Chapter 102
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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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Chapter 102
Kiaros shrugged his shoulder and continued speaking slowly, his chin resting in his palm.
"I still remember that night when we were attacked in the Southern Region. His Majesty the Emperor swept them all away, but he sustained an injury to his leg and was wrapped in bandages. They said he lost a considerable amount of blood. It was the first time I'd seen His Majesty in such a state, and I was terrified... but then."
"Ah..."
"His Majesty said that even in the worst of circumstances, there's always something good to be found."
I blinked. This was the first time Kiaros had spoken at such length about himself.
Had we always been this close? But saying something like that would only wound him.
"Fifteen years without meeting is certainly a dire situation, but at least it's fortunate that Namia didn't enter the Magic Tower."
He gazed directly at me and smiled softly.
When that sculpted face turned its smile toward me, my breath caught instinctively.
I had to admit it. I wasn't someone who judged everything by appearance alone, but Kiaros's looks were truly breathtaking...
"Come to think of it, Namia and I have been entangled with the Gaejo Faction since then. It's quite the history."
Kiaros chuckled softly, then adjusted his posture with elegant grace. Then he spoke in a hushed voice.
"Truth be told, I'm not in a position to completely trust anyone right now. But if Namia wishes to display her abilities, then permitting that would be a superior's virtue."
I blinked and looked at him.
"Just as I always have."
He harbored some suspicion of me, yet he trusted in my abilities. The two could certainly coexist.
Suddenly, warmth bloomed in my chest.
Even at the banquet, he had said to "show Namia's light to others."
It was different from Victor, who had said, "I hope you never discover your own light."
"However, there is one condition."
"Yes."
I nodded while gazing at Kiaros.
I was prepared to accept whatever condition he might propose.
"Even within the Imperial Palace, dangers always lurk, so I'd like you to bring an escort along."
The word was escort, but it also meant surveillance.
Yet what followed was unexpected.
"How about bringing your secretary with you?"
"...Pardon?"
"His abilities are likely superior to, or at least equal to, the Ravens."
"Um..."
I asked, bewildered.
"If you mean Kibon... he was one of the names on the list I mentioned as a spy?"
"No, that's not it."
Kiaros spoke with slight embarrassment.
"Well... no, that's not the case. There are some circumstances, but..."
There was undoubtedly some relationship between Kibon and Kiaros.
Was he perhaps a hidden illegitimate child of the Eimot Royal Family, sharing blood with Kiaros...
Or perhaps he was one of the Ravens currently on an assignment.
"Wait, then... is Kibon someone I can trust?"
In any case, it was good news. I didn't have to suspect Kibon!
"Then, does that mean we can narrow it down to either Anastasia or Victor being the spy?"
Crown Prince Kiaros gazed at me quietly, then nodded once.
I exhaled a sigh of relief without realizing it. I was so glad I didn't have to suspect Kibon.
"Ah... still, it's such a relief. I've been so anxious all this time wondering if Kibon might be the spy..."
I spoke with evident delight, my eyes sparkling brightly.
"So I can trust completely that Kibon has no deceptions toward me?"
"U-uh?"
"Everything he shows me is genuine, right? I can believe that?"
"U-um..."
Crown Prince Kiaros rolled his eyes, looking deeply flustered.
"W-well, that is... um, you... don't trust too much... okay..."
"Yes."
I exhaled sharply through my nose as I spoke.
"But if that boy is deceiving me in any way, I absolutely won't let it slide."
"U-uh?"
Because of Kibon alone, my emotions had swung wildly in such a short span of time.
Honestly, I couldn't forget the image of him carrying me and running when I coughed up blood.
Even though he was burning with fever, even as his house crumbled to pieces, he didn't hesitate—he only cared for me.
I was so happy that I didn't have to doubt his sincerity, but if I were to be betrayed now...
"If Kibon Altes dared to deceive me, make a fool of me, betray me, or was such a wretched bastard..."
As I muttered, Crown Prince Kiaros took a sharp breath, his face tense.
"Then... surely, perhaps..."
He hesitated, then added his question.
"You won't see that wretched bastard ever again?"
I answered immediately to that question.
"What? Of course not."
"Right? Still, you've spent time together..."
"I'm not that merciful to those who betray me."
Simply not seeing him again? That was absurd.
I continued, my eyes gleaming intensely.
"I will never forgive him. I won't let him rest easy in his heart."
"...Uh?"
"I'll cling to him for life and exact my revenge."
"Um..."
"I'll chase him even to hell itself and make him pay for his sins eternally. I'll make him suffer, crying out my name until the day he dies..."
It was when Crown Prince Kiaros flinched and pulled his body back slightly.
Knock, knock—there came a knock. Simultaneously, the door burst open with a bang, and the Empress and Jayden rushed in.
"Your Majesty, my congratulations! I heard you've finally succeeded in imprisoning Namia!"
"Brother! Congratulations! So you'll be living together with Namia after all!"
Crown Prince Kiaros wore an expression of mounting complications.
"It's neither. I'm simply receiving Namia Loapi as a guest of the Imperial Palace."
"Kyaaaaaaah! Kihyahyahyak! Kack kack! Kyek kyek kyack!"
"A guest of the Imperial Palace eventually becomes a guest in one's life, and a guest in one's life becomes a companion for life, brother!"
While the two royals caused an uproar, the Aide who had entered with them quietly took his place beside me.
"I shall guide you to the room where you'll be staying."
"Very well."
I nodded to the Aide and left the Crown Prince's Office, which was now filled with screams and cheers.
And so my life at the Imperial Palace began.
* * *
I took ten days of sick leave.
There was nothing urgent to handle, but I issued work directives to Victor, my Team Leader, and Anastasia.
"Working from home isn't so bad."
The Empress even sent me an abundance of clothing.
It seemed that at the last banquet, the Dress Shop that had made my outfit had apparently cried out 'from here to here,' and the Empress had taken them at their word.
'She clearly didn't look at the clothes properly before demanding everything. Every conceivable style of garment is assembled here with absolutely no sense of unity.'
Of course, I explained that a high-ranking official couldn't accept such things. But the response came back that 'they are not yours, but rather items always kept in the guest's quarters.'
In the meantime, an Attendant delivered a letter from Crown Prince Kiaros.
The Ravens would begin investigating Anastasia and Victor, and I was to share the results as soon as they came in.
Kibon Altes would be sent there shortly, so I should be aware of that.
True to his word, Kibon arrived at my quarters that afternoon. And with his characteristic expressionless face, he spoke as though nothing unusual had occurred.
"When you wish to go out, please pull the bell cord. It connects to my quarters, so I shall come at once."
"Understood."
"How is your health?"
"I'm fine, but... how are you?"
"I'm well. Fully recovered."
I studied Kibon's complexion. He did look somewhat tired, but he didn't appear to be in pain like he had been yesterday.
Meeting him again in a room at the Imperial Palace felt strangely different. I gazed at him intently before speaking.
"Kibon."
"Yes."
Before we began working together on 'other matters' here at the Imperial Palace rather than at the Scroll Department Office, there was something I needed to address clearly.
"What is your relationship with Crown Prince Kiaros?"
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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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