Chapter 85

"Is it possible that His Majesty is Lord?"

"Yes. I also feel sorry that my brother has become like this... but there's nothing we can do, is there? I am a member of the royal family who must protect this country. I can't kill all the people in the world to save my brother."

"..."

"If you were in my position, you would have done the same thing. You're a smart kid."

Seonut lowered his eyes as he listened to Leean's voice. Leean also looked down at Seonut's feet. There was nothing particularly interesting to see. So, he must be upset about the current situation, standing there like that. Leean clicked his tongue.

"I know. I know how much you care for Latil. But, Seonut."

"Yes."

"Even Father was worried about Latil. I know he ordered an investigation. No, you know that too, don't you? That Father was worried about Latil."

Leean sighed as he spoke.

"Indeed. Father did. At that time, you opposed Father's investigation of Latil. You said Latil would be hurt if he found out later."

"…I'm worried he might have been hurt even now."

Seonut, who had returned from the fief, was reporting to the emperor when he asked, "Who is it?" Leean, who was there just in case, asked the fake emperor to step aside for a moment after Seonut immediately recognized the impostor, and explained everything in detail. He didn't want to fall out with Seonut, his childhood friend, over this matter. But even after explaining everything, Seonut still seemed dissatisfied, and Leean's heart ached.

"Seonut. If it's confirmed that Latil is not Lord, everything will naturally return to normal. If Latil is Lord, then he is no longer Latil, and if he is not Lord, then Latil is my brother."

"..."

"I want you to help me. If you continue to do your duties as a royal guard, it will greatly reduce the number of people who suspect the impostor."

Seonut, hearing Leean's sincere words, continued to look down at his feet in silence, then sighed deeply and raised his head. His expression showed that he had made a decision. Leean looked at his friend with tension.

"Understood. I will do as you say."

Hearing the answer he wanted, Leean relaxed and smiled, hugging his friend's shoulder and patting his back.

"Good thinking. Thank you."

"It's for the late emperor, not for Your Majesty."

Despite Seonut's sarcastic remark, Leean only smiled and patted his back.

"Then who is the fake emperor?"

"Hmm. That's a secret."

"Even if he's a fake, he's someone I have to serve. It's difficult without any information."

"It's fine. Just do what you've been doing. He'll follow along well."

"…Yes."

"Have you just arrived? You must be tired. Go and rest."

As Leean patted Seonut's back and smiled, Seonut bowed again and left the room. Leean, with one hand behind his back, waved goodbye until the door closed and Seonut was out of sight, then walked to the sofa with a weary step, closed his eyes, and leaned his head back against the headrest.

"Latil. Are you eating properly...? Can't you just come to the temple quietly? Huh?"

* * *

Instead of returning to the knights' quarters, Seonut went straight out of the palace and headed to a tavern he often visited when troublesome things happened.

"Same as always."

After ordering his drink and appetizer and sitting in a corner, a waiter brought a glass of water, a plate of hard bread, and a small note. Seonut looked at the waiter, who had given him the note, but the waiter quickly left without looking at Seonut.

'Is it from His Majesty?'

Seonut hurriedly opened the note. But it wasn't. The note was from Sir Sosran, a member of the royal guard. However, the content was related to Latil. -Sir Seonut, the current emperor is a fake. I will tell you the details when we meet. I will wait for you every night at midnight near the large tree by the water wheel at the West Gate. Seonut checked his watch. * * * That night. Seonut, who had been wandering around to pass the time, arrived at the West Gate about an hour before the agreed time. After walking for about ten minutes from the West Gate, a large water wheel that made a loud noise could be seen. There were many large trees in the area, but Sosran had not yet arrived, and no one was there. Seonut looked around. He thought that if he stood there for too long, someone passing by might find it suspicious, so he entered the building used by the water wheel caretaker. He planned to wait for Sosran there. The office was pitch black and silent when Seonut opened the wooden door, which creaked eerily. Inside, Seonut closed the door and looked around for something to use as a lamp. At that moment, he fixed his gaze on something he had noticed. Almost simultaneously, two lamps lit up nearby. Seonut raised his eyebrows slightly. The person who appeared in the light was Prince Leean, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed. When their eyes met, Leean sighed and muttered in a regretful voice.

"I hoped you would choose me."

On either side of him stood other royal guards, but Sosran was not among them. Seonut took his eyes off the familiar faces of his subordinates and asked Leean.

"Where is Sosran?"

Seonut did not think Sosran had lied. The problem was that Leean had found the note Sosran left for Seonut first.

"I will take you to the same place. Seize him."

As Leean gave the order, the sound of swords being drawn from their scabbards echoed. The sound of several swords being drawn at once was threatening, but Seonut calmly drew his own sword. * * * The next morning. After finishing his meal, Latil, thinking there might be some clue to the identity of the strange monster he had recently encountered, entered the maze garden with Karain. However, after searching, he found no trace of the monster. Latil, smelling the lavender scent that wafted through the neatly trimmed shrubs, asked,

"Did the Black Forest assassin meet with Tahir?"

"Perhaps. But these are professionals, so they can pass messages at any time."

"True. What about Sir Seonut?"

"Perhaps. Sir Seonut might have returned to the palace by now."

"If I can contact Tahir, I should ask him to try to persuade Ranawen or Gestar. Oh, and the High Priest too."

"…The High Priest too? Isn't that dangerous?"

"The High Priest might be able to easily clear my name."

While they were having a serious conversation, they reached the end of the maze garden and were faced with a wide landscape. Latil stopped talking and, after reluctantly praising the scenery of Karisen, asked again about something he had been curious about.

"But are you really not acquainted with Empress Aini?"

"Again with that."

Karain frowned even more, as if he disliked talking about Aini.

"Hey, why are you getting angry?"

Seeing this, Latil poked Karain's side with his elbow, but Karain stretched out his arm, pulled Latil close, and said firmly,

"If you keep saying you're angry, I'll really get angry."

"Come on. Yes. Come on."

Despite Latil's teasing, Karain made Latil face him and, as if finally letting out all the pent-up complaints, started nagging.

"Isn't it a bit too much?"

"What is?"

"Who is Empress Aini?"

"Who else? The Empress of Karisen."

"She's a stranger to me."

"…Well, you could call her that, I suppose."

'Not close, anyway.'

"But this stranger keeps looking at me and asking to meet me, even in front of you."

"Um, yes."

"Who am I?"

"…A familiar man?"

"I'm your lover."

"!"

Latil awkwardly laughed at the mention of 'lover,' but Karain sternly continued his nagging, as if he was really angry.

"But when a stranger flirts with your lover, you should not give signals like 'Should I step aside?'"

"Me? When did I say I would step aside? Why are you making things up?"

"Yesterday morning."

"!"

"You didn't say it, but you were about to. I saw it all."

But when did he see that... Latil regretted provoking Karain. He had just been teasing him because he was quiet. Bringing up yesterday morning was unexpected.

'Karain is usually quiet, but he must store up all his complaints and let them out when the opportunity arises.'

"Are you not worried that I might look at someone else?"

"Will you look at someone else?"

"I won't, but I would appreciate it if you paid more attention."

"Understood."

"I would like you to be on guard if other women come near me. I am a handsome man, after all."

Latil, who had thought he wouldn't, seemed to know he was good-looking. Feeling like he hadn't even gotten his money's worth, Latil sulked and muttered,

"But won't you feel restrained? I'm being considerate because I trust you."

"I like being restrained, Master."

"!"

Karain's sudden whisper in his ear made Latil shiver and step on his foot. As Latil stumbled, Karain immediately grabbed his shoulder and easily helped him regain his balance with great strength. Latil wobbled like a penguin for a moment, then cleared his throat and gently stepped on Karain's foot again.

"What are you doing?"

"Restraining your toes."

"…"

Seeing this, Karain sighed as if it was childish, and Latil, feeling embarrassed, lashed out at him.

"Why are you sighing? You asked for it. You asked to be restrained."

But Karain did not back down at all, and the more Latil pushed, the more he stood his ground. This made Latil realize he was pushing himself into Karain's arms, so he stopped pushing and stood still. When Latil crossed his arms and glared, Karain finally stopped pretending to be angry, smiled faintly, and teased him.

"Master, it seems you don't understand what kind of restraint I want. How about a demonstration?"

"A demonstration?"

"Would you like to see it?"

"Go ahead."

As soon as he gave permission, Karain placed his hands on Latil's shoulders, then naturally slid down to Latil's wrists. In the blink of an eye, he positioned Latil's hands in a prayer-like pose, holding them gently so they wouldn't hurt. He smiled.

"I've got you, Miss."

"!"

Latil, who had been watching curiously, opened his eyes wide and looked at Karain.

"Do you like this?"

"Yes."

"Then every time other women show interest in you, should I... do this?"

Latil swallowed and asked, and Karain, as if he couldn't hold it in any longer, let go of Latil, bit his lip, and laughed while shaking his shoulders. Seeing this, Latil finally realized he had been teased and widened his eyes.

"Hey, Mercenary King."

Even when Latil called him irritably, Karain continued to shake his shoulders. Latil shook his head and pulled Karain's arm.

"Stop laughing and let's go."

After a few steps, a sudden rustling sound came from the bushes, and someone approached quickly. Since he was only the special envoy of the Tarium emperor here, Latil quickly let go of Karain's arm and turned to the source of the sound. To his surprise, the person approaching quickly was Aini. No, she was almost running.

"What's going on?"

As Latil muttered in confusion, Aini, who had approached close to Karain, pushed Latil aside, grabbed Karain's collar, and shouted.

"What are you doing! Look at me properly, you idiot! Please!"

Her unbecoming tone, tearful eyes, and aggrieved voice.

Latil, who had been pushed aside, looked at Aini with wide eyes. Just a moment ago, Karain had asked him to take care of him in such situations...

'No, it really seems like something is going on!'