TMLOH 89

Chapter : 89

Somehow, precisely six years ago, relations between the Albrecht Empire and the Southern Empire began to deteriorate rapidly.

It was serious enough that it couldn’t simply be brushed off as routine, to the point where Emperor Edward urgently had to dispatch Duke Idikels, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Despite that, the situation continued to worsen day by day, leaving the citizens fearful that war might break out at any moment.

But then…

“If it’s because of Arellyn…”

The missing pieces fell into place, and finally, it all made sense.

What father would remain calm knowing his child had disappeared?

“H-Haha.”

How exactly Valer brought Arellyn from the Southern Empire, and what happened to Grand Duchess Sione, were still mysteries.

Countless unknowns remained, but in reality, none of that mattered.

The core issue was still one:

Arellyn was the daughter of Regent Duke Locke.

“Wow.”

After causing such a massive problem, she had the audacity to not say a single word about it, didn’t she?

“That Valer bastard… really…”

How was he supposed to clean this up? He must be insane.

As expected, he craved alcohol. Strong alcohol.

Mehen drank recklessly, only to despair at his own still-clear mind.

Why does one never get drunk at times like this?

“Ha, I’m going crazy.”

This was a disaster. No matter how he thought it through, the only conclusion was ruin. And of all people, it had to be Duke Locke, the de facto ruler of the Southern Empire.

Someone of that caliber couldn’t be overpowered by authority, force, or diplomacy.

Perhaps that’s why Valer had brought her along silently—because there was no way to control the situation.

“Would Duke Locke know about this?”

Probably not. That’s why it was quiet. But he couldn’t remain ignorant forever. Once he saw Arellyn, he would notice.

Unconsciously, it became apparent just how much Arellyn resembled Princess Sione.

“Phew…”

Still, there was no chance Locke would see Arellyn. That was a small relief.

It was at that moment, as he tried to wrap up his tangled thoughts, that a voice interrupted him.

“Duke Mehen.”

“?”

Mehen looked up at the voice, momentarily startled. Golden eyes, gleaming like a beast’s, looked down at him.

As night deepened, the atmosphere in the ballroom became more intoxicating.

On the dance floor and the balcony, couples who had made eye contact lingered to get to know each other, while the rest formed small groups, chatting and sharing stories.

“By the way, I don’t see the Marchioness of Belpart. Where could she have gone?”

“She went further inside earlier.”

“She’s unusually quiet tonight. She’s doing things she usually wouldn’t.”

“Oh my, could something be wrong?”

“Who knows? Hohoho.”

The topic everyone was most interested in was, of course, one thing.

“Have you seen him? Even from afar, seeing His Highness the Grand Duke made my heart race…”

“Ha. Even standing next to His Highness, he carries himself so gallantly.”

“I thought a handsome god had descended.”

All the ladies and young women, praising and sighing in unison, spoke breathlessly.

“I wonder what kind of lady will marry him?”

“If it were me, my heart might stop on the first night.”

“I didn’t even think about the cake giver…”

“What?!”

“Also, it seems Duke Mehen is really close to her. I overheard her calling him ‘darling’.”

“Oh my, oh my.”

“Tell us more.”

Leaving the deepening chatter behind, a woman standing quietly in a hallway of the palace held her breath nervously.

“Does the lady also dislike Halbern?”

Suddenly, without warning, an unknown man made a strange proposal.

The peculiar thing was that she couldn’t clearly recall the man’s face or voice—only that his eyes had shone a bright yellow.

Even her instinctive thought that she might be eaten…

“There is one way to inflict fatal harm on Halbern.”

“Would you like to hear it?”

“However, refusal is not allowed.”

Knowing it was a devil’s whisper, she nodded as if hypnotized.

‘All I need to do is deal with Halbern’s authority. The rest, Belpart’s power will suffice…’

Fortunately, the man revealed the method—the only way to break the long-standing alliance between the royal family and Halbern.

The Marchioness of Belpart rolled a mysterious jewel in her hands, thinking:

‘The secret between the royal family and Halbern…’

A sudden greed surged within her.

If Belpart found out…

“Might as well give it a try.”

Her eyes, tainted with greed, erased all hesitation.

At the same time, Valer continued watching over the two children.

Though their private dance under the moonlight had ended, the two still looked at each other with tender eyes.

[Will you interfere?]

A voice, like an apparition, spoke, carrying a familiar laughter.

“No.”

[How cute.]

A faint shadow approached and linked arms with him.

An existence that ordinary humans couldn’t perceive, and even transcendent beings couldn’t see without permission.

[So this child, the one who made you rush to me so boldly…]

An immortal who had witnessed the empire’s history showed a rare interest.

[How peculiar. Intriguing.]

“Mind your own business.”

[Bold, aren’t you? But since you listened to my special request, I will allow this.]

The laugh was unusually gentle. Valer snorted.

“You have no use for a dragon.”

[I’m not going to use it.]

A faint smile appeared in the laziness that slumbered in the palace.

By then, the two children had gone inside. Valer released his arms.

“You’re not intervening directly? Aren’t you capable?”

The laziness smiled quietly at his reproach.

In this era, where the ancient gods had lost divinity and only one faith remained, the ‘immortal’ was equivalent to a god.

If such a being wished to act, what could possibly be impossible?

Valer’s glance questioned this, and the shadow gave a wry, reluctant voice:

[If only it were possible.]

Her cool, piercing eyes radiated anger.

[Only humans can become dragon slayers.]

“……”

[Such a pity.]

She shifted the topic first. Valer didn’t press further.

[Those two children get along remarkably well.]

She only asked what she was truly curious about.

“How do they seem to you?”

[Hmm?]

“……”

[You’ve already done all you can. Don’t you know? That a child who may not live long has survived until now is already a miracle.]

Beneath long lashes, her violet eyes were tinged with sorrow.

[That child’s illness isn’t a disease. Nor is it a curse.]

“Can’t it be cured?”

[By my power?]

All that could be done was to delay it.

Hearing this answer again, Valer’s expression darkened.

[Prepare yourself. Their limits are probably near.]

Valer turned his back.

[Where are you going suddenly?]

“I don’t wish to speak with someone incapable of saving my daughter either.”

[Impudent.]

The scolding carried a laugh. Valer knew she wouldn’t punish such boldness.

[The child is Halbern’s.]

As Valer headed back to the ballroom, he slowed his pace briefly.

[Watch your step. Something unseen seems to be wandering around.]

Her strange words made him momentarily curious.

Wooooom—

Suddenly, the palace barrier quivered.

It was late for children to stay awake. Reluctantly, it was time to part ways.

He wanted to stay longer, but…

“You should go back now.”

Pession looked at him with eyes dripping regret.

“Tomorrow. I must see you tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“Good night, Arellyn.”

Leaving a light kiss on his forehead, Pession was pulled away by Griam, pouting.

Blushing, he touched the still-warm spot on his forehead and bit his lip.

‘This is really hopeless.’

What was he supposed to do, liking someone here?

Having only ever liked his mother in his life, he felt helpless and frustrated.

“Shall we go, Princess?”

“Yes.”

As he walked following the palace maid’s guidance,

“Arellyn!”

“Huh?”

Lesley?

“You were here. I found you.”

“Lesley… found me?”

He looked at the approaching Lesley with a reluctant expression.

Why was she so happy?

“Why… exactly…”

Just as he opened his mouth to ask why she was so excited, there was a sudden crack—

Pa-shak.

Something broke, and at the same time…

Wooooom—

His body instinctively flinched at a familiar sensation.

“?!”

There was no time to think.

His vision went completely black.