With a pain in his chest, mana started to move.
Ian swallowed the blood rising in his throat and spoke as if nothing had happened.
“Didn’t the Grand Duke already mention this? Only the Emperor has the authority to choose a friend for the Crown Prince. It seems unreasonable to try and form a friendship just based on the Crown Prince’s wishes.”
Ian’s eyes darted around quickly.
“If your business here is finished, then please leave. It’s almost time for the young lady’s study session.”
Yekhaterina, who had been gripping her dress tightly, rose from the sofa.
“Understood. I’ll be leaving now.”
After Yekhaterina gracefully bowed in accordance with etiquette and exited the parlor, Ian canceled his spell.
“No matter how much I tell you not to, you still end up doing it.”
Edelmar clicked his tongue and called for the butler to prepare tea.
Ian took the tea Edelmar offered and used it to rinse the metallic taste of blood from his mouth.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, it’s not a big issue.”
Rose, looking back and forth between Ian and Edelmar, asked,
“Uncle, are you hurt?”
“No, Uncle’s not hurt. Rose, do you want to be friends with the young lady from a moment ago?”
Seeing that Rose was meeting someone her age for the first time, Ian wondered if she might want to be friends.
However, Rose shook her head.
“Fenrex is my friend.”
“I see.”
Ian stroked Rose’s hair.
“But, Uncle…”
“Yes?”
“Is Rose going to study too?”
“Oh…”
He had only used study as an excuse to make Yekhaterina leave, but Rose seemed to have taken it seriously.
Ian laughed and said,
“Do you want to study?”
“Hmm…”
Rose hesitated, pursing her lips without giving a clear answer.
“If you don’t want to study, how about doing Uncle a little favor?”
“A favor?”
Ian took a monster tooth out of his inventory and handed it to Rose.
“Take this to Aunt May. Just tell her Uncle asked you to bring it. She’ll understand.”
He had arranged beforehand with May that if Rose visited on an errand, it meant he needed her to keep Rose occupied.
“Can I go with Fenrex?”
Ian, feigning regret, replied,
“I actually have a different task for Fenrex, so you’ll have to go alone.”
“Hmm. All right!”
Edelmar set Rose down on the floor.
“When you get back, we’ll have a snack.”
“Okay!”
Holding the monster tooth in her hand, Rose left the study, and Ian let out a deep sigh, sinking into the sofa.
“Did your magic uncover anything?”
At Edelmar’s question, Ian shook his head.
“Nothing was detected. Fenrex, did you find anything?”
Fenrex, who had been looking toward the door Rose exited through, transformed back into his human form and answered,
“No scent at all. Just an ordinary human.”
Ian, pondering for a moment, asked,
“Can you smell anything unusual from the priest?”
“Of course. Anyone with divine power has a refreshing scent!”
In their world, Yekhaterina was known to possess divine powers as a saintess.
Yet now, there was no scent at all.
‘Did she gain divine powers after the possession? Is that even possible?’
Ian had acquired his mana powers and became a sword master due to a celestial mark engraved on his soul.
In light of this, it wouldn’t be an entirely strange phenomenon. But the issue was that Yekhaterina’s possessing soul originated from Earth.
And there were no gods on Earth.
Divine powers were bestowed only where gods existed.
Naturally, Earth had no gods, so there was no divine power.
The fact that Yekhaterina could use divine power after being possessed by a modern soul had always been attributed to the fact that her original body contained divine power.
It had seemed like mere coincidence that the powers manifested after her possession.
But if that’s not the case…
‘Is Yekhaterina truly a saintess?’
Ian felt increasingly lost, as if he were sinking deeper into a maze.
“Duke?”
Noticing Ian’s serious expression following Fenrex’s response, Edelmar called out to him.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Ian spoke to Edelmar.
“Please inform the Emperor about today’s events. This might turn out to be a good opportunity for us.”
Those in power never tolerate those who try to threaten their authority—even if it’s their own kin.
“Understood.”
Edelmar nodded in agreement.
“Can I go now?”
“Yes.”
Upon receiving permission, Fenrex dashed out as if a fire were lit beneath him.
“Why did you ask about the priest?”
“I was trying to see if there’s any connection to the temple.”
“Are you unaware that warlocks and priests are mortal enemies?”
Ian forced a look of realization.
“I didn’t know.”
“You’re quite good at lying.”
“Of course not.”
Ian shrugged nonchalantly.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Yes, please go.”
As Ian waved his hand cheerfully, Edelmar looked at him with a hint of disapproval.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“Seems like you want me to.”
“How could I? The only one who can protect Rose is you, Grand Duke. I would never wish for you to leave.”
Amused by Ian’s playful response, Edelmar chuckled and left the study.
Ian sank back into the sofa, feeling exhausted.
“What exactly is the identity of the possessed Yekhaterina?”
***
Eugene, who was leaning against the bed reading a letter, set it aside.
“Prince!”
The door suddenly burst open, and concubine Shuria rushed in, tears in her eyes, and hurried to Eugene’s side.
“Are you all right? You only just woke up, so why are you sitting up? Have you taken your medicine?”
Eugene smiled at the flood of questions.
“I’m fine. I took my medicine, and I’m not in pain anymore.”
“How could something like this happen!”
Wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, Shuria lowered her head and whispered softly.
“He’ll be here soon.”
When Eugene nodded slightly, Shuria sobbed again as she spoke.
“I can’t believe something like this could happen in the palace. His Majesty has vowed to find the culprit, so don’t worry.”
“Yes, Father will find the one responsible.”
Satisfied with Eugene’s composed response, Shuria’s gaze fell on the letter.
“Why is a sick child reading a letter?”
“It’s a letter from Duke Loenbaum.”
Shuria hesitated as she moved to put the letter aside.
“…The Duke?”
“Yes. I wanted to meet the young lady since she’s in the capital, but it seems difficult.”
Shuria’s tears stopped instantly.
“Difficult? Why? Do they think you’ll pass on an illness?!”
Eugene looked sad at her sharp tone.
“Eugene!”
Shuria embraced Eugene, sobbing loudly.
“How could such a thing happen? I’m sorry. My love for His Majesty has brought you such pain!”
Shuria’s cries muffled the sound of the door opening.
However, Eugene, who was facing the door, saw the Emperor entering the room.
Pretending not to notice, Eugene held Shuria tightly and spoke in a weak voice.
“It’s all right. Considering the person who will be the Crown Prince’s friend, it’s only natural they wouldn’t want to associate with me.”
Tears began to fall from Eugene’s eyes.
“Why would you say something so painful, breaking your mother’s heart like this?”
As the Emperor watched the grieving mother and child, he turned and walked away.
As he walked down the hallway without a word, the Emperor came to a stop.
“Chamberlain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you think the Duke’s refusal was really due to what Eugene said?”
Instead of responding, the chamberlain lowered his head in silence.
Watching this, the Emperor resumed walking, his mind replaying Edelmar’s recent words.
“Lady Wistel, who had become a friend of the Crown Prince, visited the Duke’s townhouse. She say she was there because the Loenbaum young lady was chosen to be their friend… but brother, Loenbaum has no interest in politics or any battles for the throne. Don’t let a founding father of the nation be belittled over a family rivalry.”
“…Summon the Crown Prince.”
Upon the Emperor’s command, the attendant following the chamberlain hurried off.
***
“Is he gone?”
Upon hearing Shuria’s question, Eugene let go of his mother.
“Yes, he’s left.”
“Oh, crying has gotten so exhausting in my old age.”
Shuria sighed as she dabbed her reddened eyes with a handkerchief.
“You look like you’re still in your twenties.”
“Oh, you.”
Shuria laughed softly.
Hearing compliments from her son about looking young always brought her joy.
“Do you think this plan will work?”
“It would be difficult alone, but with the Grand Duke’s help, it should succeed.”
“Oh, that’s right. The Grand Duke came by, didn’t he?”
“Yes.”
Eugene had been filled with anger upon hearing the plan to tie the Crown Prince to Loenbaum to solidify his position.
It was understandable since Crown Prince Siegfried was far inferior to Eugene himself in every way.
If he lacked capability, he could at least have a good mind. Yet, when it came to discussing policies, he’d say irrelevant things, and whenever strategies were needed, he’d blurt out nonsensical remarks.
He wasn’t skilled in swordsmanship or magic, either.
Siegfried was as ordinary as could be.
Yet he became the Crown Prince simply because he was the Empress’s son, something Eugene couldn’t accept.
“It’d be great if the Grand Duke would help us.”
“The Grand Duke dislikes being bothered.”
The man who had even rejected his claim to the throne due to its a tiresome things for him was unlikely to support Eugene.
“Aside from Roenbaum, there are no other families that pose a threat, right?”
“That’s right. If it weren’t for Loenbaum’s legitimacy, I wouldn’t go this far.”
Shuria sighed.
“That’s true. But how did you handle it?”
“This morning, I leaked the news to the Crown Prince’s palace.”
“Ah.”
The Crown Prince knew the value of Loenbaum.
If he heard that Eugene, who aimed to disrupt his position, was reaching out to Loenbaum…
There was only one thing to do.
To assert that he himself had chosen Loenbaum.
And as expected, the Crown Prince acted just as Eugene anticipated.
Without even realizing he was digging his own grave.
“The only reason my plan could succeed is that Loenbaum didn’t want the Crown Prince’s friendship.”
“That’s true.”
Nodding in agreement, Shuria stood up.
“I should go now. If you ever need more help, just call. My son.”
Shuria patted his pale cheeks and then dramatically staggered out of the room with a tragic expression.
Eugene, amused by his mother’s flawless act, lay back on the bed.
Since his mother had made an effort, Eugene had to maintain his own excellent performance as well.
