The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

“Without your help, I’d still be hiding in the cave, dependent on Prince Raymond.”

 

Without even thinking about the luxury of starting a family.

 

“So I’m very grateful.”

 

Theon said, looking at Ceres and Gemma.

 

Ethan looked at Theon with narrow eyes and then looked away.

 

“I did it because I cared, so I don’t need your thanks.”

 

Theon just laughed at the way Ethan said his gratitude was meaningless in the first place.

 

Ethan may seem demanding and sensitive, but he is surprisingly a simple person.

 

Because everything leads to Dorothea.

 

‘I have no choice but to admit that it’s amazing.’

 

‘It’s amazing that you can love one person that much.’

 

At that time, Hezen and Ceres, who were playing in the distance, became noisy.

 

“Ahh!”

 

When Theon turned his eyes belatedly, he saw black darkness spreading around Ceres.

 

Surprised, Ceres took a step back and tried to run away.

 

Gemma, who was sitting next to her, also burst into tears.

 

Theon’s heart sank for a moment.

 

‘The spirit…!’ 

 

He could intuitively know the fear Ceres was feeling.

 

“Ceres!”

 

Theon and Ethan ran at the same time.

 

At that time, Hezen held the hand of Ceres, who was trembling with fear.

 

“Ceres! That’s a spirit!”

 

Ceres, who was crying in fear, stopped trying to run away and held on tightly to Hezen’s clothes.

 

Then Hezen patted Ceres’ back with his small hand.

 

“Look! It’s just like my spirit!”

 

Hezen quietly stared into the darkness and summoned his spirit.

 

“This is my first time seeing a spirit other than the spirit of light. It’s your spirit. Say hello quickly, Ceres!”

 

When Hezen smiled and pointed at the dark spirit, Ceres looked at the spirit as if relieved.

 

Following Hezen’s guidance, Ceres slowly extended her hand toward the spirit.

 

Then, a spirit landed on the tip of Ceres’ small, slender finger.

 

At the same time, the tension melted from Theon and Ethan’s faces.

 

“Thank goodness. The Grand Duke’s daughter seems to have been born with a high level of spirit affinity.”

 

“I didn’t expect her abilities to develop so early… ” 

 

Fried’s spirit was long gone.

 

Theon thought that there was a high probability that Ceres or Gemma did not have the ability to be an Elementalist.

 

Julia thought so too.

 

“In life, unbelievable things happen.”

 

Ethan said it as if it was no big deal.

 

Theon smiled and nodded.

 

As Ceres got closer to the spirit, a smile quickly appeared on her cheeks.

 

Smiles also spread on the cheeks of the two fathers who were looking at her.

 

* * * 

 

The sun, which was hanging in the sky, was already coloring the western sky red.

 

Raymond came into the gazebo to rest for a while after playing with the children and sat down.

 

“I guess I’m getting older too. I’m tired.”

 

Even Raymond, who prided himself on his physical strength, could not keep up with the children’s infinite energy.

 

“No wonder you’re tired. It’s almost dinner time.”

 

Dorothea poured tea into Raymond’s teacup.

 

Then she looked at the children who were still playing happily.

 

“Cute.”

 

She looked quietly at the children and admired them.

 

Children sparkle just by their existence.

 

Even if she spends the same time, it seems like children’s time has been sprinkled with gold powder.

 

‘When I think about my childhood, I don’t think I have ever shined so beautifully, before or after my return.’

 

Before her return, she was a greedy and jealous child, and after her return, she was a pessimistic child who sat in silence.

 

Dorothea’s young days were always gray.

 

She suddenly felt regretful.

 

‘I wish I had known how to run around and laugh like Hezen, Ceres, and Gemma.’

 

‘I wish I could have cheered at a single ant or been fascinated by a single flower.’

 

“Have I ever shined like that…?”

 

Dorothea muttered.

 

Then Raymond’s voice was heard softly.

 

“You always shined, Dorothy.”

 

When Dorothea turned to him in surprise, Raymond smiled.

 

Dorothea always shined in his eyes.

 

Infinitely dazzling, with talent and beauty that he did not possess.

 

Dorothea swallowed her expression as if she was about to burst into tears and stared back at him.

 

“You always shined in my eyes too, Ray.”

 

‘Like a sun I couldn’t reach…’

 

Then Raymond laughed.

 

“Isn’t it shining now?”

 

He showed off his gorgeous blonde hair.

 

Dorothea couldn’t help but laugh at that sight.

 

“Shine and more handsome.”

 

“Of course I do! How much sunlight do I get every day?”

 

It was quite funny to see Raymond showing off.

 

The two eventually burst out laughing at each other and laughed out loud.

 

Raymond laughed for a while and then took a deep breath.

 

“You know, sometimes I feel like we took the best path out of all the choices we could have made.”

 

Dorothea’s heart pounded at Raymond’s words.

 

There was a time when she chose the worst path out of all the options available to her.

 

“Thank you, Dorothy, for coming with me on this best path.”

 

Dorothea pressed her lips together and nodded.

 

‘Although I was afraid of making the same mistake and was still frustrated by my immaturity.’

 

“Thank you too, Ray.”

 

‘My efforts to become a little better were not in vain. I’m glad there’s a happy ending for you too, Raymond.’

 

* * *

4. Stefan and Clara 

 

“Knight!”

 

Clara smiled brightly as soon as she saw Stefan.

 

It’s been a long time since the two worked in the same place.

 

Immediately after Dorothea was crowned emperor, Clara became the highest-ranking maid who helped the emperor live, while Stefan was in charge of the Emperor’s escort.

 

“I’m so happy to be working together again!” Clara said excitedly.

 

Stefan nodded quietly.

 

Clara was still talkative, and Stefan was still quiet.

 

However, the two were accustomed to each other’s talkativeness and reticence, so they were comfortable.

 

“Shall I call you Count Stefan Greenwall?”

 

When Clara asked, Stefan quickly shook his head.

 

He preferred the title ‘Sir Stefan’ or ‘Knight’.

 

In particular, Clara had been called him ‘Knight’ for so long that he felt awkward to be called anything else.

 

After Dorothea became emperor, the two saw each other every day.

 

“I’m wondering what to put in the vase today. There are so many pretty flowers coming out these days.”

 

While Dorothea was in meetings, Clara would talk about various things with Stefan in her spare time.

 

Things like a meal menu for Dorothea, and various small stories that take place among the maids.

 

Stefan thought that he would never be bored with Clara.

 

Stefan envied Clara’s talent for making things interesting.

 

Unlike him, who was blunt, Clara had various expressions.

 

When he looked at that expression closely, he could almost forget the passage of time.

 

‘As I had always thought, she was a very charming person.’

 

* * * 

 

It’s early morning after the Knights’ dawn training.

 

As Stefan took off his shirt and dried off his sweat, he saw Clara diligently preparing breakfast from afar.

 

At that moment, Clara also saw Stefan and waved.

 

“Knight!”

 

Clara always smiles and greets him when she sees him.

 

Stefan smiled involuntarily and bowed his head.

 

“Have you been training this early?”

 

“Yes…”

 

Clara looked up at the large man and held out a towel she had.

 

When Stefan shook his head and said it was okay, Clara smiled.

 

“I have a pile of towels.”

 

The palace’s laundry was full of towels.

 

Dorothea is not angry if Stefan uses one of them.

 

In fact, she even lets the knights use it freely.

 

Stefan pretended not to be able to resist and wiped the sweat from his forehead and cheeks with the towel Clara gave him.

 

“You work hard every single day. You’re truly amazing.”

 

Clara was amazed as she looked at Stefan, who was drenched in sweat.

 

‘With that level of skill, one might be a bit lazy, but Stefan is never conceited at all.’

 

‘You must have gotten to that position because you worked hard like this every day.’ 

 

The solid muscles that seem to have no soft edges are probably the result of that effort.

 

“Clara too…” 

 

‘It’s amazing that she always works hard without fail.’

 

“Well, I’m just doing what I always do. Oh, I’m off tomorrow!”

 

Clara was happy to have a vacation day after a long time.

 

“I decided to go out for the first time in my life, but I’m worried that I might be embarrassed if I go out.”

 

Clara laughed embarrassedly.

 

She had already passed the usual age of marriage.

 

Dorothea is already married, but she, who is much older than Dorothea, is still unable to get married.

 

But things have changed these days.

 

Although being a little older was a drawback when it came to finding a marriage partner, her brother Anton was able to become quite independent, and she also received attention from those who knew that she worked close to the emperor.

 

In other words, she has the most lucrative and popular job among commoners.

 

It was all thanks to Dorothea that she was able to get attention even though she was quite old.

 

* * *