Chapter 74
“By the way,” Seiden said, “you don’t still think Bezriche betrayed you, do you? Even after seeing Jeina? It was Bezriche herself who said that every child born of a dragon is the fruit of love.”
Diarmid tilted his chin slightly, his gaze drifting toward the air above.
“…I’ve thought that maybe something must have happened.”
“Though there’s no way of knowing now,” Seiden added quietly.
Seiden recalled the time when his old comrades had joined forces to defeat the Demon King.
Back then, they had all smiled brightly, filled with elation at saving the world, convinced that together, they could overcome anything that came next.
But that was arrogance.
Diarmid had shut his heart after hearing cruel words from Bezriche.
Raydon’s wife had been unfaithful while he was away.
Fielo had burned out all his holy power and now lived practically imprisoned in a cathedral.
And Seiden himself… still suffered, mourning the family he’d lost.
Yet the ones who had turned their backs in that moment—
“You know, I didn’t go see Elia for no reason.”
Diarmid nodded heavily.
During the war against the Demon King, not everyone had fought bravely like they had.
There were those who turned away from their duty, sacrificing others to save their own skins—the decadent nobles of the Empire.
But after so much blood had already been shed in that war, the neighboring country of Nevedel had immediately declared war, leaving the Empire unable to properly punish the nobles who had private armies.
“They think that once Princess Elia, who gained such glory in the war against the Demon King, becomes empress, she’ll never leave them be. They’re terrified she’ll strip them of everything they own.”
Because of that, the nobles were keeping a close eye on both Elia, the Empire’s next empress, and Diarmid, the master of the Magic Tower.
“What was so hard about defeating the Demon King anyway? Compared to Hero Sanderthe’s siege campaigns, it’s nothing!”
“And he even relied on non-humans to do it. Begging for help from dragons who see us as ants.”
“He just stood next to one and followed her lead, and now he brags like he’s some great hero.”
Seiden spoke in a low voice.
“I’ve heard rumors they’ve recently joined hands with the temple faction—the ones who didn’t achieve much in the Demon King War.”
“So… the High Priest will soon wake from his long slumber.”
Both men’s faces darkened.
Seiden glanced at Diarmid’s expression and continued.
“I came to talk about this, but honestly, I was also worried about you. You’ve been acting strange lately. Don’t you think you’re being too hostile toward the Empire?”
“Hostile, you say…”
“Diarmid Bellafanian, master of the Magic Tower—what exactly is your stance? Just because you sealed away your emotions, does that mean you don’t care about peace on the continent anymore? Do you still think power and truth are the only things that matter?”
Diarmid quietly shook his head.
“No. That’s not it.”
“Then—”
“Power and truth don’t matter to me anymore. The only thing that matters now… is that child.”
Seiden could read the emotion flickering beyond Diarmid’s eyes.
“…Don’t tell me.”
The icy wall that had long encased Diarmid’s heart had melted away without him realizing.
He could feel again.
When Seiden understood that, he exhaled deeply and ruffled his hair with a groan.
“…You idiot.”
I knew today was my birthday, but…
Jeina grimaced involuntarily, her chest feeling tight.
“Ugh…”
When she opened her eyes a sliver, she found her bed buried under piles of gift boxes.
One had even fallen over, pressing against her stomach.
What, are they trying to assassinate me?
With a tousled face, Jeina sat up.
She yanked at a ribbon without care.
Inside, scattered loosely, were top-grade refined mana stones—the kind you could only buy by offering up an entire estate.
“…”
Next, she opened a large box from the other side of the bed.
Inside lay a doll so exquisitely made it almost looked alive—its eyes were emeralds, and rubies adorned its dress. Definitely a master artisan’s work.
“Sigh.”
Jeina got out of bed and began unwrapping the rest in earnest.
Ownership papers for a seaside villa, handcrafted shoes made by a renowned artisan—everything one could imagine.
But her expression didn’t change. She’d received extravagant gifts like these countless times over the past few years.
“When am I supposed to clean all this up…”
Her room was soon a mess of silk ribbons, lacquered wooden boxes, and velvet cases.
And thus began Jeina’s seventeenth birthday—with a deep, weary sigh.
For as long as she could remember, on every birthday, mountains of gifts had arrived from anonymous senders.
By now, someone should have figured out who was sending them—but neither her guard Izren nor Diarmid’s two right hands, Michael and Hilvencia, had any clue.
“Did you get the emerald bracelet I sent you?”
“I did. It reminded me of your green eyes, Hilvencia.”
At Jeina’s reply, Hilvencia’s eyes curved prettily as she smiled.
“It’s half flattery, asking you to think of me often—but it’s also your birthstone, you know.”
She lifted Jeina’s wrist and jingled the bracelet gently.
The one she wore herself was identical.
“For reference, it’s a matching pair.”
“Oh my, thank you.”
Jeina raised her hand to show she was wearing it.
On her wrist was also a sapphire bracelet Hilvencia had given her previously.
Seeing both together, Michael walked in, smirking.
“What’s with all the bracelets? Still into that old hobby of tying people up and tossing them into the sea?”
Hilvencia gave him a sultry, teasing smile.
“Jealous, are we? It’s rather petty to poke like that just because you’re left out.”
“Wow, listen to her pretending nothing happened. Always playing the angel in front of the kid. Cut the act, you old hag!”
Michael shuddered dramatically, rubbing his arms.
“That bracelet isn’t just an accessory, is it?”
“My, how perceptive. Yes—it once belonged to a queen of an ancient kingdom, a treasured heirloom.”
Hilvencia went on about how the queen had personally commissioned a famed craftsman.
But Michael wasn’t fooled. He narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t lie. I can feel the magic coming off it.”
“Oh dear, our young master’s grown so sharp.”
Hilvencia’s smile turned chilling.
“It’s enchanted to monitor Jeina’s heartbeat.”
“…Why would you need that?”
“If something could make our usually calm Jeina’s heart race, I’d like to know about it. For her safety, of course.”
“Huh. That’s actually… clever.”
Classic Hilvencia.
Jeina glanced down at her sapphire bracelet again—the one that doubled as a tracking device.
“If I die someday, you can have my corpse, Hilvencia.”
“I’m not after your body, dear. I want your soul.”
“What are you, a demon?!”
Michael barked, glaring at her. Then he pulled something from his coat and tossed it.
“Here. Catch.”
“What’s this?”
Jeina unfolded the paper he’d thrown and blinked.
“…Mining rights for a ruby and sapphire deposit?”
Michael shrugged, clearly smug.
“Unlike some people, I don’t stop at trinkets. Think of it as a source for your own jewelry.”
“Picking a fight, are we? Jeina, which gift do you think is better?”
By now, Jeina was used to them bickering over her.
And she knew exactly what to say.
“I love both of your gifts equally.”
Besides, today she needed to tread carefully around the two of them.
So after a pause, she spoke as casually as possible.
“Oh, right—about today, I might have to stay out overnight.”
As expected, both of them froze, eyes wide.
“What? But it’s your birthday today! Staying out?”
“If you’re going somewhere, we’re coming too!”
So much for slipping it in smoothly—her plan failed instantly.
I knew they’d react like this, but still, it’s impressive how predictable they are.
Jeina pressed her lips together and said cautiously,
“It’s just… I’m spending two days with some friends.”
“…What.”
“Friends?”
Hilvencia and Michael exchanged strange looks.
Even Jeina couldn’t read their expressions—it was something beyond words, almost blank.
“Jeina… having a birthday party outside?”
“So you’re saying you don’t need your big brother anymore, huh…”
Jeina shook her head vehemently.
“Of course not! Without you two, what would I have?”
“Your friends, apparently.”
“Yeah, your friends.”
Both spoke in perfect unison, and Jeina’s heart skipped a beat.
These two—whose personalities clashed like fire and oil—saying the same thing?
Normally they’d be snapping at each other already…
Something was off. Their mouths smiled, but their eyes were empty.
“What’s the point of raising her so carefully if she’ll just grow up and run off to play with others…?”
“So friends are more fun than me now? What do they have that I don’t?”
“First friends, then some guy, then her own children… and soon enough, I’ll vanish completely from Jeina’s world…”
“Your friends—Marilyn, Camille, Rodrin, Yuan, Myurina… right?”
A chill ran down Jeina’s spine.
