“Won’t you meet the Crown Prince before you leave, Grand Duke.”

The Emperor turned his head to face Hector.

“I’d be even more grateful if you could get him to come down from the Guardian Tree while you’re at it.”

The Emperor gave Hector a sly smile.

“I’ll take this as repayment for my consideration.”

Although it was unwanted consideration, Hector bowed his head in agreement and retreated.

“May you enjoy the glory of the empire under Areis’s blessing.”

“It’s truly fortunate that he doesn’t resemble you in appearance. You’ll be even more handsome…”

He heard the Emperor’s quiet mutter, but there was not a hint of hesitation in Hector’s steps as he left the room.

As the door closed, the waiting chamberlain approached Hector.

“I will guide you.”

Hector followed the chamberlain towards the central garden of the Sun Palace.

It was a space that only the Emperor or his direct descendants could use.

Thus, they entered the central garden.

“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

The chamberlain couldn’t hide his shock at seeing Kaisis standing on a high tree branch.

Forgetting that he was with Hector, the chamberlain rushed off in a fluster.

‘He really is riding the Guardian Tree.’

Hector alternately looked at the retreating chamberlain and Kaisis, who seemed even more excited.

“If you come closer, I’ll cut down the tree.”

“W-What?!”

Seemingly enjoying the sight of those frozen in awkward postures, Kaisis stomped his feet vigorously on the tree.

Thump thump–

The Guardian Tree, symbol of the Graham Imperial family, shook under Kaisis’s kicks.

‘Did he want to show off his rascal of a child?’

Or perhaps he wanted to spit while lying down.

Hector had no intention of appreciating the Emperor’s consideration or repaying it, so he stood still and observed the situation.

However, he didn’t get far due to the chamberlain introducing Hector.

“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince. Grand Duke Hector Hunt requests an audience.”

In an instant, the stomping feet stopped.

“Ah, the great covenant member?!”

Kaisis looked down at Hector with a languid face.

His golden hair, bathed in sunlight, sparkled brilliantly, and his blue eyes seemed to hold the clear sky within them.

It was a beautiful figure worthy of being called a descendant of angels blessed by God.

If only he wasn’t trampling on the Guardian Tree.

“What, he’s just a kid?”

At this novel self-introduction, Hector had to force his lips not to sneer.

After all, Hector and Kaisis were the same age.

To add, Hector’s growth was slightly faster as he had awakened his ability before Kaisis.

“We’ve finished greeting each other as friends.”

Kaisis jumped down from the tree with a thud.

‘Like father, like son.’

His neck that had grown stiff, knowing he had no intention of coming down from the start, didn’t waver even at Kaisis’s words.

“Well, your spirit isn’t bad.”

Kaisis let out a sardonic laugh.

Then, a golden gleam flashed in his blue eyes.

“……”

Yes, it flashed.

“……”

Repeatedly, several times.

“T-This…”

A flustered Kaisis strode towards Hector.

‘Did the Emperor not tell him?’

The symbiosis as both ally and enemy.

The light ability of the Graham Imperial family, which can read others’ thoughts, doesn’t work on the Hunt family.

This was an open secret between the two families.

“May Areis’s blessing always be with you.”

Only then did Hector slightly bow his head towards Kaisis.

His purpose of entering the palace was sufficiently achieved just by confirming that the Crown Prince had not only awakened his ability but could use it freely.

And anyway, hadn’t the Crown Prince come down from the Guardian Tree because of him?

Soon after, a red teleportation magic circle spread beneath Hector’s feet.

“Wait!”

Kaisis reached out his hand, but Hector lightly ignored him.

It would have been problematic behavior in front of the Emperor, but the one in front of Hector now was the Crown Prince.

The covenant was a promise between the head of the Graham family and the head of the Hunt family.

In other words, his child, the Crown Prince, was irrelevant.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

The greeting he just gave was a farewell.

“You s…”

Kaisis’s cry, cut off by the red light, couldn’t follow Hector.

* * *

Crash–!

In the deep night, a fierce sound that didn’t match the solemn interior echoed through the Crown Prince’s palace.

{It’s starting again.}

{He must have gone mad after manifesting his ability.}

Inside the bedroom.

Around Kaisis, who stood alone, broken furniture and shattered glass pieces were tangled, creating a desolate scene.

{What was His Majesty thinking, choosing such a prince instead of the princess…}

“Shut up…”

Trying to avoid the sounds, Kaisis covered his ears with both hands.

But he couldn’t block the thoughts of others echoing in his head.

{He’s a tyrant.}

{A tyrant.}

{What will happen when the Emperor dies…}

“Shut up!”

Kaisis had been a member of the Graham Imperial family and the Crown Prince from the moment he was born.

This was very unusual, as traditionally the eldest child, regardless of gender, ascended to the position of Crown Prince.

Moreover, the first-born princess had been in seclusion, not engaging in any public activities since birth due to her sensitivity to pheromones.

Kaisis, a Grand Master, could use the magical power in his body freely without learning, and his power was as strong as the current Emperor’s.

However, as he had only recently manifested his ability, his emotions were highly volatile.

Just like now.

{I should take advantage of this commotion to send news to the head of our family. This is a golden opportunity for our Wilkins family while the Imperial family is shaken.}

“Please, just shut up!!”

Kaisis, who shouted almost like a scream, sat down and sobbed.

[My child, mommy hopes you won’t be in pain.]

Kaisis, who had lost his mother early, had very few memories of her.

But there was one memory that stood out clearly.

The touch of her hand that patted him even in her dying moment, worried about her child.

Pure concern and sadness filled with compassion, wishing only for her child’s well-being.

And complete understanding.

[Neither your body, nor your heart…]

Did his mother know?

Did she say that knowing what he would go through?

The numerous people bowed their heads to him with smiling faces, professing their loyalty.

But their minds were utterly filthy.

Some for wealth.

Some for their own interests.

And some were even guessing when his father, the Emperor, would die while looking at him.

“It’s disgusting.”

Kaisis felt like he would vomit at the ugly inner workings of humans.

Even his nanny, who always looked at him with loving eyes and adored him, was the same.

“Die. I’ll… I’ll kill you all!!”

Crack– Crack

Just as cracks were forming on the wall.

“Kai!”

With a huge boom, the door opened and the Emperor rushed into the room.

He looked so strong that it was hard to believe he had been bedridden until just now.

Soon, a golden light enveloped Kaisis.

“Father…”

A face covered in tears and sweat looked up at the Emperor.

The Emperor stroked Kaisis’s back as he held him in his arms.

“It’s alright, it’s okay. You won’t hear them anymore.”

“I… I want to kill them all.”

Kaisis sobbed, burying his face in the Emperor’s chest.

The Emperor gritted his teeth, unable to continue speaking.

How could he not know?

The feelings of a child cursed with the same ability as himself.

The ability possessed by a Grand Master.

This was not a blessing, but a curse.

Moreover, perhaps because the first princess was a Master, Kaisis’ ability was more powerful than the Emperor’s, and could even read the underlying thoughts in people’s minds.

“I’m afraid of people.”

The Emperor’s heart sank at Kaisis’ words.

But he had to overcome it himself.

Because he, who would soon die, could not be a shadow for his child.

The Emperor parted his lips, which could barely move.

“… You must become strong.”

“I will become strong. I’ll become stronger than anyone in the world, so please don’t leave me.”

“……”

Sorrow rippled in the blue wall eyes that resembled himself and his dead Empress, his sister.

But in the end, the Emperor couldn’t give Kaisis the answer he wanted.

* * *

A short time had passed since Hector and Kaisis’ first meeting.

In the meantime, the Empire’s princess had gone missing.

The Emperor set up a fake princess with magic disguised by a mana stone, and Kaisis followed along, overlooking it.

Although the princess who appeared at official events had orange hair instead of golden, the nobles didn’t raise any particular questions.

Or rather, they couldn’t voice them.

Hector entered politics as a Grand Duke, and Kaisis also established his position as the Crown Prince.