Chapter 63

#063 Leave it to me (4)

Finally, a scolding erupted.

"You, don't you know that playing with fire will make you wet the bed at night?"

"......What?"

'Sadie' frowned as if she found it absurd. But the one who was truly exasperated was me.

If you have something to say, you should come through the door during the day, not sneak in at night and set the room on fire. How could that be reasonable?

Where did you learn such manners, and how can you still call yourself a prince?

"I said you could come to my room if you needed help, but I never said my room was your room."

-Knock knock

At that moment, there was an urgent knock on the door. I quickly signaled to Sadie.

I also mouthed the words clearly.

'Hide under the bed.'

The boy only raised his eyebrows slightly and didn't move an inch.

He clearly understood what I meant, but still!

"Prince? Are you okay?"

Kanael's worried voice came from outside the door.

It seemed she had heard the noise I made when I turned off the lights earlier.

She had been anxious about whether I could sleep well in the heat, so it was natural for her to patrol around the bedroom.

"Ah! I'm fine. Just......"

"Should I come in?"

Kanael asked. It was just before we were about to be caught.

I put Demy on the floor and quickly approached Sadie.

I could see the boy's eyes widening in real-time.

He refused to hide under the bed, so I had no choice but to hide him myself.

"Just hold on, oof."

I lifted the boy. He was lighter than I expected.

Eunseo was heavier when she was a baby.

"Have the nerve to......"

"Shh!"

I scolded the boy and hurriedly moved to the balcony.

The ill-tempered boy kicked me even in this situation.

It was quite strong, and I felt a bruise forming. What a life.

-Click

I could clearly see the doorknob turning. I pulled the balcony curtain shut and called out urgently.

"You don't have to come in, Kanael! It's just...... mosquitoes!"

"Mosquitoes? Oh my. Should I catch them for you?"

"No, I caught them. I just caught one."

As I answered and turned my gaze, the young orange eyes glared at me as if trying to burn me alive.

It was a fitting metaphor, even though I had said it.

You always come in and suck my ether, so how is that different from a mosquito?

Of course, I had given it to him voluntarily.

"Go rest, Kanael. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"Did you have a nightmare again?"

"It's not that. Don't worry."

The word 'nightmare' made Sadie's expression change subtly.

This boy must have slept soundly thanks to the ether lingering in the palace, so he probably never thought I would have such dreams.

"......Then I'll go. If you need anything, call me anytime, Prince."

"I will. Thank you."

I stood still for about a minute, holding my breath.

When I thought Kanael had left, I looked up to see the boy staring at me, having stopped kicking.

I was already hot, and my excitement made me even hotter.

I exhaled deeply and gently placed Sadie on the balcony chair.

Demy, who had followed me, wrapped her tail around my ankle.

"What were you thinking, trying to be so bold and get caught?"

"Why don't you have nightmares?"

The boy changed the subject. I smiled bitterly.

"High priests can't use healing on themselves. It's similar to that."

"......"

Since I entered the palace, everyone around me has been having good dreams and sleeping well.

Unfortunately, that effect didn't apply to me.

It's not like I have bad dreams every day.

It was just like an ordinary person, but one night I woke up with a nightmare and screamed, which made Bensheng and Kanael rush over in their pajamas.

It was an embarrassing experience.

"What about you? Why...... are you short of ether?"

I chose my words carefully.

I couldn't ask, 'How did you shrink when you have the Sacred Sword?'

"I've seen that handwriting before."

"Are you going to keep changing the subject? Or, when did you take that?"

I was startled. Sadie was already holding the 'suspicious letter' in his hand.

I tried to snatch it, but my hand was too slow.

The boy hid the paper in his arms and quickly jumped onto the balcony railing. Damn!

"'Rosna' must be your middle name."

I remained silent. I had suspected as much.

But I couldn't be 100% sure, and even if it was true, I didn't want to tell this prince.

Suddenly, Sadie's eyes darkened.

"Are you in league with 'Vishel'?"

"Would I?"

I answered quickly and swallowed hard.

The child in front of me was both the little boy I sometimes took care of and Prince Cedric.

There was nothing to gain from arousing unnecessary suspicion.

I looked at the sweating boy's forehead for a moment and then activated the sanctuary.

-Woosh!

The balcony was bathed in a brilliant golden light, brighter than the moon.

Demy 'squealed' and made unknown flowers bloom on the circle's pattern.

"If you're in contact with the Divine Kingdom......"

[I've never done that and have no plans to in the future.]

I cut him off firmly. Sadie looked a bit surprised by the sudden resonance.

[I'm practically dead to the Divine Kingdom. I almost died here too. In a dangerous situation, I won't do anything reckless.]

"......"

[I swear.]

-Swoosh......

As I made the promise through the oracle, the sanctuary suddenly brightened and poured out ether that was almost silver-white.

I stood there, letting the ether pour over me like a shower.

The intense light and warm embrace enveloped my body and then receded.

When I slowly opened my eyes, the boy was precariously standing and looking down at me.

"You're making a pact with me."

The boy spoke.

His expression was blank, but it seemed both satisfied and amused. It was ominous.

"Do you have something to prove to the royal 'bastard'?"

Damn...... I scowled.

I had thought he wouldn't bring it up, but hearing him dig up my dark past made my ears burn.

I abruptly cut off the ether I was giving to the boy and Demy and quickly deactivated the sanctuary.

The balcony darkened like a light being turned off.

-Squeal

"Sorry, sorry. Let's go to bed now."

I picked up the complaining Demy. The leshy panda grabbed my shoulder with her black front paws.

"You should go to bed too, stop talking nonsense."

Despite my stern dismissal, the boy didn't flinch.

Wow, he acts the same way every time, so why did I believe he was my son so firmly back then?

But isn't it normal and common to think he's my son?

I turned to the bedroom to clear my mind of the conflicting thoughts.

Reflecting on it would only make me more troubled.

Then,

"You'll be the one to submit first."

The little brat said that to the back of my head. I turned around in anger.

"You......"

But there was no one there.

Only the white moonlight, black darkness, and the gradually intensifying heat remained.

It's already hot, and now I'm even hotter from anger.

*

"You made a wise decision. A summer retreat, what a wise choice!"

I'm going to die.

"Count...... I'm sorry, but could you lower your voice a bit?"

I might die from the heat before the war even starts.

"I understand. But, Prince, the Emperor's office is this way. That way is a window, and you'll fall out with a plop."

I tried to steady my blurry vision and staggered.

Bensheng and Kanael, who were following me, were startled and grabbed my arm and shoulder.

Thanks to the ice pack on my forehead since dawn, I was barely maintaining my sanity.

The heat wave made the imperial capital a living hell.

"You're quite weak against the heat. Actually, this isn't even a strong heat wave!"

"Quiet......"

I tried hard not to get angry at the person who came to give me a 'birthday gift' in response to my call this morning.

The servants and the count weren't suffering much, which made me feel both wronged and resentful of the author.

Which web novel side character suddenly gets this bad from the heat in one night?

Usually, they either use too much power and vomit blood or take a hit for the protagonist and collapse.

Anyway, if they suffer, it's usually for a dramatic and cool reason......

Maybe it's better to just be affected by the heat......

"We're here, Prince."

The count said soothingly.

The head servant, Lora, who had come to meet us near the Emperor's office, looked at me with concern and knocked on the door.

-Knock knock

"Your Majesty, Prince Yeseo and Count François Duem have arrived."

"Bring them in."

I straightened my posture and adjusted my clothes.

I couldn't even see how my hands were moving, but I managed.

As soon as the door opened, I stepped inside.

"Prince of the Divine Kingdom, Yeseo Penethian, greets the Sun that has descended to the earth."

"You look worse than I heard. You're almost dead."

Emperor Frederick answered cynically.

I somehow bowed and, with someone's help, plo