Chapter 99

Rudia and Altears were watching the children from the air.

“Are we really invisible?”

“Yeah.”

Held in one arm by Altears, Rudia gazed at the bursting fireworks.

This was her first time seeing them up close. The light made by magic didn’t contain heat, so it would just sparkle and disappear when it brushed past.

“Isn’t this angle a bit funny?”

“What do you mean?”

Rudia chuckled and looked at Altears.

“Why do people point upwards when they die? Like, ‘Your parents are watching over you from heaven.’ I just thought it was the same angle as looking down from above.”

“Watching over from heaven, huh?”

“Yeah, that kind of feeling.”

Rudia then looked down. She could see Lirika chatting with Attil.

Altears said,

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Didn’t you see me kill someone?”

“I did.”

She saw him kill in an overwhelmingly decisive way. It wasn’t like a human killing an ant.

When a human kills an ant, they usually look closely and put all their strength into their foot. Or they might bring water or do something else.

It was more like when she, in a fit of rage, swept her vanity table clean. The items would fall with a loud crash, and she would huff and leave. She wouldn’t care if the cosmetic bottles were broken or not.

Soon, the maids would clean everything up, rearrange the vanity table, and bring out new products.

It felt about that significant.

“So you still thought of proposing a contract marriage to me.”

“Actually, I thought it was because of that.”

Altears looked puzzled at Rudia’s words but soon chuckled.

“Because I’m not human.”

“Yes, because you’re not human. It’s scary and frightening, but it’s not a bad contract for me.”

“True.”

“So I thought it would work.”

“Have I been married before, then?”

Rudia smiled.

“Yes. You brought in a completely random person and got married, similar to now. The difference was...”

Rudia gave a meaningful smile.

“Around this time, there was a pregnancy scandal.”

“Wait, what—”

“Yes, the Emperor’s child was born with a big reveal. It was a shock.”

Altears was speechless. He protested,

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Yes, but you’re a dragon, even though you’re human. I know that, so I included it in the contract.”

“...Right.”

Altears sighed. Rudia, looking at the fireworks, said,

“I don’t think this is something to talk about after coming back from vacation.”

“It will be over tomorrow.”

“Then let’s talk tomorrow.”

Altears stared at Rudia as she spoke. Confused by his gaze, Rudia asked,

“What’s wrong?”

“You seem to be getting more beautiful lately.”

Rudia’s blue eyes widened, then she tilted her head back and laughed. Altears swallowed the desire to bite her exposed, white neck.

‘We agreed to have a peaceful day today. I’ll hold back.’

It was the last day of the vacation, so he should let her rest.

In the distance, children were seen bringing a large firework, making a commotion. Their voices echoed well in the summer night sky, and Attil could be heard shouting to build anticipation.

Bang!!

A large firework shot up, passing by where Altears and Rudia were, and rose even higher.

The firework, which had risen high, suddenly shrank to a small dot and then exploded with a blinding light.

It was big enough to be seen from other islands. The fireworks that burst out then continued to light up the night sky in a series of smaller explosions.

The summer night slowly came to an end in the falling sparks.

* * *

Fjord shot a firework at the old cabin. Though it was made for play, it was also convenient for setting things on fire.

The old cabin, located in a corner of the Barat territory, was already a scene of devastation when he found it.

Fjord only found a gatekeeper, a skeleton, and some experiment records. Now, everything was engulfed in flames.

The dry wooden cabin quickly caught fire from the firework. Flames from the windows spread to the thatched roof.

Fjord stood and watched the cabin burn. The small cabin in the corner of Barat territory was now gone.

What would the Duke of Barat say if he knew Fjord was doing this?

‘He probably wouldn’t say anything.’

Thinking of the document’s contents, he smiled bitterly. After all, the Duke was the predator, and he was the mouse in his palm.

‘But, thinking the other way, it means there’s still a chance.’

Escape was easy, but he wouldn’t choose the easy way.

He promised Lirika he wouldn’t fall apart.

Above the burning cabin, a small firework shot up with a hissing sound. He looked up. It was the same night sky he had seen with Lirika.

* * *

Altears skimmed through the organized documents.

“Madmen.”

Rudia’s eyes narrowed at his chuckle.

“At the time, it was quite possible.”

“If I weren’t a dragon.”

“If you weren’t a dragon.”

Rudia leaned back in her one-person chair.

“Most of the Wolf and the Imperial Ling are in the north. If a rebellion breaks out in the south, passing through Barat territory is the fastest way to send troops over a short distance. Passing through the western Epentus territory isn’t bad either, but it’s a strange feeling to pass through a neutral territory.”

“I didn’t expect Sandar to betray us.”

“It was for his daughter.”

“Would he let his family fall for that?”

“You didn’t know I was a dragon.”

Altears frowned. Rudia said,

“But now, things are quite twisted, so it’s hard to predict how Barat will react. The western side was quite cooperative this time during the vacation.”

“Let’s just keep an eye on it for now.”

“And make them feel good about their loyalty.”

“What?”

“After all, they’re loyal because there’s some benefit, right? Protecting their territory is what the nobles do. They won’t just hand over their knights, which they spent their money and time to create, just because the Emperor orders them to.”

Altears stared at Rudia. Meeting his gaze, Rudia said,

“I know you’re used to just forcing them with power. I know you have the power to do so. But can’t you be a bit more relaxed?”

“They’ll take advantage of it.”

“They won’t. Once you try, it might not be so bad. You’re strong, and your rule is flawless. If you open up a bit more, I think many people will happily be loyal to you.”

Rudia smiled.

“Isn’t that what a high-ranking person should do? Make their subordinates feel good about being loyal.”

If he had to choose someone to be loyal to, someone with a good reason, status, ability, and even good looks—someone he could communicate with.

Wouldn’t he choose such a person?

Altears sighed.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Rudia smiled.

He wouldn’t take his eyes off Barat, but the changes from his conversation with Rudia were already too many to predict which direction things would take.

‘But a rebellion, huh.’

He thought of the Duke of Barat. Thinking of the Duke always made him think of Barat.

Barat, obsessed with Takaar.

He probably never thought Barat would start a rebellion.

‘But a rebellion, huh.’

He didn’t think Barat would do something so clumsy.

‘I’ll have to keep a close eye on him for now.’

Thinking about the timing of the rebellion Rudia mentioned, there was still some leeway. At the very least...

‘It will seem peaceful for 2 to 3 years.’

Altears burned the documents.

* * *

Diala Wolf entered the hall late. The hall was full of children. The decorations were simple and cute, as Lirika preferred.

Most notably, the flowers and fruits were used lovingly and beautifully.

Diala took a deep breath. Her green eyes quickly scanned the gathered children. She was no longer in her squire uniform but in the official knight’s attire.

She had recently become the user of the artifact Fang and graduated from squire. Though her body was still petite, the power from the Fang was explosive. As soon as she put on the Fang, she ran to Lirika to show off and lifted her chin at Laub with a “Hmm~” face.

Laub maintained his usual expressionless demeanor, but Brin later told Lirika that Laub had subtly straightened the bent iron bar Diala had left behind.

People whispered that ‘unrestrained Diala’ would become even more arrogant with the Fang, but Diala remained the same as always.

Since she was already unrestrained, there was nothing new to change.

Her consistent behavior, whether strong or weak, was highly praised. Her abilities were also recognized, and even those who had whispered about her choice of Lirika as a companion now said that Princess Lirika had good taste.

There were whispers about whether the Fang was a venomous fang or a canine fang, but now Diala could laugh at such comments. Both were her weapons. She knew her graceful, snake-like movements were elegant.

Her princess had praised her many times.

The long earring hanging from her right ear glinted coldly.

The artifact Fang.

Children who met her emerald eyes turned away.

D