A while ago, the time when Karina and Merria were still in the garden.
Reukis was clicking his tongue, reminiscent of Altheonâs unusual appearance.
Altheon insisted that he would appear in the middle of the banquet with the knights shining on both sides, saying that he couldnât just enter alone.
The word stubbornness did not quite match the Crown Prince of the Empire, but at least in Reukisâ eyes it was so.
Nevertheless, the appearance of Altheon walking steadily was clearly worth calling the title as the next Emperor.
The figure of a ruler who has everyone bowing for him in awe.
Probably, it was obvious that Altheon wanted to instill such an appearance on the nobles.
His support was far short from Dominiqueâs faction.
Contrary to the expectation that there would be annoying interference from the queen, the banquet began without much trouble even after that.
And it was while the Crown Prince was dancing with Lady Delphi.
Reukis, the leader of the Knights of Altairs and the only Grand Duke of the Empire, looked through the banquet hall, ignoring the eyes of the aristocrats who clung to him.
It was a gathering place for most of the aristocrats, so it was to find Serinia, who must be here somewhere.
Serinia could be found with just a few turns of my head thanks to my taller height than others.
She was talking with other nobles by the side of a man who seemed to be her fiance.
Reukis, who pursued Serinia with only his gaze, finally succeeded in seizing the opportunity.
Serinia had gone out to find Merria.
Even away from Miles, on her own.
Reukis quickly arrived in front of Serinia, and she looked quite surprised.
Reukis, who saw her being wary of strangers, wanted to clarify that he was not a suspicious person.
However, in the past four years, or even longer, Reukisâ speech, which he had never spoken alone with a woman his age, was simply hopeless.
Eventually, she decided not to let her guard down, but to achieve her goal quickly and leave.
Reukis spoke out of the blue without warning.
âHave we met before?â
It was a very clichéd and unexpected conversation attempt
Sadly, however, Serinia received many confessions during her academy years for her status as a princess and her outstanding appearance resembling her mother.
I mean, Iâve been through this classic trick many times.
He suddenly appeared and I looked at him walking through.
I wonder what to do with this guy who looks three or four years younger than me. I was agonizing over a relentless refusal.
âIâm sorry, but I have something to do right now.â
âWait, think about it, think carefully. Donât you remember me?â
While speaking of my ârefusalâ from my days at the academy, he has quite a mournful expression.
I shook my head immediately thinking about where I had met this man.
âEven if I look at you again, itâs the first time Iâve seen youâ
âThen I want to talk to you. I have something to ask youâŠâ
For a long time the conversation went like,
-Iâm sorry, but give me a minute.
The conversation went round and round.
Reukis also had his own circumstances.
Even if there are no people around, it waa reckless to talk about the aftereffects in such an open place.
In order to bring out that story, it was inevitable that words about his rampage would come out.
Moreover, I knew it was rude to mention the privacy of secret rendezvous of aristocrats.
Because of this, I couldnât afford to ask the question, âDidnât we meet at the party that night?â In this open corridor.
Still, it was his intuition that he couldnât just let Serinia go.
My memory had already been blurred from that day, but when I faced Serinia closely, I thought it seemed that it was her.
However, Serinia, who had no idea what was going on, felt her patience was slowly running out of bounds.
âSo, could you explain why I have to talk with you alone?â
It was the last warning created by the shallow remaining patience.
If you donât give a proper answer here, itâs over.
While Reukis hesitated at the thought that came to mind instinctively, Serinia turned away as if she were leaving.
Reukis, who was in a hurry at the appearance, wandered without doing this or that, only stretched out his hand to approach her.
Just in time, I felt someone approaching from behind.
If I missed this opportunity, I had to go to the Rackester again, receiving the Dukeâs suspicious gaze.
Reukisâ mind became much more urgent to stop her from leaving.
Even as he repeatedly said that he had something to ask like a parrot, the small movement steadily became closer.
âSister! What are you doing here?â
With an urgent voice, platinum hair scattered in his sight.
They recited a little lie.
The woman who blocked Serinia with her body said, âMiles has been looking for you, so letâs go.â
âAs youâve heard, my âfianceâ was waiting for me. Then, bye.â
Behind the woman who he was facing with her back, Serinia poked out her head and said.
When she turned around without hesitation, the platinum-haired woman also stepped away.
As soon as I heard Merriaâs voice, my stiffened body instinctively moved.
However, Reukisâ choice had very bad results.
Of all things, I grabbed the hem of her dress.
Shortly after what happened, Reukis blamed his mouth for not being able to say anything.
I blamed my finger for grabbing her dress recklessly.
Even Reukis, who had never met with a woman before, knew that this was an act that deviated from all manners of a knight and a gentleman.
I had to apologize now, but for some reason, my mouth was stuck and I couldnât speak because of this situation.
Eventually, there was a moment of silence until Merria struck my hand.
âWhat kind of manners was this, Sir? Itâs very rude.â
There was a thumping sound and an itchy sensation grazed in my fingertips.
Merriaâs touch was as light as a feather, but I was bitten by a small sensation.
And finally I raised my head in a nervous voice, asking a question.
âHow should I take this situation?â
Reukis, who had already fixed his eyes on her, scanned Merriaâs face.
His pupils trembled slightly.
It was a feeling that my blurred memories became clear at once.
She resembles Serinia, but unlike her older sister, she has sharp eyes and her voice resplendent.
The woman who I was looking for was now in front of me.
Reukis came to his senses after a long time even after Merria left him in a cold manner.
He hurried up and headed for the carriage he had been riding when he came here.
Kalix, who was searching for Reukis with a cloak abandoned in his chair, followed his footsteps.
Reukis, who arrived in the carriage without further explanation to Kalix, uttered a word.
âGo back to the mansion.â
The coachman, who had swallowed a hump at the appearance of the owner, who seemed urgent, drove the carriage at full speed.
Reukis and Kalix arrived at Frederickâs in no time.
Harriet and the employees, who were embarrassed by the ownerâs sudden return, greeted him with eagerness.
âYouâre back already? My lord.â
Reukis left a neat greeting and called Harriet and Kalix to his office.
The air in the office where only three people were left was heavier than usual.
With the dark energy leaking out, Reukis, sitting roughly in the chair, sighed deeply.
The two men, who had noticed his ugly momentum, rolled their heads and tried to figure out the situation.
âYou have a problem.â
âDid you trap someone else in the dark?â
It was the innermost thoughts of Harriet, the butler, and Kalix, who claimed to be his lieutenant.
The experienced butler, who had seen Reukis since he was young, immediately noticed his troubles, but Kalix, who was more familiar with the roughness of Reukis that he had seen a lot during the war, was different.
Kalix thought of an enormous assumption without hesitation, perhaps because the aftermath of the war had not gone away.
Kalix, with a tragic expression, walked to the place where Reukis was sitting.
âIâll take care of it.â
A heavier silence fell in Reukisâ office than before.
Reukis slowly closed his eyes and opened it and stared at Kalix, frowning openly.
Despite his cold gaze, Kalix was firmly facing him.
Harriet, who saw this, naturally took a step forward and hid Kalix from Reukisâ sight.
âMaster, do you have any problems?â
The only thing that thought Harrietâs question was unexpected was Kalix, whose eyes shone grimly.
Nodding his head at the butlerâs skill to determine his expression, Reukis held his hand together and put his elbows on his desk.
He covered his mouth with his clasped hands and said in a low voice.
âI think we could finally find a cure for the aftereffects.â
Harriet, who slowly lifted his head at Reukisâ words, just stood far with eyes wide open.
Reukisâ rampage as a child left behind, a boiling headache and the power of the raging darkness.
It felt like a warning to the only surviving master to never to forget the memory of that day.
Because of that, Reukis was always suffering from sleeplessness and nightmares, and the darkness he was suppressing with his power was already in jeopardy.
Had he not been an excellent magician, he would have been unable to control the already powerful darkness and resulted in his death.
When the tension comes for a moment or when the day comes when another rampage occurs, Reukis would surely die.
Itâs already been a few years and now Iâve found a cure.
Powerful dive power, magic, and foreign herbs were all useless.
When Harriet the butler suddenly heard that Reukis found a cure, he couldnât help but be happy.
Harriet was ready to devote all kinds of precious things, money, and time to even the smallest hope there could be.
Harriet, who was standing far away, took a few heavy steps and squeezed out his neck to speak.
ââŠThat, was it really true?â
At the end of that one word, Harrietâs mouth closed again.
Kalix, who was not able to see Reukis expression, approached Harriet again and continued to speak breathlessly.
âWho the hell was it?â
Kalix spoke before Reukis even gave an answer.
âIf you havenât found it yet, Iâll go directly to Fernando..â
At the grim words of Kalix, Reukis shook his head and said without hesitation.
âYou donât have to. Because I already know her Identity.â