If it were only Fenrex, he could have taken him to the townhouse to play and persuaded Rose. However, with Lady Katrina also present, that wasn’t possible.
Inviting them to the townhouse to play was out of the question because they had to head off to find the next relic as soon as the meeting with the High Priest ended.
“Just let them play. I’ll make sure the attendants keep a close watch.”
‘How can someone who knows why I can’t let them play say such things?’
As Ian glared at Edelmar, Edelmar smiled.
“Let them play. There are many flowers Rose loves over there.”
“I’ll take good care of the young lady. Don’t worry.”
“Really? You’re saying we can’t play?”
Tears welled up in Rose’s eyes.
Ian sighed deeply and reluctantly set Rose down.
“Alright, but only for a little while.”
“Yes!”
“Hooray! Let’s go, Rose!”
“Let’s go, young lady!”
The three children clasped hands and ran towards the garden.
Ian couldn’t take his eyes off Rose’s back.
“What are you worried about?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
Edelmar chuckled softly.
“This is the palace. It’s not just knights but also mages who guard the banquet hall. The garden is no exception. Though not explicitly stated, knights and mages are stationed there. Nothing will happen.”
“…I hope so.”
Ian watched Rose as she mingled with the children in the garden.
Her bright, smiling face showed no shadow of concern.
She looked just like any other noble child.
‘Meeting Lachik wasn’t entirely bad.’
As Ian smiled while looking at Rose, a large hand suddenly blocked his view.
“What is it?”
Edelmar leaned in close to Ian and whispered softly.
“It’s about the ‘Royal.’”
“Okay, tell me.”
Hearing the word ‘Royal,’ Ian turned his gaze to Edelmar.
“Is there a way to produce more of the ‘Royal’?”
Ian tilted his head in confusion.
“You’re aware that the five remaining pieces, apart from the Emperor’s and the Grand Duke’s, will be auctioned off.”
“Yes, I know.”
When it came to products, particularly wristwatches, Edelmar was closely involved. Ian shared all information related to wristwatch production and sales with him.
Ian couldn’t understand why someone who knew exactly how many initial Royal wristwatches were produced and how they would be sold was asking such a question.
Edelmar stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“It seems my brother wants to give the current ‘Royal’ to the Crown Prince and the Prince as well.”
Ian shook his head upon hearing that.
“That would undermine the value of the ‘Royal.’ The ‘Royal’ is meant for the Emperor, not the imperial family. If everyone in the imperial family has one, it ceases to be the ‘Royal.’”
“What about the one I have?”
Ian smirked mischievously.
“That’s why the diamond was removed, wasn’t it?”
Edelmar laughed, following Ian’s lead.
“What if you hadn’t removed the diamond?”
“Well… I probably would have used something else to show favoritism. No matter how much he cares for his younger sibling, if there’s no distinction, His Majesty the Emperor would have been upset.”
Edelmar nodded in agreement.
“Understood. I’ll explain that to him. And there’s one more thing. My brother hopes that wristwatches under the ‘Royal’ name will be dedicated to the imperial family in the future.”
This time, Ian nodded.
“That’s a given. Wristwatches produced under the ‘Royal’ name will always be presented to His Majesty first.”
‘That’s the only way to preserve the Royal’s value.’
Ian swallowed the last words and smiled.
“You look like you’re plotting something.”
“Don’t speak nonsense.”
Ian firmly dismissed Edelmar’s playful comment and said,
“I plan to meet the High Priest tomorrow morning.”
“Are you leaving immediately after?”
“Yes. There’s nothing more to do in the capital.”
“I see.”
Ian turned his head to check on Rose.
She was crouching, looking at the flowers in the garden, seemingly enchanted by their beauty.
On either side of Rose were Fenrex and Lady Katrina.
Seeing the trio looking like a group of close friends, Ian smiled warmly.
“Do you happen to know any artifact craftsmen?”
“Why? Are you thinking of making artifacts too?”
Ian nodded.
“I own a mana stone mine.”
Edelmar let out a chuckle.
“Is there anything you don’t have?”
“I’m curious about that myself.”
Ian, who owned every mine that could be excavated in the empire, laughed.
***
“These are Lala flowers.”
“Lala?”
“Yes. They are called Lala flowers because they bloom when fairies sing, ‘Lala lala.’”
Though her voice was gentle as if she were a kind child explaining something unknown, Lady Katrina’s eyes were cold.
Fenrex pulled Rose’s hand.
“There’s another flower over there that I’ve never seen before.”
“Where?”
Rose ran off, following Fenrex.
Slowly following behind them, Lady Katrina found herself next to Yekhaterina, who had appeared without her noticing.
“Lady.”
Despite Yekhaterina’s call, Katrina, who was fixated on Rose, spoke.
“Get rid of that beastman prince.”
“Don’t worry. He’ll disappear soon.”
After finishing her words, Yekhaterina walked away towards where the other children were.
It was then, as Katrina approached Rose, who was crouching and admiring the flowers, that the door connecting the banquet hall to the garden opened.
A beastman diplomat, with red beast ears and a tail, hurriedly ran toward Fenrex.
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“If you don’t respond to the king’s communication stone immediately, he’s threatening to summon you back to the beast kingdom at once.”
Fenrex scowled fiercely.
“Damn father. Is that something to say to your son?!”
“You can argue with him later. Let’s go quickly.”
Seeing the diplomat stomping his feet, Fenrex let out a sigh.
“Rose, I’ll take you to the Duke.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s dangerous to be here alone.”
Rose tilted her head in confusion.
“Dangerous?”
“Yes. That’s why I’ll take you to your uncle.”
“Hm, but I want to look at the flowers some more.”
Hearing her reluctant response, Katrina arrived at the scene and burst into laughter.
“What danger could there be? I’ll stay with the young lady. Please go quickly.”
Rose nodded her head.
“I’ll stay with Katrina.”
“But….”
“Your Highness. You know your father has no patience and always follows through on his words.”
Fenrex looked at the diplomat in disbelief.
“Are you allowed to talk about my father like that?”
The diplomat pouted.
“I’m not lying. Let’s go already.”
Looking back and forth between the diplomat and Rose, Fenrex sighed again.
“Alright, I’ll go quickly. Don’t go far, stay right here, understand?”
Rose nodded seriously, her expression sincere.
“Got it.”
“Really. Don’t wander off. You must stay here.”
“I said I got it! I’ll stay right here.”
“Good.”
Fenrex tapped the diplomat lightly and walked off.
“Run.”
“What?”
Ignoring the confused diplomat, Fenrex began running.
The diplomat, realizing too late, started chasing after him.
As the two disappeared at once, Katrina sat next to Rose.
“Young lady.”
Using a sweet voice like a witch luring a child with candy, she spoke.
“There are beautiful flowers inside over there. Would you like to go see them?”
Rose shook her head firmly.
“No. I promised Fenrex I’d stay here.”
Katrina smiled brightly.
“But the flowers I want to show you can only be seen here in the palace.”
Rose, seemingly infected by Katrina’s smile, laughed too.
“It’s okay! I can come back and see them another time!”
Katrina’s smile slightly faded.
“No, you can’t. They only bloom in the spring, so if you come later, you won’t be able to see them.”
Rose’s eyes rolled as if she were considering it.
Watching her contemplate made Katrina’s heart race with anticipation.
Finally, Rose came to a conclusion and beamed brightly.
“Then I’ll come back next spring!”
With that answer, Rose returned to admiring the nearby flowers.
Katrina clenched her fists.
‘This little brat!’
Glaring at Rose, who wasn’t falling for her plan, Katrina made up her mind.
If Rose wouldn’t come willingly, she would make her.
“No! I really want to show you today! Let’s go together!”
As Katrina reached out to forcibly drag Rose, a voice interrupted.
“Rose.”
“Uncle!”
Rose stood up abruptly and ran to Ian.
“Why are you alone?”
“Fenrex said something about his damn father and went out for a moment.”
“Damn father?”
Ian tilted his head while picking Rose up.
“Uh-huh! Like this.”
Imitating Fenrex earlier, Rose scowled and furrowed her brows.
“Damn father! Is that something to say to your son?!”
After her impression, Rose burst into laughter as if finding her act amusing.
Ian chuckled at her antics before addressing Katrina.
“Thank you for playing with Rose. Please play with her again next time.”
“Where are you going?! I haven’t finished playing with the young lady yet.”
Katrina urgently asked Ian, who was about to turn away.
“Sorry, it’s time for us to go home.”
Katrina looked at Rose.
She knew she couldn’t persuade the Duke, but she thought she might convince Rose.
“Young Lady Rose, are you leaving? Weren’t we going to see the flowers together?”
Rose shook her head.
“I’ve already seen lots of flowers. I want to go home with Uncle.”
Katrina clenched her fists.
“See you next time.”
Holding Rose, Ian returned to the banquet hall.
Katrina ground her teeth furiously.
“That girl! That girl!”
Her plan to secretly lure Rose to a secluded place and kill her had failed, and the rising anger left her unable to think clearly.
Suddenly, her vision started turning red.
At that moment, a soft, whispering voice sounded near her ears.
“Run. Run and kill her.”
“…Run?”
“Yes. You must protect your pink.”
“…I must protect my pink.”
As she mimicked the whisper, the focus in Katrina’s pupils gradually disappeared.
“…Run and kill her! Then you can protect your pink.”
“…I must protect my pink.”
In her empty eyes, flashes of black light flickered and vanished.
Muttering blankly, Katrina suddenly bolted towards the banquet hall, shouting.
“Rose!”
