Chapter 31. If Things Continue Like This

Rasiel suddenly remembered an article she had read recently.

It was about extending the age for human children to leave care facilities from 19 to 23 years old.

Being intelligent was a good thing, but it couldn’t be said that it was entirely beneficial.

Rasiel, who had learned to read too quickly, was now learning things she shouldn’t have to know.

‘I’ll have to leave the ducal residence someday too. Being an outsider, I can’t keep living here forever.’

She knew that nothing was eternal.

She believed it was only natural that when the time came, she would have to leave this place.

She might be a minor now, but soon she would become an adult, and a grown adult couldn’t shamelessly continue to live off others indefinitely.

‘When that time comes, Young Master will also get married, and he won’t be able to protect me like now……’

Rasiel couldn’t complete her thought.

Even though she had merely imagined it, her heart sank heavily.

She felt immensely upset, sad, and dizzy.

But she couldn’t pinpoint exactly where this painful sensation originated from.

Not only did she envision a situation where she couldn’t meet him anymore, but she also pictured his face smiling splendidly beside someone else.

‘It’s only natural, but why……’

Rasiel gently rubbed her aching chest.

Even so, the lingering sensation didn’t easily disappear.

But she was only momentarily swayed by this strange feeling.

Now was the time to face reality.

‘I’m seventeen now. About six more years. All I know how to do is beg and read and write. To protect myself in situations like today and stand on my own, I need to work harder!’

Suppressing the tingling emotion rising in her chest, Rasiel looked at Ian with a straightforward gaze and said,

“I want to be someone who does my part. Even if I can’t be as splendid as the Duchess and the Young Masters, I want to be someone who can stand firmly on my own.”

The will she expressed to another person was very strong and solid.

Ian felt overwhelmed by her powerful determination. It had been a long time since he’d seen such upright conviction, and he couldn’t help but smile.

‘Mosteros has brought in quite a fine child.’

With a proud smile on his lips, he sank into thought for a moment, looking quite satisfied.

With such spirit, he thought she could achieve anything, but he pondered what words would be best for this still delicate and young girl.

Ian slowly chewed and swallowed his cookie, took a sip of black tea, and then spoke in a gentle yet firm voice.

“You’re already enough as you are now. But it’s not a bad idea to build strength to face the world. Because the world isn’t always kind. I’m sorry we haven’t created a better world for you.”

Ian bowed his head toward Rasiel.

Startled by the Emperor’s unexpected response, Rasiel jumped up in confusion, waving her hands frantically.

“Y-Your Majesty. How could you possibly……”

“An emperor bows to no one. But it’s different with my subjects. I’ll strive to ensure that by the time you become an adult, the world will be a better place.”

Ian pulled up the corner of his mouth in a smirk.

Rasiel hesitated, not knowing how to respond, then deeply bowed her head.

“Thank you. I’ll also work hard to become a better person.”

“I’ll work hard too. So diligently hone your skills and grow. Then what you wish for will surely come true. And Rasiel.”

“Yes.”

“Mosteros is a family recognized by me and this Empire. Their standards and dignity are very high. As such, Mosteros has a very discerning eye for the world.”

“……”

“That’s why it’s extremely rare for Mosteros to bring someone into their pack. Breaking down their high barriers and meeting their discerning standards is an incredible achievement.”

Ian continued his story while gazing steadily into her transparent yet bright red eyes.

“You’ve accomplished that. You can have more confidence than you do now. You made those four terrifying siblings choose you.”

Ian grinned and ruffled Rasiel’s soft-looking hair.

He deliberately brought this up. Because the feeling of being acknowledged by a third party would be distinctly different from being acknowledged by the parties directly involved.

“I’ll diligently build my skills so my confidence won’t be disrespected.”

She knew that no matter how much confidence she had, it would be useless when meeting someone like Hughie Sarion. She had just confronted him, but without anything to show for herself, she was nothing.

Rasiel might never become someone who could overwhelm others with just her presence like Michaela or Rapellian, but someday she wanted to become someone who wouldn’t be disrespected, someone whose words would carry weight.

“That’s a very good mindset. And make use of those kids.”

“Pardon?”

“Michaela too. Especially Rapellian. This guy is so outstanding that he even tries to deceive me. Stick a straw in his neck and suck him dry.”

Ian made a gesture as if gripping a straw in his hand and forcefully inserting it. He even made slurping sounds.

At his playful demeanor, a meaningful smile appeared on Rasiel’s face.

As the dark aura that had enveloped Rasiel seemed to recede, Ian smiled with satisfaction and said,

“Mosteros will protect you like their own blood and pour affection on you through their tight bonds. Don’t refuse it. Use them. They’re people who want that.”

“Ah.”

“Ah. I wish to be chosen too.”

The man who had been speaking seriously lightened his tone at the end.

Thanks to his exquisite control of intensity, Rasiel could finally laugh completely at ease.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Seeing Rasiel’s face brighten like spring sunshine driving away the cold winter, Ian felt as if he had fully taken responsibility for everything he needed to today.

And as he watched Rasiel’s clear smile, he realized something.

‘So this is why they took her in.’

Her fresh smile instantly made the surrounding atmosphere refreshingly clear.

A clear, pure energy spread thickly, making those nearby feel comfortable.

‘How can a human child be like this…… Wait, what is this?’

His expression, which had been nodding slightly as if understanding Mosteros’s decision, hardened.

As he became serious after having been playful, Rasiel also tensed up instinctively.

“Why, why are you like that?”

Worried by his sudden change, Rasiel’s expression stiffened.

Anxious that something might happen to the Emperor, she couldn’t keep her hands still.

However, Ian didn’t respond and closed his eyes, focusing on the energy flowing from Rasiel.

Rasiel’s inherently refreshing and clear energy was being heavily influenced by the pheromones Rapellian had thoroughly covered her with, causing it all to pour toward him.

‘This is a serious problem.’

Soon, Ian opened his eyes abruptly, looked out the window, then back at Rasiel with a furrowed brow.

“You’re really…… No. Rasiel, I like you. Would you like to come with me and live in the imperial palace?”

“What?”

Rasiel was bewildered by the sudden change of topic.

It was the most awkward question of today’s conversation, one she didn’t know how to answer.

Rasiel habitually picked at her fingertips.

⁕⁕⁕

Just before the memorial banquet, Ian faced Michaela and Rapellian.

Ian had summoned them and silently stared at them for a long time.

He particularly scrutinized Rapellian.

Normally, if the Emperor stared intently as if to bore holes through someone’s face, they would break into a cold sweat, but Rapellian remained very composed.

His fearless attitude made Ian lose interest in this confrontation. Ian raised the white flag in his private bet and opened his mouth.

“You falsified your pheromone measurement, didn’t you?”

Ian’s eyes flashed sharply.

It seemed as if he already knew everything, so there was no point in lying.

Michaela shook her head as if she had expected this.

Despite the piercing gaze, Rapellian stubbornly kept his lips sealed, neither confirming nor denying. This was similar to a silent protest.

The reason Rapellian attended school was to show loyalty to the imperial family.

Pheromone measurement was used as a means to demonstrate this loyalty.

Imperial citizens, especially imperial nobles, regardless of age or gender, had to measure their pheromones quarterly and report the results to the Emperor.

Human nobles, who originally had no pheromones and thus couldn’t be measured, were required to report the number of private soldiers and the status of their armories quarterly.

The amount and control ability of pheromones represented the size of each family’s power, and for the Emperor, this was quite important to control families that might someday become threats.

However, Rapellian knew that the more capable he appeared, the more he would be exploited, so he genuinely didn’t want to do it.

“Is this how you’re going to act?”

Ian leaned back against the chair, laughing in disbelief.

“I tried my best.”

“I’ll let it slide this time. Now accept a title and put your name in the central nobility council. You’ve already surpassed the strength of most adults, haven’t you?”

“For you to suddenly say such things…… Ah.”

“What, what?”

“About fifty years ago, my sister was told she couldn’t because she was a Mosteros, and now is she being told she can’t relinquish her ducal title? I’m referring to the royal marriage with Your Majesty.”

Rapellian’s expression turned vicious for a brief moment.

Even murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

“Rapel.”

Michaela called his name to mediate, but it was useless.

After all, Michaela couldn’t become Empress because of families trying to check the Mosteros Duchy’s power.

Despite their mutual love.

The only reason for opposing their marriage was concern that Mosteros would gain more power.

Ian tried to push through with the marriage, disregarding the nobility council’s opinion despite such a trivial reason.

However, Michaela thought differently.

She felt sorry that Ian was suffering over the marriage issue, and she judged that it wouldn’t be good for Ian, who was in the early days of his reign, to have friction with the nobility council, so she stepped back first.

Thus, Michaela went through with a political marriage to a small local noble.

But she was widowed after just one year of marriage.

Due to that plague which had taken her parents.

“It’s not like that.”

In response to Rapellian’s serious question, devoid of any playfulness, Ian felt his throat parched with thirst. He also felt conscious of Michaela.

Suffering from severe thirst, he poured water into a glass and drank it.

After gulping down the water, he put the glass down with a thud and tried to bring the topic back to its original course.

However, Rapellian didn’t easily give him that opportunity.

“I won’t tolerate it a second time. Even if my sister opposes, I’ll sweep them all away. I’ll overturn everything completely, so keep that in mind.”

“You speak so easily.”

“What’s difficult about it? As Your Majesty said, I’m not without power. There’s a limit to how much I can tolerate.”

As he had been since childhood, Rapellian was absolute and strongest for his people.

At this moment, Ian genuinely envied Michaela.

Although Rapellian would eventually work under him, it was questionable whether he would truly become his person.

“A guy who’s not even of age yet, showing off.”

Ian deliberately snorted, hiding his bitter feelings.

“Once I’ve had my coming-of-age ceremony, you won’t be able to say that anymore. What will you do then?”

“Still, you’ll remain my subject and Michaela’s brother, so what would change? You’re not even small in size anymore.”

“……”

Since there was nothing particularly wrong with what Ian said, Rapellian had no intention of denying it. With nothing else to say, he remained silent.

At this, Ian thought, ‘Finally, I’ve won,’ and continued with his next words.

It was time to bring about a perfect victory.

“But it’s really not because of that. You, you’ll need to think carefully about my proposal. If you don’t want to regret it.”

At the meaningful air on Ian’s lips, Rapellian’s previously indifferent gaze changed.

“If things continue like this, Rasiel, that child will die.”