3.

‘Lord Devine is dangerous.’

Even though I knew that, I didn’t want to leave Richt. The warmth and kindness he had not seen in a long time took hold of Theodore. The Licht he heard from his mother and the Licht he treated now seemed like different people.

“Remember. “Grand Duke Devine.”

There Maia frowned and then spoke again.

“He is a terrible person. He is the type of person who doesn’t care how many people die as long as he gets what he wants. “He’s dangerous, so you should never get close to him.”

That’s certainly what I heard, but he didn’t seem like that kind of person. Does this person really want to harm themselves? It didn’t seem likely, but it didn’t seem to matter. I thought it would be good as long as they continued to treat me so kindly.

Both father and mother passed away. It was as if Theodore had been thrown into a cold world. There were people by his side, but they were not on equal footing. In that situation, Richt appeared.

“Sir Alex. “Please step aside.”

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince?”

Alex blinked with a dumb expression. Although he looked betrayed, Theodore did not back down from his orders.

“are you okay. It will be fine.”

At the sight of Theodore smiling, Alex collapsed.

‘It’s not that His Royal Highness doesn’t know anything. Because I know this, I can be resolute.’

I noticed that. Cursing himself for not being able to do anything even in this situation, Alex slowly got up from his seat.

Earlier, I brought up Archduke Graham to scare Lord Devine. In reality, Archduke Graham was called a slayer and was an uncontrollable person. That is why His Majesty the Emperor did not keep him in the imperial palace. Although I felt fondly for them because they were brothers who shared the same blood, I sent them to the distant, rough terrain of the north.

‘We must call Archduke Graham.’

He was the only one who could deal with the Devine family.

“Do not touch His Highness the Crown Prince. Then I will kill you, even if it means risking my life.”

As soon as Alex said that, the blade touched his neck. Still, he didn’t budge.

“Sir Alex is very concerned. I will never harm His Highness the Crown Prince. “If you feel anxious, swear by your family’s name.”

“… … “I believe it.”

With those words, Alex stepped back. He was angry and angry, but he couldn’t help it. Even after Alex left, half of the food remained. His face was so expressionless that it wasn’t noticeable, but he seemed to be feeling puzzled.

I understand. Richt must have been such a shitty person. He hated children who couldn’t understand what he was saying. He felt terrible as a child, whether he made a mistake or not. He was like that, and seeing him holding a child like this was enough to make him wonder.

“You too, go out and wait.”

“You don’t punish me?”

Oh right. Richt tapped his fingers on the handle of his chair. Richt, who always hated Van, immediately punished him even if he made the slightest mistake. And when that wasn’t possible, he gave greater punishment later. Sometimes it even affected his subordinate knights.

Half of them don’t like it.

What should I say? Richt shook his head. The main punishment was whipping, but he didn’t want to leave a healthy person’s back in tatters.

Because, unlike the original Richt, he was a person with common sense. So there was only one answer.

“That’s enough for today. “It’s a good day, so let’s move on.”

Ban’s eyes wavered at Richt’s words. Because she has never passed by until now. Was it because of that? She seemed to have half her doubts. He sat there on his knees.

“It’s all my fault. Please punish me.”

And he said he would be punished. He didn’t seem to move until he was about to give the real punishment.

‘No, I said I wouldn’t give it to you.’

It seemed like Licht’s previous experience was terrible.

Theodore looked at the two with interest.

‘And then there was a child!’

I couldn’t show a child hitting someone in front of him. Richt decided to avoid this moment for now.

“I’m busy right now, so please leave. “I’ll punish you properly later.”

After hearing those words, Ban stood up with a relieved face.

“See you later.”

Only then did Richt breathe a sigh of relief as he watched his class come out. I almost showed something bad in front of a child.

“Are you delaying punishment? “Then what if your subordinate’s habits get worse?”

Theodore was the first to speak.

‘Oh, now that I think about it, this person is also a member of the royal family.’

It is, after all, a mindset befitting royalty.

“It wasn’t that big of a mistake.”

“is it? But if I did something wrong, Lord Devine could have been in danger?”

“That wouldn’t have happened.”

Because Theodore, the hostage, was in his arms.

“More than that, am I a Devine ball?”

“Was it wrong?”

Theodore tilted his head. Even the sight was so cute that I couldn’t help but exclaim with admiration.

“Please just call me Richt.”

“Can I really just call you by your first name?”

“of course.”

Theodore smiled brightly at those words.

“Licht!”

“yes.”

“Licht!”

“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Then call me by my name now.”

“I will do that. “Theodore.”

There was a warm atmosphere between the two. Meanwhile, the mess outside seemed to have been resolved to some extent. The Imperial Palace Knights took a step back, and the Leviathan Knights took their place in front of them. It would be safe for a while now.

Alex would try to contact Archduke Graham, but he wasn’t worried. Because he had already written his hand.

For the time being, no Jeon Seo-gu will be able to leave the imperial palace. It was the same with people. Even if everyone was blocked, there was no way there would be no one coming in and out, but he also took action.

The butler, Ain, was capable, and the power and money of Duke Devine were great. Now all you have to do is have fun with this cute nephew and get out of here.

“It’s almost dinner time.”

“I see.”

“Where would you like to eat? restaurant? room?”

“Anywhere is fine.”

Theodore responded by shaking his foot.

“Then let’s eat in the room.”

Richt picked Theodor up and lowered him to the floor. He then came forward and asked for a meal. The meal that arrived was more ordinary than expected. Light appetizers to soups and salads. And it was steak with grilled vegetables. It was a common meal. The only thing that was unusual was that the food was cold.

The ingredients were the best, but the food was all cold and the taste was off. Theodore ate it well.

“Is it delicious?”

“No, I just eat because I’m hungry.”

Richt rummaged through the cold lump of meat with a knife. It’s not like they’re mistreating Crown Prince Theodore, so there’s a reason. What is the reason?

“poison.”

The reason came to mind right away. It must have been made in the kitchen and arrived cold while being tested for poison. There are poisons that react immediately, but there are also poisons that do not.

“That’s right.”

Theodore answered calmly.

“We don’t know where the poison may be, so we’re testing it. “Then the food always arrives cold.”

It was an overly cruel environment for a child. However, the person involved took it for granted. Her heart ached at that fact.

“Were there many cases of poison contained in it?”

“little? “Her mother was very worried because of that.”

“Is there anyone you suspect to be the culprit?”

At those words, Theodore raised his head and looked at Richt.

‘Oh, damn it. ‘It’s me.’

It was a very possible story. The former Licht disliked her older sister, the Empress, so much so that she must have viewed her child similarly. Moreover, she is the type of person who is satisfied only when she gets rid of things that bother her, so she was very upset.

“Hmm.”

Richt cleared his throat for no reason.

“If it’s okay, let’s skip the process for the next meal.”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Theodore made an indescribable expression at Richt’s words. But that was only for a moment. Soon he was back to his usual self.

After emptying about a quarter of his plate, Theodore put down his fork and knife.

“Have you eaten everything?”

“okay.”

“Why are you eating so little?”

“I can’t eat much because I have a bad stomach.”

“Could it be related to poison?”

“Yes, I took poison before and got worse.”

You are just a sinner. Richt lowered his head, feeling a surge of guilt. Additionally, I felt a sense of responsibility to keep this little nephew healthy.

“So, Theodore is 13 years old this year?”

“huh.”

In reality, even though I am soon to be a middle school student, it is still too small. Is this also because of me? I don’t know what on earth this little kid did to put him in such a corner. Richt suppressed the sigh that wanted to come out. He seemed to have so much work ahead of him.

The maid cleaned up the finished meal. Licht didn’t eat much today either. This was because I originally had a short mouth and it had no taste.

After finishing his meal, Theodore finished his bath with the help of his maid. As I looked at the warm little body, I almost hugged it without realizing it. Theodore was such a lovely child.