CHAPTER 45
“Surely, there were more than just a few suspicious details, weren’t there?”
A noblewoman’s words sparked murmurs among the surrounding ladies and noblemen.
“Come to think of it, didn’t Her Highness the First Princess visit the Mage Tower a month ago? And isn’t it common knowledge that the so-called ‘leader of the treason’ is working on a joint venture with the tower?”
“I remember people saying that the ‘magic stone substitute’ they were developing was far purer and better than what the Imperial Family produced.”
“And that’s not all. I heard a rumor that Her Highness even visited the First Detention Center.”
“What?! Isn’t that where that man was imprisoned?”
“Could it be… the First Princess really colluded with Taksid, the leader of the rebellion…?”
They glanced at me furtively, and I lowered my gaze. I turned to Count Rocton, who avoided my eyes and chuckled mockingly.
Then he spoke, feigning pity.
“Even if Your Highness is of royal blood, to personally seek out a dangerous criminal and ask for help… Such actions degrade the dignity of the Imperial Family.”
“…”
“Imagine how Their Majesties would feel… As a loyal servant to the Empire, I must speak out on how careless your actions were.”
The other nobles looked at me as if in agreement, some even muttering under their breath, “I knew it. That timid princess hasn’t changed at all.” Their eyes turned cold.
I gave Count Rocton a frosty smile, as if he were no more than a worthless being.
“Then tell me, Count—what did you do?”
“…Pardon?”
“You must have known that the neighboring Arentis Federation colluded with Aethisra to attack our Estier Empire. It was Prince Dimitri who uncovered their spy and dealt a severe blow.”
“A-ah, that was…”
“Why do you think Aethisra sided with Arentis, our neighbor? What do you think they were after?”
The count and the others looked puzzled. But I knew. I had returned—regressed—and thus I remembered clearly.
Why had Aethisra tried to form alliances with every nation except Estier?
When their alliance with Arentis fell apart, Arentis’ king and knights attacked Prince Dimitri, injuring him severely.
Back then, the King of Arentis said this:
“Aethisra and Arentis, and the rulers surrounding us, all say this: If you don’t rush to the Emperor of Estier and negotiate the iron-to-magic-stone ratio to 8:2, the winds of reformation won’t stop blowing—”
What they wanted wasn’t just to weaken Estier. They wanted to exploit its very lifeblood—magic stones—until there was nothing left, so they could dominate in power.
Simply put, if I hadn’t discovered orichalcum, twelve nations, including Aethisra, would have joined forces to wage war on Estier.
“Aethisra has picked fights with Estier over the magic stone trade rights more times than we can count. They needed Estier’s power to grow stronger, and we didn’t want that to happen.”
Do you understand now?
Why I voluntarily went to the Mage Tower—the infamous den of vipers?
If it weren’t for me, all of you would have already been dragged into war, living each day in fear, wondering when you’d die or how to fight off massive armies—plunged into despair.
Count Rocton, momentarily speechless, bit his lip and then shouted:
“S-Still! What does any of that have to do with Dolak Taksid! No matter your reasons, the fact remains—you collaborated with a traitor!”
“…I didn’t think you were this ignorant.”
“W-What did you just say to me?!”
“I’m saying, you clearly didn’t listen to a single word I said.”
The air around us instantly froze. My narrowed eyes bore a sharp chill, and Count Rocton’s expression hardened.
He suddenly thought:
“How can a mere ten-year-old radiate such ferocity…?!”
The timid First Princess they thought they knew—was nowhere to be found.
What stood before them was a royal who faced her enemies alone—with overwhelming resolve.
Meanwhile…
“Richard.”
Jeron slung his arm casually over Richard’s shoulder with a cheerful grin. Richard frowned deeply and harshly shook his hand off.
“I told you not to touch me.”
“C’mon, we’re friends. No need to be so formal.”
“It disgusts me to be touched by you. That’s all.”
He began brushing the spot Jeron had touched, as if to wipe away filth. Jeron, unfazed, stuck close again, chattering away.
“Looking for someone? Don’t tell me—Her Highness?”
“What’s it to you? Move, you’re in the way.”
“Quite moving, isn’t it? The cold emperor actually held a banquet in her honor.”
“Leave. Now.”
“Seems like the First Princess has changed. Back in the day, she’d flinch and run away if you so much as made eye contact.”
“Are you deaf, Jeron Idrea? I’m warning you. Shut up and get lost before I lose my patience.”
A throbbing vein rose on Richard’s temple. But Jeron only grinned slyly at the flustered look of a passing academy peer.
“I mean, I saw her.”
“…What?”
“She was so stunning today—honestly, I thought she was a fairy. When she entered, even you couldn’t take your eyes off her.”
“You want to die, don’t you?”
A punch flew toward Jeron, but he easily dodged and smiled sweetly. Richard didn’t press it, brushing it off and turning to leave.
“That’s why I came—to apologize to you.”
“Huh? What nonsense are you spewing now?”
Jeron chuckled.
“I just got rejected by the First Princess. Her reaction totally threw me off. I thought she’d panic and look away like before—but no. She looked me in the eye and shut me down, cold as ice, with that pretty little face—”
That’s when it happened.
“You really do want to disappear without a trace, don’t you, Jeron Idrea?”
An intense pressure crackled between them. Richard, an Aura Master since age ten, released killing intent that startled everyone nearby.
The young ladies passing by turned pale and quickly fled.
Only Jeron remained calm, gazing steadily at Richard.
Their confrontation was interrupted by nearby gossip:
“They say Count Rocton just got utterly humiliated by the First Princess. Is that true?”
“Let’s go see. I heard he picked a fight in the central hall. Not surprising, given his allegiance to the Second Princess.”
“Well, I guess it must sting, seeing his prized ‘masterpiece’ ignored while the discarded one starts to shine.”
The words made both Richard and Jeron snap their heads toward the voices.
“…No way…”
Richard let go of Jeron and bolted for the central hall. Jeron followed after glancing at the gossiping nobles.
But the hall was too crowded. Finding Lirien was no easy task. Richard bit his lip.
If even seasoned nobles get flustered when attacked like this… what if she gets hurt?
Then—he heard her voice.
“I’m saying, you clearly didn’t listen to a single word I said.”
It was her voice, but laced with a chilling coldness he’d never heard before. So cold it sent shivers down the spine.
“…She can speak like that…?”
Jeron, too, turned in the direction of the voice. They shoved through the crowd to see Count Rocton and a bored-looking Lirien exchanging biting words.
She covered her lips with her palm and said:
“You mentioned there was a spy during Prince Dimitri’s negotiations with Arentis, didn’t you?”
“T-That has nothing to do with Dolak Taksid—!”
“He’s the one who recommended the spy, Count. Also, how many times will you utter that traitor’s name? According to imperial law, speaking the name of a defiled one is a grave offense. Do you not know even that much?”
Count Rocton’s face flushed red. Some nobles nearby suppressed laughter, sneering at him.
Lirien continued:
“And the rest of you are no different. You followed Rocton’s lead and tried to corner me first.”
“…”
“I won’t forget today. In the future, be careful what you say with those tongues of yours.”
With that, she turned and slipped out of the crowd. Silence fell.
Having been defeated, Rocton stormed off, while the gossiping nobles awkwardly dispersed.
Only a few stunned young men remained, watching her receding figure blankly.
Jeron muttered:
“My heart’s pounding. I think I’ve fallen for her all over again—”
“It’s arrhythmia.”
“…What?”
“There are fools who mistake arrhythmia for love. You’re one of them, Jeron Idrea.”
“What gives you the right to say that?”
Richard answered flatly.
“Because you’re a misanthrope pretending to be a playboy.”
“If I hated people, why would I cling to you?”
Richard’s gaze turned toward Jeron.
“Because you’re obsessed with what intrigues you. So go away. Someone like you doesn’t deserve the First Princess.”
With that, he walked away in search of Lirien. Jeron stood still, staring after them.
He whispered to himself:
“…You think so?”
But I’m pretty sure this is love.
That sharp chill in her eyes when she mocked the count… kept flashing in his mind.
Ah. I’m in trouble.
Realizing his own taste, Jeron rubbed his mouth with a wide-eyed expression and clutched his chest.
“So this is my type, huh?”
“Your Highness.”
“…Marquis Eliette?”
I turned at the warm touch on my wrist—Richard was gently holding it.
As I looked at the spot he touched, he flinched and quickly let go.
He fumbled for words, eyes darting nervously.
“W-Would it be alright if I accompanied you? I just thought… maybe the banquet would be easier to enjoy with someone by your side. Not because I… have other feelings or anything.”
“Other feelings?”
He panicked.
“N-No, never mind that. More importantly, where were you going?”
“I… was looking for someone.”
“May I help you find them?”
…Honestly, if I had help, I might actually find him.
So he really didn’t come, huh… Count Epsilard…
I looked down sadly, fiddling with my fingers.
“Um, Marquis.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“This is selfish of me, but… could you help me? I promise I’ll repay this favor.”
“Anything I want?”
“If it’s within my means, yes.”
He made a small groan of contemplation, then bent slightly to meet my eyes.
“No time limit on the favor?”
“Uh—yes? If that’s what you want…”
“Then I accept. Please don’t forget your promise to me.”
His breath brushed my ear as he whispered. I nodded without thinking.
That spot he touched felt strangely warm. I reached up to my earlobe as he smiled gently and held out his hand.
“So, who are we looking for? And what’s the favor?”
“Could I… borrow your ear for a moment?”
“For Your Highness, of course.”
He leaned in, and I whispered my request. He widened his eyes.
“…You’re serious…?”
“Is it not possible?”
“No, not for me. I meant… for you, Your Highness. It’s not hard to do, but I’m not sure His Majesty will approve.”
“It’s fine. I’ll take care of that. Just make sure to send the letter when I give it to you.”
“…Forgive me, but… is this dangerous?”
I just smiled.
“That’s a secret.”
“You’re still as mischievous as ever.”
“Says the mischievous one himself.”
In truth, he was the mischievous one.
For now, we could speak like this comfortably—but with time, he too would change.
Into a man cold, strong, and beautiful.
