Chapter 91
“This is a very dangerous place.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“You came here knowing?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because my daughter is here.”
She blinked rapidly in embarrassment, and Archduke Halbern chuckled. For some reason, he seemed to be in a very good mood.
‘Of course.’
He said it was obvious, but it wasn’t obvious at all.
She was a little surprised.
She vaguely thought that if someone knew she was missing, someone would come looking for her, but that someone didn’t include this man.
‘I was told that he would do anything for me.’
She honestly didn’t believe him.
A variety of emotions mingled together like a paint splatter. Surprise, wonder, doubt, dismay, gratitude. And… Sorry.
“Thank goodness. I found her safely.”
He still hates her, she thought.
She’s just pretending because she’s a daughter.
She dismissed her cries for affection, her demands for dad, and her hitting as a joke.
Maybe it was all her prejudices and preconceptions.
Maybe she was the one who hit the wall first and pushed him away without really looking at him.
“…”
She is overwhelmed by the clumsy affection she showed with her actions, not her words.
“Weren’t you scared?”
“Yeah.”
“Where did it hurt?”
“Where does it hurt?”
The way he acted was so affectionate.
Like a real dad.
“It’s okay.”
She shook her head, and a hand large enough to cover her face gently touched her forehead.
“You don’t have a fever.”
It was a gentle, clumsy hand.
Gnarly.
“… Dad?”
“Huh?”
He must have heard the tiny voice, but a chuckling throaty voice playfully asked back.
“I can’t hear you, can you say that again, daughter?”
“…”
She tried to glance away, but it was no use. The graceful upturned corners of her mouth and softly slanted eyes were mesmerizing, as if they could lure anyone in.
“I hope you’re alright.”
It seemed to be enjoying itself as it grunted and laughed at her clenched teeth. He must really enjoy teasing her.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Were you worried?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“My daughter is being very disingenuous.”
“I don’t think that’s your place to say.”
“It’s you.”
They seem to be having a lot of fun. She was a little envious because life seemed to be good. Her smiling biological father patted her on the cheek.
“Now let’s get back to your mom.”
“Mmm.”
It was a peaceful ending to a short distress. It was a moment of relief, a time to relax. Her body stiffened.
“…?”
She tried to turn her head away as he stopped moving, glaring at something. She failed because she covered her eyes.
“…What’s wrong?”
An ominous feeling creeps up on her. The world’s weakest sensor, which had been silent since meeting her father, responded.
No? This is a joke, right?
Something must have happened, but the Valar wrapped around her was nonchalant.
“Daughter.”
“Huh?”
Something clutched in his hand. It looked like a silver compass, a dainty artifact.
“Look straight ahead. Don’t answer whoever calls you, and only think of your happiest memories.”
Suddenly, she wondered what this meant.
“You must walk while thinking of the person you miss the most. No matter what comes your way, it’s the right path.”
Dad, who had slowly lowered her to the ground, stepped forward.
“What about Dad?”
“Is that what you’re calling me now?”
Does it matter now?
“Answer me, Dad?”
“I’m fine.”
Words were met with a blank stare. Even in this situation, the mischievous tone of his voice made an impression.
“You go first.”
Before she could reply, her vision reversed.
“Dad!”
When she came, she was alone in the dark.
***
The uproar in the palace was short-lived.
As if on cue, the ball resumed after the repairs were completed.
“What a surprise.”
“I was really surprised.”
A moment of darkness gave way to a surprise.
Those who had suddenly disappeared looked up to see Emperor Edward, who, as had been promised beforehand, had calmed the chaos, gazing down at the chairman with a stern expression.
“What is the exact number of those caught in the crossfire?”
“We’re trying to figure it out.”
Emperor Edward’s brow furrowed deeply.
What is this, on this fine day, and how fortunate that there have been no deaths yet.
“Shouldn’t we stop the ball right away?”
Empress Ageni, who knew the truth, expressed concern, but it was not an easy task.
Admitting that something had gone wrong on the first day would bring the prestige of the Allerman Imperial Family down to earth.
If not for that reason, it was best this way, unless they could explain the reason for the anomaly.
‘We can only hope that he will sort it out.’
The sloth of sleep.
She was praying to the Immortal of the Imperial Palace, who had long been symbiotic with the Allerman.
“Your Majesty.”
A servant approached, urgency in his voice.
“They say the Crown Prince is nowhere to be seen.”
Emperor Edward’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t contain his anger. He’s about to rant.
“And the Star Wizard of the Sky Tower has asked for Alhyeon.”
“Ha.”
Emperor Edward muttered dryly. Even as his anger rose to the top of his head, his reason remained cold.
“Ha.”
With orders to find Pession’s whereabouts at once, Emperor Edward welcomed any wizard who could provide a clue to the situation.
“Go to the parlor.”
***
Pession was running.
‘I have to get there.’
It was all coincidence.
From Pession seeing the Marchioness de Belfort on her way back to the Crown Prince’s palace, to Leslie approaching Arellin after receiving something from the Marchioness, to Arellin witnessing a vision that changed the world the moment they touched.
If he is not mistaken, something is definitely going on.
Despite the sudden darkness, his keen senses alerted him to Arellin’s disappearance.
As soon as he realized it, Pession could hardly keep his wits about him.
He had to do something. Anything.
And that’s how Pession got past Graham and arrived at the place.
A great temple deep within the Imperial court, where Emperor Edward had once brought him, saying it was only for his ‘heir’.
The secluded sanctuary, off-limits to all but the imperial family, was deserted, even though it was illuminated by a multitude of scented candles.
“You’re there, aren’t you?”
Gasping for breath, Pession looked around the halls of the temple. There was nothing on the altar, only the glow of scented candles, but he knew instinctively.
“Help.”
Here, he realized, was the one he was looking for.
“Or we can make a deal…”
The flickering candlelight wavered for a moment.
In the sudden brightening of his vision, Pession thought he caught a glimpse of long, flowing hair.
[It is Albrecht’s child].
An immortal who has long been in good standing with the Allermand Imperial Family.
The last reverence to which men of this age, who no longer believe in gods, will bow.
[What reason do you have to ask me for a deal, young one?]
A power beyond human perception, and though they could not see the substance, the voice was clear.
“Arellin…”
[The child’s father has gone to save her; if you keep still, he will come back this way.]
“But…”
Pession squeezed his hand. The hem of his robe crumpled in his grasp.
“I can’t believe it.”
He was the one who had left Arellin alone. It was natural not to believe.
“I can’t wait, I can’t.”
Above all, Pesion was impatient and couldn’t wait.
To stay like this, like that?
Pession didn’t want to feel powerless over Arellin anymore.
Would Arellin be okay?
Arellin must be struggling, even now.
“I want to save Arellin, please help me.”
Even if it means asking a mysterious immortal for help. Pession wanted to help Arellin with his own hands.
[Hmph…]
It’s a child’s whimper, something to be let go of.
But for some reason, Nathan was intrigued.
Was it because the eyes begging for help contained only one desire?
Pure desire, without any calculation.
A precious emotion rarely seen in this Imperial Palace, where all desires rise and fall. Moreover, the child is a member of the clan under his protection.
Nathan recalled the abilities of the ‘beloved’ Allerman Imperial Family.
He smiled, thinking that perhaps it would work for an immortal as well.
Nathan smiled faintly, not hiding his fondness for Pession.
[You like her?]
“Yes.”
His unhesitating answer was followed by a more nasty question.
[How much?]
Pession blinked his big eyes.
[With what you have, how much would you bet?]
“…Everything.”
