IFLDMHF | Chapter 146

Episode 146

Goodness, isn’t he showing a bit too much of a shocked reaction?

Despite having pretended all this time that he never discriminated against or oppressed the North, the Emperor’s face was full of dejection and fury.

I looked at him as he swatted away the hand of a servant who tried to support him and collapsed into his chair as if all strength had left him, then I spoke.

“Well, Tower Master. There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that golden egg is as valuable as a mana stone mine. Is that true?”

At those words, the Grand Duchess, who had come to present the treasure of her duchy and couldn’t comprehend why things had turned out like this, flinched with a start.

Light returned to the Emperor’s previously vacant eyes.

“The golden egg? Ah, that…”

The Tower Master twisted his lips as he looked at the shining golden egg.

“It’s a rare item, indeed. A lump of gold imbued with rare mana that hasn’t been seen in this land for a long time.”

Imbued with mana?

Judging by how the Emperor froze in shock, it didn’t seem like a baseless claim.

Maybe bringing up the mana stone mine wasn’t such a random move after all.

Could it really be worth as much as the Emperor claimed?

“Still, it’s a stretch to compare it to a mana stone mine. Especially the mana stones found in the Duchy of Rudion…”

I tensed up, worried that something favorable to the Emperor might be said, but the Tower Master trailed off and then scoffed, as if the comparison wasn’t even worth making.

Relieved, I looked at the Emperor with a bright expression.

Since the Tower Master had said that much, I was just about to tease the Emperor for desiring the golden egg—

“But is he still collecting that stuff? I’m pretty sure I told him a long time ago it was a waste of effort—not something worth starting a war over.”

“Tower Master!”

The Tower Master suddenly dropped a bomb, and at the same time, a furious outcry burst from the Emperor’s lips.

The nobles also began murmuring in panic.

“What does that mean?”

“Did His Majesty really start a war to collect golden eggs…?”

Even those who had secretly suspected the Emperor’s motives, and those who had denied it, were all stunned by the Tower Master’s words, which confirmed it outright.

From the triumphal ceremony earlier to the victory banquet now, it seemed the Emperor, who had been thoroughly humiliated, couldn’t accept the reality of it all.

He glared at the Tower Master, trembled for a while, then abruptly turned and left the grand hall.

People surged toward the Tower Master, asking if the Emperor really had been collecting golden eggs, and what on earth he planned to do with them.

But the Tower Master, instead of answering, gave a cryptic smile, told me he’d visit tomorrow to finalize the contract, and quickly disappeared.

It was only natural for the crowd, left without answers, to grow increasingly agitated.

I too was flustered by the unexpected revelation.

But I didn’t feel any sympathy.

Because I had now seen the Emperor’s true colors—how he had long viewed the Duke of Rudion as a thorn in his side and wished for his downfall.

I coldly looked in the direction the Emperor had disappeared, then turned away.

That was when—

“Evgenia.”

The voice I least wanted to hear at that moment stopped me.

12. When I Call My Favorite ‘Honey’

“Evgenia of Rudion greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“…Hah.”

I truly didn’t want to turn around, but status is power—I forced myself to face him and offered a polite greeting to the Crown Prince. Yet what I got in return was a cold, mocking laugh.

I thought about laughing back at him…

‘But I can’t even muster a fake smile in front of this guy.’

It was fortunate enough that I wasn’t glaring at him with hatred.

Still, his father had just been humiliated.

And it had just been revealed that the reason he had been sent to war was that tiny golden egg.

Whether he knew about it or not, shouldn’t he be going after the Emperor right now?

Why is he grabbing hold of me here?

As I grumbled inwardly in frustration—

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Though his crimson eyes flickered ominously, the Crown Prince spoke in a calm voice.

And I unknowingly made a strange expression.

I’d noticed it a bit from the stories I heard from the young ladies, but the Crown Prince seemed to care quite a lot about his public image.

That was a good thing. If I was right, at least he wouldn’t cause a scene in front of others.

So, I deliberately raised my voice a little and asked with an air of innocence.

“Do you have something to speak to me about in private? If it’s to congratulate me on my marriage, that won’t be necessary.”

“…Are you kidding me right now?”

Gritting his teeth, Kaiden scanned the surroundings and quietly retorted.

He was speaking with his eyes.

Did I really think he’d be congratulating me?

Telling me to follow quietly.

“I’m not joking.”

Now certain that the Crown Prince was conscious of others watching, I responded even more brazenly.

“There’s nothing I wish to speak about with Your Highness. Even if you do, I don’t want to.”

“…!”

His pupils shook with shock, as if it had never crossed his mind that I might flat-out refuse to speak with him.

The nobles, still murmuring about the aftermath of the Emperor’s departure, began turning their eyes toward us with curiosity.

“You…”

The Crown Prince’s jaw tightened at the curious gazes.

He seemed extremely displeased at having become the center of attention.

I hoped that this would be enough to make him back down.

But instead—

“Even if you don’t want to talk, you will.”

As if he couldn’t bear to let this conversation go, the Crown Prince grabbed my wrist in full view of everyone.

Then he forcibly dragged me toward a terrace where we could be alone.

I hadn’t anticipated this reaction at all, and I had no strength to resist a Swordmaster like the Crown Prince.

I was dragged like a paper doll up to the terrace when—

“Let go of her hand.”

Someone gripped the Crown Prince’s wrist roughly and stopped him.

I closed my eyes tightly.

Even with them shut, I knew exactly who it was.

“How dare you lay hands on a member of the royal family? Do you have a death wish?”

The Crown Prince spat in fury.

“No matter if you’re the Crown Prince, you can’t forcibly drag someone who is clearly unwilling. All the more so if that person is my wife.”

This time, Euclid’s voice returned, sharper and more hostile than usual.

He must have seen the Crown Prince’s eyes go wild upon hearing the word wife, but Euclid didn’t hesitate for a second as he continued.

“If Your Highness releases my wife’s wrist, I’ll also release yours. And if you wish to hold me accountable for laying a hand on royalty, I’ll gladly accept the punishment.”

What? Is he insane?

I had honestly felt relieved that the Emperor had left without saying a single word to Euclid.

And now he goes and steps forward like this?

‘Well, yes, I am his wife being dragged off by the Crown Prince, so it would’ve looked ridiculous if he just stood there and watched…’

Still, I couldn’t accept a situation where Euclid ended up punished.

I hurriedly said to Kaiden,

“Your Highness, people are watching. If you let go of my hand now, I won’t raise any issue.”

It was, of course, a statement that simultaneously protected Euclid while warning the Crown Prince that too many eyes were on him.

And though Euclid had indeed laid hands on royalty, the root of the issue lay with the Crown Prince—if it came to pointing fingers, he couldn’t escape blame either.

Yet, as if he hadn’t understood my point at all, the Crown Prince stubbornly refused to give in.

“You won’t raise any issue? You come with me quietly, and then I won’t make this a problem either.”

“No. If you have something to say, say it here.”

“In front of everyone? While they’re all watching us?”

The Crown Prince scoffed in disbelief.

But I firmly nodded.

“I’m a married woman now. I no longer wish to be the subject of gossip tied to Your Highness. No matter how innocent I am, if I go off alone with you to the terrace and speak privately, I will certainly become the target of rumors. That would drag down not just me, but my husband, the House of Rudion, and the House of Basilian as well.”

For nobles, honor is as important as life itself.

My words would come across as highly convincing—and truthful—to them.

Realizing that the situation was no longer in his favor, the Crown Prince scowled.

“Tch.”

At the same time, the strength with which he gripped my wrist caused me to reflexively let out a groan.

Euclid, seeing this, shouted sharply.

“Let her go, Your Highness! She’s clearly in pain!”

The Crown Prince glared at Euclid with burning eyes, but eventually, he slowly let go of my wrist.

Euclid also released the Crown Prince’s wrist immediately and checked mine.

Seeing Euclid’s grave expression, I unconsciously opened my mouth.

“I’m fine…”

“No, you’re not, my wife. It’s swollen red.”

Euclid firmly denied it.