“I have something to say. About me.”

Hades stared intently at the woman before him. A woman as enigmatic as she was known to him. A woman who conjured new mysteries even as she revealed answers.

However, he had reason to doubt Angelica’s sincerity at this moment.

“I won’t listen.”

“What?”

“I said I won’t listen.”

With each word, Hades spoke forcefully.

“Angelica, whatever you say now is likely just to reject me. So, how could I possibly believe you? If you have something to say, say it next time.”

Angelica sounded utterly flustered.

“So, when should I tell you?”

“When I say it’s okay.”

Of course, that day would never come.

Hades had no interest in hearing about Angelica’s troubles. If it were something he could resolve, that would be different. But if Angelica was rejecting him, it was likely an insurmountable issue.

“…Hades.”

He averted his gaze from Angelica. He was not pleased with her refusal to accept him.

“Do you intend to force me to listen?”

“Everything I’ve told you about me so far is a lie.”

Hades was taken aback. Angelica clenched her teeth, her gaze focused on the ground. It didn’t seem like a story she wanted to tell.

“…You even lie.”

Angelica hastily countered.

“It’s not a lie. Really…”

“I have already verified everything about you. Your appearance, personality, traits… You are the Saintess of Kaysi, Angelica.”

“It’s just an outward appearance.”

Angelica’s lips quivered.

“That’s why I’m telling you, I am not Angelica.”

Hades stared at her intently. The more he heard, the more he was convinced. Angelica truly wanted to reject him.

She even concocted such an unbelievable lie to do so.

But if Angelica insisted…

‘So be it.’

“So, what’s the issue?”

“…?”

Angelica seemed too shocked to speak. After several attempts, her lips moved but no voice emerged.

“What does it matter if you’re only wearing the Saintess’s shell? Unless you’ve changed, the you I know has always been you. You’re the one who helped me.”

If she really wanted to reject him, she could say she disliked Hades Croitner. She could ask to leave Donovan.

Hades did not approach Angelica any further. Instead, he turned to leave the room. Angelica still couldn’t find her voice.

So, when Hades left the room, the only voice that rang out naturally was his.

“I like you.”

(This is a time separator.)

“Your Highness, we need to send back the group from Byungbaek.”

Hades slowly turned to look at Knight William. William stood at attention, looking at him solemnly, fully aware he was challenging his lord’s authority.

“…How am I supposed to control natural disasters? I understand if you dislike the group from Byungbaek, but it would be best to exercise restraint.”

“But, Your Highness.”

Knight William didn’t move an inch.

“They’re just hiding their true colors for now, fundamentally they’re arrogant and cruel. They also don’t know gratitude. While you could send them away anytime, why keep them here all winter?”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“The decision is indeed yours, Your Highness. However, as the captain of the knights, I’m responsible for the security here and also for managing the knights. Please at least explain the reason.”

Hades was silent for a moment. It wasn’t that there was no reason; it was that he couldn’t share it with William.

“…If a problem arises, I will take full responsibility.”
Hades’s lips twisted slightly.

“Hasn’t it always been that way until now?”

“……Your Highness, we are doing our best.”

Sir William’s voice quivered slightly.

“Even if our help isn’t significant, we’ve fought beside you, risking our lives. How can you say it’s solely your responsibility?”

Hades’s eyes narrowed. Angelica had once told him, why are you trying to solve everything by yourself? She alone saw the truth that even Sir William, who had taught him swordsmanship since childhood and had been a lifelong aide, didn’t realize.

“A slip of the tongue. I apologize.”

“No need.”

Sir William bowed his head.

“It’s understandable for you to think that way. After all, we haven’t been very helpful. However…”

He hesitated briefly before continuing.

“To be of assistance to you, at the very least, I need to know why you made that decision.”

Hades’s gaze wandered into the void. Telling the reason wasn’t difficult. Shatekan appealed to him. He used a shallow trick to recruit him.

But Hades knew too well that alone wouldn’t convince Sir William.

“With Altair… his two companions.”

Hades looked directly at Sir William.

“Don’t you find it strange?”

“Strange?”

Sir William appeared slightly bewildered.

“Aren’t they just adventurers of no consequence? They might be staying with Kyeongbaek and his party for now, but without you, they would have left the castle soon.”

“Huh.”

Hades chuckled.

“But they are so sure of themselves. They seem to think they are heroes.”

“……If what they say is true, they are heroes.”

Sir William smiled.

“But do you know what I think? I think you are a hero, Your Highness.”

“Are you flattering me to extract the truth?”

“It’s not flattery.”