Chapter 64

#064 The Northern Duke's Territory (1)

It feels refreshing.

"Prince? Are you feeling better now?"

The temperature was pleasant and comfortable. I slightly curled my lips and slowly opened my eyes.

"You're awake. Frederick, take a look at this boy's eyes."

"Even after seeing them a few times, you still act so surprised."

It was an unfamiliar ceiling. No, this time it really was.

I blinked, staring at the ceiling that seemed unusually close, and soon realized it was gently swaying.

The clearer my mind became, the stranger I felt.

I was definitely lying on a bed, yet the ceiling kept moving, and occasionally I could hear the sound of hooves and the voice of a coachman from outside...

"Huh."

I abruptly sat up.

Along with the silk blanket, three lesser pandas that had been rolling around on my stomach fell off like night-blooming cereus.

- Squeak

- Squeak

- Squeal

"Oops, sorry. I didn't know you were there."

I apologized and gently unfolded the curled-up divine beasts.

Delighted to see me awake, Demi jumped into my arms.

As I stroked her warm body and long tail, I felt my condition improving.

I was neither too hot nor too cold. I was inside a moving carriage.

"It seems you didn't even know the Cardinal and I were here."

I quickly turned my gaze to the side.

Beside the white bed, two people were sitting on a long velvet sofa.

Frederick, the Emperor, with his legs crossed and a slanted gaze, and Cardinal Bute, with a relieved smile.

I was startled and did my best to show respect.

Why I was in the same carriage as them, why I was lying down while they were sitting, and other questions began to swirl in my mind.

"I greet the Sun and the Cardinal who have descended upon the earth."

"Greetings are enough. How is your body?"

"I'm as good as I can be... I am grateful for your kindness."

The Emperor snorted at my answer, which seemed to mean 'that's enough.'

Then the Cardinal spoke softly.

"This is a special carriage with a cold preservation spell. We only have one that can be used immediately, so the Prince and we ended up in the same carriage. Please understand."

"No, I am the one who should apologize for causing inconvenience to such noble figures. I am grateful for your consideration."

So, this is a premium royal carriage with air conditioning and a bed. I bowed deeply in gratitude.

Now, my memory was slowly returning.

So, I went to meet the Emperor with Duke Dume to discuss our summer retreat...

'I would like to make a request here and now.'

'Granted. Speak your mind.'

When I told him I wanted to make a request, the Emperor smiled with interest.

I didn't really expect it to happen, but surprisingly, she readily agreed to my request.

It felt more like a generous favor because I had helped her son, Prince Sedric, rather than because she trusted me...

But it was still a good outcome for me.

'Vangaram, please put this in my vault...'

'Understood, Prince.'

Even in the midst of the heat, I stored the 'birthday gift' the Emperor had given me on the spot in the deepest part of my room.

I would definitely find a use for it someday.

Thinking that, I must have lost consciousness with a sense of relief.

"Do you remember how you got into the carriage?"

"I remember you said we were going to 'Rigo General Trading Company.'"

"That's right. From there, we took the royal portal to Evelyn."

I recalled the image of the Duke applying a portal sickness remedy.

"Royal portal...?"

"It's a portal that only the Emperor, Frederick, and Sedric can use. It goes directly to Evelyn, and only trusted attendants with guaranteed status are allowed to accompany us."

I nodded.

In short, I had boarded the portal in a semi-unconscious state, and now we were in Evelyn, the northern part of the Empire, not the capital.

I subtly turned my head to look out the window, and the road was filled with tall coniferous trees.

Beyond the green carpet, a massive mountain rose, wearing a white snow cap.

A few fluffy clouds were playing hide-and-seek in the bright blue sky.

Turning my gaze back, I saw two carriages following us.

They must have been carrying Vangaram, Ganael, and the other attendants.

"I'm sorry for causing you to leave early. I apologize for the inconvenience."

This time, a regretful remark slipped out.

The 'royal portal' was a magical device that required all authorized passengers to be present for it to activate.

It meant the Emperor and the Cardinal had deliberately taken the portal at that time to send me to Evelyn.

Considering my status as a hostage, it was a very considerate gesture.

"It's not a big deal. I was planning to come here tonight anyway."

The Cardinal smiled elegantly and handed me a cold glass bottle.

Golden tea with ice cubes jingled inside. The Emperor muttered something.

"It's tea made from mountain ash berries. It's tangy and will refresh your palate."

"Thank you."

I was already thirsty.

Opening the lid, I gulped down the tea, and the curious lesser pandas grabbed my arm and tilted their heads.

I chuckled and gently rubbed their noses.

This was an unexpected travel companion.

"I was wondering why Lady Elizabeth left these guys behind."

"I said I would take them. The northern divine relics are in Evelyn, so it's much closer than the Muthe March."

The Cardinal explained. I watched the three divine beasts rolling around, 'nyang' and 'kyang,' and then looked up.

"I didn't know the divine relics were in Evelyn."

It had been over two months since I was possessed by the 'Retired Duke,' but I still knew far less than I didn't.

I had only learned fragmented information from Eunseo and books, and even that was mostly crammed.

When I first arrived, I had to memorize the order of using forks and knives.

"I read that the 'Ark of Byleam' is in the northern part of the Empire, but it didn't specify that it was in Evelyn."

I said. It was the same in the <Bang! Eve's Great Adventure> written by the Duke of Evelyn.

If I recall correctly...

"We have divine relics in our backyard, Eve."

"Stop barking, Nikky."

"Really. It's the wings of the deity, called the 'Ark of Byleam.'"

Hmm. Did 'our backyard' mean the territory? If so, there's nothing to say.

"Evelyn is a relatively recent division. Do you know anything about the Duke of Evelyn?"

The Cardinal asked in a suspicious tone. I answered honestly.

"I've read the fairy tales written by the Duke of Evelyn, but I don't know who he is."

"Fairy tales?"

Her beige eyes widened. She immediately turned to the Emperor beside her.

This time, his cherry-colored eyes slightly frowned.

"You don't mean 'Eve's Great Feast' or something like that?"

"Yes. It's the 'Eve's Great Adventure' series, which is in the royal archives."

"Ha ha ha ha."

The Cardinal laughed out loud.

The Emperor glanced at her and then turned back to me.

He didn't seem to want to talk more about the fairy tales.

"Enough about the books. You don't know who the Duke of Evelyn is?"

"Yes. I apologize."

"There's no need to apologize. After all, he only used that name in his territory. It's not strange for the prince of the Divine Kingdom to not know."

The Emperor said, completely untying his cravat.

I tried to piece together the information I had heard from the two of them, like a 3D puzzle.

The Duke of Evelyn is a member of the royal family, but his territory is relatively new.

Since the title 'Duke of Evelyn' is only used here, he must have a different name known to the public.

He wrote fairy tales for his children, and the Emperor and the Cardinal seemed to know about it.

...Still, I can't figure it out. There are too many possibilities.

The number of the imperial collateral line and noble population in the Empire is said to be in the hundreds of thousands.

Just the genealogy of Prince Yeseo is a headache, and I don't have the time to study the royal genealogy.

"Then you don't know who the Count of Evelyn is either."

The Emperor asked. I shook my head.

"Yes. But if he's a count, he must be the Duke's child."

"Right."

One corner of her mouth curled up.

It was a little ominous, different from when Christel's eyes lit up.

The three lesser pandas were huddled in my arms like a bouquet.

"The Count is probably out patrolling the outskirts of the territory, catching pirates and the like. You'll meet him in a few days. It'll be worth seeing."

What, what's worth seeing?

"Frederick, don't tease the innocent child."

"I'm not teasing. Real teasing is like this."

The Emperor ran his silver hair and laughed lazily.

The crumpled cravat was still in the Cardinal's hand.

"From this moment on, no one can tell Prince Yeseo anything about the Duke or Count of Evelyn. This is an imperial decree."

*

"Lady Christel! To the left!"

"Yes!"

Christel shouted and spurred her horse.

Elisabeth's dark green hair, flying from the opposite side, seemed to be a part of this place.

The two of them galloped through the northern forest, where only trees above and brown pine needles below filled the air.

A single prey was running between them with all its might. It