The dawn was breaking.

After confirming that Teriella had safely fallen asleep, Revenfell slipped out of the bedroom. He sat in the study, lost in thought.

Standing before him were Elifu and Clint. Originally, it was the time for Elifu to return to the shrine, and Clint was supposed to be on guard duty for Teriella. However, Revenfell had summoned them.

Both of them were connected to Teriella, thanks to the fate she had woven. If she hadn’t been there, neither Elifu nor Clint would have remained by Revenfell’s side.

“Empress… No, make sure to watch over Teriella.”

A firm voice commanded the two.

“Your Majesty, what’s happening? Who is targeting the Empress?”

“Does someone have ill intentions towards Her Majesty?”

Reacting simultaneously to Revenfell’s command, the two wore startled expressions. Elifu was ready to rush to Teriella immediately, while Clint scanned the surroundings as if he were about to draw his sword.

Revenfell paid no attention to what the two were doing or saying in front of him.

“No. It’s not that. Ugh.”

Instead of an explanation, Revenfell sighed eventually.

He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off with Teriella’s expression just a while ago. Even until she lay down on the bed, she kept murmuring that she was okay.

Like someone who is not okay. Like someone who should be okay. Like someone striving to be okay.

“…Just. If you ever sense anything strange about the Empress, don’t miss a thing and report it all to me.”

Revenfell’s golden eyes were as dark as a moon sunk beneath the surface of the water.

Elifu and Clint had many questions they wanted to ask, but seeing Revenfell’s face, they decided to bury them in silence. Nodding, Clint said he would patrol and left.

“…Your Majesty.”

“Did Prince Carian Lupeon… receive any messages?”

At Revenfell’s question, Elifu cautiously lowered her head. Shadows deepened on Revenfell’s face.

Regular reports from Carian had ceased. Even though he hadn’t received any reports since a week before he went to fetch Clint, Revenfell thought there would be a report when he returned.

Should there be an urgent message, he had already ordered to send a messenger bird to the sanctuary.

But not a single report had come from Carian.

‘What happened.’

He was a senior spirit mage and the heir to the Lupeon throne. Thus, he was often summoned to dangerous areas hit by droughts or large-scale wildfires.

So, thinking that the contact might be delayed, he sent a messenger bird separately, but the letter returned with the letter tied to its ankle.

“Your Majesty, isn’t Prince Carian the Empress’s brother? If there’s no contact, wouldn’t it be better to inform the Empress…”

“No.”

Revenfell cut off Elifu’s concern.

Originally, he had planned to speak about it. Of course, he had planned to speak about it. However, after seeing Teriella a while ago, Revenfell changed his mind.

“For now, keep it a secret from the Empress.”
It seemed inappropriate to tell Teriella about it right now. Sharing it with her would only add a heavier burden.

Revenfell frowned, recalling Teriella, who had been on the verge of tears.

“Definitely not to the Empress.”

Even if he was scolded for not telling, Revenfell couldn’t help it. Teriella was more precious to him at the moment than Carian’s safety.

“Keep it a secret. I’ll take responsibility.”

He couldn’t bear to see Teriella breaking down.

“I’ll officially request information from the Lupion Kingdom. And if there’s any danger to Prince Carian…”

“…,”

“I will personally intervene to help him.”

Having made up his mind, Revenfell quickly scanned through some documents and stood up from his seat.

“Your Majesty, where are you going?”

“Elifu, you should return to the shrine for now.”

“But…”

“It’s okay. Wasn’t that your original duty?”

“Still, it must be too hard for you.”

“Pretending to be difficult in front of Empress. That way, she’ll worry about me. I’ve prepared for a time when there might be no resurrection. Go back and take care of your duties. Elifu.”

Leaving Elifu behind, Revenfell left the study.

There were still things to confirm, and the most important task remained.

Now was the opportune moment, with Clint guarding Teriella.

Revenfell questioned him closely.

Leaving the main palace, Revenfell rode a horse and dashed towards the familiar north tower of the palace.

Descending from the horse, he, with familiar steps, headed towards the lowest floor of the north tower.

It was after leaving enough water and provisions to withstand the schedule before leaving the palace. However, it was uncertain whether his mother was alive or dead.

Revenfell’s footsteps broke the silence. At the same time, a sound of someone shaking the iron bars like mad reached his ears.

“…Still alive.”

Due to the extended schedule beyond the expected timeframe, the water and provisions he had prepared in advance seemed to have run out, and Revenfell’s mother was dying.