Chapter 68
True Lovers
“During the entire tournament… you mean?”
“I’ve already considered it a lot because it’s you! If Felix had done that, it wouldn’t have ended with just a reprimand!”
“…Yes. …Understood.”
Diego reluctantly bowed his head and answered.
With this, he would be barred from attending the opening and closing ceremonies of the most prominent Beast-Slaying Tournament, and any other event in the Kedem Empire that drew the most attention.
“And once the tournament concludes, we’ll put in a marriage proposal to the Morientes Marquisate. Keep that in mind.”
“Eh? Your Majesty… the Morientes Marquisate…?”
“Yes, the daughter of the marquis whom you recently embarrassed—Alicia. Apparently, the marquis is quite displeased with you over that incident. Yesterday, his blatant defiance toward Duke Sylvester was infuriating! Ahem!”
Zenos couldn’t help but feel irritated as he recalled the two who had dared defy him in front of the nobles, letting out a low, irritated groan.
“The Marquis of Morientes, like Duke Sylvester, has strong connections among the nobility. Making enemies of both could be fatal to maintaining imperial authority.”
“But Your Majesty… that daughter is—”
“Didn’t you say before? Imperial proposals must prioritize what benefits the empire! Marry into a family that strengthens the throne, and if you later find a woman you desire, bring her into the court however you like!”
Diego shut his mouth, utterly crushed, unable to answer.
Though Zenos pressed his son, seeing him hang his head and remain silent did not feel good to him either.
“Tsk tsk… If you just waited a little, that brat of a tomboyish girl could have been easily brought under your feet. But you can’t wait!”
“…Yes?”
Diego, doubting if he had heard correctly, finally raised his head and looked at Zenos.
“Ah, Your Majesty… what do you… mean by that?”
“Diego, I had intended to tell you later, but since things have come to this, I’ll inform you now. But under no circumstances should this matter leave your lips.”
Zenos glanced at the door, his eyes sharp, lowering his voice.
“In this Beast-Slaying Tournament… we will eliminate the Marquis of Termos.”
“Eh?”
Diego’s pupils widened in shock, and Zenos smirked slyly.
“Marquis, don’t worry about yesterday. I’ll handle it myself. For Himena, and for our family, I won’t let it slide.”
On the day Kailian was leaving for Akticos, breakfast began earlier than usual. Contrary to expectations that Duke Sylvester would scold them relentlessly, he instead comforted the two.
“I demanded appropriate punishment from His Majesty alongside other nobles who witnessed the prince’s rude behavior. The emperor himself promised it before the nobles.”
“Yes, Duke. More than anything, I trust you will do your utmost to restore my daughter’s tarnished honor. I feel heavy-hearted having to return early due to tournament preparations.”
“Oh, Father! You stood up quite strongly this time? What happened? You always sided with His Majesty before?”
Himena’s eyes sparkled with surprise at her father’s changed attitude.
“This is a father’s heart! Who would stay silent seeing their daughter humiliated in front of others? To insult you is to insult me! I will never overlook this prince’s reckless behavior!”
“And if His Majesty does not punish him?”
“That won’t happen. Do you know how much tax I pay to the imperial family? And I haven’t even submitted the tournament sponsorship yet. If the empire were to oppose our family, it would turn nobles on my side into enemies as well. Doing so would destabilize the throne and even endanger Crown Prince Felix, whose support is already weak. So, no matter how much His Majesty favors Diego, he cannot let this pass.”
“Oh, long live Father!”
Himena raised her knife and fork in both hands, cheering, then looked at her father thoughtfully.
“Um… Father. While the Marquis is holding the tournament, may I… go on a short trip away from Karafedon?”
“A trip? Suddenly? Where to?”
“Well… after yesterday, I feel a bit down. Also… if any party invitations come, I’d have to meet people and explain myself, which I don’t want to do…”
Himena suddenly made a noticeably gloomy expression.
“I just want to get some fresh air, maybe travel to the Notos region for a little rest.”
“To Notos? Alone?”
“With Royce. I want to ride freely without revealing I am a noble, and just explore around.”
“That’s impossible! You’re engaged, and you want to wander unfamiliar places alone? What if something dangerous happens? If you need rest, just go to Anatole briefly.”
“Well… I thought that—”
“Hoho. Duke, just allow it. Being a little farther from Katarates during the tournament is safer. Besides, this is your last chance to travel alone before marriage. Once married… I won’t allow it again. And with her martial skills… there’s little to worry about.”
Kailian smiled, siding with Himena.
“Of course! The Duke is right! Dangerous things? Who would dare touch me? If such people exist, I’ll just—”
“Child! The danger I mentioned isn’t for you—it’s for others! I worry you might get into trouble or fight someone if you practice your martial arts like a wild girl…”
“Eh? Father, even so, shouldn’t you worry about me, not others…?”
“Hohoho.”
Watching the father and daughter bicker from breakfast, Kailian smiled warmly.
After breakfast, Kailian prepared to leave for Akticos with Weill and stood before the carriage.
“Well then, Duke. See you at the opening ceremony of next week’s tournament.”
“Yes. Travel safely, and I’ll write as soon as I hear news regarding my son’s situation.”
“Thank you. And Himena.”
“Yes, Kail.”
“Have a good trip. We’ll… meet again soon.”
“Yes, we will. Farewell.”
Kailian kissed the back of Himena’s hand long and tenderly, then boarded the carriage.
Once the carriage carrying him disappeared, Himena approached Royce and whispered.
“Royce, are you ready?”
“Yes, Miss. When shall we depart?”
“We should leave immediately to arrive ahead. If we take a shortcut on horseback, we can beat the Marquis’ carriage there.”
“Yes. We’ll be waiting, so come out when ready.”
“Got it.”
Himena hurried upstairs, changed into pants, grabbed her packed belongings, and thumped down the stairs.
“Himena, where are you going dressed like that?”
She raised her hand in greeting as she passed her father’s office.
“Father! I’ll be back safely!”
“What? Back where?”
“On a trip! You allowed it!”
“Huh? A trip… right now?”
“Yes! I can’t wait to leave; I’m too excited. Hahaha.”
“Even so… this quickly….”
“Miss…”
Mari, carrying a tray of tea, was startled, her eyes widening.
“Mari, I’ll be back! Take good care of our household! Bye!”
“Miss!”
“Himena!”
Heeheehee-hing…
“Royce, let’s go! Giddy-up!”
“Yes, Miss. Giddy-up!”
Heeheehee-hing…
Clatter-clatter-clatter…
“Ah, I, I…”
Watching the horses disappear in an instant, Duke and Mari blinked in surprise, and Himena and Royce galloped north immediately after leaving the mansion.
“The Marquis of Termos’ carriage! Open the gates!”
Returning to Akticos Castle after their engagement, Kailian was warmly welcomed by the Red Moon Knights, his employees, and the castle residents.
“Marquis! Welcome back!”
“Congratulations on your engagement!”
“Congratulations, Marquis!”
“Hehe, thank you, everyone.”
An adjutant of the knights approached, inspecting the carriage.
“But Commander, didn’t you bring your fiancée?”
“Oh, the Beast-Slaying Tournament is about to begin. I couldn’t leave my fiancée alone in the castle, so I postponed her visit.”
“Ah, I see… Everyone came to see the fiancée, though…”
“She didn’t come with me!”
“Really? Oh…”
Those who had expected the fiancée to return with him all looked disappointed.
“Heh, sorry to disappoint.”
“Shall we go inside, Commander? Hmm? Wait…”
As Weill was about to enter the lord’s palace with Kailian, she spotted someone in the crowd and stopped suddenly.
“Hermes!”
“Hmm? Who?”
Startled by her voice, Kailian turned quickly, scanning the crowd.
“Hehe, welcome back, Marquis!”
“I’m here too, Marquis! Lorex! Hehehe.”
“When… did you…”
Disguised, Himena and Royce had already arrived, standing among the people, smiling and waving at the two.
‘I thought they’d arrive a day or two later… Hah, truly unpredictable…’
Unlike Kailian, who couldn’t take his eyes off her in surprise and delight, Weill looked determinedly at her, reaffirming his secret mission.
‘Finally, Hermes has arrived! The Commander’s… true lover!’
‘Diego, I planned this with your brother Felix, but he doesn’t know the true purpose. I intend to make you Crown Prince. That is, I plan to give you the throne.’
Diego sat in the sitting room, recalling the secret plan Zenos had told him yesterday morning.
‘But to do that, there must be a reason everyone, including your mother, will accept. This Beast-Slaying Tournament will be that crucial reason. So, pretend to stay quiet and disciplined, and when the time comes, act exactly as I instruct. Understood?’
When he first heard his father’s plan, he was too shocked to know how to react. But once the hangover faded and he carefully considered the plan’s success, a thrilling shiver ran through his body.
‘I… will become Crown Prince. I… will become Emperor!’
