“Harkan…… you……!”
A sound like the growl of a beast tore from Kirian’s lips. In that instant, the physical space of the office warped.
Krrrr——!
Dark blue mana erupted from the Emperor’s entire body like an explosion. That mana had already crossed the line of what a human being could contain. At the same time, it extended outward in all directions as razor-sharp sword energy.
Clang——! Clang!
The sound of invisible blades slashing through the air rang out. The magically treated glass windows of the office screamed and fractured into spiderwebs of cracks, and the sturdy desk was cleaved apart like tofu the moment the mana’s shockwave touched it.
“Y-Your Majesty……”
Kael, who had followed in behind him, sucked in a breath and stumbled back. His skin stung. He felt genuine fear at being struck by a killing intent so sharp it seemed capable of cutting even the dust floating in the air.
Anger was not a sufficient word for it.
“Die.”
Kirian stepped forward slowly. With each step he took, the marble floor cracked and crumbled into powder. It was not the weight of a physical body pressing down — it was the pressure of a sheer existence crushing the space itself.
“The price for threatening my Empress and driving him to that state is not something your life alone can repay.”
Woom——
Kirian extended his right hand into the air. The ambient mana was forcibly drawn in and condensed within his grip. The shockwaves emanating from the blade alone were already pushing everything nearby out of place.
“……!”
Harkan was known as the Beast of the North — yet in this moment, he could not move a single finger. The overwhelming mana had paralyzed his entire body, and the sharpness of the sword energy aimed at his throat had planted an instinctive, bone-deep fear within him.
This is…… His Majesty’s true power.
The future in which his head separated cleanly from his body was vivid and clear before him. Resistance? This was something he could not oppose.
“Save your excuses for hell.”
The mana sword in Kirian’s hand swung down without mercy. A tearing sound rang out, as if the very space itself had been ripped open.
Shhhk——!!
“……W-wait.”
It was then. Luan’s hand, which had been hanging limply against Kirian’s chest, rose with great effort and grabbed tight onto Kirian’s sleeve.
“Stop…… him.”
A faint voice, but laced with irritation. What halted the Emperor was nothing more than that voice and a single small gesture.
Thud.
The sword stopped dead — impossibly, impossibly — just before it reached Harkan’s throat. A single drop of red blood trickled down from a shallow cut. Had it been even a moment later, Harkan’s head would have been rolling across the floor.
“Empress?”
Kirian did not lower the sword, but withdrew his killing intent as he looked down at Luan in his arms. Luan forced his clouded eyes open and glared up at Kirian. His face was completely bloodless and pale. But those pale violet eyes still held a clear — no, an irritated — sharpness.
“Don’t…… kill him.”
“What? You’re defending him right now? He threatened you!”
“He didn’t threaten me. He just…… has a loud voice……”
Luan drew in a ragged breath and frowned. The mana Kirian was radiating seemed to make his head ring even worse.
“Lord Harkan…… is not at fault. The ones who embezzled were his subordinates, and he is simply…… unreasonably loud.”
“Raising his voice with killing intent in front of the Empress is high treason!”
“……Give him a chance.”
Luan pressed a hand to his spinning head and pointed a finger at Harkan.
“What’s the point of killing him. What a bother it would be to clean up the body. Better to keep him alive and make him clean up his own mess.”
It was the philosophy of someone ground down by work. When the one who causes a disaster resigns, the people left behind are the ones who suffer. Keeping him alive and making him handle the fallout himself — that was true corrective discipline and efficient personnel management.
“Lord Harkan. Can you hear me?”
“……Your Majesty.”
Harkan raised his head with trembling eyes. Before the absolute authority who had just been about to kill him, the Empress — despite appearing to be on the verge of death — was defending him and opening a path for him to live.
“Go apprehend the ones who embezzled and accept the budget reduction. And the money that was lost…… drain your personal assets if you have to and fill it back in.”
“Your Majesty……!”
“That is your duty. In place of your life…… I will collect your results later. So please, just go. You’re giving me a headache.”
At Luan’s words, Harkan bit his lip and drove his forehead into the floor.
Thud.
A heavy reverberation filled the office. Harkan’s shoulders were trembling faintly.
“……I will take this to heart. Until the day my life runs out, I will repay this grace by becoming a dog for His Majesty the Empress.”
There was no theatrics. But that weighty oath was heavier than any cry could have been. As of today, the Beast of the North was dead. From now on, he would be a dog for the Empress.
Not that Luan had wanted that.
“……Ha.”
Kirian was so dumbfounded the words wouldn’t come. He dispersed the mana sword in his hand and let out a long sigh.
On the verge of collapsing, and he’s still working? What on earth was inside this person’s head.
“Fetch the royal physician immediately! What are you standing there gaping at!”
Kirian shouted at Kael. Kael startled and moved to bolt toward the door.
“Don’t call anyone!!”
Luan shouted with everything he had. The effort sent a fresh wave of dizziness crashing over him and his body swayed.
“Ugh……”
“Damn it! You can’t even stand! I said fetch him now!”
“No……”
Luan tugged at Kirian’s sleeve. Having the royal physician come right now would be a problem. Explaining his constitution was…… too much of a hassle.
“This isn’t an illness.”
“What?”
“It’s low blood sugar. I’m just…… dizzy from not eating.”
“……”
For a moment, silence fell over the office.
The eyes of all three men fixed on Luan’s pale face. A forehead damp with cold sweat, hands trembling finely, lips without a trace of color.
“Are you mocking me right now?”
Kirian’s voice shook.
“Anyone looking at you would call you critically ill, and you’re telling me you’re hungry? Do you think that makes any sense?”
“I naturally run a little low on blood sugar. I was working on an empty stomach since morning, and Lord Harkan’s voice startled me and my blood sugar crashed. That’s all.”
Luan met his gaze shamelessly. It was a completely absurd lie. Even a third-rate novelist wouldn’t write something this forced. But Luan’s eyes were dead serious. They carried a powerful will that said: just believe me, I’m tired.
“I’ll be fine once I rest and eat something sweet. So please stop making a fuss.”
Kirian was at a loss for words. He was too incredulous to even be angry.
But the expression on Kael’s face as he watched the scene was not simply one of shock. In his mind, the memory from the greenhouse two days ago was playing back.
His Majesty the Empress, pouring out dark red blood. And then wiping the corner of his mouth as if nothing had happened.
Kael clenched his fist tight. His nails drove into his palm.
It’s not low blood sugar. His body has broken down to the point where he can’t keep food down. His organs are damaged enough to make him vomit blood — if he forces himself to eat, it’ll only make things worse…… so he’s been starving himself. And yet, so that His Majesty won’t worry, he’s brushing it off as mere hunger……!
The corners of Kael’s eyes went red. It was not simple emotion — it was the wretched self-reproach of a knight who had failed to protect him.
Harkan too could not lift his head.
His Majesty the Empress is covering up that severe shock as mere hunger — so that I won’t feel guilty.
“……Your Majesty.”
Kael bowed his head, his voice trembling.
“I will…… prepare something immediately. Only the softest things…… the most nourishing things His Majesty can manage to eat……”
His throat tightened and the words would not continue. Luan stared at them with a blank expression.
……What on earth are they all thinking?
The misunderstanding had grown beyond all control, but he didn’t have the energy to set it straight. Luan went limp and leaned back against Kirian.
“……I’m dizzy. Please move me to a bed. And sweets…… sweets please……”
“……Ha.”
Kirian let out a deep sigh and lifted Luan up in one motion. A bridal carry. A familiar position.
“Harkan.”
Kirian looked down coldly and issued the order.
“By the Empress’s command. Return immediately and round up the rats within the knight order. And until you bring back the results — don’t even think about stepping within the Empress’s shadow.”
“I will take it to heart! I will carry it out on my life and my honor!”
Harkan answered so forcefully the floor seemed to shake with it.
“Kael, clear the way.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
Kael opened the door quickly and crisply and cleared the servants from the corridor. The look in his eyes was almost grave.
Kirian carried Luan and strode down the corridor. The slight, light weight in his arms pricked at his chest.
I know it’s a lie. He knew it wasn’t simple hunger, and that his body had reached its limit. But right now, he could not break through that stubbornness.
“……How foolish.”
Kirian murmured quietly.
“If I say I’m hungry, then I’m hungry.”
Luan mumbled, burying his face against Kirian’s chest.
“……Fine. Let’s say you’re hungry.”
Kirian smiled bitterly and pulled him in tighter. He made a silent vow. Whatever pain Luan was trying to hide — he would use every resource the imperial palace had to fix it, no matter what.
And…… for now, he was going to feed him the most expensive and delicious thing in the world.
“……By the way, Your Majesty. I’m getting motion sickness. Please walk slower.”
“Bear with it. We’re almost there.”
The whole way there, the two bickering back and forth — Kael watched their retreating figures with eyes that were both sorrowful and resolute.
