Should I call it a blessing in disguise?
Although I hadn’t been able to prepare any significant plans, the dragon’s mana, which was prepared solely for her, seemed to have protected my body.
Thanks to it, she didn’t suffer severe injuries. She merely collapsed from exhaustion, and her condition was stable.
The chaotic banquet caused by the s*icide bombing was handled and concluded by Simon.
Since Epherna was in a state of collapse, it was decided to discuss today’s events tomorrow.
The nobles returned to their respective lodgings.
The explosion had only burned parts of the Imperial Palace, so the nobles’ accommodations for the night were unharmed.
“What are you planning to do now?”
After the situation was roughly under control, Simon suddenly asked.
“I don’t know.”
My identity was already exposed.
—That was quick.
Epherna seemed to have known I was alive.
Judging by her calm reaction, she might have known for quite some time.
Was it an impossible task from the start?
Avoiding her eyes in this country…
“I don’t know what will happen, but it seems to be a big problem.”
“Think of it as karma.”
“Yes, I will think of it as karma.”
The sin of daring to deceive her and selfishly dying.
I was ready to pay the price for that sin.
*****
The Princess’ Palace.
Three years ago, it was where I used to stay.
Since the Empress’s chambers had burned down, it was decided that Epherna would stay here.
“It’s been a while, Chamberlain.”
“…You’re alive.”
Merien looked at me with an expression that failed to hide her shock.
She tried to regain her composure, but it didn’t seem to be working well.
“You’re late. Far too late.”
“I know.”
Merien chastised me.
I had no intention of denying it.
No matter how I tried to explain, it was true that I had done wrong.
“Could you spare a moment to listen?”
“What could you possibly have to say now?”
“This and that… about how I managed to survive. I think I owe you an explanation.”
“…”
Merien, though full of dissatisfaction, nodded reluctantly.
She couldn’t deny that she had been somewhat emotional.
*****
While Epherna slept deeply, I began my work.
“You’ve gone completely mad.”
“I knew this would happen with you.”
“I figured you’d be alive…”
“But I didn’t expect you’d actually be alive.”
The remarks came in order from Bergamot, Valtean, Solendril, and Sierra.
Bergamot and Valtean aside, it had been a long time since I saw Solendril and Sierra.
Solendril had come as the Academy’s headmaster, and Sierra was here on behalf of her busy mother, Belladriel.
“Are none of you tired?”
“Do you think anyone could sleep in this situation? As soon as I heard, I sobered up and came running.”
“I heard you’ve been exposed. What are you planning to do now?”
“I’m curious as well. Your death three years ago caused trouble for more than just Her Majesty.”
“…That’s true.”
What exactly had happened?
Now that I think about it, Simon had mentioned something similar.
After my death, not only Epherna but everyone else had struggled in their own way.
I’d heard it repeatedly, so my curiosity was piqued.
“What happened after I died?”
“What do you think happened? More than half of the empire’s administrative functions were paralyzed.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You know this already, don’t you? Three years ago, the empire’s administrative stability heavily depended on Her Majesty.”
“That’s true.”
Back then, Epherna had been the sole person overseeing everything.
Although she had worked to automate the system to ensure the empire could function without her, it was a long-term measure, not something that could yield immediate results.
Solendril continued where Bergamot left off.
“When administrative functions are paralyzed, it inevitably affects institutions like the academy, which receive royal support.”
“Even my employment was delayed.”
In simple terms, any royal-related exchanges had been interrupted for a prolonged period, causing numerous issues.
“That’s not all. You—you know you were engaged to Her Majesty, right?”
“Oh, come to think of it, yes.”
“Oh? This idiot…!”
Just as Bergamot was about to explode in fury, Valtean interjected.
“There was significant concern over what to do about Her Majesty’s heirs.”
With the Emperor and Second Prince Elius gone, Epherna was the only remaining royal family member.
Thus, the royal aides had naturally urged her to secure an heir.
Three years ago, this wasn’t an issue.
I was alive then, after all.
Who could have imagined it would become a problem?
I had been the only man in Epherna’s life, and becoming her consort had been a certainty.
“How many people could dare suggest to a woman grieving the loss of her love that she must bring in another man to secure an heir?”
After my death, they worried that this generation of the imperial family might be the last.
“If you had truly cared for Her Majesty, you should have considered what her life would be like after your death, you indecisive fool.”
Valtean seized the moment to vent his frustration, and others followed, pouring out their resentment like they had been holding it in for ages.
“I spent six months without setting foot in my home, trying to console Her Majesty.”
“When the supply of high-grade magic crystals from the imperial family was cut off, I wanted to drag you back from hell and kill you again.”
“My employment…! It was delayed by a whole year…!”
I listened carefully to every word they said.
I had nothing to say in my defense, but they were people who had suffered because of me.
I apologized sincerely, saying.
“You’ve suffered. I’m sorry.”
Then, smiling, I added.
“I won’t let it happen again.”
Seriously, I won’t do that again.
*****
Now then.
Having explained myself and listened to their grievances…
“Please help me.”
It was time to ask for their assistance in reclaiming my name.
“What exactly are we supposed to do?”
“It’s not an object—it’s your name. If that’s what you’re looking for, shouldn’t you be seeking out someone who might know about it? Why come to us?”
They were entirely right. I had no rebuttal.
Sure, I’d come here chasing stories of the Dragon Clan because I am of their kin, but in hindsight, it was a rather idiotic move.
There was no evidence linking this place to me. And yet—
“I just felt it had to be this way.”
I was following my instincts.
Not logic, not emotion—just instinct.
With no leads, I believed this was the only way to find an answer.
“…Fine. I’ll admit it. You’re a dragon, so we can’t entirely dismiss your intuition. But even so, what exactly do you expect us to do now?”
There wasn’t even half a day left until Epherna would awaken.
If I didn’t want to lie to her again, I needed to reclaim my name before then.
But was that even possible?
“Why not try bashing your head in? Maybe the shock will bring back memories from your childhood.”
For a brief moment, I was genuinely tempted.
The situation was so hopeless that I even considered hitting my head as hard as I could.
But before I could act on that thought—
“Her Majesty has awakened.”
Merien entered the room abruptly and added:
“And… she’s asking for Lord Astra.”
My breath caught.
A nervous cough escaped me as cold sweat began to drip.
*****
The Princess’s Palace, which had been neglected for quite some time, was now immaculately clean.
After the Imperial Palace burned, Merien had led the servants tirelessly to restore this place.
I passed through the palace’s entrance and ascended the stairs.
Warm lanterns illuminated the way, as if guiding me, as if to say this was the path I must take.
As if someone was already waiting for me.
At the end of the path was an outdoor terrace adorned with stars in the night sky.
At the terrace’s entrance, the transparent glass reflected the silhouette of a woman’s back.
She seemed to have recovered to some extent, holding a glass of wine in her hand.
I opened the door and approached, feeling the night breeze.
Before I could close the distance, she spoke.
“Three years, precisely. Lord Astra.”
She set her glass down on the parapet.
Her face carried a quiet fury—an intensity that anyone who knew her might mistake for murderous intent.
“A member of the Personal Guard, leaving my side for so long…”
I swallowed hard, nervous.
Whatever harsh words or anger she hurled at me, I was prepared to endure.
I was ready to sincerely apologize and seek her forgiveness.
But there was one thing I must never say.
No matter how much I might want to deny it, this was a trial.
Adhering to this was the only way to continue forward.
“You broke your promise, so you must be punished.”
Epherna began, her tone calm but resolute.
“First…”
“I strip you of your position in the Personal Guard.”
I had anticipated this.
It was a light punishment, all things considered.
There had been a time when I had desperately longed for this very decision.
“And… I will make you mine.”
I understood the meaning behind her words.
Three years ago, I had never truly belonged to her.
I had my own free will, and that was why I could lie to her.
She was telling me:
Do not do so again.
Do not dare to speak falsehoods before me.
Even if it costs you your life, never lie to me again.
My queen had spoken her decree.
What should I do?
Would I lie once more and choose survival?
Or would I risk everything, even my life, to speak the truth?
A choice between trust and life.
An eternal moment stretched before me as I pondered the decision.
And in that instant when I made my choice—
I realized the answer.
