Edward Ludwik, the head of the esteemed Ludwik Ducal family, which has served the royal family for generations, and a close aide to Parnes for nearly 20 years, was often referred to by some as “the man who raised a tiger.”

“His Highness Parnes has turned five this year, so we wish to appoint an aide for him. Edward, would you serve him?”

As the eldest son of the Ludwik Ducal family, with five younger siblings, Edward had always found a unique fulfillment in caring for and teaching others from a young age.

When his father recommended him for the position of aide to the crown prince, he was filled with hope and ambition.

“What an honor and pride it is to serve the future ruler of the Rhenel Empire at close quarters.”

However, when he first entered the palace and met Parnes, he realized that what lay before him was not just a bright, vast sea but something more complex.

Parnes was incredibly precocious for his age, to the point that even the servants and nannies secretly grumbled about his unnerving maturity.

“Your Highness, why don’t you go outside and have fun with friends occasionally? Reading and acquiring knowledge isn’t everything.”

“Naive talk, Ludwik. Do you see me having time for that?”

The special environment of the royal family, the strict education from a young age, and the subtle pressure of bearing the future of the Rhenel Empire, which was then in conflict with neighboring countries, shaped Parnes into a child more concerned with the enormity of his future responsibilities than the beauty of the world.

“The sky and sun of the Rhenel Empire. Humbly, I beseech you to grant His Highness Parnes time and leisure to see the vast world.”

“The same Ludwik Edward who’s been putting strange ideas in the prince’s head. I’ve been lenient with you, considering my friendship with your father.”

“If it continues this way, His Highness Parnes will grow into a lonely man!”

“A monarch is inherently a solitary position. Who dares to stand beside the emperor of a great nation as equals!”

The Emperor of Rhenel at that time, Parnes’s father, was a very authoritative figure, firmly believing in the solitary and absolute nature of a monarch’s role.

And after “that incident,” any hope Ludwik had of opening Parnes’s heart was completely shut off.

Parnes became a man who showed no inner thoughts to anyone and hardly ever smiled.

Yet, so simply,

“How did such a thing roll into my palace?”

A woman appeared who easily brought a smile back to Parnes’s face, effortlessly mocking Ludwik’s persistent efforts and years of dedication.

“Such a sulky acorn-like face.”

To those new to serving Parnes, it might have seemed trivial. But not to Ludwik, who had known him since childhood.

When Parnes genuinely smiled, playfully bantered with Kasalyn, and even seemed to enjoy his time talking with her, Ludwik had only one thought.

“Perhaps Kasalyn, this woman, might be the one to stand beside His Highness and lead to a brighter future?”
Although their processes and forms were different, both seemed to bear indelible wounds in their hearts. If they could moisten each other’s parched hearts…

“Your Majesty, just a while ago, a little puppy was lost in the western garden, getting soaked in the rain.”

“……What?”

If such a thing were possible, Duke Ludwik was more than willing to become the bridge between the two. He would also gladly assist Kasalyn.

Despite their different bloodlines and the impossibility of standing shoulder to shoulder, all for his beloved sovereign, whom he could not help but love.

The heavy spring rain continued to pour, making the season of spring seem irrelevant.

Maybe it was due to the sharp stings of raindrops slapping her cheeks.

“I think…… I’m okay now. I’m sorry.”

Kasalyn, belatedly flushed with embarrassment, wriggled out of his embrace.

Parnes, seemingly reluctant to let go, hesitated a few times in the air with his hand before finally letting her step back.

It was a brief but intense embrace.

Her waist, which had just been clutched by his arms, was still trembling, unable to regain its composure.

Kasalyn tried to return his coat, but Parnes quickly grabbed her wrist.

“Wear it. Don’t you see it’s raining?”

“That’s difficult. You’ll get wet because of me.”

“Afraid I’ll catch a cold and hold you responsible?”

Kasalyn, struggling to properly fold his oversized coat, tilted her head in confusion.

“No?”

“Then why…”

“Obviously, I’d be worried if you catch a cold. It’s hard to be sick, even for an emperor. In the end, we’re all just fragile humans.”

Parnes took a short breath, unable to respond.

Though Kasalyn couldn’t see through the rain, Parnes’s eyes twinkled with a mix of joy and surprise.

“Come on, put on the coat. I can’t reach, so could you bend down a bit…”

“……So, we’re all just fragile humans.”

Parnes returned to his indifferent expression and looked down at Kasalyn, who was now somewhat lost in thought.

“If I’m fragile, how weak must you be? Spoiling you to say whatever you like to an emperor.”