Chapter 6
After I finally calmed down and sat back down, Ivan spoke with complete confidence.
“Lady Astell.”
“If you lend me your power…”
“I’ll grant you anything you want.”
“…Anything?”
He nodded without hesitation.
It seemed he had already guessed I was a Filtre, which was why he had called me here.
So that was what he meant when he said we had something to negotiate.
“Whatever you desire.”
“Anything.”
If someone else had said those words, they wouldn’t have meant much.
But after realizing he really was a demon…
It honestly felt like he could make anything happen.
“I could even place you at the very top of power.”
Ivan pointed toward the Diamond Palace in the distance.
Wait… isn’t that where the Emperor lives?
The look in his eyes clearly said:
“If necessary, I’ll kill the current Emperor and put you on the throne.”
Wow… that’s incredibly disrespectful.
The current Emperor was still healthy enough to personally lead military campaigns.
“…I’m not interested in power.”
“Hmm.”
“How unusual.”
“I thought all humans desired wealth and glory.”
He frowned slightly.
You’re talking about killing your own father…
“I only want one thing.”
“To return to the world called Korea.”
“You mean dimensional travel?”
“It seems you don’t know that’s forbidden across all dimensions.”
“I know it’s nearly impossible.”
“That’s why I’m asking you to help with my research.”
“…Research?”
Ivan narrowed his eyes with interest.
Apparently he hadn’t expected me to reject power in exchange for research.
But this wasn’t just research.
“I’ve been studying dimensional magic for a long time.”
“Since it’s an ancient forbidden spell…”
“I’ve been researching it secretly, without the Magic Association finding out.”
“Because of that…”
“My progress is slow.”
“And there’s only so much information I can obtain.”
Ivan quietly listened while resting his chin on his hand.
“Do you know why it’s forbidden?”
“…Because it’s dangerous?”
“Correct.”
“It’s magic beyond what humans can endure.”
“Even if the spell succeeds…”
“Your body could be destroyed during the process.”
“Or your mind could die.”
It matched what I’d read in ancient magic books.
As expected…
A long-lived demon knew things ordinary people didn’t.
“Even so…”
“I have to do it.”
“I absolutely have to return.”
“‘Korea,’ was it?”
“What makes it worth risking your life?”
“…Let’s just say there’s someone I have to meet.”
My mom.
My dad.
And my brother.
My whole family was in Korea.
I wasn’t lying.
There was no reason to tell him this world was actually a novel…
Or that I was a reincarnated reader.
“I can help with your research.”
“But are you really not interested in becoming Emperor?”
“Not at all.”
Seeing my firm answer…
Ivan shrugged as though disappointed.
Please don’t look disappointed.
You’re the Crown Prince.
“Then I’ll help you.”
“But we’ll become engaged.”
“If we’re going to work together…”
“We’ll need to meet often.”
He had a point.
If an unmarried man and woman met privately all the time…
Rumors would spread immediately.
Especially in such a conservative society.
Wait…
If dimensional magic is forbidden even for demons…
Is he really allowed to help me?
“…Are you sure it’s okay for you to help?”
“I’ll probably receive some punishment.”
“But that’s not a problem.”
Ivan smiled calmly.
The negotiation was settled.
“When everything is over…”
“We’ll end the engagement.”
“Agreed.”
Since he had already publicly proposed to me…
The arrangement made perfect sense.
He probably hadn’t proposed for this reason.
But it worked out well.
As soon as we finished talking…
Vanel immediately approached and presented yet another marriage contract.
Seriously…
How many of these did he prepare?
They just keep appearing!
“Oh.”
“While we’re engaged…”
“I’d appreciate it if you avoided scandals.”
“Not only with men.”
“Women too.”
“Don’t worry.”
“My specialty is living quietly.”
He’s even worried about women?
This demon is more open-minded than I expected.
Still…
No noble lady had ever lived more quietly than I had.
There was a reason hardly anyone even knew I existed.
“…Does that condition apply to Your Highness too?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll become a fiancé who only has eyes for you.”
“You can look forward to it.”
“…Ah.”
“Okay.”
You really don’t have to be that devoted…
But whatever.
It was better than having people suspect we were only pretending to be engaged.
Acting like a real couple would make things easier.
So I gave a small nod.
“Then…”
“I’ll take my leave.”
The contract was signed.
The misunderstandings had been cleared up.
It was time to go home.
Once the engagement became public…
Things would become busy.
But as long as my research continued…
That was enough.
“I’ll show you to your room.”
“Oh.”
“Thank… you…”
I stood up.
Ivan kindly offered me his hand.
Thinking he was simply escorting me back to the carriage…
I absentmindedly took it.
Then it finally hit me.
…My room?
“What?”
“What do you mean by ‘my room’?”
“From today onward…”
“The Imperial Palace is your home.”
“…Why?”
“My house still exists.”
“I actually have two houses.”
…Well, thanks to someone, I can’t really live in one of them anymore.
“Did you really think I’d simply let you leave…”
“After you learned my greatest secret?”
Ivan looked at me calmly.
His secret was more valuable than any state secret.
Facing his unreadable eyes…
I unconsciously swallowed.
“B-But…”
“You never said I couldn’t go home!”
“I’ve already shown you my trust.”
“You haven’t shown me yours yet.”
“This is only until you’ve proven it.”
Ivan lightly tapped the back of his healed hand.
He smiled gently.
That’s unfair!
It’s not like I can lock my own mouth shut!
Still…
I couldn’t argue.
He had literally injured himself to earn my trust.
I hadn’t done anything comparable.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t keep me under surveillance…”
“Surveillance?”
“I simply want to ensure the safety of my fiancée.”
“The woman who will soon become the center of the Empire’s attention.”
His beautiful green eyes sparkled as he spoke.
There it is…
My favorite’s devastatingly beautiful eye attack…!
No!
I’m not falling for it!
Absolutely not!
“I’m already going to become famous because of this engagement.”
“If I move into the Imperial Palace too…”
“There won’t be any trace of my quiet life left.”
“I’ll be completely finished.”
We had only just become engaged.
If I moved into the palace immediately…
Everyone would know our relationship wasn’t ordinary.
Besides…
In all of history…
No future Crown Princess had ever lived in the palace before the wedding.
“Unfortunately…”
“I don’t think there’s a suitable place for me to continue my research here.”
“There are plenty of empty rooms.”
“I’ll prepare one.”
“If the Magic Association finds out about my research…”
“I’ll be in trouble.”
“Then I’ll limit how often they can enter the palace.”
“I need access to bookstores.”
“I’ll give you permission to use the Imperial Library.”
…Wait.
The Imperial Library?
The one only members of the Imperial Family can enter?
The one full of forbidden books and ancient magical texts?
“That’s cheating…”
“I can’t refuse that.”
At this point…
Wouldn’t refusing be the real loss?
It felt like I was hearing the whispers of a demon.
Well…
He is a demon.
So that comparison wasn’t exactly wrong.
More importantly…
Everything I wanted to research was almost certainly inside that library.
How could I possibly refuse?
Normally…
Only members of the Imperial Family…
Or a handful of people personally approved by them…
Could enter.
Not even a future Crown Princess had automatic access.
It was an unbelievably tempting offer.
“So…”
“May I show you your room now?”
“…Please.”
I lost.
Closing my eyes, I quietly admitted defeat.
Ivan chuckled softly and tightened his grip on my hand.
Then, as if he’d just remembered something, he turned toward me.
“Congratulations.”
“You’re the first person to learn my true identity…”
“And remain alive.”
“…Ah.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t seem very happy.”
Ivan’s green eyes narrowed slightly.
For just a moment…
They looked exactly as they had in the forest.
“I-I’m just…”
“So honored that I was speechless…”
“I knew it.”
The smile that spread across his lips was irresistibly charming.
A perfect future emperor?
An angel?
Yeah, right.
This man is a demon through and through.
