Chapter 4. An Old Story

It was an unusually cold and harsh winter.

Whoosh-

A chilling wind swept across the sparsely populated garden of the Grand Ducal residence.

“Your Grace, I think it would be better if I went with you…”

At the concerned voice, a black cloak larger than its owner came to an abrupt halt.

Consequently, the footsteps of the one following behind also had to stop.

“If not, at least the Knight Commander…”

Though the steps should have stopped along with it.

Unable to control himself, the head that had been staring straight ahead slowly moved.

“If you come along,”

Finally, an emotionless, dry gaze devoid of even a hair’s breadth of feeling fell upon his butler.

“What could you possibly do for me?”

Tanner’s face, still not free of his youthfulness, was filled with bewilderment.

“I suppose you’d beg for your life.”

“……”

At the harsh rebuke, Tanner pursed his lips.

As Hector said, there was nothing he could do even if he went along.

Far from being helpful, he would only be a burden.

Hector would have to use his ability on Tanner to prevent the Emperor from reading his thoughts.

Yet, he had committed the insolence of trying to stop his master’s footsteps because he was worried.

He had been a Grand Duke from the moment he was born, and was Hector, a Grand Master, at the top of the ruling class.

But he was just seven years old.

Too young to have an audience with the Emperor alone and enter the political world.

“……”

Seeing Tanner’s unyielding stance, Hector’s eyes narrowed.

A dog that doesn’t listen to its master is unnecessary.

A dog that doesn’t know its place and stubbornly persists is even more so.

That was the law of this world and Hector’s creed.

As Hector was about to raise his fingertip, a past memory flashed through his mind.

[Your Grace, please consider this old man’s loyalty and overlook my son’s disrespect just this once…]

Rodrigo Henderson.

The former head butler of the Hunt family and Tanner’s father.

He was also an advisor who had served both Hector’s grandfather and father.

Tanner was the child he had obtained with great difficulty after passing the age of forty.

The Henderson family had been a prestigious family that had assisted the Hunt family for generations since the time of the Hunt Kingdom.

Among them, Rodrigo was known for his serious personality, being tight-lipped and cool-headed, and his actions were without a single unnecessary element.

In contrast, Tanner was unlike the Henderson family, being full of emotion and affection.

As well as compassion, friendship, and worry.

“Know that your neck is still attached because of your father’s plea.”

Hector turned his body again and walked forward.

“There won’t be a second act of mercy.”

Tanner could no longer move.

Not because of Hector’s threat.

It was because his shadow had stopped in place, blocking Tanner.

“At least wear some gloves…”

Your hands will be cold…

Tanner fidgeted with gloves much smaller than his own hands and muttered softly.

* * *

A deep shadow stretched long over the white marble of the imperial palace where the afternoon sun poured down.

A small physique that could be described as cute and tightly closed lips.

But the gaze that extended out was sharper than a blade.

“Announcing the audience with His Grace the Grand Duke. May Areis’s blessings always be with you.”

The elderly chamberlain with graying hair gave a precise bow towards Hector.

Only one chamberlain, appointed by the Emperor’s order, accompanied Hector.

It was the same with the people Hector had encountered since entering the imperial palace.

This was the Emperor’s consideration for Hector, who was on his first outing and first entry into the palace.

‘Treating me like a child.’

Hector almost burst into a sneer at how ridiculous this unnecessary consideration was.

It was something he had to face anyway, and nothing would change by postponing it.

Human death as well.

“His Majesty is waiting in the bedroom.”

Unlike the Grand Ducal residence, colorful flowers in full bloom passed by Hector.

But no color was reflected in those red eyes.

As they finally reached the door of the Emperor’s bedroom, the chamberlain who had bowed quietly withdrew.

Creak–

At last, the firmly closed door opened with a dull sound.

Along with it, a dazzling golden light pierced Hector’s vision.

“Grand Duke.”

The faint voice, that sounded like it was about to extinguish, was tinged with joy and longing.

Joy?

At that moment, Hector’s heart, which he had lived without even knowing existed, fell with a strong thump.

Frozen in place, Hector blankly stared at the Emperor.

The Emperor’s weak magical power shimmered around him like a heat haze, blurring Hector’s vision.

The Emperor, leaning against the bed, was gazing intently at him.

With a clear smile of joy and longing, as if it wasn’t a mistake.

How long had it been like that?

“We’ve greeted each other as friends.”

The Emperor raised his hand and gestured to Hector.

“Come. Come a little closer.”

The Emperor’s trembling fingertips seemed as if they might shatter at any moment, and Hector unknowingly took a step forward.

“I’m sorry for making you come so early.”

Cough cough–

The moment he finished speaking, the Emperor let out a heavy cough.

The eerie sound of death scraping his vocal cords echoed through the bedroom.

Hector, as if drawn by something, leaned his body forward a span and examined the Emperor.

It wouldn’t be strange at all if his weakened magical power were to disappear right away.

“My body is like this, you see.”

The Emperor smiled faintly at Hector as if nothing had happened.

For reasons similar but different from the Hunt family, the Graham Imperial family also lived short lives.

Inbreeding repeated over many generations had made them sick, and an unknown illness took their lives at their most brilliant period.

“Don’t worry. I still have a little more time before I die.”

Of course.

The Crown Prince, who had awakened his ability as a Grand Master, would treat the Emperor.

Of course, even a Grand Master can’t bring back the dead.

But it was possible to cling to life and drag out time.

But worried?

Me, about the Emperor?!

Hector’s pupils shook at the word that didn’t suit him.

“Oh my, they say bad habits are easily picked up.”

The Emperor closed his eyelids and furrowed his brow. Then, as if holding back something that was filling him up, he took a deep breath.

Only after taking several more breaths did the Emperor open his eyes again.

“For a moment… I was reminded of old times.”

The Emperor’s eyes were red.

Hector felt his insides twist with a surge of displeasure.

He knew the Emperor had projected Theodore Hunt onto him.

His father, whom he had never met even once.

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

The Emperor waved his hand as though he had read Hector’s thoughts.

“But what can we do about your similarities?”

Hector’s fists clenched at the Emperor’s words.

Clearly, he couldn’t feel any energy.

In other words, the Emperor hadn’t used his ability.

Then how…

“Soon, you too will come to know things you don’t want to know, and see things you don’t want to see. That’s what time does.”

The Emperor leaned back against the bed, releasing the tension from his body.

“Then we’ll understand each other a little better. If only it’s not too late, like it was for me.”

His gaze, which had been directed at Hector, was now looking out the window.

“Envious, huh… The one left behind suffers more.”

A mumble, unclear who it was meant for, lingered in the Emperor’s bedroom.

His blue eyes seemed to be looking at something beyond the shimmering leaves outside the window.

* * *

“Do you know about that, Grand Duke?”

The Emperor spoke, breaking the silence that had flowed for a long time.

As Hector’s eyes sharpened to grasp the intent of the question, the Emperor answered,

“The Crown Prince is currently riding the Guardian Tree.”

“……?”

At this utterly unexpected statement, a crease like a fine crack appeared between Hector’s brows.

Originally, in the Graham Empire, when a royal heir was born, they had to have an audience with the princes and princesses.

But the Hunt family was an exception.

To maintain power, there was a ‘marriage prohibition’ clause in the covenant between the two families.

Also, on behalf of the young head of the family, Marquis Richard Reynolds of the Hunt family’s collateral branch, was acting as Hector’s proxy for all the Grand Duke’s activities.

In other words, seven-year-old Hector’s entry into the palace was a personal summons from the Emperor.

Yet, did he call him just to say such nonsense?