Chapter 4 (Part 5)

Cloud was in a foul mood because of Anthus’s early morning visit.

“Why are you ruining my breakfast with Moca from the early morning!”

To calm him down, the chamberlain explained the situation.

“Your Majesty, Duke Rockbellion seemed unusually tense. He looked like he might kill several people, so I was scared to approach him. I suggested he set an audience date, but he insisted it was urgent and requested to see you immediately. He also asked to see the Empress together.”

“As expected, dreams are always contrary.”

Cloud said irritably.

“Lau, Duke Rockbellion must have something urgent. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come so early in the morning.”

Monica gently placed her hand on Cloud’s shoulder and called him by his nickname.

“There must be a reason why Duke Rockbellion is acting like this in the morning. He wouldn’t come so early without an appointment unless it was serious. Let’s hear him out and then quickly return to bed.”

“If you say so, Moca…”

As Cloud’s expression began to soften, the chamberlain inwardly cheered for Monica. While Cloud appeared fierce to others, he was known to be a gentle cat in front of Monica.

“Why did he come so early…? There’s always something that gets on my nerves.”

As soon as Anthus met Cloud and Monica, he announced that he and Yuliana had officially become a couple. Knowing his efforts and suffering from his nine-year unrequited love, Cloud and Monica sincerely congratulated him.

“No way, did you come this early just to boast about becoming a couple?”

Anthus smiled slightly.

“I brought a small gift related to the teleportation installation, so please accept it.”

“I don’t like small gifts. Give me a big one.”

“The term ‘small gift’ was modesty; I sent a bigger gift than usual.”

“Indeed, Rockbellion always returns the favor. You didn’t come early just to give a gift and boast, right? Honestly, the atmosphere now feels like you’re about to give a carrot and then use a stick.”

Cloud erased his playful smile. He guessed that Anthus had not come just to boast but to ask for something.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I came because of Princess Ophelia.”

Cloud rubbed his forehead when he heard Ophelia’s name from Anthus. He could already guess what Anthus was going to say, and it gave him a headache.

“She tried to have my lover kidnapped.”

“Did I hear that wrong?”

No matter how immature Ophelia was, it was hard to believe she would order a kidnapping.

“I captured the person who attempted the kidnapping and imprisoned him in the underground prison of the ducal residence.”

Anthus continued calmly, with a perfect smile.

“Shall I bring the witness if you want to see him?”

Cloud sighed deeply, pressing his temples to calm his throbbing head. He wanted to side with his precious sister but clearly remembered warning her not to touch Lady Yuliana Loengrin at the last family gathering.

No matter how much he cherished his sister, he couldn’t condone her ignoring his warning. Cloud glanced at Monica, who was quietly savoring her tea without any change in expression.

“You know better than anyone that following someone has many outcomes, Your Majesty.”

Anthus said, looking quietly at Monica.

“Of course, Duke Rockbellion. There’s nothing more despicable than someone following me.”

Monica, who had quietly put down her teacup, agreed with Anthus.

“Do you remember, Your Majesty? The stalker who used to follow me.”

“I remember.”

“He initially had someone follow me and even tried to kidnap me. It’s one of the terrible memories I wish to forget.”

“Although the Empress is an elite from a capable assassin family, all kidnappings were thwarted, but my lover is not. I believe Your Majesty understands my feelings better than anyone.”

Cloud, unable to hide his discomfort, glanced at Monica.

“I am extremely displeased that such filthy surveillance was attached to my lover, Your Majesty.”

“So, what do you want, Duke Rockbellion?”

“I want Princess Ophelia to never show interest in me or my lover again.”

Cloud could see through Anthus’s intentions. He wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of Ophelia as if removing a leech. Feeling the anger in Anthus’s voice, Cloud sighed deeply.

Monica, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“If you don’t kill, you will end up being killed. Now that we know Princess Ophelia did such a terrible thing to Duke Rockbellion and Lady Loengrin, we can’t just let it go. It’s disgraceful for a royal to attach surveillance to a noble lady and attempt kidnapping. It’s something I don’t even want to think about.”

Monica continued.

“Every time I see Princess Ophelia, I will be reminded of the terrible things that happened to me because of a stalker. I don’t want to live in the same palace as someone who did such a terrible thing.”

“Calm down, Moca.”

“It’s shameful for a member of the royal family to do such a thing, Your Majesty.”

Knowing Monica’s feelings, Anthus had requested an audience with both the Emperor and Empress.

Monica had a deep-seated hatred for stalkers. Especially the repeated kidnapping attempts in her past were enough to remind her of unpleasant memories.

“You haven’t forgotten why the princesses could live freely in the palace, have you?”

Cloud nodded.

“They were spared on the condition that they promised to keep their mouths shut, their ears closed, their eyes closed, and obey His Majesty’s every word.”

“That’s right. They followed well.”

“A dog that doesn’t listen to its master doesn’t need to be kept.”

“So, should I kill the dog that doesn’t listen, Moca?”

“If it didn’t bite the master, I would send it to a good place…”

Seeing Cloud’s cold expression, Anthus raised the corners of his lips.

“I apologize for the early morning disturbance, Your Majesty, and the Empress.”

“We will handle the matter with Ophelia within the royal family.”

“I’ll leave you to it, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now.”

Anthus smiled gracefully, bowed elegantly to Cloud and Monica, and left.

Monica and Cloud continued their conversation in the reception room.

“Think simply, Lau. Is it Anthus or Ophelia?”

Cloud smiled slightly. Only one person came to mind.

“Of course, it’s Anthus.”

“If Ophelia is not dealt with, Duke Rockbellion might seek asylum in another empire, taking the Dragon’s Magic Stone Mine with him.”

“That can’t happen.”

The power of Rockbellion and their magic stones were a great asset to the empire. Losing Rockbellion was unthinkable.

<I will help you become the Emperor. In return, Lady Yuliana Loengrin must be the Duchess of Rockbellion. That’s all I want.>

Before ascending to the throne, Cloud had promised Anthus.

“If by any chance he seeks asylum in another country, he won’t go alone. He might persuade Lady Loengrin, now his lover, to go with him. Duke Rockbellion would do that.”

Cloud shook his head vigorously.

“He finally became lovers with the woman he obsessed over for nine years; he won’t give up.”

“Both Yan and Lady Loengrin are talents that belong to my empire. I can’t allow them to go anywhere else.”

The answer was already decided.

“Grand Duke Florence is about to turn 18, so sending her to Florence might be an option.”

“Try sending a letter. Even if it’s not a marriage, an engagement and sending her to Grand Duke Florence’s territory might work… But won’t the Grand Duke be angry?”

“Just send the letter.”

“If Grand Duke Florence refuses, I’ll look for other matches.”

“Important guests will be coming for the Crown Prince’s birthday, so it might be a good idea to look among them.”

Cloud sighed with a bitter smile.

“I told her not to touch Lady Loengrin.”

“Princess Ophelia’s dream is to become the Duchess of Rockbellion… It’s unfortunate.”

“Dreams are the most beautiful when they remain dreams.”

“Shall we return to bed now?”

At Monica’s soft voice, Cloud swallowed.

“Like a beast last night, you can pounce on me again, Lau.”

Monica gently scratched Cloud’s back with her nails and gestured with her chin. Swallowing again, Cloud lifted Monica, left the reception room, and hurried to the bedroom.