CHAPTER 172
#172. Caught Between the Bosses, I’m Exhausted! (1)
Five important members of the royal demon family had come to Styx.
Lete Epikus, whom Haemon casually called a “stunning beauty.”
The knight, Minte Epikus, the elder twin sister of that lady.
Glauco Eunomian and Theia Nestor, the princess’s aides.
And finally, the most important of all: the princess herself.
Once the introductions were over, demons and humans alike mingled, excitedly chattering.
“Wow…! Princess Tartarus is seriously, seriously—!”
“Her charisma is off the charts! Are all your royals this beautiful?”
“Hey, now that you’re paying taxes to Tartarus, she’s your princess too, you know?”
“Oh! That’s true.”
Even amidst the tension, everyone felt strangely at ease.
Still, Haemon couldn’t shake the feeling that the princess was a bit intimidating.
“Of course everyone would call it beautiful after seeing the eternal snow.”
But no one from Akidalia would ever go near the eternal snow.
Because it concealed a danger capable of killing countless people.
“…Hmm, I probably shouldn’t be thinking that about a demon princess.”
Haemon could tell that his nerves were firing in the wrong direction.
He shook his head and approached Ares.
…As expected, his already grim expression had grown even more severe.
“And his hair color changed too, making him look even stranger.”
“Uh… Captain, would you like to check these documents?”
“What’s this?”
“It’s the schedule for while Her Highness is here!”
While Princess Elysion stayed at Styx, she planned to review the recent situation in Akidalia and attend the minor events held in the castle.
But Ares’ eyes glinted with icy sharpness.
“I already know the schedule. What else is there to check?”
“Well… I was thinking about things like where she should sit or how meals should be arranged.”
“And?”
“I thought maybe we should prepare separate seating for the two of you—so you’re comfortable.”
“No need.”
Ares said harshly.
“Keep your seating as far apart as possible. Unless it’s an official event, make sure your paths don’t cross.”
“Eh?”
“Just seat everyone for meals. Absolutely, absolutely no time alone with me and the princess.”
“Uh… y-yes.”
Haemon felt utterly flattened by that terrifying intensity.
Backing away slowly, he couldn’t help but think:
“Does the captain dislike the princess…?”
To the point where he doesn’t even want to see her when it’s not an official matter?
“Hm. But that can’t be the whole story…”
Haemon tilted his head and stepped back.
Those who had been watching the conversation from a distance crowded closer.
“What’s going on? Does our captain not get along with the princess?”
“Why is the atmosphere so tense?”
“But I heard he spent time with Her Highness before the coming-of-age ceremony?”
“There were rumors they were really close.”
Everyone looked at him with curious eyes.
Haemon, however, returned a serene smile.
“I don’t want to know what’s going on in the boss’s head.”
Even coming up with ways to seat the princess and captain without them meeting was already a headache…
Thud.
As soon as Ares sneaked into his office, he banged his head against the wall.
“This is insane.”
How many years had it been since their last reunion?
The last time he saw Sion in person… yeah, three years ago.
They had fought fiercely at the cabin and left Sion hurt behind.
“Haah…”
Recalling that moment, Ares ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
Their relationship had collapsed miserably right after becoming lovers.
“No, I ruined it and ran away.”
His desire to stand proudly beside the princess was too strong, and when he failed, he couldn’t bear the frustration.
Even now, his love remained intense.
It always had been, but seeing her again after so long was overwhelming.
He wondered how stupid he must have looked when Sion stepped out of the carriage.
Yet…
“…and I haven’t had proper contact all this time.”
At first, he thought Sion hadn’t responded because she was hurt.
Then he thought she had locked her heart after being too disappointed.
That made sense—he left, and Kalion was expelled in the same way…
“Life or death, no one even knew what happened.”
After being exiled beyond the border, Kalion had completely disappeared.
No one among the Illyod merchants who were close to him knew his whereabouts.
A year later, Sion resumed official duties.
She personally oversaw the Royal Academy, participated in state affairs, and gave speeches through video screens.
By then, Ares had moved even further north.
Toward places more ruined than before.
“I thought she’d answer if I tried then…”
His expectations were wrong.
The video connections didn’t work, and letters contained only minimal greetings and reports.
No hint of her feelings.
Not even a single line recalling their past affection.
Three years had passed since then.
“…Damn it.”
Ares ran his hand through his hair again, cursing.
He had actually been eagerly awaiting this day.
While organizing the castle, he had left some decorations neglected, now getting Haemon to prepare them.
And he kept imagining:
When Sion first steps down from the carriage, she’d glare at him sharply.
Probably mocking his last actions openly.
“But that’s better.”
Teasing and nagging were signs of affection.
If she had no interest at all, she wouldn’t waste energy on such trivial things.
But the moment he escorted her into the castle, Sion looked at him silently.
Her eyes were clear, yet void of any emotion.
“Ismenios. See you in the meeting then.”
Her voice carried no emotion.
No sarcasm, no resentment, not even the tiniest spark of gladness.
…Ares had always prided himself on being perceptive when it came to the princess.
But this time, he felt nothing positive.
“There’s only one conclusion.”
Sion no longer liked him.
And pretending to be fine, pretending not to be hurt beside her…
It would be harder than what he endured when his hair first turned white.
Styx Castle was already one of the coldest in the north.
By May on the calendar, spring scents would at least appear.
But right now, it wasn’t spring at all—the coldest temperatures in history were being broken daily.
Having the demon princess personally inspect the situation and receive reports firsthand was nerve-wracking…
Yet, unlike their initial fear, the princess was calm and kind.
Everyone who reported to her with strict discipline left feeling gently relieved.
“Oh, she’s kind despite her expressionless face…”
“She seems like she’s been through everything.”
“Hehe, I got a compliment.”
So, the princess’s visit wasn’t the cause of the cold snap.
The real cause?
The moment the damn captain stood beside the princess, the room became a freezer.
Moreover, meal times with the two of them were unbearably silent.
Requests for “some digestive medicine, please” flooded the castle!
And Haemon was the one who had to handle these requests.
But he had an even bigger worry.
“Ah, what about the heating costs instead of the digestive medicine!”
He thought the budget would last until next month.
But with the royal demons here, it would probably run out in just one week.
Then, Haemon would have to work overtime adjusting the budget…
“I won’t do it.”
He absolutely refused to work more overtime.
But since Captain Ares had refused to avoid the situation, there was only one option left.
Eventually, Haemon anxiously stood in front of the best guest room in Styx Castle.
Soon, a soft voice called from beyond the door.
“…Come in.”
Haemon swallowed and entered to meet the demon princess.
