Chapter 27: Deception
He was wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers.
And he was carrying a sword.
“It seems a bit early for a morning walk,” she said.
“Somehow I woke up earlier than usual today. Your Majesty, were you training this morning?”
Icar tapped the scabbard lightly against his sturdy thigh.
“As you can see, morning training is already finished.”
At that moment, the slightly cold dawn air brushed across Reneve’s cheek.
The faint scent of Icar’s sweat carried on the wind and tickled her nose.
Even the smell of someone else’s sweat could be tolerable, but Icar’s scent was surprisingly fresh and invigorating.
“If you’re out for a walk, may I accompany you? I happen to need your advice on something as well.”
Since there was something she needed to discuss with him, Reneve accepted the offer.
“All right.”
“Reneve, do you remember the Nathaim hot springs we discovered near the border?” Icar asked, glancing at her.
“Yes. You mean the hot springs we found on the way from Paradium to Vashker?”
“That’s right. I thought I should discuss it with you.”
“Discuss it?”
“There are a large number of magic stones buried in that area.”
“Your Majesty… did you purchase that land?”
“Of course.”
Icar nodded nonchalantly, and Reneve felt a flicker of disappointment inside.
He had already found out about the magic stones.
In the original account, it was Esica and Lucius who first discovered the Nathaim hot springs.
At first, they didn’t know the land contained magic stones, but later stumbled upon that fact.
Magic stones made life more convenient and were extremely valuable.
Owning land rich with magic stones was like controlling an oil field in real terms.
So Reneve had planned to secretly acquire the land under a false name after her three-year study abroad ended.
Similarly, in the original story, Lucius purchased that land secretly after discovering the magic stones.
Since the border area between Vashker and Paradium was otherwise considered useless land, the landowner had quickly sold it without hesitation.
They would have regretted it later if they realized the land contained a wealth of magic stones.
Reneve’s disappointment must have been obvious, because Icar let out a faint chuckle.
“Imperial law grants ownership of magic stones to the first discoverer.”
When Reneve quietly nodded, Icar’s sharp eyes gleamed with interest.
“It seems you already knew the magic stones were buried there.”
Reneve flinched slightly but shrugged and replied casually:
“Not at all. Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
For ordinary people, this would have been a life-changing opportunity, but for Icar, it was only a small addition to his already immense wealth.
“I wasn’t the only one to set foot there that day.”
“Do you mean… I also have ownership rights to the magic stones?”
“That’s right.”
Reneve’s eyes widened at Icar’s straightforward answer. Immediately, his perfectly furrowed brows drew together.
“Are you implying that you thought I would consider you a thief?”
Displeasure colored Icar’s voice, and Reneve quickly waved her hand in denial.
“Of course not.”
She quickly dismissed the earlier thought that Icar would monopolize ownership of the magic stones.
They later agreed to formalize joint ownership of the stones.
As the conversation continued, the dim morning scenery gradually brightened.
Their steps naturally turned toward the royal palace.
“You mentioned you’ve never been to the western border, right?”
“Yes.”
Reneve nodded, and Icar asked again:
“Are you certain?”
“…I believe so.”
Reneve looked up at him with a calm expression.
Icar’s gaze shifted to the distance as he recalled Dehan’s recent report:
“Your Majesty, it is said that the Seiren Marquis’ family stayed at that villa at the time.”
Nine years ago, the Seiren Marquis and his family had visited a villa near the western border.
Then why did she claim she had never been to the western border?
Back at the palace, Icar showered without attendants and went to his office.
Dehan and Bain were, as usual, busy with paperwork.
“Good morning, Your Majesty.”
Icar nodded lightly to them and sat at his desk, piled high with documents.
Recollecting earlier events, he extended his hand toward the stacks.
Before dawn and after completing his day, Icar never skipped his sword training.
Physical exertion cleared his cluttered mind completely.
That morning, as always, he was practicing alone at the training grounds before sunrise when he sensed a presence.
‘The knights’ training hasn’t started yet…’
He saw someone approaching slowly and frowned in curiosity.
Though the light was still dim, he recognized the figure from behind.
Their drooping posture made them look like a forlorn puppy.
Reneve had been lost in thought and only turned around when Icar came close and spoke.
“If you’re out for a walk, may I accompany you? I happen to need your advice on something as well.”
Her round eyes widened in surprise, looking almost comical.
Icar nearly chuckled but held it back.
Seeing her look so listless, he deliberately brought up the magic stones in Nathaim.
Even wealthy families like the Seiren Marquis wouldn’t refuse free gold coins.
Unlike Icar, who assumed joint ownership, she seemed to think he considered her a thief.
Annoying.
Her brief delight at the mention of magic stones faded quickly.
She still looked weary, lost in thought, her shoulders slumped.
For someone usually so spirited, her drooping posture irritated him.
Even when volunteering as a hostage in place of the princess at the palace ball, she had shown no sign of weakness, only dignity.
At first, Icar thought someone had forced her to travel to Vashker.
But observing her journey, it seemed her decision had been voluntary.
Choosing to go alone to a foreign land with no connections would not have been easy—especially for a young lady from a prestigious family like the Seiren Marquis.
Yet she had insisted on departing earlier than the official schedule and never complained, even though she must have been unused to the hardships of travel.
Icar respected her tenacity.
Of course, he would never have indulged her if she had complained, but he admired her resolve.
Lost in thought, Icar turned back to his paperwork to resume his duties.
But his mind wandered to the palace ball, to Reneve’s dress fluttering like a goldfish tail—it suited her perfectly.
She had looked beautiful, and not only in his eyes; the nobles present hadn’t been able to look away.
His thoughts lingered on her dancing, then on her trembling as if in fear.
At first, he wondered if she had made a mistake, but there was no reason for it.
‘Her condition clearly worsened…’
Ever since the princess of Solty appeared, in fact.
Icar had instructed that they investigate any connection between the Solty princess and Reneve.
Knock, knock.
The sound of someone at the office door brought him back.
Bain quickly opened it, carrying documents, and approached Icar.
“Your Majesty, the report regarding the Solty princess that you requested has arrived.”
He handed the documents to Icar, who skimmed them and let out a dry laugh.
“This… this is ridiculous.”
Dehan and Bain exchanged glances, unsure of what was so amusing.
Bain, braver than Dehan, finally spoke.
“Your Majesty… what is it?”
Icar handed the documents to Bain, letting out another chuckle.
Reading them, Dehan and Bain’s expressions changed simultaneously to disbelief.
The report from the Solty princess clearly amounted to a deception against Icar and the Vashker Empire.
“Is she insane?”
Icar’s scowl shifted suddenly into a tilted smirk, frightening Dehan and Bain.
They remembered well that when the emperor smiled like this, nothing good followed.
Dehan nudged Bain, who reluctantly asked:
“W-what will you do, Your Majesty?”
“Kill her.”
“…”
Their dry throats could barely swallow at Icar’s low, ominous tone.
After a moment, he shook his head lightly.
“No… perhaps this works to our advantage. Now we have a legitimate cause for war with Solty.”
“Shall we prepare for war with Solty immediately?”
Bain brightened, encouraged by Icar’s words.
He preferred action to paperwork—he thrived on the battlefield.
Icar considered briefly, then said:
“I think it’s more interesting to watch a little longer.”
Bain’s shoulders slumped at being told to wait.
Dehan, a pacifist, secretly exhaled in relief.
Since the palace ball, Reneve had been inundated with invitations—from small tea parties to balls and salons hosted by noble families.
Kiernen was delighted at the attention Reneve received from Vashker nobles.
Yet, after several days of her not going out, he asked worriedly:
“Lady, will you also decline the invitation from the Marchioness of Durenburg?”
Reneve nodded lightly as she wrote a letter declining the invitation.
Kiernen, looking as if he had something to say, eventually gave up and adjusted the teapot.
“The tea has gone cold. I’ll prepare a fresh pot.”
Reneve glanced at his retreating figure and continued writing.
During this time, she had spent most of her time in the garden, gathering information about the Vashker nobility from Amber and Princess Rachel—learning about power structures and influential factions.
And Reneve had reached her own conclusions.
