The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

“But if one butterfly monopolizes such a fragrant flower, wouldn’t that be unfortunate for both the flower and the garden?”

 

Luheit held up a rose.

 

What he means is that he is dissatisfied with Ethan monopolizing Dorothea.

 

It was a ridiculous yet arrogant declaration of war.

 

Ethan casually snatched the rose that Luheit had in his hand.

 

“That’s true, but… you should also consider the flower’s position.”

 

Ethan closed his eyes and smiled.

 

“A bug that flies to a flower when the flower doesn’t want it is just a pest, right?”

 

As Ethan added with a shameless face, Luheit’s face distorted.

 

“Fortunately, Ubera’s gardeners are quite adept at catching pests. Her Majesty the Emperor’s brother, Prince Raymond Milanaire, is very interested in plants.”

 

Ethan spoke lightly, but soon the smile on his lips slowly faded. Then his beautiful white hands grasped the air.

 

Ethan smirked as Luheit flinched back in surprise at the sudden swing of his hand.

 

“I, too, am the type of person who cannot just sit by and watch pests invade the garden that Her Majesty cherishes.”

 

As Ethan slowly opened his hand, there was a small, dead fly in his hand.

 

As Ethan elegantly shook his hand away, the dead fly fell limply to the ground.

 

Luheit gritted his teeth when he saw Ethan.

 

“There seems to be a thorn in your words.”

 

“Did you feel that way?….That’s correct.”

 

Ethan smiled.

 

Ethan’s unapologetic demeanor irritated Luheit.

 

“You know I’m an envoy of Mulkybel, and you treat me like this?”

 

“I know. So, if you come as an envoy, you should just remain as an envoy and leave.”

 

‘Don’t be presumptuous and covet Dorothea, just do your own business and go home.’

 

When Ethan wiped the smile off his face and gave him a cold stare, Luheit gritted his teeth.

 

“I don’t think the Duke of Bronte is worthy of a place beside Her Majesty the Emperor Milanaire.”

 

“What did you say just now?”

 

“Isn’t the Duke of Bronte making a mistake in national affairs out of his personal greed?”

 

Ethan’s golden eyes flashed coldly.

 

He has been working hard to support Dorothea and act without any shortcomings.

 

He knew Dorothea was striving to be a better Emperor.

 

Although Ethan sometimes felt the urge to take the easier route by taking shortcuts, he held back for Dorothea’s sake.

 

Because Dorothea’s dream and wish is to take the right path rather than the easier or fast path.

 

And so, as her companion, Ethan has been guiding her, counseling, and sometimes encouraging her.

 

But how dare the Prince of Mulkybel say that?

 

“It has never been a fault of an emperor to have multiple concubines. In fact, there have been great rulers who have used them for political gain. However, Duke Bronte seems to be blinded by personal desire and jealousy and is attempting to block the wisest course of action that Her Majesty could have chosen.”

 

Luheit ran a hand through his red hair.

 

“The wisest action?”

 

The corners of Ethan’s mouth twitched.

 

“Not that I don’t understand your jealousy.”

 

A confident smile appeared on Luheit’s lips.

 

“In fact, isn’t Duke Bronte rather unqualified to be the Emperor’s companion, and, from what I hear,  you are an illegitimate child?”

 

Luheit brought out Ethan’s deep complex.

 

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly, and Luheit smirked. 

 

“And I heard that you were a great hero in the war against Hark, but I heard that you almost had the misfortune of being held hostage—”

 

“You’d better keep your mouth shut.”

 

As the smile disappeared from Ethan’s face, Luheit looked at him with amusement.

 

“Your swordsmanship skills are poor, your archery skills are not great, and all you have to show off is your face and body. It seems like you have a good reputation within Ubera. But the reputation you built by selling smiles with that appearance…”

 

Luheit lifted his chin slightly and looked down at Ethan.

 

Luheit knew. If they compare Ubera and Mulkybel, Mulkybel may be inferior, but if they compare Ethan and Luheit individually, they can see that Luheit was born with far superior conditions.

 

He was a prince of a fairly large kingdom.

 

In addition, Mulkybel’s military power, especially its cavalry, was so excellent that even Ubera was wary of it, and Mulkybel’s natural resources were also important imports to Ubera.

 

Although Ethan’s appearance was impressive, Luheit also attracted people’s attention with his handsome appearance.

 

Therefore, Luheit thought that he was a better match for Dorothea than Ethan.

 

“You really are good at talking.”

 

Ethan wanted to cut Luheit’s throat with his knife right away.

 

But since Luheit also knew that Ethan couldn’t do so, he didn’t stop talking.

 

“I can offer Her Majesty the Emperor a stable relationship with Mulkybel. There is nothing better for a contract between nations than marriage.”

 

Dorothea wants to maintain a stable and friendly relationship with Mulkybel.

 

For that, there would be no better way than through marriage with the Mulkybel royal family, as Luheit had said.

 

“Besides, I can understand Her Majesty’s circumstances, which the Duke of Bronte cannot understand.”

 

“Her Majesty’s circumstances that I cannot understand?”

 

“I’m talking about spirits. If you can’t even handle spirits, how can you understand the emotions and experiences of a spirit master?”

 

Luheit laughed at him and summoned a red spirit from his fingertips.

 

A fire spirit emitting a bright red light circled him.

 

‘Ah, spirit…’

 

Ethan’s boiling blood suddenly cooled.

 

‘So it’s that story again. So what.’

 

Ethan reached out to the fire spirit flying through the air.

 

Then the red spirit approached him, flinched, and stepped back.

 

Since Ethan came from the spirit world, they must know that Ethan was a contractor who had made a direct contract with the Spirit King. That the power he possessed was overwhelming that of Luheit.

 

However, Luheit was bewildered by the sudden retreat of the spirits, not knowing what was going on.

 

Ethan took a step towards Luheit.

 

“Let me give you a piece of advice, Prince Luheit.”

 

As Ethan’s voice became lower, Luheit looked at him.

 

“If you don’t know anything, at least know the person who is your opponent.”

 

* * * 

 

Dorothea put the letter from Luheit down on the desk.

 

He asked for an audience with the Emperor, saying he wanted to hear the story of the Empire.

 

Mulkybel’s delegation was scheduled to stay in the empire for a month to observe advanced civilization and discuss issues between the two countries.

 

Whatever is decided this time will serve as the foundation for bilateral relations for the next few years, unless something major happens.

 

Just like last time, Luheit asked for a private meeting.

 

Dorothea, who had been staring at the letter for a moment, raised her head.

 

“Am I free tomorrow afternoon?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The aide bowed his head.

 

“I’d like to have a cup of coffee with Prince Luheit.”

 

‘I heard that Mulkybel has coffee time in the afternoon.’

 

Dorothea planned to take advantage of the custom and spend time with Luheit.

 

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

 

“Headmaid Clara and Sir Stefan,  tomorrow afternoon,  I would like to have a private meeting with Prince Mulkybe only.”

 

Clara and Stefan bowed their heads at Dorothea’s words.

 

“I will prepare it accordingly, Your Majesty.”

 

* * * 

 

When Dorothea reached the appointed meeting, Luheit was already there and waiting for her.

 

As he had wished for a private meeting, Luheit simply waited with a servant and an escort.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress Dorothea Milanaire.”

 

Luheit approached with a big smile, bowed, and held out his hand.

 

When Dorothea placed her hand on him, Luheit kissed the back of her hand.

 

Dorothea thought his behavior was somewhat excessive.

 

It is customary to kiss the back of the hand as a sign of respect, but it is unbelievable that a prince of one country would kiss the back of the hand of the emperor of another country.

 

A single handshake would be enough to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

 

However, Dorothea did not point it out separately as it was not something to complain about.

 

Luheit naturally escorted her.

 

When they reached the table, Luheit pulled out a chair for Dorothea to sit down gracefully.

 

As Luheit sat down, the servants who had been preparing poured him a cup of warm coffee.

 

“It’s been almost a week since you came to Ubera, so how are you?”

 

Dorothea checked on Luheit’s recent activities.

 

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I am very comfortable. Ubera, which I have seen over the past few days, is truly amazing. There is much to learn.”

 

Luheit heaped praise on Ubera’s appearance that he had observed so far.

 

The roads were maintained so that carts and carriages could travel anywhere, the shops were labeled with their purpose, so that anyone could easily recognize them, and the walls and tall towers were built with outstanding technical skills.

 

“It’s surprising how little poverty there is in a city of this size. It’s amazing how such a big city can be so clean.”

 

* * *