The head of the prestigious Duke Ludwick family, which has served the imperial family for generations, and a figure who has been assisting Farnes closely for nearly 20 years.

Some people used to refer to Duke Edward Ludwick like this:

The man who raised a tiger.

“Prince Farnes has turned five this year, so I intend to place an aide by his side. Edward, would you not serve him?”

The eldest son of the Duke Ludwick family.

Perhaps because he had five younger siblings, from a young age he found unique fulfillment in caring for and teaching others.

When his father recommended him for the position of aide to His Highness the Crown Prince, he could not help but be filled with hope and ambition.

To serve closely the one who would lead the Renel Empire in the future, how gratifying and honorable it was.

“I, Edward Ludwick, will serve Crown Prince Farnes with all my heart from now on.”

However, when he first entered the imperial palace and met Farnes, he realized that what lay before him was not just a vast, bright sea.

Farnes was so precocious that it was difficult to think of him as a child of that age. Even the servants and nursemaids secretly complained, saying, “He’s so unlike a child, it’s frightening.”

“Your Highness. How about going out sometimes and playing with friends? Reading books and cultivating knowledge is not everything.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Ludwick, do you think I have time for that?”

The special environment of the imperial family.

Along with the strict education that began when he could barely toddle, there was the implicit pressure of having to shoulder the Renel Empire, which was engaged in large and small conflicts with neighboring countries at the time.

Under such influences, Farnes was becoming a child who calculated how large the country he would rule was before realizing how beautiful the world could be.

“O sky and sun of the Renel Empire. If I may dare to say, please give His Highness the Crown Prince time and leisure to look around the wide world.”

“So it was you who has been putting strange ideas into the Crown Prince’s head lately. Edward Ludwick. You should know that I have been quite lenient with you out of consideration for my friendship with your father.”

“If this continues, His Highness Farnes will grow up to be a lonely person!”

“The throne is inherently a lonely position. Who dares to stand side by side and move forward with the emperor of a great nation!”

The Emperor of the Renel Empire at that time.

Farnes’ father was a very authoritarian person.

His belief was that a monarch’s position was lonely and absolute, and that he could not be equal friends with anyone, so naturally Farnes was strongly influenced by this.

And after ‘that incident’ decisively occurred.

Farnes’ heart, which had seemed about to open through Ludwick’s long efforts, closed completely.

He became an adult like a barren wasteland, showing his inner thoughts to no one and not revealing even the slightest hint of a smile.

But then, so simply, to him who had been like that.

“I wonder how such a thing rolled into my imperial palace.”

As if mocking the constant efforts of his closest aide and the years that followed, a woman appeared who put a small smile on Farnes’ face.

“With a face like a sulky acorn.”

New servants who had not served Farnes for long might have thought, how curious, and passed over it without much thought.

But not Ludwick, who had observed him since childhood.

When Farnes smiled faintly, engaged in playful banter back and forth with Cassalin, and even showed that he found the time conversing with her quite enjoyable.

Only one thought crossed Duke Ludwick’s mind:

‘Perhaps Cassalin, that woman, could stand side by side with His Majesty and move towards a bright future?’

Although the process and form were different, if these two people, who seemed to have suffered indelible wounds to their hearts, could moisten each other’s dry hearts.

“Your Majesty. A little while ago, a small puppy was lost in the western garden, getting rained on.”

“…What?”

If such a thing were possible, Duke Ludwick could readily become a bridge between the two.

Furthermore, he would gladly offer help to Cassalin as well.

Although the blood flowing in their veins was different and she could not dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, nevertheless, for the sake of his lord whom he could not help but love.

The ashen clouds covering the sky poured down thick raindrops, making a mockery of the spring season.

Was it thanks to those raindrops fiercely lashing her cheeks?

“I think… I’m alright now. I’m sorry.”

Belatedly overcome with embarrassment, Cassalin squirmed out of his embrace.

Farnes hesitated a few times with his hand in the air, as if somewhat reluctant, then silently let her step away.

It had been a brief but intense embrace.

Her waist, which had been captured by his arms until just moments ago, was still trembling, unable to regain its composure.

Cassalin tried to return his outer garment, and Farnes firmly grasped her wrist.

“Put it on while I’m asking nicely. Can’t you see it’s raining?”

“That won’t do. You’re getting rained on because of me.”

“Are you afraid I’ll hold you responsible if the Emperor catches a cold?”

Cassalin, who had been struggling alone to neatly fold the enormous coat that was more than twice her size, tilted her head as if confused.

“No?”

“If that’s not the reason, then why…?”

“Of course I’d be worried if Your Majesty caught a cold.”

“You’d be worried about me?”

“How difficult would it be if you fell ill? You’re mistaken if you think the Emperor can avoid such things. We’re all equally fragile humans in the end.”

Farnes drew in a short breath, unable to continue speaking.

Because of the downpour obscuring her vision, Cassalin couldn’t see it, but at that moment, a light like a bright star flashed in Farnes’ eyes, whether from joy or surprise.

It was the kind of expression a wanderer who had been lost in a dark cave for a long time might make upon unexpectedly finding a hand of salvation.

“Now, please put on the coat quickly. Here, since you can’t reach, if you could lower your head a bit…”

“…In the end, we’re all equally fragile humans.”

Farnes looked down at Cassalin standing blankly, seeming lost in thought for a moment, then instantly returned to his usual indifferent expression.

“If I’m a fragile human, how weak must you be? I’ve been too lenient, and now you dare to speak so boldly to the Emperor.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have you know I grew up without a single bout of illness.”

Only slightly weakened after the carriage accident.

Cassalin swallowed the rest of her words and tightly closed her mouth.

“So, I’d like to hear your excuse for why you, who grew up without a single bout of illness, were coughing and searching through the garden.”

“That’s…”

“…Enough. Let’s go inside and talk.”

He wrapped Cassalin’s body in his coat like a blanket and led her to the nearest palace.

By now, the raindrops had grown even thicker, forming deep puddles here and there. With each step, their feet splashed in the water.

It was just as they had barely entered indoors to escape the rain, led by his hand.

“It seems our lady-in-waiting has caused trouble again.”

Shalen approached and spoke as if she had been waiting.

Farnes’ gaze lingered briefly on the two umbrellas, large and small, in Shalen’s hand, then slowly moved to Cassalin’s wet face.

The rainwater flowing down her cheeks looking like tears was surely not a mere illusion.

“I’ll take her from here. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Was it you who left this child standing in the rain?”

When the perceptive Farnes asked, Shalen’s breathing faltered slightly for a moment.

She quickly regained her composure and answered.

“Left standing? If others heard, they might misunderstand…”

“At the reading, I clearly promised in front of numerous guests that I would spend time alone with Cassalin whenever my help was needed. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten, but that…”

“And yet, suddenly calling her away as if stealing her today, and now saying you’ll take her away without notice. It doesn’t seem to be just my imagination that you’re intentionally interfering and breaking the promise.”

May I consider this a provocation against me?

When Farnes spoke as if putting a period to the conversation, Shalen could not produce any more retorts and quietly bit her lip.

Farnes’ dry eyes, devoid of any emotion, slowly rolled to the side and stopped on Cassalin.

“You there.”

Farnes said in a low voice, not taking his eyes off her.

At the strange tension flowing between the two monarchs, the servants who had been watching from a distance hurried over with quick steps.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take this child to her room and let her warm up.”

“Understood. Lady Cassalin Roberfon. This way, please.”

Cassalin had no choice but to follow the servant, continuously looking back.

In the corridor where rainwater splashed in, Farnes and Shalen stood facing each other as if in confrontation.

What conversation passed between them could not be heard in the end.

In the darkened room with the fire out, Cassalin, crouched in front of the fireplace, the only light, continued to cough dryly.

It seemed her physical condition was worse than she had thought.

But she didn’t have the luxury of complaining just because she had caught a mere cold.

As soon as the sun rises, she needs to search for Rose’s ring again, and next week there’s a hunting competition scheduled, so she needs to prepare for that too.

‘It’s okay. I’ll get better after a night’s sleep.’

Cassalin curled up her body frozen from the cold like a cat, and tried to sleep with Farnes’ coat draped over her.

As the faint scent of his body lingering on the collar was about to lead her into a peaceful dream.

“Why are you sleeping on the floor.”

In her half-asleep state, Farnes’ voice tickled her ear, but she vaguely thought it must be a dream.

His voice, whispering gently unlike his usual gruff manner, didn’t seem real at all.

Cassalin tossed and turned, unconsciously hugging his coat tightly.

This time, a soft laugh was heard. She felt strong arms gently lifting her body.

“What am I to do with you…”

The Farnes in her dream muttered something disapprovingly, but she couldn’t understand.

She only faintly felt the brief touch of lips on her forehead.