“…”
“Your Highness… Please…”
Ellahan pleaded with a face full of desperation.
“This can’t go on… You know this, don’t you?”
“Ha.”
Evangeline sneered with a cold expression.
“Sir Ellahan. I gave you a chance. Wasn’t it you who rejected him?”
“I am a humble commoner… My engagement with Your Highness is…”
“I told you it’s none of your concern, didn’t I?”
Evangeline poured the remaining potion all over him and stomped on his chest.
The firm muscles that could be felt through the tips of her toes and the floor.
It was clear how hard he had trained his body to protect himself.
“You really excel at testing my patience.”
“Yes…?”
“Anyway, it’s always been like this since you were young. You seduce with your innocent and handsome face first, and then what? I’m just a knight protecting the princess? How long did you think I would tolerate this?”
Crunch. Evangeline tightly squeezed Ellahan’s swollen lower body.
“In any case, it’s all your fault.”
Having received strict education from the imperial family since childhood, Epherna could not be ignorant about s*xual matters.
Whether studying history or individuals, it was unavoidable to learn about their detailed personal circumstances as part of her education on the subject.
Of course, she wasn’t educated at a level merely sufficient for health education.
Even Merien, who valued dignity and manners, allowed some slightly offbeat books for Epherna’s healthy mental development, and Bergamot was able to teach many things under this tacit understanding.
Thus, Epherna thought she possessed above-average knowledge about such matters.
It wasn’t that she was particularly resistant to sensitive and high-level topics discussed among female classmates.
She believed she wasn’t an utterly naive fool who couldn’t even understand these things.
[Looks like she’s experiencing a fresh stimulus.]
“…”
Epherna immersed herself in the novel without responding.
With an expression as if seeing a new world, she didn’t blink even once, absorbing every detail of the novel ‘learned.’
[…At first, she closed it immediately upon seeing the first page’s illustration.]
An unexpected reaction.
Shir could only think this way.
Epherna’s initial reaction was one of shyness, with flushed cheeks like a pure maiden.
That much was as expected, but what followed was exceptional.
One could say her adaptability was remarkable.
When a pure child, who knows just the minimum, peers into the abyss, they naturally think it’s strange at first.
Why are such actions being performed, why go so far for pleasure, it’s beyond their understanding.
Epherna was no different.
She was embarrassed by the sight of naked men and women embracing and continuing their actions.
But she could not understand why activities like strangling, dog collars, and beating, which left only shame and wounds, were done.
Ordinary people would take their time to understand and experience it slowly to think, “Ah, so this is why.”
However, Epherna, while reading the book, showed gestures as if she was gradually understanding the content, and now she was flipping through the pages quickly as if she fully grasped it.
[Is it that her brilliant mind operates in such aspects as well?]
If so, it truly is a remarkable talent.
At that moment, Epherna closed the book and pulled out a notebook.
She took out a pen and started writing something without hesitation.
At that moment, Shir realized.
Epherna had already completed her ‘learning’.
Looking at what was written in the notebook, Shir asked.
[Isn’t this a bit much?]
“Why? I’m just trying to repay in kind for what I’ve endured.”
[What I asked for or requested was much more decent…]
“You saw it too yesterday. How Mister toyed with me.”
[I was asleep, and it was something like an unavoidable instinct…]
“If that’s the case, then this is my instinct too.”
[…]
Well, if you say so, then it must be.
Why did it turn out this way?
Shir sighed repeatedly inwardly.
It was too late to turn back time to before she read the book.
She had already opened a new door.
*****
Was it something that happened at the Academy?
Epherna had sent a special unit from Quine to help Duke Tesran in secret.
And she had also ordered the Triaina Special Forces and Astrape Special Forces to carry out several investigations, one of which had just arrived at the princess’s palace.
“Count Cassius’s private property was being consumed somewhere. And it’s been going on for three years continuously.”
Current Astrape Special Forces Commander Ray Salessin.
Ern received a report from his successor.
“Is it just Count Cassius?”
“Not at all. Besides Count Cassius, there’s also Baron Elte, Baron Ruann, and Chairman Simor. Those are the confirmed locations, but we expect there are more.”
“…”
“And they used various methods to launder the funds. It seems most of the time was spent uncovering that.”
“So where did the private property end up?”
“At an orphanage. Usually, it’s delivered as donations through Simor’s association.”
“The location of the orphanage?”
“Not yet found.”
“Orphanages should be officially recognized by the state, so you haven’t pinpointed its location?”
“That’s the strange part. There’s definitely an orphanage on the paperwork, but when we went there, we found a restaurant instead. It doesn’t make sense.”
“When was the orphanage established?”
“Ten years ago.”
“When the war was at its peak. They must have aimed to exploit the Empire’s greatest chaos.”
Back in the days when a domain could be destroyed overnight and important documents could burn by the hundreds, it wasn’t unusual for a name to get tangled up.
Cleanup would come later.
The focus was on winning the war first, which led to many incidents.
Given that, it wasn’t surprising to find a restaurant where an orphanage was supposed to be, but if it’s where noble property was being moved, it’s a different story.
It could only be viewed as suspicious.
“Good work. Then let’s start by investigating the person responsible for the orphanage’s permit.”
“The person in charge is already dead.”
“…Tsk.”
That complicates things.
“Shall we investigate the restaurant? We haven’t accessed it yet.”
“I’ll go there personally. With the information being scarce, it’s essential to verify things thoroughly.”
“You’re going yourself, Commander? What about the Personal Guard duties?”
“We have the new spirit. Even if he is new, he can manage for a few days.”
That’s partly why Shir was summoned, so it seems a few days’ trip is in order.
Of course, permission must be obtained, but that’s a given, and it’s not far, so it shouldn’t take too long.
*****
“Alright. Go and return safely.”
Epherna surprisingly granted permission readily.
“Be careful. Recently, Evergreen has become very religious. You never know what religious zealots might do.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not a dangerous situation, so I’ll be back quickly.”
What worries him more is Epherna.
While he had been by her side every day without fail, there was little danger. But with him temporarily absent, he couldn’t be sure what might happen.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
Ern and Epherna shared a heartfelt gaze.
Haron, who had been watching them, had to stifle a sigh that was about to escape.
Watching the two who were having a secret romance was quite a strain.
One could ask if it’s simply a matter of not paying attention, but Haron was not in a position to do so.
Excluding Merien and Ern, he was the most loyal and longest-serving attendant to Epherna, and thus had to keep a close watch on her every move.
‘Can’t let my guard down and let something big happen suddenly.’
Getting engaged is good, and dating is good.
It’s better because it can let out all the frustration.
However, it’s not good to have a child overnight without knowing anything.
In relationships, order is important. Especially since Epherna is destined to be the future mother of the Empire.
If she were to become pregnant before even coming of age, the potential problems would be immeasurable.
Epherna must survive the turmoil of Evergreen and the still-unknown intentions of Duke Tesran.
Until then, Haron vowed to never let his guard down and to become the final wall between them.
After Ern departed, Haron, who was assisting Epherna with administrative duties, received a particular piece of news.
“Your Highness, you should read this letter.”
Letters to Epherna are usually delivered through attendants.
Haron’s position was not low enough to handle such trivial tasks.
Letters personally received and delivered by Haron can only be three types.
Letters from the Emperor.
Letters from the Dukes of the Empire.
Or.
“…”
Personal letters from her sibling.
“Brother…?”
Epherna’s eyes widened in shock.
The content was none other than the news that the Second Prince had awakened.
