13.

Richt patted Theodore’s back, who had barely stopped crying. All the knights that Theodore had brought in were sent out. Now there were only Richt, Theodore, and Van in the room.

“Just wait a moment and don’t cry.”

After saying that, Richt left Theodore sitting on the sofa and approached Van.

“You lie down too.”

Richt lay down on his back and meticulously covered him with a blanket. He was worried that he might have gotten feverish due to the chaos, but he seemed to be better than he thought. He wiped the sweat again with a towel and then sat down next to her. He could hear Theodore whimpering, but decided to ignore it.

If everyone listens to you cry, it will ruin your personality. So the three of them spent the night strangely coexisting. I fell asleep in the middle of the night, but when I opened my eyes, half of them were wet. And then I saw Theodore holding a towel dripping with water. He looked at Richt and spoke confidently.

“I cleaned it for Licht.”

I think it turned out to be too watery even though it was cleaned. Actually, would the crown prince ever have to take care of others? I guess it’s because I’m clumsy. Richt sighed and stroked Theodore’s head.

“Good job.”

It seemed that half had recovered overnight. It still looked difficult, but it didn’t look like I was going to die. He stood up, brushing back his wet hair.

“Lie down some more.”

“it’s okay.”

For some reason, his expression seemed stiffer than usual. I cleaned up the wet sheets and left the room. When she asked where she was going, she said she was going to morning training.

“Take a break today.”

“it’s okay.”

Ban bowed deeply and left the room.

‘It wasn’t a dream.’

It was after Crown Prince Theodore poured water on Van that he realized this. When he was doused with cold water, he came to his senses.

“Don’t approach Richt.”

The young beast growled and threatened Ban.

“I am Licht’s knight.”

“I will protect Licht.”

“I only listen to Richt’s orders.”

Ban answered stubbornly. He had no intention of backing down even if the opponent was the crown prince.

“You ignored me earlier!”

When did you say that? Ban, who was tracing her memories, soon remembered what happened earlier. She hugged her slender body tightly and buried her face. In an instant, the tips of her ears turned red. It felt like she still had the feel of it in her hand.

‘I wanted to hug you more.’

I wanted to hug her slender body tightly and kiss her most delicate parts.

‘I am a slave.’

Slaves are not people. So it is not right to have that kind of desire towards the owner. Even though I knew that, once the desire started running, I didn’t know how to stop it. He could hear Theodore yelling something in front of him, but he didn’t care.

To Van, the most precious being was his master, Richt. Although the class ignored Theodore, it was difficult to maintain composure in front of Richt. He became scared just thinking about what he did last night. I was worried that Richt might be angry or disgusted.

That’s why half of them avoided the place. My body, which had been poisoned, was still in pain, but I could endure this much. He participated in the morning training as scheduled and completed the training excellently.

At that time, Theodore was clinging to Richt and singing.

“Licht. Throw away that article. huh? “I’d rather add Alex.”

“It’s not possible. “Half of them are knights of our family.”

“still. “Your eyes are impure!”

“Where are you going?”

“I did that yesterday when I was hugging Richt.”

“I was confused because it hurt.”

“no.”

“you’re right.”

The story kept repeating itself over and over again. Still, Richt answered Theodore’s words without any sign of annoyance. This was because he remembered something he had heard from Ain, whom he had briefly met today.

“I liquidated all my assets. As you said, we decided to keep the Devine family mansion and people for a while, but everything else was converted into liquid assets.”

“good job.”

“By the way, Mr. Richt, are you planning to leave this place?”

Ain wasn’t a fool either. As he was organizing his property, he naturally had no choice but to know Richt’s will.

“then?”

“Can I come along too?”

“no. “I’m leaving alone.”

Ain looked worried, but did not say anything more.

“Please be careful.”

I simply gave advice out of my last remaining loyalty.

“I received news that Archduke Graham is moving.”

“They must be heading towards the capital.”

“That’s right.”

I am glad that the property liquidation was completed on time. I almost ran into Archduke Graham. Richt stroked his chest.

A fearsome strongman who later becomes the protagonist’s teacher. Nothing good will happen if you encounter someone who hates the Devine family.

‘Let’s leave.’

Considering the speed at which Archduke Graham moved, he had to leave the imperial palace within a week.

“Theodore.”

“huh?”

Theodore, who was talking loudly, looked up.

“I think it’s time.”

“When?”

“We must hold a funeral for the deceased Empress.”

Theodore’s eyes sank at Richt’s words.

“I told you to prepare the funeral, so all you have to do is set a date. “I think this would be good.”

It was three days from now.

“How is it?”

“… … good.”

Theodore raised no objection. He didn’t even complain about the urgent schedule.

“Then let’s deliver the news to the other nobles.”

“Can I tell you?”

“of course. “The mistress of the empire has passed away, and it is impossible to hold a small funeral.”

There was anxiety in Theodore’s gaze as Richt spoke. He had been putting off his funeral all this time. He knew why he procrastinated, so he couldn’t figure out why he was suddenly like this. But he didn’t even have the courage to ask directly. Because he was afraid of what the answer would be.

Suddenly, the story Alex had been talking about came to mind.

“Lord Devine is a scary man. Postponing Her Majesty the Empress’s funeral is also aimed at manipulating Her Majesty the Crown Prince. So don’t be too trusting.”

I don’t believe it. Although I don’t believe it. I had become so accustomed to the affection that Richt gave me. I don’t think I can do it without him anymore. He seemed to think differently.

Theodore was afraid of that.

Empress Maia died. The rumor spread quickly.

“Did you hear? “I heard that Her Majesty the Empress has passed away.”

“I heard.”

The nobles they met by chance were whispering among themselves.

“Then did you hear that too? “As soon as Her Majesty the Empress died, Lord Devine rushed to the imperial palace and decided to protect Her Royal Highness.”

“Protection.”

A sneer crossed the face of the nobleman who was listening to the story.

“You mean that Lord Devine?”

Perhaps because there is no one overhearing, I have no hesitation in speaking.

“It’s an unbelievable story.”

It was a famous story that Lord Devine and Richt had a bad relationship with Empress Maia. In addition, he was famous for his endless greed and sensitive nature. Someone like that is holding the crown prince. Even without looking, I could understand why.

“They are planning to take over His Majesty the Crown Prince and take over the position of regent.”

“But isn’t there Archduke Graham? He is the guardian of the imperial family.”

“No matter how much Archduke Graham is, wouldn’t it be difficult for him to move easily if His Royal Highness was held hostage?”

“Hehe, that’s a terrible story.”

They weren’t the only ones telling the story behind the scenes. In an instant, the capital was covered with rumors. Although the story did not reach Theodore under Richt’s control, he also felt that the atmosphere around him had changed. The knight commander, Alex, became anxious, and the maids began to harbor fear. Some sympathized with Theodore.

‘Maybe I’ll die.’

Theodore thought so as he watched his mother’s funeral being steadily prepared.

“You can’t just leave like this!”

Alione, who came secretly, gave an impassioned speech.

“Run away first. And we are going to visit Archduke Graham.”

“What if I go find it?”

“I have to ask for help.”

Theodore smiled bitterly at Alione’s words. Archduke Graham was a bit different from what people thought. Although he is called the guardian of the imperial family, he actually does not like the imperial family very much. Because he was more talented than the emperor, he was driven out to the terrible North, so how could he like it?

‘furthermore.’

I didn’t want to go. Even if the real Archduke Graham could protect him and make him emperor.

‘I want to be with Richt.’

It was good, even if it was just created kindness. She was so infatuated with Richt that she gave up her future for a moment of happiness. So I won’t go.

“I’m not running away.”

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince!”

Alione raised her voice in frustration.

“Now is not the time to save face. You never know what that vicious Lord Devine will do! It will hurt His Majesty the Crown Prince. “You don’t like being sick, right?”

“Yeah, I don’t like it.”

Even if I hated it, I felt like I would be willing to endure the pain that Richt gave me. Alex was right. Richt is a scary person. Because he got himself into this.

“But I’ll still be here.”

Alione realized that she could no longer persuade Theodore.

‘What on earth have you done to His Highness!’

Alione, who was biting her lip, stood up. If Theodore didn’t move, he had to move himself. If that didn’t work out, I planned to pull Theodore out of here by force. It would be a good time for a funeral.

‘If Devine had brains, he wouldn’t kill His Highness the Crown Prince before then.’

Alione desperately shook her head.

It was a story about three days before Empress Maia’s funeral.