Chapter 97

The Lunatic Palace, where the emperor resides in the empire, is more splendid and majestic than any other building.

It was entirely made of white marble, and at first glance, it looked like a temple.

Ruid went inside. No sanctions were received while entering. The imperial guards memorize the facial expressions of key characters, but in the case of Ruid, his appearance is impossible to confuse.

“You are waiting.”

In front of the Emperor’s Great Hall, Michael bowed his head and moved the device. A really big door opened with a rattling sound.

Red carpet laid out inside.

The emperor was sitting in the distance, almost like a dot.

‘too big.’

Ruid looked at the emperor, who could not be seen clearly, with dark eyes.

I already have a small body, but I feel humbled as I stand alone in this large cavity that could fit four dragons.

Ruid walked for a while and stood in front of the emperor.

“Heh, heh.”

I stretched my arms long and exhaled. Normally, I would have used magic lightly, but of course magic is prohibited in the imperial palace.

Ruid wiped his forehead with his sleeve and raised his head. Lucius was sitting on the throne with a serious expression.

He tapped the armrest of the throne.

‘Are you asking me to come?’

I approached Lucius with a face full of doubt.

Lucius’ expression brightened, and he grabbed Ruid’s armpits, lifted him up, and sat him on his lap.

“You’ve finally come to keep the promise you made from Windsor Castle, Ruid.”

Lucius held Ruid and stroked his head. Ruid struggled for a moment, but soon gave up and relaxed his body.

“Hahaha! “I feel like all the fatigue I gained from the last government administration has been relieved.”

Lucius carefully put Luid down.

“hello.”

“...I always feel like the timing of saying hello is a little late. Okay, anyway, welcome back. While I’m here, I won’t see the first princess who will be your future marriage partner...”

Lucius stopped talking when he saw the expression on Ruid’s narrow-eyed expression.

“Do you hate it that much?”

Yes, it had to be that way.

Lucius’ daughter, who has been insisting on getting engaged for a long time, is 10 years old this year.

“Hmm.”

“Please contact us again in 10 years.”

Lucius’ expression hardened.

“Five years. “No more than that.”

“I can’t believe I’m already thinking about marrying a wizard with a bright future like me. “As expected, His Majesty is scary.”

“Aren’t you a talent of the empire? “There is no better son-in-law than you.”

Lucius grinned and lowered his posture.

“Unfortunately, Ruid, you couldn’t have just come to the imperial palace to visit.”

Ruid was a little stung.

‘I should have done some nice things on a regular basis.’

However, the imperial palace was so large that I was reluctant to go there. Since I couldn’t use magic, I had to walk around for a very long time.

“I came here because I had a favor to ask.”

“I have to grant anything my lovely nephew asks. What do you want? “Immense wealth, a vibrant territory.”

“...There’s no need for something grand like that.”

“It’s a shame. I wonder what the youngest member of the Duke of Windsor wants from me. “Tell me.”

‘As expected, it’s burdensome.’

Louis did not hate the emperor.

However, he always treated me too much, so I felt sick every time I met him.

Still, I thought it was good because my friendship with the emperor would be of great help this time.

“your majesty. “Please rescind Damon’s expulsion.”

“...Damon?”

Lucius opened his eyes wide.

He said it as if it was unexpected.

“That little brother of mine, there are things that can be of help to me. Have you become very close friends?”

Ruid nodded.

I chose the best option to resolve the matter quickly.

“I received a lot of help. “I’d be bored without Damon.”

“Huh. “I didn’t even know that.”

Lucius smoothed his chin.

“Aristocratic society?”

“okay. “Is this a difficult request?”

Ruid shook his head.

“What should I do there?”

“Sleep like usual.”

“?”

“Because the fact that you are attending gives me great strength. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to ask for more luggage than that.”

It really wasn’t that difficult.

“If your Majesty is okay with that.”

Lucius smiled brightly.

“Are you going straight to the academy? “I’ll take you to the front gate.”

Ruid shook his head.

“I can go alone.”

“I just wanted to talk a little more.”

Lucius stood up from the throne and spoke in a relaxed tone. There was a lot of loneliness.

The emperor is in his late 30s, but it was like seeing an old man in his 80s living alone.

“That place is more lonely than you think.”

Ruid had his eyes set on the throne.

‘What would have happened if I had been possessed by the emperor?’

I feel like I’m getting tired just thinking about it.

Living as an emperor may seem enviable at first glance, but in reality, it is hell itself.

They are growling here and there, waiting for a mistake to be made, and they cannot rely on others to make any judgment.

It’s not suitable for someone who can’t even choose whether to eat Jjajangmyeon or Jjamppong.

In that respect, ‘Windsor’ seems to provide a great deal of comfort to the emperor.

Just look at Lucius’ attitude towards him. Because he’s the only person I feel comfortable talking to.

“What are you thinking?”

Lucius asked, looking down at himself.

“I think the luck of the draw was amazing.”

**

After returning from dropping off Ruid, the emperor leaned back in his office chair and closed his eyes.

-I will use you just once.

The conversation that Ruid had earlier came to mind.

The emperor rubbed his head and leaned on the desk.

“...It’s painful.”

Whenever the emperor looks at Ruid, he thinks that he is like pure white snow.

A crystal of purity without any stains.

“I’m already using you, but you say you’re willing to be used by me.”

This Damon incident was planned by the Emperor.

One of several ways to make Amelia Windsor the head of the family.

He kept a close eye on Damon, who regularly causes accidents, and ordered him to return to the imperial palace at this opportunity.

Although I wasn’t sure if Ruid would move.

He calculated that it would be okay even if Ruid did not come to visit him.

It would be better for Damon to return and help run the government rather than stay at the academy.

Luckily, it worked as intended, but the emperor was not happy.

Unlike Irene Windsor, her affection for Ruid was sincere.

I couldn’t feel comfortable using a child who was considered a nephew.

“But you have to do it.”

The emperor smiled bitterly.

Wariness about Irene Windsor existed from the beginning.

There have been many exchanges with the Windsor family. Irene also encountered quite a few things.

Killing animals without reason and tearing their limbs apart, or having no hesitation when killing people.

Until recently, such elements were dismissed as ‘tricks’. But a recent incident. I had a hunch there.

“...It’s not just cruel. “That’s clear.”

They incite fear and enjoy it.

The method is extremely grotesque and shows no respect for the emperor himself.

Rather, the way he looked at himself contained this meaning.

‘If you don’t like me, I will kill the emperor and everyone else.’

“...It’s mania.”

The emperor let out a sigh as if holding his breath and took a deep breath.

After calming down a little, he returned to his calm expression.

He went over the plan he had made several times from the beginning.

There shouldn’t be any mistakes along the way.

The important thing is that ‘Amelia Windsor’ takes the place of ‘Irene Windsor’ without knowing that she was involved.

Even if possible, he must not let Windsor know his intentions.