Peculiar.

That was the first assessment Estria heard about Rigan.

Afterward, Estria lived for a while forgetting about the existence of Rigan Delmen.

When she formally met him, it was at a party held at the Delmen Duke’s mansion. Despite once looking down on the youngest princess, Duke Delmen somehow invited Estria to his birthday party for the glory of his family. Although she didn’t particularly like Duke Delmen, she accepted the invitation because she needed his family’s assistance.

Naturally, the first person Duke Delmen introduced was his pride and joy, his daughter Iris. After her came the first son, second son, third son, and second daughter, but the youngest son was nowhere to be seen.

Her curiosity about this was soon satisfied when she stepped outside for some fresh air and noticed something unusual.

“Who’s that?”

Not far from the terrace, under a tree, sat a young man. Completely focused on his book, seemingly disconnected from the world, he had the distinctive ash-gray hair of the Delmen family.

Estria slowly approached him through the small steps of the terrace. Hearing her approach, the young man who had been concentrating on his book looked up.

“Rigan Delmen?”

“…Emperor?”

“Hmm.”

Despite Estria’s greeting, Rigan’s face showed no reaction. However, his words revealed that he recognized her.

“How rude. You shouldn’t address the Emperor that way.”

Yet there was no anger or displeasure in Estria’s voice. Instead, her gaze fell on the book in Rigan’s hands.

She recognized that book. She had seen it once in the imperial library—a book about the first emperor of Arsis, so difficult that Estria had given up reading it. Even her tutor had mentioned that this book was notorious for its difficulty, even among academy professors.

And yet… he was reading such a book alone.

‘I’ve heard the Delmen family members are intelligent, but…’

Estria sighed deeply for a moment. Then, smiling gently, she asked, “Are you reading such a difficult book? Are you interested in history?”

“No, not particularly.”

“Not particularly? Then why are you reading it? It’s not even entertaining.”

“…Just, because I’m tired.”

“…”

“Because I’m tired, I’m just reading something easy.”

This?

Estria raised an eyebrow slightly.

As she gazed into Rigan’s amber eyes, she suddenly noticed how different his eyes were from others. Empty yet peaceful, they contained neither hostility, goodwill, curiosity, annoyance, nor any emotion whatsoever.

She suddenly recalled what Duke Elvierts had once said.

‘They say he’s a genius, but could it be…’

She began to understand what Duke Elvierts meant. A genius, but peculiar. A genius unwanted by the noble family.

‘Perhaps he struggles with expressing emotions? Or beyond that, doesn’t know how to interact with people?’

If that were the case, it would explain why Duke Delmen kept his son hidden. Nobles considered it most important to cleverly secure their share of power between the imperial family and other nobles. 

In a world where everyone was watching each other, setting traps and complicating matters with schemes, a noble young master who didn’t understand people would easily become prey.

Moreover, he could potentially be branded as the family’s disgrace.

When Estria didn’t inquire further, Rigan turned his attention back to his book. He didn’t seem to think his behavior was inappropriate. 

Despite the fact that Duke Delmen would have to apologize immediately to her if she showed even slight anger, he either didn’t care or failed to recognize this, focusing intently on his book.

Estria stared at this young man who was both opposite and similar to her in some meaningful way.

After some time had passed…

“Rigan Delmen.”

At her call, Rigan looked up at her again. Estria smiled gracefully and said, “Stand up. Sitting like that before the Emperor is disrespectful.”

Rigan looked slightly bewildered but then rose from his seat. Only then did she notice that this young man was slightly taller than her and had a handsome face.

“And you should speak formally.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You should apologize to me for your earlier discourtesy.”

“…I apologize.”

“And?”

“…”

“Don’t the books teach you? What else should you say?”

Rigan seemed to ponder for a moment. After some time, he spoke. “I will be more careful in the future.”

“That’s right.”

It was like handling a puppy. Although anyone else would naturally feel offended, Rigan just stood there quietly.

Seeing him like this, a smile flashed across Estria’s lips.

“There are many interesting books in the imperial palace. Would you like to visit sometime?”

“…”

“Lord Delmen, when the Emperor speaks thus, you simply accept it as an honor.”

“It would be an honor.”

“Good. I’ll send a formal invitation soon, so I’ll see you then.”

With those words, Estria turned slightly. She remained composed, but seeing the young man who had slightly bowed his head toward her, she smiled faintly.

A week later, Estria really did invite Rigan to the imperial palace. And a month after that, Rigan Delmen officially became her aide.

* * *

“He was really cute back then, how did he end up like this?”

Sitting in my office signing documents, I muttered without realizing it.

Beside me, Rigan, who was organizing piles of documents, slightly raised his head and frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

“When I first met you. You were really like a puppy, so cute, but how did you grow up to be so disagreeable?”

Rigan looked incredulous at my words. Adjusting his glasses, he retorted, “You remember the strangest things. That was eight years ago.”

“Because you were cute.”

“Your Majesty was terrifying.”

“…”

“It was a notorious incident where a newly enthroned emperor scammed the youngest son of a duke’s family.”

“When did I ever scam you?”

“You brought me in when I knew nothing. Saying I could learn the ways of nobility if I stayed in the palace.”

“And you did learn, didn’t you? Is there anyone in this palace who understands noble politics better than you?”

I opened my mouth in disbelief.

Rather than being weak in human relationships, Rigan seemed to have no thoughts about them at all—not understanding why etiquette existed or why nobles spoke indirectly. Naturally, this led to his exclusion from social circles, with people whispering that he was eccentric and strange.

Moreover, his quiet demeanor and limited speech made him appear even more distant. Consequently, Rigan naturally became isolated.

‘In truth, he simply didn’t understand. No one taught him why things were done a certain way; they just demanded compliance and then treated him strangely.’

Of course, Rigan did think differently from others. However, during these past few years, he hadn’t shown any problematic behavior as an aide. Except for his occasional sarcasm.

“I thought since you were smart, I could teach you social skills and conversation, but did I really make you like this?”

To my question, Rigan answered without hesitation. “Yes.”

I shook my head.

“I thought someone smart and straightforward would be better than a slippery noble, but to think you’d grow up like this. Now I’m too used to you to get rid of you.”

“Your Majesty should be grateful I’m your aide. How many people would quietly take it when their superior throws a pen at them?”

“That’s because your reflexes are too slow. When I throw a pen, you should dodge it skillfully.”

I laughed triumphantly while saying something that anyone would find unreasonable. Rigan shook his head.

But anyway, the current Rigan had become quite skilled at dealing with people, and at least in front of me, he wasn’t much different from others. Though I liked his initial clueless demeanor, the present was fine too.

With that thought, I glanced at Rigan and then turned my attention back to the documents. Smiling faintly, I signed the last document.

“Still, since I’m the one who taught you, I’ll cry if you betray me.”

“Then please don’t say such terrible things. If I betray you, don’t cry—just kill me.”

“That would be more effective, wouldn’t it? Killing you rather than me crying.”

Rigan shook his head in disbelief at my words. After organizing all the documents beside him, he held them to his chest and stood before me.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Wait a moment.”

Rigan turned his head at my call. He narrowed his brow, silently asking what the matter was.

I opened a drawer. Taking out a red hair tie from inside, I asked Rigan, “This was supposedly found in the Death Gorge. Have you seen it before?”