Meanwhile, inside the reception room.

“How can you go on a honeymoon… This clearly goes against God’s will.”

Cardinal Johanna said.

She had fervently prayed to God Areis that they would leave as two but return as three, blessed.

But this was beyond a bolt from the blue. When Hector should be the one in her embrace, what was this about a child?

And it was Kaisis’s nephew, no less.

Even setting aside personal feelings, for a priest serving the god of prosperity and fertility, the current situation was nothing short of tragic.

“That’s right. Even if the Hunt Kingdom were to go to war, there’s no room for argument.”

Cardinal Daniel nodded in agreement with Johanna’s words.

On the other hand, Michael simply stared at Oedipus.

“……”

Oedipus’s magical power was very strong and unstable.

Although Hector and Kaisis had put up a barrier, it was only a temporary measure.

If his magic were to go berserk, Oedipus’s sacrifice would be inevitable.

Of course, there was a solution.

The divine power that could purify even abilities.

Michael, who possessed the strongest divine power among all the popes in history, could perform this purification.

While it meant exposing his own weakness from Kaisis’s perspective, there was no other way to ensure Oedipus’s safety.

That’s how Michael, who had been urgently contacted, had rushed here, leading to the current situation.

Johanna, Daniel, the Holy Knight Order waiting outside, and Rapha, had come along in case of emergencies.

“……”

Seemingly uncomfortable with the stare fixed on him, Oedipus burrowed deeper into Charlie’s embrace.

Michael’s eyebrows twitched at the sight.

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have a headache or feel nauseous?”

Although Hector’s mana stone was protecting her, Oedipus’s unstable magic could potentially affect Charlie, who was Zero.

Charlie shook her head.

“Not at all.”

Instead of saying ‘That’s a relief,’ Michael let out a heavy sigh.

Three Grand Masters.

Just when peace seemed to have arrived with Hector and Charlie’s marriage, now there was this nephew.

And that ‘child’ was clinging to Charlie like a cicada on an old tree, showing strong attachment.

“Let go, Emperor’s nephew.”

Despite Michael’s stern words, Oedipus showed no intention of moving.

If anything, he gripped Charlie’s clothes tighter, afraid of being separated.

“If you stay in her arms for so long, won’t our Sister be tired?”

Michael said gently.

However, Oedipus turned his head abruptly and buried his face in Charlie’s chest.

“……”

At this unmistakable rejection, Michael, at a loss for words, moistened his dry lips.

But he couldn’t forcibly separate them.

Oedipus’s magic was fluctuating, seemingly reflecting his turbulent emotions.

“Hmm……”

It wasn’t that Michael didn’t understand Oedipus’s feelings towards Charlie.

Children inherently need parental care.

But Oedipus had lost his mother at birth, and his remaining father hadn’t been able to provide sufficient shelter.

Moreover, Oedipus had used an enormous ability.

Perhaps he had been able to endure until now with his young body and mind because of the hope of meeting his mother.

Forcibly separating him from Charlie in this situation would only cause greater emotional turmoil.

But they couldn’t leave him like this forever.

Suddenly, Michael muttered while resting his chin on one hand.

“Our Sister is a Zero, yet she’s holding a Grand Master……”

Oh my-

“Imagine how much those delicate legs must hurt.”

There seemed to be a deflating sound from somewhere, but Michael continued without minding.

“She must be so hungry, not having eaten anything all day……”

“……”

Glancing–

After checking Oedipus’s reaction, Michael drove the point home.

“If she becomes unable to use her legs because of this……”

Ugh–

Michael sighed, covering his face with both hands.

“……”

“……”

He was indeed God’s messenger who had received divine revelation.

Even if he couldn’t lie, how could he be so bad at it?

Gazes mixed with respect and pity were directed at Michael.

But had Michael’s poor acting actually worked?

Oedipus, who had been nestled in Charlie’s arms, began to hesitate.

Eventually, Oedipus looked up at Charlie.

He seemed to be checking if Michael’s words were true.

“Ahem……”

It was true that lunchtime had passed. But having eaten crepes, she wasn’t particularly hungry.

Charlie subtly avoided Oedipus’s gaze.

They couldn’t stay like this.

Although his words were a bit harsh, Kaisis had protected his nephew Oedipus.

It was Kaisis who had contacted the temple and called for Michael.

While it was questionable whether Kaisis would take good care of his nephew, Charlie wasn’t much different.

At least, Charlie thought it was right not to step in rashly if she couldn’t take responsibility.

After much time had passed,

Finally, Oedipus, who had been fidgeting, got off Charlie’s lap and sat beside her.

Not missing this, Charlie brightened up.

“Oh my, were you worried about Auntie just now?”

With an exaggerated tone and gestures.

Hector’s eyes widened at Charlie’s sudden behavior.

What could be the reason for Charlie’s actions?

Oedipus’s subsequent reaction gave Hector the answer.

“……”

Oedipus, seemingly embarrassed, nodded with his reddened face lowered.

“Thank you for being considerate of Auntie’s legs, Eddie. Thanks to you, Auntie’s legs don’t hurt at all.”

Charlie bounced her legs to show.

It was Oedipus’s fault for throwing a tantrum and not wanting to let go in the first place, yet instead of scolding him, she was praising him.

Hector couldn’t understand it at all.

But seeing Oedipus’s face break into a smile, he quietly swallowed his words.

“Looks like playtime is over.”

Kaisis, who had been sitting quietly, stood up.

Daniel’s eyes, which had been closely observing the Emperor’s movements, gleamed with interest.

Step, step–

The heel of the snow-white shoe crossed the reception room with a chilling echo.

Johanna and Daniel viewed Oedipus’s existence as a threat.

Taylor Lewis both loved and feared Oedipus.

Passing by them, an expressionless gaze looked down at Oedipus.

“Humans are disgusting, unbearably so.”

“!”

Enlarged pupils looked up at Kaisis.

“I know you well.”

The noble golden hair, identical to Oedipus’s, shone brilliantly in the sunlight. His deeper blue eyes seemed to contain a clear sky.

Not to mention, with features that made it difficult to distinguish whether he was male or female.

Kaisis looked very similar to the mother in Oedipus’s imagination.

But there was not a trace of emotion on Kaisis’s face.

No affection, no fear.

“You resemble me.”

Not even a shred of sympathy.

“What will you do? Do you want to live in the temple with those humans?”

Kaisis said, glancing at Johanna and Daniel.

“What…!”

Johanna flared up, but Daniel stopped her.

Kaisis had changed.

But his change was limited to two people: Hector and Charlie.

Originally, Kaisis was someone who would obtain what he wanted by any means necessary.

Whether it was people, justification, or even emotions.

And he would trample on anything that bothered him.

Kaisis smirked at Daniel, who was full of wariness. Then he faced Oedipus again.

“Or you can come with me.”

Then, a beautiful hand that seemed to be crafted by God himself was extended towards Oedipus.

“Oh, by the way, if you come with me, you can keep meeting that pretty sister in the future too.”

Oedipus’s large eyes blinked.

Following that, his long, curved platinum eyelashes fluttered.

“Of course, you’ll have to see the monster-like uncle too.”

Crack–

Hector’s chair armrest split with a vicious sound under his strong grip.

To be precise, it was right after Kaisis’s ‘uncle’ comment.

Normally, wouldn’t one get angry at being called a monster?

Amused by this, Kaisis chuckled.

“Anyway, both of them are quite…”

Kaisis winked at Charlie.

“Intimate with me.”

* * *

Deep into the night.

A thick darkness carrying the scent of the sea had settled over the Wilkins villa castle.

It had been a while since Kaisis left with Oedipus and Taylor, followed by Michael, Rapha, and Cardinals Johanna and Daniel.

However, Charlie’s face was still full of worry as she paced around the room.

“It will be fine.”

Hector said, embracing Charlie from behind.

“But…”

The faded words dispersed into the air without finishing.

Was sending Oedipus to Kaisis really the best choice?

Could she truly guarantee that it was the right path for Oedipus, not for herself?

These questions kept circling in Charlie’s mind.

As if reading her thoughts, Hector continued in a gentle tone.

“You didn’t reject him, but sent him back to where he should be.”

Despite Hector’s consolation, the concern etched on Charlie’s face didn’t fade.

Hector added.

“He looked exactly like Kaisis. Anyone would believe he was his son.”

Especially his mischievous side.

Besides, hasn’t Oedipus awakened his abilities?

If anything, the one to worry about was Kaisis, who would be sweating bullets.

Also, living as an imperial prince in the palace would be better for Oedipus than wandering around with Taylor.

At least he wouldn’t have to writhe in the pain of his gift.

“Kaisis is the type of person who will do anything to get what he wants.”

Of course, he couldn’t have everything.

Hector gazed intently at Charlie.

“So there’s no need to worry. The imperial family needs an heir to succeed the throne, and there’s no better alternative. Kaisis will protect his nephew by any means necessary.”

Ironically, this was the most reassuring thing to hear, causing Charlie to smile faintly.

“I must have been about his age when I first met Kaisis.”

To be precise, it was when he was seven, so there’s a slight difference.

“What was it like?”

Curiosity bloomed on Charlie’s face, which had been full of concern.

The original story was about Liliana becoming a saint and the events surrounding her, so Hector and Kaisis’s childhood wasn’t mentioned.

Even when the past was briefly mentioned, it was just short, implying it was an unfortunate time.

That’s why Charlie couldn’t ask Hector about his childhood.

Perhaps she superimposed the image of the young Hector with Oedipus.

“He was climbing a tree and tormenting the servants.”

“A tree?”

Suddenly? Why a tree?

Charlie’s eyes widened at this unexpected statement.

“It was the imperial guardian tree.”

The guardian tree located in the center of the imperial palace.

To be more precise, the palace was built around the guardian tree, so it would be more correct to say that the palace is located near the guardian tree.

“The guardian tree, what kind of…”

“It’s a holy relic imbued with divine power, where flowers bloom all year round and magic doesn’t work.”

“Is it okay to just climb such a thing?”

“Of course not.”

“……”

Ah–

Why was she able to vividly imagine Kaisis’s appearance at that time?

Thinking of Kaisis, who must have committed wicked acts with an angelic face, Charlie’s brows furrowed involuntarily.

Hector, finding her reaction irresistibly cute, lightly kissed her cheek.

Then, as if remembering something, he frowned deeply.

“It was very unpleasant.”

“What happened?”

“The story is too long to tell while standing by the window.”

Only then did Charlie realize she had been pacing around the room for a long time, and she made an embarrassed expression.

Just as she was about to apologize, Charlie’s body floated into the air.

“I’ll tell you the story if you say you’ll listen in bed.”

Hector whispered in Charlie’s ear.

His cascading black hair tickled Charlie’s face, urging her.

“Ah, okay. Stop, it tickles.”

“That’s the point.”

Nuzzle nuzzle–

Hector buried his face in the snow-white nape of her neck.

In the end, Charlie, helplessly conquered by Hector, burst into laughter.