Chapter 51

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Chapter 51

“I think it would be nice to be able to communicate briefly. It can also be used in crisis situations.”

“I’m always with you, so you don’t have to.”

Saying so, Declan’s eyebrows furrowed as he disliked me communicating with Hans.

“I said your safety is the top priority.”

I let out a small sigh while hugging Declan’s arm and smiled bashfully, “You don’t have to, but you can if you want to.”

As soon as I showed my cuteness at his reluctant reply, his expression soon relaxed.

“Please, put the doll back down on that table. Let me explain in writing.”

Only then did he put the doll on the table and explained the situation to Hans.

“I will study hard.”

Hans replied as he burned his will and knelt by the table to meet my eye level.

“Okay, let’s start with five things. If you need more, increase gradually.”

I wrote the numbers from one to five on a piece of paper. And, next to the number one, I wrote ‘Declan.’

“What does this mean?”

Declan, who was watching in front of me, was interested in his name.

“It’s a hand signal for the most urgent situations. It means that I want him to take me to Your Majesty.”

Hearing my words, he then raised the corners of his lips languidly as I showed him only a thumbs up.

“That’s a very important hand signal.”

And so, I informed Hans of the rest of the hand signals.

“The shaman didn’t come back…”

Duke Otien was pensive, beating the desk regularly.

“The servant whom I entrusted with the work has also disappeared. Salihan said with a disappointed face.

“Strange… It’s really weird.”

Duke Otien, who was holding his chin, murmured.

“I mean, the Emperor had figured it all out, how could he have known?”

“Forgive me.”

At that, Salihan bowed his head deeply.

“No, your plan wasn’t bad. The problem is that something is not right.”

He had no idea what the final puzzle was that gave Declan the clue.

“How did the guy who was choked up when he saw the Princess figure come to his senses?”

“That is the question I’m most curious about. Isn’t he the one who is so obsessed with dolls?”

“Yes. We set a trap that was hard to get out of, but he escaped…. Twice as well.”

Duke Otien leaned back in his chair, resting his hand on the armrest and resting his chin before opening his mouth, “Did the shaman open his mouth?”

“He did not know who I was in the first place.”

Lately, Duke Otien had been annoyed that he couldn’t hit the Emperor and in addition, only kept losing his limbs.

“Salihan, clean up your surroundings.”

…It was as if a rat had entered his nest.

“I will check again thoroughly.”

“Deal with it right away, but don’t send it off nicely.”

“I know it well. Don’t worry about that.”

The expectations were forceful in the eerie glowing eyes.

“I’m very tired. When will I be comfortable?”

Duke Otien, with a frown on his forehead, gently pressed his temple.

“…In the end, I have no choice but to use that means?”

Then, he opened the drawer and took out an inkwell. It contained a clear liquid unlike other ink bottles. He slowly began to write something on the letter. However, the spot where the pen passed was slightly wet, leaving no other traces.

“Deliver this. As secretly as possible.”

“Are you really planning on doing it?”

Salihan’s face was bright like a child waiting for a fun toy.

“They’re clamoring, so we can’t just let it go.”

Duke Otien smiled slyly.

“Let’s manage this case more thoroughly. I can’t stand it any longer.”

“Understood.”

Consequently, he answered with a face full of determination.

“This is all that is left.”

Mason placed a pile of papers on Declan’s desk.

“Is there no more?”

“Yes, I collected all the remaining materials from the Imperial Temple as well as what was in the archives of the Imperial Palace.”

“Hmm.”

Declan glanced down at the pile of papers.

“What if there is nothing to get?”

I’ve been searching diligently with Declan for the past few days, though I haven’t been able to find anything particularly helpful.

“Well, what should I do…”

“If it’s about the Perseum and the Holy Tree, shouldn’t we ask the Great Temple?”

Even though Mason carefully offered his opinion, Declan’s brow narrowed in disapproval.

“It’s not a losing trade if you can get the power of the Pope,” Mason, who glanced at his expression, quickly added more words.

“….”

I quietly waited for Declan’s decision. Though I want to find a way to be a person, I don’t want to beg.

As I watched him quietly, a low gaze settled on me.

“If there is no other way, I will contact Ielro.”

His decision came as a surprise, as he continued to disapprove it.

‘It must have been a decision made only for me.’

When I gazed into his green eyes, my heart melted.

“I will prepare for that.”

Mason exhaled a small sigh of relief, bowed his head and backed away.

“I’ll find a way, any way.”

“…Thank you.”

I couldn’t describe it all in one word, but for now, this was the best.

“Well then, let’s check this out.”

I sat down next to Declan as I watched him pull the material forward.

Time flew by without stopping to get any information.

“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Kingdom of Ielro.”

Just then, Mason handed him a letter. It was a communication that came two months after the Ielro Kingdom delegation left.

“I was about to contact them, but that’s good.”

Declan carefully read the letter opened with the paper-knife.

“They’re going to visit again for a peace treaty.”

“They seem to have found the answer to Your Majesty’s homework.”

“I see.”

Declan, who put the letter down, added softly, “Prepare to meet them. We have to get as much as we can get.”

“I will prepare properly.”

Mason left the office, unable to hide his smile.

“Your Majesty, will the Crown Prince come as the representative again this time?”

I was asking to see if Stella would come.

“She will. The King will not be able to leave his seat. Why, are you nervous?”

“It’s not…”

If it wasn’t for Stella, there was no need to worry.

“It will be fine.”

Instead, he reassured me as if he knew I was worried that things might go wrong.

“I’m not worried. Your Majesty is here.”

As soon as he smiled, I smiled along as well.

But, in the end, I faced a huge bomb.

“Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor, Sun of Burgundy. I, I am Stella Este.”

A woman with hair color resembling the sunny sky bowed her head nervously.

‘Why is he here?’

The moment I saw her, it was a feeling that I wanted to pass out. What was the reason I had been desperately trying to prevent war until now…?

I was so embarrassed that my head went blank.

‘Wait. They didn’t bring her as a war hostage, did they?’

As I thought about it, my head, which had been in panic, calmed down a little.

Thinking that, I glanced at Declan as I was still not relieved.

Even when he saw Stella, he didn’t react much. Nothing… He was expressionless as usual.

‘Hmm, that’s good. It’s not in a dangerous situation yet.’

Without realizing it, I relaxed and leaned against the back of the chair again.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Are you uncomfortable? Well, there are people you’re seeing for the first time.”

I tilted my head, not knowing what he meant before remembering Chloe’s birthday banquet.

‘…I was glaring at Jennifer and got caught, so I made excuses for being uncomfortable because they were strangers.’

Did he remember that because his memory improves when he becomes an emperor…?

“Let’s finish it quickly.”

Having said that, he turned his head to Andre, “You came earlier than the deadline I gave you. Right, did you get the answer?”

Andre raised his head and met his gaze.

“You will be satisfied with our offer.”

“Then, let’s unwind and we’ll talk again later.”

He stood up from his seat as if there was nothing more to say in response to the confident answer. Then, Hans, who was far away, ran up to us and held the doll with the cushion.

“Are you okay now?”

Declan came out of the audience and looked at my complexion.

“It’s okay.”

“I didn’t know you were so shy. Avoid places like that in the future.”

His worried voice tickled my ears.

“It’s not like that.”

“There is no need to overdo it.”

“I like being with His Majesty. So I’ll be with you.”

I’m thankful for his concern, though I couldn’t leave him alone when I don’t know what was going to happen. Declan didn’t say more about my answer because he liked it.

I thought of Stella again as I walked with him.

‘Why did she come…?’

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no reason for Stella to come to the Empire. The peace treaty that hinged on national welfare should not be trusted to her, who was not treated properly in her royal family as the illegitimate child.

‘Did it differ from the original story?’

The thought made my head go cold… The ruined original story.

‘I can’t just let it happen.’

Although I’m interested in Mason, who should be connected with Stella, the most important thing right now was Declan.

‘For now, let’s wait until the end of the peace treaty.’

Once that was done, there was no reason for Stella to stay here. Fortunately, Declan didn’t seem to be interested in Stella, and Jennifer wasn’t there, so it shouldn’t be a problem for a few days.

‘…Please let nothing happen.’

I begged and begged inside.

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