The emperor sighed and look at Prince Anton drinking tea in front of him. Unlike him, who was worried, Anton’s face was full of smiles. It was an expression that radiated a youthful charm from his son who was in his 40s.
The emperor called out to his beloved son. “Anton.”
“What’s wrong?”
On the outside, the emperor was pretending to be okay, but he was restless. He hadn’t been to the meeting for a second time.
The emperor sighed and said, “The alchemist seems to be sulking.”
His face contorting, Anton replied, “Tsk, that’s how women are.”
The emperor took a deep breath. Anton was old enough to be angry and scolded like back then. “…As I said, the alchemist is an important person.”
He wanted Anton to understand what he was saying, but his son only laughed.
“She’s just a nobody who uses her dead husband’s legacy. Now that I think about it, I can’t tell the difference between how she acts in public and how she acts privately.”
“Ha, Anton.” The emperor was about to say something, but Anton raised his voice.
“Why are you so obsessed with her?”
The emperor was speechless at his son who knew nothing. “You don’t know.”
“Because they don’t tell me.”
Anton shouldn’t treat Juno Sergien so lightly, even if he wasn’t aware of the unofficial meeting. No one could disregard Juno in terms of how she was in the public eye. But why does Anton always think lowly of her?
The emperor, who was about to tell Anton about the meeting held by Juno Sergien, remained silent. Even if he told him, Anton would just get angry.
He shook his head and said, “You aren’t ready yet.” The emperor was too tired to scold Anton. “How’s your relationship with your fiancée?”
“Still bad,” Anton said angrily.
“What? She’s from a family that will strengthen your power!”
“Yes, I know. It’s why I’m messing around.”
The emperor gave him another warning. This was the third time. “Your engagement cannot be broken. I’ll have to go to Juno Sergien—”
Anton interrupted the emperor. “I get it. Stop that.”
Whenever Anton acted this way, the emperor recalled his dead beloved. Anton had to be the next emperor for her sake. He looked at him and said, “Anton, you must be emperor.”
“Well, of course. The throne is mine.”
“…”
The emperor seemed to be getting angrier. He couldn’t figure out what to do with Anton.
Seeing his father had nothing else to say, Anton opened his mouth as if he was doing him a favor. “If it bothers you that much, I’ll go visit the alchemist.”
“Did you forget? You shouldn’t meet Juno Sergien privately.”
“Because of her?”
“Yes.”
Lily was Anton’s child, and she looked similar to Anton. It would be a big deal if others were suspicious of why they were together for no reason. The emperor would have dealt with that child named Lily without hesitation, but Anton’s impotency was a problem. Anton’s only child couldn’t be killed while it was unclear if he could have another child in the future.
Anton spat out a curse. “That damn girl.”
“Anton.” The emperor looked sternly at him who was grinding his teeth. But Anton couldn’t calm down.
“It doesn’t matter. Only me and you are here. Declaring victory over a country isn’t something to laugh at.”
Even so, it was achieved by Juno Sergien, not them, but Anton didn’t seem to care. The emperor’s head began to hurt.
“…I have a headache now. Get out.”
When the emperor turned away, the crown prince’s eyes flashed.
Anton, who had been silent for a while, bowed his head. “…I shall take my leave.”
The fire in his eyes had not died down.
***
Anton gritted his teeth as he walked out of the throne room. It doesn’t matter if my father treats me like this. He was the crown prince of the empire and a grown man. How could he ignore it and look pathetic? Where is Juno Sergien?
Regardless of what she had done as an alchemist, she was still a woman. Anton, briefly mesmerized at the thought of her red hair and graceful gestures, shook his head. He began to mutter curses at her again.
“She’s just a lucky woman who has nothing except for that face.”
She was a rude woman who always looked down on the world. She was only lucky she got married to the right man.
“How dare you.”
The cold treatment came to mind as she slapped away his hand when he approached her out of goodwill. Those eyes were full of scorn.
Anton, who was thinking about it, turned away from his room and headed out of the capital city. He didn’t want to bother with politics in his current mood. He was benefitting the most from the current situation, so it wouldn’t be a problem to play for a day. In fact, Anton messed around almost every day, well not even that much, but he didn’t care about such details.
“Your Highness, where are you going—”
“Get lost. I’ll do it.” Anton pushed aside the knight who blocked him and mounted the horse. The servants flocked around him, but Anton pulled the reins. The horse raised its front legs which caused the people to back away.
Anton yelled, “Don’t follow me!”
The knight was shouting for another horse to try and stop Anton somehow. Anton told the knight to shut up; however, this knight was given to him by his father, so he wouldn’t listen to Anton’s orders. I feel like a beggar.
There was no need to be more upset. Anton rode away before a servant brought another steed. He could hear a loud noise from behind and sensed the knight chasing him on horseback. However, riding was one of Anton’s fortes. Anton raised the corners of his mouth and rode the horse out of the castle. A sense of freedom overtook him as he left the capital city. He giggled as he looked at the people make way as they tried to avoid him. How dare they run away.
It was ridiculous.
Yes, everyone should fear me!
Don’t be ridiculous and pathetic.
Anton rode more fiercely. A long time later, he was able to get away from the knights and soldiers.
“H-Ha.” Anton was catching his breath. He felt like he had exercised after a long time.
“Oh, you’re here again?”
It was the typical greeting he received once he arrived at his usual bar. Anton handed over the horse to a man and approached a waiter. He ordered a drink and looked at a woman.
“I want to drink. Bring it.”
The woman smiled charmingly. “Of course. Shall we, everyone?”
At her call, women rushed out and surrounded Anton.
“Yes!”
Anton entered the building, enjoying himself with the new company. The women began to coo.
“You’ve gotten more handsome!”
“You’ve been working so hard, right? You look tired.”
“But you’re still handsome!”
“Can’t you stop by more often?”
“That’s right, it’s the best when Anton comes.”
Anton replied solemnly, “It’s hard because I’m busy with politics.”
The women grinned and praised his greatness.
“You’re amazing.”
“Thanks to you, we’re living well, right?”
“What are you doing now?”
“Oh, what do we know? He does great things we aren’t even aware of.”
“Ahem…” Anton nodded, and they changed the subject.
“Please choose me this time.”
“No, choose me. I’m going to perform a new dance…”
“I changed my hairstyle.”
“I’m known to be the prettiest here…”
Anton decided to be generous. “Everyone can join me this time.”
The women clapped their hands at his words.
“Oh, really?”
“You’re definitely the best!”
“The new fruit is so delicious. Do you want to try it?”
Yes, it’d be great if they gave him a nice hug and smile. A woman had to be soft. They aren’t cold or arrogant.
The moment those green eyes, half-closed, faced Anton, he gave her a look over.
Scornful eyes.
Anton grimaced at the thought of Juno Sergien’s gaze, which again came to mind. Anton walked away, dragging the woman he held. I need a drink.
Anton ordered more alcohol to the point even he wouldn’t be able to finish it all. He was the emperor here. Where no one could ignore him.
Anton vented out his anger like that.
***
Anton blinked. Everything was dark, and something was off. His body didn’t move properly.
“Ah!”
He couldn’t even hear his voice properly. He seemed to have drunk too much. Anton nervously moved his body again; however, no matter how much effort he put into it, his body didn’t move. Am I tied up?
He thought he played a little dangerously yesterday. It was often the case, so Anton decided to wait. The reason why he couldn’t hear his voice was probably because he drank yesterday, and he screamed and played a lot.
It was still quiet, but Anton waited for his partner to appear. I feel a lot better, so I’ll just keep waiting.
As time passed, his eyes slowly got used to the darkness. Anton was staring vacantly at the ceiling when he noticed something.
“Oh.”
It was a mirror. This kind of room had a mirror on the ceiling. He was somewhat annoyed at being surprised for no reason. Where did she go after typing him up like this?
He looked around the room for a while, vowing not to let it go. Anton couldn’t believe what he saw and looked away.
He appeared strange in the mirror.
