“Yes. It ended successfully.”

Dominic wasn’t feeling well.

The last thing he wanted right now was a long conversation.

About that.

About failing to subjugate the labyrinth.

If he brought it up, Richard would undoubtedly lecture him for hours.

Dominic wanted to put all of that off until later.

“I see. Well done. Where’s the boss’s core?”

Richard held out his hand.

‘D*mn it!’

He hadn’t even thought about the boss’s core.

Rubbing his throbbing temple, Dominic answered,

“I’ll keep it.”

“What?”

“I think it’s about time I managed a labyrinth of my own, don’t you?”

Richard frowned.

“Labyrinths are disappearing one by one. Every remaining labyrinth is precious now.”

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m asking to manage one myself.”

Dominic couldn’t understand why he had said those words.

If he told Richard the truth, his father would certainly tell him off.

However, he would find a way to deal with the situation afterwards.

After all, Richard had always been lenient with his children.

He would never harshly condemn him for failing to complete a task.

Dominic knew that.

Even so…

A surge of resentment rose within him.

Everything felt like his father’s fault.

For sending him into that Red Labyrinth.

Forcing him to face it.

Leaving him utterly humiliated.

Richard studied his son in silence before asking,

“Did something else happen?”

“No, Father. I’m an adult now. Isn’t it time I took responsibility for managing a labyrinth of my own?”

“Well… that’s true.”

Nevertheless, Richard’s suspicious gaze never left him.

Dominic met his father’s gaze directly, refusing to look away.

One of the side effects of Lumen was that it dulled a person’s ability to think, causing them to instinctively take the easy option and avoid difficult decisions.

However, the effect was so slight that no one suspected anything.

Richard resolved to look into everything that had happened in the Isden labyrinth before giving a small nod.

“Very well. Then keep it for now. If you need any help, let me know.”

“Yes, Father.”

***

As soon as Richard left Dominic’s estate, he headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

As he walked down one of the palace’s corridors, he spotted Duke Rydel Sunray approaching from the other end, accompanied by several nobles.

Their eyes met.

Richard ignored him.

The nobles accompanying Rydel likewise made no move to greet him.

Just as Richard was about to walk past them, Rydel spoke.

“You seem awfully busy these days.”

Richard gave a faint smile.

“Not as busy as you. All of my children are at the Imperial Palace, so naturally I have to come and look after them. As for you… one would think you’ve hidden a pot of honey somewhere in this palace.”

“My children are protecting our territory, so I can remain at His Majesty’s side without worry. But looking at you… it seems as though your own territory is the least of your concerns. Almost as if there’s something here in the Imperial Palace you’re trying to obtain.”

Richard let out a quiet chuckle.

“My wife and William are taking good care of Blackwood. You needn’t concern yourself with my territory.”

“Is that so? Are you certain there’s nothing to worry about? William…”

Rydel stopped himself and shook his head.

“No… never mind. He’s your son. You would know him better than I do.”

Richard knew exactly what Rydel had been about to say:

William’s gambling problem.

Had he neglected William by focusing too much on his eldest son, Dominic, and his eldest daughter, Isabella?

When they were children, he had deliberately looked the other way whenever Dominic invited gamblers into the castle.

Dominic had been forced to remain hidden within the castle, unable to reveal his existence to the outside world.

Richard had pitied him.

Richard thought that if gambling made Dominic happy, then that was enough.

However, once he finally stepped into the real world, Dominic gave up gambling.

William, however, never did.

No matter how many times Richard disciplined or scolded him, nothing changed.

In fact, every reprimand only seemed to drive him further into gambling, as though he were trying to escape the bitterness of being told off.

Lately…

Richard had simply pretended not to notice anymore.

The eldest son was a celebrated hero.

The second son was a gambler.

No doubt William had heard those comparisons as well.

Richard had hoped that hearing them would make his son come to his senses at last.

Instead…

William sought out even larger gambling dens, trying to drown out the pain caused by those words.

Richard didn’t care.

To ordinary people, the money William lost at the gambling tables might have seemed like a fortune.

But to House Blackwood…

It was no more than a drop in the ocean.

Whenever someone brought up William’s gambling habit, Richard became irritated.

But that was all.

‘You should worry about your own family instead.’

A faint, cynical smile crossed Richard’s lips.

He swallowed the words that had almost escaped him and continued on his way.

Rydel made no attempt to stop him again.

After winding his way through the palace’s long corridors, Richard arrived outside Isabella’s room.

She had been waiting for him.

The moment he stepped inside, she hurried over to him.

“Father, shall we begin now?”

Fearing that Richard would dismiss it as a pointless distraction, Isabella carried out her preparations in secret.

However, nothing escaped Richard’s notice.

Serena Eilune: The Crown Prince’s lover.

If the crown prince had chosen a lover from a powerful noble house, she would have been someone worth watching.

But an orphan girl from the countryside?

She was beneath notice.

After all, it was common for nobles to keep a lover or two, even after marriage.

One mistress was hardly worth making a fuss over.

However…

When Richard learned of Isabella’s plan, he immediately realized that he could use it to bring down House Sunray.

In the process, he put a lead around Lesta’s neck.

That was why Richard had been so busy.

It was also why he had fabricated evidence and arranged false witnesses.

“Good. Dominic has returned as well.”

“It’s time to begin.”

***

One week after Dominic returned to the capital…

On the same day that Luciel entered the city after being abandoned at the Marquis of Isden’s estate, Serena Eilune, rumored to be the Crown Prince’s lover, was arrested by the Emperor’s knights.

The charge?

High treason.

***

Upon returning to the Duchy of Sunray, Lesta found herself busier than ever.

She met with a renowned guild of craftsmen and signed a contract with them.

With Amaranth’s guidance, she also attended various social gatherings.

She finally persuaded Eldrian to let her join the subjugation of a nearby labyrinth.

Meanwhile, Nestor entered the gates of the ducal capital of House Sunray.

The moment he stepped through them, he spotted Leonel waiting in plain sight and let out an irritated sigh.

“Hello, Nestol.”

“I told you it’s Nestor. And I told you I don’t like shortening people’s names.”

Nestor glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby.

Once he confirmed they were alone, he spat out,

“Get lost, you disgusting reptile.”

Even after being cursed at so openly by a commoner—a mere mercenary, no less—Leonel didn’t so much as blink.

Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“For a filthy stray cat, you’ve got quite the foul mouth. Or is it because you were stabbed in the back and abandoned? Did that sour your personality?”

A deep crease formed on Nestor’s forehead.

An intense killing intent erupted from him instantly.

People passing by stopped suddenly in their tracks.

But this lasted only a moment.

They looked around in confusion, scratched their heads, and then continued on their way.

Leonel chuckled.

“Still as short-tempered as ever. Off with you, Nestol. There’s no place for you here.”

“You’re the one who forced your way in. Lesta belongs to me.”

“She used to. Not anymore, Nestol. She’s Lesta Ernel now.”

“…”

“The Sunrays are kind by nature. Almost painfully so. Especially Eldrian—he inherited the blood of the First Sunray more strongly than anyone. Eldrian will save Lesta.”

“The only thing that can save Lesta is the destruction of House Blackwood.”

Leonel narrowed his golden eyes.

“Is that really Lesta’s salvation… or yours?”

“Do I look like someone who needs saving?”

“You’re an abandoned cat, aren’t you? Betrayed by the person you trusted most.”

Killing intent surged from Nestor once again.

This time, however, it affected no one.

Before it could spread, Leonel had already grasped Nestor’s forearm, suppressing the murderous aura.

His golden eyes gleamed brilliantly.

“There’s nothing you can do anymore, Nestol.”

A crooked smile spread across Nestor’s lips.

“We’ll see. At the very least, I can grant Lesta her one true wish.”

He looked Leonel straight in the eye.

“Something you can’t do.”

“Lesta is free to choose whatever wish she desires.”

“No. As long as she remembers Ernel, Lesta will never become the person you want her to be.”

“We’ll see about that. Oh, and don’t even think about laying a finger on Eldrian. If you kill my kind, lovable brother… I have a feeling I’ll be in a very bad mood.”

Néstor was intent on killing Leonel’s kind and lovable brother.

Shrugging Leonel’s hand off his arm with a sharp motion, he walked away.

Leonel didn’t try to stop him again.

Instead, he simply stood there, silently watching Néstor’s retreating figure.

***

“Lesta, would you like to go see a play with me?”

Eldrian had made the invitation the previous evening.

Having just finished dealing with an urgent matter, Lesta answered without much thought.

“Yes. I’d love to.”

The next day, Lesta found herself sitting next to Eldrian in a carriage. She was wearing a pale pink gown that had been chosen for her by Amaranth.

The four-seater carriage wasn’t particularly spacious.

If they sat directly opposite each other, their knees would touch.

Instead, they settled into opposite corners.

Lowering her gaze, Lesta looked down at the soft silk skirt draped over her lap.

Even after wearing dresses every day because of Amaranth…

She still couldn’t get used to wearing them.

“Young Duke.”

“Yes?”

“Do I… look strange?”

Eldrian tilted his head slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“This dress. Doesn’t it look odd on me?”

He studied her quietly before answering.

“It suits you.”

“Very much.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Lesta looked beautiful in a dress.

Her hair was so short that she could almost be mistaken for a young man at first glance.

Yet somehow…

This only added to her charm.

Dressed in a pale pink gown, she looked like a delicate young lady.

In a deep wine-colored gown, she exuded the elegance and sophistication of a mature woman.

Even the black combat uniform she wore in battle suited her perfectly.

Eldrian had long since admitted to himself that he was hopelessly biased when it came to Lesta.

“I think you’re beautiful, Lesta.”

At his quiet compliment, a rosy blush spread across Lesta’s cheeks.

Her fair complexion gradually turned the soft pink of a ripe peach.

And somehow…

That only made her even more beautiful.

‘I’m in trouble.’

He truly was.

Hopelessly so.