“The soup is a bit salty. Humans should eat lightly to live longer.”
Ian grimaced.
He recalled a junior colleague once joking about how mothers with sons often complained to their daughters-in-law by saying, ‘The soup is too salty.’
But he never imagined hearing such a statement from a dragon.
“Salty? Should I bring you water?”
Rose, unaware that Bernaba was a dragon and thinking he was just a friend brought over by her uncle, held out a glass of water.
“No need.”
Bernaba declined the glass, then patted Rose’s head with a warm smile, much like a grandfather would.
“Eat plenty. Children need to eat well to grow big and strong.”
“Your way of talking is funny, Bernaba.”
Rose giggled.
“Just as every human speaks differently, so do I. Now stop talking and eat. Pausing in the middle makes you feel full faster.”
Bernaba tore a piece of bread and handed it to Rose.
“Thank you.”
Rose accepted the bread and nibbled on it happily. As she ate, Bernaba shifted his gaze to Ian.
“You should eat too. You need to keep your body strong to endure.”
“Yes.”
Forcing a smile, Ian ate his soup while sneaking glances at Bernaba.
Since that day, Bernaba had actually stayed at the townhouse.
Despite being a thousand-year-old dragon, his actions were more akin to that of a kindly old grandfather.
He slept early, woke up at dawn, and simply watched over Rose with a smile, no matter what she did.
At first, Ian, thinking of Bernaba as a dragon, tried to keep Rose away from him. But seeing Bernaba care for her like a doting grandparent, he eventually stopped worrying about their interactions.
Over time, Ian began to entertain a selfish hope that, despite Bernaba’s claim of not interfering in human affairs, he might grow fond enough of Rose to protect her.
“When do you plan to visit the temple?”
Bernaba’s sudden question made Ian blink.
“The temple?”
“Yes. Didn’t you come to the capital because of the high priest? The capital is too chaotic, and bad things gather here. It’s better to leave quickly.”
Bernaba was right.
The nobles, who had been clamoring for Katrina’s execution, had now turned their attention to Rose.
Rose had been with Katrina before her transformation, and she was also the one Katrina had tried to attack and kill.
However, unlike with Katrina, the nobles refrained from calling for Rose’s execution.
Though the Marquess of Hayant was merely the Empress’s father, Duke Loenbaum was a founding hero of the nation.
He also governed the northern territory, overrun with monsters.
The nobles were well aware of how much Duke Loenbaum cherished his niece, Rose.
They feared that if the Duke were to feel slighted over any mention of Rose’s execution and chose to abandon the northern territory, the monsters’ direction of attack would be all too predictable.
Still, there was constant talk about Rose remaining in the capital.
Given the situation, Ian avoided going out as much as possible, fearing that stepping outside might lead to further trouble or unpleasant rumors about Rose.
“I’ll send a letter to the High Priest.”
“Alright.”
Bernaba lightly dabbed his mouth with a napkin before approaching Rose.
“Are you done eating?”
“Yes!”
“Good job.”
Bernaba used the napkin in front of Rose to gently wipe her mouth before lifting her into his arms.
Though Bernaba was a dragon and wouldn’t find Rose heavy, it still looked strange to see someone of a similar size carrying her.
“Let your uncle work, and let’s go play. Shall we play the game I taught you yesterday?”
“You mean the air game?”
“Yes.”
“Okay!”
Dragging his long silver-white hair behind him, Bernaba left the dining room.
Ian put down his spoon and let out a long sigh.
His mind was in turmoil.
This incident left him uncertain whether the dark mages were after Rose’s death or his own.
“What’s troubling you?”
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Yes. You were so lost in thought you didn’t even notice me coming in.”
Edelmar, who had entered the dining room, sat down next to Ian and asked.
Instead of answering, Ian asked another question.
“Shouldn’t you stay?”
Edelmar raised an eyebrow.
“Considering that the recent incident confirmed the presence of dark mages in the imperial palace, shouldn’t you be by your brother, the Emperor’s, side?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter.”
Seeing Ian’s puzzled expression, Edelmar scooped up some of the soup brought by a servant and explained.
“Ever since I assumed the title of Grand Duke, I’ve had nothing to do with the affairs of the imperial palace. Even if a rebellion were to threaten the palace, as a Grand Duke, I am not allowed to enter the imperial palace. That’s a rule established by law.”
Edelmar’s statement was correct.
The first Emperor never shared his authority with his siblings, even though they were family, in order to safeguard imperial power.
Royal family members who didn’t ascend to the throne were granted titles but were no longer allowed to enter the imperial palace.
This rule applied even when something happened within the palace.
The Emperor’s authority resided solely with the Emperor, and after his passing, only the Emperor’s children could inherit the throne.
“You’ve been freely coming and going from the palace all this time, haven’t you?”
It was strange to hear that someone who had treated the imperial palace as if it were his own home was suddenly avoiding the Emperor.
“Is this because of Rose?”
Edelmar looked at Ian with an expression of disbelief.
“Are you even thinking about the current situation?”
“Ah.”
With that one word, Ian understood why Edelmar was avoiding the palace.
Currently, the Emperor’s authority was shaky.
An incident had occurred in the imperial palace, and the person responsible was the brother of the Emperor’s consort.
While some nobles were genuinely frightened and raising their voices in fear, most were likely seizing the opportunity to undermine the consort’s family and diminish the Emperor’s authority.
If Edelmar, who had handled the situation in the banquet hall while the Emperor was absent, continued to frequent the palace, it might give the impression that power was being divided.
“It seems best to leave as soon as possible. What do you think?”
“I agree. I was already planning to send a letter to the temple today, thinking that staying longer might cause problems.”
“No, go immediately.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes.”
Edelmar set down his spoon and rose from his seat.
“The High Priest was the one who requested to meet first, so they likely won’t refuse a visit now. Also, leaving the capital is the only way to resolve this situation.”
Ian also stood up.
“Understood. Butler!”
Ian called to the butler entering the dining room and gave orders.
“Prepare horses and a carriage for the knights. Tell Sir Claude to meet me in the first-floor hall, and inform Fred to come to the playroom.”
“Understood.”
Ian then spoke to Edelmar.
“I will pack my things and get Rose ready to leave. Grand Duke, please also prepare your belongings.”
“Of course.”
With that, Ian quickly returned to his room. He began placing the items he had prepared in his inventory and carefully checked the room to ensure nothing was forgotten.
Once he confirmed everything was ready, he headed to the playroom.
In the playroom, filled with toys for children, Bernaba and Rose were playing air games.
“Rose.”
At Ian’s call, Rose ran over quickly.
Ian picked her up and addressed Bernaba.
“We’ll stop by the temple and then leave the capital immediately. Will you come with us, Bernaba?”
“Of course.”
Hearing Bernaba’s agreement, Ian took the lead and began walking.
“Duke!”
Fred appeared, seemingly in a hurry, still dressed in his nightclothes.
As Ian moved toward the parlor, he gave instructions.
“I’ll visit the High Priest and then head straight to the Fend territory. Once you’re done with your tasks, return directly to the dukedom.”
“Understood.”
“If there’s anything urgent to report, use the communication stone.”
“Yes!”
“Duke!”
In the parlor, Claude and the knights were already waiting.
“We’ll stop by the temple first, so wait for us at the west gate.”
“Yes, understood.”
Ian turned to Edelmar.
“Shall we go?”
Once Ian, along with Edelmar, boarded a plain, unmarked carriage, it departed immediately.
“And who is this?”
Ian, having already received Bernaba’s permission, introduced him.
“This is Lord Bernaba.”
“Bernaba? The dragon?”
“Oh? You know of me?”
Bernaba responded with interest to Edelmar’s comment.
“You’ve been mentioned in royal records.”
“Ah, that stingy brat actually documented it, huh.”
Bernaba casually referred to the first Emperor as ‘that brat,’ prompting Rose to ask curiously.
“Bernaba, what’s a dragon?”
“You’re still too young to understand. Here, would you like to play with this?”
Bernaba said, pulling out a multicolored puzzle from the wide pocket of his sleeve and handing it to Rose.
“What’s this?”
Bernaba twisted the puzzle, aligning one row of colors.
“This is how you solve it.”
“Wow!”
Rose’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly twisted the puzzle.
Watching Rose with satisfaction, Bernaba waved his hand subtly. Edelmar, noticing the peculiar sensation, flinched.
“I made sure the child won’t hear this conversation, so don’t worry. You said you’re going to the Fend territory after visiting the temple?”
Ian replied respectfully,
“Yes, I plan to retrieve the sacred relics there.”
“Hmm.”
Bernaba stroked his smooth, baby-like chin with his small hand.
“Is there something happening in Fend territory?”
Ian asked, sensing something unusual.
“No, nothing like that. It’s just that my lair is there.”
“Your… lair?”
“Yes. Since I remembered it, while you’re retrieving the sacred relic, the little one and I will visit my lair.”
“With Rose?”
Ian, unable to understand why Bernaba would take Rose to his lair, questioned him further.
“You can’t bring the child with you to the sacred relic’s location,”
Bernaba responded with a scoff.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know where the relic is?”
“You know its location?”
“I was alive when it was hidden. How could I, one of God’s creations, not know God’s movements?”
Ian nodded in understanding.
As Bernaba had said, the location of the sacred relic was indeed a place where Rose couldn’t be brought. Ian had included Claude in the journey for the same reason.
While Claude wasn’t the most reliable, it was better to have him than to be completely unprepared.
However, if Bernaba was willing to take Rose, it was an unexpected but reassuring solution.
At that moment, Edelmar discreetly traced a question on Ian’s thigh with his finger.
“Do you trust that dragon?”
Ian nodded.
He reasoned that it was God who had sent him here, and though he didn’t fully understand the reason, it seemed that God wanted him to protect Rose.
If that were the case, how could he not trust Bernaba, who called himself a creation of God?
The carriage stopped in front of the temple.
As Ian stepped out, he addressed the holy knight at the entrance.
“I am Ian Loenbaum. I have come to see the High Priest.”
“The High Priest’s expecting you.”
Nodding, Ian led his group into the temple.
Due to the recent incident at the imperial palace, the temple was crowded with people coming to pray.
Fearing Rose might draw attention, Ian tried to cover her with a cloak, but the holy knight escorting them moved first.
He called over other knights, who quickly surrounded Ian’s group.
With their party completely obscured from view, Ian bowed to the knight in gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“The High Priest arranged this.”
The holy knight replied curtly and led them down an empty corridor.
Instead of heading toward the grand hall Ian had visited before, they walked down a narrow path.
“This is the place,”
The holy knight said, stopping in front of a worn wooden door.
