Chapter 142. After Quitting Being Your Rival (8)

So, Your Majesty

Robert said, barely resisting the urge to touch his forehead.

You mean you made such a bet with the Duke of Wade?

The Emperor, who had previously confided to Robert a bet with the Duke of Wade, frowned and nodded his head.

Well, who knew Ian could be so crazy but be quiet about it? Shouldnt you know since you were always close?

At the Emperors words, Robert could not blame anything.

Robert had already admitted to himself that he had been defeated by Ian.

Ian gave up the victory in the last swordsmanship competition, and slaughtered even those enormous monsters, and the sincerity that ran to Annabelle was literally great.

If you think about how much sacrifice he could make for Annabelle Robert wasnt confident.

So he was bitter, but he decided to appease his disappointment by becoming a good emperor and leading the prosperity of the empire.

However, he began to sincerely worry about the Imperial finances.

Arent you lucky? Because Maiena said she wouldnt withdraw her promised funding.

The condition for Maiena to lend her money was the marriage of Annabelle and Robert.

But after knowing that Annabelles heart was not with Robert, she didnt say much.

After all, it was because the first compromise was started over the issue of suffrage, and the marriage issue was mentioned unilaterally because of the ambivalence Maiena had for Annabelle.

But the Treasury has some money to fill

Robert, who finished the calculation quickly, said anxiously.

You can fill that up by confiscating the property of the Marquis of Abedes. How will the numbers match once they are all disposed of?

Still, it will be tight.

The cost of maintaining the dignity of the Empress and the Crown Prince remains I have also ordered you to dispose of all the treasures of the post-deceased people.

Robert felt a heavy burden of responsibility on his shoulders.

Even if the position of the crown prince that was so desired was scheduled, the accident that the previous Emperor had struck was too great.

To be able to rot his head in financial trouble like this

Still, it was when he was thinking about how he could use the money of the commoners assembly

Anyway, tomorrow is the friendly match.

Yes.

On that day, the crown prince appointment ceremony will be taken lightly. Are you fine?

Yes, of course.

Robert noticed the Emperors will and nodded his head.

It was a situation in which the crown prince was changed due to an unfortunate incident.

Although it was not Roberts fault, it was also an incident where the authority of the Imperial Family was reduced.

Therefore, it was good in the long run to move on smoothly without attracting as much attention as possible.

The friendly match between Annabelle and Ian was a good opportunity for that.

I think it would be appropriate to briefly mention after giving a tribute to the eradication of black magic. In terms of taking care of the main characters, the plan will be pretty good.

Okay. How much interest will everyone have in the friendly match?

As the Emperors eyes twinkled, Robert realized that the everyone included the Emperor as well.

So, by the way, if you dispose of the Empresss private assets, youll get a lot of cash in secret.

The Emperor said with a sigh.

You know well because you go undercover a lot. Didnt everyone bet on a friendly match? You said you were going to make a bet

Your Majesty.

After grasping the Emperors intentions, Robert swallowed his breath and said:

You just told me the outcome of a failed bet. Now you want to make another bet?

Hmm.

The Emperor rolled his eyes for a moment, then said, fiddling with the handkerchief that had been tied to Annabelle last time.

Then lets change the word. Not a bet A little sign of trust in Annabelle Rainfield, who fought for my honor?

You will bet with?

So, how much is Annabelle Rainfields dividend?

Robert finally sighed.

In fact, Annabelles dividend was rather high, but there were still more people who were convinced of Ians victory.

After showing herself handling all the assassins from the Abedes, though, it was a lot higher than the payouts over the past eight years.

Robert, who informed the Emperor of the gambling houses dividend, added cautiously.

If youd ratheryoud better go with Ian Wade. He was a monster that dealt with the monsters of the Smaho forest alone.

It doesnt matter if he wins anyway. If you want to earn big, take a leap of faith

Didnt you say it was a sign of trust?

But the Emperor seemed determined not to listen to Robert any longer.

Anyway, I cant go by myself, so you bet yourself well. Its tomorrow, so hurry up and go tonight.

The Emperor said firmly, handing over cash, which was probably once the Empresss private property. (pr/n: dude so chill when his wife is a humongous criminal afhasdklhf)

From what Ive been working hard all night analyzing the capitals kidnapping attempt, its quite probable. I think the Duchess of Wade taught her a lot better than I thought.

The Emperor even wielded a model sword in imitation of the kidnapping attempt.

At that time, whoah, with a successful technique, whoosh, I heard that there is such a thing

Robert, seeing the Emperors pitiful appearance, had no choice but to go out into the streets with the Emperors cash on hand and put on his robe again.

~*~

(Annabelles pov)

Its training

Ian turned around and grabbed me and hugged me.

What are you asking me now? I didnt even know you were coming.

Its because Ive been hiding my presence on purpose.

But you didnt hide it on purpose in the past and surprised me from behind?

Originally, no matter how much I hid my presence and approached him, Ian noticed it like a ghost and avoided me at once.

After receiving the blessing of the bamboo forest where the barber even shouted a secret while reassured that no one was there, I was able to hide my presence from Ian.

That

I couldnt answer any more, as my body twisted from his hot breath on my earlobe and neck.

I missed you, Annabelle.

With my legs suspended in the air and nowhere to run, I couldnt get away from his lips.

Of course, it wasnt really that I couldnt run away.

Hasnt it been 24 hours since we havent seen each other?

When I asked the question with a grin, Ian answered seriously.

Ive been wanting to see you since the moment you got into the carriage.

Since Ian wasnt exaggerating at all, the words must have been sincere.

Did you sleep well with a blanket on, did you have a good breakfast this morning, didnt you get pushed by Aaron in an argument? I was only worried about you all day.

Read only at pm tl.

After kissing me hard, Ian let me go.

I replied with a smile as if not to worry.

We have a friendly match tomorrow, so youre going to mess with my condition? Dont worry about my well-being until another day, so until then

Im saying this because you dont know

Ian said with a smile.

I will do my best. I wont see you as my lover. And I know youd want that too.

Well I have something to say too.

I answered while showing my sword in front of him.

Dont ignore my eight years of thoughts of defeating you.

To see us face each other with a smile like this made me realize once again that I didnt know anything about other people.

I wish you could be as obsessed with me as you were back then and come to visit me whenever you could.

Im sorry, but there is no need to point out my dark history.

Im serious. Now, if you suddenly surprise me from behind, I will have no choice but to get hit. Please refer to the future schedule. You are always welcome.

You dont have to show that youve become weird.

I said firmly.

Cant we just live with good memories? For example here We were pretty good.

In this garden, before the Imperial banquet, before the duel with Lagian, Ian took care of me No, it was training.

Alone, for a few days.

Then, as I remembered that I had been fighting all day, I cheerfully suggested it.

Would you like to have a light battle here one last time? Of course, its the day before the match, but lets both take care of each other and warm up a bit.

If its light.

Ian nodded his head warmly, then jumped, broke two branches, and gave one of them to me.

Since tomorrow is the match, he seemed to have decided that it would be better not to use a true sword.

Well then

As usual, I jumped in first and aimed at Ians side, and Ian gently avoided me and hugged me tightly.

Hey, its a light fight.

As I grunted, Ian sighed and pressed his lips to my cheek once.

Sorry. Once I feel you in my arms, I go out of my mind

Now calm down and do well. No, you attack first.

After falling apart again, we exchanged glances, and this time, Ian ran from behind.

I turned around and avoided Ian, immediately shook Ians balance and knocked him over on the lawn, then fell on his body.

Annabelle.

Ian smiled as if it was ridiculous under me.

Its called a light fight.

Uhsorry.

Our overlapping bodies were already mixing enough heat with each other.

I put my hands on his shoulder and smiled.

Well, me too Once youre within a range I can hold, my reason goes out

I didnt even suggest training or sparring because I thought it would be like this in the first place.

Ian hugged my waist as it was and pressed me to him, whispering.

Because I almost thought of what the two of us would be doing in a place where no one else was around.

Although there were no particularly controversial words, it sounded quite obscene.

Without the friendly match, we would not have been able to have a serious match for the rest of our lives.

Well

The branch he was holding in his hand fell to the floor helplessly.

The sound of deep breathing dispersed between the fresh scent of grass and the gentle breeze.