Chapter 30

A thick, oppressive aura began to permeate the air, constricting his throat. Despite this, Karlheinz remained calm and showed his loyalty.

"I swear by this soul, I have no second thoughts about Your Majesty."

"It is not for you to judge."

"I understand. ... If it displeases you, please take my life."

He closed his eyes and knelt before the throne, his posture a clear indication of offering his life to his lord.

(More or less, within the realm of expectation.)

One month ago, when Karlheinz saw Claudia, he had already made his resolve.

When he was a child, he was on the verge of starving and freezing to death when a young girl saved him. The girl, with milk tea-colored hair and golden eyes, had laughed and introduced herself as an apprentice songstress.

The orchestra was poor, a place where those without family gathered, and he couldn't stay there forever. The morning after the snow stopped, Karlheinz parted ways with the orchestra and began to work hard to repay her kindness.

To repay the soup from that night, simply returning the soup was not enough. Even a small amount of food was insufficient. No matter how fine the clothing, it could not match the warmth of the blanket she had shared with him on a freezing winter night.

When his magical skills were recognized and he began to serve the country, he searched for her again. However, what he heard was that "the girl had been bought by a wealthy person from a distant country."

He didn't even know if she was still alive, and he had given up on ever seeing her again. Then, he encountered Claudia in that tower.

She had the same milk tea-colored hair and golden eyes. When she smiled, he saw the face of the girl from long ago, and he couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.

Karlheinz remembered the rumor that Claudia's mother was a songstress.

In his shock at not being able to save his benefactor, he had accepted the explanation that she had been taken to another country. Normally, if someone of high status had bought her, they wouldn't have told the truth.

(---Even so, since it is by the Emperor's command, I must bring the princess as a 'potential combatant.')

Folchart seemed convinced that Claudia possessed magical power.

It would be convenient if she had significant magical power, like the two princes and Princess Emilia. Even if it was a small amount, it could serve as a pretext to divorce Queen Ilmela. The situation surrounding the countries had changed since Claudia's exile six years ago.

Karlheinz followed this and honestly tried to persuade Claudia. In the end, she refused to go to the castle.

(Of course. ... Calling a six-year-old child for the sake of war is clearly wrong.)

If he had forcibly taken Claudia at that time, he wouldn't have incurred Folchart's displeasure.

But Karlheinz didn't want to take Claudia by force. That's why he deceived Folchart, claiming Claudia was unwell, and kept her for a month.

From that point on, he knew that bringing Claudia would result in Folchart's anger.

(This act is, as the Emperor says, treason. It wouldn't be strange to lose my life here and now.)

With that thought, he closed his eyes.

(But, this is what I wanted. ---Now, I have finally protected her.)

Folchart's killing intent grew sharper.

"You are the head magician, but if you do not follow my orders, the stronger your power, the more of a hindrance you become."

"... As you say, Your Majesty."

"Hm. I see that you understand that if you try to justify yourself, your death will be ugly and filled with agony."

Such things didn't matter to him. But he didn't even say that.

Folchart stood from the throne. Karlheinz bowed his head even deeper.

At that moment,

"---Ah!"

"!?"

A bright, out-of-place voice echoed through the audience chamber.

"Karlheinz, you're here!"

(Impossible. Why is she here?)

Seeing her, he felt a sense of disbelief.

"Hey! I told you, Karlheinz. You promised to sing a song for Claudia before she goes to sleep at night!"

The one who had opened the double doors was a small girl.

With milk tea-colored hair and golden eyes, the girl who resembled his benefactor walked clumsily toward him.

"Princess Claudia..."

"That's right."

In front of Karlheinz, Claudia smiled.

"Please give Karlheinz back, Father."

"......"