The subjugation of Gates 4 and 5 was much easier than expected. This was due to having memories from the previous life and being able to use magic.
Although the gates opened earlier, the ecosystem inside remained the same.
The master of Gate 4 was still a golem, and the master of Gate 5 was still a wyvern.
The warriors who fought against rulers of completely different domains – earth and sky – were exhausted, but there were no major injuries. This was because Karan stepped in before they were in danger.
“You’ve truly become a monster.”
“Wow… We were mere insects compared to you.”
The warriors who witnessed Karan’s magic prowess exclaimed in awe throughout their time with him. Even Haltbin, who was usually stingy with praise for Karan, sincerely commended him.
When he returned, most of the nobles knelt before him. At the end of this path of glory stood Tyllo, who slowly walked over and embraced Karan.
Karan’s body flinched. Despite his many achievements before, had Tyllo ever welcomed him so fervently – it was just a hug, but to Karan it felt that way – before? He could say with certainty that this was the first time.
‘My status has clearly changed.’
He felt it wasn’t simply due to the merit of gate subjugation. Karan quickly found the cause.
“It’s finally time to name you as my successor.”
It seemed Elise had done something.
“Congratulations on being reborn as a magician.”
Tyllo looked like he had more to say, but he stepped back.
“Report briefly and go rest.”
This was what Karan had been waiting for. He finished his report in just five lines.
If the battle had been fierce, there would have been more to report, but this battle was easy.
Karan and the warriors had breached the gates, captured the gate masters, and all returned safely.
‘I could have shortened it to three sentences.’
Karan regretted briefly as he left the audience chamber.
He had delayed seeing Elise by adding a few more words to his report to Tyllo. To make up for that time, Karan walked almost at a run.
There were numerous nobles and servants trying to greet him, but Karan’s steps didn’t stop.
His steps only halted in front of the reception room where Elise was said to be.
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
Regina, Ruo, and Fiona were standing in front of the reception room door.
“Is there a guest inside?”
No answer came immediately.
Karan never asked twice. He gestured for Regina to move aside and opened the door.
“Elise, I’m back.”
A faint excitement tinged his voice.
During their time apart, he often imagined the moment of reunion.
Would Elise embrace him? Would she praise him for a job well done? Would she smile brightly at him?
On nights when he missed her, these imaginings were good companions, soothing his loneliness.
There was also fun in guessing which of the hundreds of scenarios would become reality.
However, Elise defied all of Karan’s hundreds of imagined scenes.
She stiffened awkwardly upon seeing Karan.
Her gaze rested on him only briefly.
“Your Highness… you’ve arrived.”
Elise greeted Karan in a manner more befitting a maid.
What on earth is wrong with her? Is she joking around?
As Karan tilted his head in confusion, he remembered there was another guest in the reception room and looked around.
“Brother! You’ve arrived? I heard the news. They say you magnificently conquered Gates 4 and 5. Congratulations!”
“Cowett?”
Elise’s guest was someone completely unexpected.
Hadn’t he heard Cowett was recuperating? When did he return?
And when did he become acquainted with Elise?
Multiple questions arose simultaneously, causing deep wrinkles to form between Karan’s brows.
“B-Brother, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come to your palace without your permission… I’m sorry.”
Cowett suddenly started apologizing. This is why Karan disliked children.
‘They’re so unpredictable.’
Karan stared silently at Cowett, unaware that he was frowning.
Cowett blinked and turned to look at Elise.
“Y-You, quickly greet my brother- Oh! You already greeted him. Um, so you should quickly explain to my brother why I came here.”
Karan’s eyes narrowed.
Did Cowett just refer to Elise as “you”? To a woman who was to become the Crown Princess? A mere 6-year-old to a woman over 20?
It was an unacceptable attitude, regardless of any reason.
“How rude.”
As Karan reprimanded in a low voice, Cowett’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Pardon?”
“Who are you speaking down to? Apologize immediately.”
“Who did I speak down to… Oh, do you mean this maid?”
“…Maid?”
Karan’s eyebrows shot up like mountains.
Karan had no major grievances against Cowett. He had considered Cowett separate from Bennet’s foolish actions.
But seeing him treat Elise carelessly made Karan dislike Cowett as well.
He couldn’t hit the child, but he wished Cowett would just disappear from his sight quickly.
“How dare you enter here so carelessly. This is not a place for you to set foot in, so leave immediately.”
“I, I just…”
“Didn’t you hear me tell you to leave?”
Karan’s voice finally rose. Cowett began to sniffle.
In the end, Elise stepped in. She pulled Cowett behind her, hiding him, and said,
“Your Highness, let me explain.”
“Elise, I’ll apologize on Cowett’s behalf for his rudeness. I’ll make sure he’s properly educated later.”
“No, Your Highness. The prince is not at fault. It’s all my fault.”
Cowett peeked his head out from behind Elise’s dress.
“Brother, this maid is not at fault. It’s because I made a mistake…”
Cowett mustered his courage. If even he, the younger brother, was scared of Karan, the maid must be even more frightened.
So he tried to stand up for her, but Karan exploded in anger.
“Who are you calling a maid? Surely you’re not referring to the woman in front of you. If you’ve misunderstood and treated my wife carelessly, I don’t think I can forgive you.”
“Hic, w-wife? Your wife, brother?”
“Not yet. She’s my fiancée for now. But the fact that you’ve been rude to someone precious to me remains unchanged. I don’t want to get angrier, so leave immediately.”
Karan grabbed Elise’s wrist and pulled. Elise’s dress slipped from Cowett’s grasp.
Cowett stared in bewilderment at Karan embracing Elise and her back.
His round eyes were filled with confusion.
“Your Highness, please give me a chance to speak!”
Elise pushed Karan’s shoulder and squatted down to meet Cowett’s eye level.
“Prince, I’ll explain everything.”
“Hic, y-you, I mean, you were brother’s fiancée, hic, fiancée?”
She had planned to explain everything slowly to Cowett today, but Karan had ruined it all.
Elise stroked Cowett’s trembling back and said,
“Yes. I deceived you, Prince. I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
Tears welled up in Cowett’s large eyes.
He had liked his brother’s maid.
Though they had only met three times, each time she had treated him kindly. She told him interesting stories and gave him tasty treats.
And she didn’t scold him for liking his brother. Since she also liked his brother, they had much in common.
He had planned to ask his brother to transfer this maid to his palace once they became close…
“I wanted to become friends with you, Prince. I also wanted to meet you without interference from Her Majesty Bennet.”
Though young, Cowett was quick to assess situations. Growing up under Bennet’s mistreatment had made him perceptive.
“And our first meeting wasn’t exactly a pleasant situation, was it?”
Cowett recalled when they first met and nodded slightly.
He could understand why she had hidden her identity from him.
“…I’m sorry…”
Cowett bowed his small head.
Why was Cowett apologizing when Elise was the one who had hidden and deceived? Elise’s heart twinged.
“You don’t need to apologize, Prince. Apologies are for adults. Your Highness.”
Elise stood up, holding Cowett’s hand, and looked at Karan. Having overheard the conversation and grasped the situation, Karan let out a disgruntled sigh.
“I’m sorry for misunderstanding and shouting.”
With that apology, Cowett’s sense of betrayal towards Elise melted away completely.
Cowett timidly grasped Elise’s dress hem again.
“Now that you’ve calmed down, may I hear the reason for your sudden visit, Prince?”
“Ah, right!”
Tension returned to Cowett’s face, which had momentarily relaxed.
“I came to warn you to be careful.”
“What? Who?”
“Brother’s fiancée…”
“Me?”
Cowett nodded a beat late.
“What do you mean by that? I’d like a more detailed explanation.”
Karan looked down at Cowett. Cowett’s shoulders rose sharply.
