Part 2 Chapter 52
As soon as the door shut, the lion roared.
“My rabbit princessss~~!!!”
Ryan had just met the Emperor for the first time—and the meeting had gone surprisingly well.
He’d even been invited to dine with him.
His mood was sky-high.
“My light! My salvation! My future!”
“W-wait! Don’t come any closer!”
The moment we were alone in my room, his excitement overflowed and he came after me like a hunter chasing prey.
“Kyahhh!”
“Who cares about a runaway wife? Even if Clara comes back, you’ll still be my number one, Bania!”
Helpless in his arms, I was suddenly tossed into the air.
“Stop—! I’m dizzy!”
“Hahahaha!”
Held aloft in the arms of a lion whose strength could crush me without effort, I was tossed up again and again, even spun around, before finally being allowed back on solid ground.
“Huff… huff…”
“What’s this? I’m the one who used all the strength, but you’re the one panting?”
“Hah—! You call that a question?!”
“Damn, you’re amazing. Seriously, how did you bring the Emperor back in just one day?”
“Huff… huff…”
“No, really—your first meeting with him was flawless. I was worried, but I think I made a great impression. Ohh yes!”
“……”
Watching Ryan beam so sincerely, I went blank for a moment.
The truth was, he didn’t have to work this hard to impress the Emperor.
I was the one who had to live in the palace.
“…You’re that happy? Why?”
I asked, already knowing the answer but feeling guilty all the same.
“It’s one thing if I get along with him, but why does it matter if you do?”
“What are you saying? Of course it matters. If he likes me, he’ll treat you better too. You won’t get bullied in the palace!”
Ah. So it was because of me.
Because he worried for me.
Because of me, he swallowed his nerves, stepped on his own fear, and tried so hard to be liked.
“…Idiot.”
I choked up and hugged him tightly.
“What, you want me to toss you again?”
“No.”
I immediately let go. I didn’t want to vomit mid-spin.
“…Anyway, Dad, I should warn you before dinner, in case it comes up.”
“About what?”
“The Emperor knows I’m an ability user.”
“What?!”
“Shhh! Quiet!”
“How? Why? You didn’t just blurt it out, did you?”
“Um… well…”
I wasn’t about to admit the real reason—that I’d bled myself nearly dry saving him, and that was what softened his heart. I’d already had enough lectures from Nike about that.
“Apparently, while I was resting, His Highness spoke with him and it came out somehow.”
I threw Nike under the bus. It wasn’t technically a lie—he had talked to the Emperor about me.
“I don’t know why it came up, but it doesn’t matter. We were going to tell him sooner or later anyway.”
“……”
Ryan blinked.
“…Right.”
Then he nodded.
“Good. In that case, I’ll go get changed. Gotta look sharp~ My first meal with the Empire’s sun himself!”
“Ah, okay!”
Relieved, I watched him leave. He hadn’t pressed further.
Thank goodness…
***
Two Days Earlier
‘Holy crap, holy crap!’
Out in the hall, Ryan punched the air in silent triumph.
‘Third Prince, you’re the most loyal bro alive!’
Two days ago, he had pulled Nike aside before his trip to the Emperor’s retreat.
“Your Highness… could you maybe mention to His Majesty—before the regression—that I was the one who wiped out the Bassenberg scum?”
“…What?”
“Please. I beg you. The Emperor’s going to find out eventually, right?”
Ryan desperately wanted to ease the Emperor’s heart for Bania’s sake.
But he had nothing to show for it yet. He couldn’t even stand before the Emperor with that cursed, familiar face.
He would earn his worth soon, when he cut down the Duke once and for all—but for now, he had nothing.
Nike had hesitated, of course.
Tell the Emperor that Ryan was a hidden hero? That would mean also revealing his own betrayal—that he’d undone that victory through regression, all because of the Bassenberg girl he loved.
“…Forget it. It’s too much to ask. Pretend I never said anything.”
And that had been the end of it.
But now—
‘Damn. He really did it for me.’
Ryan was touched to the core.
‘Why else would Bania suddenly confess she was an ability user? The Third Prince gave me everything. For my sake!’
His eyes stung with emotion.
***
The Crown Prince’s Concern
Of all people, the Crown Prince was the happiest at the Emperor’s return.
There was something he needed His Majesty’s personal approval for.
“Nike!”
He rushed straight to his brother’s room.
“How on earth did you bring him back in one day? You did well!”
“It wasn’t me. Bania worked hard.”
“Ohh.”
That made more sense. His indifferent little brother would never have pulled it off alone.
“Well, I know you’re tired from the trip, but we need to talk. Since His Majesty is back, the timing is perfect.”
“Yes.”
The Crown Prince hesitated.
“…Tell me honestly. What do you think about informing His Majesty of the events before regression?”
Nike froze.
He meant the massacre—the one where Ryan wiped out the Bassenbergs.
“I know it’s uncomfortable, but hear me out. Why did you tell me the truth back then?”
To reassure him. To convince him that Ryan could be trusted with power.
“Exactly. To put my mind at ease. So I could trust Ryan to see this through.”
Now, he needed the Emperor’s trust too.
“…You mean the Emperor’s execution authority.”
Nike’s eyes widened.
The one power that could not be delegated. The power of instant execution.
“Yes. That’s why.”
“…Understood. But… why now? Why change the plan?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes sharpened.
“Because this isn’t just about the throne. This is about protecting your woman.”
***
The Imperial Banquet
That evening, the Emperor, Nike, Ryan, and Bania shared their first meal together.
Servants dismissed, the Emperor listened kindly as Ryan told stories from his imprisonment, his struggles in Belzer, his hardships.
Stories the Emperor had little reason to care for—yet he asked anyway.
Ryan found himself choking up.
“You suffered a lot.”
When the Emperor spoke those simple words of sympathy, Ryan nearly cried.
He’s… he’s actually kind.
How many men could look at the face of their greatest enemy’s son—so much like the man who tormented them—and still show such warmth?
‘Sure, maybe he already knows about what I did before regression… but still.’
Ryan’s heart swelled.
He had never known his father’s affection. And here was the Emperor, showing him more kindness than he’d ever had in his life.
“Your Majesty.”
He wiped his nose and spoke earnestly.
“I heard His Highness mention us. That you already know… about me.”
The Emperor glanced at Bania, then nodded.
“Yes. I know. But don’t worry. Nothing will leak.”
“What? No, that’s not it.”
Ryan straightened, face full of resolve.
“This time, I’ll do it again! I’ll rip out the Bassenbergs’ throats and lay them at your feet. You can count on me!”
“……?”
Silence fell.
The Emperor blinked, clearly lost.
Ryan realized immediately that he’d messed up.
He looked at Nike—whose eyes darted wildly in panic.
Then to Bania—whose mouth hung open in shock.
‘Ah. I said too much.’
Ryan nodded solemnly, then raised his hands to mime a circle, winding it shut.
He looked at Nike.
“Close it.”
Then at Bania.
“You stop me next time, before I open my mouth.”
Crisis control, swift and efficient!
But there was one problem.
The Emperor already knew his son was a regression ability user.
And he’d understood Ryan’s gesture perfectly.
“Don’t.”
The command dropped like a stone.
Silence returned.
The Emperor looked at Ryan, his expression unsettled.
“…What exactly did you mean by that just now?”
