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Chapter : 30
What was that?
Valentis was stunned by what had just happened.
“What kind of person was he?”
“I’m not exactly sure. But he wasn’t just any genius.”
He remembered things perfectly after only glancing at them. Sophie’s voice echoed in his mind.
“We used to hold hands and walk around together back then…”
Sophie murmured, momentarily lost in nostalgia. Rolf, too, seemed briefly absorbed in his own thoughts.
Rolf acted as though he already knew Sophie.
In fact, he missed her—and now he looked genuinely happy to see her again.
“……”
“……”
Then, Rolf noticed Valentis watching him. Without saying a word, he pulled his hood even deeper over his face.
“I really want to find him…”
Sophie said quietly.
“I don’t have many happy memories from my childhood.”
But the memories I have with him… they’re some of the best I’ve got.
Her expression now was completely different from when she had discovered Kevin.
Right now, Sophie had that look of giddy excitement—just like someone reliving a fluttering, first love. Valentis had never seen that expression on her face before.
“What will you do if you find him again?”
“What do you think? I’ll marry him right away.”
At Sophie’s determined response, Arabelle let out a squeal.
“He’s my first love! I’m going to make him mine immediately.”
“Kyaa! That’s so sweet!”
Arabelle squealed in delight at Sophie’s half-playful declaration. Even Rolf, standing nearby, seemed to let out a soft chuckle.
Could it be… is Rolf the person Sophie’s been looking for?
If that was true, then Valentis could understand why Rolf looked at her that way… why he kept visiting the pharmacy again and again.
But why? Why hadn’t he revealed his identity?
Valentis and Sophie were just apothecary and patient. Everyone maintained that boundary with her, and Valentis had accepted it too.
But this was different. If he was her first love, that changed everything. Unlike Kevin, this was someone Sophie was eagerly searching for. Valentis never imagined the normally cold, icy Sophie could look at someone with affection, with longing.
While talking, Sophie even smiled at Rolf.
“……”
“……”
But Rolf turned away from her. Even so, Sophie didn’t look away.
Just like Rolf had done earlier, Sophie gazed at him, her face filled with a quiet yearning.
It was obvious she was unconsciously recalling someone as she looked at him.
“For some reason, I feel really familiar when I look at Sir Rolf.”
“……”
“Like I already know you.”
“……”
As soon as she said it, a chill ran down Valentis’s spine.
What if Sophie finds out?
Valentis suddenly felt anxious. He had never imagined Sophie being in a relationship with someone.
If that happened, how was he supposed to act?
Until now, Valentis had always tried to be considerate toward Sophie.
He had never once been considerate of anyone else before—but he had tried his best after Arthur’s words.
He thought it would be enough… just to be near her.
Just drinking her herbal tea and spending time with her now and then was enough for him.
“Rolf.”
Valentis called him aside.
“Why haven’t you told her?”
“……”
Rolf didn’t answer immediately.
“You’re the one she’s been looking for, aren’t you?”
“……”
There was no solid proof that Rolf was that person. But the heavy sense of unease in Valentis’s chest wouldn’t let him ignore it.
“…It’s better if that girl doesn’t know.”
Eventually, Rolf confessed.
“I’m just happy to see her again after 14 years.”
Rolf wanted it to remain a secret.
“Wait… you helped Sophie 14 years ago?”
“I couldn’t ignore a child who wandered out of a marquis’ estate alone.”
Valentis felt an inexplicable surge of anger at Rolf’s calm explanation.
He didn’t know why.
“Why won’t you tell her?”
“Because I want it to remain a beautiful memory for her…”
Valentis realized that 14 years ago was around the time Rolf had his accident.
Perhaps he had met Sophie right before it happened.
“If she sees my face now… I’m sure she won’t like it.”
“……”
Rolf spoke with clear insecurity. Valentis almost instinctively denied it.
He knew Sophie wouldn’t be like that.
But he said nothing. A part of him hoped Sophie would never find out the truth.
Why?
Now that Rolf had decided to keep it secret, Valentis felt both relief and satisfaction.
He was confused by his own emotions.
* * *
Leaving those dizzying emotions behind, Valentis held a sparring session with the unit he commanded.
It wasn’t an official knight order of the imperial palace—but handpicked soldiers Valentis had selected himself from the battlefield.
After fighting for a while, he went into the bath.
As cold water crashed over him, Valentis tried to suppress the vicious jealousy he felt toward Rolf. He had never felt this envious, never felt this anxious.
What if Sophie learned Rolf’s secret during this time?
“…?”
At that moment, he sensed someone outside the bath.
Only Robin was allowed in the prince’s quarters.
No maids or attendants were allowed to serve him in the palace wing.
Yet he sensed someone—and they had heavy footsteps. Definitely not Robin.
He quickly threw on a robe and grabbed the sword he had left at the entrance.
Then he rushed outside before the intruder could escape.
Valentis immediately raised his sword to strike—
“…Your Majesty.”
“Your reaction is far too slow.”
It was Emperor Joseph. Valentis’s father.
Though age had brought wrinkles, he was still an imposing man with an overwhelming presence.
Valentis resembled him exactly.
His black hair, golden eyes—he had inherited them all from Joseph.
“And to think you’d confront an intruder wearing a robe like that?”
Joseph criticized him calmly.
He took Valentis’s sword and pulled his robe slightly aside.
“What if the intruder escapes and blabs about what they saw?”
“They won’t make it out alive.”
“You’re overconfident.”
Joseph reminded him—overconfidence was how he ended up with a dragon’s heart.
Ever since Valentis had started roaming around hunting monsters—and eventually acquired the dragon’s heart—his relationship with his father had deteriorated even further.
“A future emperor with a dragon’s heart, really?”
“Still… it’s good to see your condition has improved.”
Valentis had always wanted to be acknowledged by his father.
But their relationship was always awkward. They never moved beyond emperor and heir.
Joseph clicked his tongue at his son, who had once collapsed in agony.
“I’m much better now.”
“You better stay that way—forever.”
Joseph gave him a sharp warning as he passed.
“I hear you’ve found a skilled healer. Keep her close.”
“I’ll visit her myself.”
“No, that just puts you near her. I said she should be with you.”
Joseph even ordered Valentis to keep Sophie nearby—by force, if necessary.
But Valentis didn’t want that. He wanted her close, but not unwillingly.
“That mark of yours could be exposed to the world at any time.”
“……”
“Bring her to the palace. Somehow.”
Otherwise, I’ll fetch her myself.
The cruel sovereign gave a chilling warning.
If Joseph moved, Sophie would not be safe.
“How strange. Someone who can heal your wretched body appears, and you won’t keep her close?”
Do you even have desire? Joseph asked.
In that moment, Valentis thought of Sophie and Rolf.
Of course he had desire. He bit his lip and finally spoke back.
“Don’t meddle in my affairs. I won’t stay quiet either.”
At that, Joseph punched Valentis in the face.
Blood dripped from his lip.
“What will you do if you don’t stay quiet?”
Joseph scoffed.
“Bring the healer. Before I do.”
“……”
Valentis always acted outside Joseph’s expectations. And to contain him, Joseph issued orders.
He had gone out to hunt monsters—ended up with a dragon’s heart.
He was supposed to remove a threat, not adopt a bomb. A crown prince with a dragon’s heart?
Monsters should be handled by subordinates.
A ruler who doesn’t know how to wield power is useless.
“Why do you even want to be emperor?”
“……”
“Just because you were born heir? That’s all I see.”
“……”
“If you’re going to be emperor, then figure out what you want. What you need to do to get it. Start acting on it.”
To Joseph, Valentis looked like a warrior—not a crown prince.
“Be endlessly greedy.”
But there was still no carrot strong enough to move Valentis. Because he had no desire. And that frustrated Joseph.
With that, the emperor left Valentis’s quarters.
Valentis wiped the blood from his lips.
Thankfully, thanks to Sophie’s herbal tea, the searing pain in his chest had vanished.
But another kind of pain had taken its place.
Everything about Sophie left a mark. A sharp ache squeezed at his heart. But it wasn’t unpleasant.
What should I do?
Valentis always lost when fighting with Joseph.
Joseph said he wasn’t ready to be emperor.
Too rash—never focused on what was truly important.
But he couldn’t just drag Sophie to the palace.
She had already turned down Kevarys. She wouldn’t stay in the palace just for him.
Their relationship—whatever it was—might never recover.
The walls they had carefully built as patient and apothecary might crumble instantly.
What if I really keep her by my side?
And then, a contradictory thought struck him.
If Sophie stayed with him forever…
It would be unbearably good.
He felt a thirst.
From the beginning, Valentis had always had desire.
He was not someone who held back.
He didn’t want to just sit back and watch from a distance anymore.
But forcing her… that wasn’t an option either.
More than anything, his pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Be endlessly greedy.”
Valentis clenched his fist, recalling his father’s parting words.
