Back then, she’d only acted casually because she hadn’t known he was the Emperor. And she’d only spoken comfortably because she hadn’t realized the man drinking with her was the lunatic who had tried to kill her.
“I didn’t realize Your Majesty’s identity at the time. If you wish, I’ll apologize for my rudeness then as well. But since it was Your Majesty who chose not to reveal yourself, I trust you’ll overlook that part with generosity.”
Liana forced a smile, biting down the harsh words threatening to escape.
Just then—
“W-what is going on…?”
The King, who still hadn’t grasped the situation, cautiously interjected.
But Liana had no intention of explaining, and the Emperor didn’t look like he had any plans to help the King understand either.
‘What in the world is happening here!’
The King could only swallow dryly, stuck between them, unable to even clutch his chest in frustration.
If Liana had done something wrong to the Emperor, he would have made her grovel and pay for it in every way imaginable.
But looking at the Emperor now… he seemed to be enjoying her company?
It was the King’s voice again—still not grasping the situation—that broke the silence.
“Th-then, has Your Majesty come to Rown because of the First Princess…?”
At that, the Emperor’s gaze, which had been on Liana, shifted to the King.
Though his expression was the same languid smile, to the King, the Emperor’s face felt cold and unnerving.
“…You’re not entirely wrong.”
“…”
The short reply gave the King no guidance, leaving him scrambling for a response.
Rumors of the Emperor of Erkal being insane were well known across the continent.
Stories about how his sword had turned red from drinking too much imperial blood, or how he laughed while decapitating people, were enough to send a chill down the King’s spine.
“I came because I heard the Imperial Divine Beast was here.”
“Divine beast…?”
The Divine Beast of the Erkal Empire—an enormous black panther said to have appeared out of nowhere one day, always guarding the Emperor’s side. A sacred and powerful being.
Said to have accompanied the first Emperor, it reappeared in the current Emperor’s reign after centuries.
“My divine beast vanished near the Forest of Death recently. I looked into it and heard it was in the Rown royal palace.”
“T-that can’t be true! There’s no such unknown beast… no, animal, within the palace…”
“…No way.”
Liana muttered under her breath before she could stop herself, and the King turned to her with a shocked look.
“That’s why I asked to see the First Princess. I heard you were keeping my divine beast.”
In her mind, Liana saw the image of Kkamang—barking adorably—and how he always averted his gaze and played dumb whenever his owner came up in conversation.
…She thought she’d rescued a poor stray pup, only to discover it had an extremely distinguished owner.
No… it wasn’t a poor puppy at all. It was a legendary black panther.
Liana let out a sigh.
There’s definitely a curse on me…
Liana trudged along in silence, thinking that to herself. Behind her walked the Emperor, accompanied by only one bodyguard.
The King, left alone in the drawing room, was probably pulling his hair out by now.
And who wouldn’t, when the Emperor had just strolled right into the palace and requested that his presence remain secret for the time being.
‘What happened to his conscience…’
Liana briefly pondered the Emperor’s personality, but found herself feeling oddly satisfied that the King was the one who got burned for once.
Still, the feeling didn’t last long. Remembering what happened in the drawing room, her expression darkened again.
“For the time being.”
A phrase that usually meant “for a while.”
So when the Emperor said he didn’t want his presence in Rown known “for the time being”…
‘…He’s planning to stay here in Rown for a while.’
She remembered another bit of nonsense he’d said:
“I heard my pet divine beast was injured.”
“…He’s fully recovered now, though.”
“Still, caution is best. Rather than rushing back, wouldn’t it be better to observe his condition a bit more before returning to the Empire?”
No, not even a little true. Kkamang had been sprinting around at full speed for days now—completely healthy.
Clearly, the Emperor had no intention of making sense. He wasn’t trying to explain himself. He was simply declaring, “This is what I’ve decided.”
No one in Rown could object to the Emperor’s words.
That included Liana, who could only stand by and watch as the Emperor nonchalantly claimed the palace villa next to her residence as his temporary lodging.
“Princess, your palace seems quite far.”
If only he’d just follow quietly. Liana pretended not to hear. But of course, the Emperor was relentless.
“Is it just your palace that’s this far off?”
His long strides easily brought him to her side. She couldn’t pretend not to hear him anymore.
“…Yes.”
Her reply was curt, irritated. But she kept her thoughts to herself.
‘No matter what, this lunatic is still the Emperor… the Emperor.’
Liana had heard the rumors like everyone else. And she was well aware that the handsome man walking beside her had a cruel streak no one could predict.
‘This is why first impressions matter…’
And yet, it was hard not to slip into casual speech again. After all, she had already cursed him out and crossed swords with him once.
She’d even drunk with him—albeit unknowingly.
In short, Liana found the mad Emperor both uncomfortable and strangely easy to be around. Unlike the King or the Chamberlain, she didn’t feel particularly afraid of him.
‘…Why is my palace so far, anyway.’
As the Emperor continued to chatter pointlessly, she found herself, for the first time, resenting its location.
‘…Has His Majesty finally lost it?’
Trailing behind them was the Emperor’s bodyguard—Kion Laviel, captain of the Belrum Knights—who silently thought just that.
Fortunately or unfortunately, they didn’t run into anyone on the way.
Likely thanks to the panicked King sending swift orders to the Chamberlain.
“Is this your palace?”
The Emperor asked, gazing at Liana’s residence with curiosity. The gentle-faced knight behind him also looked surprised.
Annoyed, Liana was about to usher the Emperor inside before going to find Kkamang.
“Kkamang, here!”
Yip! Yip!
“No, not that way—this way!”
A familiar voice and barking could be heard from somewhere nearby. The palace guards were playing with Kkamang.
‘I told them to only play in the rear yard if they must…’
Unfortunately, the noise was getting closer.
The guards had no idea what Kkamang really was—or that his terrifying master was right here.
“Kkamang, huh…”
Glancing sideways, Liana saw the Emperor smiling in amusement, repeating the name as if savoring it.
“Did Leon like the name Kkamang?”
He chuckled and asked Liana. For the first time, she felt slightly—just slightly—embarrassed about her naming sense.
“…He seemed to like it.”
She suddenly felt the urge to keep it secret that she’d originally called him “Dirty.” Naming the Empire’s divine beast something like that… Even if nothing would come of it, still.
“Hey, Kkamang! Not that way—!”
Then came the soft, emotional voice of Roy, the gentle magician. Small footsteps dashed in their direction.
And appearing before them—
A small beast, blindfolded with a strip of white cloth, running at full speed—no, the divine beast of the Empire.
Despite being unable to see, Kkamang dashed confidently toward Liana and stopped at her feet.
Yip!
His silky fur gleamed as he puffed up his chest and let out a proud bark.
If the Emperor hadn’t been beside her, Liana would have scooped him up and showered him in affection.
Yip…?
Kkamang tilted his head, confused that Liana hadn’t picked him up even though she was clearly right in front of him.
…All the while, oblivious to the fact that his true master was standing beside her, watching him with a look that was equal parts amusement and exasperation.
‘…No wonder he didn’t notice.’
Liana clicked her tongue silently. The Emperor’s presence, once so clear, had completely vanished.
‘This is… maybe even beyond Dana’s level…?’
Liana didn’t know, but divine beasts instinctively sensed their contractor’s presence. If Kkamang couldn’t sense it, then Ianharut had gone out of his way to erase it entirely.
“You’re unbelievable.”
The Emperor, face full of disbelief, finally spoke—and even from afar, Kkamang visibly flinched.
“You’ve spoiled him so much he’s become a total brat.”
At his words, Kkamang quickly pawed at the blindfold and tore it off.
Then, he turned to Liana first. But as his gaze shifted—
coool