Artia responded to Ilion’s question with an uncertain voice.

“The mana that has accumulated in the body will probably go berserk.”

It wasn’t just simple mana, but mana imbued with dragon power. Ilion’s body, whose mana resistance had stopped developing at age 5, would eventually be unable to handle the rampaging mana and break down. The spots covering his body were evidence of this.

All they could do was strengthen the holy power sealing the mana to delay the time of the rampage, but even that was showing its limits.

“What will you do now?”

“Once the affairs at the Imperial Palace are settled, I plan to go on a monster subjugation mission in the northern region for a while.”

“Monster subjugation?”

Artia asked anxiously at the sudden statement.

“Your Grace needs stability for a while. But to go to such a dangerous place…”

Surely not… Artia stopped mid-sentence and looked at Ilion.

“As the Saintess knows, Ravenne is a person with a lot of affection. Enough to commit the reckless act of trying to help someone like me escape.”

And that was the problem. Even though it wasn’t her fault, she would surely be plagued by guilt when she realized that everything she had done so far had been meaningless.

In fact, if he could, he wanted to stay by Ravenne’s side and watch her until his last breath. He still hoped she wouldn’t forget him. He wished she would think of him in every moment of her life.

However, at the same time, he didn’t want her to suffer by remembering him. It would be too cruel to bind Ravenne, who longed for freedom, even after death.

“Are you saying it’s better to disguise it as an accident than to die from a curse?”

“Well, it’s true that the northern forces are lacking these days.”

That’s not something to say so casually. What about Ravenne who would be left behind?

“So I’d like you to keep this a secret from Ravenne.”

“You’re asking me to do something quite difficult. I don’t want to be hated by Miss Ravenne anymore.”

“Since you’ve also received help from Ravenne, I thought you might be able to grant this much of a request, can’t you?”

Though his tone was polite and his expression gentle, the essence of his words was somewhat forceful. Artia could finally understand why Ilion had asked her to accompany him.

It wasn’t to reveal the secret of the curse to her, but to keep all these secrets from Ravenne. To prevent her from getting hurt.

***

The carriage that Ilion and Artia had ridden arrived in the afternoon. I rushed to the entrance at the sound of hooves, but only Artia was standing there.

“Are you returning from an outing?”

“Yes.”

Artia nodded with a smile in response to my question.

“Where’s His Grace?”

“He had some business to attend to at the Imperial Palace.”

“Ah…”

Of course, with such an incident just yesterday, Ilion would be busy too.

“Where did you go, if I may ask? I have no other intention, just curious.”

I hurriedly added, worried that I might be prying too much, but somehow I felt I only made myself look foolish. Fortunately, Artia answered kindly without any sign of displeasure.

“We briefly visited the temple.”

“The temple?”

“Yes. I mentioned that I wanted to visit for a while.”

Thinking that Ilion didn’t need to go along for that, I found myself surprised at my own thoughts.

To think I would feel such unseemly jealousy.

Quickly pushing away these unnecessary thoughts, I asked about Ilion.

“Did His Grace say when he would return?”

“He said it would take some time to sort out the affairs at the Imperial Palace. He’ll probably come back late.”

I nodded, hiding my disappointment at Artia’s words.

***

A week passed since then. As she had said, Ilion was spending incredibly busy days. He would leave home at dawn every day and return late at night.

Although there was no time to exchange even a word with him, I could hear quite detailed news about what he was doing.

“The newspapers are in an uproar these days, aren’t they?”

Lily asked as she watched me reading the newspaper so intently that I looked like I might dive into it.

“Yeah, it’s completely chaotic.”

The articles pouring in every day were not just about the Emperor’s death. Along with the evil deeds that Klaus had committed over the years, corruption scandals of the pro-Emperor nobles were breaking one after another. Each one was worthy of making the front page.

This must have been what Ilion meant when he said not to worry. The meticulously prepared content could only be seen as having considered rebellion.

Ilion, it seems you were really prepared to rebel if things went wrong.

“Oh, by the way, I heard there will be a coronation ceremony for the next Emperor soon.”

I looked up from reading an article about the corruption of a count I had never even seen.

“Coronation?”

“Yes. It seems the matter has already been discussed with the temple.”

Always quick with rumors, Lily informed me of facts that hadn’t even appeared in the newspapers.

“The next Emperor? Are there any remaining members of the imperial family?”

“From what I hear, they say it’s a legitimate heir. It seems someone survived that chaos.”

Klaus had eliminated not only the Emperor but all members of the imperial family to usurp the throne. Given his personality, it didn’t seem likely he would have left any loose ends.

“If they were alive, they must have been pretty upset.”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

I hastily shook my head.

Klaus was dead. There was no doubt about it as I had seen his corpse with my own eyes, but occasionally, remnants of that day flashed back. Along with an ominous laughter.

Knock knock.

The timely knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, and I opened it. It was none other than Sebastian who had come to see me.

“What’s the matter?”

“The master wishes to see you for a moment.”

So, it’s finally come to this.

I was wondering why Ilion’s scolding had ended shorter than expected. For the level of trouble I had caused, I should have been doing penance on my knees. Perhaps he had saved it up to give me a proper scolding after everything was settled.

“It seems he’s returned early today.”

I asked Sebastian, puzzled that Ilion had returned despite it still being broad daylight.

“Yes. It seems he has finished all urgent matters.”

“That’s good. He can take a breather now.”

“…Yes.”

Sebastian’s voice as he answered didn’t sound particularly happy.

Don’t worry, Sebastian. Surely Ilion won’t kill me?

Well, it would probably be a punishment like being grounded, or sorting documents, or maybe adding a class or two. I could endure that much.

It had been a long time since I knocked on the door of the study. With a mix of anticipation and worry, I knocked on the door and waited for a moment before permission to enter was given. I opened the door wide and entered.

“Hello, Your Grace. It’s too hard to see your face these days, don’t you think?”

As I was speaking with a slightly disappointed tone, I realized there was already a guest sitting inside.

“Oh, the Saintess is here too.”

Artia bowed her head slightly in greeting. Somehow, it didn’t seem like a place set up for a simple scolding. I looked at Ilion with a slightly tense expression.

“Shall I have some tea brought? You liked black tea, didn’t you, Your Grace? And the Saintess…”

“That’s alright. I didn’t call you here for a long conversation.”

Saying that, Ilion handed me a document. I stared blankly at the words written on the document, then looked up at Ilion.

“I’ve prepared the documents for the annulment of our engagement. It includes details about alimony and the division of assets related to the mine. Look it over, and if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, propose the amount and method you want. I’ll try to meet your demands as much as possible.”

“Annulment… of our engagement?”

“Yes.”

Ah, come to think of it, I did ask Ilion to break off our engagement, didn’t I? Why had I forgotten that? Somehow my mind went blank, and I couldn’t think of anything to say.

Come to think of it, this was the very thing I had wished for so desperately, so I should be happy instead. But even though I tried to force a smile, only an awkward one appeared.

“Desired amount and method… you really sound like a business partner…”

I barely managed to take the documents and utter a word.

“Are you unsatisfied?”

“…How could I be?”

Was I in any position to say I wasn’t satisfied? I should rather be bowing in gratitude. He’s even saying he’ll meet my demands so kindly.

“Then please vacate your room by today.”

“…Today?”

“If you need a place to stay for a while, I’ll look into accommodations for you. Send the documents by mail once you’ve decided on your requirements. We’ll handle the rest from here.”

“……”

I nodded as I watched Ilion speak firmly with an emotionless expression. When he’s saying so clearly that he doesn’t want to see me again, even I, as tactless as I am, couldn’t pretend not to understand.

Well, after causing such a commotion, even I would be fed up.

“Well then, you may leave now.”

Ilion dismissed me as I just stared down at the documents without saying a word. True to his word, the conversation wasn’t very long. Glancing at the clock, I saw that not even five minutes had passed.

“Yes, I understand.”

As I picked up the bundle of documents and took a step back, I could see Ilion and Artia at a glance. They looked as if they had finally found their rightful places.

Suddenly, a phrase I had heard somewhere came to mind: The back view of someone who knows when to leave is beautiful.

Right, I’ve shown many unsightly scenes, so at least my back view should look decent. Hoping that no lingering attachment would be visible when they look at my retreating back, I bowed my head.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry for everything and… also grateful. Goodbye.”