TOOCM 93

Chapter 93

‘The emperor’s shadow has moved.’

Reina was far from pleased by their appearance.

The imperial unit called “Wol-yeong,” the emperor’s shadows.

As the emperor’s loyal hounds, they obeyed his orders with their lives and had constantly tied Kaiden’s ankles in the past.

‘Of all days…’

With his father injured, young Duke Helio wouldn’t come to the reception hall.

She had been looking forward to meeting him, so this was deflating news.

Meanwhile, Kaiden quietly recalled the man he had bumped into before the performance.

Shaggy hair that covered his eyes and a hat pulled low—he hadn’t looked ordinary.

There had been no presence, as if he were sneaking away.

The funny thing was that Kaiden couldn’t clearly remember his features.

He had probably used concealment magic to hide his identity.

The emperor’s shadows freely roaming even the Helio ducal house’s stronghold was not good news.

Unlike the North, the capital was full of variables—especially where the emperor’s influence was strongest.

Kaiden extended his hand.

“Reina, we should leave soon too. The news will reach the reception hall shortly.”

“Leaving already?”

Michael looked regretful, as if disappointed they were parting after so long.

Reina said,

“We’ll see each other at the banquet soon anyway, won’t we?”

At the emperor’s regular banquets, Siegfried and Michael were practically fixed members.

Since Kaiden and Reina were invited, there was no need to guess the rest.

“Ah, you haven’t heard. I won’t be at this banquet. I’ll be away greeting foreign guests.”

“Foreign guests?”

“A new cardinal from the Holy Kingdom has finished his training and chosen the Mernie Empire as his first mission destination. I hear he possesses divine power strong enough to be considered the next pope, so I’m going to escort him personally.”

Holy Kingdom, new cardinal, extraordinary divine power.

From just those words, she could deduce the arriving cardinal was Isadal.

“I see.”

“Princess Isabel will likely attend instead. Skal is at the border on His Majesty’s orders.”

Michael subtly revealed the banquet lineup.

‘No Skal… that’s a relief.’

Reina was uncomfortable around Skal.

If it was the emperor’s order, taking a life was easier for him than killing an ant.

He loved blood and never hesitated to act ruthlessly within the emperor’s permitted limits.

He was the one who had dragged her to the underground prison.

The insults he hurled while dragging her like a dog were too vile to repeat.

“Whoever comes doesn’t really matter.”

Reina pretended to be indifferent, and Michael changed the subject.

“I didn’t see him today. Did you order him to hide again? I wanted to see the cute divine beast after so long.”

At the mention of himself, Ritsi whined softly and circled Michael.

Thanks to the holy relic, of course, Michael couldn’t see the beast’s form.

Reina looked at Ritsi and whispered,

“He’s right beside me. Thanks to your advice that day, I found a way.”

“Oh no, I was a step late, it seems. I was actually going to propose a deal about that.”

“Deals are always welcome—if what you have is something I need.”

Reina intended to make full use of Michael’s help.

She now knew he, like her, was struggling to survive in the palace.

As long as their interests aligned, they could walk side by side.

“Then might you be interested in this?”

Michael produced something—a key.

When Reina tilted her head, he said,

“A key I had specially duplicated for you, Lady Reina. It cost me an enormous price.”

“Your divine beast can even duplicate keys?”

“One-time use only. As long as I’m not caught on the spot, no evidence remains.”

Michael answered casually and pocketed the key again—he had no intention of handing it over now.

“This would be quite useful if you brought it to the banquet. How about it? Interested now?”

“Actually, it makes me want to refuse. If it’s that good, you could use it yourself, Sir Michael.”

At her sharp retort, Michael chuckled.

“It must have been exhausting pretending to be a fool all this time, Lady Reina.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

As Reina played dumb, Michael quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper.

“Just know that I like clever people.”

“This is…”

While Reina checked the note, Michael leaned close and whispered,

“Truthfully, this item isn’t particularly necessary for me.”

Meaning it was necessary for Reina.

Looking at the now-serious Reina, he said softly,

“It would be better to discuss details elsewhere. Too many eyes here.”

He showed no interest in this place at all.

Perhaps he had come solely to make natural contact with her.

“Do I have to come alone?”

At Reina’s question, Michael glanced at Kaiden—his expression said he would never let her go alone.

Michael shrugged.

“Well, both of you can come if that’s easier变成了

“Fine.”

When Reina accepted the deal, Michael smiled with satisfaction.

“Then until next time.”

Having achieved his goal, he bid farewell and vanished leisurely.

* * *

Back in the bedroom, Reina recalled Michael’s note.

Coincidentally, the meeting place was the arena.

He clearly already knew she had obtained an invitation.

What did Michael want to tell her?

What was the key he wanted to trade?

Given the circumstances, it was surely a key that opened somewhere in the imperial palace.

It might even be related to Jeffery.

Michael had offered the key but never said he would reveal the location.

He always knew much yet gave Reina only pieces.

“Deals” were his way with those he couldn’t fully trust.

Asking to meet at the arena—practically Julid’s secret business—was surely intentional.

‘And he’s incredibly skilled at wielding authority.’

Contracting a divine beast didn’t mean one could use all its power.

The sealed strength had stages that had to be awakened personally.

Reina herself had been forcibly awakened by the emperor, draining countless lives.

In that sense, Michael was clearly a born genius.

Unfortunately, he suffered because his father only sought to exploit it.

Reina looked down at her bracelet. As she pondered something, the charm gem sparkled.

Just then, Kaiden emerged, changed.

“Where are you going?”

“Rest. I still have work, so I’m heading to the study.”

Anyone could see he was dressed for training.

Reina stared at him and spoke.

“You’re going to the training ground, right?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t go. Stay with me tonight.”

When Reina blocked the door, Kaiden panicked.

“I really have work—”

“I already heard you’re using work as an excuse to run laps. And who goes to do paperwork dressed like that?”

Who on earth told her?

Kaiden flushed at having his secret night training exposed. Several suspects came to mind—starting with Ben and Rose.

While he was mentally listing culprits, Reina stepped closer and took his hand.

“Do you hate being with me?”

“…How could I hate it?”

In fact, he was going crazy because he liked it too much.