Shekina glared at Lyat and Martin with sharp eyes, breathing heavily.
After briefly conversing with the demons, she intended to spend some time alone. However, Arthur was the one who came to find her.
– Hwaaaa! I missed you!
He rushed towards Shekina with open arms, and she ended up hugging him impulsively, glancing around while picking her nose, searching for Dehan and Yuriel.
– Ah, Yuriel and Dehan have gone to the advisor. They were looking for them.
“Ugh, why again!”
Demons dislike humans.
They despise priests even more.
It was clear what Lyat, who loathed both humans and priests, would do to them. Previously, he might have tolerated it because of their status as the count’s advisors, but Yuriel and Dehan were essentially outcast priests. There was no way Lyat would tolerate them anymore; he would certainly make a scene.
That’s why Shekina rushed over. Yuriel and Dehan were indispensable to her plan!
“Hey, Dehan! Didn’t I tell you to come straight to me when you arrived at the castle?!”
Dehan looked at Shekina, bewildered.
When did she say that…?
However, Dehan was good at grasping the situation and quickly adjusted his expression.
“My apologies. The advisor called us, and I thought it was something urgent.”
He spoke as if it was Lyat’s fault for disobeying Shekina’s order.
Oh, look at that!
Lyat let out a sarcastic laugh.
For a child, Dehan showed an extraordinary level of tact and composure, impressive for someone so young. Lyat felt a curious intrigue and decided it would be best to stop harassing them for now. He raised both hands, looking at Shekina.
“I just wanted to see what kind of people would be staying in the castle. That’s the only reason I called them, so don’t misunderstand.”
“…Really?”
Shekina narrowed her eyes, staring at Lyat, but she couldn’t read anything from his calm expression.
“Uncle. You know, right?”
Shekina pointed at her eyes with two fingers and then pointed at Lyat.
“I’m watching you.”
Lyat found her incredibly cute, and a grin tugged at his lips. But recalling the two humans before him, he managed to compose himself.
“Alright, I understand.”
“Good.”
Unaware of Lyat’s inner thoughts, Shekina nodded happily.
“Let’s go, Dehan.”
She extended her hand to the hesitant Dehan and signaled Yuriel, who was also wavering.
“Yuriel, you too.”
“Ah…!”
Yuriel, who had been fidgeting, glanced nervously at Lyat. Lyat, having roughly grasped the situation, responded.
“Stay in the annex. The children will take care of you.”
The term ‘children’ was absurdly ill-fitting for someone like Lyat. Yuriel recalled the first time he saw him; back then, he was terrifying, to the point his legs trembled.
But now, how was Lyat?
His expression when looking at Shekina was gentle. Even when he mentioned ‘children,’ it didn’t feel awkward.
Indeed…
I must have misjudged the count’s family.
Reflecting on his past mistakes, Yuriel made up his mind to remain loyal to the count’s family from now on and nodded.
“Th-thank you. And from now on…”
He recalled what Dehan had just said and carefully enunciated each word.
“I, I too will, dedicate my life.”
“……..”
That’s not quite right.
Lyat ignored Shekina’s stunned gaze, as if wondering what he had taught the child, and turned his head away.
***
The second ruler of the empire, Empress Diana, was in a foul mood.
Because a monster had suddenly appeared in the central temple, destroying it and forcing the pope to flee?
Because citizens, suddenly rendered homeless, were protesting outside the imperial palace?
Because, amidst all this, the emperor remained indifferent, leaving Diana to handle everything?
Of course, all these reasons were enough to make her head feel like it was going to explode, but they weren’t the only reasons for her frustration.
‘The Daimon family.’
The Daimon family had blatantly rejected Diana’s invitation and left the capital.
‘How dare they…!’
She could have allowed them to refuse the invitation if they had made excuses, claiming unavoidable circumstances.
But they didn’t even bother to make excuses. They simply left the capital and returned to the northern region without a word.
When there was no response after a long wait, they sent someone again, only to find out that the Daimon family had already left. Diana was utterly astounded at the time.
‘No matter how low the imperial status has fallen, this is unacceptable.’
Diana’s slender fingers trembled slightly.
“…So, it seems the members of the Daimon family have already arrived in the north.”
Her close aide, Ferda, who was also the emperor’s brother, reported.
Diana, as if she had expected this, pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.
“What do you think?”
A cold, sharp light shone in her eyes.
“Is it true they are disregarding me? Are they saying there’s no need or worth in respecting someone like me?”
“Your Majesty.”
“Ha! It’s unbelievable. When the emperor was backing me, they would carefully observe my every move, trying their best to stay in my good graces…!”
In truth, it wasn’t that they were cautious of Diana; they were trying to manipulate the emperor, who was shrouded under her influence, as if he was her puppet.
However, Ferda wisely chose his words, providing a sensible response to the situation.
“As I presume… no, I am certain this matter involves His Highness the Prince.”
“…What do you mean?”
“It’s as I said. The fact that His Highness was present must have prompted them to hurry, worried that talk of an engagement might arise.”
“What…!”
Diana was in disbelief.
They ran away just because of that? Even knowing the consequences that would come from the imperial family? It would have been wiser to at least make a brief appearance before leaving!
Diana clenched her teeth tightly.
“They acted hastily. They should have taken more time.”
“Does it demean them so much to marry off a count’s daughter from the borders to the prince that they would escape in such a manner?”
Diana could no longer contain her rage and shouted. Yet, Ferda remained composed and continued.
“All fathers are the same. Even if they can foresee their own path clearly, they will struggle and do whatever it takes to secure the future of their children.”
“Even so…!”
“Your Majesty, think of your own father.”
“……..”
It was widely known how much Diana’s father cherished her.
Recalling her father, Diana clicked her tongue, calming her anger.
“So, the Daimon count is keeping his youngest daughter close?”
“Yes.”
Diana frowned, and Ferda took the opportunity to present his prepared plan.
“There is only one solution left.”
He straightened, his eyes sharp.
“Send His Highness to the north, boldly.”
“…What did you say?”
“Have His Highness and Shekina Daimon form a natural connection. Use that connection as an opportunity to build a closer relationship.”
Gulp.
Diana unintentionally swallowed dryly.
“Do you think it will work?”
“It must be made to succeed.”
Ferda’s confident expression indicated he believed it to be a high-probability plan.
If he spoke with such certainty, then it must mean the odds were in their favor…
But why?
Why did she feel this strange unease?
Diana hesitated slightly, and Ferda seized the moment.
“Your Majesty.”
Ferda knelt on one knee, looking up at Diana as he spoke.
“If you gain the support of the Daimon family, Your Majesty’s ambitions will be more easily realized.”
He reached out his hand to Diana.
“We must dethrone the emperor.”
Diana gazed down at the hand offered to her, and after murmuring her resolve, she clasped it firmly.
I will become the first ruler of the empire.
Diana’s eyes gleamed with determination.
***
“Uh, Lady Shekina.”
Dehan had a troubled expression.
And for a good reason; even before he was shown to his room, he was dragged outside and thrown in the middle of the training grounds.
Dehan darted his eyes around, glancing at Shekina and the wooden sword at his feet.
“Uh, what exactly are you asking me to do…?”
As Dehan asked carefully, Shekina grinned.
Snap!
The moment she snapped her fingers, a demon appeared from behind her.
“Is this my opponent?”
The demon swung the long wooden sword, slowly approaching Dehan.
“…Lady Shekina?”
Dehan, taken aback, took a few hesitant steps back, but Shekina spoke firmly.
“Fight.”
A five-year-old against an adult?
“If you lose, you won’t be allowed inside today.”
…In this cold?
Are you serious?
Dehan swallowed the words he dared not say, his mouth agape.
