Emeldia confessed the truth in a trembling voice, fearing that something disastrous would happen if she didn’t speak up immediately.
Ern listened to Emeldia’s explanation with a stern expression.
Emeldia couldn’t steady her trembling legs and stammered her words.
She could sense an overwhelming aura from Ern that suggested he might storm out to the place if he found any inconsistency in her story.
“Actually, I also lied.”
Solendril chimed in, simultaneously emitting a calming energy that eased Emeldia’s nerves.
‘I knew it would turn out this way.’
When Solendril first heard of this plan, he was opposed to it.
The plot of kidnapping the princess might seem like an amusing story that students could come up with, but that was all it was before it reached Ern.
The students underestimated Ern’s anger.
They thought lightly of what could happen when he got angry.
They didn’t know. Ern from the Astrape Special Forces, who had he killed, how he had killed them, and how much force he had.
Not knowing these things allowed them to devise such a plan.
The reason Solendril agreed to the plan, though.
It was because of the earnest request of Princess Epherna, but also because he wanted the students to experience this.
He hoped they would never make such a mistake again.
‘The feeling of being a rabbit in front of a tiger is not something you can easily experience in life.’
Especially so for those who are of noble blood.
The students in the greenhouse, who had never experienced the certainty of death, were in this situation.
‘But this should be enough.’
Looking outside, the students who had collapsed in fear were everywhere.
It wouldn’t be long before some would faint.
‘I must have misjudged their will to live.’
He had thought they would be able to adjust their behavior thinking about the students, but it seemed utterly impossible.
He must have been very angry.
*****
A few minutes later.
“…I see.”
Ern’s expression softened almost immediately after hearing the explanation.
The heavy atmosphere that had weighed down on his shoulders disappeared, and Emeldia was finally able to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
It was at that moment that a woman who had placed her hand on Emeldia’s shoulder appeared.
“Is it over…?”
Epherna, who had been observing the situation, returned via teleportation.
Noticing the somber mood, she looked at Ern with trembling eyes.
It was the first time she had seen him this angry.
Although she had been monitoring him through her Clairvoyance, seeing him directly was a different experience.
Even though the murderous intent had dissipated, the cold air that seemed to cut through the flesh was penetrating deeply.
She met his gaze as he turned his head.
Just as she was startled and flinched.
“It was dangerous.”
His voice was lower than usual.
The only response she could give was one.
“…I’m sorry.”
This time, it was her fault.
Epherna thought so.
Even though Shir had made a request, it was up to her to judge whether the line had been crossed or not.
[…I think I also have some fault. Although, I don’t regret it.]
‘Be quiet.’
That was the moment.
Tap.
Ern grabbed her hand.
He leaned in.
It almost felt like he was going to kiss her.
“Don’t ever do something like this again.”
“Okay…”
Epherna, with her head bowed, had a red tint on her neck.
Though it was a bit ridiculous, seeing his angry face made her feel more happiness than sadness.
If I’m kidnapped, Ern gets angry. That much means I am precious to him.
The fact was directly proven, creating a strange sense of pleasure.
“Let’s go.”
Ern pulled Epherna’s hand.
His firm grip made it impossible for her to resist as she followed him.
While it could have been unpleasant, Epherna’s smile grew brighter.
Seeing her back, Emeldia spoke without thinking.
“…Are those two not together yet?”
*****
Shir said.
[It seems that it’s hard to restrain one’s true nature in front of a treasure that almost got stolen.]
“Why are you saying that now? You made Mister angry.”
[Didn’t the contractor like it?]
“… Be quiet.”
[You’re not denying it.]
Shir continued, seeming puzzled.
[What’s so great about seeing a man angry? Shouldn’t you be scared instead?]
“…It’s cool.”
Epherna watched Ern, who was cooking with a heavier than usual demeanor, with an expression of fascination.
Though she had seen his cold and serious side several times over the past four years, seeing him with added coercion was something she would never have witnessed under normal circumstances.
[The contractor seems to enjoy being on the receiving end.]
“That’s not it! Why does it always turn into this?”
[It’s just what I see. Every time you gripped hands earlier, it seemed like you were enjoying it immensely.]
“…”
[Do you know? The contractor’s tendency in the current world is referred to as m…]
“No!!”
*****
Mind control is a basic skill that members of the shadow forces must possess.
Ern has maintained a mental state proficient in mind control since he was very young.
After the war, although there was no need for such control and he occasionally acted emotionally, the mental state he had maintained for over ten years was not easily changed.
However, recently, his mental state has been gradually shifting towards that of an ordinary human.
‘It’s good. It’s a good thing…’
Why is his personality, which he didn’t even know he had, coming out now?
It’s good to become more emotionally rich like an ordinary person.
This is what he hoped for since he decided to retire.
It shouldn’t be a bad thing.
‘…I’m anxious.’
Yes, anxious.
The unknown emotions that are gradually sprouting up are making him uneasy as they seem ready to erupt like an active volcano.
[It’s a side effect of having suppressed your true nature for so long.]
An awkward voice echoed.
Turning towards the source of the voice, there was Shir.
[Hmm. It’s the first time I’m speaking to you directly.]
“Shir…? I didn’t know you could talk.”
[It does require a bit of the contractor’s mana to do so, but it’s possible. I just haven’t had the chance to speak until now.]
“…I see.”
Ern accepted this explanation easily.
Shir was a top-tier familiar who even the highest beings bowed to. It shouldn’t be surprising that it could talk a bit.
Anyway.
“What do you mean by suppressing my true nature?”
[It means exactly that. You are of the Dragon Clan, right? You’ve been forcibly sealing your fiery nature for over 20 years, so your original personality would naturally feel awkward.]
“So this is my true nature?”
[Yes. The walls of your mind, hardened by habit, are coming down, revealing your true nature.]
It felt like a heavy weight had settled in his chest.
Realizing his original personality after almost 30 years, Ern found it more bewildering than surprising.
The murderous intent he had unleashed, discarding all reason when he heard about Epherna’s kidnapping—it was definitely an action he would not have taken in the past.
[It’s a side effect of suppressing the nature of a dragon’s bloodline at such a young age, causing unnecessary anxiety and self-dissolution. Haven’t you heard of puberty? Excessive suppression during the time when hormones are in full swing can lead to mental illness.]
“…Are you saying I’m still young?”
[It’s true. Even by Dragon Clan standards, you are still young. By human standards, you’re almost at the age of maturity.]
“…What?”
[Didn’t you know? The average lifespan of the Dragon Clan is in the late hundreds. If you are mixed-blood, it is around half of that. And the age recognized as coming of age is, without exception, thirty.]
This was new information.
It made sense, given that there were no beings as old as Shir in the current era, and no one who had summoned familiars.
With the Dragon Clan nearly extinct, such facts were unknown.
[And since you’re a half-blood, I’ll tell you this: the Dragon Clan is technically also a half-blood. The pure dragons were originally a single entity.]
“What does that mean….”
[That’s all I can tell you. Think about the rest on your own.]
*****
The next morning.
Ern mulled over one piece of advice from Shir.
[Get used to your awkward personality and follow your heart. If you keep suppressing it, it might lead to bigger problems.]
He decided to follow Shir’s advice.
Although the previous day’s events had ended quietly, he couldn’t predict when something else might happen.
Maybe he should go fishing or something.
“Did you pack everything?”
“Yes.”
Today was the day to leave the dormitory.
Having finished all final exams and completed the first semester’s academic schedule, Epherna decided to return to the Imperial Palace today.
“There will be a lot to do when I get back. Declare Shir as my Personal Guard, finish up matters with Duke Tesran, and conduct a thorough investigation of the Evergreens.”
“And… I need to prepare to wear the Imperial Crown.”
Epherna sat in the carriage with a troubled expression.
In fact, Epherna had been informed long ago that she would need to wear the Imperial Crown like the Second Prince.
She couldn’t ascend to the throne in a normal manner since the comatose Emperor was effectively deceased, meaning she could not rise to the position of Crown Princess.
So how should she ascend to the throne?
It’s simple.
Both the Emperor and the Second Prince must die.
The crucial part is that their deaths must not be connected to Epherna in any way.
Only then can she take the throne and continue proper governance. The Second Prince had been setting the stage for this since four years ago.
The opportunity to take over would soon arise.
The coming-of-age ceremony next year would be the occasion to prove that Epherna is fit to be Empress.
This summer break would be the last period to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Aside from that, there would be other tasks to handle, making for an incredibly busy time.
“Mister.”
“Yes?”
“By the way… why are you still holding my hand?”
At Epherna’s sudden question, Ern looked down at their hands.
He realized that he was still holding her hand, which he had grabbed to escort her into the carriage.
“Oh.”
