Chapter 104
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Chapter 104
Lahedis's words carried not a question, but absolute certainty.
Dain's eyes narrowed as he regarded Lahedis.
'This fellow's perceptiveness exceeds my expectations.'
It irritated him, yet simultaneously gave him confidence that Vivian could be entrusted to this man's care.
A man who remained vigilant against any threat to Vivian.
A man who stayed by her side despite knowing she was the Demon King's daughter.
Therefore....
'I must keep him even further removed from my affairs.'
A Crown Prince cursed with exceptional talent, forced to die as a traitor.
Should I draw Lahedis into my machinations, he too might suffer the same fate as his father.
And Vivian beside him would not be spared.
Kaltz could not prevent that tragedy, but I have no intention of repeating that past mistake.
The sins of the past that adults failed to resolve—I must bear them as an adult myself.
Lahedis, who became a sacrifice to those sins, must remain as a final bulwark to protect Vivian.
Should my plans go awry, even in the slimmest of chances.
"The Master of the Information Guild certainly knows everything."
Dain set down his teacup and continued with composure.
"Your suspicions about my wife's identity are correct. But you seem to be overestimating me."
"...."
"I returned as the Emperor's knight because my sister and I share the same thoughts—there's no other reason."
Igraine knows better than anyone that Orpen is a tyrant.
Yet rather than topple him, she chose the peaceful path of supporting and coordinating state affairs as Prime Minister.
It was the way that would spill less innocent blood.
But Lahedis found his answer unsatisfying.
"Yet the Emperor is your father's enemy, is he not?"
"Losing self-control to vengeance is a folly of youth."
"...."
"I have never forgotten my resentment. However...."
Dain gazed intently at his own eyes reflected in the tea.
Those eyes reminded him of Vivian.
"I have simply grown fearful now that I have someone to protect."
"...."
"I do what I can from my position."
Dain, who had masked falsehood as sincerity, now offered genuine counsel.
"If you harbor dangerous thoughts, you would do well to abandon them."
"...."
"I have no intention of letting Vivian walk the same path as your mother."
At the mention of his parents, Lahedis's brow furrowed slightly.
Knowing that his parents were his weakness, Dain deliberately touched upon it.
That fear will make Lahedis abandon his dangerous plan.
And so I will protect both children.
Just as we finished our conversation, a knock sounded at the door, and it creaked open slightly.
Poking her head through the gap was none other than Vivian, as expected.
"What are you two talking about without me?"
Suspicion filled her golden eyes as she regarded the two men with a scrutinizing gaze.
She was clearly suspicious because of what happened last time, when the two of them had nearly fought a duel.
The moment the two men saw Vivian, their expressions relaxed simultaneously, as if by prior agreement.
The grave atmosphere from moments before vanished without a trace.
Dain responded with his characteristic playful expression as he watched Vivian approach briskly.
"Ah... gossiping about you?"
"Ha, come now. What gossip could there be about such a beautiful and kind daughter?"
"Indeed, only someone with this much audacity could be my daughter."
"It's not audacity—it's the truth!"
Father and daughter began their usual banter.
Yet in Lahedis's eyes as he watched Dain, an unsettled emotion still lingered.
* * *
I peeked through the carriage curtain and started slightly.
'So many people have already arrived.'
Despite the early morning hour, the Temple entrance was crowded with noble carriages.
It was because of the New Year Festival.
In the Hildeon Empire, there was a custom where families spent time together during the first six days of the new year, and on the seventh day, they visited the Temple to pray for peace and prosperity throughout the year.
The Imperial Family and nobility gathered together on the same day and time to offer their prayers.
Today was that day.
"Vivian, if the Crown Prince should approach you, come straight to my side at once."
I turned away from watching the gathered people outside the window when I heard my Aunt's voice.
Curtis Rohan was attending separately as part of the Imperial Knights' escort duties, so only my Aunt accompanied me to today's New Year Festival.
"Don't worry. I've already been publicly rejected once, so there's not much more he can do, is there?"
"I suppose you're right, but..."
My Aunt still looked unconvinced.
As I was reassuring my Aunt, the carriage we'd arrived in came to a stop at the Temple.
I was just stepping down from the carriage with the help of my Aunt's escort when it happened.
"His Majesty the Emperor arrives!"
The Imperial carriage arrived, and the Emperor descended, followed by Allen, and finally the Imperial Princess.
Every time I saw the Imperial Princess dressed in formal attire, I still couldn't quite get used to it.
'Come to think of it, it's been such a long time since I've seen the Imperial Princess.'
I'd quit the Guard Post before the Hunting Festival, and at the Imperial Palace banquet, the Imperial Princess had left early, so we hadn't met.
And at the Art Museum opening ceremony, I'd left with Lahedis before the Imperial Princess arrived, so there was no chance to encounter her.
I was gazing hopefully, wondering if we might even exchange a glance.
As if hearing the silent wish in my heart, the Imperial Princess turned to look in my direction.
But then....
The Imperial Princess, who had been looking at me for a moment, quickly turned her gaze away.
'Our eyes definitely met, didn't they...?'
Was it just my imagination?
But the Imperial Princess didn't look back at me again.
She looked at everyone else, yet seemed to deliberately avoid my gaze.
I realized this wasn't my imagination when the carriage from House of Edelwein arrived.
Seeing that carriage, I understood why the Imperial Princess had avoided my eyes.
'It's because of my relationship with Lahedis.'
Of course, what happened with our parents wasn't Lahedis's fault, nor the Imperial Princess's fault, and certainly not mine.
But regardless of whose fault it was.
'Since it involves our parents and no one else, it's bound to feel awkward....'
Even for the Imperial Princess, who maintains such a strict separation between public and private matters.
However, understanding the situation and feeling hurt were two different things.
Fortunately, such thoughts didn't linger long.
Because the Duke and Lahedis descended from the House of Edelwein's carriage, drawing the attention of everyone present, including myself.
"So that man next to the Duke is the rumored Young Duke? Looking at him now, he certainly resembles the Duke quite a bit."
"Come to think of it, isn't he the one who rescued the ladies at the Hunting Ground?"
The middle-aged nobles who hadn't attended the Art Museum opening finally recognized Lahedis and began whispering.
And no wonder—today was Lahedis's first official appearance as Young Duke.
Seeing Lahedis standing there with quite favorable attention, my shoulders lifted with pride.
'Whoever chose those clothes picked perfectly.'
His broad shoulders, long limbs, and that face—the very definition of a cold beauty—matched the outfit I'd selected impeccably.
Forgetting my earlier hurt, I felt quite pleased with myself when I suddenly sensed a gaze.
Turning absently in that direction....
'...Allen?'
Allen was staring at me with cold eyes.
'He made a public proposal and was rejected, and on top of that, his rival is my father's enemy. He must be in a foul mood.'
But I didn't want to escalate things further.
Not because I particularly liked Allen, but because fighting would only make things more complicated.
So I decided not to acknowledge Lahedis and to stay quiet....
'...Huh?'
Lahedis was walking toward me.
Drawing all eyes upon himself.
In doing so, every noble in the Temple turned their gaze toward me.
'Why do I have a bad feeling about this...?'
Sensing an ominous premonition, I forced an awkward smile and gave a small shake of my head.
'No! Don't come over here!'
But Lahedis, seemingly oblivious to my signal, strode right up to me.
"You look beautiful today."
And then...
*smack*
He pressed his lips to my forehead.
Right there, as if to prove a point!
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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