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"Who do you think you're making a mistress right now?"
Charles strode in, ready to punch Carrion.
"Your Highness, please wait..."
Iana tried to stop Charles, but Carrion fueled the fire again.
"Isn't it just returning to the original owner? What's the problem?"
Carrion sneered.
"Original owner? Is Iana some kind of object?"
Charles and Carrion glared fiercely at each other.
Iana tried to stop the two men from fighting, thinking,
'It'll be a problem if Your Highness clashes with Carrion now.'
The usually rational Charles became extremely emotional when it came to her problems.
"Was it part of your plan to treat Count Dietrian like that in the investigation room today?"
"...No."
Even when Carrion came as the Emperor's investigator, Charles had gotten into a fistfight because of her, something he hadn't planned.
But Carrion was here now not for an investigation, but with the Emperor's order to arrest Charles.
She couldn't stop Carrion by using the Grand Duke's rank.
Iana could now use magical power, and she didn't want Charles to get into trouble because of her anymore.
"Your Highness, please let me handle this since it's my problem."
She bowed her head to Charles and earnestly pleaded.
"..."
Charles stared at her with a stiff face, saying nothing.
Then, Carrion intervened again this time.
"That's right. This is a matter between us two, who used to be a couple."
"I'm talking about my problem, not ours. Count Dietrian."
Iana turned and scolded Carrion.
"Understood."
At that moment, Charles answered briefly and walked out the door.
'Is he angry?'
Iana looked at Charles's back with a worried expression.
As soon as the door closed, Carrion suddenly spoke.
"Iana, please get me a top from the bag on the chair."
"..."
Iana was dumbfounded and turned to Carrion.
He was casually unbuttoning his shirt, treating Iana as if she were his wife.
"I changed my clothes a little while ago, but I'm sweaty and uncomfortable. Iana, you know me well. I can't stand being uncomfortable."
"..."
"What are you doing? I said get me the clothes."
Carrion urged her as if it were natural.
'Carrion's attitude towards me hasn't changed.'
No matter how strong her magical power was or how high her position as an Archmage, she was still the same to Carrion.
His frail ex-wife who had been ill.
She realized that getting caught up in her emotions as Carrion led her would only make her look foolish.
Iana didn't answer and turned around, walking towards the door.
"Iana, where are you going? I told you to get me the clothes."
She opened the door and said politely in front of it.
"I'm going to call someone to attend to Count Dietrian."
"What? I'm not done talking yet..."
"Let's talk again when Count Dietrian is capable of rational conversation. You don't seem to be able to tell right from wrong right now. Then."
Bang!
Iana slammed the door shut and walked down the hallway of the detached palace.
Leaving Carrion's shouting behind.
✦ ✦ ✦
Charles, who had left the detached palace, helped treat the territory residents and the Imperial Army.
In fact, he had no intention of interfering in Iana and Carrion's conversation from the beginning.
With Iana's magical power now, no one could treat her carelessly.
But he was worried about her.
He didn't know what harsh words Count Dietrian would use to hurt Iana.
With that thought in mind, he went to Count Dietrian's door and heard unbearable words.
"I asked for you to be my mistress. To His Majesty the Emperor."
'His Majesty would never give Iana to Count Dietrian as a mistress.'
Charles knew it well.
It was because Charles had to be entangled with Iana in an affair to become someone who could no longer threaten the throne.
'To think of taking his ex-wife as a mistress...'
Charles couldn't bear Carrion's idea and burst into the room. But he heard unexpected words from Iana.
"Your Highness, please let me handle this since it's my problem."
He could understand what she meant by those words.
But he felt hurt.
Charles chuckled at his own childish behavior without realizing it.
A little later, he finished treating the territory residents and headed to the well to wash his hands.
Iana, who had come out at some point, cautiously watched him and started talking.
"I told Count Dietrian exactly what I wanted to say."
Charles felt playful at Iana's appearance.
"I see."
He deliberately answered coldly.
"The reason I said that in the detached palace was because I was worried that Your Highness might fight with Count Dietrian..."
Her words trailed off, and Iana, flustered, began to ramble.
Charles was afraid of the war that could break out at any moment.
He was burdened by the Emperor, whom he had to face, even though it was a planned event.
Nevertheless, he was happy to see Iana, who had overcome her wounds and become an Archmage.
It was as if hope existed in life.
"So, was it good? Leaving me alone and talking only between the two of you."
Charles grumbled even more mischievously.
He expected Iana to be flustered and at a loss. But unlike his expectations, she suddenly greeted him.
"Your Highness, I think I should come back later. Then."
Charles couldn't tell if she was angry or if something important had come up.
This time, Charles was slightly flustered and asked Iana's back.
"Suddenly, where are you going?"
Iana turned around with a serious face and said.
"I've realized something."
"…?"
"When the other person is saying something that doesn't make sense, the best way is not to respond."
"So, are you saying that I'm saying something that doesn't make sense? Is that what you mean?"
Charles looked at Iana in disbelief.
"I'll tell you when Your Highness is capable of rational conversation."
When Iana parried his joke, Charles playfully glared at her.
"I raised a lion."
"Don't worry, Your Highness raised me as a lion. I won't be easily taken advantage of by Count Dietrian anymore."
Iana smiled softly and answered firmly.
Was it because of her position as an Archmage? The small woman seemed big and strong.
Charles felt relieved at Iana's changed appearance, but on the other hand, he felt a sense of loss.
It was as if he was a fence that had reached the end of its lifespan.
✦ ✦ ✦
Rumble, crash!
A heavy rainstorm and thunder and lightning struck the capital's sky.
The carriage carrying Duke Havel headed to the Wizard's Tower, where the Council of nine archmages was located.
Duke Havel received a report from a high-ranking knight inside the carriage.
"First, we have arranged for Riel Estina to secretly enter the Imperial Garden on the day of the Crown Prince's memorial service."
Duke Havel muttered, looking at the stormy sky.
"It would be nice if it rained, wouldn't she look more pitiful then?"
The high-ranking knight hesitated and asked cautiously.
"I have never questioned anything you have ordered me to do. But..."
Duke Havel, reading the high-ranking knight's thoughts, spoke first.
"You're wondering why it's Riel, who comes from a family of traitors."
"How did you know?"
"There are many women who can captivate a man's heart, but very few women can manipulate a man's thoughts."
"..."
"Riel is a child who can do that. In a bold yet logical way. And she has a fatal weakness."
"A weakness?"
The high-ranking knight asked with a puzzled expression.
Rumble, crash!
At that moment, as lightning struck fiercely, shadows fell on half of Duke Havel's face.
"What if Riel manipulates the Emperor, and I hold Riel's weakness? What would happen?"
"Ah, so that's why you're personally taking on this troublesome task."
The high-ranking knight nodded as if he finally understood.
"Now that I have a well-honed sword in my hand, I need to create a stage for a sword dance."
A cruel smile spread across Duke Havel's face as he looked out the carriage window.
The carriage traveled for about an hour and stopped in front of the Wizard's Tower.
A magnificent gray Spire with a large magic stone embedded at the top. Around it were a magic school and training grounds.
At the entrance of the Spire, the head of the Council of nine archmages and the archmages were lined up, waiting.
As Duke Havel got out, the head Archmage greeted him happily.
"Have you arrived? Duke Havel."
"Archmage, it's been a while."
Duke Havel exchanged greetings with the archmages and went inside.
The exterior of the Wizard's Tower had a simple gray color, but the interior was decorated with luxurious marble, giving it a splendid appearance.
The archmages were emphasized to have a level of morality comparable to that of monks.
But the already corrupt archmages had become a group for whom maintaining their power was the most important thing.
Duke Havel was planning to target that point exactly.
"Has he arrived?"
Duke Havel asked briefly, but the head Archmage understood and answered quietly.
"He's waiting inside now."
The doorkeeper opened the door to the banquet hall, and a noble man rose from his seat.
Platinum blonde hair and emerald eyes.
The man greeted him politely with a stiff expression.
"This is my first time greeting Duke Havel."
"..."
"I am Marquess Marcel Rechelles."
Charles strode in, ready to punch Carrion.
"Your Highness, please wait..."
Iana tried to stop Charles, but Carrion fueled the fire again.
"Isn't it just returning to the original owner? What's the problem?"
Carrion sneered.
"Original owner? Is Iana some kind of object?"
Charles and Carrion glared fiercely at each other.
Iana tried to stop the two men from fighting, thinking,
'It'll be a problem if Your Highness clashes with Carrion now.'
The usually rational Charles became extremely emotional when it came to her problems.
"Was it part of your plan to treat Count Dietrian like that in the investigation room today?"
"...No."
Even when Carrion came as the Emperor's investigator, Charles had gotten into a fistfight because of her, something he hadn't planned.
But Carrion was here now not for an investigation, but with the Emperor's order to arrest Charles.
She couldn't stop Carrion by using the Grand Duke's rank.
Iana could now use magical power, and she didn't want Charles to get into trouble because of her anymore.
"Your Highness, please let me handle this since it's my problem."
She bowed her head to Charles and earnestly pleaded.
"..."
Charles stared at her with a stiff face, saying nothing.
Then, Carrion intervened again this time.
"That's right. This is a matter between us two, who used to be a couple."
"I'm talking about my problem, not ours. Count Dietrian."
Iana turned and scolded Carrion.
"Understood."
At that moment, Charles answered briefly and walked out the door.
'Is he angry?'
Iana looked at Charles's back with a worried expression.
As soon as the door closed, Carrion suddenly spoke.
"Iana, please get me a top from the bag on the chair."
"..."
Iana was dumbfounded and turned to Carrion.
He was casually unbuttoning his shirt, treating Iana as if she were his wife.
"I changed my clothes a little while ago, but I'm sweaty and uncomfortable. Iana, you know me well. I can't stand being uncomfortable."
"..."
"What are you doing? I said get me the clothes."
Carrion urged her as if it were natural.
'Carrion's attitude towards me hasn't changed.'
No matter how strong her magical power was or how high her position as an Archmage, she was still the same to Carrion.
His frail ex-wife who had been ill.
She realized that getting caught up in her emotions as Carrion led her would only make her look foolish.
Iana didn't answer and turned around, walking towards the door.
"Iana, where are you going? I told you to get me the clothes."
She opened the door and said politely in front of it.
"I'm going to call someone to attend to Count Dietrian."
"What? I'm not done talking yet..."
"Let's talk again when Count Dietrian is capable of rational conversation. You don't seem to be able to tell right from wrong right now. Then."
Bang!
Iana slammed the door shut and walked down the hallway of the detached palace.
Leaving Carrion's shouting behind.
✦ ✦ ✦
Charles, who had left the detached palace, helped treat the territory residents and the Imperial Army.
In fact, he had no intention of interfering in Iana and Carrion's conversation from the beginning.
With Iana's magical power now, no one could treat her carelessly.
But he was worried about her.
He didn't know what harsh words Count Dietrian would use to hurt Iana.
With that thought in mind, he went to Count Dietrian's door and heard unbearable words.
"I asked for you to be my mistress. To His Majesty the Emperor."
'His Majesty would never give Iana to Count Dietrian as a mistress.'
Charles knew it well.
It was because Charles had to be entangled with Iana in an affair to become someone who could no longer threaten the throne.
'To think of taking his ex-wife as a mistress...'
Charles couldn't bear Carrion's idea and burst into the room. But he heard unexpected words from Iana.
"Your Highness, please let me handle this since it's my problem."
He could understand what she meant by those words.
But he felt hurt.
Charles chuckled at his own childish behavior without realizing it.
A little later, he finished treating the territory residents and headed to the well to wash his hands.
Iana, who had come out at some point, cautiously watched him and started talking.
"I told Count Dietrian exactly what I wanted to say."
Charles felt playful at Iana's appearance.
"I see."
He deliberately answered coldly.
"The reason I said that in the detached palace was because I was worried that Your Highness might fight with Count Dietrian..."
Her words trailed off, and Iana, flustered, began to ramble.
Charles was afraid of the war that could break out at any moment.
He was burdened by the Emperor, whom he had to face, even though it was a planned event.
Nevertheless, he was happy to see Iana, who had overcome her wounds and become an Archmage.
It was as if hope existed in life.
"So, was it good? Leaving me alone and talking only between the two of you."
Charles grumbled even more mischievously.
He expected Iana to be flustered and at a loss. But unlike his expectations, she suddenly greeted him.
"Your Highness, I think I should come back later. Then."
Charles couldn't tell if she was angry or if something important had come up.
This time, Charles was slightly flustered and asked Iana's back.
"Suddenly, where are you going?"
Iana turned around with a serious face and said.
"I've realized something."
"…?"
"When the other person is saying something that doesn't make sense, the best way is not to respond."
"So, are you saying that I'm saying something that doesn't make sense? Is that what you mean?"
Charles looked at Iana in disbelief.
"I'll tell you when Your Highness is capable of rational conversation."
When Iana parried his joke, Charles playfully glared at her.
"I raised a lion."
"Don't worry, Your Highness raised me as a lion. I won't be easily taken advantage of by Count Dietrian anymore."
Iana smiled softly and answered firmly.
Was it because of her position as an Archmage? The small woman seemed big and strong.
Charles felt relieved at Iana's changed appearance, but on the other hand, he felt a sense of loss.
It was as if he was a fence that had reached the end of its lifespan.
✦ ✦ ✦
Rumble, crash!
A heavy rainstorm and thunder and lightning struck the capital's sky.
The carriage carrying Duke Havel headed to the Wizard's Tower, where the Council of nine archmages was located.
Duke Havel received a report from a high-ranking knight inside the carriage.
"First, we have arranged for Riel Estina to secretly enter the Imperial Garden on the day of the Crown Prince's memorial service."
Duke Havel muttered, looking at the stormy sky.
"It would be nice if it rained, wouldn't she look more pitiful then?"
The high-ranking knight hesitated and asked cautiously.
"I have never questioned anything you have ordered me to do. But..."
Duke Havel, reading the high-ranking knight's thoughts, spoke first.
"You're wondering why it's Riel, who comes from a family of traitors."
"How did you know?"
"There are many women who can captivate a man's heart, but very few women can manipulate a man's thoughts."
"..."
"Riel is a child who can do that. In a bold yet logical way. And she has a fatal weakness."
"A weakness?"
The high-ranking knight asked with a puzzled expression.
Rumble, crash!
At that moment, as lightning struck fiercely, shadows fell on half of Duke Havel's face.
"What if Riel manipulates the Emperor, and I hold Riel's weakness? What would happen?"
"Ah, so that's why you're personally taking on this troublesome task."
The high-ranking knight nodded as if he finally understood.
"Now that I have a well-honed sword in my hand, I need to create a stage for a sword dance."
A cruel smile spread across Duke Havel's face as he looked out the carriage window.
The carriage traveled for about an hour and stopped in front of the Wizard's Tower.
A magnificent gray Spire with a large magic stone embedded at the top. Around it were a magic school and training grounds.
At the entrance of the Spire, the head of the Council of nine archmages and the archmages were lined up, waiting.
As Duke Havel got out, the head Archmage greeted him happily.
"Have you arrived? Duke Havel."
"Archmage, it's been a while."
Duke Havel exchanged greetings with the archmages and went inside.
The exterior of the Wizard's Tower had a simple gray color, but the interior was decorated with luxurious marble, giving it a splendid appearance.
The archmages were emphasized to have a level of morality comparable to that of monks.
But the already corrupt archmages had become a group for whom maintaining their power was the most important thing.
Duke Havel was planning to target that point exactly.
"Has he arrived?"
Duke Havel asked briefly, but the head Archmage understood and answered quietly.
"He's waiting inside now."
The doorkeeper opened the door to the banquet hall, and a noble man rose from his seat.
Platinum blonde hair and emerald eyes.
The man greeted him politely with a stiff expression.
"This is my first time greeting Duke Havel."
"..."
"I am Marquess Marcel Rechelles."
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