At this particular time, what a coincidence.
“This experiment is completely ridiculous!”
“Why do you say it's ridiculous?
All we need is to take out one monster alive!”
"You madman!
You enter the gate and fight until your head explodes.
Do you think that is possible?"
“What?
Did you just say ‘crazy’?
Looks like I’m going to lose my temper today!
Get out, get out now!”
“Ah, you crazy wizards!”
Casey frowned as he looked at those chattering noisily.
'There are definitely suspicious people here.'
As he issued an order to monitor and sort out suspicious people, he noticed that the knights who received his gaze were carefully monitoring the atmosphere.
Normally, he would have immediately consulted Duchess Ariel about this matter.
People associated with the portal.
Or… perhaps certain powers linked to the former Empress from six years ago.
Those who seem to be trying to spread dangerous ideas and destabilize the minds of the awakened with evil drugs.
His mind was complicated.
Memories of the past, his mother, and his mentor.
'My body is still healthy.'
Completely intact.
This is an absolutely abnormal condition.
His body seemed to have a dedicated guide pouring her strength into helping him.
Casey was certain that he could remain intact for days without using his strength.
This was clear to others as well.
Casey recalled the events that followed his rescue.
'You can't hide it anymore.
Your Majesty's body...
Our strength certainly did not reach him, but Your Majesty stabilized!’
'Have you found a partner?
But Your Majesty entered the gate alone.
How...how could this happen?'
'We have served your majesty for a long time.
Say something, please, don't ignore it like that!'
Three women were about to faint from fear whenever they approached him, but they were proud to be the guides of the current emperor who had not found a partner.
'Enough talk.'
'But Your Majesty...!'
'I didn't find anything.
Don't you understand?
You are now threatening the Emperor's life.'
‘We…’
When thinking about how their families exploit their position for gain, this was somewhat urgent for them.
And even for Casey, this was the case.
Doubt, jealousy, caution.
Curiosity, interest, joy.
Under the weight of these mixed looks, he said that he entered the gates of a mental attack, and he did not know how he got out or how his body returned to its normal state.
Of course, no one believed him.
The Girl Guides shed tears.
'Lie.'
No one dared to say that to the Emperor, but everyone's expressions revealed everything.
But it was the truth.
'The only clue I remember is Duchess Ariel's face?
Haha, this makes me lose my mind.'
In the chaotic meeting hall, the Emperor held his numb hand tightly.
He definitely touched her.
Thick soft hair, his strong sense of holding it was obvious.
Softly wavy red colour.
'The only person I know who has this color is one person.'
So it was even more astonishing, and he couldn't help but frown in disbelief.
'Nothing makes sense from beginning to end.'
The gate explosion happened in the palace.
He is the only person involved in it.
When the gate is closed, no one can open it from the outside.
Unless those inside die, or the entire gate explodes and monsters pour out.
'A force greater than that of the gate, that's for sure.'
It wasn't magic.
Nothing concerns the Guides or the Awakened.
'Like my partner's actions that trick my awareness at night.'
But what does that have to do with the Duchess?
That woman...
'What are you hiding from me?'
Doubt, betrayal, and distrust stabbed his heart like arrows.
Unexplained anger erupted again.
Without realizing it, he broke the magic ballpoint pen he was holding.
A sticky liquid flowed from the broken steel pen, like blood.
And it's like blood.
“Hmm, let's stop arguing.”
He did not notice that the witches and the awakened were looking warily at the shattered pen in his hand.
He was only thinking about red hair.
The face of someone familiar and strange at the same time.
He could not accept the existence of someone who could not be, and could not have, a relationship with that particular woman.
'I can't stay like this without doing anything.'
The little boy wiped his tear-filled eyes.
If his kind and strong teacher had been present, she would have sighed and calmly told him to put his hand down.
But Louis was alone now.
There had been no witches coughing and tending to him lately, no maids or servants to speak kindly, feed him, and clothe him.
And the boy's secret.
The mysterious talking cat, Lucy, wasn't here either.
‘Brother, Your Majesty the Emperor.’
His teacher's pale face was not far from his mind.
Louis returned to his bedroom, shaking his butt deep in thought.
‘It should not be used recklessly.
Witches look for your weaknesses and mine.
That you do not enter the palace without my permission or the permission of the Duchess is part of the agreement.
So you shouldn't give them a reason to attack us.'
He did not forget that recommendation.
'The moment you put your life in danger.
Only at that moment should you use it, promise me that.
You are a little child, but you cannot live like a child forever.
Don't forgive me, I'm your cruel brother.'
He never forgot his promise to his brother.
But…
'I heard.'
Last night, Louis couldn't resist worry and fear, so he broke his promise to Lucy.
He did not return to his bedroom.
He did not cover himf and sleep, but rather kept his eyes open.
In the night when no one could disturb him, he started going back to where he came from.
He was worried because his teacher was not there, and he wanted to be next to the cat.
He kept thinking about her pained appearance, and felt that he had to do this even if Lucy scolded him.
When he reached his teacher's bedroom door and tried to open it a little, he heard __
‘Ah.’
The sound of someone crying.
'Ahhh.'
Although the sound insulation was excellent, as befits a witch's residence, it was clearly crying.
That voice was definitely the voice of his teacher, the second person Louis loved in this world!
The little prince was shocked.
'Because of me.'
Because of what happened during the day.
'I should have said that wasn't the case.'
Because I couldn't speak.
My teacher extended her hand to me.
But I am mute and cannot speak, so I quarreled with my brother, the Emperor.
'Because of me!'
In fact, Luis' life has become easier lately.
After he was banned from entering the palace, the magicians began to care about the little prince.
They were coughing and trying to teach him more.
The maids and servants served him delicious food, gentle care, and friendly smiles.
Although he was only ten years old, Louis was of royalty and intelligent.
He was not too young to know that these changes were thanks to his teacher.
But…
'I'm a bad kid.'
When he remembered his teacher's pale face while she was sleeping, he felt that these same thoughts were bad.
‘Brother Emperor, my teacher is not bad.
Don't quarrel.'
Louis pulled out something he had hidden deep in his closet.
He took a deep breath and ruffled his hair.
As a member of the royal family, Louis knew the Emperor's schedule well.
At this time, his brother, His Majesty the Emperor, had returned to his office.
So…
'I'll explain to him!'
Click.
The jewel box opened, and an old, worn-out leather necklace appeared, with a small jewel the size of a pebble at the end.
But inside that seemingly cheap jewel, there was clearly a magic circle rotating.
'To my brother, His Majesty.'
When he held the gem, a bright light shone.
Moments later, the empty jewel box fell into the little prince's room.
And there was no one in the room anymore.