TMLM 12

Chapter 12

After we gave a brief greeting to the nobles from the platform, we went down to the first-floor hall.

Not long after, the Emperor appeared.

Wearing a mask with the golden lion, the symbol of the Erzet Imperial Family, he raised a golden goblet high into the air and spoke in a loud voice.

“The enemy nation has fallen, and the glory of Lakis has reached the heavens. Let all rejoice, for this is proof of the Empire’s eternal prosperity!”

After formally announcing the Empire’s overwhelming victory against the Kingdom of Tarant, he listened to the nobles’ cheers before looking toward us.

…Hm?

Did I just make eye contact with the Emperor?

I’m pretty sure I did.

No way…

It must be my imagination.

Just as I tried to convince myself otherwise, the Emperor’s booming voice rang out again.

“Hear this as well! Under the blessing of Goddess Arnosil, I officially announce the engagement of Crown Prince Ivan Fel Erzet and the second daughter of House Astel, Rine Astel!”

…Wait.

Did he seriously announce our engagement together with the victory in the war?

As if that wasn’t enough, the Emperor even looked at us and proudly gave a wink.

…What was that cute wink supposed to mean?

I’m doomed.

This practically erased any chance of breaking off the engagement.

An engagement announced together with one of the Empire’s greatest victories—a moment that would be recorded in history—could never be canceled simply because someone changed their mind.

Unless one of us died in an accident…

There was no way this engagement could be broken.

I leaned closer and whispered urgently.

“Ivan, this wasn’t part of the plan! If this happens, we won’t be able to cancel the engagement!”

I thought we’d announce it ourselves like normal!

What is this?!

Ivan didn’t look worried at all.

“There are two solutions.”

“What are they?”

My eyes lit up with hope.

He motioned for me to come closer.

As I stepped beside him, he lowered his head to my ear and whispered softly.

“Either marry me… or become the Emperor.”

“…What?”

“I’m fine with either.”

“You demon…”

No thanks.

Absolutely not!

Is this really the time for jokes?

I glared at him, but Ivan only shrugged and stepped away.

Meanwhile, the Emperor—who had completely turned my life upside down—looked completely satisfied.

Having finished everything he wanted to do, he told everyone to enjoy the celebration and quickly left the hall.

From what I overheard, he was going to drink with the Imperial Knights who had fought beside him.

…Well.

The Emperor definitely suits beer more than wine.

As I watched him leave with a complicated expression, Ivan quietly spoke.

“Don’t worry. I’ll solve it.”

“Right now, there’s something more important.”

Smiling in a way that inspired absolutely no confidence, he held out his hand and bowed slightly.

“May I have the honor of sharing the first dance with you, my Rine?”

…When did we end up in the middle of the ballroom?

Because our engagement had just been announced, I could feel countless intense gazes piercing through the masks.

There was no way I could refuse.

So I quietly placed my hand in his.

“My goodness…”

“They look perfect together, even with masks on.”

“Is that lady a mage too? I heard the reason His Highness chose her was because of House Astel’s magic.”

“I heard she used one of those mysterious potions sold in the back alleys.”

“Oh, come on. Look how gently His Highness treats her. Maybe it really was love at first sight.”

“The mysterious future Crown Princess has finally appeared in the once-quiet Imperial Palace…”

The whispers around us only grew louder.

The Empire’s greatest bachelor—the man who could shake noble society just by existing—had spent years pursuing…

A woman who had practically no presence at all.

It really was like one of those over-the-top drama stories.

The ratings would be incredible.

“Ivan… I think I’m about to faint.”

“When?”

“In about one minute.”

After hearing my surprisingly specific answer, Ivan frowned thoughtfully.

“If you want, I can stop everyone from seeing us.”

“How?”

“I’ll just take away their eyesight.”

…What?

I was thinking of something simple, like changing the dance formation or dimming the lights.

How does someone even come up with something so demonic—

Oh.

Right.

He is a demon.

“You’re joking… right?”

“I can give it back afterward.”

“That doesn’t make it okay!”

Hearing my cold reply, Ivan sighed as if it were a shame.

His fingers tightened around my hand.

His other hand wrapped firmly around my waist.

His body felt unbelievably cold.

Stop pretending to be human with a body temperature like that…

“Rine.”

“You won’t have to faint after all.”

“Huh? What do you mean—”

Just as I looked up at him in confusion—

“AAAAAH!”

“Help! Someone help!”

A terrible scream suddenly echoed from outside.

The joyful atmosphere of the party collapsed in an instant.

“Everyone, evacuate!”

“Monsters! Monsters have appeared!”

“Protect His Highness!”

The knights immediately took control after hearing the report of magical beasts invading.

Panicked guests rushed toward the exits.

The sounds of breaking objects mixed with terrified screams.

The ballroom became complete chaos.

It truly felt like a disaster.

At that moment, above all the noise, I clearly heard Ivan snap his fingers.

“Vanel. Take Ate to a safe place.”

“At once.”

“Brother! Wait! What’s happening—?!”

Vanel appeared out of nowhere.

Before Ate even understood the situation, Vanel lifted him into his arms and disappeared.

As Ate’s voice faded into the distance, the Imperial Knights finally reached us.

“Your Highness! We’ll escort you and Her Highness to safety!”

“No.”

“Help the others instead.”

“If even one person dies, you’ll answer for it.”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness!”

Ivan answered so firmly that the knights immediately obeyed.

Although they hesitated for a moment, they quickly turned around and rushed outside.

It was surprising.

Normally they’d insist on protecting the Crown Prince no matter what.

Yet they accepted his order without question.

According to the original novel, no one knows Ivan is a demon… or that he can use magic.

Just how incredible is his swordsmanship?

Whatever the reason…

It was obvious they trusted his strength completely.

Otherwise, they would never have left so willingly.

“Rine.”

“I can sense magical beasts, but there are too many humans nearby.”

“Can you find their location?”

“Ah… give me a moment.”

After leading me safely into a quiet corner of the hall, Ivan stood protectively in front of me while carefully observing our surroundings.

Remembering his earlier advice to recall the feeling I had when I found him before, I quickly closed my eyes.

Between the distant roars of magical beasts…

I felt the same faint, unpleasant sensation I had experienced before at Count Anasia’s estate.

It was as thin as a thread.

“I can feel them… It’s faint, but they’re to the west. I think there are at least two.”

“Near the back entrance.”

“I’ll go.”

He added that Kan and Sis were nearby protecting me, so I shouldn’t worry.

So that’s why I couldn’t see either of them.

They had been guarding me from the shadows.

Just as Ivan turned to leave without hesitation, I instinctively grabbed his arm.

“You’re going alone?”

“You still can’t fully use your purification ability.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

He spoke the harsh truth without hesitation.

He wasn’t wrong…

But staying here alone felt even more dangerous than following him.

“Let’s go together.”

“I might be able to help.”

This time…

I reached my hand out to him.

Ivan remained silent for a moment.

Then, in a calmer voice, he spoke.

“They’re magical beasts… but just like before, it’ll look as if I’m killing people.”

He quietly watched my expression.

…Ah.

So that’s it.

“Since they look human, saying I’m killing people wouldn’t exactly be wrong.”

“So stay here, Rine.”

“It’s not a pleasant sight.”

Was he hesitating…

Because he was afraid I’d become frightened of him again?

A magical beast hiding inside a human body disappears the moment its host dies.

Which means…

After the beast is killed, all that’s left is an ordinary human corpse.

To someone who doesn’t know the truth…

It would simply look like a brutal murder scene.

“If I only wanted to see beautiful things, I never would have gotten engaged to you.”

“…That’s surprisingly convincing.”

“So you’ll take me with you?”

At last, Ivan took the hand I was holding out.

It seemed my argument had finally convinced him.

“But Rine.”

“You’re already shaking.”

“Are you really alright?”

To be honest…

I still couldn’t forget the horrifying sight of that rolling human head.

Just imagining seeing something like that again made my hands and feet tremble.

“Since you know that, make sure you protect me properly.”

“I’ve lived a very sheltered life.”

“To magical beasts, I probably look like the most delicious meal imaginable.”

“…You’re going to drive me crazy.”

Ivan let out a helpless laugh.

Then—

He suddenly lifted me into his arms.