“Sorry. I’m late.”
Cabelenus swiftly cut down the skeletons as he strode forward and came to stand in front of Alicia.
She hadn’t suffered any serious injuries, but the scratches on her body and the torn dress were an unpleasant sight.
Cabelenus ground his teeth so hard it was audible, then turned toward Veloa.
Seeing Cabelenus like that, Alicia held Michael tightly in her arms.
"What did you do?"
“Nothing.”
“Liar.”
Fighting back her tears, Alicia held Michael even tighter in her arms.
From here, she could only see Cabelenus’s back, so she couldn’t check the wound.
Nonetheless, the wound that caught her eye once could not be forgotten.
“…You stabbed yourself, didn’t you?”
“...”
"Why did you do that? Why on earth…"
“…Because if I had fallen asleep, I would’ve lost you.”
"Even so, you shouldn’t do something like that!"
Alicia’s voice sharpened.
To hurt himself just to stay awake — that was truly insane.
His way of thinking was so unexpected that it left her tongue-tied in disbelief.
"You said you missed me."
“...”
Alicia’s pupils trembled.
"There’s no way I could give up after hearing that."
Cabelenus tightened his grip on the sword.
The eight years of time wasted in vain were more than enough.
The days when he blamed himself for failing to protect her, raged against Zerpheus who destroyed her, and even denied the passage of time were no longer there.
“I agonised countless times. I needed you, but it seemed you didn’t need me. I felt like my very feelings were wrong.”
“...”
"But there’s still a chance, after all."
“...”
"Even if it's just a little, I still remain in your heart."
That was enough for him.
Cabelenus swung his sword with all his might.
・・・・・
"How’s her shackle? Is it working well?"
“Fortunately, it seems to be working without any problems.”
"It’s not enough to just work. It has to do more than that."
“It’s still too early to make a definite judgment, but judging by its current performance, it’s even better than the shackles created by the former emperor.”
“I like that answer. Tell me more.”
Zerpheus put down the book he had been reading.
Pelsion handed the log he received from the researcher to Zerpheus.
“The former emperor’s shackles weren’t about genuine obedience, but about imposing constraints that forced compliance. That’s also why Your Majesty couldn’t fully command His Highness the Grand Duke."
“So, you’re saying this shackle isn’t like that?”
“The shackles we reinforced, if properly fastened, do not merely impose constraints but can also manipulate one’s will.”
"Will?"
“It means Your Majesty can finally obtain what you have desired.”
Pelsion gave a silent bow of respect to Zerpheus.
But Zerpheus just flipped through the log with a blank expression.
“Aren’t you pleased?”
“I don’t want to raise a toast for something not yet accomplished. More importantly, right now my precious dog has chewed through its leash and run away.”
Zerpheus’s eyes twisted subtly.
Cabelenus was necessary for the plan to be completed.
Without him, no matter how many shackles were fastened, it was meaningless.
“Are you not thinking of acquiring a new dog? Especially since that child has imperial blood and ability, if you carefully coax and teach him before his values are firmly established—”
“That child doesn’t have golden eyes.”
“...”
“He may be worth using, but he can’t replace Cabelenus. Black hair and golden eyes have been symbols of the imperial family for generations. Even the previous emperors all had black hair and golden eyes.”
‘Except for me, that is.’
Zerpheus leisurely touched the corner of his eye.
Pelsion anxiously watched his superior’s expression.
Perhaps because he had long been suspected of not having imperial blood due to lacking golden eyes, Zerpheus was particularly obsessed with them.
"I want both — the lost dog and the new one."
“...”
“Getting a new dog doesn’t mean I can give up on the one I lost. Too much effort has been invested so far. No matter what it takes, I’ll retrieve him, make him kneel at my feet, and force him to obey me.”
Zerpheus chuckled dryly and roughly tossed the log onto the desk.
With the new shackle completed, all that remained was to retrieve the dog and fasten the leash.
・・・・・
“Look who’s here. Isn’t that Schwarhan’s wolf?”
Veloa sneered and dodged Cabelenus as he charged.
“So you were alive after all.”
Cabelenus's eyes narrowed.
With just the skeleton and the staff, the rough outline was formed.
If she could command the dead, then creating a fake corpse wouldn’t be that difficult.
This woman and Zerpheus were deeply involved in the incident from eight years ago.
“You should also come see for yourself. Look at the state your cruel older brother has left me in.”
“...”
“You probably don’t know, do you? How it felt to have a sword pressed to my neck, writhing in pain as my face was torn and raw flesh ripped, while being forced to create fake corpses — all because no one was allowed to recognise me?”
Veloa laughed, but her hand holding the staff trembled.
More terrifying than the maid who carried out Zerpheus’s orders with an indifferent expression was Zerpheus himself, watching everything through the communication mirror.
Even at that moment, the man was smiling.
“That bastard ruined my whole life!”
“...”
“I was a princess! A real princess, incomparable from birth to that kind of thing!”
When Veloa shouted irritably and swung her staff roughly, the ground shook violently.
Cabelenus nimbly avoided the splitting ground, then leapt straight forward and swung his sword toward Veloa.
Clang—!
The sword and staff clashed with a sharp ring.
"Come on, tell me! Why do I have to be the only one miserable? I, who was once more special than anyone, why do I have to end up like this?!"
“...”
"I was destined to become the empress! I was supposed to be the one sitting gracefully in the most radiant position!"
“...”
"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you feel any pity for me? Don't you feel even a bit of guilt when you look at me?"
Veloa glared at Cabelenus with bloodshot eyes, her breath ragged with anger, but there wasn't the slightest flicker of emotion on his face.
Rather, the sword, imbued with a murderous intent and piercing straight toward vital points with precision, carried an emotion of its own.
“You filthy murderer! You bastard!”
Velua swung her staff wildly with her eyes wide open.
But no matter how much magic she unleashed, none of her attacks properly landed on Cabelenus.
Though she hated to admit it, her opponent was a seasoned fighter who had long roamed the battlefield.
In both skill and experience, he was more familiar with it and more proficient than Veloa.
Letting Veloa’s attacks pass by harmlessly and exploiting her openings was no difficult task for Cabelenus.
"If you act rashly, you won’t end up in a good situation."
The tip of Cabelenus's blade was aimed at Veloa.
Killing her wouldn't be difficult, but it felt like a waste to do so like this.
Whether by choice or not, she had been under Zerpheus’s command.
If interrogated, she might provide some useful information.
"We'll have to wait and see whether things turn out well or not."
Veloa smiled.
The tip of her staff was pointing not at Cabelenus, but toward the sky.
And at that moment, a light shot upward from the staff.
Boom—! Bang! Bang!
With a loud noise, fireworks erupted from all directions.
It was a flare signalling their location.
"Looks like the Empire has plenty of manpower these days."
“Your brother figured one unit wouldn’t be enough to deal with you, so he sent plenty of soldiers. So go ahead — try running away while dragging all those deadweights along.”
Veloa grinned slyly, her eyes gleaming.
The thought of watching the arrogant man run around like a colt with its tail on fire was thrilling enough.
"Run away? Why would I do something like that?"
“What?”
"That's something you do when you're at a disadvantage."
Cabelenus chuckled.
"Stop bragging. No matter how strong you are, do you really think you can take on all those soldiers alone?"
Veloa clicked her tongue in disbelief.
“I never said I was alone.”
“Right, you’re not alone. But you’re just carrying a bunch of dead weight, aren’t you?”
"It seems you still haven't caught on."
“What do you mean by that?”
The Emperor wasn’t the only one who could command an army.
A wry smile spread across Cabelenus’s lips.
・・・・・
“I’m glad we’re not late.”
Gazaff removed his helmet and showed respect to Cabelenus.
Cabelenus barely acknowledged Gazeff’s greeting, giving a vague nod.
At the end of his gaze was Alicia, holding the sleeping Michael.
Cabelenus instinctively swallowed a dry gulp.
“...”
“...”
Swinging a sword was simple — so why was meeting that gaze so difficult?
Cabelenus hesitated for a moment before cautiously taking a step forward.
"…Are you okay? The military doctor is here, so let’s have your wounds checked—”
“Who’s worrying about whom?”
Alicia’s frosty gaze cut off Cabelenus’s words.
Alicia glared at Cabelenus for a moment before sharply turning her head away.
"…Not me, tend to Your Highness’s wounds first."
Alicia’s eyelashes trembled.
Just seeing the bloodstained pants made it clear how badly the man had harmed himself.
No matter how hard she tried not to focus on it, her attention kept drifting back to Cabelenus’s wounds.
“Could it be that you’re worried about me?”
A faint smile tugged at Cabelenus’s lips.
Alicia tried hard not to turn her head toward Cabelenus and pulled Michael even closer into her arms.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry yourself over me. And…”
Cabelenus glanced at Alicia to read her expression, then carefully continued speaking.
“I missed you, too.”
“...”
“I heard everything. All the things you said to me. So don’t pretend you didn’t.”
Cabelenus spoke in an urgent voice as he stepped closer to Alicia.
“Your Highness must be mistaken. I didn't say anything."
Alicia lowered her gaze, unable to bring herself to look at Cabelenus.
Even though she knew it was an obvious lie, she had to say it.
Harsh words and forced distance were the only way to stop her wavering heart.
“Do you still not trust me?”
“I told you. I still have that dream.”
"But you said that even though you resented me, you missed me."
Cabelenus’s voice grew stronger.
“Resent me. It's okay to do that. Curse me and be angry at me until your resentment fades. Even if you were to point a blade at me, I would gladly accept whatever you give.”
“...”
“As long as you stay by my side, anything is fine.”
“...”
“I don’t care what you do to me — just stay with me. That’s all I want.”
Alicia’s hands clenched tightly, like a clam snapping shut.
Cabelenus hesitated for a moment, then quickly bent down to kneel before her.
“Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
"I'm not crying. I have no reason to cry.”
She had to say harsh words.
She had to act indifferent, pretending it didn’t matter.
But the emotions kept rising, choking her throat and stinging her eyes.
"Why are you so stubborn? At this point, you could just stop and be done with it. What did I say to make you hurt yourself like this…"
Cabelenus reached out his hand toward Alicia.
She, whom he had longed to touch but only watched from afar, now felt a little closer.
He couldn’t let this chance slip away.
“Even if you use me, I don’t mind.”
“...”
"Use me to achieve what you want. If you wish, I will take up the sword again and willingly become your shield."
Cabelenus’s hand clasped Alicia’s shoulder.
Alicia bit her lip tightly at the familiar warmth.
Putting everything else aside, she couldn’t deny how comforting their body heat felt.
“You saw it yourself — how strong I am. I’ll definitely be of help to you. So, will you agree?”
“...”
“If even this feels burdensome, you can think of it as me fulfilling my duties as Michael’s biological father — the responsibilities I wasn’t able to fulfil until now.”
Cabelenus gave a hesitant smile.
He knew it looked ridiculous, but he wanted to hold on — no matter what, even if it meant making all kinds of excuses.
If only he could meet that gaze from eight years ago again, he would have been willing to give up everything.
“…Your Highness, what exactly is the extent of the duties you can perform?”
Alicia raised her head.
She realised it through today’s experience.
Her power wasn’t absolute and had many flaws.
Though she was lucky this time, if Cabelenus hadn’t been there, she might have lost Michael.
Strangely enough, thinking that way calmed her mind.
It was the pride she had sacrificed countless times for Michael until now.
Even if she were to discard it one more time now, nothing would change.
"As much as you want."
Cabelenus answered without hesitation.
Alicia lowered her head for a moment, then met Cabelenus’s gaze again.
“What if Michael isn’t an ordinary child?”
“...”
“Would you still protect my child then?”
Alicia smiled bitterly.
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