“Did you say… deal?”

Cassie frowned and looked at Iska as if trying to determine his intentions.

Iska, leaning against the window with his arms crossed, seemed interested in the present situation.

Taking that as a positive sign, Cassie turned to Lavella again.

“First, let’s hear it.”

“Come here. We’re on the same side, aren’t we?”

Lavella, who gladly sat in the seat given to her by Cassie, tapped the seat next to her while looking at Moot.

“…….”

Moot sat next to Lavella while watching Cassie.

“Give me exclusive rights to Kuzne’s weapons trade.”

Lavella, brought up the subject neatly, with a straight face.

“Ah, to be precise, that means to hand it over to the guild ‘Kirah’.”

“…Kirah?”

With a brow raised, Cassie glanced at Iska.

No matter how deep in the woods he was, he had heard of the name ‘Kirah’.

‘Why and how did the Prince end up with Kirah?’

However, Iska, who had to give an answer, was thinking hard, rubbing his chin with his long finger.

“Well…you know.”

“It’s Lavella.”

“Yes, Miss Lavella.”

Cassie spoke in a soft voice as if he was speaking to a child.

“Because Kuzne supplies to the Imperial Family…”

“I know, you’re dealing with Prince Rubitz, aren’t you?”

Although to be exact, someone impersonating Prince Rubitz.

“Let’s write a letter to them.”

“Letter?”

“Not long ago, a group of armed smugglers attacked Kuzne, and there were imperial soldiers guarding Kuzne.”

“What…”

“In order to protect Kuzne, the elder had no choice but to put a request into Kirah, and write that he intends to entrust the village’s safety and arms trade to Kirah in the future.”

“I can’t comply with such demands…”

“Of course, the loyalty will remain the same.”

“…….”

“If the real Prince Rubitz in the Imperial family wanted to protect Kuzne, of course, he wouldn’t stay still, right?”

“Are you asking me to gamble now?”

“It’s not bad to enjoy some thrill every now and then.”

Anyone could feel the sense of confidence from Lavella.

‘I found an expert in such a short time.’

Iska, who understood Lavella’s intentions, smiled wide.

A way to protect Kuzne from the fake Prince Rubitz while not revealing the true existence of the real Prince Rubitz to both the imperial family and the Kuzne.

She was putting Kirah at the forefront.

“Think of it simply. I’m just doing what the Imperial soldiers have been doing to Kuzne.”

In addition, it was possible to deceive the Crown Prince’s eyes for a while as he continued to satisfy his needs.

“I want to ask you one thing, why is Kirah making such an offer?”

And now, Lavella would ask for what she wanted the most.

“Please make me a real Kuzne weapon.”

“!”

‘Of course.’

When Iska saw Cassie’s confused face, Iska swallowed a smile and bit the inside of his mouth.

“I will supply the real weapon to the Imperial Family as well.”

“The Imperial Family…”

“To the one the Elder truly believes in.”

Lavella stretched the corners of her mouth wide and smiled.

‘Please listen to her request.’

With a big hand covering his mouth, Iska nodded slightly to Cassie, who looked to him for his intentions.

After kissing, Iska recalled the question Lavella asked him.

“Are you Iska from Kirah or Prince Rubitz to me?”

　

No wonder, so that’s why she asked that.

Iska clearly remembered his answer to her.

“We’re about to achieve that one million gold soon. Don’t you have to keep that contract deal?”

“So you mean you’re gonna stay with me?”

　

There was a reason for her behaving unusually and checking with him again.

Iska looked at Lavella who had the upper hand in the deal.

‘Clever.’

That was why she was so lovely.

Iska wanted to bite those plump lips and devour them right away.

*   *   *

“Then have a good trip, Setz.”

“…….”

“Let’s quickly get some answers and go.”

Ritelni grumbled at the spot where Setz had been standing and quickly disappeared from. 

“But you still shook your head.”

Iska made an excuse and put his hand on Ritelni’s shoulder.

“How will the Crown Prince come out?”

“Well, we’ll see.”

Iska shrugged as he looked at where the soldiers disappeared.

They had left a very important letter in the hands of one of the soldiers they had kept alive and had just sent it to the imperial palace.

Setz followed them just in case there was an incident. 

“I’m going to stay here for a while.”

“Yes, and don’t forget to make it look like Kirah did it on the outside.”

“Haha, how did this happen…?”

“She’s an extraordinary woman, don’t you think?”

“She is.”

As they crossed the barracks and shared their appreciation for Lavella, they soon met the main character of their conversation again.

“Did you send the letter?”

“Yes.”

“So, shall we talk about our deal now?”

At Lavella’s words, Ritelni chewed out the people around the barracks.

In the quiet space, only the three of them sat at the desk, and Lavella crossed her legs.

“I’m going to add 10% to the original price for the imperial family, what do you think?”

“At that level, I’m glad.”

(TL/N: He means he’s glad she didn’t make him pay more.)

“Yeah, you get Kuzne’s weapon. You know I yielded a lot, right?”

(TL/N: She’s saying that she’s being generous by not charging more.)

“Thank you so much.”

The smiles of the two people facing each other as they engaged in a tug-of-war were refreshing.

‘I can’t believe she has an energy that can’t be pushed even by Iska.’

Ritelni had no choice but to admire Lavella once again.

“But Lavella, are you really okay?”

It was Iska, who turned away first.

“Even if the imperial family moves as we planned, you can’t say it’s a good thing they now notice Kirah.”

Iska did not hide his worries.

“I know. Do I look like someone who doesn’t calculate that much?”

She looked disappointed.

“Of course not.”

Even so, he worried.

Iska shrugged as if he had lost.

*   *   *

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

The man’s black hair fluttered lightly as he strode into the room. 

The man, who sat down on the sofa embroidered with gorgeous roses on a golden border, threw off his cloak.

“I’m ready for a bath.”

“Whooo.”

At the words of the tired man, Viscount Furei, got up, bowed, and headed to the bathroom.

His firm body was soon naked and slipped into the tub.

“…Get out.”

At the man’s instructions, Furei gave a signal to the rest of the servants with a glance.

Slowly he sank into the tub all the way to the top of his head. 

When the man pulled his head out of the water again, his pure beauty was revealed under his dripping silver hair.

“Your Highness, why don’t you be careful about going outside for the time being? It’s not good if it’s known the palace has been left empty for too long.”

“…….”

“Of course, no one would think of such nonsense.”

The man who was listening to the Viscount twisted his lips.

“It’s a futile idea. Although, a few faces come to mind.”

“You’re being too concerned. There are many nobles who still come to see your highness.”

The Viscount bowed deeply as if he was sorry.

The long fingers of the man who laughed swept through his wet hair. It was an elegant gesture that caught the eye of the viewer.

The light glowed over the man and his face relaxed like a beast whose hunger was satisfied.

“There’s no guarantee that I’ll become an emperor. His Majesty is still in good shape.”

“What do you mean, my lord? Your Highness is the only heir to the Empire.”

Lucavi Crove Bismert. He was the enemy of the Imperia Empire and the first prince, who became the crown prince a year ago.

“The only? Impossible.”

Lucavi snorted.

“…….”

“You don’t think I know? There are still people waiting for my brother.”

“But, your Highness, he’s been gone for a while…”

He died, and at your hands too.

Viscount held back his last words. It was because he was not sure how Lucavi would react.

“Well, the cursed blood flowing through my body isn’t saying that.”

Lucavi, who lifted his arm to show his veins shining under the light, raised the corners of his lips.

Soon, his languid expression filled with darkness.

“We’ll have to find him. Even if we have to search the whole empire, even the whole continent.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

“I miss my dear brother so much.”

Viscount Furei suppressed his urge to rub the chills on the back of his neck.

“By the way, you mentioned a dinner was scheduled.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Count Bisco and Marquis Morina.”

Welcoming the changed subject, Viscount Furei relaxed his shoulders and replied quickly.

“Marquis Morina? What is he up to?”

Lucavi quirked an eyebrow.

The Marquis Morina was one of the representative nobles who supported his younger brother, Rubitz.

“It seems he came because of his connection with Count Bisco. It’s a good opportunity for us.”

“…I see.”

The tips of Lucabi’s long fingers rubbed his red lips.

“This time, let’s have a good time.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.”

It was necessary to have even one more nobleman kneel under his feet.

Viscount Furei placed a black cloak on the wet shoulders of his master as he raised his body.

*   *   *

“From generation to generation the emperors of Imperia have established their thrones over pools of blood.”

Lucavi spoke calmly as he sliced the corners of the steak and red juices soaked in blood flowed out.

Being drenched in blood was the fate of those who wanted to ascend to the throne.

The same was true of his father, the current emperor, and so did his father’s father, and all the emperors before him.

Purging their brothers with their own hands or killing other children themselves because they didn’t want to dirty their son’s hands.

No emperor could escape the cursed blood.

“Isn’t that the way of the cursed bloodline?”

If I fail to ascend to the throne, I’ll be the one who dies. 

Lucavi took a piece of steak cut to a suitable size to his lips and nonchalantly chewed it.

Marquis Morina, who became Lucavi’s prey today, did not respond and continued to eat silently.

“…I really hate the history of the imperial family.”

Clink.

The knife on the plate made a sharp noise.

Marquis Morina squinted and glanced at Lucavi’s face as if trying to figure out what he really meant.

Compared to his large stature, his face delicate face was like an angel.

Because of his gentle tone, the occasional little smile on his lips, and his great character, he suited the title of the renowned Crown Prince.

However, Marquis Morina was doubtful whether the rumor was real. 

Because Lucavi was the Crown Prince and nobody else.

One day, Prince Rubitz, who was suddenly ill, hid himself deep in the imperial palace under the pretext of illness.

“I wanted to join forces with my precious brother to continue the glory of the Empire.”

“Your Highness, you were thinking like that. You really are great.”

Count Bisco’s mouth was filled with bursting admiration. 

It was the same reaction as when you see a child start walking.

“Isn’t it because His Majesty knows your heart, too, that’s why he entrusted your Highness as the designated Crown Prince?”

He was about to shed tears.

As if Count Bisco’s attitude was burdensome, Lucavi slightly folded the corners of his eyes and gave a troubled smile.

“I don’t know what you mean by great. It’s a natural idea. I want the sad history of the imperial family to end.”

Lucavi muttered grimly.

“Yes, that’s what we want too.”

“So I’d like you to help me become a great emperor.”

The good-looking Lucavi smiled quietly and made eye contact with all the nobles who participated in the dinner.

Finally, Lucavi, who made eye contact with Marquis Morina, showed a kind smile.

“We should cooperate together with my brother and work hard for Imperia.”

Looking at the nobles who quietly shut their mouths, Lucavi continued to talk as if he were shedding tears. 

“I just hope my brother will heal from his illness and get out of bed.”

It was as if the deep friendship of the brothers was being portrayed in front of his eyes.

*   *   *

“Where were you two?”

“You’re awake?”

“Yes, I slept in a bed for the first time in a while so I slept well.”

Dabel, who was standing in front of the accommodations, welcomed everyone with a refreshed face.

“Isn’t it too late to say good morning?”

Seeing Canpiden standing around, Lavella patted him on the shoulder and greeted him cheerfully.

“…What’s going on?”

“I just had a nice cozy date. I’m going back to the guild tonight.”

Lavella, who left an ambiguous joke, went inside.

Thanks to this, it was Iska, who was left alone, to appreciate Canpiden’s hardened expression.

Of course, Iska had no intention of correcting the joke. In retrospect, it wasn’t wrong.

“I’m going to get some sleep and come out in a bit. I think I overdid it.”

Seeing that Canpiden’s still hard face hardened even more, Iska raised his eyebrows.

Dabel said, “Are you really going to date…”

“…….”

Looking at the back of the two who disappeared, words that Dabel inadvertently added shook Canpiden’s heart.