“There are definitely rumors going around.”
A few days later, they once again gathered in the emperor’s office.
The purpose was a meeting for security on the Day of Peace, but the bomb thrown by Aaron made it a time to talk about the day’s work.
The emperor threw the topic with a serious face.
“Some newsletters are producing rumors. It’s not that big of a place, but I think it would be dangerous if it spreads beyond this point.”
“I brought the newsletters here.”
Evelyn laid down the newsletter producing rumors on the table.
Most of the titles didn’t just put Leverticia’s name on it, but they were spreading malicious false rumors along with content that could identify her. Kaius, who was reading the newsletter with his eyes, muttered.
“These ruined babies….”
“Kai. Some cursing in front of His Majesty.”
“But these bastards are squeaking nonsense about you.”
“It’s definitely unpleasant. Such tactics end up sabotaging the country’s security and only giving real enemies a chance. What is the difference between selling a country and selling it?”
The emperor murmured in a low voice, rarely in fury. It was natural to be angry.
Because they were trying to bring down Leverticia for their own benefit, without thinking of those who would actually be seriously harmed.
Aaron nodded with a serious face.
“They are very wicked and stupid. If left alone, it will bring woe to the country.”
Evelyn added in an annoyed voice.
“Besides, you are trying to ruin the peace system. What a budget festival that is! How much effort have I put into managing my finances…!”
There were a few different points of anger, but they all got excited anyway. There was only one party, Leverticia, who was silent.
“Still, I didn’t openly mention my name and spread the word that I was a warlock’s confidant.”
“That’s even worse. It makes people curious, guessing who it is and looking for it.”
“Before the peace festival is ruined like this, I must rule it harshly.”
“That’s not possible, Your Majesty.”
Leverticia shook her head.
“So far, this is a shallow rumor that is really just a rumor. There are many people who do not know, and there are many people who are not interested, but if you respond strongly with humiliation for nothing, you can arouse more suspicions from people.”
“I mean, it could make it more interesting. Hmm.”
“Then why don’t I use other big newspapers to cover it up?”
“Nope. You don’t have to.”
After the Emperor and Kaius’ continued words, Leverticia spoke clearly.
“Sir Leverticia. Do you have any other plans?”
Aaron asked Leverticia. But she was lost in thought and just tapped her finger on the armrest of the chair.
“I will tell you about my plans for this matter at a later date. First of all, shouldn’t we have a conversation about the security of the peace system now?”
“but. It cannot be said that it is only the nobles who are going to break things that day.”
“You’re bored.”
Everyone agreed with that.
Because the people in it were the ones who ran into disgusting direct contact with the warlocks.
“Once you two… I don’t know why, but it is known externally that he is living with a serious injury.”
Aaron asked, pointing to Leverticia and Kaius. Kaiers replied bluntly. “Strictly speaking, it’s undercover.”
“Yes. So, Duke Valtail can provide long-distance support, so please keep an eye on the chaos that appears on the Festival Street. Isn’t that possible
without revealing your identity?”
“It is, but… Why should I obey your orders, Count?”
“That’s because the two of you are living together, and I am currently in full charge of dealing with the chaos.”
Aaron said with a soft smile like yes. But there were bones in those words.
In a nutshell, it meant, ‘I worked two or three times while you were locked up at home pretending to be sick, so listen to me.’
“… greatness.”
For the first time, Kaiers stepped down, as if there was no way to refute those words.
Aaron turned his head away from Kaius, this time looking at Leverticia.
“Sir Leverticia, I would like you to guard the Imperial Palace with me.”
“What? Why am I the outside street watcher, and he’s the inside guard of the Imperial Palace?”
“Sir Leverticia is strong, but since he is a knight who uses a sword at close range, his efficiency is not good if he entrusts him with a wide range. And the final destination for the warlocks is not the streets of ordinary people, but the Imperial Palace where His Majesty is located.”
“So, let’s leave me alone and stay together in the Imperial Palace together?”
“What would you do? You need proof of identity to stand guard inside the Imperial Palace. If you’re with me, there’s no need to hide, and you won’t be questioned by anyone.”
Despite Aaron’s logical answer, Kaius chewed his teeth and did not back down.
“I never said no. I’d rather watch the Imperial Palace with me….”
“no.”
After thinking for a while, Leverticia cut off Kaius and opened her mouth.
“As he said, you’re the only one with ranged support. I want them to be on the lookout for the large and crowded outdoor plazas and streets.”
“….”
“Is that so?”
“… okay.”
After a while, a gentle answer came out of Kaius’s mouth. As he nodded like a gentle sheep, everyone around him opened his mouth as if in surprise.
“Then Sir Leverticia is with me….”
“no. It’s also a refusal. I will escort His Majesty that day.”
The emperor’s eyes widened as if slightly startled by the sudden notice from her, who even refused the Count’s offer.
“My escort? My escort was already supposed to be the commander of the Red Moon Knights.”
“Egan? Do you believe that child?”
“… Well, he’s a bit of a disappointment to entrust his life to.”
The emperor replied sullenly.
“And when I escort you, your majesty will take care of my security of identity.”
“It’s not that difficult. Evelyn?”
“Whew. I will prepare it.”
Evelyn sighed and wrote something down on the paper.
After a certain amount of security was established, the Emperor grinned and said to Leverticia.
“I’m kind of happy. The thing is that Sir Leverticia overtakes those two great men and stays with me.”
“your majesty. She is my wife.”
“okay. right. So it’s really unfortunate.”
“What do you feel sorry for?”
At the emperor’s joke, Kaius wrinkled his face again and growled. Sitting in front of him, he looked like he was about to overthrow the emperor or anything.
The Emperor whispered to Leverticia until he could hear them all.
“Are you comfortable with that temperament?”
“Well… What. It’s not easy.”
“If you want to get married, tell me. I will help you.”
“your majesty!”
Kaiers exclaimed with genuine annoyance.
Even so, the news of a divorce he had heard from Leverticia not long ago had Kyus on a tantrum. I was worried that she might really fall for the Emperor’s words.
“Are you two on a bad relationship?”
Aaron also asked with wide eyes as if he was interested in their story.
Rather than Aaron’s nonsense, Kaius paid more attention to the answer that came out of Leverticia’s mouth.
Whether or not she knew what was burning inside her, she slowly rolled her eyes and opened her mouth as she thought.
“it’s okay. It’s not as difficult as you might think. Because you can hear me again.”
“Are you sure you’re bothering me?”
“More than that… Now, if I don’t keep you around, I’m worried.”
Silence flowed through the room at Leverticia’s light reply.
Each of them was busy interpreting Leverticia’s words in their minds.
The emperor was the first to speak.
“Do you care? Or, the peacock still feels like a child from ten years ago, so it’s not reassuring if you can’t see it, what does that mean?”
“yes? No, not that.”
“Then why do you care, Sir Leverticia?”
As the baptism of questions spread around, Leverticia looked around with a slightly bewildered look.
But everyone else was looking at her with a very serious expression.
He looked at Kaius with eyes begging for help, but he too was still waiting for her answer.
Driven by the energy, she hesitated and continued to answer.
“No, just. Isn’t everyone usually like that? If you can’t see it, I wonder what else is going on… If I get hurt, I care… I’m afraid I’ll jump into something dangerous… I’m worried….”
The tail of her speech grew longer and longer as she answered.
He himself realized that his answer felt something strange. It felt kind of dry.
When she stopped answering, Kaiers hurried.
“and? And what else?”
“and… uh….”
“… Shall we end with useless chatter?”
It was Aaron who cut off Leverticia’s troubled answer.
He had completely lost interest now, unlike before, when he asked out of curiosity. It was the same with the emperor.
The emperor murmured in a small voice like a passing ant.
“You only gave the duke a good job for nothing.”
