MLOMH 91

“This place is really dangerous.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“You came here knowing that?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because my daughter is here.”

I blinked rapidly in surprise, and Duke Halbern burst out laughing. For some reason, my father looked genuinely happy.

‘Of course.’

He said it was natural, but it wasn’t natural at all.

I was a little shocked.

I had vaguely thought that if someone knew I had disappeared, they would come looking for me—but this man wasn’t among those people.

‘I’ve heard he’d do anything for me.’

Honestly, I didn’t believe it…

A flood of emotions blended together like paint spreading on a canvas: surprise, curiosity, doubt, embarrassment, gratitude, and… guilt.

“Thank goodness. You found me safely.”

I still thought he disliked me.

I just assumed it was because I was his daughter, and he was pretending.

All the ways he seemed to crave affection, demand to be called “Dad,” or act playfully—I had dismissed them as meaningless jokes.

Was it all my prejudice and preconceptions?

Maybe I was the one who first built walls, refusing to see this man for who he truly is.

“….”

I didn’t know how to respond to his awkward, yet genuine affection through actions.

There wasn’t a single word spoken about liking, cherishing, or loving me—no sweet talk at all—and yet his gaze, still somewhat unfamiliar, held a depth I couldn’t ignore.

“Weren’t you scared?”

“No.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

His actions were tender in just this way.

Truly like a father.

“I’m fine.”

As I shook my head, a large hand, big enough to cover my entire face, gently touched my forehead.

“No fever.”

A gentle, awkward hand.

So tender it left me almost breathless.

“…Dad?”

“Hm?”

He must have heard my small voice, but his playful tone teased back.

“Can’t hear you. Say it again, my lady?”

“….”

It was useless to glare. The elegantly upturned corners of his lips and the soft curve of his eyes were mesmerizing, as if capable of luring anyone.

“Are you all right, sir?”

He laughed, suppressing a chuckle at my tightly clenched words. He genuinely seemed to enjoy teasing me.

“Yes. I’m fine. Were you worried?”

“No.”

“You’re very honest, my lady.”

“I don’t think that’s something you can say.”

“Who, me?”

He truly seemed happy. His life seemed joyful, which made me a little envious. My biological father, laughing heartily, lightly tapped my cheek.

“Let’s go back to your mother now.”

“Mm.”

It was a brief but peaceful ending to our little ordeal. I let my guard down, feeling relieved. Then, my father suddenly froze.

“…?”

He stopped moving, staring intently at something, and I tried to turn my head. But he covered my eyes, and I failed.

“…What’s wrong?”

A sinister feeling began creeping up. My weakest “world-sensing” instinct reacted after meeting him.

No, this has to be a joke, right?

Something must have happened, yet Valer, who surrounded me, remained calm.

“My lady.”

“Hmm?”

Something was placed in my hand. The silver compass looked like a priceless artifact at first glance.

“Just walk straight ahead. Don’t answer if anyone calls. Think only of your happiest memories.”

What was this all of a sudden?

“Walk thinking of the person you want to see the most. No matter what appears, that path is the right one.”

My father slowly set me down and stepped forward.

“What about you, Dad?”

“Is this the first time you’re calling me that?”

Is now really the time for that?

“Answer me. What about you, Dad?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Despite my pressing questions, his answer was calm. Even in this situation, the playful tone barely wavered.

“Go ahead first.”

Before I could respond, my vision shifted drastically.

“Dad!”

When I regained my senses, I was alone in the darkness.

The commotion at the imperial palace was brief.

As if nothing had happened, the ballroom was quickly restored, and the ball resumed.

“A surprise event?”

“I was really startled.”

The brief darkness became a surprise event.

The suddenly vanished guests were, as if planned in advance, overlooked as Emperor Edward calmly observed the hall with a stern expression.

“How many people were affected?”

“We are checking.”

Deep furrows formed on Emperor Edward’s brow.

On such a fine day, what was happening? At least no one had died yet, thankfully.

“Shouldn’t we suspend the ball immediately?”

Empress Ageni, who knew the truth, voiced her concern, but it wasn’t easy.

Admitting that problems arose on the very first day of the founding celebration would tarnish the prestige of the Alemannian royal family.

Even aside from that, if the reason for the anomaly couldn’t be explained, this was the best approach.

‘We can only hope that person resolves it properly.’

The slothful prayer was ongoing, directed to the palace immortal who had coexisted with the Alemannian royal family for so long.

“Your Majesty.”

A servant approached in a hurry.

“They report that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cannot be seen.”

“…!”

Emperor Edward’s glare could not hide his anger. Just as he was about to explode in rage…

“And the Sky Tower’s impatient mage requests an audience.”

“Ha.”

Emperor Edward sighed quietly. Even as anger surged, his reasoning remained cold.

“Phew.”

He welcomed the mage who could provide clues to the situation while ordering an immediate search for Phaesion’s whereabouts.

“Let’s go to the reception room.”

Phaesion was running.

‘I have to get there.’

Everything had been coincidental.

Returning to the Crown Prince’s palace, Phaesion saw the Marchioness Belpartre. Lesley, who received something from her, approached Areline. And at the moment they touched, Phaesion witnessed a distorted vision of the world.

If not mistaken, something was clearly happening.

Despite the sudden darkness, Phaesion’s sharp instincts detected Areline’s disappearance.

Realizing this, Phaesion could no longer think clearly.

He had to do something. Anything.

Phaesion managed to lose Griehm and arrived at the place.

It was a massive sanctuary deep within the imperial palace, a place Emperor Edward had once said was allowed only for the “heir.”

A secluded sanctuary, inaccessible to those not in the royal line, was silent despite the light of many candles.

“Are you here?”

Panting, Phaesion scanned the hall. Nothing was on the altar; only candles glimmered, yet instinctively he knew.

“Please… help me.”

The one he had been seeking was here.

“Or perhaps… a bargain?”

A flicker of candlelight stirred.

In an instant, Phaesion glimpsed long flowing hair.

[Albrecht’s child.]

An immortal who had long maintained good relations with the Alemannian royal family.

[Why would a child like you request a bargain from me?]

Though Phaesion couldn’t see the full form of the being, the voice was unmistakable.

“Areline…”

[That child’s father has gone to save them. If you stay still, they will return safely.]

“But…”

Phaesion clenched his hands, wrinkling the fabric he held.

“I can’t trust that.”

He was the one who left Areline lonely. It was natural not to trust.

“I can’t wait.”

More than anything, Phaesion couldn’t wait.

Stay here, like before?

He didn’t want to feel helpless about Areline’s situation any longer.

Would Areline be okay?

Areline must be struggling even now.

“I want to save Areline. Please help me.”

Even if it meant asking for help from a mysterious immortal, Phaesion wanted to save Areline with his own hands.

[Hmph…]

A child’s whining—normally trivial—somehow intrigued the immortal.

Was it because the eyes seeking help contained only a single pure desire?

A pure desire with no hidden motives.

How long had it been since such an emotion was seen?

A rare feeling amidst all the swirling desires in the palace. Moreover, the child belonged to the royal family under his protection.

The immortal, recalling the abilities of the “loved” Alemannian royal, smiled faintly, convinced such powers worked even on immortals.

[Do you like that child?]

“Yes.”

The immediate answer led to a more mischievous question.

[How much?]

Phaesion blinked his large eyes.

[How much are you willing to stake?]

“…Everything.”