“Ha…”
No matter how many times I thought about it, it was absurd and baffling.
Not only could contracts be made with humans in a conscious state, but it was also possible to forcefully contract with unconscious humans using a ritual.
Just then, I recalled the geometric patterns beneath Lunox’s feet when he had turned into a human.
“Now the puzzle fits.”
That was the ritual.
It was because of that ritual that a contract could be made with my soul.
“We need to predict various scenarios and prepare countermeasures. Lunox could use that ritual to forcibly contract monsters or even our own people.”
There was no response.
“Edmund?”
I frowned slightly and looked up, meeting Edmund’s deeply troubled gaze.
I could tell just by looking into his eyes.
He was worried about me because I would have to be closest to the monsters in order to use ‘purification.’
Before he could become even more concerned, I lifted my chin and assumed an arrogant attitude.
“For the record, I won’t fall victim to an unconscious contract. I’ll seal it before they can even draw the ritual.”
He blinked blankly for a moment, then turned his head and let out a bewildered chuckle.
Thanks to that, the heavy atmosphere lightened considerably.
Feeling pleased that I had made him laugh, I took another sip from my teacup.
“Starting tomorrow, I plan to train at the temple.”
“Training?”
“Nothing dangerous. They say I need to understand the flow of my body to control it freely. It follows the same principles as using divine power. When I healed you during my awakening, it happened naturally, but annihilation is a first for me.”
“I will escort you there.”
“Oh my, that’s very kind of you, but I’ll just accept the sentiment. You’re busy with tactical training and preparing for the duke’s banquet.”
“Then I’ll assign Tale as your guard.”
“Hmm, that sounds good.”
I shrugged and set my teacup down.
With that, the meeting was over.
I pushed the cup aside, rested one elbow on the table, and tilted my head to look at him.
Edmund raised an eyebrow slightly, tilting his head in pure curiosity.
“What are you doing?”
“Do you have some free time?”
“…Are you flirting with me?”
“You’ve been so busy. I thought I’d take the chance to admire my fiancé’s face while I can.”
A soft sigh escaped him as his slightly parted lips curved into a pleasant smile. Then, he mirrored my posture exactly.
“…!”
The sudden closeness startled me, and I instinctively tried to pull back, but he caught the back of my head and pulled me in.
Our lips were nearly touching. My eyes widened as I froze, and his languid gaze traced lazily from my chin up to my eyes.
“This way, I can see you even more clearly.”
Lost in his deep, mesmerizing eyes, I found myself staring for a long time before slowly breaking into a smile.
“…You’re right. I can see you much more clearly.”
We gazed at each other and laughed. It was a brief but intense moment of respite.
Two days before the banquet.
Preparations for the duke’s banquet were progressing smoothly.
Edmund and I traveled back and forth between the duchy and the capital, strengthening security and stationing guards everywhere as a precaution.
In the meantime, I had been training under the High Priest for several days.
That morning, after breakfast with Lilien, I was preparing to leave for the temple when Rail approached with a troubled expression.
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor at the duke’s residence? Then, for Lilien-”
“The guest is here for you, my lord.”
Rail’s anxious interruption felt unusual.
‘Who could it be?’
He hesitated before leaning in to whisper something.
Upon hearing it, I hurried to the parlor, and as soon as I saw the uninvited guest, my jaw dropped.
“Why is Your Highness here?”
Jake sat there with an arrogant posture, legs crossed, smirking.
“I came to confirm whether my eyes deceived me that night, or if the letters from the Count and Duke were truly real.”
Despite his bold words, he was wrapped in a thick black robe, his hood pulled down to his chin, making him look like a character from an old legend.
I sat across from him and eyed him skeptically.
“Letters? I never sent Your Highness a letter.”
“But you sent one to His Majesty, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did. It was just to inform him that there might be a minor rebellion, so he need not be concerned.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
No matter how much of a crown prince he was, he shouldn’t have had the right to open the Emperor’s letters at will… Had His Majesty figured out Lilien’s connection to me and sent Jake instead?
Jake stared at me in deep thought before rubbing his chin.
“Can you foresee things? I mean, can you predict the future?”
“Why? Do you want me to predict your future with Lilien?”
Jake flinched.
His hand, which had been arrogantly rubbing his chin, dropped. His body, which had been leaning against the chair, straightened.
His posture had become noticeably more humble.
“Well, that’s not exactly it…”
After a long pause, Jake spoke in a serious tone.
“You inquired about His Majesty’s health last time, didn’t you?”
“Is His Majesty unwell?”
My urgent tone made him chuckle bitterly as he wiped his lips.
“Judging by your reaction, you had already suspected it to some degree. I was the only fool who didn’t know.”
His gaze dropped, dark and heavy with self-reproach.
“Since His Majesty collapsed, I’ve had to take over imperial duties, including council meetings and official affairs.”
I stiffened, unable to breathe for a moment, then sighed deeply.
‘This isn’t the outcome I was hoping for.’
The mood grew somber in an instant.
“…How is His Majesty’s condition?”
“…For now, he’s stable.”
‘For now?’
His face was full of worry, yet he spoke so casually.
I silently resolved to visit the Emperor once things settled down.
“To sum it up, did you come all the way here because you were worried that Lilien might be in danger due to the rebellion?”
“I don’t know the full story, but if Lady Lilien is officially invited to the Imperial Palace, then she won’t be in danger.”
I was so shocked that my lips moved without making a sound. Before I knew it, my back, which had been resting against the chair, became straight.
“The Imperial Palace… Do you understand what it means for Your Highness to invite the daughter of a duke favored by His Majesty?”
Knock knock.
Jake and I turned our heads at the sound of knocking.
‘Who is it? Rail?’
Since it was still too early to reveal Lilien’s relationship with the crown prince, I had asked Edmund to keep his visit a secret. Did something go wrong?
“Come in.”
The door opened slightly, and a familiar head popped in.
Lilien peeked in with an awkward smile and stepped in quietly.
“Lady Etricia, I’m sorry. Rail said there’s a very important guest at the duke’s mansion, so I thought I’d come say hello…”
Then her eyes moved to the person sitting across from me, and they widened.
“L-Lord Jake?”
Thud! Jake had jumped up like a toy soldier at the sight of Lilien and tried to rush toward her, but he tripped on the chair and fell.
“L-Lady Lilien!”
Even though it looked painful, he quickly straightened up from his knees without any sign of being hurt.
Because of the movement, his robe’s hood fell off, completely revealing his pale face.
‘Why is he so flustered?’
I tilted my head in confusion and looked back at Lilien. She was frozen, her lips slightly parted.
“Ah…”
Then a thin, whisper-like voice escaped from her mouth.
“T-This is strange. Rail clearly said His Highness the Crown Prince was visiting, so why is Lord Jake…?”
Her eyes trembled like wet leaves in the rain, and I suddenly realized something.
‘He hasn’t told her his real identity yet?’
I turned to Jake, eyes wide.
While we were busy dealing with monsters, Lilien had often gone out, not just for baking classes.
I knew it was to meet Jake, thanks to her cheerful chatter and big smiles every time she came home.
But to think he hadn’t even told her who he really was.
Judging by the tense air between them, my guess seemed right.
“L-Lady Lilien. Please listen to me. Th-This was an accident, not something I meant to—”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
While Jake stood there, stuttering helplessly, Lilien gathered her dress and ran out.
“Lady Lilien!”
Jake reached out into the air, but he couldn’t catch her. Slowly, he lowered his head.
“Damn… This isn’t how I wanted to tell her…”
Jake roughly ruffled his hair and sat there for a long time.
Knock knock knock.
I held a tray with dinner and knocked on Lilien’s door.
After the maid left, I knocked again.
“Lilien, it’s me. I sent away Marie and the maid. I’m alone. Won’t you let me in?”
A moment later, I heard the sound of soft, barefoot steps slowly walking toward the door.
