CHAPTER 161…………………………………………….
To the Imperial Palace
When Aaron arrived at the entrance of San Fidelio, he removed the mask that had been covering his mouth. The sword he had been swinging for so long swayed at his waist.
“Your Highness, please cause an appropriate commotion so that Kaiden can take me away.”
“A c-commotion? How am I supposed to do something like that…?”
“Surely you don’t expect me to explain even that?”
Do I have to spoon-feed you too?
Even now, thinking back on the icy glare of his sister-in-law left him feeling thoroughly wounded inside.
As someone of imperial blood—noble beyond measure—and long accustomed to being seen and revered, it was only natural that Aaron found it uncomfortable to cover his face with a mask.
Even so, there were two reasons he endured it.
First, because of the precious imperial heir growing in his sister-in-law’s womb.
And second…
“You arrived on time, Your Highness.”
“Ah… yes. You’re here.”
Aaron greeted Adele as she emerged from San Fidelio.
And the moment he lifted his head, his gaze—and his heart—were completely stolen by the pure and delicate beauty standing behind her.
“Y-your younger sister is with you as well. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“…It must be the will of Enes.”
“Hm.”
At Noella’s calm voice, Aaron unnecessarily brushed back his ash-gray hair.
Even after so long, she was still as lovely as ever. He wanted to add a few more words, but being conscious of his sister-in-law, he barely managed to maintain decorum.
Kaiden’s near-contemptuous stare—Kaiden, whose rudeness was unmatched even among relatives—also played a part in keeping Aaron from losing face.
“Ah, for now, Lady Rebecca’s party has safely departed for the retreat.”
“It seems Your Highness handled things well.”
“It—it was nothing at all.”
At Adele’s unexpected praise, Aaron’s cheeks tingled. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even much—but these sisters had a way of stirring people’s hearts with even the smallest words.
Only then did Aaron begin to understand, even a little, why his brother had been so desperate to win his wife’s heart.
“Anyway, it’s fortunate the carriage will reach the villa safely.”
“Yes… though I can’t help but wonder if all this is really necessary. We may need to move without the Count noticing, but isn’t this a bit… excessive?”
“You think I’m doing this merely to avoid my father’s eyes?”
“…Pardon? Then is there another reason?”
Aaron furrowed his brow, confused, and Adele simply shrugged.
As if that were a signal, Kaiden pulled out a rolled-up sheet of paper from his chest and unfolded it.
Under the moonlight it was difficult to read, and Aaron frowned—until Kaiden drew the demonic sword at his waist.
Shing—
A crimson glow seeped from the blade, writhing as though alive.
Lighting a piece of paper with a sword that looked like it could burn anything nearby… this was an experience he never imagined having.
Then Aaron belatedly realized he was the only one making a face, and quickly averted his gaze from the sword to look at the paper instead.
“Ah… this is…”
“It’s a map of the Empire.”
Adele scanned it lightly. She could practically draw it from memory, but there was something she needed to confirm.
“Why this…? If it’s the road to the Imperial Palace, I know it better than anyone.”
“And I know it well too. Do you think I wouldn’t know where my husband was born and raised?”
“Then why are you looking at the map…?”
“There’s something I need to check.”
Adele stroked her chin, narrowing her eyes in thought.
Aaron grew restless watching her murmur while staring at circles marked around the capital.
“Aren’t you going to meet my brother? Wouldn’t it be better to depart quickly before something happens with His Majesty? If my brother truly moves forward with his plans… it will be irreversible.”
“The same applies to me. That’s why we must be even more cautious.”
“…”
“Your Highness… do you truly believe that just because I go to the palace, His Majesty will simply hand my husband back?”
Surely you aren’t that naïve.
Under Adele’s gaze, Aaron fell silent, his face reddening.
Kaiden growled and tilted the demonic sword toward him, but Adele smacked the back of her brother’s hand.
“He is the supreme ruler of the Empire. A man who won’t even release his own son, the Crown Prince—why would he listen to me? And we’ve taken great care to keep news of our family from reaching the capital, so what presence do I even have?”
“…Then what do you intend to do?”
“I’m a merchant. And to make a fair trade… I must bring something worthy enough to exchange for my husband.”
Adele pointed to several locations on the map.
But even so, Aaron couldn’t grasp her intent. All he could tell was that they were villas around the capital.
Unable to bear the frustration, Aaron finally spoke.
“Is there truly anything in this world worth trading for my brother? I know House Sergio is powerful, but the Imperial Palace overflows with treasures. Even the finest relic wouldn’t make His Majesty blink.”
“…Even in front of a dragon’s heart?”
“…S-sister-in-law.”
Silence fell.
How could she joke about something like that?
That was what he should have said—but his lips wouldn’t move.
No. Once again, he was the only one shocked.
The two siblings beside her didn’t even twitch an eyebrow, as if a dragon’s heart were an everyday object.
Under the indifferent gaze of three pairs of eyes, Aaron rubbed the back of his neck.
Yes… pull yourself together.
As royalty, he was trained to remain steady even under pressure.
“A dragon’s heart… as you know, it has already…”
“Yes. It came to me.”
“And the dragon returned to its egg, so no one knows when it will awaken. It could be decades… no, centuries…”
“When our Balok awakens, I will never give its heart to anyone again. Not even if it were my husband. I cannot.”
“…Sister-in-law.”
Aaron’s mouth went dry under Adele’s unwavering gaze.
He felt as though he had committed some grave mistake—but they were opposing the Emperor himself. This had to be examined realistically.
“A dragon is rare enough that even one in an era is extraordinary. At present, isn’t the red dragon at the Count’s estate the only one?”
“Among living dragons, yes.”
“…Then?”
“Who said anything about riding a living dragon to the palace? His Majesty doesn’t want the dragon. He wants its heart.”
“But… where would you even obtain another dragon’s heart?”
Aaron stepped closer, suppressing his agitation.
It sounded simple, but a dragon’s heart was rarer than a living dragon itself.
The Emperor had searched for decades and never even seen one.
“If it were a living dragon, there might be a chance… but only the heart? It contains power strong enough to revive the dead. Countless people have died trying to obtain one. Even if it exists, it wouldn’t remain…”
“Your Highness knows quite a lot about dragon hearts.”
“Well, His Majesty sent people across the Empire searching…”
“Then can you describe what it looks like?”
“…What?”
“If you saw one, would you recognize it instantly?”
“T-that…”
Aaron hesitated, and Adele nodded as if she expected it.
Then she removed her hood.
Her crimson eyes sharpened under the moonlight.
“Of course you wouldn’t know. How would ordinary people know what an unawakened dragon looks like?”
“It’s just… too rare…”
“And yet, someone recognized it at first glance.”
“…”
“Even I, who has seen countless relics, didn’t know. Only that person did.”
A chill coated Adele’s voice.
Not only Aaron, but Kaiden and Noella held their breath, listening.
“Unni… don’t tell me…”
“Chloe Oren.”
“…”
