WARDV 46

CHAPTER 46

After Idris and Leticia left the ballroom.

The tense and restless atmosphere finally settled down as the orchestra resumed its music.

Everyone, that is—except for Deon and Faydan, who were both visibly trembling with rage.

At the highest seat in the hall, Azeph, watching the scene unfold with a concerned gaze, took a sip from the wine brought to him by his attendant.

Idris arrived just as Azeph’s glass was nearly empty.

“You summoned me, Your Majesty.”

The source of Azeph’s deepest recent concerns appeared, as always, with a calm and relaxed expression—infuriatingly so.

But seeing his face, the lecture Azeph had been preparing evaporated right off his tongue.

“Will you drink?”

“How could I dare refuse Your Majesty’s offer?”

“A man who ignored an imperial summons for several days doesn’t get to say that.”

An attendant brought over fresh glasses of wine and handed one to each of them.

Azeph raised his glass and got straight to the point.

“Do you truly intend to marry the Duchess, Idris?”

“I believe I should be calling her Lady Cloel now, Your Majesty.”

Even though Idris clearly knew what Azeph had called him here to discuss, he played innocent with ease.

Azeph stared at him for a long moment, then sighed.

But there was something odd about Idris and Leticia’s relationship.

The two had barely interacted before. Even when Azeph had encouraged him to meet suitable noble ladies, Idris had always scoffed.

There had never even been a single scandal involving him.

And now, suddenly, he had a woman?

Reexamining the recent issues surrounding Idris, Azeph arrived at a hypothesis.

“I assume you staged this scandal to cover up the magical device ignition incident… but even so, you picked the wrong person.”

But Idris gave an unexpected reply.

“And what if it’s not a scandal?”

“…What?”

“You’ve been urging me to marry soon, haven’t you?”

“Idris. Whatever happened between the two of you, the Duchess of Farnese isn’t someone suitable for you. That woman—”

“—still has a husband. The divorce isn’t final yet.”

Idris cut him off before Azeph could finish.

“But, brother,” he continued.

Azeph froze.

Whenever Idris addressed him as “brother” instead of “Your Majesty,” there was a forcefulness in his voice even Azeph couldn’t push back against.

“If I hadn’t become a prince, Leticia might never have become the Duchess of Farnese.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“If I hadn’t become a prince, there would have been no reason to part ways with her, no reason not to recognize her even when she stood right in front of me.”

The moment the past was mentioned, Azeph flinched.

Idris had entered the palace as a prince when he was ten years old.

Having lost his mother at a young age and suffering under the oppression of the Second Empress and Deon, Azeph had welcomed this new younger brother who seemed to share a similar fate.

And their father, the Emperor, had doted on Idris, his late-found youngest son—so much so that even succession was considered.

…That was the version of the story known to the Empire.

The truth—unknown even to those directly involved—came to light only during the Emperor’s deathbed confession.

“I made Idris a prince to protect you from the Empress.”

“…”

“Forgive me, Idris.”

His affection for Idris had been a lie.

It wasn’t love for a talented youngest son—it was all an act. Idris had merely been a shield to protect the heir to the throne.

The Emperor, having made his final confession, passed away in peace.

“Did you ever think of me as your son, even once?”

That unanswered question and resentment were left behind.

That truth didn’t completely shatter the bond between the brothers—but it left Azeph with heavy guilt.

Just because he hadn’t known didn’t mean it wasn’t true: he had survived because of Idris’s sacrifice.

‘So the reason Idris never had any scandals all this time…’

It was because he had been searching for someone he couldn’t forget.

Finally, that mystery was solved.

As was the reason Idris had never spoken of that person.

He had to stay hidden from the eyes of the Second Empress, who was constantly watching for a chance to strike.

Which meant Azeph bore some responsibility for Idris not finding Leticia sooner.

And that this was not a matter Azeph could—or should—interfere with.

Seeing Idris speak of such a painful truth with composure, Azeph was left speechless.

But his worries only deepened.

Idris was a precious younger brother, and Azeph had only wanted him to live happily, away from scandal…

“If Your Majesty has nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave. My partner is waiting.”

Idris erased his earlier seriousness and offered his trademark relaxed smile, bowing politely.

‘What truly is the right path for you, Idris…?’

Azeph stared after his brother’s retreating back, his heart full of mixed emotions.

“Where is he, seriously…?”

It had been 30 minutes since I started looking for Rudian.

I had searched all around the palace ponds, only to find couples strolling or stealing kisses—not what I was looking for.

I’d even walked in on a few rather awkward scenes…

Still hurrying through the palace grounds, I suddenly stopped.

This couldn’t go on forever.

‘No more wandering. Time to think.’

Where would Rudian most likely go?

I recalled his behavior the last time we met.

‘Right—he was really shy around strangers.’

So he probably wouldn’t be anywhere crowded.

‘Somewhere near the Crown Prince’s quarters, but far from the ballroom…’

I racked my memory for any place like that and finally recalled one from long ago.

‘That’s where I first met Faydan, back during my debutante days.’

It wasn’t a pleasant association, but this wasn’t the time to be picky.

Following that faint memory, I made my way to the old pond.

And finally—there he was.

‘Rudian!’

Rudian was alive.

I carefully approached, making enough noise so I wouldn’t startle him.

“Hello, Your Highness?”

Only then did Rudian notice me. His eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly ducked behind the bushes.

From there, he peeked out with just his eyes, watching me with caution.

‘Definitely still shy.’

But seeing Rudian alive brought both warmth and relief.

“We met before, remember? With His Majesty and your uncle. Do you recall me?”

He stared at me for a moment before nodding.

“Mm.”

Oh—maybe he’ll warm up faster than I thought?

Even so, I didn’t want him staying this close to the pond, where disaster was looming.

I was just about to coax him farther away when—

‘…Huh?’

Just as he seemed to be warming up, Rudian vanished back into the bushes.

“My nanny said not to go with strangers.”

…This was going to be tougher than I thought.

I gave him the gentlest smile I could muster.

“But I’m your uncle’s friend. That doesn’t make me a stranger, right?”

“Mommy’s friends and Daddy’s friends—you’re not supposed to follow them either. So I can’t follow Uncle’s friends.”

I was taken aback by the five-year-old crown prince’s logic.

‘Wow… That is the classic line used by kidnappers, isn’t it…’

Our little prince was surprisingly sharp. No one’s going to trick him anytime soon.

Still, seeing Rudian made me suddenly think of someone else entirely.

‘Aria would’ve followed any handsome guy without hesitation…’

Remembering how Aria immediately warmed up to Idris despite being shy, I chuckled without realizing it.

Same age kids, yet such different reactions.

‘Kids are just too cute.’

As I stood there smiling silently, Rudian gave me a suspicious look.

I quickly stopped grinning before he could bolt.

“Ahem, sorry. I just remembered a friend of mine who’s around your age.”

“…Friend?”

“Yeah. That friend isn’t afraid of strangers at all.”

“I—I’m not scared of you! I’m just keeping my promise to my nanny!”