Episode 41.

“Hildebrandt.”

The emperor disliked it when Yvonne called him that while hugging his head.

“Who told you to call me that? Use the pet name.”

“Hilde.”

Yvonne couldn’t calm her heart that was pounding with fear and hugged him even tighter. Hildebrandt barely managed to calm himself as he felt the strong heartbeat against her chest.

“Yvonne.”

“…Yes.”

“Keep calling me until I tell you to stop.”

“Yes.”

Sensing a strong survival instinct, Yvonne stroked his hair and patted Hildebrandt’s back as he leaned into her as if collapsing.

“Hilde.”

“…”

“Hilde.”

He was bewildered that his powers had no effect on him, yet he stayed there, as if addicted to the sense of security Yvonne gave him. It felt as if his mind was becoming foggy, finding peace like his magic was settling down, helping him control his anger.

Eventually, he calmed down, returning to his usual cold expression, and spoke.

“Yvonne.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you abandon me?”

“What?”

“How could you do that?”

“Oh…”

Yvonne couldn’t understand what he was talking about. But she felt the murderous intent and hugged him, speaking out of fear.

“I love you more than anyone in the world, Hilde.”

“Lies.”

Yvonne was startled because Hildebrandt suddenly pulled away from her.

Because he was crying.

“I said I love you.”

“Oh…”

Yvonne thought something was wrong as he glared at her with tears streaming down his face.

“You said you sent Francis because you were worried I’d get wet in the rain?”

“Dad…?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Ugh…”

Hildebrandt pushed Yvonne down, looking at her menacingly. His tears fell and rolled down her cheeks.

“Do you know why I hate the rain?”

“…”

“Because you abandoned me.”

“Hilde…”

Unable to control himself, he grabbed her neck with one hand.

“What did you do to me?”

“Ugh…”

“Why doesn’t my power work on you, why?”

Yvonne’s mind went blank, as he had never acted so irrationally before. She felt somewhat relieved, seeing his different-colored eyes shining like glass beads, indicating he wasn’t serious about killing her.

“I love you.”

“…”

For a moment, he loosened his grip.

“I love you more than anything in the world.”

“Lies.”

“It’s true.”

Yvonne tried hard not to show her fear, but it wasn’t easy. Hildebrandt sneered at her words and used his power.

“Forget.”

“…”

“Everything.”

“Yes.”

Hildebrandt stood up, looking coldly at Francis.

“Should I make you forget?”

“If that is Your Majesty’s wish.”

“Fine, then.”

He snapped his fingers, making Francis forget what had just happened.

The emperor wiped away the tears that had fallen from his face and, returning to his usual self, walked out.

* * *

Preparations for the tour were perfectly completed.

Yvonne thought something was strange as she watched the emperor delay the tour day by day, even though it seemed like he could leave at any moment.

Marquis Rohan said he was ready to leave. Yvonne had also been preparing for an escape while living in the palace, ensuring she wouldn’t have to worry about sedatives or money once she left.

The only problem was Julian, who had taken a magic suppressant. Even with the antidote, the effects of the suppressant would return gradually over time, which meant Julian could become a burden while they were on the run.

Yvonne felt uneasy, thinking it was fortunate that Hildebrandt was keeping his distance from her.

“Where is my Dad?”

“He said he does not wish to see Your Highness today.”

“Today too?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne, with a lace veil covering her eyes, looked at the guard standing in front of the audience chamber. She had come to probe Hildebrandt, who kept avoiding her, suspecting something was off.

“Can you ask him again?”

“Yes.”

The guard looked troubled but glanced at Yvonne’s face before going back inside.

It took him less than five minutes to return.

“What did he say?”

“Well… that…”

The guard averted his eyes, finding it hard to look at her. Seeing his hesitation, Yvonne looked down and spoke.

“It’s okay, just tell me.”

“He said if you keep bothering him, he will kill you.”

“I see.”

She thought it was a relief that Hildebrandt had become cold towards her. Soon, he would leave for the tour, and she would leave this tiresome palace.

But her heart raced with anxiety, thinking that he might have noticed something since she came to see him every day.

“Take this.”

“What is this?”

“Give it to my Dad.”

“…Yes.”

Yvonne handed him a paper flower.

“Tell him I made it because I thought it would suit him well.”

“Yes.”

The guard took the paper hydrangea and went back inside. Yvonne resigned herself and returned to her quarters.

Meanwhile, the guard, holding the paper flower, felt like he might faint under Hildebrandt’s cold glare.

“What is it now?”

“Y-Your Highness, the princess wished for you to have this…”

Hildebrandt, annoyed, switched his crossed legs and gestured for the guard to come closer. The guard, holding his breath, trembling, approached the throne.

“Yvonne?”

“Y-yes, yes, yes…”

The guard’s voice cracked with fear as he trembled uncontrollably.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes!”

“You’re annoying, so just die.”

“Pardon?”

Hildebrandt used his power to make the guard draw his sword. With a blank expression, the guard held the blade to his own neck.

“Ah.”

“…”

“The blood will splatter.”

Hildebrandt released his power and commanded the guard.

“Get out.”

“Yes!”

The guard didn’t need to ask what power had been used on him. The expressions of the ministers standing at the bottom of the stairs were not good.

“Leave the flower.”

“Oh, yes!”

The guard presented the paper flower to Hildebrandt and quickly exited.

Hildebrandt, who had been looking at the guard disdainfully, turned his gaze to the paper hydrangea. It was intricately and beautifully made, quite impressive. The paper flower seemed to carry a sweet scent reminiscent of Yvonne.

Unknowingly, his chest tightened at the scent.

“Hah.”

He sneered at himself and crumpled the paper, throwing it to the floor.

“My daughter is utterly useless. Making things like this.”

“…”

“Why doesn’t she awaken her powers? Isn’t that right, Advisor Rohan?”

“…Yes.”

The ministers had been fearful of Hildebrandt’s increasingly irritable mood lately. Just today, an administrative minister had taken his own life under his power.

“Damn it.”

Hildebrandt, having used his powers excessively, felt a strong urge to drink. He would never admit that it was because he had been apart from Yvonne.

“Let’s end the meeting.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Yes!”

“Everyone, get out.”

“Yes!”

The ministers exchanged nervous glances and then hurried out of the audience chamber like a fleeing herd. Hildebrandt briefly considered killing them all but refrained.

“Advisor Rohan.”

“Yes.”

“Bring Yvonne back here.”

“Yes.”

Despite having attendants, Hildebrandt specifically ordered Marquis Rohan. Marquis understood the meaning behind this. It was the emperor’s way of reminding him of his place.

Marquis was also anxious. They had planned to escape with Yvonne during the tour, but the emperor kept delaying it as if he suspected something. And he wasn’t even conducting proper meetings. Though a tyrant, Hildebrandt had been efficient in his work. Recently, however, he seemed distracted, only venting his anger and neglecting his duties.

“Actually.”

Hildebrandt’s words stopped Marquis Rohan as he was about to leave.

“You should go back too.”

“Yes.”

“Chamberlain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor, looking angry, rose from his throne and addressed the chamberlain.

“I will go to Yvonne’s quarters myself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hildebrandt then headed directly to Yvonne’s room.

She had returned to her room after giving the paper flower, hugging the wolf Hildebrandt had given her.

Yvonne, feeling that the wolf seemed to dislike her, cherished it even more. Even now, she was hugging the wolf while looking out at the terrace, feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Although it was a clear day, suddenly there was a flash of lightning, followed by thunder.

Boom, crash!

“Oh…”

Then it started to pour.

“On days like this, I miss my Dad.”

She spoke consciously to the esper behind the wolf, suspecting he might be one of the emperor’s spies.

“I wish you were my Dad. Then we could be together every day.”

Yvonne’s words made the wolf give up any thoughts of escaping her embrace.

She stared blankly at the falling rain for a few minutes before snapping out of it when someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness.”

It was Francis’s voice.

“His Majesty is here.”

But Hildebrandt’s actions were faster than Francis’s words.

“Dad?”

Yvonne was startled by the sight of Hildebrandt, drenched in rain and looking furious, as he rushed towards her. She instinctively hugged the wolf tighter.