☀ Chapter 6 ☀
After I finally calmed down and sat back down, Ivan looked at me with confidence.
“Lady Astel. If you lend me your power, I’ll grant you anything you want.”
“…Anything?”
At my doubtful question, he nodded.
It seemed he had already guessed that 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 discuss.
“Anything you desire. Everything.”
If anyone else had said those words, they wouldn’t have meant much.
But after realizing he was really a demon…
It honestly felt like he could grant any wish.
“I could even place you at the very top of power.”
Ivan pointed toward the Diamond Palace not far away.
Wait…
Isn’t that where the Emperor lives?
His expression made it seem like he was willing to kill the current Emperor and place me on the throne if necessary.
Wow… that’s incredibly disrespectful.
The current Emperor was perfectly healthy.
He was even leading the conquest army himself on the battlefield.
“…I’m not interested in power.”
“Hm. That’s unusual.”
“Every human I’ve met desires wealth and honor.”
Ivan frowned as if he found me strange.
Even if you’re a demon… that’s still your father.
“There is only one thing I want.”
“To return to the world called Korea.”
“You mean dimensional travel?”
“You seem unaware that it’s forbidden magic across all dimensions.”
“I know it’s impossible.”
“That’s why my request is different.”
“I want your help with my research.”
“Research?”
Ivan narrowed his eyes with interest.
He probably hadn’t expected someone to reject power in exchange for research.
But this wasn’t just research.
“I’ve been researching dimensional magic for a long time.”
“Since it’s an ancient forbidden magic, I’ve been doing it secretly without the Magic Association finding out.”
“Because of that, my progress is slow, and there’s only so much information I can gather.”
Ivan quietly listened before resting his chin on one hand.
“Do you know why it’s forbidden?”
“…Because it’s dangerous?”
“That’s right.”
“It is a type of magic humans were never meant to handle.”
“Even if the spell succeeds, your body could crumble apart during the casting.”
“Or your mind could be destroyed.”
It was almost exactly what I had read in an ancient magic book.
As expected of an old demon.
He really does know things.
“Even so…”
“I have to do it.”
“I absolutely have to return.”
“‘Korea,’ was it?”
“What reason could possibly make you risk your life?”
“…Let’s just say there’s someone I have to see.”
My mother.
My father.
And my mother’s son.
My whole family was in Korea.
So I wasn’t lying.
There was no reason to tell him that this world was a novel and that I was merely a reader who had transmigrated into it.
“I can help with your research.”
“But…”
“Are you truly not interested in becoming Emperor?”
“Not at all.”
I answered without hesitation.
Ivan shrugged as though he found it unfortunate.
Please don’t look disappointed.
You’re the Crown Prince.
“Then let’s become engaged.”
“If we’re going to work together, we’ll have to meet often.”
He had a point.
If an unmarried man and woman kept meeting privately…
Rumors would spread immediately.
Especially in noble society.
Still…
If dimensional magic is forbidden even for demons…
Is it really okay for him to help me?
“Are you sure it’s alright for you to help me?”
“I’ll receive a little punishment.”
“But that’s nothing.”
Ivan smiled as if it wasn’t worth worrying about.
Our negotiation was complete.
“If you lend me your power, I’ll help you return to Korea.”
“When everything is over…”
“We’ll break off the engagement.”
“Agreed.”
Since Ivan had already publicly proposed to me, there was more than enough reason for the engagement.
He probably hadn’t planned all this from the beginning.
But either way…
It worked out well.
As soon as our agreement was made, Vanel quickly stepped forward and held another marriage contract in front of me.
Seriously…
How many of these proposals did he prepare?
Why does he have an endless supply of them?
“Oh.”
“While we’re engaged, I’d prefer not to have any scandals.”
“With men…”
“Or even women.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Living quietly is my specialty.”
He’s even worried about women?
This demon is more open-minded than I expected.
Still…
I was confident that no noble lady had lived a quieter life than I had.
I was so quiet that people barely knew I existed.
“One more thing.”
“Does this condition apply to Your Highness as well?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be a fiancé who only has eyes for you.”
“You may look forward to it.”
“…Ah.”
“Alright.”
You don’t have to be that devoted…
Still…
It was better than having people suspect our engagement was fake because of scandals or because we ignored each other.
Pretending to be a proper couple would help keep up appearances.
So I quietly nodded.
“Then…”
“I’ll be taking my leave.”
The contract was signed.
The misunderstandings had been cleared up.
It was time to go home.
Once news of our engagement spread, I’d probably be busy for a while.
But as long as I could continue my research…
That was enough.
“I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”
“Ah, thank you—”
As I stood up, Ivan kindly offered me his hand.
Thinking he was simply escorting me back to the carriage, I took it without thinking.
Then…
I suddenly realized something.
…Show me where I’ll be staying?
“Huh?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“From now on…”
“The Imperial Palace is your home.”
“…Why?”
I already have a house.
Actually… two houses.
Well… thanks to someone, I can’t really live in one of them anymore…
“You learned my greatest secret.”
“Did you really think I would simply let you leave?”
Ivan looked at me calmly.
After all…
What I had learned was more important than any state secret.
Meeting his unreadable gaze, I unconsciously swallowed.
“B-But…”
“You never said I couldn’t go home!”
“I showed you my trust.”
“But you haven’t shown me yours yet.”
“Only until you’ve proven it.”
Ivan gently smiled while lightly tapping the back of his healed hand.
This is so unfair!
I can’t exactly lock my own mouth shut!
But…
I couldn’t argue.
He had risked getting injured to earn my trust.
I hadn’t done anything comparable.
“You said you wouldn’t keep me under surveillance…”
“Surveillance?”
“I simply wish to protect the fiancée who will soon become the center of the Empire’s attention.”
His gentle words were accompanied by countless stars sparkling in his forest-green eyes.
There it is…
My former favorite character’s devastatingly beautiful eyes!
No!
I won’t fall for them!
Absolutely not!
If people already know about our engagement…
And then I move into the Imperial Palace too…
My peaceful life will truly be over.
Everyone would assume our relationship was far more serious than an ordinary engagement.
More importantly…
There had never been a single future Crown Princess in history who moved into the Imperial Palace before the wedding.
“I’m afraid there isn’t a suitable place for me to continue my research in the Palace.”
“There are plenty of empty rooms.”
“I’ll prepare one for you.”
“If the Magic Association discovers my research, it’ll become troublesome.”
“Then I’ll simply limit how often the Association is allowed to enter the Palace.”
“I also need to live near bookstores.”
“I require many reference books.”
“Then 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 filled with forbidden books and ancient magic texts?
That’s cheating…
I can’t refuse that.
If he was offering me all of this…
Wouldn’t refusing be the bigger loss?
It felt as though I could hear a demon whispering in my ear.
Well…
Ivan was a demon.
So that wasn’t exactly wrong.
More importantly…
The information I desperately wanted was almost certainly inside that library.
How could I possibly refuse?
Only the Imperial Family…
Or a very small number of people personally approved by them…
Could enter that place.
Even a future Crown Princess normally wouldn’t be allowed inside.
It was an unbelievably tempting offer.
“May I show you your residence now?”
“…Please do.”
I lost.
Closing my eyes, I admitted defeat.
Ivan chuckled softly and tightened his grip on my hand.
Then, as if he had suddenly remembered something, he turned toward me with a bright smile.
“You’re the first person to learn my true identity… and still remain alive. Congratulations.”
“…Ah.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem very happy.”
At that moment, Ivan’s green eyes curved into a smile.
Just like they had on that day…
When everything around us had been stained red.
“So…”
“I’m just… overwhelmed by the honor.”
“I knew it.”
The corners of Ivan’s lips slowly lifted.
His smile was irresistibly charming.
A once-in-a-generation wise ruler? An angel?
What nonsense.
This man is a demon through and through.
