TYHL 181

~Chapter 181~

Seriously, who went and told Dad…?

“What’s going on? What happened?”

“I’m fine—really—”

“They said you had a double nosebleed right in the middle of the palace.”

Wait, what? That’s not how it happened.

“Who said that? It was just one nostril! And barely any, honestly.”

I pressed my fingers together to show just how little it was, but Dad wasn’t even listening anymore.

“Borbel.”

Dad thumped something down off his shoulder—a lump that turned out to be Borbel, clutching a fork and spoon.

Had he been eating cream stew? It smelled good… Lucky.

Borbel looked a bit lost, but started to get up. Just then, someone’s wailing grew louder and closer.

“Ruuubyyyy!”

I’d know that voice anywhere.

“Waaah, Ruby, waah! Everyone move, let me see my sister! Waaah!”

“Why is my grown brother sobbing like that? What’s happening?”

“They said you suddenly spat blood at the palace!”

…Huh?

“How are these rumors getting worse every time?”

“Boohoo! Borbel, just take all my blood and give it to Ruby! Save her!”

Is he trying to kill me instead?

Just as Mom tried to calm Void down, the door flew off its hinges with a deafening crash.

My vision blurred for a moment. I knew this vibe—don’t tell me…

“My booger! Where’s my royal, precious booger?!”

Still in my nose, probably, Grandpa.

I stared as the huge figure stomped in.

“Grandpa! You said you’d be here in a few days!”

I looked accusingly at Dad, who avoided my gaze like the world’s worst accomplice. He’s always up-to-date on Mom’s travels, but now this…

The northern lord, still robust and spry, doubled over with a thunderous laugh.

“Pahahaha! My booger finally made the prince’s nose bleed?!” he boomed.

…Where do these rumors even start?

After the storm of chaos passed, Borbel gave me a thorough checkup and diagnosed me with simple fatigue—nothing at all serious. His prescription? Plenty of rest.

“Doctor Borbel, enjoy your cream stew…” I said, totally worn out.

“Yes, Miss. Please get some sleep,” he replied kindly.

The door closed. Dad let out a long, tired sigh.

“See? Nothing to worry about…”

“You…”

There was something in his eyes that made me nervous, and I sank obediently into bed.

Void and Liam were banished for “disrupting my recovery.” Grandpa, after learning I was the one with the nosebleed (not the prince), was so shocked he disappeared with Mom, saying they’d cook up some nourishing food.

“So, what are you doing at night that’s got you this worn out?”

In the end, I was left alone with Dad, who sounded just a little mad.

“Well… I upgraded a magic circle—”

“Upgraded.”

“Worked on magic device designs, read some self-help books, practiced for the academy’s festival play, worried about Khalid, translated ancient texts… and, well, all that.”

“….”

“That’s how it happened…”

Dad sighed again, his jaw tight as if he was holding back a storm of feelings. Finally, he laid his cool, steady hand on my forehead.

His voice was full of heavy emotion. “I told you to grow up. I didn’t say to work yourself to the bone.”

“I know…”

“For now—no more research, no more studying, no more going out.”

“No way, I’m busy!”

“Exactly. No more being busy.”

“Ugh, that’s not fair.”

I’m an adult now. I’m not a kid.

But I swallowed my protest. Dad’s hair and clothes were all messy—something I’d never seen before, not even on his most relaxed days.

He must’ve rushed here, panicked…

I guess if someone told me Dad was bleeding, I’d drop everything too.

I squeezed my eyes shut, determined not to make my family worry any more.

“If you’re sleepy, go to sleep. I’ll get some medicine,” Dad said, kissing my forehead and stepping away.

When the bedroom door closed, I was finally alone. I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling, feeling strangely hollow.

I told you to grow up. I didn’t say to work yourself to death.

I know. I do know.

So why does everything feel so shaky?

It’s like if I loosen my grip even a little, everything inside me will come crashing down before I even know it.

I wanted to sleep, but I just couldn’t. So, I went right back to doing what I’d been doing during the day.

“Delmon’s dead.”

“Huh? Sir Leon… What did you say?”

“Delmon died during the latest monster hunt.”

—

Whenever I closed my eyes, that voice would echo in my head, swapping out names at random.

Liam’s dead.

Void died on the last hunt.

His Excellency… Lady Rosetta… Grandpa…

I curled up in my blanket, rolling myself up like a cocoon. The nosebleed had stopped, but I kept sniffing, out of habit.

My mood slowly crashed. I was fine around people during the day, but at night, alone, it all hit harder.

“A tunnel…”

I just want to dig a hole and disappear for a while…

Now that I think about it, I used to have a friend who would listen to me during times like these.

Someone who’d hear out everything—even things I couldn’t tell my family—just sitting there with that nonchalant face.

I really need that friend right now.

Hurry up and come back, troublemaker.

I think I’m a little down.

The Demon King’s domain—Arcadia.

The beautiful king, silver hair flowing long and loose, sprawled lazily on his throne.

He was the Demon King, who had spent years in seclusion, slowly recovering his lost power.

Where the palace had once been veiled in mystical mists, now filthy black smoke clogged the air. Somewhere, screams never stopped. The sharp crack of clashing magic flared and vanished, over and over.

“The final formula,” the king growled, his voice burning.

Close by, a robed figure—Arcadia’s “First”—bowed deeply.

“Have you found a clue to the last formula?”

“We’re still researching, but we have transferred all the formulas from the Delcan ruins, haven’t we? Please, just a little more time…”

“‘Seventh’… What about my daughter? She’s come of age by now, hasn’t she? A father should be there to give her a birthday kiss!”

The First schooled his face and responded smoothly, “That day will come soon, Your Majesty.”

“And the king of Cassalia?”

The Demon King asked sharply, almost in a snarl.

“He’s carefully cooperating with Bamilon, for now. Please, don’t worry. They’re the ones who need our magic—betraying us isn’t an option.”

The First let out a sly smile.

“As long as Cassalia’s king keeps pretending not to notice, he won’t realize our demons are moving through the continent.”

Arcadia’s demons had two ways of traveling to the continent:
By demon-imbued ships, or by using the portal gates.

Most preferred the portals, but those could only be opened from the other side. Arcadia couldn’t force them.

Of course, Bamilon and the other nations had shut all their portals.

Plus, Arcadia itself was hidden behind hundreds of magical barriers. Even the sea routes were useless now, with Bamilon’s patrols everywhere.

So, the First had gone to the king of Cassalia first.

Cassalia, a harsh desert country, relied on demons and magic artifacts for survival.

He was the one who allowed us to explore the Delcan ruins last time.

When Bamilon tried to brand the Demon King’s country as an enemy of the continent, Cassalia had hesitated, only agreeing at the very last moment.

Decisions made in regret are easy to reverse.

—

“Allow us to use Cassalia’s portal gate to the continent. Otherwise… Our king will kill every demon stationed in Cassalia. That’ll cut off all artifact supplies, too.”

—

A simple threat was all it took—and so, Arcadia secured their secret route to the continent.

“I hear the king of Cassalia is heading to Bamilon now.”

“Haa… Bamilon.”

The Demon King brushed a pale hand over his face, sighing deeply.

“That’s where my daughter is.”

He hadn’t given up on his “Seventh.”

“Fine. Will you go yourself this time?”

The First shook his head.

“That won’t work again. Dragging her back by force isn’t an option now.”

“Then what?”

“Weakness…” the First murmured.

“Find her most vulnerable spot. Make her come to us of her own will.”

For the first time, the Demon King’s eyes flashed with real interest.

“First, let’s monitor everything through Cassalia. If necessary, we’ll send someone in. But this time…”

He paused, considering.

“This time, let it be someone she doesn’t know. Not a palace demon or a base demon—someone completely unfamiliar.”

The Demon King hugged him with joy, his smile twisted and giddy.

Somewhere, the music for a coming-of-age ball began to play, and the Demon King spun round and round, waltzing in delight.