IFLDMHF | Chapter 142

Episode 142

After sending Evgenia off in vain before the victory ceremony, Kaiden had no idea how he even managed to make it to the Grand Hall.

And finally, he came face to face with Evgenia.

At that familiar, still-cold gaze, longing and resentment surged through him all at once.

But the moment someone called Evgenia, “My wife,” his heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

The owner of the voice was, as expected, the blond man who had been glaring at him.

Kaiden had fought in countless wars and faced countless enemies, but he had never felt such hostility before.

It felt as though he had recognized his nemesis at first sight.

And the same went for Euclid.

The moment he first saw the Crown Prince during the victory ceremony, something hot surged up in his throat.

A rage that felt as though the man would steal away everything—including Evgenia—stabbed through his chest painfully.

It was a feeling completely unrelated to the time he had been curious, merely thinking of the Crown Prince as the man Evgenia had once liked, or when he recalled his resentment toward the imperial family. It was an emotion he could not comprehend with logic.

Maybe it was inferiority.

The Crown Prince, with his firm physique, was a Swordmaster capable of controlling the battlefield with his own power alone, and in truth, he had made his presence known fiercely.

He was someone who had lived a life completely different from Euclid’s—a life not lived under the shadow of a predetermined death.

Seeing such a man stare unwaveringly at Evgenia, a fire erupted inside him.

But more than anything, what he could not bear was the fact that the lips that must have mocked and insulted Evgenia were now uttering her name—something he himself had never dared to do.

By the time he realized he couldn’t bear to watch any longer, he had already left Duke Basilian behind, approached Evgenia, and taken her hand.

It was only after this impulsive act that he felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

Maybe Evgenia had been hoping for a reunion with the Crown Prince.

That thought—of having interrupted that hope—made the golden eyes of Euclid dim, like wet sand losing its shine.

But it seemed he had unknowingly gripped her hand tightly.

Evgenia flinched slightly and looked up at him. Then, as if to thank him for coming to her side, for holding her hand, she gave him a bright smile.

Standing side by side, looking into each other’s eyes—Kaiden stood rooted to the spot, staring at them in shock.

His blood-red eyes flared sharply.

Though he had been tormented, wondering if Evgenia had ever even brushed fingers with Duke Rudion, he had ultimately convinced himself it was all delusion.

But now, seeing them like this, even the final shred of faith Kaiden had clung to shattered and mocked him.

“How could you…”

His body trembled with betrayal.

He had wanted, more than anything, to break between them and sever the wrist of the man holding Evgenia’s hand.

But now, seeing a gentle smile on her lips—one he had never seen before—he wanted instead to gouge out his own eyes.

It wasn’t as if Kaiden had tormented Evgenia from the start.

Though he’d never managed to shed his innate arrogance, when he was younger, he had done everything he could just to gain a glance, a shred of attention.

He had gifted her precious items he owned, invited her to the most beautiful villa owned by the imperial family, and even snuck her into a secret place where only royalty could enter, away from the Emperor’s eyes.

But no matter what he did, Evgenia had never smiled at him.

Yet that smile… came so easily for Duke Rudion.

Even if he had lost a war, he wouldn’t have felt such a crushing sense of defeat.

He was so furious, his chest heaved, and his veins pulsed visibly.

Just as Kaiden was about to take a step forward to approach the two of them—

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

Once again, with the blare of trumpets, the Emperor made his grand entrance like the protagonist of a play.

The musicians, frozen stiff by the tension, hurriedly began playing the majestic tune they had practiced.

“Hoo…”

Kaiden forcibly suppressed his murderous rage that felt ready to explode.

From the moment he had learned to walk, he had been taught by the Emperor to always maintain the demeanor of a Crown Prince in public and to never be swayed by emotion.

Unlike the battlefield, where he had reliable subordinates, here there were far too many eyes watching him.

So he couldn’t lose control like he had when he heard of Evgenia’s marriage.

Barely containing the fury that had reached its limit, Kaiden turned his body.

‘Wow, I really thought something terrible was about to happen.’

The Crown Prince’s aura when he saw Euclid and me together had been truly frightening.

It didn’t even compare to the pressure he’d exerted on me when he visited the duke’s estate before his departure.

But unlike that day, when I refused to back down out of pride and stubbornness, now I was worried something might happen to Euclid, just by being near me.

It’s ironic, how wanting to protect someone precious can make you stronger than usual—and yet sometimes, it can also make you weaker.

‘Of course, if he really tried to do something, there’s no way I’d let it slide.’

Just as I was steeling myself, vowing not to back down even if the opponent was the Crown Prince, the Emperor appeared.

The Crown Prince, who looked as though he might charge at me any second, fortunately led his knights forward and knelt before the Emperor.

Only then was I able to see Alexis behind the Crown Prince.

It was just his kneeling profile, but he looked like he had lost some weight.

Well, how well could he have eaten or rested on the battlefield anyway?

It was a relief that his limbs were intact and he didn’t seem to have any major injuries.

While I was checking Alexis’s condition, the emperor’s congratulatory speech continued.

Specifically, it was a process of awarding the knights who had distinguished themselves in the war and commending their achievements.

Fortunately, because the Crown Prince, a Swordmaster, had made such a name for himself and gained great merit, there didn’t seem to be any particular knights who stood out.

I hoped with all my heart that such a thing would never happen, but in the event that there was a violent clash during independence, these people would inevitably become the emperor’s sword, so I was honestly relieved.

Of course, seeing Alexis get promoted in the midst of it all made me feel both proud and… slightly conflicted, so my feelings were a bit mixed…

In any case, once the commendation ceremony ended without issue, all the knights stood and dispersed.

It was just as the banquet was about to begin in earnest.

“Oh, come to think of it, there was one more delightful piece of news I nearly forgot!”

The emperor exclaimed in an exaggerated voice.

“The Principality of Dimondra, in its wisdom, has pledged loyalty to the Empire and decided to offer its national treasures. This is as joyous a matter as the news of our victory. So then, where is the Grand Duchess?”

No sooner had the emperor finished speaking than Grand Duchess Remilda stepped forward and knelt.

“Remilda of Dimondra greets His Majesty the Emperor, the sun of the Elios Empire.”

Her polite yet elegant demeanor brought a satisfied smile to the emperor’s lips.

Surely, he must understand the true intent behind Dimondra sending the grand duchess.

Could he really be willing to accept someone from a foreign land as the empress of the Empire?

The tension in the hall was palpable, as the nobles tried to read the emperor’s intentions behind his very pleased smile.

But the Crown Prince, on the other hand…

‘He’s seriously going to drive me crazy.’

He was glaring only at me with blazing eyes.

The noble ladies, who had already guessed it would be like this, wore concerned expressions, and a few nobles who had belatedly turned to observe the Crown Prince, realizing where his gaze was fixed, looked puzzled.

Pretending not to notice, I quietly moved my steps, still holding Euclid’s hand.

It was to meet Alexis, who had just received his award and stepped back.

Just then, I saw Alexis heading toward where Duke Basilian and Sionel were, and thought it was a perfect opportunity.

‘Hm?’

Just as Alexis was about to say something to Duke Basilian, he looked up.

Our eyes seemed to meet briefly, and I raised my hand to wave—

But suddenly, Alexis flinched and hurriedly rushed out of the Grand Hall.

Momentarily frozen in surprise, I finally approached Duke Basilian and asked,

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Well, I’m not quite sure either…”

Even Duke Basilian seemed bewildered by the unexpected behavior of his youngest son who had just returned from war.

I had come all the way just to introduce Euclid.

‘There’s no way he ran away because he saw me… right?’

No way.

Even though he grumbled, I knew he secretly followed me around.

No matter how much merit he gained on the battlefield, to my eyes, he was still just a big-sized kid.

‘His mental age is probably about the same as Dior’s, isn’t it?’

As I thought that absentmindedly, I suddenly realized the reason Alexis had fled so suddenly.

“Alexis must’ve had a stomachache and went to the restroom!”