The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

“But… ”

 

‘I can’t stand it any longer.’

 

Theon looked at the mask with trembling red eyes, and the mouth behind the mask opened.

 

“Call the spirits. Don’t suppress it, but on the contrary, release that power to the fullest.”

 

He said in a voice that touched Theon’s sense of dread.

 

“Then the spirit…”

 

‘It will take away the little life around it and wither the grass and trees.’

 

Also, even Theon’s life, who can’t handle that power

 

“You have to go beyond the limits.”

 

Power entered the white-gloved hands.

 

Theon then recalled his purpose hidden behind fear.

 

As if encouraging his bravery, the faceless man summoned the spirit of light.

 

Then, the spirits of light and darkness flew into the sky as if dancing in harmony.

 

Theon then bit his dry lips once and decided.

 

As if stepping on a cliff, he closed his eyes tightly and let go of the power he was holding back.

 

Soon, it was a night without the moon and stars.

 

* * *

 

It felt like hot sulfuric acid was running through his veins.

 

An unbearable silence weighed down on him, and darkness dragged his life down to the deepest depths.

 

He felt his breath slowly fading.

 

The spirits seemed to want to bury even the sound of his breath in the silence.

 

Furthermore, even the sound of his heartbeat.

 

As he was dying, he couldn’t even breathe. It would be better to say that he is dying of life.

 

He faced his death without a single scream.

 

It was pure darkness.

 

At that time…

 

“You cannot die.”

 

Someone called him

 

At the same time, he felt the darkness that had engulfed him disappear, swept away by a huge tidal wave of light.

 

It was then that he was freed from the heavy darkness that had weighed on him and was able to breathe.

 

“Huh, huh…”

 

His vision, which had been darkened, gradually brightened and accepted the shape of the surroundings.

 

The first thing he saw was a man with a light source.

 

Seeing Theon open his eyes, he sighed in relief and sat beside him.

 

“Damn it.”

 

An expletive slipped from his lips as he retreated.

 

Theon lay down next to him and looked up at the sky quietly.

 

‘It felt strange to get up.’

 

Perhaps because he had come back from the threshold of death, the life he had to face again felt a different weight than before.

 

‘No, not just that… Even though the spirits of darkness were not suppressed, the spirits did not riot at will.’

 

Theon raised his hand and looked up.

 

After hesitating a few times as he looked at his raised hands toward the sky, he gathered courage and slowly called out the spirit.

 

Then, as he had hoped, the spirit slowly spread out. It was a very weak force compared to before.

 

Only enough to color a small room with darkness.

 

The fading darkness now even looked cute.

 

Theon burst into laughter as he looked at the spirit of darkness that circled his fingertips. At the same time, he felt like crying.

 

At that moment, an anonymous man who had been watching him quietly stood up.

 

Theon hurriedly followed him and stood up.

 

Putting on the mask, he moved as if he had no more business.

 

“Ethan Bronte!”

 

Then, Theon called Ethan’s name. The man, who was about to leave, stopped abruptly.

 

“…”

 

“Yeah, the person who presented the spirit stone to the princess.”

 

When Dorothea was mentioned, he instinctively turned to Theon.

 

Theon looked at him with conviction.

 

The face of a beautiful man with a frown under the mask, which was slowly removed, was revealed.

 

“How did you know that…?”

 

“You hid it well for years.”

 

Theon said, making eye contact with Ethan.

 

Then Ethan’s delicate eyebrows wrinkled even more.

 

“I asked how did you know?”

 

“I’m the one who wants to ask how you use your spirit power?”

 

Theon walked over to Ethan.

 

There is no way that Ethan’s biological mother, who is known for being a bar girl, was Milanaire.

 

“That you don’t need to know. Don’t even wonder. All you have to do is keep quiet like Fried.”

 

Ethan frowned as he saw Theon, who dared to bite him. 

 

‘There is no need to reveal all of my past to Theon.’

 

“Why don’t you tell the Imperial Family?”

 

“What?”

 

“If the Emperor knew about your abilities, he would accept you.”

 

Ethan thought Theon had a lot to say about Fried.

 

‘Who is he worrying about now?’

 

“Because the princess must have a pure awakening in front of people.”

 

Ethan answered this question as easily as possible.

 

He didn’t want to see the beasts biting Dorothea’s little blemishes.

 

“Then why did you help me…?” Theon asked again.

 

At that, Ethan quietly rolled his eyes and looked at him again.

 

“Because I don’t want you to flirt with the princess using ‘purify’ as an excuse.”

 

‘And because I don’t want you to have an excuse to be with the Princess while I’m not with her.’

 

At that, Theon laughed in disbelief.

 

‘Did you help me with this just for that reason? The greatest salvation in my life, without asking for anything in return?’

 

Ethan’s temples twitched at Theon’s laugh.

 

“Since the Dark Spirit problem has staked your life at risk, the Princess is thinking about that.”

 

Ethan said, cutting Theon’s laughter relentlessly.

 

But at that answer, Theon couldn’t help but laugh once more.

 

‘Ethan Bronte. Pretty crazy’ He thought.

 

Ethan Bronte was so crazy about Dorothea that his feelings for her could be dismissed as a mere crush.

 

Theon admitted that he had lost.

 

He also dreamed of becoming Dorothea’s companion, but compared to Ethan, his love was nothing more than a playing house.

 

As if reading Theon’s consent, Ethan glanced at him for a moment, then turned and walked away as if he didn’t like him.

 

“Where are you planning to go?”

 

Theon asked him who was forbidden to enter Lampas.

 

Then Ethan answered, showing only his back.

 

“I’m going to spend the money that His Majesty gave me.”

 

* * *

 

“Hark going to war?”

 

Instead, those present at the meeting frowned at Dorothea’s remarks.

 

Dorothea explained Hark’s dynamics and the purchase of a ship in front of the ministers.

 

The point was that Hark was building up his military force, the deployment of troops at the border had doubled, and he had bought ships, chains, and horses necessary for war.

 

But few agreed with her assertions.

 

“The relationship between Hark and Ubera is strong. But suddenly, there is no way to start a war, right?”

 

They clicked their tongues at the absurdity of the claim.

 

“You must be close to some of the nobles who favor the Hark. You have recently expressed your dissatisfaction, directly or indirectly, and don’t you send the tribute you sent every year a few years ago?”

 

“Yeah, isn’t it a complaint that our food production has increased over the years, and the wheat trade with Hark has slowed down? Besides, we also raised tariffs.”

 

“The Marquis Dmitry seems to be on the side of Hark.”

 

Dorothea stared at Dmitry.

 

He has been speaking as Hark’s spokesperson ever since the story about Hark came out.

 

“I’m not on the side of Hark…”

 

“You sold a large number of ships to Hark.”

 

“It was never military. It relies on small sails and has to be moved by rowing. The size isn’t big either. It’s always been a deal.”

 

“It looks like the side of the ship is high and there is a hole to look out.”

 

From what Dorothea had seen, it was definitely different from the usual ship shape.

 

“It was ordered by Hark to block the wind.”

 

“I think it will be able to prevent not only the wind but also the invasion and attack of the enemy.”

 

“The Princess being ridiculous!”

 

Dmitry’s face turned red as he spoke to Dorothea.

 

Then Carnan looked at Dorothea and blinked as if to stop.

 

Dorothea kept her mouth shut.

 

“Hark also sent a gift of consolation to Prince Raymond when he suffered a fall. I am not going to argue with some obscure information.”

 

Instead, they were defensive.

 

Because preparing for war itself is a loss to them.

 

War means they must give up what they have for their troops and supplies.

 

It also means that the good deals and daily routines that have been carried on until now are uncomfortable.

 

It is not easy for them to accept the emergency situation of war, given their stable environment.

 

Although there were several signs, the complacency of the full-fledged ministers clouded their judgment.

 

Thanks to that, Dorothea before her return could have succeeded in rebellion more easily.

 

“Besides, war is a time when His Majesty and the Crown Prince are not in good health…Isn’t it the princess who really wants war?”

 

“What…?”

 

“Didn’t the princess just become able to wield power? if she fights the war, won’t that power be completely in the hands of the princess?”

 

Dmitry tilted his head as if to understand Dorothea’s intentions.

 

Then, Raymond, who had been standing still with his mouth shut, stepped out.

 

“Marquis Dmitry. Be careful.”

 

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. However, recently, the princess seems to be continuing her powers by taking care of the Crown Prince’s affairs…”

 

“It’s something I personally requested because I’m not feeling well.”

 

Raymond, who had a cold expression on his face, said firmly.

 

“I wonder why the Crown Prince is able to move now and why the Princess is still taking care of his work.”

 

“That…”

 

‘Because of my amnesia, I don’t have the ability to get things done.’

 

But Carnan kept Raymond’s amnesia a secret.

 

“Marquis Dmitry, don’t waste your time on pointless discussions.”

 

At that moment, Carnan, who had her forehead wrinkled, opened his mouth to organize the conversation.

 

* * *

 

After the meeting, the busy ministers left without looking back.

 

“Princess.”

 

“Okay, I expected this to happen….”

 

After reviewing all the material with Dorothea, Theon found her argument to be pretty plausible.

 

He also agreed that if there is such a risk, it is necessary to prepare at any cost.

 

‘We shouldn’t lock the stable door after losing our horse.’

 

“Dorothy!”

 

Raymond grabbed Dorothea as she was about to leave the meeting room.

 

“So, that’s what you’re worried about, Hark. If your investigation is correct, I think it would be okay to send some of the Imperial Knights to the Cerritians to strengthen the border.”

 

“The Knights?”

 

“Not all of them, but a few elites can do it. As someone we can trust.”

 

“I will make sure that Friedia can also apply.”

 

Raymond patted the discouraged Dorothea on the back, and Theon promised to help prepare for Hark as heir to the Fried family.

 

Dorothea met the eyes of two people who trusted her.

 

Suddenly, she remembered the look in their eyes before her return.

 

‘What did I do to them? They are such good people.’

 

“Thank you. Really…” Dorothea said, clenching her fists.

 

Neither ignores her claims as nonsense nor doubts whether she has a political motive. 

 

Accept what she wants to say as it is.

 

“What? thanks? It’s for Ubera, it’s a natural decision hahah.” Raymond laughed.

 

At that time.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

* * *