anyway if he returns.
However, the reason Nike is hesitating is.
“As for the events before the regression, what do you think about informing His Majesty?”
This is because the Crown Prince requested it.
“We must skip the trial process with His Majesty’s help.”
The original plan was to examine Wasenberg's charges one by one, put him on trial, and secure a death sentence.
However, if the Emperor exercises the power of summary execution, that process is omitted.
The reason the Crown Prince intends to do so is.
“...Do you understand? It’s for Vania’s sake.”
The conversation was long, but the conclusion was to protect Vania safely.
Nike slowly turned his head and looked at his lover's face.
Yes.
I even betrayed my own country for you.
What's so hard about confessing that fact for your sake again?
"Father."
Nike, having made up his mind, looked back at the Emperor.
However, for some reason, as soon as he saw his father's face, the conversation from last night came to mind.
“...I hope you don’t have to suffer anymore. If you’ll just let me, I want to try being a father before I die.”
The night he fell asleep lying side by side with his father for the first time.
Father, who has long regretted the past.
Apology. And understanding.
The moment when their true feelings were exchanged.
How will the relationship with his father, which had just barely grown closer, change with the truth he's about to confess?
'Shit...'
Cold sweat formed on Nike's agonizing forehead.
"It's for Vania's sake."
"I want to try being a father."
"It's for Vania's sake."
"I want to try being a father."
"Father!"
Nike spoke while trying to hold onto his spinning vision.
"Please... give me some time to prepare myself."
“...”
“An hour... no, even just 30 minutes.”
“...”
The Emperor, blinking slowly while looking at his son, nodded and picked up the tableware he had set down.
“...Yes. Let’s finish it and do it.”
***
Nike's Room.
I was arguing with Ryan.
“Why on earth are you saying that right there out of the blue!”
“What’s so random about that! You’ve been saying so many nice things, so I just wanted to show my determination out of gratitude!”
“Even so, why did you talk without us even agreeing to it beforehand!”
“I thought it was agreed! Because I had asked His Majesty if I could tell my story!”
“When did you even tell me that...! I mean, do I have to grant every request?!”
“I thought it would be difficult, too! I thought he would at least listen! Otherwise, why did you suddenly tell His Majesty the Emperor that you have supernatural abilities?!”
“...”
Startled.
“Why did you bring up Vania?!”
Ryan asked Nike, who was sitting with his head bowed low, only the crown of his head visible.
"Dad!"
I quickly stopped Ryan.
“...Come to think of it, it was a situation where Dad could easily have been mistaken. For now, we don’t have time to fight amongst ourselves. The damage is already done, so let’s just clean it up.”
"There is nothing to fix."
Nike stood up.
"It’s something I had already decided. I just really needed time to mentally prepare myself."
"Are you crazy?!"
I grabbed Nike, who was trying to leave.
“There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t! Before being a father, your father is His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire! It is obvious how disappointed he would be if you told him about your time before the regression, so why would you say that!”
Nike, who resurrected the entire Wassenberg for me.
Thank you. If it weren't for Nike, I would have been killed by Ryan long ago.
But that is romantic and something to be grateful for, only to me, Nike's lover.
To others, he is nothing more and nothing less than a member of the royal family who betrayed the country.
“I told you. It’s for your sake.”
Nike looked down at me as I tried to stop him and spoke quite firmly.
Yeah, this time too, for my sake.
He is a really romantic man.
"It would be advantageous to go without a trial."
Ryan, who had quietly slipped in, placed his hand on Nike's shoulder. His eyes gleamed as if he were greedy.
“...If I just close my eyes and Your Highness gets screwed just this once, wouldn’t it be a happy ending for everyone?”
“Dad?! Is that what you should be saying right now?”
What Nike seeks to obtain by revealing Ryan's actions before the regression is the Emperor's 'right of summary execution'.
This was intended to bypass the trial process.
The reason for wanting to omit it?
“His Highness the Crown Prince, aren’t you taking this a bit too far? He suspects that just because I married the Prince, Duke Wassenberg might be hiding some kind of power from me? The Duke isn’t a god; how could his thoughts possibly extend that far?”
“...”
“...”
Nike and Ryan stared at me blankly.
Eventually, Ryan muttered.
"I see my father sporadically..."
***
The capital, Duke of Wassenberg's residence.
Edgar burst out laughing after receiving the aide's report.
“What? Hahaha!”
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were meeting with noble families day after day. It is said that this was to push for the Third Prince's royal marriage.
The opponent is Vania Belzer.
She is his daughter.
“The Crown Prince must have lost his mind. What on earth is so special about Ryan that he would go to such lengths?”
His actions to bring the two illegitimate children, Vania and Alexander, into the family through Christa must have reached the Crown Prince's ears long ago.
If it were the Crown Prince, he would have foreseen even the plan to take Ryan away through them.
But?
You're saying the Crown Prince is using the ultimate card he held—the royal marriage—just to protect Ryan?
"I don't understand."
The 3rd Prince. The last remaining unmarried member of the royal family.
If Edgar were the Crown Prince, he would have used the Third Prince's marriage as a strategic move to increase the power of the imperial family.
Wasn't the reason the Third Prince was kept unmarried until now to use him at the optimal timing?
But why would he try to keep Ryan on his side, even going so far as to share the royal castle?
"Was he a fool?"
The Crown Prince?
That can't be true.
"It seems I am missing something."
Edgar's eyes gleamed sharply.
***
"I see my father sporadically..."
Actually, I don't watch it sporadically.
If it were my father, he certainly wouldn't think we are getting married because we are madly in love.
A sudden royal marriage. They would question, "Why my incompetent illegitimate son, whom I excommunicated long ago?"
That question extended to the suspicion, 'Is there something going on with him?'
We had to anticipate that it could even lead to an order to 'keep an eye on things just in case.'
'Wasn't I the one who resolved to respond just as thoroughly if I were to face a father who could see ten moves ahead?'
Therefore, I fully understand the Crown Prince's wish not to needlessly stir up trouble with his father while proceeding with the trial.
He means to hold your breath and prepare, then swoop in with the power of summary execution.
If you take legal action, the suspicion that 'there really seems to be something going on' will only intensify.
Ha, so the problem is that we tried to get married too soon.'
However, it was another unavoidable choice to stop my father from taking me back to the family.
Since taking the imperial castle and escaping quickly was the best option available.
"I'll be back."
“Y-Your Highness...”
I grabbed Nike once more with trembling hands.
I want to stop it, I really want to.
'Wow, seriously, if only my boyfriend were screwed, everyone would be happy...'
That's why it's driving me crazy.
"Vania."
Nike, standing there with a soulless expression, muttered weakly.
"Will you give me some courage?"
“Hmph. Of course!”
I hugged him tightly.
We, who had sold out our country, embraced each other and comforted one another like that.
"Ahem."
Ryan, who was watching, chimed in with a smile.
“Shall I teach you a tip on how to ram into things without getting scolded too much?”
“...”
Nike was intrigued.
Soon, Ryan grinned slyly and began whispering in his ear.
***
"I will exterminate Wassenberg and relieve Father's long-standing worries."
The Emperor's eyes widened.
“Kick things off with a line that gets your heart racing right from the start and sends a shiver down your spine.”
The Emperor's Adam's apple bobbed.
"Please state your demands while His Majesty's heart is still pounding."
"Ryan is not incompetent."
“Before the question ‘What on earth are you going to do?’ comes up! Keep them relentlessly on the edge of their seats!”
"He's a user of the Instant Kill skill."
The Emperor's mouth dropped open.
"And since you're about to get scolded soon, make sure you set the stage properly before then. Be bold and manly in your speech and actions, no matter what."
"It is something I have been planning for a long time. Me, together with Ryan."
Bang!
Nike approached and placed both hands on the Emperor's desk with great spirit.
“I will cut off the head of my father’s long-time enemy, Edgar Wassenberg, and offer it to you.”
The Emperor's eyes widened as if about to fall out.
The blue eyes trembled helplessly.
“What, what are you talking about? Suddenly, what is this... What were you thinking, believing...”
“Please believe me. He has already succeeded once, and I was there. Ryan can subdue all of Wassenberg’s superpowered individuals.”
“...”
The Emperor and Nike's gazes met deeply.
Something that has already been achieved once.
And... during dinner, Ryan’s remark that he would try ‘again.’
The son, a person with the supernatural ability of regression.
The Emperor, having naturally realized the situation as he grasped it, barely swallowed hard and asked.
“If you had succeeded... why did you go back in time?”
“...”
Nike took his hand off the desk, stepped back slowly, and spoke.
“I had no other choice but to save my lover. I am sorry.”
"What?"
"Hang in there. You're going to get scolded anyway."
“The lover, who are you talking about...”
"It is the same person. Now he is Vania Belzer, and before the regression, he was Vania Wassenberg."
“...”
Eventually, the Emperor narrowed his brows and fell into thought for a moment.
It seemed like he was slowly reviewing what he had heard.
“I can’t imagine His Majesty the Emperor’s reaction...”
Thump thump thump.
His heart is racing.
Nike swallowed hard and hid his trembling hands behind his back.
As he waited for his father's reaction, he had never been this nervous in his life.
Soon.
The Emperor, his face turning pale, raised his index finger toward his son. He was visibly trembling.
“You, yes, you, you...”
“...”
He couldn't look at his father's face. Nike squeezed his eyes shut like a child being scolded.
Nike approached and placed both hands on the Emperor's desk with great spirit.
“I will cut off the head of my father’s long-time enemy, Edgar Wassenberg, and offer it to you.”
The Emperor's eyes widened as if about to fall out.
The blue eyes trembled helplessly.
“What, what are you talking about? Suddenly, what is this... What were you thinking, believing...”
“Please believe me. He has already succeeded once, and I was there. Ryan can subdue all of Wassenberg’s superpowered individuals.”
“...”
The Emperor and Nike's gazes met deeply.
Something that has already been achieved once.
And... during dinner, Ryan’s remark that he would try ‘again.’
The son, a person with the supernatural ability of regression.
The Emperor, having naturally realized the situation as he grasped it, barely swallowed hard and asked.
“If you had succeeded... why did you go back in time?”
“...”
Nike took his hand off the desk, stepped back slowly, and spoke.
“I had no other choice but to save my lover. I am sorry.”
"What?"
"Hang in there. You're going to get scolded anyway."
“The lover, who are you talking about...”
"It is the same person. Now he is Vania Belzer, and before the regression, he was Vania Wassenberg."
“...”
Eventually, the Emperor narrowed his brows and fell into thought for a moment.
It seemed like he was slowly reviewing what he had heard.
“I can’t imagine His Majesty the Emperor’s reaction...”
Thump thump thump.
His heart is racing.
Nike swallowed hard and hid his trembling hands behind his back.
As he waited for his father's reaction, he had never been this nervous in his life.
“If someone slaps you on the back, just take it, but if they grab the back of your neck and try to knock you down... then rewind time.”
The Emperor, his face turning pale, raised his index finger toward his son. He was visibly trembling.
“You, yes, you, you...”
“...”
He couldn't look at his father's face. Nike squeezed his eyes shut like a child being scolded.
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