I Was an Emperor, But I Became a Princess

She set down her teacup and glanced at Sever’s waist. The object that usually dangled there was nowhere to be seen.

“You said you had an audience with His Majesty.”

“Yes, and?”

“How is His Majesty faring?”

The moment Estria’s name was mentioned, Sever’s eye twitched slightly. Iris didn’t seem surprised by this reaction.

“I fail to understand why Lady Delmen would come to me specifically to bring up His Majesty.”

“I simply wanted to inquire.”

“Surely you know it’s improper to casually mention His Majesty in a private setting like this.”

“Seven years ago, you suddenly left the capital.”

“…”

“Why have you returned now, of all times?”

Iris maintained a composed expression despite Sever’s cold attitude. However, the subtle emotional fluctuation in her eyes revealed her thoughts plainly.

Sever noticed this but pretended not to. Or more precisely, it wasn’t so much pretending as displaying genuine indifference—a clean rejection.

“I had no idea the young marchioness would take such interest in my whereabouts and residence.”

“Your Grace.”

“However, that is not something for Delmen—for the marchioness—to concern herself with.”

Iris’s face twisted slightly at Sever’s question. Sever rose from his seat and addressed her coldly, suggesting she wasn’t worth his time anymore.

“Tell Duke Delmen this: whatever scheme he’s plotting, now that House Kelliard has returned to the capital, things won’t go according to his wishes.”

Having finished speaking, he approached his desk. Iris pressed her lips tightly together.

‘That’s why,’ she inwardly murmured.

‘That’s why I dislike her.’

* * *

“Have you thought about how to lure him out during the hunting competition?”

With the hunting competition fast approaching, I visited Lerrhagen after spending time handling imperial duties and preparing for the event.

Lerrhagen, lying on a tree branch, slightly turned his head when he heard my voice. But he quickly turned away again and closed his eyes.

“Yes.”

“What method do you plan to use?”

“You’ll see in a few days.”

“Well, I thought I should know in advance.”

My response drew a light sigh from above.

I pouted at that, when suddenly Lerrhagen descended from above in the blink of an eye.

“Oh! You startled me. Are you not even making your presence known anymore?”

“When have I ever announced my presence?”

“Still, you could make a little noise when you move.”

“Too bothersome.”

“How typical of you.”

But I wasn’t genuinely annoyed. Proving this, when I looked at him with expectant eyes, Lerrhagen spoke dispassionately.

“I’ll use mental magic.”

“Mental magic?”

“It’s what black mages excel at. But simultaneously, it’s their greatest vulnerability.”

“What do you mean by that?”

This was the first time I’d heard that black mages were weak against mental magic. Honestly, wouldn’t common sense suggest that someone willing to sell their soul to demon folk should be resistant to mental attacks?

“Shouldn’t black mages actually be mentally stronger?”

“You’ll understand when you see it in action.”

“You’re just too lazy to explain one thing.”

Nevertheless, I didn’t press further. Wasn’t he the strongest being in this world despite appearing the most thoughtless?

Anyway, since I was the one asking for his help, it felt awkward to badger him, so I changed the subject.

“I didn’t know you could use mental magic. Since you’re so strong, I thought you’d just push through with brute physical force.”

“Such crude methods are too troublesome. If you lack intelligence, your body suffers.”

“So mental magic isn’t a crude method? In the end, it still plunges humans into despair.”

“But mental attacks can manipulate human thoughts with minimal effort and maximum subtlety.”

“…”

“That’s why demon folk use them effectively.”

“Demon folk use them well?”

“It’s their specialty. They disrupt the opponent’s mental world with psychic attacks and divide enemy forces through discord. When there’s no room for division, they whisper sweet persuasions of death.”

I frowned at Lerrhagen’s words.

“Lord, humans usually call that strategy. Isn’t that just being clever?”

After all, everything Lerrhagen said could be found in military manuals.

But Lerrhagen responded indifferently.

“Indeed. That’s why humans resemble demon folk.”

“That’s an insult, right?”

“Yet simultaneously, humans resemble the divine in their willingness to protect others despite everything.”

I blinked at Lerrhagen’s words. Having lived so long, Lerrhagen seemed to harbor some special feelings toward humans, something I’d sensed before.

‘But mental attacks… can we really rely on that? What if the opponent has strong mental fortitude?’

The biggest risk in this plan was that failure would essentially announce my location to the culprit.

Of course, Lerrhagen’s mental magic couldn’t be compared to ordinary magicians’ hypnosis. Still, having no escape route wasn’t exactly reassuring.

Lerrhagen seemed to read my thoughts and glanced at me, but said nothing and turned away.

“Once the hunting competition begins…”

“Yes?”

But then, breaking the silence, Lerrhagen’s voice sounded again.

I stared at him with wide eyes.

Soon, he glanced at me and continued.

“Don’t leave my side under any circumstances.”

“Oh, I thought you were going to say something else. I understand. Again, I’m not that reckless.”

“Well. You don’t particularly seem that way.”

I’m serious.

Perhaps the festival incident had too great an impact. Lerrhagen didn’t seem to understand how much I valued my own life.

‘Well, that’s not particularly important.’

He’d figure it out once he spent more time with me. He’d learn how strongly I clung to life.

Soon Lerrhagen vanished, and I too went on my way.

* * *

The hunting competition—our disguised trap—was being steadily prepared.

Under my orders, imperial magicians had been strengthening the protective barriers surrounding Sitchif Forest.

According to Rigan’s report, the Central Knight Order had been checking almost daily for suspicious approaches or unusual signs around the forest.

However, no preparation could be more important than me, the central figure of this hunting competition. In that sense, the people around me naturally came to share my burden.

“First, listen to my plan. On the hunting day, I’ll enter the forest with Lord and the heads of the six invited families.”

The day before the hunting competition, I summoned Hasis and Ilian to my office. The two looked at me with puzzled expressions as I stood with my arms crossed and a hardened face.

“After entering the forest, we’ll first set up a barrier around its perimeter.”

“A barrier?”

“With the barrier in place, people outside won’t know what’s happening inside. This will give Lord and me more freedom to act.”

“So what are you planning to do in there?”

“That’s for Lord and me to handle. What you need to focus on is observing the reactions of the family members who remain outside while we enter with the six family heads.”

“Observe their reactions?”

“That’s where you come in, Ilian.”

I nodded toward Ilian. He seemed to understand and smiled faintly.

“You want me to play the hound again?”

“Something like that. Although the family heads are the most likely suspects, we can’t completely ignore their family members. And Hasis…”

“Me?”

“You’ll keep Ilian from doing anything stupid.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m not his leash!”

“What else can we do? There’s no one else suitable. You have the least to do among us.”

“No…!”

“…”

“Well, I suppose that’s true. But still.”