“It must have been tough.”

“Yeah, it was too tough. But it’s okay now.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Despite being my friend and subordinate, you followed my orders. Thank you.”

“No, it was something that had to be done someday. I always felt it instinctively. Even though he’s my friend, I knew he always tried to move me in his own way. It seemed like I left it that way because it was more comfortable. I thought I would live longer if I did nothing. I wanted to live just like that, even in a dry and boring world. But not anymore. I don’t need someone who makes me a scarecrow now.”
He may have said that, but I know all too well how lonely he must be. He was someone who couldn’t trust people.

Not only women but humanity itself, he had hatred towards. So I worry. I worry that he might lose trust in people even more, that he might become a person with no friends.

“Don’t make that face. It’s not your fault. It’s my fault for just letting a greedy friend be, for keeping such a person as a friend. So you don’t have to apologize. It’s just the right time.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Yeah. As long as you’re here, Bella. No, it seems fine with you, Ridel, and Shasha.”

“But still…”

“The burden is the Emperor. The Emperor is enough.”

“Aren’t you lonely? It’s not like you’re not lonely just because you’re the Emperor.”

Rather, Leon smiled at me on such a day.

“Having a loved one by my side, having beloved children, how could I be lonely? And it’s not like I don’t have friends at all. I have an aide, and there are people from the palace. Among those who turned from the noble faction to the Emperor faction, there are trustworthy ones. So don’t worry.”

“Well, that’s fortunate, but…”

“You still worry only about me. As if I’m the only one who does that. This must be love, right?”

Agreeing with his words, I laughed more brightly than ever. Perhaps, even the moment of worrying about someone is love. It must be happiness to see that person smiling and to smile along with them.

“Yeah. That’s what love is. I feel the same way.”

I could feel his breath trembling slightly against my hand.

“It’s really nice. I hope everything is resolved quickly.”

Still unable to wake up, Ridel and Shasha reading fairy tales to him every day.

And looking at those children pitifully, Leon’s expression stiffened slightly.

“It’s almost over.”

“Yeah… By the way, we found Belzel. Bella. Just as you said, he was hiding in the duke’s residence, pretending to be a housekeeper. It was quite interesting.”

“Really?”

“As soon as we confirmed him, I came straight to you. I wanted to tell you before anyone else, although I couldn’t find out anything else…”

Leon, who blurred the end of his words, scratched his head awkwardly.

“You did well. That person will probably confess easily.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. He was being protected in the safest place. If he stayed there, he would never be in danger. But being captured proves that he couldn’t do that. So, in the end, he will confess his crime more easily than anyone else. Since he knows that no one can protect him, he will side with those in power. As long as they guarantee his safety.”

He seemed to be thinking about something, so he stroked his chin.

“So, maybe Evan caused even more chaos to prevent him from investigating his house.”

“Really? I thought he would rebel, but was it more intense than expected?”
“Yeah. Anyway, there’s one more piece of bad news.”

“When you say bad news…”

“Even though the wizards of the tower have mobilized, and someone using magic has been confirmed there… the traces have become fainter. We can roughly guess who it is, though.”

“Beatrice.”

“…”

“Thinking about seeing her after such a long time, how do you feel?”

“Recently, when I’m with you, the misogyny has definitely improved. It was comfortable even when talking to maids.”

I stared at him in surprise at the sudden confession.

“But thinking about seeing that woman, it feels like my mind is suddenly going crazy. I missed you so much. Bella, I wanted to hold your hand, be by your side. It seemed like it would be okay if I did. Ironically, I’m relying on you too much.”

“You can rely on me. If it can make you feel better.”

“Yeah. I’ll keep relying on you. So don’t go anywhere. Stay by my side.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Bella, with you alone, I feel like I can handle anything. I gain that confidence when I’m with you.”

“Handle it for us. Bring the one who tormented our son. Bring down Beatrice and the Duke who keep saying that you’re just a substitute for the empress. Expose their wrongdoings one by one.”

And thus, change the ending of this novel.

Rather than a novel with a predetermined conclusion, let it become the time we create.

“Yeah. I’ll handle it. I’ll handle anything that comes our way.”

It was then. Shasha seemed to be getting up with a groaning sound, showing a vigorous movement. Leon, hurriedly smoothing his voice, left after seeing that.

Like a person who feels stabbed. Like someone who failed to do something. His hurried departure looked quite cute.

While looking at him, I gently stroked Ridel’s head.

‘Ridel, the end of our story is starting to be visible. So… it’s time to wake up.’