Chapter 89
Somehow, exactly six years ago, relations between the Albrecht Empire and the Southern Empire began to deteriorate rapidly.
It was bad enough that Emperor Edward had to send Duke Idikels, head of the Foreign Ministry, as a matter of urgency.
Still, the situation grew worse by the day, and the subjects feared that war was imminent.
But.
“If it’s Arellin…”
The missing pieces fit together, and it finally made sense.
What kind of father would say his child disappeared and he’s fine?
“Ha, ha, ha.”
How in the world did they get Arellin to the Southern Empire, and what happened to Archduchess Sione?
There were still so many unknowns, but none of it really mattered.
The real question remained the same.
Arellin was the daughter of Regent Locke.
“Wow.”
She hadn’t even bothered to say anything after such a major disaster. This?
“Valar, you son of a bitch…”
How are he going to fix this, he crazy asshole, this.
Mehen is drunk again, and drunk hard.
As he gulped it down, Mehen despaired of his sanity.
Mehen is not even drunk at times like this.
“Ha, I’m spinning.”
They are in trouble. No matter how hard he tried to think, he could only come to the same conclusion: doom. The opponent was Duke Locke, the actual owner of the Southern Empire.
He’s a man who can’t be overpowered by power, force, or diplomacy.
Since he can’t be pressed in the first place, he must have brought Valar here without telling him, right?
“Does Duke Locke know about this?”
He doesn’t know, that’s why he’s quiet, but he won’t see her forever. If he sees Arellin even once, he’ll know.
He doesn’t realize it when he’s not thinking about it, but Arellin looks a lot like Archduchess Sione.
“Huh…”
Well, at least Regent Locke won’t see Arellin, right.
He tried to put that thought to rest.
“Lord Mehen.”
“?”
Mehen looked up at the voice calling him and paused. Golden eyes, glittering like the eyes of an animal, stared down at him.
***
As the night wore on, so did the atmosphere in the ballroom.
The dance floor and balconies were increasingly deserted, with only a few couples still trying to get to know each other, and the rest of the guests huddled in small groups, chatting away.
“Speaking of which, I don’t see the Marchioness de Belfort, is she gone?”
“I heard her go inside earlier.”
“You’ve been quiet today, and you’ve been doing things you don’t usually do.”
“Gee, I wonder what’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Ho-ho-ho.”
There was one topic that seemed to get everyone’s attention.
“By the way, have you seen? I only saw the Archduke from a distance, but my heart was beating so fast…”
“Hah. Even His Majesty’s presence next to him is so dignified.”
“I thought a handsome god had descended.”
All the ladies and ladies-in-waiting, who had been singing his praises with all sorts of fuss, sighed in unison.
“And what kind of a lady would marry him?”
“If it were me, my heart would stop beating on the first night.”
“I didn’t even think about the cake…”
“What?!”
“Well, he seems to be really close with Lord Mehen, and he overheard Mehen calling him ‘honey’.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Tell me more.”
A woman stood in an inconspicuous hallway of the palace, breathing nervously and sharply, the sound of deep conversation behind her.
“Do you also hate Halbern, Madame?”
A strange suggestion from a mysterious man who appeared out of nowhere and without warning.
Strangely enough, she couldn’t recall the man’s face or voice.
All she can remember is that his eyes glowed a fiery yellow.
And the feeling that she would be eaten if she made a mistake.
“There is one way to inflict mortal harm on Halbern.”
“Would you like to hear it?”
“Only if you don’t say no.”
She nodded, mesmerized, even though she knew it was the devil’s whisper.
‘What should I do with Halbern’s power? Belfort’s power is enough for the rest…’
Fortunately, the man told her how. The only way to break the long-standing alliance between the Imperial Family and Halbern.
The Marchioness de Belfort thought as she rolled the mysterious jewel in her hand.
‘A secret shared between the Imperial Family and Halbern.’
A sudden surge of greed ran through her.
If only Belfort knew about it…
“It’s worth a shot.”
Her greedy eyes wiped away her hesitation.
***
Same time.
Valar was still watching the two children.
Their moonlit dance was over, but they were still looking at each other with longing eyes.
[Are you going to interrupt?]
A welcoming voice said. The familiar voice had a hint of laughter in it.
“No.”
[You’re cute.]
The blurry, who had suddenly come up beside him, clasped arms with him.
An existence that ordinary humans couldn’t recognize, and that even transcendents couldn’t see without permission.
[That child, the one who caused you to run up to me, you cheeky little brat?]
The Immortal, who has spent the history of the Empire with the imperial court as his domain, took an unusual interest.
[How strange, how interesting].
“Mind your own business.”
[You’re arrogant, but since you listened to my special request, I’ll give you a pass.]
His laughing voice was quite benevolent. Valar snorted at the uncharitable tone.
“You have no use for capturing dragons.”
[I don’t catch them for use.]
Nathan, who slept in the palace, laughed softly.
Before long, the two children were inside. Valar loosened his arms.
“You’re not going to do it yourself, is that possible?”
Nathan laughed softly at Valar’s mockery.
In an age when the ancient gods had lost their divinity, when there was only one faith that shone through, the Immortal was a god.
What could such a being not accomplish if he set his mind to it?
The laziness in Valar’s eyes hid a twisted smile, and his voice was rueful.
His eyes were coldly furious, his pupils sunken.
[I wish I could].
[Only humans can become dragon slayers].
“…”
[It’s a pity.]
It was Nathan who broached the subject first.
Valar didn’t press the issue.
[You two seem to get along quite well].
He just asked the more curious question.
“What do you think?”
[Well?]
“…”
[You’ve done as much as you can, don’t you know, and it’s a miracle enough that a child who shouldn’t live long is alive today].
His violet eyes were dark with moisture under his long lashes.
[The child’s illness is not a disease, nor is it a curse].
“Can’t you fix it?”
[Not with the power of woman].
All they can do is delay it.
Valar’s expression turned grim at the answer he’d heard before.
[Prepare yourselves, perhaps the end is near].
Valar turned away.
[Where are you going all of a sudden?]
“I don’t want to talk to an incompetent who couldn’t even save my daughter.”
[Pure thing.]
The voice was laughing. Valar knew he would not be reprimanded with this level of arrogance.
[Halbern’s child].
Valar, who was heading back to the ballroom, slowed down for a moment.
[Watch your step, there seems to be something unseen roaming about].
He pauses, puzzled by the strange words.
Krrrr-
Suddenly, the Imperial palace’s circle of connections shook.
***
It was too late for a child to be awake. Regrettably, it was time to part ways.
He would have loved to stay with her a little longer, but…
“You must return now.”
Pession looked at her, his eyes dripping with regret.
“Tomorrow. I have to see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Good night, Arellin.”
Pession left a light kiss on her forehead, wistfully, and was dragged away by Graham, sulking.
Her face flushed red, and she bit her lip hard as she touched her forehead where it was still warm.
‘I’m so screwed.’
What if she ends up liking it here?
Maybe it was because her mom was the only person she’d ever liked in her life, but she was stuck and frustrated.
“Shall we go, then? Young Lady.”
“Yes.”
They were walking down the hall when the Palace maid led the way.
“Lady Arellin!”
“Huh?”
Leslie?
“There you are, I found you.”
“Lady Leslie?”
She stared nervously at Leslie, who was running up to her with a pleased expression.
Why is she so excited?
“Why on earth…”
She had just opened her mouth to ask Leslie why she was so excited.
A crunch.
Simultaneously with the sound of something breaking.
Woosh-
Her body flinched first at the familiar sensation she had felt before.
“?!”
She didn’t even have time to think.
Her vision went black.
