Chapter 73
“Prince Jeffrey is probably in the capital.”
“Like I was before, locked away?”
“Most likely.”
Isadahl had said she didn’t know exactly where Jeffrey was.
Only that he was probably hidden away just as thoroughly as she had been in the past.
In the end, the only way to find Jeffrey was to go to the capital.
Of course, not like this. Even if she went to the capital right now, she’d never be able to find him.
The emperor wasn’t the type to make things that easy.
She needed time to prepare.
To find Jeffrey and build the strength to stand against the emperor, she’d need at least another year.
With her resolve hardened, Reina’s eyes shone with sharp intelligence.
“Jeffrey’s in the capital.”
“……”
“Will you come with me?”
At her question, Kaiden let out a low chuckle. He kissed the crown of her head and said,
“You’re stating the obvious. Don’t tell me you were planning to leave without me?”
“……It’s not like we’re going right now. We need more time to prepare……”
“Reina.”
Kaiden gently pulled away from Reina. Meeting her eyes, he said tenderly,
“Mernie and Crencia are always together. I thought that meant you and me.”
“……”
“Even if you refuse, I’m going with you no matter what.”
“It might be dangerous.”
“That’s my specialty, Reina. I’ve always lived on the edge of life and death.”
Kaiden smiled confidently. It could sound arrogant at first glance, but it wasn’t bravado.
He’d faced countless crises in the north, and he’d continue living that way.
“You have a loyal dragon at your side.”
Why did Isadahl’s words come to mind now, of all times?
Reina liked that Kaiden accepted her unconditionally, yet she found it hard to believe fully.
“Why?”
What am I to you that you’d say something like that?
The inner words bubbled up, tickling her throat, but what came out was just one word.
“Hm?”
Kaiden tilted his head like someone who didn’t know how to respond.
Reina refined her words and asked again.
“……Why are you so good to me like this?”
After a moment of thought, he said simply,
“Because I want to be. There’s no other reason.”
It wasn’t something he said for lack of words.
He truly had no clear reason.
He just wanted to.
Kaiden loved Reina.
No. Love didn’t quite capture it.
Even among those he loved, Reina stood out far above the rest.
So, his actions came naturally.
He hadn’t put in special effort or calculated anything.
It was just because it was Reina that he found himself following her with his eyes without realizing it.
When she smiled, he smiled too—that was all.
“So, you just accept it.”
“You’re remarkably consistent.”
Reina trailed off, gently caressing Kaiden’s cheek.
“I’ve hardly done anything good for you……. I’m so pitiful like this.”
At the sudden touch, Kaiden clenched his jaw.
She had rarely touched him so freely before, which made him even less immune to it.
He knew this wasn’t the situation for it, yet his body reacted easily—but fortunately, she didn’t seem to notice.
After exhaling a deep breath, Kaiden responded playfully.
“I guess we need to replace the mirror in your room. How can this face be pitiful? Go check again later.”
It was because otherwise, he felt like he might sweep away the atmosphere and kiss her.
In truth, he was trying hard not to look at her face.
She was far too dangerous right now. She seemed like she’d grant anything he asked, so he had to hold onto his sanity with all his might.
Then, Reina gave a faint smile. Just as he thought she was pulling her hand away, she naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.
“!”
With the tight pull, Kaiden’s upper body bent forward helplessly.
He grabbed her waist in a rush, his body completely tense.
“Reina?”
She was holding him while standing on her tiptoes.
Even at his call, she showed no movement at all.
After a moment, Reina spoke.
“I’ll protect you, no matter what.”
It somehow felt like a serious confession.
Kaiden didn’t scoff as he usually might.
He simply leaned his large frame against her and whispered.
“Yes. You’ll protect me, and I’ll protect you.”
Even if it costs me my last breath.
Kaiden swallowed the rest of his words and stayed in that position.
* * *
Upon arriving in the capital, Mikael was immediately summoned by the emperor.
The emperor had secretly given him two orders.
To investigate Reina’s divine powers.
To assess the situation in the north.
If he had to weigh them, the latter was probably more important.
The emperor didn’t show much interest in the claim that Reina could see supernatural forces.
It was exactly the level of power he’d expected. However, there was one thing that bothered him.
That her power could be helpful to the north, right as the demons’ 100-year cycle had begun.
Recalling that fact made him inherently uncomfortable.
“The Duke of Crencia sure is lucky.”
As the emperor smirked bitterly, Mikael added lightly.
“But it seemed like using her power caused her a lot of physical fatigue.”
“Hm. She’s always been frail, so that makes sense.”
Only then did the emperor relax his expression. Even if her power was helpful, fully seeing through everything would be impossible.
Mikael tried not to react to the emperor’s ever-changing demeanor.
It was common knowledge that the emperor had been keeping the north in check for many years.
Especially after Kaiden Crencia became duke, he found it even more displeasing.
Though a subject, Kaiden had never obediently followed his will. The emperor said,
“I heard your return was delayed beyond schedule because of an isolated species monster.”
“Yes. An isolated species monster, a Medusa, appeared and caused damage throughout the village. From the circumstances, it seemed like a mutated variant, not a simple isolated one.”
“Oh?”
“I heard there had already been issues with monsters before I arrived. The frequency and level of monster appearances were certainly unusual compared to previous years.”
“The Duke of Crencia must have struggled quite a bit.”
Contrary to his sympathetic tone, the emperor’s gaze was exceedingly cold.
“What do you think? Does the north look like it can weather this 100-year cycle well?”
Mikael quietly recalled Kaiden.
His strong physique and agile movements. His precise swordsmanship and quick judgment were truly top-notch.
He’d already found the Medusa’s host before Reina even arrived, so it seemed sufficient without her.
“As long as the Duke of Crencia is there, the north will be safe.”
“Hm.”
It wasn’t the answer he wanted, judging by the displeased reaction.
“Is the duke really that strong?”
“I witnessed him subdue a mutated monster with ease.”
“What a monster he is.”
Mutated monsters were especially dangerous even among isolated species.
Handling such a creature without batting an eye was threatening to the emperor.
All the more so because he was someone who could aim for his position at any time.
Then, Mikael uttered a meaningful remark.
“Of course, that’s assuming he maintains his current level.”
“What do you mean?”
“If mutated variants are appearing from the start of the 100-year cycle, doesn’t that mean even worse things will come? If the number of mutated individuals surges, it would be hard for the duke alone to hold out.”
On the surface, no matter how strong the duke was, completely protecting the entire north would be difficult.
Of course, that could change depending on what power Reina was hiding.
But Mikael had no intention of reporting that to the emperor.
