☀ Chapter 9 ☀
There was a reason why Ivan was so busy.
The war personally led by the Emperor was taking place on the western border, near the Kingdom of Tarant.
In truth, there was no need for the Emperor to fight on the battlefield himself.
But ever since he was the Crown Prince, he had been a battle fanatic, so he still joined wars from time to time.
Surprisingly, every time he took part, he always returned with victory.
Because of that, no one disliked the Emperor going to war.
Except for one person…
The Crown Prince, Ivan, who had to handle all the work left behind.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, aren’t you a demon? Doesn’t that mean you don’t need to sleep?”
I had heard that the servants in the Imperial Palace had been busy all night preparing for the victory banquet that had been decided so suddenly yesterday.
It seemed Ivan hadn’t been any different.
The exhaustion and irritation on his face clearly showed that he hadn’t been able to sleep because of all the work.
He looked far more worn out than I did, even though I had been awake since dawn, washing up and trying on dozens of dresses one after another for the banquet.
“You seem to have forgotten, but I’m still human… for now, Rine.”
…Rine?
The familiar way he suddenly called my name made me flinch.
When I looked at him questioningly, Ivan smiled mischievously.
“If you keep calling me so formally, the whole Empire will realize our engagement is only a contract.”
In other words…
He wanted us to act like a real couple.
He hadn’t said anything yesterday.
But now that there was an official event, he seemed to care.
“I was about to start calling you by your name anyway.”
“To lie right in front of me… your courage is admirable.”
“That’s because I’m engaged to a demon.”
When I shamelessly answered back, Ivan covered his mouth as he tried to hold back his laughter.
I had no idea what he found so funny.
But he looked quite pleased.
“So you’re really not afraid of me anymore.”
“Well… for now.”
“You’re too human for a demon.”
“What kind of demon gets dark circles under his eyes?”
“I told you… I’m still human…”
Now that we were engaged…
I wasn’t afraid of him anymore.
…Well, not completely.
But at least my hands no longer trembled whenever I saw him.
Besides…
I could tell he looked at me quite favorably.
That made it even easier.
“Ivan, by the way—”
Just as I was about to ask what he had written in the letter to the Emperor…
The loud voices of the Imperial Knights echoed throughout the palace.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
Three hours before the victory banquet began…
The Emperor’s carriage arrived at Diamond Palace.
The nobles would greet the Emperor during the banquet.
So only Ivan, me, and the servants of Diamond Palace were here.
Ate is sick, isn’t he?
When I have some free time later, I should go see him.
Normally Ate should have been here as well.
But I had heard from one of the attendants that he wasn’t feeling well this morning and couldn’t come.
Ate seems to like the Emperor a lot…
He must be disappointed.
“Rine, what were you about to ask?”
Luckily, Ivan had heard my voice and turned toward me.
“I was wondering what you wrote in your letter to His Majesty.”
“His return wasn’t supposed to be until next week.”
The moment he heard my question…
His expression relaxed.
“Oh, that.”
…I suddenly had a bad feeling.
Somehow…
I didn’t think it would be good news.
At least not for me.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
The moment he finished speaking…
Someone’s shadow appeared at the entrance of Diamond Palace.
Then a booming voice shook the entire hall.
“Ivan!!”
…No.
It would be more accurate to say he charged in rather than entered.
The Emperor stormed into the hall with overwhelming presence.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! You can’t just go in like this! You must first announce the victory according to protocol!”
“Your Majesty! Please observe proper etiquette!”
Several aides hurried after him, desperately trying to stop him.
Unfortunately…
Not a single one succeeded.
After shaking all of them off, the Emperor spotted Ivan.
He frowned and strode toward him without hesitation.
While shouting something completely unexpected.
“Where is it?!”
…Where is what?
“My grandchild!”
…Huh?
“Didn’t your letter say I was going to have a grandchild?!”
“You little brat!”
“The moment I read that letter, I ran all the way here from the cliffs!”
The furious Emperor let out a deep sigh.
“I’ve been riding through nothing but cold wind… now my head hurts.”
“…A child?”
Did I have a child without knowing it?
He’s engaged to me… but had a child with another woman?
Is this really one of those ridiculous stories?!
My goodness, Ivan… I never thought you were that kind of man!
…No.
Wait.
He’s a demon.
Maybe doing demon-like things wasn’t strange after all.
Somehow…
It almost made sense.
“My, Rine.”
“That look is rather hurtful.”
Apparently my thoughts had been written all over my face.
Ivan laughed helplessly as he gently wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“Once our engagement becomes official…”
“You’ll naturally meet our ‘grandchild’ before long.”
What is he talking about now?
While I stared at Ivan in disbelief…
The Emperor’s gaze finally landed on me.
His blazing green eyes were the same color as Ivan’s.
But they felt completely different.
Ivan’s eyes were like the fresh green forests of early summer.
The Emperor’s eyes were like the deep green leaves burning with life just before winter arrived.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone whose eyes practically spell out ‘passion.’
No wonder he loved going to war so much.
I thought a battle fanatic would be terrifying.
But seeing him now…
He felt more like a cheerful neighborhood uncle who loved getting involved in everyone’s business.
“So… now I understand.”
“I heard you shamelessly clung to some young lady.”
“Shamelessly”?
No matter what, he’s still the Crown Prince…
Although… he’s not exactly wrong!
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“I-I am Rine Astel.”
Facing the Emperor, who was famous for his fierce personality…
My heart pounded loudly.
How did someone as calm as Ivan grow up under an Emperor like this?
“Astel?”
“I didn’t know that family had a daughter.”
“Well, anyway.”
“Young lady, you’ve suffered after getting caught by this troublesome fellow.”
“Now that I’m here… we should hold the engagement ceremony.”
“It should be done before the Founding Festival.”
“The sooner, the better.”
…The Founding Festival?
Realizing something, I turned toward Ivan.
He smiled as if to say,
You finally figured it out.
The Founding Festival of the Lakis Empire was just around the corner.
During that period…
No ceremonies or official events of any kind were allowed.
Unless it was something extremely important to the Empire…
Like the death of the Emperor.
Everything else had to be postponed or moved forward.
An engagement…
Unlike a marriage…
Could always be changed.
So naturally, it wasn’t considered an important enough event.
If they didn’t hold it now…
It would be delayed for quite a long time.
So that’s why he called the Emperor back.
He knew the Emperor wouldn’t return just because he asked…
So he made up a story about having a grandchild.
Seriously…
If someone told me I was about to have a grandchild, I’d rush back too!
Who on earth gave Ivan the title of an angel?
…
Was it me?
“Was your name Rine?”
“Come here, child.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor ordered the attendants to bring several boxes into the hall.
Then he picked up one himself and handed it to me.
“I brought all kinds of things from the western region for my grandchild.”
“Well… I suspected Ivan had tricked me.”
“So there isn’t much a child could actually use.”
“You should keep them instead.”
The western region was famous for its rare and unusual goods.
Items imported from there were always very expensive.
After receiving such a valuable box…
I asked for permission before opening it.
“Wow…”
Among the many accessories and jewels…
One artifact immediately caught my eye.
It was a diamond pendant necklace.
Inside it was a powerful one-time defensive spell.
“Your Majesty.”
“I think His Highness the Prince would really like this.”
“May I give it to him?”
“You mean Ate?”
“Come to think of it… I don’t see that boy anywhere.”
One of the Emperor’s aides leaned over and whispered something into his ear.
The Emperor’s expression immediately darkened.
It seemed he had just heard that Ate was sick.
“…I see.”
“I’ve heard that boy likes magic.”
“Go ahead and give it to him.”
“Thank you.”
“His Highness will be very happy.”
“That boy…”
“He’s just too weak…”
His words sounded like criticism.
But his face was filled with worry.
That’s a relief.
At least this family doesn’t neglect their children emotionally.
Parents who ignore their children are common in romance fantasy novels, so I was secretly worried this family would be the same.
Rather than neglecting their children…
It was more accurate to say that the Emperor kept running off to war so often that he practically neglected the entire Empire.
Equal neglect for everyone…
…Is the future of this Empire really going to be okay?
