CH 44

Leia’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means you don’t have to worry about the international community’s gaze in such detail.”

“Your Majesty.”

Hendrick, who also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, called out to the Emperor repeatedly, but he remained unmoved.

The Emperor was already someone who didn’t pay attention to anyone’s gaze other than Theresa. However, this could be a mistake that might lead Heineken to become the center of a national dispute.

“The strength of the Heineken Empire is unmatched on the continent, with abundant magical power and advanced magic stones crafting technology. In addition, they have reached the pinnacle in politics, economy, and culture.”

For a moment, Leia Lindbergh forgot the topic and was dying of envy for Emperor Glenn.

She also wanted to say it once.

That Lindbergh was the best.

A sovereign who could confidently proclaim it like that, and when looking around, loyal subjects who would nod their heads without a hint of hesitation or skepticism.

Everything made her envious.

“Are we any different when it comes to military power?”

Leia tightly clenched her teeth.

Glenn made a playful expression.

“On this matter, let the esteemed Count Bourbon, who represents the pinnacle of our military might, speak. Are we lacking?”

Count Bourbon let out a small sigh and smiled along with Glenn.

“Even if you were to conquer the entire continent, it still would not be insufficient, Your Majesty.”

Glenn looked at Leia with a face that said, ‘Did you hear that?’ and narrowed his eyes playfully.

“The reason we remain silent is because the glory obtained through force is no longer necessary for us. It’s not about being mindful of anyone’s opinions. Moreover, both you and your brother don’t seek unnecessary fights, which is why we haven’t bothered with such troublesome actions.”

Only then did people understand Glenn’s words and nod their heads.

“If there is a fight that must be fought, there is no need to avoid it, and we will surely emerge victorious.”

Leia looked at Glenn as if mesmerized.

Despite having a mate, an overwhelming pheromone emanated from Glenn.

The confidence that only those with strong magical power possess. The wisdom that comes from a combination of learning and experience. 

Furthermore, even at an age well past middle age, his attractive appearance added to his charm, making him seem like a person who had gathered all the strength of an alpha.

Leia eventually lowered her eyes halfway and smiled faintly.

“Moreover, we are no longer strangers.”

Instead of her, Glenn looked at Crown Prince Adrian.

Adrian had not uttered a single word since earlier.

He toyed with the bead containing Carl Lindbergh’s pheromones and the unidentified magic stone, holding it in his hand, bringing it close to his nose, and then letting it go. As if reminiscing about something dear, he lightly closed and opened his eyes.

From a young age, Adrian had been taught restraint and patience.

Born between a dominant alpha and a dominant omega, he had learned to be cautious when dealing with people due to his pheromones that carry the traits of extreme dominance.

Anyone who wanted to stand by his side had to be exceptionally strong.

But now, the prince of Lindbergh had unexpectedly appeared.

A dominant Omega who wouldn’t be weighed down even if Adrian emitted his pheromones to the fullest.

“We are now like family.”

Leia’s face, which had been smiling, turned pale as a sheet.

Glenn pretended not to see it.

“I am quite fond of Carl Lindbergh, that young man.”

Despite his delicate appearance, Glenn quickly realized that the prince’s inner strength went beyond mere softness.

Within just a week, all the servants were talking about the prince, and Glenn heard about it as well.

From the observer’s perspective, it wasn’t about praising the prince, but rather engaging in conversations and participating together. The prince was gradually infiltrating their lives.

Albeit in a somewhat peculiar way. 

Glenn wanted to nurture the young man, providing him with water and fertilizer, ensuring he would withstand strong winds without uprooting like a delicate plant. 

An Omega, often likened to a flower, was not the empress that Glenn wanted. 

If the old Carl Lindbergh was likened to a flower, the present Carl Lindbergh was closer to a weed.

A weed that takes root in rough and rugged terrain while still maintaining its identity and expressing its presence. 

The prince of Lindbergh didn’t live in such harsh conditions, so there must have been a reason for making him that way. 

He wondered what that reason could be.

The Heineken royal family didn’t desire nobility. 

The reigning emperor was no longer needed. 

If Adrian had to reign due to an unavoidable power difference, Carl Lindbergh had to embrace him and maintain balance by his side.

In that sense, Carl Lindbergh was the necessary partner for Adrian.

Moreover, isn’t he the first person his son can confide in with all his heart?

The magic mixed with the prince’s pheromones was faint but gradually gaining strength.

Glenn saw his son blinking with a slight tremor.

“Considering that the lacking parts can be filled in other ways, I think the next candidate for Empress is by no means inferior.”

The lords gasped in surprise.

In the presence of Count Bourbon, Duke Hendrick, and the ten lords of the principal provincial towns, with the exception of Thomas, who had risen from commoner to nobleman and was specially invited to participate, the Emperor spoke words that ordinary people should not hear.

“Once we become a family, all of Lindbergh’s problems will now become problems of Heineken as well.”

Everyone realized that this was the Emperor’s proclamation.

And at the same time, everyone observed the expression of Princess Leia, not the Crown Prince.

She, who was already pale, couldn’t become any paler.

The Emperor was putting subtle pressure on her.

Let Heineken take care of everything else, so find the prince.

“But we don’t know the current whereabouts of the prince.”

Oh, my son.

Duke Hendrick touched his forehead.

The child was not completely unaware, and as the only person not affected by pheromones and involved in the affairs of the royal family, Belfry thought, ‘Isn’t Your Majesty being too generous when the royal marriage has not yet taken place?'”

Adrian’s surroundings grew dark once again.

Glenn looked at Belfry and spoke slowly.

“He will be back soon. Don’t underestimate the tenacity of an Alpha.”

The tenacity of an Alpha.

For a moment. Adrian’s eyes shimmered with a golden hue.

Glenn finally smiled with satisfaction.

Well, he had been brought up inside the palace, so he was used to being respected. He wasn’t used to being rejected.

But it’s okay to experience it once in a while.

Theresa had also rejected Glenn at least once.

If you can’t even catch him, then you should lose your alpha title.

Adrian abruptly stood up from his seat.

“I apologize for leaving first, but I feel like I need to take a walk around the vicinity.”

“Oh, yeah. Go ahead.”

Adrian left the conference room, unaccompanied by his aide.

Only then did Belfrey close his mouth, and Leia’s face regained its color.

Taking a deep breath, Duke Hendrick, the only Omega in this place, who had been enduring, rubbed his shoulders.

“Please, I’m begging you, can’t you at least not show that you’re an Alpha during the conference as a favor?”

For those who have mates, why do you need to show off your presence like this?

Leia thought Hendrick, who was grumbling, was similar to Belfry and wondered if that’s how the father and son were.

Glenn also stood up from his seat.

“I also feel like seeing the Empress, so I’ll go now.”

Seeing what that guy has been doing since earlier, it makes me think about the time when I burned1Can also mean passionate. like that too.

In response to Glenn’s smiling words, Duke Hendrick snapped back sharply and retorted, “If you burn any further, the palace will turn to ashes. Please stop it.”

Glenn waved his hand as if he hadn’t heard anything.

“Well, well, even our heads wear out if we think too much. Let’s stop here for today.”

“Your Majesty!”

Duke Hendrick’s exclamation was drowned out by the thud of the closing door.

Adrian was in the process of leaving the castle just as he had left the conference room.

Father was right.

Sitting here and waiting for him to come back or questioning how to find him didn’t suit my temperament, and it wasn’t a good approach either.

The reason Adrian had stayed inside the castle, only giving orders, was because he was the Crown Prince.

The pure white majestic horse spread its wings as the Crown Prince’s hand reached for the reins.

Carrying the subtle permission of his father on his back, Adrian decided to personally search for Carl.

To pass through the castle walls, he needed an identification card.

It wasn’t easy to forge, and among the castle guards, there were no fools who couldn’t recognize a forged identification card.

Furthermore, the prince’s appearance had already spread throughout the entire watchtower.

Carl couldn’t pass through the castle walls.

He is also someone who doesn’t know how to use magic by directly channeling and releasing magical power.

No, even if he had crossed the castle walls, he wouldn’t have been able to go far.

Adrian, standing at the top, scanned his surroundings for a moment before turning the reins westward.

No matter what he was hiding, he would find out and ask.

Why did he leave? What did he want to do by leaving?

As long as it’s not about leaving him, he is willing to do anything and hold on to him.

Carl Lindbergh, who also has the body of a dominant omega, would have a hard time living without Adrian.

There were limits to controlling magic stones, and during his first heat cycle, his body was completely covered with Adrian’s pheromones.

Around the time when it started to fade, he wanted to believe that by that time, even Carl would look for Adrian.

Adrian tightly bit his lips.

Though he himself was inexperienced in love and didn’t know much about it, he became enchanted after just a few encounters. As time passed, his feelings grew deeper, and he realized that the immense sense of loss after losing him cannot be defined by any other word but love.

Even if Carl has other secret schemes, he would resign himself to it.

No, it would be even better if they could slowly love each other again from the beginning.

The horse carrying Adrian began to soar westward.