Rosaline Esther.

Yes.

He walked over to Rosaline and untied her necklace. The ring of the Radwiell, hanging from her necklace string, rolled into Fertans hand. Calyx jumped to his feet. He acted unknowingly because he thought Fertan would cut Rosalines ties with the family. Still, Fertan didnt put the ring in his pocket or throw it anywhere, contrary to his expectations.

Rosaline looked up at him with a puzzled look.

The Radwiells

Yes.

Protect Illavenia.

Yes.

I will protect my Illavenia.

Fertan took her hand and put the ring on her middle finger.

Calyx seemed to know what his father was going to say. It was time for the silence of the dark night to be broken. Since Rosaline had applied to join the Knights of the White Night without permission, there has been no day to sleep in the Radwiell Castle. Rosaline and Fertan had fought for days, weeks, and months.

Father is quiet. Sister is gentle and soft. However, the quarrel created by the difference of opinion between the two was never calm, gentle, or soft. So young Calyx had been afraid of their fights that made the dark night noisy.

This was what Rosaline had said back then.

[Father, just protect your Illavenia!]

Fertan had always taught: The Radwiells protect Illavenia. As a child, Calyx had interpreted the word protect Illavenia literally. So, that meant, the Illavenia Empire, the country to which he belonged. But the word Illavenia that came out of his fathers and Rosalines mouths always changed differently. Like a living and moving creature. It has grown beyond the simple meaning of the word.

[I will protect my Illavenia.]

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I couldnt ask my sister back then, so I dont know now. Did her Illavenia simply mean Ricardis? He could only trace the meaning vaguely. Great things, wonderful things, perhaps most precious things.

You protect your Illavenia.

Calyx thought somehow a part of his heart ached. The words Rosaline had spit out of her mouth to sever their relationship in the past, now seemed to connect two people in a relationship that could never be continued.

Yes.

Rosaline answered, looking him in the eye. Fertan clasped her hand once again.

Then he tapped Rosaline on the shoulder, and immediately raised his hand and ordered the pudding. Calyxs eyes, nose, and mouth wrinkled to express his absurd mood. I think we were talking seriously until just a moment ago In any case, no one in the empire shouldve been able to beat that atmosphere before.

Fertan soon came out with the pudding that was packaged in a pretty box. It was given to Rosaline as a gift.

Rosaline stared at the ring on her hand for a long time until he went outside. As if the crude, unpretentious ring was a treasure. She held the pudding box in her hand for a long time. Calyx looked at the distant mountain.

She was someone who could get along with anyone very well.

***

Illavenia was not the only one busy with the annual event that began with the festival Shadowless Night. The dignitaries of large and small countries located on the continent knocked on the door with gifts to attend the festival of the great empire that had ruled the continent for a long time.

By the time they had gathered at the banquet hall after relieving their fatigue from travel, they were greeted with beautiful music and food that could be enjoyed with their eyes.

Since they saw the same faces every year, there was nothing special to discuss.

How have you been?

Ah, Ive been doing well, but how are you, sir?

They used to greet each other in a boring way like this

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But this years party atmosphere seemed to be full of excitement over the repeated boredom of recent years.

It was because there were three unusual things on this founding day.

One was about the mage Rosaline. Her tales had spread out of Illavenia to every corner of the continent, from large kingdoms to small groups of tribes. It was also the reason why people kept glancing at the entrance to the hall with excitement.

Another was that the delegation had not yet arrived from the Kingdom of Lagos, which had an army strong enough to rival Balta.

Everyone knew that a civil war had broken out in Lagos, but no one knew what had happened to the current ruler, Baiferm Ploeto. Whether shed won, lost, dead, or alive. Without accurate information, only rumours spread. People on the Illavenia side closely monitored whether foreign figures had information about Lagos civil war.

And then another thing that people noticed was related to Balta.

Many royals and nobles dragged their heavy bodies yearly, but the Baltans were always an exception. Hiksala Adon was sick because of the bad weather. Everyone had expected the kingdom of Balta to be absent using many kinds of excuses, but this time someone had actually arrived in Illavenia.

Many nobles of the imperial city doubted their ears. No, they heard someone coming, but they didnt expect Haqab, the heir to the throne, to come in person! In addition, the banquet hall was even more excited by the news that the 3rd Princess Ganje had also crossed the border.

No matter how close it was to the delegation, the long-standing hostility didnt disappear. Not to mention at this time, not long after the 2nd Prince Ricardis suffered great troubles due to the mission. Baltas excuse was always there is no connection between the Black Moon and the Balta royal family, but none of the countries didnt know that they were mere words.

Haqab had set his feet on a dangerous path this time. Before, someone had pushed Ricardis and forced him to go to Baltas mission, but Haqabs case was different. Who could impose danger on a prince with a position that no one could invade?

Even Hiksala Adon, the current king of Balta, could not command Haqab. If so, it meant that hed really voluntarily set foot in Illavenia, which made it even more confusing. Is he just crazy?

Even within Illavenia, there were not a few nobles who radically advocated war. They wouldnt miss the current situation where the prey came under their feet. Ricardis had told Chloe to keep an eye on the nobles movements.

The day after the arrival of Baltas delegation, Ricardis got into his carriage to visit the castle where Haqab was staying.

What are you up to?

No one thought Haqab had visited purely to celebrate the founding of Illavenia. The continuing preparations for the war, the failed kidnapping of Ricardis, the sudden presence of a strong mage

He didnt know what purpose he had set foot for, so he couldnt decide what to defend and what to attack. Ricardis pressed his temples as the headache set in.

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Is he trying to lay the groundwork for war? Or does he want to assassinate the emperor? It is, however, the most probable. Baltas human weapons with enhanced bodies would suffice. But, unless Haqab is an idiot, he would know that everyones been warier from when Baltas delegation came to Illavenia. So by what means?

It almost felt like Illavenia wasnt surrounding him, as he came into the centre of the enemy and aimed for the heart.

Ricardis straightened up and closed his eyes once. He took a deep breath. The more you think, the narrower your vision. He must see and read with his own eyes. Ricardis looked at Rosaline through the open carriage window. He honestly didnt want her to accompany him to meet Haqab, but she was the only one who could feel magic.

Ah. He let out a sigh. The carriage carrying Ricardis ran diligently.

Oh, look whos here. Its Prince Ricardis.

He was more splendid than he had been in Balta Castle. Delicate ornaments using gold made his copper-coloured skin stand out. The man smiled kindly as he always did.

Haqab walked towards Ricardis in strides. It was faster for Haqab to approach him than for Ricardis to step back. Wha-rakk. He hugged him. Ricardis face turned cold.

Prince Haqab. How have you been?

Thanks for your concern, yes. Youre still beautiful. Even the splendid jewels seem to lose their light in front of your presence.

The man whispering in his ear pressed his lips to Ricardis cheek. Ricardis looked like he had eaten spoiled food.

Prince Haqab is really still the same.

Ricardis pushed his chest out of Haqabs arms. When he wondered what he was up to, Haqabs eyes were over his shoulder. His eyes busily wandered, looking for someone.

Among the men in white clothes, black hair stood out. Haqabs black eyes stopped to look at Rosaline.

Sir Rosaline.

It was a voice that even the warm smell of the spring sun could be felt. One of Ricardis eyebrows rose. Whats with this sweet voice?

I see Baltas first son.

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Rosaline bowed down to him. Haqabs eyes twinkled as he looked at her. My black moon! My Crean Tidanion! The words he couldnt cry out turned into desires, boiling inside.