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Object of Hatred "It's been a while, Master." Riel's tone was polite, but their eyes were arrogant. "......" Carrion only glared at them, remaining silent. The Emperor slowly moved, taking a decorative sword from the wall and urging a response. "Count Dietrian, isn't it basic etiquette to return a greeting when you receive one?" "......" "Even if it's from a lowly maid." Riel watched Carrion suppressing his anger and thought. 'Your Majesty is forcing the Count to acknowledge that I was just a maid, not his mistress.' Eventually, Carrion yielded to the Emperor. "Y-yes. It has been a while, Riel." A deep sense of humiliation spread across Carrion's face. Though brief, it was clear to anyone that he was addressing a maid. Clang-. Seemingly satisfied with the sight, the Emperor tossed the sword he was holding onto the desk. "I heard Grand Duke Ervin said he couldn't mobilize The First Order of Knights? Using the excuse of wartime." "Yes, there was a dispute with the Imperial Guard messenger over that matter." Carrion answered, but avoided eye contact with the Emperor. "We should take this opportunity to make an example of how great a crime it is to disobey an imperial order. To Charles, and to The First Order of Knights......" The Emperor sat on the sofa and pulled Riel's wrist. "You sit too. Didn't you say you were curious about news regarding Ervin?" "Thank you, Your Majesty." The Emperor sat in the center of the sofa, and Riel and Carrion sat facing each other as the conversation continued. Carrion relayed the events that had transpired in Ervin. The reasons for failing to bring Iana and Charles, the new types of monsters that had appeared in Ervin, and the powerful military force of Ervin. The Emperor asked with a hardened expression. "So, there's an unknown mage with strong magical power in Ervin?" "Pardon?" Carrion reflexively glared at Riel. Riel, puzzled by Carrion's reaction, continued speaking. "Didn't Lyman, the mage from the capital, say so? That there's a mage in Ervin with tremendous magical power, on the level of an Archmage." "That's......" Carrion hesitated, unsure of what to say. Knowing Carrion well, Riel could intuitively grasp the situation. 'Count Dietrian knows something.' Riel turned their gaze and signaled to the Emperor. The Emperor immediately pressed Carrion for an answer again. "Speak, Count Dietrian." Carrion, with a troubled expression, spoke with difficulty. "A new Archmage has been appointed in Ervin this time......" "A new Archmage has been appointed in Ervin?" The Emperor's eyes sharpened. 'Lyman was right.' Riel once again met the Emperor's gaze. As if asking if their words were correct, a smile played on their lips. At that moment, Carrion said something completely unexpected. "That Archmage is my former wife, Iana Rechelles." "......" Riel's eyes widened in shock. 'Impossible. Iana had magical power?' They couldn't believe it. Iana, who had been physically weak due to illness, possessing such strong magical power that she was appointed as an Archmage was incomprehensible. Then, the moment in the Ducal Palace when they tried to strike Iana's face with a brooch and their body froze came to mind. "Why did my body......" 'That's right, Iana used magical power to do that to me.' Riel felt a surge of anger at the thought of being manipulated by Iana's schemes. But they hid their emotions thoroughly and vowed. 'Iana, you'll pay the price. The price for hiding your magical power and attacking me.' ✦ ✦ ✦ Two days later, The First Order of Knights decided to rest at a lake near the capital. It was the same lake where Iana had waited for Charles immediately after her divorce. It was a place frequently used as a resting spot for those traveling to and from the capital, so there were quite a few carriages and horses lined up around the lake. Charles spoke less and less as they approached the capital. Iana subtly stood next to Charles, who was gazing at the lake. Sensing her presence, he playfully asked. "Why do you keep following me?" "I'm not following Your Highness, I'm escorting you. As the Archmage of Ervin." The two stood side by side, looking at the lake. The water sparkled whenever the waves rippled. "Iana." Charles called out in a low voice. "Yes, Your Highness." "If the event you foresaw with your magical power happens in the Imperial Palace......" "......" "I will fight on Empress's side until the end. Do you understand what I mean?" Charles's eyes were resolute. He had been contemplating for some time, and it seemed he had reached a conclusion as they approached the capital. "Do as you wish." Iana smiled brightly and said lightly. Then, she gently took Charles's hand. "I will fight on Your Highness's side until the end, no matter what situation arises." Just as the two were looking at each other and smiling. "Ah!" Iana felt a dizzy spell coming over her. "What's wrong?" Charles looked at her with a worried expression. "I suddenly feel dizzy. I think I sensed magical power." At her words, Charles shouted loudly to those around him. "Arm yourselves, everyone!" At his cry, the knights around him echoed the same words. The entire First Order of Knights drew their bows, and some knights evacuated the people by the lake. 'Is the magical power coming from the ground?' Iana thought, looking around. But she didn't feel any magical power from the ground. She looked around and then looked at the lake. Something was strange. Even though it was a clear day with no wind, the waves in the lake were quite turbulent. "Your Highness, were the waves in this lake always this turbulent?" "The waves in the lake?" Charles's gaze turned to the lake. "That is......" In the distance, something moving against the current was slowly approaching the shore. It was at that moment. A huge Arika Vine coiled up and burst out of the lake. "Ah!" People screamed at the sight of the vine, which looked like a giant snake. Iana quickly cast a spell and created a large curtain of fire. Small Arika Vines began to attach themselves behind the coiled vine. "Now!" At Charles's command, the knights simultaneously fired magic arrows at the Arika Vines approaching from behind. Whoosh! Bang! Bang! Huge pillars of water soared high into the sky. The coiled Arika Vine, without any additional magical power, was slowly consumed by the curtain of fire. Eventually, the Arika Vine disappeared into white smoke. The evacuated people watched the scene with blank faces. Iana opened her mouth with a heavy expression. "Your Highness, it seems the capital is no longer safe either." ✦ ✦ ✦ The next morning, Riel woke up in the Emperor's bedroom as usual. They had been spending the nights with the Emperor for several days. The Emperor no longer sought Alisa and did not meet the Empress either. At this moment, the Emperor was solely theirs. It was an extremely joyful situation. But Riel couldn't shake off their anger because of Iana. They couldn't stand the fact that they had been completely deceived by that insignificant Iana. 'How should I repay her?' Riel thought of the way to make Iana suffer the most. Then, a thought flashed through their mind. "I can tolerate insults to myself, but I will not tolerate insults to Ervin." 'That's right, Iana. Everything you love is in Ervin.' The man she loves, the cherished rabbit, and even the people who would go out of their way for Iana. A smile spread across Riel's lips as a good idea came to mind. At that moment, the Emperor grabbed their wrist tightly and pulled them into his arms. He slowly kissed them from their forehead to the bridge of their nose and asked. "What wicked thoughts are you having again?" "Your Majesty, the people of the empire are saying that the vine that looks like a snake is the curse of the dead princes." "Why are you talking nonsense from the morning?" The Emperor frowned and released the arm that was holding them. Riel quickly climbed on top of the Emperor, overlapping their bodies. "That means they are blaming the imperial family for the appearance of the new monsters. People always look for a scapegoat when a disaster occurs." "So?" "They are saying that the vine came from Ervin. After all, Ervin is known as a cursed land swarming with monsters." "Ervin?" The Emperor's eyes gleamed sharply. "We need to give the people an object of hatred. That way, they won't resent the imperial family, will they?" Riel gave a meaningful smile. "You are truly wicked." The Emperor slowly stroked Riel's cheek and then deeply kissed their lips. It was at that moment. From outside the bedroom door, the urgent voice of an elderly secretary was heard. "Your Majesty, I have urgent news to report." "Speak." The Emperor's voice was sharp. The secretary said in a slightly trembling voice. "T-The First Order of Knights is coming to the Imperial Palace right now." "......!" "Together with Grand Duke Ervin."
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