Transmigration into a r 19 novel or i became the wife of the monstrous

by Usui Takumii

crow prince. not mine, for me to hear. The links are not mine...The translator is the owner. woopread. Total: 182 chapters.

71. 161 to 170

Chapter 161 – Into the light we dream of (7)

TL: Zimming

I headed to Shulia's room with mixed feelings.

When symptoms of tancinol appeared, they needed to be notified, so there were fewer patients compared to what Richard had caused.

However, many people in Camellia orphanage were infected.

This is because Michelle did not take care of Shulia's disease in a hurry, judging it as a mild cold.

She did it because of her faith.

She knew what would happen if the Roum got tancinol, so she was more cautious.

However, thanks to Tom's tip-off, which is due to his hostility to the Roums, it is absurd that a bigger disaster has been prevented because of him.

As a result, most of the children and teachers of Roum whom Shulia spoke with that day, were also infected with tancinol.

When will the disease that Phillip created a thousand years ago will disappear…

I went into Shulia's room, careful not to mess up the barrier.

Shulia's condition was the most serious among the patients in the training center.

Furthermore, she still had a twisted mana flowing out of her body.

I also banned anyone from entering except me and Blake.

This is because the symptom of Shulia is so serious that even wearing preventive tools can be contagious.

So I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

There were so many patients, and I was busy studying treatment, but when I had time, I went to Shulia's room.

"Shulia, I'm sorry, I am a little late."

She shook her head while lying on the bed. It was hard for her to sit properly now.

"Your Highness, do I have to get out of here?"

She must have heard the Marquis Valon's protest…

It seemed that soundproof magic should be added to the barrier here…

"No, you don't have too. He's just a weirdo. Nothing to worry about. The crown prince scolded him already."

"Your Highness, you're married to the Crown Prince aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"When His Highness was 8, and I was 10 years old."

"Brother Luo is 10 years old too."

"Luo?"

"Brother Kaluo. I'm going to marry him."

Shulia smiled bashfully.

I patted her small face.

"I see."

"But he doesn't like it."

"Why did he think so? Shulia is very pretty."

"He thought of me as a real sister. So he doesn't like it."

Shulia pouted.

"It's not that he doesn't like it. It means that he loves you like a family."

"But why did he want to kill me?"

"What…?"

For a moment, my heart sank.

Did Shulia know that Richard got her sick?

"We were always playing together. I was happy. But Connin said he was going to go study magic. Karan is coming with him. A world where Roums wasn't discriminated against, she said she'd take us with her if she and her brother succeeded."

Connin and Karan… aren't they the black mage next to Richard?

"I was so happy, but other people didn't like us. They said we caused tancinol. We didn't do anything, but they won't listen."

Shulia continued with her eyes closed.

It was not like talking to me, but talking alone in her sleep.

"They killed all of the villagers. Richard helped us. So we followed Richard."

"……"

Was it really that Connin and Karan?

"Luo and I went to the orphanage. But the two of them said they would definitely pick me up. But why did Karan try to kill me?"

"What did Karan do to you?"

I asked, but she reached into the air instead of answering.

"Karan, what's wrong with you? Why did you do that to me? Why did you leave me behind? Why? I know everything. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep, butre I know everything."

Tears flowed down from Shulia's eyes. I wiped away her tears.

I couldn't think of anything to comfort the little girl. Besides, even if I tell her now, she won't hear me.

Shulia's condition had become so serious that she was completely unconscious.

I studied the cure all night, but I made little progress.

If we couldn't catch Richard right away, we had to find a way to safely inject the mana of light into the body.

However, if we use the magic of light, their condition will deteriorate. It was more dangerous to use mana stone, and no herbs could help them.

"Ancia, are you still here?"

I was reading a book intently and I looked up when I heard Blake's voice.

"Is there something you need research for?"

"Yes."

I answered lightly, while burying myself in the books.

"Take a break. You've been overdoing it."

"How's everything going?"

Blake was searching the capital all night for Richard.

There were also testimonies that someone saw a female black mage who was wanted with Richard, plus a man with black hair.

Richard is spreading the tancinol through them.

He does not have the mana of light, and he is a wanted man, so he will not be able to move as boldly as he did a thousand years ago.

He's probably hiding somewhere in the capital and giving orders to his men.

"It's doing well, no need to worry about me."

Blake's face was overflowing with confidence.

It wasn't a word to reassure me or an arrogance. His confidence is based on his skills.

"And I found clues about Richard's black mage."

"Was it like what she said?"

"Yes, but there was something strange."

"What is it?"

"Shulia lived in the woods. And the surrounding territories said they didn't even know there were Roums there."

"But how did they attack them and accused them of having tancinol?"

"At that time, one of the villagers must have died. Everyone was surprised because they didn't know why he died, but a man appeared and said he had tancinol."

"……"

"They said the Roums, who live in the woods, moved the disease to their village, so they have to deal with it right away, or else tancinol will spread throughout the village. So they went to the place where the man told them, and they found roums."

"No way, the man was…?"

"They said they didn't see his face properly. In addition, half a year later, people died in groups, leaving only a few survivors. But I think it's almost certain."

Connin is a very talented mage. So did Karan.

Richard coveted their abilities and deliberately used others to make their parents killed.

That way, Connin and Karan would offer their loyalty to him.

And to reassure them, he sent young Kaluo and Shulia to the orphanage and pretended to care for them.

If they didn't listen to him, he must have wanted to use the kids as hostages.

That's probably why he brought Tom to the orphanage and caused a disturbance.

It was aimed at inciting Kaluo and other Roum children to constantly feel discrimination and alienation, and to instill hatred of the world.

That way, he can handle them according to his taste.

I was relieved because there was no problem with the orphanage itself.

I didn't think he would have run the orphanage with a pure heart, but I didn't expect him to have done such a mean thing either.

He used so many people to his own desires.

"How did the people in that village die?"

"They thought they were attacked by magic for killing the roums. But I think the real cause was black magic."

"Is Karan and Connin the culprit?"

"It's highly possible."

Did they take revenge? Or were they once again exploited by Richard to hide what he did and kill the witness?

Either way, Richard was the worst human being.

He trampled on the future of children who could live happily and eventually turned them into murderers.

I can never forgive him.

This time, I'll be sure to end all his evil deeds.

As soon as I woke up, I locked myself in my room and studied the treatment of tancinol. Soon, Chelsea came inside after a knock.

"Your Highness, why don't we move the nobles' rooms?"

"Why? Who else is protesting?"

"It's not like that, we have a new patient, and the building where the nobles are staying is already full."

Chelsea was very thorough and excellent in her work.

If it weren't for Chelsea, it would have been difficult to concentrate fully on the patient's treatment.

"Man again?"

Commoners had a similar proportion of men and women, but men had a much higher proportion among noble patients.

"Yes, three men and one woman. The condition is quite serious this time. The whole family has caught it. Of course, you have to check to make the correct diagnosis."

"Who are they?"

"Countess Chardin's family."

For a moment, my heart sank.

"Did Countess Chardin get tancinol?"

Chelsea shook her head.

"No, but the rest of the family, except Countess Chardin, were caught in tancinol. Count Chardin, his two sons, and his daughter."

I couldn't be relieved even though Countess Chardin didn't get infected. She must've felt even more pain than the patients itself because they're her family.

But something was wrong.

Countless people, regardless of status, were caught in tancinol, but those who were close to me somehow avoided the disease.

It was safe to say that no one was caught except for Collin.

Richard wouldn't have spread the tancinol out of consideration for me.

Wait…!

"Chelsea, get me a list of people who attended a tea party at the Sephia Palace!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

I quickly checked the list Chelsea brought.

As expected, except for Mrs. Marcelle and a few others, the tea party participants didn't get caught by tancinol.

And there was another person who didn't get tancinol.

It was Tenstheon.

Howard Kensway burst the mana in a narrow, windowless cellar.

It was natural that Blake, who had the power of a goddess, did not get caught, but Tenstheon also avoided the disease.

Tea party, Tenstheon…

And there's Tenstheon, but Collin wasn't….

"That's it!"

I got out of my seat and ran outside.

---

Chapter 162 – Into the light we dream of (8)

TL: Zimming

"Where are you going, Your Highness!"

"I need to see Mrs. Marcelle!"

I ran quickly to Mrs. Marcelle's room.

"Your Highness, please save me!"

She cried as soon as she saw me.

Mrs. Marcelle only had mild symptoms of tancinol, but she was terrified of the disease.

"Mrs. Marcelle, calm down."

When Chelsea spoke, Mrs. Marcelle lowered her head in embarrassment.

"I, I was scared. I'm sorry."

"No, it's natural to be scared."

I soothed her for now.

"Thank you for your understanding."

"I'd like to ask you an important question. Can you answer honestly?"

"Yes, of course."

She nodded furiously.

"Did you drink the tea on the day of the tea party at the Sephia Palace?"

She was very surprised when I asked this.

"I'm not blaming you. It's an important question, so please be honest."

"Th, that…no."

Mrs. Marcelle hesitated and eventually shook her head.

"I pretended to drink, but I didn't drink it. I don't like it for some reason…I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

She apologized again and again.

"No, thank you for being honest."

I asked the same question to the other people who attended my party and got tancinol.

And they all answered that they didn't drink the tea.

Speculation turned into conviction.

The answer is 'Taekri Tea.'

Tenstheon and the ladies at the tea party all drank the tea and were not caught in tancinol.

However, Collin and the other ladies who did not drink tea fell ill.

Taekri Tea blocked the tancinol.

For the first time since the tancinol outbreak, I smiled brightly.

Finally, I found a way to cure tancinol.

I brought taekri tea from the palace and prescribed it to the patients.

However, the responses were divided into two.

"We're getting better!"

"I'm sorry, but nothing has changed."

I also know why their bodies respond differently like this.

The person who drank taekri tea that Eunhan gave me showed no improvement, and the person who drank the taekri tea that Blake and I raised with the mana of light began to improve.

Taekri tea must've had some strength.

As Blake and I grew it with mana of light, the mana of light must've coexisted with the tea.

When Ser attacked me at the door of darkness, Baekhan's bracelet prevented the attack.

He was chosen by the white dragon, but he prevented the power with only a bracelet.

It's not because the bracelet is more powerful.

Strength and mana are different in nature, and they have a nature that interferes with each other.

Phillip twisted the mana of light to make tancinol, and even if we used the mana of light for treatment, it would rather cause recoil and worsen their condition.

However, the strength of the tea destroyed the system.

And it helped the mana of light enter the body.

Thanks to its strength, mana of light was able to enter the body without any disturbance, weakening the defence and improving their condition.

Perhaps if it was an ordinary mana or extracted mana, this dramatic effect would not have occurred. Even if it reached the body, there was a possibility that it could have an adverse effect.

However, it had a definite effect because it has the same power as the tancinol.

When Phillip's power brought the twisted mana of light back to the original one, it began to return to its original form.

"You did it after all. Congratulations. You've been through a lot."

Blake wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Thanks, but I wish I had known sooner."

Only patients from aristocrats did not have a balanced gender ratio. But it wasn't a big deal.

Because it was like that a thousand years ago.

Philip preferentially eliminated his rivals or threatening political opponents, and as a result, men were more likely to get tancinol.

So I thought it was like that again.

Richard has a high-ranking in succession to the throne, so he was planning to remove those who might block him from becoming the emperor.

Phillip and Richard have the same soul, but they are a different person.

It is important to take lessons from the past, but it was not good to be bound by memories of a thousand years ago.

"It's good enough. You're working too hard. You've done what no one has done for a thousand years. You solved my curse, you found a cure for tancinol. You deserved to be complimented and be happy."

"Yes."

As Blake said,

It was time to focus on the treatment of tancinol rather than regretting. Finding a cure is not the end.

I had to make enough taekri tea to treat all the patients right now.

After trying various methods, I found out that it is much more effective to eat tea leaves directly than to drink the tea.

I immediately gave all the patients a prescription to eat the raw tea leaves.

But Collin was frightened by bitter tea leaves.

"I'm fine. I'll drink tea even if I get better a little later."

I was speechless and laughed.

"Look at the kids, they're eating it well."

It was serious enough for him to leave a suicide note, but now that the cure has been found, he have a lot of space to consider the taste.

He kept being stubborn, but it didn't last long.

Hearing the news about it, Tenstheon sent a letter in a great rage, and Collin began to put the bitter tea leaves on his mouth.

Just what was written on the letter…

Anyway, as a result, Collin consumed so much bitter tea leaves and recovered quickly.

I held Collin's hand and checked his condition. The twisted mana of light was completely gone.

"Congratulations. You're all better now."

"Thank you, your highness."

"No, you say thank you to the bitter tea leaves."

"Now I'm free from that terrible taste."

"It's the leaves that saves your life, isn't it too harsh?"

"No matter how much of a life-saving thing it is, I can't say it's delicious."

He shook his head. It must have been that terrible to him.

"Now go home and enjoy your favorite food."

"No, I've rested too much, so I'll go back to the palace."

"My father told you to rest. Take a good rest for now."

"Then I will do it."

Collin was becoming a little thinner, but he regained colors on his face and there's no tancinol on his body left.

When I saw him completely healthy, I smiled at him.

"Did you throw that letter away?"

I asked about Collin's will before. Then he answered firmly.

"Yes, I tore it apart."

Collin said while smiling, I also smiled back at him.

One by one, many people are healed. The shadow of death hanging over the capital was also disappearing.

A few days ago, the capital, which used to be filled by fear of death, was now in a festive mood.

Newspapers that criticized not only the Roums but also the imperial family, changed their attitudes overnight.

They were now busy praising the Crown Princess for finding a cure for tancinol.

Richard was reading a newspaper article without saying a word.

Karan and Connin looked at him.

"I don't care if they found a cure. It's enough to spread it to more people. I'll try harder!"

Karan gritted her teeth and said that.

Richard's plan to cover the empire with tancinol was disappearing.

However, they couldn't give up like this.

'Richard should be the Emperor.'

That was the only thought in Karan's head.

However, unlike Karan, who was impatient, Connin did not say anything. Neither did Richard.

His expression was relaxed even when the plan failed. Rather, he looked happy.

"You don't have to."

Richard kept his eyes on the newspaper.

"It's useless now."

Tancinol was incurable. Only death awaited the moment it was caught.

Therefore, it was possible to terrorize the empire for a thousand years.

But now, there are treatments and preventive measures. Tancinol was no different from a cold.

Its value was completely gone. In this situation, it was just meaningless to cause another outbreak.

"That's incredible."

Richard smiled at the portrait of Ancia in the newspaper. After a thousand years of hard work, she finally found a cure for tancinol.

She is really a great woman.

The portrait of Blake next to Ancia was very annoying, but it didn't matter anymore.

Richard looked at Connin.

"Connin."

"Yes, master."

"I'll give you an important command. You must succeed."

This will be the last order to Connin.

Tancinol's cure was unexpected, but it didn't matter.

There was still one last plan left.

The moment has come when he re-occupy the empire he established himself a thousand years ago and make Ancia his woman.

---

Chapter 163 – Into the light we dream of (9)

TL: Zimming

Blake and I have been busy these days. But it was due to another reason.

Only a few people got tancinol now. Even if there was a suspected person, it turned out not to be tancinol.

Instead, people who were already cured lined up in front of us.

It was up to me and Blake to confirm that they were completely cured, just as we were to confirm that they were ill.

We were busy everyday checking people's conditions and discharging completely cured patients.

"I'll help you."

I approached Blake.

I decided to take care of the female patients and Blake for the male patients, but the number of female patients was smaller, so my work end much earlier.

"It's okay."

"I'll help you."

"No need. Go get some rest when you're done. You haven't rested lately."

That was what I was going to say. Blake hasn't rested enough because he had to grow tea leaves and take care of his patients, he was also in charge of searching for Richard.

"My husband should rest."

I said lightly, as I took a list of patients he had to check. But Blake took back the list in my hand.

"It's really okay, I'll do it."

"It's tiring, let's divide it."

"I don't want you to check other guys."

"What? They're patients."

I was dumbfounded and laughed.

"But I still hate it. I hated such things from the beginning, but I held it in. But you can't do that anymore."

He pointed firmly to the list.

"There's only three left. So go back and rest. Otherwise, I can't do anything because it bothers me."

When I saw him who looked like a pitiful rabbit, I didn't want to be stubborn anymore.

"Okay, but tell me if you're having a hard time."

"Don't worry."

After repeatedly making sure, I moved to the garden behind the training centre.

The entire garden of the training center is now a taekri tea field. That was already enough to treat the remaining patients.

Now that the cure has been found, Richard's not going to cause any more outbreak.

Now, he won't be able to accomplish what he wants.

However, I couldn't lower my guard. The opponent is Richard Cassil. We can never know what else he's going to do.

I let the mana of light flow through the newly planted seed. Soon after, the buds sprouted and green leaves began to grow.

But something was wrong.

Why did Richard use this method?

The situation was completely different from a thousand years ago.

At that time, there was no one left to succeed to the throne because Rakshul, the emperor, and the royal family all lost their lives. But now there was Blake.

Blake, who has the power of a goddess, couldn't get tancinol. Richard was unlikely to become emperor as long as Blake was alive, even with Tenstheon and the other members of the royal family killed.

Moreover, Phillip is the son of the emperor, so he stayed lowkey and apparently did not commit any sin. However, Richard was a felon who attempted to poison the prince and murdered a nobleman.

Richard tried to point the blame for tancinol to the roums. But it was like stabbing himself.

In fact, there were many voices calling for the removal of the camellia orphanage and the condemnation of Richard who opened the orphanage.

At first, I only thought that he was repeating what happened a thousand years ago. However, after the tancinol outbreak ended, I slowly looked back on it, and there were many strange things.

What is Richard thinking? Is there another reason for causing the outbreak?

"Ancia."

I turned my head to Blake's voice.

"I told you to rest."

"I had enough rest."

I smiled and looked at Blake.

Even though it was a time when we couldn't rest for a moment, my cheeks were still plump.

Different from Blake, he was already slim, but seeing him thinner made my heart ache.

"Let's eat a lot after this. I'll make you something delicious."

"My wife will cook for me?"

Blake smiled brightly.

"Yes, I'll make you three meals a day."

I want to lock my husband up and feed him delicious food every day.

Perhaps because the cure came out, the patients were more relaxed.

The ladies were envious of me, saying that Blake seems to have become more handsome these days.

But I don't mind if he's less handsome, so I'd like Blake to get a little plump.

Being healthy is the best. I would like to fatten his cheeks.

When he was young, he used to eat a lot.

"Wife, are you trying to make me fat?"

"I just want to. Very much."

"Why? Do you want to eat me?"

His red eyes shone brightly.

"Yes."

"Really?"

Blake looked at me straight. I wanted to joke around, but when he did that, I avoided looking at him.

"I don't know."

"Do you want me to tell you if you don't know?"

"Huh…?"

"I'll tell you how to eat it. It's been a while."

His hand grazed my face gently and rubbed my ear.

Every word he said contained honey in it, a sticky feeling wrapped around my whole body.

"Wh, when this is over…I'll eat you when you're done!"

When I said it, Blake smiled suspiciously.

"I'm gonna have to finish this."

Even though his hand fell off my face, there was still heat on my face.

I felt somewhat embarrassed and turned my head. I was suddenly embarrassed to make eye contact with him.

But I had to say what I had to say.

"Don't be in such a hurry. Richard might be doing something else. You have to be careful."

I was going to tell Blake the question that came up a while ago.

But suddenly, I heard Edon's voice.

"Your highness, we're in trouble!"

"What's going on?"

"Richard Cassil attacked the mana stone storage in the church!"

"What?"

Blake's expression hardened. My heart also sank.

Richard Cassil must be after the mana stone of light.

If he had found a memory of his past life, Richard would have figured out how to use the power of light. But he couldn't have used it because he didn't have the basic mana.

Although he saved a few mana stones while running away, there was a limit.

But, if he attacked the church and got a large amount of mana stone, the story changes.

"We have to stop him."

"Yes."

Blake also nodded after grasping the seriousness of the situation.

He tried to go straight to the church with Edon.

"I'm coming with you."

"No, wife. You stay here."

"But…"

"Please protect the patients here."

Blake held my hand tightly and said that. He's doing that because he's afraid I'll be in danger. But he was right too.

"You have to be careful."

"Don't worry."

Blake grabbed my hand and went out of the training centre.

It would be Richard's last attack on the church. There were many knights, also Blake, there's no way they couldn't catch Richard.

Yeah, there's nothing to worry about. Even if I thought so, my heart beat nervously.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?"

"No, nothing."

I looked at her with a big smile. The child, who was not even conscious back then, can now sit and walk.

She's getting better slower than the others, but it was still an improvement.

"Your Highness, I'll get better, right?"

"Of course, you'll be able to hang out with other friends soon."

"What about Brother Luo?"

"……"

I stroked her hair without saying a word.

But she suddenly went out of the bed.

"Shulia?"

I called her name. However, she got out of the room.

"Shulia!"

I was so surprised that I chased after her.

Shulia wasn't completely cured yet. Even if her condition improved, the tancinol in her body was still stronger than others. She couldn't get out of the room.

She's a nice and gentle child. She has never been out of the room before. But now, she doesn't listen to me no matter how much I call her.

Even if I shouted out loudly, she kept walking.

Moreover, she walked very fast, but the child didn't run. Yet, I couldn't chase her. Shulia is not fast. The space is twisted!

I looked around.

'Where am I?'

It was the training centre, at the same time it wasn't. The space in the hallway was completely twisted.

Then a man suddenly appeared.

Black hair, red eyes, and old wounds on the neck.

"Richard…"

"Long time no see, Laontel."

There was a suspicious smile around his mouth.

"You've found a memory of your past life."

"Just recently. You already knew it, don't you?"

He replied brazenly. He didn't seem to have any intention of hiding his mistakes.

I didn't intend to have a conversation with Richard.

Did he use mana squeezed out of the mana of light, to twist the space? While I wasn't there, did he visit Shulia?

I met Shulia every day. However, there was no sign of such a thing. While the church's warehouse was in a state of chaos, he must've used this chance.

But it was a vain attempt. Unlike a thousand years ago, my skills were much stronger than Richard's now.

"Of course. Who else would do such a disgusting thing besides you?"

I responded appropriately to his words, condensing the mana of light in my right hand. I was going to pierce Richard's heart like this.

But Richard raised his lips as if he knew what I was thinking.

The space was twisted once again, and in an instant, Shulia moved to his side.

Richard put a knife to the child's neck.

"You'd better not do anything stupid. You know best what kind of person I am. Isn't that right, Laontel?"

"……"

It was what he said. Richard was a human being who would take away a child's life without feeling guilty for his own desire.

I gritted my teeth and put my hand down.

---

Chapter 164 – Into the light we dream of (10)

TL: Zimming

I opened my eyes.

However, even when I opened my eyes, my eyes were blurry. My whole body was stiff and I couldn't breathe well. It was an appalling familiar sensation.

I remembered. It's like a thousand years ago, when he was restraining my whole body.

Don't tell me…!

Am I still trapped in that tower? Was it all a dream to release Ser, to meet Blake and be happy?

I looked around in surprise.

Fortunately, this wasn't the west tower where I was trapped in a thousand years ago. It was a tower, but a completely different one.

But I couldn't be relieved. The whole room was full of light mana. And the mana was forming a strong barrier here.

'What's going on?'

I slowly fumbled through my memory.

That's right, Richard had invaded the training centre. And he threatened me using Shulia.

I gave up attacking him and soon lost consciousness. Then I was brought here.

"Are you finally out of your mind?"

Looking to the side where the sound came from, Richard was leaning against the door with a suspicious smile.

"What happened to Shulia?"

"Don't worry. I left her untouched there."

I looked him in the eye. He didn't seem to be lying, but my opponent was Richard. I didn't know what to do.

"Where am I?"

"You wouldn't know if I told you."

He walked up to me. I wanted to pierce his heart with the mana of light right away, but I couldn't use magic because of the barrier.

In addition, my hands and feet were also filled with restraints.

"Untie this right now!"

I glared at him. Then Richard Cassil grabbed my chin.

"You always look at me like that. Why? What's the difference between me and Rakshul?"

"You don't know?"

I turned my head. Then Richard's hand fell off because of the movement. But he grabbed me again stronger than before and made me face him straight.

"Is it because of my hair color? Because I have weird silver hair, not black hair like Rakshul? Then why did you choose him again this time? Look! Look at this black hair! It's just like Rakshul you've been in love with! But why did you choose him, not me? Why?!"

The more Richard spoke, the more annoyed I got.

"Are you still obsessed with such things?"

"What?"

"Your hair color was not even considered in the first place. It doesn't matter whether it's hair color or status. Even if I'm reborn a hundred and a thousand times, and you rise as the Emperor, I will never love you!"

"……"

"I hate you."

Richard stared at me without saying a word. However, he was neither angry nor annoyed.

After a while, he smiled strangely.

"…your words don't change in a thousand years. Is there any chance that you will love me?"

"The only person I love is Blake."

"I, I see…"

He slowly nodded and turned around. The appearance of him giving up somehow makes me more anxious.

Richard Cassil attacked the mana stone storage in the church.

Richard was the man who attacked the warehouse, not only the people from church but also the palace knights who came to catch him.

But as soon as Blake arrived at the church, he realized it was a fake.

The one who attacked the place was a completely different person, putting a spell on his appearance to mistake him for Richard.

Blake overpowered the man at once, and lifted the magic that was on him. Then the real appearance of the man was revealed.

Rather than a man, the word "boy" was more appropriate.

Blake guessed who he was. The boy was Connin, Richard's black mage.

Connin attacked the church pretending to be Richard, turning everyone's eyes to this side.

"Then…!"

"Ancia is in danger!"

Blake hurried back to the training centre. But it's already late.

Ancia was gone.

"Richard has taken her. My body suddenly moved on its own, and she called me, I wanted to stop, but I couldn't. Then, Richard showed up and put a knife to my neck. Your Highness was trying to save me…"

Shulia kept crying. However, she tried her best to explain the situation even though she was shocked.

Blake got angry and beat himself up.

'I shouldn't have left her alone. I shouldn't have stopped her when she asked me to go with her…'

He regretted every single day for seven years. He swore that she would never let her go after Ancia came back. But he lost her again.

However, it was not the right time to be filled with regrets.

He had to find Ancia right now.

Blake figured out how Richard attacked the training center. The space itself has been twisted through magic. There were traces of mana where Ancia disappeared.

How could Richard, who had no mana of light, use such advanced magic?

The answer came out easily.

Even though Connin couldn't steal anything, the amount of mana stone of light in the church warehouse was inadequate.

The Kensway family embezzled a large amount of mana stone.

Yet, when Howard died and they investigated the Kensway family, no mana stone was found. Richard took the mana stone, which the Kensway family had pocketed.

It was an item that was not confirmed in the first place. The Kensway family was said to have their mouth shut even after learning that the mana stone had disappeared.

Richard is Phillip's reincarnation.

He learned the magic of light directly from the goddess.

But even if he knew magic, he thought he wouldn't be able to use it because he didn't have mana. However, it was completely wrong.

Richard already owned a huge mana stone.

Ancia was in danger. He has to find her at least one hour earlier.

Connin, who was imprisoned, remained tight-lipped.

The thick iron door creaked and Blake came inside.

Connin's thin lips tightened.

He was determined to never say anything from him. Blake sat on the chair in front of him.

His red eyes clearly faced Connin.

Connin gulped.

It was a beautiful face as if it was not from this world.

Even in situations where his limbs are tied up and he may die, Blake's appearance is noticeable.

However, the words from his lips were not beautiful.

"I want to rip your mouth and break your bones right away, but I'll hold it in. It's a waste of time."

Blake's sword poked Connin's neck.

"Where's Ancia?"

"……"

Connin erased his appreciation for the crown prince's appearance and kept his mouth close.

His life might be ended by the sharp tip of the sword.

He felt like his neck was going to pierce like this.

As soon as Connin closed his eyes, ready for death, the sword was on the floor and dug into his feet instead.

"Agh!"

A scream broke out of Connin's mouth. However, Blake continued to ask questions without blinking an eye.

"Where is Richard Cassil now?"

"…I cannot betray my master."

"Master huh?"

Blake's mouth smiled cynically.

"Why are you following such a disgusting fellow?"

"Because he's the one who's going to make the world for Roums!"

When the cursing for Richard came out, Connin shouted in a fit of rage.

"A world for the Roum…Is that why you started the outbreak? To give the children in the orphanage a tancinol?"

"……"

Connin shut his mouth. He wasn't keeping silent for Richard. He just had nothing to say.

It was something that was not understood by him as well.

While following Richard's will, questions remained in his head. And the question still hasn't been resolved.

"No one died from tancinol this time. But a lot of Roums got hurt and even lost their lives. You know why, even if I don't tell you, right?"

"……"

When the Camellia Orphanage and the Roums were identified as the main culprit of the outbreak, there were attacks on the Roums in the capital and elsewhere. People were even attacked just because they were similar in appearance to the Roums.

"Is this you seek for the world for Roums? Do you want them to feel the same way your family been through?"

As soon as he mentioned his family, the questions that had filled Connin's head disappeared in an instant, rising hatred instead.

"What do you know? Do you know the sorrow of losing a family!"

"So why did you offer loyalty to the man who murdered your family?"

"What? What do you mean…?"

Blake uncuffed Connin and threw the papers to him.

This was an opportunity to escape. No matter how excellent the crown prince's sword and magic skills were, there was a possibility if he was not fighting back, but simply running away.

However, as soon as he saw the writing on the paper, Connin lost his will to run away.

He grabbed the document and quickly started to read the letters.

The document contained testimony from the villagers who attacked them.

They originally didn't even know the Roums lived there.

Then one day, a villager suddenly died.

It was when everyone was confused because they didn't know the reason. A man came to them and said the villager died of tancinol, also encouraging them to hurry up and deal with it because the Roum hiding in the forest spread tancinol.

"I don't have to tell you who the man is, do you?"

Connin's hands were shaking.

Don't tell me Richard…?

He shook his head in a hurry to erase the thought that came to mind.

This could be a lie from the Crown Prince to induce confession.

Yes, it's a lie.

But why does he think so?

He kept remembering Richard's appearance as he ordered him to spread the disease.

Richard just seemed to be having fun even when the Roums were pointed out as the cause of tancinol and were attacked.

Questions arose in Connin's mind.

He kept denying it, but the truth appeared before him.

---

Chapter 165 – Into the light we dream of (11)

TL: Zimming

"You're often to the tower, someone said there's a merchant guild there?"

"…yes."

Connin and the villagers lived by selling herbs.

The leader of the merchant guild did not discriminate against them and offered them a generous price.

"Do you know that the group was a close associate with Richard's merchant guild?"

"What…?"

"The leader testified that he told Richard Cassil the story of you and Karan."

"Then…"

"He wanted your abilities, and he killed your family."

"……"

Yes, he thought it was weird then too.

When he lost everything and was in despair, Richard appeared in front of them as if he had waited.

It was such perfect timing.

In addition, he perfectly managed the situation as if he knew everything and supported them with everything we needed.

But he was so grateful to Richard who reached out to them. He also wanted to create a world for the Roum, so he tried to erase his doubts.

Blake looked down at the confused Connin with cold eyes and pulled out the sword stuck in his foot.

"Aghhh…!"

As the sharp blade escaped, Connin groaned.

Blake dumped the bloody blade back on Connin.

"If I let you know that you gave your allegiance to the enemy who murdered your family, it will be meaningless now. I'll count to three from now. Tell me where the Crown Princess is. One."

Blake started counting straight away. Connin's mind was tangled up.

"Two."

He didn't think the crown prince's words were false. But, it was also difficult to fully believe it. He thought what Blake said was true, but he couldn't accept it.

If Richard's the one who killed his parents, what have he done so far? Why did he do that?

Richard Cassil created an orphanage for the Roums. So he believed in him more. But what else did he do for the Roums?

Rather, it was the Crown Princess who stepped up for the Roums. She did not discriminate between the Roums and treated them just like everyone else, and eventually succeeded in developing a cure.

Because of tancinol, the Roams have been the object of hatred for a thousand years. But now they can finally get out of the loop.

The children of Camellia Orphanage were completely cured and were returning to the orphanage one by one. The royal family is said to have increased the number of guards for the safety of the orphanage.

Richard had frowned at the news.

Who's really on the Roums side?

"Three."

As he counted, Blake took the sword on his hand.

At that moment, Connin opened his mouth.

"I'll tell you where Her Highness is."

Blake headed with the imperial knights to the place Connin told him.

It was a mansion where the old man lived alone, a short distance from the square.

Richard's merchant guild killed an old man who helped him and took over his mansion.

Even if a neighbor came sometimes, Richard seemed to have used magic to hide the old man as if he were alive.

Connin testified that he felt a great sense of guilt when he actually killed the old man.

Starting with revealing their hiding places, he began to pour out the words in his heart.

The more he talked, the more he realized that he had been used, he also shed many tears of regret. But Blake didn't care about that.

"Here's the body of the old man!"

The knights shouted. However, the most important one, Ancia was not seen. Richard and Karan could not be found either.

'Did he already run?'

Blake looked at the mansion hurriedly, holding back his nervousness. The old man's house, which ran a merchant guild when he was young, was quite large.

He entered the study room while searching the mansion. But the books suddenly bent and cracks appeared in the space.

It was the same magic as when Richard raided the training centre.

Blake looked at it when a woman suddenly appeared.

She was a black mage who disguised herself as a maid in the Marquis of Westin's mansion.

"You…!"

"As expected, Richard was right. Connin, you're a traitor."

Karan gritted her teeth. Richard told her that Connin would have betrayed him, but she didn't think it was true.

As expected, the master's words were never wrong. You ungrateful bastard.

Richard loved them so much. Karan was venting her anger, when a cold blade touched her neck.

Karan was surprised. Blake attacked her at once through a crack in space.

"You'd better get rid of the knife. If you kill me, you'll never find the Crown Princess."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Blake said. She looked completely different from what he saw in Marquis Westin's mansion.

A cold sweat ran down Karan's body. But she pretended to be as calm as possible.

"There was an order from Richard to bring in His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Richard sent you?"

"Yes, but you have to come alone, or the Crown Princess won't be safe."

"Are you threatening me?"

A blade touched Karan's neck. She managed to spit out her words because of fear.

"I'm telling you the truth."

Blake glared at Karan. It was clear that this was a trap set up by Richard.

But he was willing to step on the trap to save her.

Where is this place? How long has it been?

My head felt dizzy and nauseous.

I looked around while frowning.

The mana seems to be stronger than before. In addition, the mana stones filled the ceiling. Where did he get so many manas?

Anyway, I have to get out of here right now. I don't know what Richard will do. I could never stay like this.

However, it was hard to maintain consciousness because of the strong mana and the barrier from the mana stone.

I tried to untie the handcuffs somehow, but as soon as I tried to use magic, I felt nauseous.

Then the door opened and a boy came in.

"You are…"

He's Kaluo, who is said to have left with Karan.

"I have a question."

Kaluo stared at me with hostile eyes and asked me a question, just as he did at the orphanage.

"You've found a cure for tancinol. Is it true?"

"Yes, that's right. But how did you know that?"

"I saw it in the newspaper. Because no one told me."

"Did you leave your sister?"

"……"

He shut his mouth tight. It was a positive silence. He must have had a fight with Karan over tancinol.

"How's Shulia doing? Is she all better?"

"She's not yet cured. She was in a serious

condition."

Kaluo gritted his teeth. He was worried about the girl's condition.

"But don't worry—she'll get better soon. The other kids are already healed and they're back in the orphanage."

Kaluo suddenly stared at me when he clenched his fist without saying a word.

"Why did you save the Roums?"

"They're patients, and it's natural to treat them."

"That's right. Saving is a given. But no one has saved us so far."

"It's gonna be different now. The asmodian trial and tancinol are gone. The deep-rooted discrimination of this land will gradually disappear."

"Don't you hate the roums?"

"There's no reason to hate them. They are also human like us."

Kaluo's eyes opened wide. He stared at me and slowly opened his mouth.

"…I'll save you,"

He tried to uncuff me. However, as soon as his hand touched the handcuffs on both sides of the chair's handle, the mana prevented him, and the shock caused Kaluo's body to fall.

"Kaluo!"

I called out his name, but Kaluo fell to the floor and did not budge.

Richard came inside with the sound of his stomping feet.

"Stay still, you're being annoying."

When Richard grabbed Kaluo by the neck, the boy groaned. Fortunately, he was alive. But it wasn't a time to be relieved.

"Let go! Let go you bastard!"

"Kaluo, it seems like you have been spoiled too much."

"This is all because of you! You're the reason why Shulia got tancinol!"

"You're evil! It's all because of you! Let go! Let go!"

Kaluo, who came to his senses, screamed and hit Richard on the chest.

Then Richard relentlessly threw Kaluo to the floor.

"Richard! What are you doing!"

I shouted in alarm. But Richard didn't budge.

"He tried to steal mine without knowing the grace I had given him so far. What's wrong with scolding a thief?"

"Why am I yours? And he's suffering because of his sister's condition! You've been through the same grief, and how could you do that knowing the pain of the Roums! How can you make this happen?"

Richard suffered greatly because they mistreated his mom and him. He knew the tragedy tancinol would cause better than anyone else.However, rather than trying to prevent the same tragedy from happening, he used it to make Karan and Cornins his subordinates, and even now, he was still pushing the Roum into pain.

"Shut up! I'm not a lowly Roum! I am the emperor who founded this empire!"

"The emperor? Yes, you're right. A thousand years ago, you were the Emperor. He buried his sins and climbed on the throne. But that's Phillip. Richard Cassil, you're just a fugitive."

"Shut up!"

"The empire is mine! And now I'll take everything back!"

Richard's mouth corners went up strangely. My heart sank. It was clear that he had planned something.

"What are you trying to do?"

I asked urgently, but he didn't answer, he only gave me a meaningful smile.

"Richard, tell me! What are you trying to do?"

At that time, I heard a heavy sound of the door opening outside.

"The Crown Prince is here."

Richard's smile deepened.

---

Chapter 166 – Into the light we dream of (12)

TL: Zimming

Blake's here. And Richard was after Blake.

"Richard, Blake…!"

"Keep quiet for a second. Everything will be over soon."

At the same time as his words. The mana, who was flowing from the mana stone, became stronger, and she was suffocated.

Karan and Blake walked through a secret underground passage that was as dark and humid as a cave.

Blake's hands were on cuffs made of mana stone of light.

There was a device on the handcuffs that prohibited the use of magic. A long chain was connected to the center of the handcuffs, which Karan grabbed and dragged Blake away with.

It was an insulting situation as if she was dealing with slaves, but Blake didn't care at all.

All he had to do was find Ancia. Nothing else matters. That's why he is willing to wear handcuffs on both hands as Karan demands.

Karan didn't like Blake, who kept being calm even in this situation.

He's a monster cursed by the goddess. He's much lower than Roum, yet he's arrogant!

Richard was the perfect fit for the crown prince instead.

He was so talented and well-informed.

A fortress was connected at the end of the secret passage. This secret fortress was built by Emperor Phillip a thousand years ago in preparation for what might have happened, and no one knew it.

Richard knows information that even the current emperor doesn't know. In addition, he even knew how to twist space.

Her master said that if she brings the crown prince, he could finally be the emperor.

It is not long before Karan's dream comes true.

Richard will be the Emperor.

Then, when he became the emperor…will there be a world for the Roums?

Like throwing a stone into a calm lake, a question stirred Karan's head with increasing repercussions.

"Richard has changed."

She could hear Connin's voice in the wavelength. It was also followed by Kaluo's cry.

"You did that to Shulia because of him! Sister, are you out of your mind?"

Kaluo got angry. Karan would not listen to any explanation, nor would she believe what he said, so he would secretly peek into the newspaper.

"What you want is not a better world for the Roums! You just want to look good to Richard!"

No, that's not true. Everything was for the Roums.

Of course she adored him. But she didn't dare to dream. When the world changes, she only expected that she would be next to Richard proudly, not as a woman but as a great mage.

"The real monster is Richard, not the Crown Prince! He's ashamed of us! He's ashamed that he's a Roum! He's not the Savior! It's a monster that's trying to kill all of Roums! Sister please wake up!"

Kaluo is too young to know.

Richard saved them. He buried the bodies of their family with great care and taught them black magic to avenge their enemies. He also made an orphanage for the Roums.

As long as he becomes the emperor, everything will be different.

Karan was determined to remember when she first met Richard.

As soon as Connin and Kaluo's voice gradually shrank, Blake, who was quietly following her, asked a question.

"What's your purpose?"

"To make Richard the emperor."

Karan said honestly. The Crown Prince will never make it back alive. She didn't have to hide her thoughts because he was going to die anyway.

"Are you trying to make someone who murdered your parents and the villagers the emperor?"

Richard murdered her parents…?

It was like a large rock was thrown into the calm lake.

What is that supposed to mean? But instead of finding out the truth, Karan desperately suppressed the questions that arose in her mind.

Richard is a great man. She did everything she could to make him an emperor.

But if he's not, what will happen? What has she done?

No, that couldn't be true.

"I won't be fooled like Connin!"

She shouted coldly and opened the door.

When she went inside the fortress, she saw Richard.

"Master, I brought the Crown Prince."

"Good job."

Karan smiled brightly.

How long has it been since she got a compliment?

As soon as Richard recognized her efforts, all the questions in her head disappeared. But there was something drawn on the floor.

It was a magic circle.

When did he draw that? Is he showing her another magic spell? He's really amazing.

Richard said he could become an emperor if only the crown prince was brought here. Perhaps it was the ultimate magic spell to become an emperor.

She looked at him with eyes full of respect.

There were four large circles drawn on the magic circle. And on top of the last circle was a boy.

The boy was Kaluo.

"Kaluo!"

She shouted in surprise. Why is her brother there? Why is he on top of the magic circle?

She tried to ask Richard. However, even before Karan could speak, she could feel pain in her abdomen.

A sharp knife penetrated her stomach.

"You've done a great job."

Richard said with a knife stuck in her stomach.

"Ma, master, why…?"

She can't believe Richard attacked her.

Karan mumbled hesitantly, not even thinking of

counterattack in this unbelievable situation.

Then Richard whispered in her ear.

"Lastly, I want you to be a great sacrifice for me."

Sacrifice? He's going to sacrifice her and Kaluo? To become an emperor?

On the day they spread the tancinol, Richard gave Karan permission to bring Kaluo out.

Karan was moved. She thought the master protected her brother in consideration of her.

But it wasn't like that. Richard intended to sacrifice Kaluo from the beginning. That's why he borrowed Karan's hand and brought Kaluo.

Is this Richard's true personality?

He's such a cruel man. Yet she blindly followed Richard.

She built a solid wall around her and never listened to anyone else. But as soon as the blade penetrated her abdomen, the wall began to fall apart.

She was finally ready to accept the truth.

She also realized that Richard was a cruel man and even used the Roum.

Perhaps the crown prince's words were true. But as soon as she realized the truth, the blade slipped out of her body and dug back in.

Red blood spilled from her mouth. At the same time, Karan was out of breath.

Without even sending a look of sympathy, Richard threw her body over the fourth magic circle, pointing the bloody sword at Blake.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I didn't do anything."

Blake raised his hands. His hands were still handcuffed.

"You'll be able to get rid of those handcuffs in no time."

Blake inherited the power of the goddess. A mere handcuff could not completely restrain him.

By now, he must've already known how to break free.

He must have followed her in handcuffs because he was confident to break it in the first place.

Richard stepped on one of the floor tiles. Then a door opened with a rattling sound, and he could see Ancia arrested on the chair.

"Ancia!"

Blake tried to save Ancia right away. But Richard pointed the sword at him and shouted,

"If you take a step, the mana stone that filled that room will explode, alongside Ancia's body. No matter how powerful you are, you can't save her."

Blake stood still on the spot. As Richard said, if the mana stone in there explodes, Ancia will not be safe.

"What do you want?"

"Good thing you're not a fool."

Richard pointed at the second circle of the complex magic circle, raising the corners of his mouth.

"Go there. And then she'll be fine."

"What are you trying to do?"

"Go there for now."

Blake glared at Richard and walked to the second magic circle. As Blake stood in the center of the circle, a powerful mana covered his body and restrained his limbs.

He fell on the magic circle. The mana's pressure pressed on his body and he couldn't even get up.

Richard lifted Blake's chin, which was lying on the magic circle. And he made eye contact with him.

"What's your purpose?"

Blake stared fiercely at Richard. Seeing Blake like that, Richard smiled brightly.

"I will be you."

Richard learned various magic from Serphamia when he was Phillip a thousand years ago. Among them, there was a way to switch the human soul.

"All you have to do is twist the light."

"Alright."

After teaching him, Serphania said,

"This is the last one. I've taught you everything I know."

"Is this really all you know?"

Ser's eyes fluttered nervously as Phillip asked her. She did not teach him everything, she only asked what p he needed.

Phillip held back his irritation and asked himself what he wanted.

"Is there any way to change a human soul?

"Why would you do that?"

"If you get hurt, I'll switch our body."

"You don't have to. I don't want that."

"Don't say that. How could I live without you."

Phillip hid his true feelings and pretended to be caring. However, Serphania did not say it easily.

Phillip begged for days, and she answered reluctantly.

---

Chapter 167 – Into the light we dream of (13)

TL: Zimming

"To switch the soul, you need a corresponding price. Two people who will change their souls should stand on the magic circle, sacrifice a dead body and a child who has been dead for less than an hour."

"It's a bit complicated."

"Is it that complicated?"

"And cruel."

"Right. So, never use it."

"I don't want to use it. I'm just curious."

Serphania stared at Phillip.

"Promise me."

"Yes, I promise."

Phillip didn't use the magic. But, it wasn't because of his promise with Ser. He forgot about such a promise the moment he said it.

He agonized over spreading the tancinol or switching his body with Rakshul until the end.

The latter was much easier than the former.

When he becomes Rakshul, Laontel and the empire will naturally come into his hands.

However, Phillip eventually chose to spread the tancinol.

He wanted to be next to Laontel as Phillip.

But Laontel's heart could not be swayed even if he became an emperor with the power of goddess and established a new empire.

Laontel was reborn as Ancia and she chose the crown prince again this time.

Even if he became a hideous monster despised by everyone, her mind did not change.

After a thousand years, Richard could admit it.

'I could never win Ancia's heart.'

Ancia said she still hated Richard after thousands of years.

For Ancia, there was only Blake. Then there was only one way.

'I could become Blake.'

Richard decided to use a method he didn't take a thousand years ago.

He will spread the tancinol and occupy Blake's body.

After becoming the crown prince, he will treat the tancinol to be respected by everyone.

Ancia will also admire his ability. If he treated Tenstheon, he'll recognize him as his son.

It's not his body, but he'll be recognized by Tenstheon and Ancia for his ability. He was able to be Ancia's lover and had a loving family.

Richard's plan went smoothly.

There was already an offering. Karan and Kaluo are siblings with the same blood, so they were more valuable as offerings.

So he deliberately set an outbreak at the Camellia orphanage.

Shulia is a child with good intuition. He tried to avoid Richard and let Kaluo know what he was like.

It kept bothering him, and there was nothing good by keeping her alive.

It was also good to test Karan's loyalty.

Criticism of tancinol would be given to Richard and the Roums, but it didn't matter.

He won't be Richard any longer. If this succeeds, Blake will be Richard.

Therefore, it was none of his business if they speak ill of Richard and the Roums. It was rather good.

In addition, all the responsibilities that will be given to the imperial palace will be taken care of, so there was nothing bad.

But Ancia found a cure for tancinol. It didn't matter.

It's a shame that he missed the chance to be a hero, but Richard's real plan was still there.

Richard used Ancia to lure Blake.

After changing each other's bodies through magic, he planned to eliminate Blake, who became Richard.

Blake had the mana, and Richard knew how to use it. If Blake's body and his soul are combined, no one will be a match to him.

After that, he can wake up Ancia who has lost consciousness due to the mana. So, the only thing she would know is that Blake saved her life after he defeated Richard.

Only happy days would be in front of him soon. He can live as Blake, Ancia's husband and Crown Prince of the Empire.

Richard went over his plan. And slowly saw Blake's beautiful face.

It was a body that would soon become his.

Although it is too pretty, it was not bad to think of it as the face that Ancia loves.

"I will be you and get everything I want."

I opened my eyes after feeling a strong mana wave. There was a strange wave on the ground, different from the one in the room.

I still feel the strong mana inside my body. My head hurt and my intestines were twisted, but now was not the time to think of my pain.

Blake and Richard were seen outside the door.

Blake's hands were filled with the same handcuffs as mine, and he couldn't even raise himself because of the magic circle. Richard grabbed Blake's chin and said,

"I will be you and get everything I want."

No way…!

He was going to switch his body with Blake.

That's why the method was different from a thousand years ago.

Tancinol was just to confuse everyone. Maybe he was going to take Blake's body and then solve the tancinol.

As a hero who saved the empire, he tried to start his life anew. He intended to take Blake's body away.

Ser had changed her body with me. Did she tell Richard how to do that?

On top of the huge magic circle that covered the floor were not only Blake, but also Kaluo and Karan.

Does he want to sacrifice them? He's offering a person and child who followed him, only for switching his body with Blake?

No, I have to stop it.

But it was hard to lift a finger because of the mana. Even my voice didn't come out.

No, I have to protect Blake. I couldn't lose him here.

While I was trying to break free with all my might, Richard walked leisurely over the magic circle in the middle.

There were four people on the large magic circle.No! 'No! No! I have to stop it!'

But it's too late. The spell came out of Richard's mouth.

It must be the language of the goddess, not the word of a human. It's a language that Ser taught me.

My eyes opened wide as soon as I heard it.

When he finished the spell, light began to flow from the magic circle. Richard smiled, it was the smile of the winner who got everything.

At that moment, the calm light became strong as flames rose from the magic circle and swallowed Richard.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

Richard screamed in the flames.

At the same time, the barriers in the room where I was trapped were also broken.

Suddenly, the wave of mana disappeared, and the mana stones of light which filled the room were

cracked and collapsed.

The cracked mana stones hanging from the ceiling were broken and fell over her head.

Is this how she will die?

As I closed my eyes tightly, a huge mana of light wrapped around my body.

"Ancia!"

Blake rushed and hugged me.

As soon as Richard was caught in the flames, he uncuffed me and put a protective spell on me.

"Ancia, are you okay? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Blake checked my condition and released the restraints. He quickly escaped from the room while carrying me.

As soon as we came out, the mana stone of light, which had been broken, collapsed completely because of the protective shield.

When I came outside, I felt the heat.

The flames surrounding Richard grew stronger, and so did his screams.

"Ahhh! Ahh!!"

I asked Blake to drop me off, but he only looked at Richard while carrying me.

"What happened?"

"Richard Cassil casts a spell to exchange bodies."

"Body exchange?"

"No…it's a spell to sacrifice his life for saving the dead."

I once asked Ser for magic to save the dead in the past.

"To save someone who will die comes at a great price. You have to give your life for saving others. Do you still want to know?"

"Yes, let me know."

Ser warned me of the danger for saving the dead.

But I nodded out of pure curiosity as a mage.

Ser taught me how to draw a magic circle. But I shook my head while she was giving me the magic spell.

"As expected, I can't. This magic is too dangerous. Laon is so nice that you will use this magic when your loved one dies. I don't want to lose a dear friend."

In the end, Ser did not give the spell to the end.

And she was right.

When Rakshul died, I regretted again and again.

I wanted to save him that I could give up my life.

However, I couldn't use the spell because I didn't know the last part of the spell.

I could tell just now when Richard recited the spell.

It was a spell to revive one's life and save the dead.

She repeated it continuously at Rakshul's funeral. I can't be mistaken.

"Then what are these circles and sacrifices?"

Four circles were drawn in a large circle, and it seemed to be complicatedly intertwined.

After learning it from Ser, I was able to see the truth of the magic circle at once.

"The rest is a trick. Only two circles are connected."

I pointed to a circle with Richard and Karan. There were only two people needed to exchange lives.

Blake and Kaluo's circle was drawn, but it was only a trick that didn't play any role.

---

Chapter 168 – Into the light we dream of (14)

TL: Zimming

Richard couldn't have made a mistake. He would have drawn magic circles and memorized spells as soon as he had learned from Ser.

Maybe Ser has given him a fake spell.

"Ahhhhh! Serphania! You're fooling me! Argh!"

Richard realized the truth and gave out a cry of anger to Ser.

However, the fire grew bigger. And Richard's life energy was flowing into Karan's body in the magic circle.

A bright light was burning Richard's whole body. Because of his melting flesh and vitality being pulled out, Richard called the name of the goddess.

"Ahhhhh! Serphania! Serphania!!"

At that time, as if to answer Richard's cry, a bigger light was suddenly in front of him. Serphania appeared.

She glanced down at Richard. She looked as if she knew what would happen.

"You cheated on me! You lied to me from the beginning!"

"Is that all you have to say to me?"

Her voice was filled with sadness.

"Extinguished this fire right now! Right now!"

Ser looked silently at Richard, who was yelling at her.

After meeting Ancia and apologizing, Ser returned to the former capital of Zelcan, Khan.

There, shepurified the polluted land after a thousand years, regained the power tied to the ground, and apologized to everyone who suffered from her mistakes.

She fell into a deep sleep in Khan's land with her sins, saying that she would no longer pay attention to the human world or do anything.

Leaving only 'Shell' in the world in case something happened.

However, Shell woke her up.

"Serphania, we're in trouble! The disease happened again."

Shell told Ser about what had happened.

She said that Richard had spread the disease of a thousand years ago again after his memories came back due to Ser's influence.

Ser was rushing back to the capital. Then Shell added,

"But don't worry! Ancia found a cure."

The time between a goddess and a human is different. A lot of time went by in the human world during the brief time she slept. After Richard spread the disease, Ancia succeeded in making a cure.

My friend, Ancia…

Then she heard Richard reciting a taboo spell.

'Oh, did he end up using that magic…?'

Serphania loved Phillip. So she listened to everything he wanted, but she felt something was strange with him deep inside.

And when Phillip asked to teach her how to switch

souls, her doubts deepened.

Ser lied for the first time to her beloved lover.

Phillip wanted to accomplish many things, but he wasn't that cruel.

Ser believed in him. But now, a thousand years later, he has broken even the taboo.

Ser immediately headed to Richard's place.

He struggled in the flames and glared at Ser.

"Extinguish this fire right now! How dare you deceive me!"

He regained the memory of his past life, but he did not apologize. There was no guilt of deceiving Ser and sealing her for a thousand years.

Rather, he was only angry at the one lie Ser had told him.

Ser's eyes became cold.

Staring at her insensitive eyes, Richard only then began to apologize.

"I, I'm sorry. So please help me!"

Ser laughed in vain. Has she been struggling this far to hear such a thing?

She thought she would feel better if she heard him apologizing. But it wasn't like that. Rather, anger overcame her.

"Se, Serphania, we're a couple. You love me!"

Ser looked down at Richard, who was begging, and said,

"I'll get you out of here."

"Yes, yes, hurry!"

As soon as Richard nodded, his surroundings began to shine brightly.

His body rose lightly and the heat that seemed to melt his body disappeared.

Done, everything is done.

Richard smiled inwardly.

A thousand years later, she's still a dumb woman. She still has lingering feelings for him. So she saved him.

When his magic failed, he thought it was all over. But even the heavens were on his side, there was still a chance.

He still could use Serphania.

He could ask her to give Blake's power to him. If he coaxes her well, she'll listen to him again.

Richard smiled inwardly. But something was wrong. It was dark all around even when he opened his eyes.

Where is this? It wasn't his underground fortress.

Richard tried to go outside for now. However, as soon as he took a step, he was blocked by a wall.

He was blocked by walls on every side and couldn't leave.

Richard realized that he was trapped in a transparent sphere.

"Open it! Open it now!"

Richard pounded violently against the wall. However, it was no use.

"Serphania! What are you doing!"

He shouted loudly as flames rose from the floor. Then, he saw his hand distorted by it.

Richard realized only then.

Just like when he sealed Serphania a thousand years ago, this time, he was trapped in the door of darkness.

"Serphania, wait, wait! Listen to me!"

Richard shouted urgently. However, no matter how much he shouted, he couldn't hear her voice.

Because he used a taboo spell, Richard's physical vitality was drained.

Serphamia took Richard's soul and sealed him deep in the valley of chaos.

Just like when he sealed Serphania a thousand years ago. But there was one difference.

Richard didn't have the same power as Serphania.

Of course there was no way for him to unseal it. There was no one who would save him either.

Richard will forever be trapped inside the sphere, unable to unseal it.

Richard, who belatedly realized the reality, screamed.

When he realized this, Richard cried. But no one heard his voice.

Richard let out a cry of resentment against Ser. At that moment, a big light hit him. And when the light disappeared, the flames from the magic circle also disappeared.

Richard was also out of breath.

His body melted in the flames felt so painful.

Blake took my hand. I also held his hand.

It's really the end.

Their tragic relationship with Richard is finally over.

That night, I met Ser.

"Richard must be dead."

I nodded calmly at Ser's words.

"I know. He had to pay for his sins in eternal darkness."

She spoke calmly.

"It was supposed to be like that. He was never a human being, and I should have finished him with my own hands. But I hesitated again, only because he's reincarnated. He's not Phillip, so I somehow gave him a lighter punishment. I'm sorry."

"No, it's enough that you gave me evidence before."

Ser let me know that Richard was trying to poison Blake before she left.

Richard had no recollection of what happened in his past life. So I didn't think it was up to me to punish him.

Anyway, thanks to the evidence she left, I was able to find out all of Richard's evil deeds.

But Ser shook her head firmly.

"I'm the one who turned him into a monster. I should have taken care of it. And I'm sorry I couldn't be of help this time again."

She apologized again and again, then carefully said something.

"Laon, no, Ancia. If you don't mind, can you accept this gift?"

It was a beautiful bracelet made from beautiful crystals.

"I tried to stop my relationship with the human world. But there were a lot of things happening when I left. Richard's sealed, and this won't happen anymore, but can you still call me if you need me?"

"Can I just call you when I want to see your face?"

"Yes, of course."

Tears as clear as light flowed from Ser's eyes. I smiled and hugged her tightly.

I felt the bright sunlight and woke up.

This was the bedroom of the Amoria Palace, and I couldn't see Ser.

What was it? Was it a dream?

I rubbed my eyes while still half-asleep.

The bracelet Ser gave me on my wrist was shining.

It's not a dream. It wasn't a dream.

I tried to touch the bracelet in my left hand. But my right hand was caught.

Blake fell asleep while holding my right hand tightly.

He is now an adult, unlike ten years ago, but he still looked like a child in his sleep.

I smiled and looked at him. Blake opened his eyes and his red eyes looked at me.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?"

"No."

He smiled and shook his head, pulling me into his arms.

"But you're tired. Let's sleep a little longer."

When I was in Blake's arms, I started to fall asleep again.

It was warm and cozy. Everything was good with him.

And now only these peaceful days will continue.

---

Chapter 169 – Epilogue

TL: Zimming

I took Shulia's hand. Then she opened her eyes bigger and gulped down.

"How is it?"

I grinned and let go of her hand.

"I'm all better."

"Really?"

"It's true. I'm feeling better. Thank you for treating me."

I patted her hair.

She eventually overcame the tancinol. There was no trace of twisted mana anymore in her body.

"Then can I go back to the orphanage now?"

"Of course."

"Can I meet Brother Luo?"

"Yes, you'll see each other soon."

Kaluo's alive. His sister, Karan is also alive.

Richard didn't want it, but because of his mistake, he gave his life to save Karan and leave the world.

Anyway, they were investigated.

Kaluo is a child, and he is just swept away by the surrounding situation without knowing anything, so he will be released soon after the investigation is completed.

However, Karan and Connin committed crimes.

They regretted the past and confessed all their sins.

In particular, Karan was greatly shocked by the fact that Richard was the enemy who killed their parents and tried to sacrifice them.

However, no matter how much Richard deceived them, their crime was too big.

They're not an adult, so even if they avoided the death penalty, they will have to spend their life in prison.

"Shulia!"

"Teacher!"

Michelle came to meet Shulia after hearing that she had recovered completely.

As soon as she saw Michelle, she ran with a big smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you very much."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

When Michelle thanked her, Shulia quickly followed the teacher and bowed her head.

"Shulia, stay healthy. Have a healthy meal for the time being, okay?"

"Yes!"

Shulia answered bravely. She looked so healthy that I couldn't believe she had just overcome a tough illness.

"Goodbye, Your Highness."

She waved her hand and went back to the orphanage.

The last patient left the training center.

And the outbreak that shook the empire completely disappeared.

I found the tool that caused the tancinol in the secret fortress where Richard kidnapped me.

It was an old old box. But there was only a letter inside.

It was Ser's letter saying that everything was purified.

Tancinol will never show up on earth again.

Not only Richard, but also the Kensway family's deed, which had been causing the tancinol for a thousand years, was revealed.

When the Kensway family was revealed to cause tancinol, everyone ignored the words and blamed the roums only.

But when the cure was developed and the disease was gone, people gradually began to accept the truth.

People cursed Richard and were angry with the Kensway family.

However, when the first emperor Phillip's deed was revealed, people were astonished.

The empire was shocked when the reality of the great founder, who had been chosen by the goddess, was revealed.

Tenstheon apologized for Phillip's evil deeds as Emperor of the Asteric Empire. Blake and I were also there together.

We revealed all the truths that happened a thousand years ago, and re-compiled the Zelkan Empire's history books.

Rakshul's name was also cleared after a thousand years.

This was something that had been prepared even before tancinol took place.

If all the facts were revealed, there could have been a crisis in the survival of the Asteric Empire and the imperial family, but if we kept hiding it, we could not solve the tangled thread from a thousand years ago.

However, the people of the empire were shocked by Phillip's misdeeds and did not get angry with the present imperial family.

Tenstheon is now the greatest emperor in the history of the empire, as the empire was in an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity.

Furthermore, there were no longer any reckless asmodian trials and tancinol, which had terrorized the people for a thousand years.

The goddess of light also gave her powers to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. The people of the empire thought that this was a way for the goddess to forgive the past and pray for the blessing of the empire.

A series of events also changed the perception of the roums.

For a thousand years, the roums had no choice but to become slaves or to live secretly.

Even if they were freed from slavery, they did not know when they would be taken back or killed unjustly.

Tenstheon tried to crack down on the roums slave trade and prevent murder, but he could not control everything that was done secretly.

But now, everything was different.

Their view of the roums was also changing. Of course, the deep-rooted disdain for a thousand years will not disappear in an instant, but it will gradually improve.

Right for the roums was also given.

The empire abolished the roums entry ban and many other things.

There was a backlash against this, but it was not as strong as I thought.

It was revealed that the roums were not sinners but victims of Phillip's desire, so there was no justification to stop them.

The year was already coming to an end when I settled the tancinol and revealed the truth of a thousand years ago.

There was a place I really wanted to go before this year passed by. It was my mother's grave.

I went to my mother's grave with Blake. It was the first time in seven years, but the cemetery was well managed. This is because Blake and Tenstheon paid special attention to it.

I laid flowers on the grave and touched the monument without a word. Blake also bowed politely, laying down the flowers.

"Mother, I'm here."

Blake says he stopped by whenever he went back and forth to the valley of chaos to find me. He also said that he came alone and greeted her even after he found me.

However, I hesitated to come here even after returning to the palace.

Seven years ago, I only made a formal visit once a year.

I just thought of her as the real mother of Ancia. I didn't even dream that she's my real mother who gave birth to me.

I really wanted to come here after coming back to the capital. But I hesitated, because I didn't have my original body. After having my body back, I put off my promise to come even when the situation stabilizes, and time has already passed.

"I'm here…mom."

The word "mom" felt unfamiliar.

A thousand years ago, and in Korea, I rarely said "mom" because my mother always passed away early.

The moment I spit out the awkward word, tears filled my eyes.

"I'm late. I'm sorry I haven't visited all this time…"

Blake patted me on the back and held my hand tightly. His temperature calmed me down.

"We're going to have a wedding."

I asked Blake to hold a ball to celebrate him becoming an adult, but he insisted that he would not have such a party unless I held a debut party myself.

In the end, we decided to hold a wedding ceremony instead of a separate party for ourselves.

In the Asteric Empire, when they are young, they simply hold a small ceremony, and even after they become adults, if they are willing to marry, they report to the church and hold a grand wedding ceremony.

We had a small ceremony in our childhood. However, the words "marriage of the imperial family" or "wedding" itself were not fit to describe our shabby ceremony.

That's why I decided to hold a real wedding again.

Instead of the monstrous crown prince and an abandoned daughter. It was now the wedding of the crown prince and crown princess.

"We're going to do it next spring. Please watch it from the sky."

If my mom was watching my wedding 10 years ago, she would have been very upset. But I'm sure she'll be happy to see it this time.

"Yes, please keep an eye on us. Mother, we'll have the best wedding ever."

He held my hand firmly. He looked more reliable and trustworthy today.

"I'm always happy."

"I won't make her suffer."

"I've never had a hard time."

I never thought our time together was hard. All the time I spent with him was precious.

Blake hugged my shoulder without saying a word. I also leaned my head on his shoulder.

As I rode back to the palace in a carriage, I could see people filling the square.

"Shall we take a look?"

"Sure."

I nodded at Blake's words.

Since the tancinol outbreak was over, the crowd was much bigger than usual and people seemed more energetic than usual year-end festivals.

We walked down the street holding hands.

We don't have to do anything. Just being able to walk on such a crowded street made my heart happy.

Holding his hand tightly, I stopped in one place.

New books were displayed in front of a bookstore.

One of them was a fairy tale book called 'Blessed Princess.'

It was the same title as the book I saw in this bookstore before. The cover changed, but seeing the same title, it seemed to be the same book as then.

But that book is new?

I hesitated for a moment and opened the book.

The blessed princess married the monstrous crown prince of the neighboring country. The princess and the prince loved each other, and the prince was eventually released from the curse. But in return, the princess loses her life.

The prince shed tears alone, missing the princess who died because of him.

It was the same story as I saw before.

I became gloomy, and regret that I saw it for no reason.

But that was not the end of the book.

A goddess appears in front of the tearful prince, telling him how to recover the blessed princess.

The prince is willing to endure the ordeal to find the princess, and the goddess also gives him strength to meet the princess again.

In the end, the prince and the princess meet again.

[The blessed princess and the prince of light lived happily ever after.]

The fairy tale ended with the scene in which the two returned to the imperial palace and looked at each other with a loving gaze.

Seeing the prince and the princess smiling broadly, I naturally smiled.

"What book is it?"

I gave Blake the book. Blake, who read the book, smiled just like me.

After we bought a fairy tale book, we walked down the street again.

"Blake."

"Yes."

"Let's live happily too."

"Of course, I'll make you smile every day."

Blake held my hand tightly. I also held his hand tightly.

The crowd was suddenly buzzing.

"It's snowing!"

"Snow!"

As I raised my head, I saw white snow pouring from the sky. It was the first snow of the year.

"How long has it been…"

I looked at the snow blankly. It was the first time I've seen it in seven years. And it's been seven years since I saw the snow with Blake.

"Let's keep seeing it together from now on."

"Yes, let's be together every time it snows."

I smiled at Blake's words.

Next year, I will see the first snow with Blake, in the next two years, 10 years and 20 years. We'll be together forever.

But Blake shook his head.

"No, not the first snow."

"Then?"

"The second snow, third snow, fourth and fifth snow, let's see it together."

"When do you think it'll snow again?"

"No, we can be together every day."

"Everyday?"

Yes, everyday."

I was so dumbfounded that I laughed. Blake's expression quickly became gloomy.

"Wife, what's wrong? You don't want to be with me?"

"No, it's not that…"

"Then you're gonna be right next to me everyday right?"

"No, that's… we have to work."

There is something to be done as the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. It was practically impossible to be together all day long like when we were young. I tried to say that but I shut up.

Looking at Blake's pitiful expression, I couldn't say no.

I was always weak towards that expression.

"Alright, let's always be together everyday."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

Blake smiled brightly and hugged my waist.

The cute rabbit when we were young disappeared and he quickly became a mesmerizing beast.

How did the rabbit become a beast?

Blake's face came closer and our lips overlapped with each other.

It was a soft and sweet kiss like the snow.

The End

————————————————-

This is the Official end of Novel. Now only 13 Side Story Left.

Side Story 1 – Blake has become smaller (1)

TL: Zimming

When I opened the window, the fresh and cold air of winter brushed against my skin.

The fresh air, the warm sunshine, the sound of the birds, with my husband lying in bed, everything was perfect.

I sat on the bed and tapped Blake's cheek, who had just fallen asleep.

"Blake, it's already morning. Get up."

"Hmm. Five more minutes."

He said in a cute drowsy voice.

He must be very tired yesterday because he fell asleep at dawn after staying up late at night.

The sight of Blake mumbling without even opening his eyes reminded me of the old days.

I smiled and rubbed his soft cheeks. I want to let him rest like this, but I decided to have breakfast with Tenstheon today.

We'll be late if he sleeps more.

"Crown prince, wake up now."

I whisked off the blanket. Then Blake frowned.

"Ancia, it's so hard for me to take it off every morning."

He's saying something that will be misunderstood again! Don't leave out the word vaguely!

I glanced at him without saying a word. Then Blake smiled suspiciously and hugged my waist.

"My wife is so warm."

Even if a rabbit grows, it does not become a wolf. My husband is also a white rabbit who has never changed. Just a little, no, maybe a lot more seductive.

He must know how beautiful he is. I wanted to listen to everything he wanted, but I said firmly.

"Wake up. We're going for breakfast. Our father's waiting."

"It's alright."

"It's not alright."

Tancinol disappeared and Richard was sealed. The truth of a thousand years ago has been revealed, and the roum discrimination is decreasing. Trade with Chang went smoothly, and the empire is peaceful.

Plus, Blake grew up to be a healthy and wonderful young man, and we were always together.

There was only one thing on my mind, although I was so happy that I didn't worry about anything these days.

Blake and Tenstheon are still at odds.

Blake's like this not because he was simply tired. He would rather sleep in and avoid eating with Tenstheon.

The three of us ate together once a day. However, Blake and Tenstheon were becoming more awkward

than closer.

If there was a conflict of opinion about political affairs or if it became awkward because of their fight, I would try to reconcile them, but it was not like that either.

The relationship between the two showed little signs of recovery.

"Come on, wake up!"

I forced Blake up, and I was able to get to the Phillia Palace without being late.

Even though we went just in time, Tenstheon arrived first and was waiting for us.

"Father, you're here already?"

"Ancia, you look very pretty today."

"Father looked wonderful too."

We exchanged greetings as usual. However, Blake only lowered his head slightly without saying a word. Tenstheon tried to move on without saying anything.

It can't go on like this.

I send a signal to father through my eyes.

'Say hello to Blake too! A light compliment! Praise him! Come on!'

"Hmmm."

Did he read my eyes correctly? Tenstheon looked at Blake and cough awkwardly.

He hesitated for a moment about what to say and slowly opened his mouth.

"Hmm…you're pretty too."

"……"

"……"

Blake's expression hardened, and I was speechless.

Father, that's not the compliment your son wants…

I don't know how someone who excels at everything else became like this when it is related to Blake.

Finally, today's breakfast ended in an awkward atmosphere.

How could she make the distance between the two closer?

In fact, it was not a problem that would be solved easily.

Blake was hurt as a child. Of course, Tenstheon had his reasons, but even so, it was up to Blake to forgive him or not.

No one could force him until his mind was ready.

However, I felt uncomfortable because I think it was because of me that the two of them became like that. If I hadn't disappeared at that time, they would have been much better off than now…

"Ancia."

Looking at roses while sighing, I turned my head when I heard a man's voice.

"Eunhan!"

"I'm sorry, I came a little late."

"No, I've just arrived as well. "

I was waiting in the glass greenhouse when I heard from Tenstheon that Eunhan was coming.

"How have you been?"

"I'm fine, thanks to you, my workload has decreased. How are you?"

"I've been fine too."

"That's great."

Eunhan smiled softly. He always had that calm yet elegant expression.

"I brought the book you mentioned before."

Eunhan gave me a book wrapped in silk cloth.

After treating tancinol with taekri tea, I became interested in the herbs from Chang. When we met before, I said that I was curious about Chang's medical books, and he didn't forget to bring them.

"Thank you very much."

"No, and this…"

Eunhan carried a box made of jade in his hand.

"What is this?"

The box looked so precious.

"It's a necklace."

"Necklace?"

When I asked again, Eunhan suddenly panicked and added an explanation.

"Ah, it doesn't mean anything special. In case there's a crisis like before, I think we need a device to communicate."

Eunhan visited the Imperial Palace by the time the tancinol incident was already taken care of.

When he heard what had happened, he was surprised and blamed himself for not being helpful.

And after that, he would visit us once every 15 days and ask how we were doing.

Taking care of Chang is already difficult and it would be even more difficult for him if he kept coming.

Rather than coming here directly, it would be better for him to use a communication device.

"But it looks so precious…"

"No, I prepared it because I wanted to. It's for our own good, so don't feel too much pressure."

But it seemed so precious.

I felt like I had to reciprocate when I received it. While thinking about the right gift, someone snatched the box.

"You come here very often. You must be very idle."

Blake lowered his eyes coldly looking at the jade box.

"Blake."

Blake said that sarcastically. I was startled and called his name carefully, but Blake continued in a cold tone.

"Aren't you able to eat enough of your hometown food? Why do you keep coming here?"

"Blake, what do you mean?"

I wondered why he said that out of the blue, but Eunhan shut up as if he understood it.

"It's nothing. Wife, I have something to talk about with the Emperor of Chang, would you please excuse us for a moment?"

Blake eased his expression and smiled at me.

"Alright…"

Although the relationship between the two is bad, they are the Crown Prince of Asteric and the Emperor of Chang respectively.

They won't act recklessly. I nodded and headed out of the greenhouse.

Tenstheon remained in his office after he had finished talking to Eunhan, reading letters from the nobles.

They were all useless things, such as letters to praise his achievements, and request for remarriage.

Among them, there was a letter with messy handwriting.

[Your Majesty is the one I respect the most. I want to be a great man like you.]

It was a letter written by the grandson of the Marquis of Sheldom himself.

His grandson is about eight years old this year…

Such letters were usually written by parents instead, but strangely, it was written by the child.

In addition, it was not formal and the overall content was a mess, as if it was written purely by the child themself without being watched by adults.

But Tenstheon felt this letter was really unique.

Respect…

He wasn't a man great enough to be respected.

He could not protect his only son back then. Even when Blake's curse was lifted, there was still no emotional bond between the two.

There were times when Blake held his hand again. He held the child in his arms, went back and forth to the field to teach him swordsmanship.

But everything was different when Ancia disappeared.

He couldn't comfort Blake properly because he felt guilty about losing Ancia.

He felt guilty to even talk to the child and he was angry being unable to find Ancia.

It all got tangled up and eventually their relationship broke.

The disappearance of Ancia left the grieving child lonely again.

'After all, everything is my fault.'

People agreed that Tenstheon was the best empire. He was always praised as a good father of the nation.

But in reality, he was a bad father. He was a fool who made mistakes because he didn't even know how to deal with his only son.

He looked at the letter with mixed feelings, and the door burst open as Blake came in.

Tenstheon was somewhat surprised to see his son suddenly at night. The black cat in Blake's hand caught his eye before he asked anything.

"Eunhan!"

"Meow!"

A cat was dangling from Blake's neck and cried sadly at Tenstheon.

"You know at a glance if it's a person you care about."

Blake spat out as he threw the cat into Tenstheon's arms.

"What are you doing!"

"I was angry because he was trying to do something with someone else's wife."

"What are you talking about?"

Tenstheon looked at the cat on his lap in surprise. However, Eunhan, who turned into a black cat, shook his head as if it was unfair.

"Meow!"