Good times never last.

  That was what my sister always says.

  And I found it to be true.

  It has been a week since we decided to come here.

  We were enjoying ourselves at the villa near the lakeside.

  Lilia and I went fishing, horseback riding, strolled around the lake, and did many other activities.

  We also witnessed the shooting star together.

  It was in the east direction.

  It was so beautiful.

  We could also feel divinity from it.

  It was an unforgettable moment in my life with Lilia.

  Although Rick and Luk tried to disturb me, I had many opportunities to spend time with Lilia alone.

  I thought that his peace would last forever.

  Yet, our little time was disrupted by an unexpected guest.

  Duke Larose visited us.

  He was recently promoted to the rank of Duke.

  It was David who told me about this new development after we left the sanctuary.

  He told me that Duke Larose finally ‘accepted’ it.

  He, for a long time, was qualified to be a Duke.

  Yet, he kept refusing that appointment.

  That was what whispered to my ear while I was in the palace.

  He always found an excuse whenever that topic came up.

  Sometimes, he said that the pledge had devastated his region.

  Another time, he said that he was not a swordmaster.

  Thus, it was unsuited for him to be equal to the ‘swordmaster’.

  Well, all the representatives of each region were swordmasters after all.

  So, we could not find fault with his excuse.

  At that time, when I received news that he had accepted his appointment as a Duke, I really wondered what had led him to do so.

  It was not like he accepted it because he became a swordmaster.

  Well, he did become a swordmaster.

  The news of his ascension also reached the sound.

  It was rumored that his ascension occurred during combat.

  He fought with an assassin sent to kill him.

  During that combat, he ascended to the rank of swordmaster.

  Well, the aftermath of his ascension was that half of his mansion was destroyed in the middle of the night.

  It was speculated that the assassins were sent by the clergy faction.

  After his fight, a great deal of divinity was detected in the vicinity of his mansion.

  There were also witnesses who said that divine arts were used during his combat.

  Yet it remained a rumor, despite his efforts to suppress it.

  When I asked David about it, he did not tell me.

  I knew he knew something, yet he refused to tell me.

  Since I could not ask anyone else, that question remains unanswered.

  I did meet his daughter twice during my stay in the South.

  She came as his representative to join the balls.

  But it was not like I could ask her.

  After all, she was not someone I wanted to associate with.

  And….

  Today, in the evening, immediately after I arrived from strolling around the lake with Lilia, I was summoned by Duke Willow.

  Then I was led to the reception room by Rowan.

  There, I was in the same room with him, Duke Willow, and Lady Iris.

  They were sitting there waiting for me.

  The moment he laid his eyes on me, he got up and formally greeted me.

  “It is nice to see you in great health, your highness.”

  His attendant also followed suit.

  I believed his name was Roy.

  No, was it Ray?

  That was also something David taught me during our journey to the south.

  Although Duke Larose outwardly showed his politeness as expected from the subject of the empire, his eyes were not friendly at all.

  The way he looked at me….

  It was as if he were evaluating me.

  I also sense a slight hint of disapproval from that gaze.

  Receiving this particular behavior, I could only return his greeting in grace.

  After all, I was a prince on the run.

  Even during normal times, I would have to lower myself to him.

  I was a prince, but not a crown prince.

  So, my court rank was the same as his, if not lower.

  After all, he was a Duke who represented the East.

  So, I decided to greet him as my equal.

  “It's been a long time, Duke Larose. How have you been?”

  It was indeed a long time.

  How many years, I wonder.

  It has been over ten years since my last meeting with him.

  It was when he visited my room at my father's request.

  I was not well at that time.

  That was why my memory of him was vivid.

  After I acknowledged him, he warmly smiled at me, yet his eyes were full of hostility.

  Did I make a mistake?

  That was what I thought when I saw his eyes.

  Then, he replied in a friendly tone.

  “Thanks to the goddess's blessing, I am doing fine.”

  After exchanging the pleasantries, I tried to get to the main business.

  I knew it.

  For him to be here, it would not be a simple matter.

  After all, I was on the run from the sanctuary.

  For him, a great noble of the imperial faction, to come here to meet me, it would be something that could affect the empire.

  Perhaps something had happened to my family.

  That was why I asked him worriedly.

  “... So, what brings you here?”

  Seeing me on guard, he let out a wicked smile.

  Then, he produced a letter from his inner pocket.

  “I am here to deliver this letter to you.”

  After he said that, he politely presented me with the letter.

  I could see that Duke Willow’s eyes were nailed to that letter the moment Duke Larose took it out.

  Lady Iris also frowned when she saw the stamp on that letter.

  I could see the ‘Florence’ imperial seal on it.

  It was from my mother.

  It was not a normal letter.

  It was the official letter.

  My mother always used that seal whenever she sent an official letter in her name.

  Yet, I could also see my sister’s stamp at the edge of the letter.

  So, it was from my mother and my sister.

  It was a joint official letter from them.

  We could say it was the will of the imperial family.

  It would be something serious.

  It was not the normal letter exchanged between family but a ‘will’ of the imperial family.

  The content of that letter was that important.

  No wonder Duke Larose decided to hand it to me personally.

  While I was appreciating the letter my family sent me, his attendant brought out a box on a cart.

  It was covered in a black cloth.

  Under the watchful eyes of everyone, his attendant brought it to me, as he said that.

  “And here is a little gift from us.”

  Then, he proceeded to uncover it.

  I notice that Duke Willow almost stood up when he saw what was on the box.

  That thing…. What he just pushed to me was much more significant than the letter from my mother and sister.

  Upon looking at that box, I immediately realized that it was something from my father, as I could see my father’s mark on the box.

  It was my father’s mark imbuing with Aura.

  It was also sealed with the ‘Valor’ imperial seal.

  It was a seal used only when a war-related order was given.

  So, it is very rare to see it outside wartime.

  And here we were seeing one.

  So, has war broken out?

  That was my speculation.

  Yet, from Duke Larose’s expression, that seemed not be the case.

  I could also see the imperial crest carved on that box.

  So, it was also both the imperial order and the war order.

  Thus, I immediately received it after stealing a glance at everyone in the room.

  “I have received it.”

  I said that in great haste.

  Then, I tried to open it immediately, yet I was stopped by Duke Larose.

  “You may only open it after I leave. It was written in these instructions.”

  He said that as he gave me another letter.

  On the envelope, I could see my father’s handwriting.

  ‘You can only open it after he leaves. You must open it alone.’

  That was what my father wrote on the envelope.

  That letter was also sealed with the ‘Valor’ imperial seal.

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  For him to give many orders in a roundabout way, things were not the same as before.

  It became more dangerous.

  That was why I could only comply.

  “... I get it.”

  After I received the letter, I carefully stored it in my inner pocket.

  That thing might change my life.

  That was what I thought at that time.

  Then he turned to Duke Willow and said.

  “So, can we get to the main topic?”

  The main topic? I was very confused at that time.

  Is there another ‘main topic’?

  No.

  Wasn’t the letter sealed with the ‘Valor’ imperial seal the main topic?

  Did he say that there was something more important than my father’s letter?

  When I threw him my questioning gaze, he ignored me.

  Instead, he sharply looked at Duke Willow.

  So, that meant the answer might be found with Duke Willow.

  Then I also looked at Duke Willow to find the answer

  Yet, Duke Willow showed us his confusion.

  His face was also painted with displeasure.

  At that time, I tried to seek an answer from Rowan with my eyes.

  Yet, he just shook his head as if he, too, did not know about it.

  When I shifted my gaze to Duke Larose’s attendant, he just ignored my gaze.

  I was sure that he knew about it, yet he refused to tell me.

  Then, I looked at Lady Iris.

  She looked at Duke Larose with a troubled expression.

  As for Duke Willow, he did not reply to Duke Larose.

  He was just staring at Digger at Duke Larose.

  Facing that intimidation, Duke Larose let out a wry smile.

  He might have judged that it was unfruitful to seek an answer from Duke Willow.

  So, he switched his target.

  After Duke Larose stole a glance at me, he looked straight at Lady Iris.

  Then, he calmly said.

  “Being a carrier is just a side hustle. I come specifically for another purpose.”

  He said what he just handed me was not his main purpose.

  He treated the ‘war order’ like that.

  At that time, I was really angry at him.

  His discourtesy should have its limits.

  Yet, at the same time, I was also curious.

  What was more important than the ‘war order’ stamped by the ‘Valor’ imperial seal?

  I really wanted to ask him to explain it at that time.

  But I knew that it was not my place to step in.

  My business with him has been concluded.

  It was time for his business with Duke Willow.

  I, at the very least, knew that much.

  So, the other attendants and I patiently watch the situation.

  As for Lady Iris, upon receiving his gaze, she moved her hand to touch Duke Willow’s hand.

  Only then did Duke Willow withdraw his killing intent.

  He also squished Lady Iris’s hand.

  As they turned to face each other, Lady Iris gave him a strong nod.

  Only then did Duke Willow make his decision.

  “Let's go to another room.”

  He heavily said that.

  Then, through the hidden door in the reception room, except for the Rowan and Duke Larose’s attendant, we went to the villa's underground chamber.

  On the way, I was puzzled why we had to change places.

  Yet, I thought of Duke Larose’s word.

  He said there was something more important than what he just handed me.

  So, it was understandable that he wanted to discuss it in a more private setting.

  Still, what was the thing he wanted to discuss?

  What made it more important than my family’s secret message?

  What was more important than the letter stamped by the ‘Valor’ imperial seal?

  And I hold it in.

  I did not ask them impulsively.

  I have learned to control myself.

  Through my interaction with David, I could learn it.

  I had to give David credit for it.

  Then, as I was lost in thought, we arrived at another room.

  Inside that room, after everyone sat down, Duke Larose began to walk around the room.

  He acted as if he were familiar with the place.

  He even knew where the wine cellar was.

  Then, he took a wine bottle and glasses to the table.

  Duke Willow and Lady Iris just silently observed him the whole time.

  Then, after he returned with a wine bottle and glasses in his hand, he placed the glasses on the table.

  Then he poured liquid for everyone.

  He acted as if he owned the place.

  His action caused Duke Willow to frown at him.

  Then, without taking a sip, he threw himself at the coach and spoke.

  “I have seen the glasshouse you built. It has a nice environment.”

  Although he tried to act as naturally as possible, I sensed sarcasm in his tone.

  Besides that, at that time, I was really surprised.

  Did Duke Willow build a glasshouse?

  Where? I have never seen or heard about it.

  Why did he build it?

  The South was not like the North, where it was cold year-round.

  In the South, we could plant anything we want without the need of glasshouse.

  While I was lost in that new information, Duke Willow asked Duke Larose back.

  “You're not here just to complement our house, right?”

  I could sense bloodlust in his words, which caused me to sweat.

  Yet, undeterred by the threat, Duke Larose faced Duke Willow’s eyes head-on.

  He also equally emitted killing intent to Duke Willow.

  “Of course not. I was marveling at your efforts that I could not help but blurt out my honest thoughts.”

  It has become hard for me to breathe.

  Then, as the tension increasingly rose between them, Lady Iris let out a clear voice.

  “Duke Larose, what is it, the main topic you talk about?”

  With just a single word from her, they instantly withdraw their killing intent.

  As expected from Lady Iris, her intervention stopped them from escalating beyond that.

  I was really wondering what makes them this hostile to each other.

  I was taught that their relationship, although not good, was not that bad.

  They were like a business partner.

  Yet, seeing them like that, I could only see that, although not to the point of being enemies, they were rivals.

  At that time, facing Lady Iris’s calm voice, Duke Larose gently replied.

  His voice also carried respect for her.

  “Please read this, Ms. Iris.”

  As he said that, he handed her a small letter.

  At that time, I was baffled at how he addressed Lady Iris.

  He addressed her as ‘Ms.’, not Lady, not Mrs., not Duchess.

  It was ‘Ms.’

  It was not something you address a married woman with.

  When I thought about that, I noticed something.

  It was as if he did not recognize her married status.

  And there is another possibility that he addressed her like that.

  Then, was it because Lady Iris did not change her surname?

  But that was not the case.

  She did change her surname.

  She is the lady of House Willow.

  She is Iris Willow.

  Because of her ‘precedent’, the saintess made a bold move for her.

  Her marriage certificate was read to the whole empire.

  It was signed by the trinity of the empire.

  It was recognized by most of the nobles in the empire.

  That was what I learned.

  Everyone should have known about it.

  Still, he addressed her as ‘Ms.’.

  So, the only explanation was that he did not recognize her marriage.

  That, too, in front of Duke Willow.

  It was a direct challenge to Duke Willow.

  It was also a great insult to Lady Iris.

  Was that rumor true?

  Whenever I was told about her legend, that rumor always came up.

  Yet everyone decided not to go into it when I asked for more details.

  The thing that happened before he met and married his late wife, Duke Larose proposed a marriage to Lady Iris through the saintess.

  It was just a rumor with no ground.

  But no one could deny it.

  So, it might be true based on my experience at the time.

  That was why the air that had calmed down due to Lady Iris’s intervention began to feel suffocated again.

  The bloodlust Duke Willow emitted was enough to make my body tremble.

  At that time, Duke Larose was not affected by it.

  He just focused on Lady Iris.

  “...”

  As for Lady Iris, she was not bothered by the great discourtesy she received.

  And Lady Iris did not reply to him immediately

  She just opened and read the letter.

  I could see that she read it multiple times.

  Her expression changed as she read it.

  It caused Duke Willow to feel restless.

  He stared at Duke Larose.

  He was ready to jump at him at any moment.

  Then, Duke Larose softly spoke.

  “What do you think?”

  Only then did Lady Iris move her eyes from the letter.

  With hesitation in her eyes, she replied.

  “I cannot decide it by myself.”

  Then, she turned to Duke Willow.

  “Honey, please?”

  She handed the letter to him.

  Then, after Duke Willow read the letter, he cautiously asked Duke Larose.

  “... Do you know about Lilia?”

  With a wick grin, Duke Larose answered.

  “I received the privilege to learn about it.”

  When he saw that, Duke Willow’s expression darkened.

  Not only that, but Lady Iris also curled up her fists.

  Seeing their behavior, I started to feel anxious.

  What was wrong with Lilia?

  What made them show that kind of reaction?

  Was Lilia in danger?

  I wanted to ask Duke Willow and Lady Iris, but held myself.

  The fact that they did not bother disclosing it to me meant that they tried to hide it from me.

  Thus, even though I tried to ask them, they would likely refuse to tell me.

  So, I directed my question to Duke Larose.

  “What is it about Lilia?”

  When I asked him that, he looked at me in disbelief.

  Then, he narrowed his eyes at me as he asked me.

  “You did not know about it, Your Highness?”

  For several seconds, I received his questioning gaze.

  After he judged that I really did not know about the thing they were talking about, he turned to look at Duke Willow and Lady Iris.

  Then he spoke to them as if he were reprimanding them.

  “Duke Willow, Ms. Iris, what were you thinking?”

  Both of them stayed silent under Duke Larose’s eyes.

  “....”

  “....”

  They just closed their eyes as if they were trying to avoid responsibility.

  Seeing them like that, Duke Larose let out a big sigh.

  Then, with a defeated face, he turned to me.

  He clearly spoke to me.

  “Your Highness, Ms. Lilia is the next saintess.”

  I would lie to myself if I said I was not surprised.

  It was really news to me.

  I had some hint that Lilia was special.

  She, after all, crossed space and entered the sanctuary.

  Moreover, her divinity was too abnormal for a normal person.

  The presence of Bishop Leon also signified her special status.

  Yet, I never expected her to be the next saintess.

  Come to think of it, I received many hints from my father and Duke Raven.

  David also mentioned it many times.

  They talked about the first rule many times.

  They also mentioned the saintess, too.

  No wonder my father encouraged me to become the emperor when he learned about my relationship with Lilia.

  Wait?

  Did my father know about Lilia being the next saintess?

  Duke Raven, too?

  And also, David?

  Why did they not tell me?

  Why did they hide it from me?

  … I knew they might have their reason….

  But it really hurt me that they hid it from me.

  …

  Come to think of it, they also mentioned the potential Holy Knight.

  They told me that it was next to impossible for me to be a Holy Knight.

  Did they point out my potential as a Holy Knight?

  Or was there another candidate for the Holy Knight?

  If so, then he might become my rival.

  Will he also aim for Lilia’s hand?

  I will never hand Lilia to anyone.

  I am determined to do anything.

  …

  Back to the thing that happened this evening.

  When I heard Duke Larose speak of Lilia being the next saintess, when I heard him say that, I showed him my surprise and also my understanding.

  “So, it is the truth that Lilia is the next saintess.”

  It was something I had been guessing for a long time.

  However, I dare not draw a conclusion.

  And I could not ask others about it recklessly.

  I could not confirm it.

  Yet, facing my surprised face, he just low-key insulted me

  “I am more surprised about the fact that you have not confirmed it yet.”

  Then, he directed his questioning gaze at me while also keeping Duke Willow and Lady Iris in his field of vision.

  “Were you kept in the dark, or were you that dimwit?”

  Receiving his gaze, I did not reply.

  As it was not my fault, I directed my gaze at the ones who were at fault.

  Perhaps, because of guilt, they just refused to meet my gaze.

  Then, when he saw our interaction, Duke Larose turned to face them, too.

  “What have you been teaching our next emperor?”

  His voice also grew louder.

  Then, in response, Duke Willow did not admit his mistake.

  He just lightly dismissed it

  “It is not that important for him to know.”

  In my place, Duke Larose shot at him.

  From what Duke Larose said, it was something that I should have known.

  It was something that Duke Willow should have told me.

  Yet, he ignored his duty and kept me in the dark.

  Then, after he calmed down, Duke Larose spoke to Duke Willow in resignation.

  “You have disappointed me time and time again, Duke Willow.”

  Then, he drank his wine in one full gulp.

  After he finished, he gently put down his glass.

  Then, he pointed at the letter in Duke Willow’s hand and asked Duke Willow.

  “... So, what is your opinion about this?”

  “I can't risk Lilia’s safety.”

  That was Duke Willow’s answer.

  I did not know what was written in that letter, but Duke Willow resolutely refused it, citing his concern for Lilia’s safety.

  Upon receiving that reply, Duke Larose turned to Lady Iris.

  Then, unlike when he dealt with Duke Willow, he gently asked Lady Iris.

  “... what about you, Ms. Iris?”

  However, she refused to give an answer.

  After she stole a glance at Duke Willow and the letter in his hand, she looked straight at Duke Larose's eyes.

  Then, rather than answering him, she asked him while narrowing her eyes.

  “If it is my mother’s wish, she will prepare a plan, right?”

  When he heard that question, Duke Larose showed a troubled expression.

  He was hesitant for a long time.

  At that time, under Lady Iris and Duke Willow's watchful eyes, he finally showed a face as if he decided to make up his mind.

  Then, he moved his hand to his inner pocket and took out a small box.

  He placed it on the table with great care and presented it to Lady Iris.

  While looking at Lady Iris, with a heavy voice, he said.

  “... I don't want to use this. But you may have it.”

  Then he opened that box.

  Inside that box was a ring.

  It was a golden ring adorned with a red gemstone.

  After that, he sternly spoke to Lady Iris.

  “It is strong enough to withstand 3 full blows from a swordmaster after fully charged. It has been tested by Duke Raven and Duke Melbon. You may test it again if you want. It will activate automatically when you receive a fatal attack. You can also manually activate it. You can recharge it by injecting divinity into it.”

  At that time, upon seeing that ring, Lady Iris opened her eyes wide.

  And she thrumbled.

  Right after Duke Larose finished the explanation, she exclaimed with a quivering voice… It was as if she were about to cry.

  “This?”

  When he saw Lady Iris become like that, Duke Larose also changed his expression.

  With a painful expression, he said.

  “You notice? It was made from the life and blood of a young girl.”

  His voice also expressed his sadness.

  Then, he earnestly pledged to Lady Iris.

  “Please don't waste it.”

  It was then that Lady Iris broke down in tears.

  Upon seeing that, Duke Willow asked her in concern.

  “Iris?”

  Then, as he comforted Lady Iris, he sharply glanced at Duke Larose.

  As for Duke Larose, he just closed his eyes.

  He tightened his grip.

  It was to the point that it was bleeding.

  When Duke Willow saw that, he fell silent.

  He shifted his gaze from Duke Larose to Lady Iris.

  Then he focused on comforting Lady Iris.

  During that time, no one talked.

  The room fell silent.

  The only sound we heard was Lady Iris’s sobbing.

  She cried inconsolably.

  I did not know what to do at that time.

  I just awkwardly looked at them.

  Then, I looked at that ring.

  What was wrong with that ring that made Lady Iris break down in tears like that?

  I heard he mentioned that it was made with the life and blood of a young girl.

  What did he mean?

  Was someone she knew die to make that ring?

  I really wanted to know, but I dare not ask them.

  He also mentioned its feature.

  If what he said was true, that ring….

  It would be more valuable than any artifact.

  Its value would be far beyond that of any national treasure.

  For it to block an all-out attack of a sword master…

  Moreover, it was not a one-time-use artifact........

  For it to be reusable with only the supply of divinity….

  Many people…. Swordmaster included, would kill to obtain it.

  No wonder he reluctantly parted with it.

  Yet, for him to give it to Duke Willow just for Lilia, I really could not fathom his motivation.

  Moreover, it also bothered me that it was a bloodstain artifact…… that it was dyed with blood…..

  I had mixed feelings when I looked at that ring.

  When I thought of that part, the red gem adorned that ring really looked like blood.

  It was deep red like fresh blood.

  It …

  It looked familiar to me.

  I felt like I had seen it somewhere.

  And I also felt hostile to it.

  I felt disgust with it.

  Looking at it, I feel the impulse to destroy it.

  Although I could feel warm from it, a voice deep inside me told me that it was not a good thing.

  I had to do it.

  It should not exist.

  It should be destroyed at all costs.

  I really did not want Lilia to wear it.

  Lilia is like a pure white lily.

  She should be soaked in blood… in that blood.

  It would tarnish Lilia.

  I really needed to prevent Lilia from wearing it.

  It would harm Lilia.

  That was what I thought at that time.

  As I lost myself in thought, we just sat there silently and waited patiently for Lady Iris to calm down.

  It took her a long time to compose herself.

  After tens of minutes, her cry subsided.

  Then, while resting in Duke Willow’s embrace, Lady Iris asked Duke Larose.

  “Why go this far?”

  Her voice also carried some regret.

  Was resentment also mixed in?

  I was not sure.

  At that time, Duke Willow’s expression told me that he did not know what they were talking about.

  It was as if they spoke in a cryptic language only they understood.

  As for Duke Larose, when she asked him that, he did not look at her.

  His gaze was fixed on the ring resting on top of the table.

  After a brief silence, as he tightly gripped his hand, with a painful voice, he said.

  “... It is a rule for the saintess candidate to go on pilgrimage before being appointed as the next saintess. We follow it.”

  After he answered her, the room fell quiet again.

  Then, after several breaths, with her gaze also resting on that ring, Lady Iris weakly said.

  “... Can you give us some time?”

  I could also feel determination in her voice.

  It was as if she had made up her mind.

  “I will depart tomorrow morning.”

  Duke Larose replied with his eyes still focused on that ring.

  “Thank you.”

  Lady Iris lowered her head as she expressed her gratitude.

  After that, the room fell silent again.

  Then, as if he could not hold back, Duke Willow asked Lady Iris.

  “Iris, what was that?”

  Yet, Lady Iris did not answer him immediately.

  She looked up at him.

  She kept her mouth open and closed it multiple times.

  It was as if something was holding her back, and she was fighting it.

  After several failed attempts, Lady Iris, with firm determination, broke that something.

  “Honey-“

  Yet, before she could speak further, Duke Larose looked up at her.

  With his gaze on her, Lady Iris abruptly stopped on track.

  After that, Duke Larose took out another letter and placed it on the table next to that ring.

  It was a letter sealed with the holy mark.

  Then, as he looked at her, he gently said.

  “... and Ms. Iris. This is the last message from the saintess. She told me it is up to me to decide whether to hand it to you. And I think it is necessary to give it to you.”

  After Lady Iris accepted that letter with shaking hands, Duke Larose stood up and left the room.

  He also signaled me to follow him.

  I could understand his intention of letting Lady Iris and Duke Willow be alone.

  That was why I accepted his suggestion in silence and returned to the reception room.

  After we left that room, before he left the reception room, Duke Larose turned to look at me and said.

  “Your Highness, I recommend you to wait until tomorrow to open the letters….. and…..Please prepare for the hardship to come.”

  Then, he left the room with his attendant without waiting for my replies.

  All I could do was return to my room with my sister’s letter and my father's gift.