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Peony, who had stopped in her tracks, asked back as if she didn't understand the meaning.
“What do you mean?”
The Empress wore a gentle smile as she looked at Peony and tilted her head slightly.
“Think about it. It's not like I'm asking for a difficult favor. Or is there a reason why it's difficult to even ask Ayla for her opinion?”
Peony stared at the Empress with a dumbfounded expression. Soon, she retorted in a sharp voice.
“There's no reason. What great reason do I need to respect my friend's opinion?”
Peony breathed roughly, then pressed her lips tightly.
She calmed her excited heart and quietly bowed to the Empress.
“…I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, go carefully. Let's see each other again soon.”
“Yes.”
Leaving a short answer, Peony left the reception room without hesitation.
The Empress chuckled and muttered as if to be seen.
“I didn't mean to, but it seems like my words upset her quite a bit.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Darian's gaze was fixed on her. His handsome face distorted, and his blue eyes visibly trembled.
“What on earth are you thinking, Mother?”
“Why are you so agitated?”
“Didn't you just say something that would cause that? Duke Argenta won't stand still if he finds out about this.”
“Oh my, you.”
The Empress replied with a relaxed face.
“Peony isn't the type to be so loose-lipped. I just wanted to confirm her intentions before the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Peony's intentions? What are you talking about…”
“You know it well, don't you?”
A subtle murderous intent was embedded in her gentle voice.
“Her recent movements have been unusual. What other reason could there be for her to attend social events without fail, even while busy with her studies?”
Darian's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“Even if Peony aims for the throne, I have no right to stop her. Opportunity should be given equally to everyone.”
The Empress stared at him for a long time, then narrowed her eyes.
“You foolish boy. The world doesn't work as naively as you think.”
Darian seemed speechless at her cold tone and closed his mouth.
“Ayla has regained her former status. Duke Argenta is also lending his strength to Peony. If we're not careful, the two Dukedoms will side with them. Are you planning to destroy everything you've built up so far? To abandon the countless people who trust and follow you?”
“……”
“You know, don't you? The reason why Duke Argenta supports Peony. It's because Ayla and Felix are engaged.”
At the sharp remark, Darian lowered his gaze. Watching his expression, the Empress continued with a look of pity.
“Peony knows that fact well too. That's why she rejected my offer because she doesn't want to give up her power.”
“……”
The Empress stared silently at her son's stiff face for a moment.
Soon, she quietly got up from her seat and sat down next to him.
She carefully placed her hand on Darian's shoulder and said softly.
“Darian, I'm always worried about you. You have less innate ability than the other royals. So, if you want to ascend to the throne, you absolutely need the power of a strong maternal relative.”
The Empress sighed and continued.
“When you think about it that way, wouldn't Duke Blanche be the best condition?”
She slowly tilted her head and asked again.
“Or, perhaps, you don't like Ayla?”
“That's…”
In his heart, he wanted to firmly reject his mother's temptation. But in the end, he couldn't continue speaking.
Because he knew his own cowardly heart better than anyone else.
It wasn't that he disliked Ayla.
Rather, if possible, he wanted to be with her, as if he couldn't win against it.
Ever since he became aware of his feelings, he had wanted her so much.
But he knew. He knew their affectionate gazes towards each other.
Ayla's eyes held only Felix, and Felix's eyes held only Ayla.
As if only the two of them existed in the world.
There was no place for him to step in between them.
He was the one who knew better than anyone else that it was not a place he could dare to covet.
Nevertheless, he couldn't readily say 'no' to the Empress's words.
That contradictory heart was fully revealed on his face.
Seeing her son's expression, the Empress smiled coldly and whispered.
“It's okay, Darian. You just have to watch quietly. Mother will take care of everything.”
“Felix, when will we arrive?”
“Just bear with it a little longer, we're almost there.”
Inside the carriage heading to the Argenta Dukedom.
The scenery outside the window was peaceful, but inside the carriage was like a battlefield.
“I think I've heard the word ‘almost’ at least twelve times already. What time does that mean?”
Piyo rolled around inside the carriage, screaming.
He lay down on the cushion, shook the curtains as if they were toys, and eventually climbed onto Felix's lap.
“Suffocating. The air here is worse than in a cave.”
“Have you ever lived in a cave?”
“Of course! It was wide, cool, and quiet! Here… here it only smells like dried cheese!”
“That's because you secretly took it out of the lunch box earlier.”
Piyo's eyes widened as if he had been caught red-handed, then he pursed his lips tightly.
Ayla burst into laughter at the sight.
“Certainly, a carriage must feel cramped and stuffy for a winged Dragon.”
“Ayla! Don't say that in front of him. He might really fly away on his own.”
“Ah, right.”
Ayla, realizing her mistake, turned to Piyo and scolded him in a firm tone.
“Sit still, Piyo. Or there will be no snacks today?”
“That's no good! I'll sit still.”
Around that time, the carriage came to a smooth stop. Felix opened the window and looked outside.
The coachman nodded and said.
“We have arrived. This is the Argenta Dukedom.”
“Finally!”
Piyo jumped up as if he had been waiting and ran towards the carriage door like an arrow.
“Wait, Piyo. You have to get off slowly…”
Before Ayla's warning could finish, Piyo burst out as soon as the door opened.
Felix rubbed his forehead and muttered.
“I knew this would happen…”
The Duke Argenta's servants were standing neatly in front of the carriage, waiting, but none of them could properly stop Piyo.
Before they knew it, Piyo was running far ahead, exploring the unfamiliar garden.
Was it because he was a Dragon? Piyo's physical abilities were growing noticeably fast.
It was a speed that ordinary servants could never catch up with.
Piyo's shout was heard from afar.
“Wow, this place is so cool!”
“Piyo!”
Ayla grabbed the hem of her skirt and hurriedly followed.
But even in the midst of that, the boy's carefully combed hair was blown by the wind and soon became disheveled, and leaves were stuck all over his clothes.
Felix, who came out after her, shook his head and shouted.
“Ayla, give up! It looks like we have to wash him before we see Debens…”
Splash!
“No, Piyo! Get out of there right now-!”
At that moment, Ayla's scream burst out.
Felix, who confirmed the scene in front of him, froze and let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha…”
In the small pond in the corner of the garden, Piyo was already splashing around happily.
It was when the boy poked his head out of the water a moment later.
Swish.
Someone snatched his side in an instant.
“Really, you're such a troublemaker.”
Ayla stopped in her tracks, watching the scene with surprised eyes.
A tall man with noticeable red hair had Piyo lightly tucked under his arm and was clicking his tongue as if he couldn't help it.
Recognizing the figure, Ayla widened her eyes and muttered in a flustered voice.
“…Debens?”
He turned his head towards Ayla and raised one corner of his lips.
“It's been a while.”
Just then, Piyo, who was tucked under Debens's arm, raised both hands and shouted.
“This fish is so cute! Can I take it?”
Only then did Ayla discover that something Piyo was holding in his hand was flapping, and she screamed briefly.
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