T/N:

The new changes are that Humming's name in the previous chapters have been changed to Hemming.'

To Golden Knight readers: I'll be stopping sneak peaks for now (or possibly forever) since I can't keep up with my deadlines. Thank you for your understanding.3

Italics for thoughts (+apostrophes for the first one) and sound effects.

Multiple - represents flashbacks and memories (unless dependant on time signatures like * * *).

Enjoy reading!

. . .

Louismond was surprised on the inside, but he skillfully concealed his reaction and looked up at the sky.

Sharp, cool gold eyes were following him, waiting for an answer, but he didn't feel pressured to reply at all.

It had been years since he last mingled with politics and those foxy nobles.

It was favorable to be the Crown Prince, who had been the heart of the Empire since birth.

And because of that, he was able to remain standing upright when faced with Simon's cold gaze, one that could dissect a person's interior.

This quick-witted guy . . .'

When he slightly raised the glass to his mouth, wetting his lips with the whiskey, he could smell the pungent fragrance of the Devil-like liquor dominating all of his senses.

You don't know that Kalia's leaving everything behind now, do you?'

That would mean Kalia's decision was as sudden as he had thought.

I think I'm going to have a family.'

A family? What was that supposed to mean?'

It was a famous tale that the whole nation knew.

A poor alley-girl who had nothing, rescuing a young noble from a kidnapping and eventually becoming a war hero who saved the Empire . . . . It was a story such as that.

A young, penniless orphan girl with barely anything.

It was said that she was abandoned at a very young age, not old enough to remember she was thrown away onto the streets.

. . . . I don't think I'll ever be able to find my birth parents.'

There weren't just a few people who have tried searching far and wide to look for Kalia's parents.

Both Simon, the Crown Prince, and Kalia herself tried to search for them, yet none of them had found any clues whatsoever.

If so . . . Are they even a couple yet?'

Louismond stared at Simon, who stood beside him, his complexion ghastly pale.

The golden eyes only returned the gaze as if questioning why.

Upon hearing what Kalia had said, he felt so shocked that he lost all strength to even think and move. What would happen if Simon were to learn about this?

The monstrous mage from those stories might emerge . . .'

Thinking about it, Louismond felt his fingertips quiver. Just thinking about it made his head ache.

His mind was all over the place and his heart felt stuffy. This was the first time he had ever felt such a strong burst of emotions.

At Louismond's long sigh of exasperation, Simon's expression stilled.

Is it about Kalia? What's going on? Tell me.

Simon's interrogation seemed to drown out as Louisimond's mind filled with contemplation, leavinging them unanswered.

It was because he had an appointment with Kalia that day.

Louismond had mixed feelings towards everything as he was wrapped up in his thoughts.

. . . Yes, I was offered an engagement from Eaton. They were asking for the position of the future empress of the Empire as a reward for all of their support during the war.

During the last cold war, Eaton had invaded Rojas, but then quickly surrendered after some persuasion and lobbying.

Eaton relinquished and gave a peace offering to Rojas, desiring to be an ally rather than an enemy. That led them to relish in the taste sweet of victory.

Although the weak behavior was a bit concerning, Rojas pretended to be ignorant of it because it was not an alliance that would affect them greatly. That was what politics were. *1

You expected me to aim for that dull princess.

I know, I know, but I can't help but feel upset over it, Simon.

No matter how hard it is, I know you won't refuse it.

Louismond smiled and churned his whiskey without denying it.

Simon, whose eyes were glaring at him, added slowly, If you really dislike it that much, then step down. And if you don't like that either, your reputation will be in my hands.

Louismond swerved his head around and looked at Simon.

Simon sat on the railing and only shrugged.

Or maybe you can do something that will keep Eaton's people out.

Louismond laughed affectionately at Simon's casual words.

It was always like this.

Even though his cousin seemed so cold towards everything, he was not a cold, heartless person.

A man who, as if it were nothing, would sacrifice himself for an opponent.

Simon was cold and merciless towards enemies, but was warm and affectionate towards his loved ones.

And maybe a little clueless and old-fashioned.

. . . You'd find out I'm the coldest instead.'

It wasn't Kalia who wielded a sharp sword, nor Simon who possessed deadly magic abilities, but Louismond himself, who directed the two.

Thanks for the words, but I don't need them. To avoid my duties, I don't want to bring dishonor to my dear cousin.

Well, hopefully.

Simon, who answered indifferently, was not forgetful and returned to the main point.

So, what did you talk to Kalia about?5

What a difficult guy.'

Louismond, with his tongue held in his mouth, shut up once he realized that the interrogation was not over.

It was also Louismond himself who knew Simon's love for Kalia.

Well, just some . . . light issues about military personnel rights.

If Simon later found out about his little lie, the man would end up slitting the throat of the only Crown Prince in the Empire.

It might cause an uproar.

No, I'm sure itwillcause an uproar.

Simon would certainly blow his head off, no, perhaps the entirety of the Imperial Palace would be exploded.

Light issues about military personnel rights? So. . . . . . that's it? Did you talk about anything else?

Louismond unwittingly rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at Simon who was watching him, the man's eyes lingering with doubt.

Yeah. No matter how warm-hearted this guy is, I would be stunned if his attitude didn't change if it was about Kalia.'

At that exact moment, a title popped up in Louismond's head, a clear headline on a daily newspaper that talked about the Imperial Palace.

[PSYCHO MAGE! The Imperial Palace destroyed and the Crown Prince's death is caused!]

. . . Oh no. No way.'

After that terrible but plausible image, Louismond struggled to mask his facial expressions.

He shouldn't ever get caught.

Louismond deliberately pushed out in an irritated voice, Simon . . . please, for goodness sake. If you're so curious about Kalia's every move, why don't you just make a mini Kalia with magic and get on with it?

A mini Kalia?8

. . . My goodness, a mini Kalia. Wouldn't that be too cute?

Simon looked at Louismond as if he were praising him, his eyes were wide open as if some great discovery had been made.

Then he thought about whether any of the low-costing magic could change the size of a person.4

Louismond, during this, almost let the cat out of the bag about Kalia' to Simon, who was getting worse and worse by the second. *2

Watching Simon, he thought he should really take good care of his neck.

No. He was a mage, and if he were to shoot fireballs and lightning when he's angry . . . Not only would the Imperial Palace be in danger, but so would the entirety of the capital.

. . . I'll have to tell them to reinforce the capital's defensive magic.'

The Duke of the Empirea mage specialized with fire magic, and the Princewho was anxious that the Imperial Palace might be blown up.

What am I going to do with this poorly-shaped situation?'

He's thought about it before, but even he hadn't thought his beloved cousin would be a threat to the country.

It was because both Simon and Kalia showed great dedication and attachment to the Empire to build its current reputation.

Furthermore, it was those two who gave more active support than anyone else for Prince Louismond to gain an upper hand in the fight against the elders.

More than the Emperor's, more than any other brother's. The support of the two of them had put him in the position he's in now.

Well, it's all good as long as you don't talk anymore. I've got to go because I have something urgent to do.

Simon.

Louismond called Simon in a hurry without even realizing it. When he turned around and saw him, any last conscience and hesitation caught him.

Really, was it truly best to shut up like this?

Later, very later, what if the moment comes when you regret the last time you had this position?

Hey, about the business trip the day after tomorrow.1

As if he was listening, Simon nodded lightly.

Louismond opened his lips with an expressionless face as if to hide his complicated innermost thoughts, and then closed them tight.

At that moment, it was because the smile that seemed to have the whole of Kalia's world, which he saw just before, appeared.

That smile of Kalia's, which was first seen by Louismond, had blushed cheeks and exuded waves of happiness.

His most reliable knight and escort, who had saved his life many times, and a warrior who always fought until he became basically a rag sitting in the background.1

. . . Why don't you go,' he wanted to say as it sprung up his throat, but Louismond had to swallow it down with a gulp.

He shook his head with a soft laugh, leaving behind the words that passed over as if he had swallowed dry bread.1

Have a safe trip. I'll be very bored without you.

How sweet.

Simon, who slightly rolled out his long tongue and smiled, said goodbye and left the room.

Bam

The heavy wooden door closed.

Watching the door shut completely, Louismond's head fell, banging on the desk.

. . . God, why did you give me this ordeal?

Louismond wanted to cry for the first time since he ascended to the throne.3

I wanted to open the closed door and run out at once. I wanted to scream, Kalia's leaving us! Catch and hold onto her!

But I can't do that, so I'll just cry in agony.3

Kalia, Kalia.'

Louismond closed his eyes and imagined the lemon-colored hair that always stood in front of him.

His heart was stuffy, but his hesitation eventually became his final acceptance.

So it became the next day, and then the day after. Eight wizards, led by the Minister of Magic, Simon, took a two-week business trip to inspect the magical defense camp.2

. . .

T/N:

1. [Although the weak behavior was a bit concerning, Rojas pretended to be ignorant of it because it was not an alliance that would affect them greatly. That was what politics were.]

Eaton's weak behavior was concerning because it meant they were more likely to betray Rojas since they would be easily bribed or threatened.

2. [Louismond, during this, almost let the cat out of the bag about Kalia' to Simon, who was getting worse and worse by the second.]

Honestly, I had no idea what the original sentence tried to say. The MTLs always had something with Louismond almost let his tongue out of the bottle' and Simon was getting worse.' So I ended up doing this instead.2

Chapter 12 Finished