Chapter 74

Theo and Ivan sat down facing each other, quietly sipping their drinks. Theo looked very happy to share a drink with his younger brother after a long time, but not Ivan. He has an expression of concern on his face. 

Theo insinuatingly asked.

“Are you that worried?”

“…I don’t know what you mean.”

“Tsk. Don’t pretend. Didn’t you say that a talented mercenary was escorting her? Don’t worry about being away from her for a while.”

Ivan clicked his tongue briefly and turned his head. Theo shook his head and poured his drink into his mouth.

His dignity as an emperor had been lowered. If his subjects had seen this, they might have shed tears. He only shows the cold expression in front of them, but he shows such a limited appearance in front of his younger brother.

But Ivan was not paying attention to his brother. Theo sighed and continued to talk to Ivan.

“My brother is so cold-hearted.”

Ivan’s eyebrows wiggled when he said he was cold.

“How can you keep the real thing and not say a word….”

Theo was referring to Adelia as the real thing.

Ivan poured water into the glass without saying a word. He had been drinking only water from the glass of wine before.

“The choice is hers. I just have to watch.”

“Ha… There we go. Forget it. What can I ask from you?”

Theo broke his glass with a face full of disappointment.

“More than that, the Duke of Valkyr is the problem.”

“…….”

Ivan’s hand, which was pouring water, stopped.

“The prophet will be a poison to the Valkyr family. They might get rid of it.”

Ivan confirmed in silence. The advent of the prophet will draw the attention of the saint. It was a situation contrary to what the Duke of Valkyr was expecting.

Ivan’s lips, which were tightly closed, moved slowly.

“I will protect her.”

Theo’s eyes opened wide. He soon chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, we must protect her.”

Only then they can stop the Duke of Valkyr’s dominance. Theo looked at his brother with strange eyes. His brother had never been so attached to anything in his life.

Will it not be a bad change?

Theo’s mind became complicated.

He cared for his brother, but he has been educated and lived as a thorough ruler.

What should I do if a situation comes where Ivan runs into a feud with me for the sake of his lover?

For now, he couldn’t imagine.

Well, there’s no point in thinking about it now. Theo smirked and poured alcohol into his glass faster than Ivan’s hand to fill the water.

Ivan’s disapproving gaze turned to him, but Theo shrugged nonchalantly.

“But since it’s been a while since I met you, can’t you have a drink with me?”

“Sigh…”

Ivan’s breath came out of his mouth.

But he didn’t say no. Ivan accepted the glass he had been refusing the whole time.

A smile of satisfaction hangs around Theo’s mouth.

***

Adelia, along with Demalo, was heading to the blue flame mansion ahead of the Grand Duke.

Then Adelia’s tummy roared.

Oh… I guess I was too nervous.

She filled her stomach lightly as she came to the capital, but her body wanted energy because she was too nervous to see the emperor.

Hearing the sound from Adelia, Demalo took something out of his pocket. Adelia naturally confirmed what Demalo had taken out. It was an apple jam cookie. Adelia’s favorite.

“…What is it?”

“Have some.”

“…It’s all right. We can have a quick meal when we get to the mansion.”

“But it’s not good for you to leave your stomach empty when you need strength.”

Demalo held out the apple jam cookie in front of Adelia as if to seduce her. Adelia took the cookie he held out and put it in her mouth.

It was an instinctive act.

Adelia didn’t realize what she had done until she put the cookie in her mouth. But soon, she turned her head to the flavor of the cookie that was spreading in her mouth.

It’s delicious…

Demalo looked at Adelia, who turned her head with a pleased expression. He held out the apple jam cookie again and Adelia took it with a big, dry cough.

Darren, the butler who manages the blue flame mansion, greeted her. 

“I’m honored to see you again.”

Adelia smiled at Darren, whom she had not seen in a long time

“Long time no see, Darren.”

“You must be tired, so I’ll show you the room right away.”

Darren led three or four steps to show Adelia into the room. The room he guided was not the room she previously used.

It was a bit closer to the center.

Adelia looked around the room with a strange feeling.

“Please use it comfortably.”

“Thank you for your kind guidance.”

“Oh, and if you have a moment, may I introduce the viscount to the knights who will be your escort.” 

“… My escorts?” 

“Yes. The sooner you learn the faces of your escort, the better.”

Hearing Darren’s explanation, Adelia nodded her head softly. Because she agreed with Darren’s thoughts.

“Come in.”

At Darren’s signal, the knights waiting outside the door entered the room. Among them were familiar to Adelia’s eyes.

“Let’s start from the left.”

When Darren decided the order, Lensley, who was on the far left, stepped forward with a cheerful smile.

“As you may already know, my name is Lensley Piaro. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

“Thank you for coming all the way to the capital, Lensley.”

Adelia’s friendly words raised a deep smile around Lensley’s mouth.

“No, I’m just happy to have the opportunity to escort the Viscount.”

“Leader. You’re not the only one who will escort the Viscount, right?”

A woman with orange hair who was waiting for her turn right behind Lensley asked playfully. Lensley naturally retreated back with an apologetic face.

“I’m Melinda Orca. I’m the smallest knight of the Grand Duke, but I’m confident in my ability, so you can trust me to be your escort.”

It was a confident self-introduction. Adelia had no choice but to give Melinda Orca’s confidence high marks.

“Yes, I believe in Sir Melinda’s skills.”

“I will surely repay your trust.”

Adelia didn’t know, but Melinda was also one of the children who was rescued from the cave. Adelia then briefly greeted the other knights. Adelia stood beside Demalo with a gentle smile and asked the knights of the Grand Duke.

“This is the person I personally hired. He’s a trustworthy person, so I hope you get along well.”

Zen, who had been quiet at Adelia’s request, was the first to shout.

“Leave it to me!”

“…I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

Demalo’s gaze at Zen contained a little bit of pity.

I think I memorized their faces roughly.

Adelia once again looked closely at those who would protect her. By the time the introduction was almost finished, the servant had brought unexpected news.

“A priest came to see you.”

Adelia was surprised. Cardinal Eustaf is the only priest who visits her but he still doesn’t know she’s back in the capital. 

…did he follow me?

Adelia’s brow frowned for a moment.

“What’s his name again?”

“He said he couldn’t reveal it.”

“Hmm…”

“Something’s fishy.”

Lensley, who was listening to the servant’s conversation with Adelia, said in a guarded voice. Others nodded faintly as if they agreed with Lensley’s thoughts.

“…let’s just go. Did you bring the nameless priest to the drawing room?”

“Yes, I’ve shown him to the drawing room.”

“We’ll be with you.”

At Lensley’s words Adelia considered it for a moment and accepted it. They’re already in the same boat. She decided that there was no need to hide her relationship with Eustaf because he was an obvious ally.

“All right.” 

Adelia went down to the drawing room, accompanied by an escort. As Adelia entered the drawing room, she saw the priest’s unique white and generous robe. The priest had pressed the robe’s hood deeply.

Adelia immediately felt unfamiliar.

Was Eustaf always that big?

No.

Eustaf also had a sturdy build, but the priest in front of her was bigger than Eustaf’s body type that she remembered.

And a blue bird was sitting somewhat on the man’s head. Adelia had seen a bird a few days ago that looked very similar to that. After Eustaf’s holy being left, it suddenly flew into her room.

Adelia’s expression hardened.

“Who are you?”

As if waiting for Adelia’s question, the man pulled back his hood. And the face hidden under the hood was revealed. A manly face with long blue hair

Berg smiled vigorously and got up.

“Nice to meet you. Greetings from the humble servant of Vishna, Berg Cichen.”

Berg Cichen.

Adelia knew the man’s name.

He was a bishop-level figure with considerable power within the Vishna Church. 

“…I wonder why a bishop would spy on me.”

The knights behind Adelia had sharp expressions on their faces at the word “spy.”

“Oh, no. You don’t have to be so wary.”

Berg smiled scornfully and raised his hands. As if he’s surrendering.

“I was just wondering who the cardinal might be sending his holy being so secretively, so I just checked.”

Adelia squinted and spoke.

“That’s suspicious as it is.”

“I don’t know if you know, but I don’t get along with Cardinal Eustaf. I just wonder if you are his hidden lover….”

Adelia burst out laughing at the ridiculous speculation.