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Prologue Chapter 01
The Terban Empire’s Founding Festival was held every autumn.
However, the number of attendees this year was several times greater than usual.
“Is it really true that His Highness the First Prince will be attending the Founding Festival this year?”
“Yes, I heard he’ll be attending with his wife.”
“To be honest, I’m still afraid to meet him…”
The First Prince, Lucion Terban, was known as the Butcher of the Battlefield.
Rumor had it that he relentlessly hunted monsters in the North not to protect the empire, but because he thirsted for bloodshed. There were even stories of him guzzling down the monsters’ green blood before breaking into a chilling smile.
Just as everyone was trembling with fear, someone cautiously spoke up.
“Still, from what I’ve been hearing lately, perhaps we’ve misunderstood him…”
“But there are even more frightening rumors than that, aren’t there?”
“Ah… You mean the one about him bringing calamity wherever he goes…”
At that very moment, a tall man appeared through the rear entrance of the banquet hall.
A sweet floral fragrance drifted in from the garden connected to the entrance.
Beneath his honey-gold hair were gentle eyes, a straight nose, and smooth, well-shaped lips. He was a handsome man with a kind and gentle appearance.
And yet, not a single person dared approach him.
The man—or rather, the First Prince, Lucion—slowly met the gazes fixed upon him.
Could he have heard us talking about him…?
Overwhelmed by the imposing aura he exuded, the nobles lowered their heads.
Just then—
“Lucion! I told you not to leave my side, even for a moment!”
A clear, bright voice rang through the banquet hall.
The woman with flowing black hair and blue eyes called out once more.
“You got lost again! I told you we were supposed to enter through the main entrance…!”
“Yes, Celia.”
The man’s expression softened in an instant. Then, with his long legs, he strode over to the woman.
The surrounding nobles stared at him in bewilderment.
Is that really Lucion Terban, the blood-soaked demon of the battlefield?
Contrary to his terrifying reputation, he seemed utterly helpless in front of his wife. What was more, he looked genuinely happy.
Whether she noticed the gazes around them or not, Celia took Lucion by the hand and led him toward the terrace.
“Well, so much for making a grand entrance. We’d better stay here until His Majesty the Emperor calls for us.”
She let out a sigh.
No one would ever believe that the First Prince, whose name had become the talk of the entire continent, was actually born with a terrible sense of direction.
“Did those people give you a hard time?”
“Not at all. If anything, they were probably frightened of me.”
“…Don’t let it get you down for no reason.”
Celia studied Lucion with worried eyes.
“Isn’t the night sky beautiful?”
She smiled brightly as she gazed at the sea of stars.
But Lucion, whom she had expected to agree with her right away, remained silent.
Puzzled, she turned her head—and immediately met his eyes.
It seemed that, as always, he hadn’t been looking at the stars at all. His gaze had been fixed entirely on her.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“…Your hand.”
“My hand?”
Celia glanced down at her hand. It was still clasped in Lucion’s.
“Are you hot? Should I let go?”
“…No.”
As he answered, the tips of Lucion’s ears turned bright red.
