“Will you continue to be so insolent?”

“My apologies. Perhaps my youth and fiery temperament make it difficult to control my emotions.”

Eustace’s sarcastic expression showed no trace of regret. The Emperor clicked his tongue in frustration at the Grand Duke’s unyielding demeanor.

“How about we put an end to this before either of us harbors further resentment?”

“I will abide by Your Majesty’s wishes, provided you grant me one request.”

“Speak.”

“Do not concern yourself any further with Baroness Lila Knox.”

The Grand Duke’s face turned cold, all traces of his earlier smile gone. The Emperor, however, was unfazed. He had anticipated this reaction to some degree.

“You seem quite fond of Baroness Knox.”

“Yes, I am. So, leave her alone.”

Eustace’s voice carried an unmistakable hostility. The bitterness rose in his throat. It was always like this when he faced the Emperor.

“I mean no harm. I was simply curious because you shield her so fiercely. She may be a vassal of the Eustace family, but she is also a noble of the Empire now, is she not?”

Sensing the Grand Duke’s rising intensity, the Emperor cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“She is still inexperienced in many ways. I have kept her close out of my own selfishness, but I do not wish to make her life difficult.”

“But you cannot keep her sheltered forever.”

“I have no intention of doing so. Someone as noble as her cannot remain merely a baroness. She must shine more brightly than anyone.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed at Eustace’s enigmatic words.

“Noble? I thought she was of common birth.”

Suspicion tinged the Emperor’s voice, and it was clear he was thinking of Raven.

“There is no notion more outdated than that nobility equates to high birth and commoners to insignificance.”

Eustace responded calmly, but he couldn’t suppress a smile. Seeing the Emperor grow suspicious and uneasy was satisfying. He hoped the Emperor would continue to falter and make mistakes.

“I’ve heard rumors that you are deeply enamored with Baroness Knox—”

“They are not rumors; they are facts.”

Eustace smiled serenely, the mere thought of Lila lifting his spirits and soothing his nausea. In contrast, his anger toward the Emperor only intensified.

“I am eagerly awaiting the day when my Raven spreads her wings and soars. I am ready to dedicate everything I have to make that moment possible.”

That despicable man. Eustace swallowed his curses and spoke in a voice dripping with reverence.

“Everything, you say…”

The Emperor murmured with a curious expression.

“How romantic.”

“Thank you for seeing it that way.”

“Your devotion to her makes me even more curious.”

“It would be best if you left your curiosity at that, for everyone’s sake.”

Eustace’s face stiffened, and he began to gather his magical energy. The previously still air shifted, and golden magic unfurled like blossoming flowers, radiating beauty.

The Emperor stared blankly at the shimmering golden energy, his eyes flickering as though he were gazing at an irresistible feast.

“I am willing to do anything for my Raven.”

Eustace was utterly sincere. He was prepared to give his life for Lila, who had saved him from despair. Had he not met her that day or made that promise to her, he might have succumbed to his hopelessness and been utterly destroyed.

Lila was his reason for living.

“If anyone dares to harm her, I will never forgive them. It does not matter who they are.”

‘I will destroy them all.’

As Eustace finished speaking, he unleashed his magic entirely. The vast audience chamber was instantly filled with radiant golden energy.

“Ugh!”

The Emperor instinctively hunched over, letting out a small groan. He bit his lower lip, struggling to breathe. Overwhelmed by the oppressive energy, anger and fear wrestled within him.

“Huff.”

The Emperor desperately suppressed his own magic, which reacted instinctively to Grand Duke Eustace’s overwhelming energy. His body screamed in response to the clean, pure scent of his magic.

‘No. I cannot let it be discovered yet.’

The Emperor bit down hard on his lower lip, enough to draw blood. If Eustace realized the truth now, all the efforts he had made over the past few years would be in vain. He had to prevent that at all costs.

“Your Grace!”

Fortunately, the chamberlain, sensing something amiss, burst into the room. His rare, agitated tone filled the air.

“You stand before His Majesty. Withdraw your magic immediately!”

“…My apologies. I got carried away without realizing it.”

Grand Duke Eustace retracted his magic as his gaze fell on the Emperor’s trembling hand, gripping the armrest. The once turbulent atmosphere calmed instantly, like waves retreating after a storm.

“I have said all I need to. If Your Majesty promises not to take any interest in Baroness Lila Knox, I will destroy the recording crystals and ensure no further commotion arises.”

With that, the Grand Duke stood without hesitation. He looked down coldly at the Emperor, who exhaled heavily, finally releasing the breath he had been holding.

“There is another recording cystal besides the one I gave Your Majesty. If you make the promise, I will destroy both before your eyes.”

“…How can I be sure there are only two?”

“Believe me or not, that is entirely up to Your Majesty.”

Eustace twisted his lips into a smirk as he regarded the Emperor’s lingering suspicion.

“You were the one who suggested putting this matter to rest. If you cannot trust me, there is nothing more I can do.”

His sarcasm was blatant as he bowed with feigned politeness.

“Then I shall await your answer.”

Without waiting for the Emperor’s permission to leave, Eustace turned and walked away. He felt the Emperor’s piercing gaze on his back but ignored it.

“Your Grace!”

As soon as he stepped into the corridor, Johan, who had been anxiously waiting, rushed toward him.

“Let’s return.”

Eustace ran a hand through his hair with a weary expression, roughly loosening his cravat. Every conversation with the Emperor left him with a foul taste in his mouth.

“What is Anseir doing? Contact him immediately and tell him I want to see him.”

He strode forward decisively, intending to discuss what he had just witnessed with the commander of the mage division.

“Your Grace, there was an urgent message from the Grand Duke’s estate while you were inside.”

“What?”

Eustace halted abruptly at Johan’s words, forcing the man to follow in a flustered rush. Johan hesitated under Eustace’s sharp gaze, his lips trembling slightly.

“What happened?”

“Well….”

After a moment of hesitation, Johan cautiously began to speak. As he relayed the message, Eustace’s expression hardened visibly.

***

“We’ve arrived.”

Elvin, who had disembarked from the carriage first, scanned the surroundings with a tense expression. Though it was daytime, the street was eerily quiet.

“This is Eastern Street.”

“It’s so quiet.”

Lila tilted her head, surprised at how different the area looked from what she had imagined. Most of the shops lining the streets were closed, and there were hardly any people passing by, giving the place an oddly desolate feel.

“This area tends to be quiet unless it’s nighttime.”

“Really?”

Huon, who had followed her out of the carriage, added, “Eastern Street is known for its taverns.”

She glossed over the explanation. After all, Eastern Street was the capital’s most famous entertainment district. It wasn’t something he could explain in full detail to Lila.

“At night, the street comes alive, but during the day, it’s practically deserted.”

“I see.”

Lila nodded as she looked up at Huon.

“You didn’t have to come along, teacher.”

“It’s fine. Lila, your safety is important to me as well.”

“Even so…”

“If I hadn’t stepped in, Emma would never have agreed.”

At Huon’s words, Lila fell silent. If she hadn’t managed to convince Emma, she wouldn’t have been able to leave the Grand Duke’s estate.

“Absolutely not!”

Contrary to her expectations, Emma had been horrified when Lila announced she wanted to go out with Elvin.

“Going out in the current situation? If you must leave, go with His Grace the Grand Duke.”

“It’ll just be for a moment. Nothing will happen. Elvin will be with me…”

“If you insist on going, take a guard with you.”

“I can’t do that. The fewer people, the less noticeable we’ll be.”

Despite Emma’s fierce opposition, Lila had stubbornly refused to back down. Seeing the stalemate between the two, Huon had stepped in.

“I will accompany Lila as her escort.”

Only after Huon offered to go along as a guard did Emma reluctantly give her consent. To avoid drawing attention, the three of them used a public carriage instead of one belonging to the Eustace family.

“The weather isn’t looking good,” Huon said in a worried tone, noting the thick rain clouds. Though the morning had been sunny, the skies had turned gloomy by the afternoon.

“It looks like it’s going to rain. We should hurry.”

Drip.

As soon as Huon finished speaking, raindrops began to fall. Lila stopped in her tracks and glanced up at the sky as droplets hit the hood of her cloak.

“Oh no.”

Huon’s expression turned troubled as the light drizzle quickly became heavier.

“An umbrella…”