YPDM 05

Chapter 05

Ash picked something up with its beak and dropped it in front of me.

[Here it is. Something strange.]

I was still angry at the creature, but given the situation, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Isn’t that just a tea leaf?”

[Look closely. The shape is different from the other tea leaves. There’s a subtle color difference too.]

I furrowed my brow as hard as I could and stared at the damp leaf.

‘……It’s true?’

Compared to the other leaves, it was longer and the tip was unusually pointed. The color was also darker.

[There’s a suspicious smell to it.]

“What kind of smell?”

[Hard to explain. If I had to put it into words, I’d say it’s a smell that doesn’t belong in this land.]

I felt deflated by his vague answer.

“So you don’t know what this leaf is either.”

[Yeah. I have no idea.]

A hollow laugh escaped me as I watched him answer so confidently that he didn’t know.

Well, if it weren’t for Ash, I wouldn’t have even noticed the leaf was different.

[By the way, your sister—her name was Karin, right? She seems knowledgeable about herbs. I know my fair share of plants, but this is my first time seeing this one.]

“Don’t praise Karin in front of me.”

When I glared at him sharply, Ash flinched and quickly nodded.

‘Anyway, now that I know the leaf is the problem, I can just investigate it myself.’

I took out a piece of paper and began planning how to uncover the leaf’s identity.

—

* * *

The heart of the current Varkan Empire was none other than the Crown Prince’s Palace.

This was because the Emperor had withdrawn from all affairs after falling ill due to a chronic condition.

The sudden absence of the Emperor.

Fortunately, however, the empire’s internal affairs proceeded smoothly.

Thanks to his son, Crown Prince Edwin.

It had already been several months since Edwin began serving as regent in place of the Emperor, who could barely even move.

Everyone adapted quickly to the change.

The once-restless Imperial Palace soon entered a period of stability, and the daily lives of the palace staff gradually became peaceful.

That is, until this morning.

“Wait, please wait just a moment!”

The head chamberlain of the Imperial Palace fidgeted anxiously as he hurriedly chased after a man.

But the man strode across the palace corridors without looking back.

Those who saw this legendary figure for the first time each held their breath quietly.

Yet they couldn’t stop rolling their eyes to steal glances at him.

He was a man of such striking appearance that it was impossible to look away.

His black hair, as if cut from a piece of night itself, was mysterious.

Between the strands of hair that naturally fell across his forehead lay straight brows, and beneath them, crimson eyes that emitted a deep, profound light.

Then came his smooth, elegant nose bridge, lips so alluringly red, and a jawline sharp enough to cut if touched.

His face, tracing a distinct yet graceful contour, was beyond mere beauty.

He stood a head taller than most, yet gave no impression of being clumsy. His sleek, well-built body was reminiscent of a supple leopard.

The identity of this perfect man, as if a war angel had descended to earth, was…….

“Your Grace, the Duke of Krabanth!”

“…….”

The head chamberlain called out to him in a voice so desperate it bordered on pathetic.

The Duke of Krabanth in question, Renox, was now walking down the corridor that led to the Crown Prince’s office.

Yet no one dared to block his way or point out his arrogance.

It wasn’t merely because of his noble status and background as a duke, or his formidable reputation as the Guardian of the Empire.

The expressionless man exuded an overwhelming aura that made him difficult to approach.

It was the presence unique to a ruler.

“Your Highness, please……!”

The head chamberlain, running as if sprinting, spread his arms wide and finally blocked Renox’s path.

Then, not daring to actually face him, he squeezed his eyes shut.

He already knew about the Crown Prince’s absurd actions.

And how displeased the Duke would be.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is currently busy with important matters. I will relay your message, so please make an appointment first and…….”

“Step aside.”

“I beg of you. You know this isn’t right.”

But the poor chamberlain’s choice was not a wise one.

Instead of an answer, a powerful force pressed down on his entire body.

“Ugh!”

The chamberlain dropped to both knees on the smooth marble floor.

Following the overwhelming pressure that made it hard even to breathe, a chilling sensation crept in, as if a beast’s fangs were slowly sinking into his neck.

Cold sweat poured down his immobilized body.

The knights and attendants guarding the Crown Prince in the vicinity were in the same predicament.

“Rest assured. Your master will remain unharmed.”

A dry voice pierced down onto their crowns, unable to even lift their heads, pinned by an invisible force.

“For now.”

Renox, who had spat out the words in a flat tone, opened the Crown Prince’s office door without hesitation.

Crown Prince Edwin, fully aware of the commotion outside, greeted Renox with composure.

“You’re here?”

He thought that face, like a sculpture, was still as striking no matter how many times he saw it.

“Loosen up that expression. At this rate, you’ll kill someone with just a glare.”

It was a playful joke laced with familiarity, but Renox didn’t even bother to respond.

Instead, he pressed something he had been holding firmly onto Edwin’s desk before pulling his hand away.

“What’s this all about?”

Edwin pretended to know nothing as he picked up the paper, crumpled like a ball and then flattened once more.

“You really did a number on it.”

He unfolded the paper, crumpled almost beyond recognition. It was a page from a newspaper.

‘Oh, that’s a killer headline.’

Edwin silently admired it.

As expected, a headline needs to be sensational first and foremost. Thanks to that, he had managed to lure the Duke, who wouldn’t budge from his southern territory, all the way to the Imperial Palace.

He curled the corners of his mouth with satisfaction and read the headline once more.

—

[Mysterious Guardian, Duke of Krabanth, Looking for a Special Bride?!]

—

Even as Renox’s aura grew increasingly lethal, Edwin remained as carefree as ever.

“When did this article even come out? I don’t know who wrote it, but it’s amusing.”

Renox’s patience finally hit its limit.

“Duke, just in case you’re wondering, I swear I have nothing to do with this and……. Eek!”

“You’re asking for a beating.”

Renox expressed his current mood through action rather than words. A sharply honed sword had somehow appeared in his hand.

“Wait, wait!”

Startled, Edwin shot up from his seat, stretching both hands forward and backing away.

“What kind of madness is it to draw a sword before I’ve even finished speaking? Calm down and…….”

But Renox had not a speck of intention to entertain Edwin’s jokes.

He replied by imbuing his sword with a chilling blade aura.

Edwin hastily shouted.

“Just in case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you—I am the Crown Prince of the Varkan Empire!”

Unfortunately, his words stirred no emotion in Renox.

Woong.

The sword hummed with a murderous resonance, vibrating faintly.

A frigid aura, as if it could freeze everything in an instant, emanated around Renox.

Edwin quickly added.

“You know that swinging that at me would be treason, right?”

A faint trace of irritation—’So what?’—crept onto Renox’s face.

The head of the House of Krabanth.

Truly the empire’s sword and its most powerful guardian.

This young man, who ruled over the vast southern territories beneath his feet, had an innate distaste for people who annoyed him.

Especially if that person had been pestering him for over a decade.

Left with no way out, Edwin shook his head.

“First, put away that horrible thing. Why are you so impatient?”

“Explain.”

“Why are you always like this, Duke? Do you still think I’m the snot-nosed brat I used to be…….”

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Ah, fine! I get it!”

Only after Edwin threw up both hands in surrender did Renox finally sheathe his sword.

The blade, which had gleamed with a blue aura, vanished as if sucked into the palm of its master’s hand.

Renox crossed the Crown Prince’s office as naturally as if it were his own room.

As he settled onto a sofa, sinking into the backrest, Edwin sat across from him and grumbled.

“I called you here to help even though I’m swamped with work, and instead of a thank you, I get threatened with death. Oh, woe is me.”

“What are you playing at?”

Renox cut off Edwin’s lament.

“I don’t have time, so get to the point. Why did you pull this nonsensical stunt?”

Shrugging as if he had no choice, Edwin answered.

“A divine oracle came down last night.”

A brief ripple passed through Renox’s usually calm eyes before quickly subsiding.

Edwin raised an eyebrow at how remarkably fast the disturbance faded.

“You seem like you already knew? Did something give you a hint?”

Ignoring Edwin’s curious gaze, Renox silently spread open his palm.

“Huh? You knew the oracle was coming? How?”

“You heartless human.”

Though calling him human was a bit of a stretch.

“Here I am, delivering the oracle, and this is how I’m treated.”

Grumbling, Edwin pulled something from his bosom and handed it to Renox.