I see. This person feels similar emotions when looking at me. That’s why they got so angry and shouted. Because their heart is aching, sad, and frustrated like this.

Only then did Roxiana understand all his actions towards her until now. And she realized he had told her about his past for this understanding.

“Why do you use the name Floyd?”

She asked something she had been curious about since learning the meaning of that name.

“Even though they called Your Highness Floyd, you had the name Eighty… Or you could have changed it to another name.”

“When I cleared out all the monsters in this area, the Emperor of the Empire summoned me and said he would grant me the title of Duke. Instead, he asked me to stay in Torkan and manage the scattered cracks around here. At that time, he asked if I wanted to be named Eighty Pelur.”

Floyd chuckled.

“I said no. Eighty? Pelur? I didn’t want to use anything from that family. Then the nickname Floyd came to mind.”

– “Floyd. I’ll go with Floyd Ratean.”

Floyd clearly remembered the day he had answered the Emperor like that.

“The nickname they called me with contempt. The name that was called more often than my real name and eventually became my name. Floyd.”

Floyd turned to look at Roxiana. Only after seeing his ashen eyes burn blue did Roxiana realize why he continued to use the contemptuous nickname.

“You’re showing them. That Floyd is here.”

“That’s right. The one you despised and mocked as Floyd has become a Duke and swallowed Torkan. The one you looked down on and ridiculed now receives cheers and trust from many people. Look, you bastards. I might even swallow Gaina, so stay on your toes.”

She could deeply understand his feelings.

After all, Roxiana had also decided to keep using the name Roxiana Franche for the same reason.

“We are… similar.”

“That’s right, Princess. We are similar. What I hold in my heart is no less than yours. I didn’t want to do anything, but since I’ve decided to join you, I’ll see it through to the end. So Princess, don’t try to do it alone. We’re walking the same path.”

+++

After pondering for several days over the information Puchino had given her, Elise made a decision.

‘I heard there are quite a few people who want to promote Casar as Crown Prince. If Duke Ratean lends his strength to Casar, Lucas’s position will be greatly shaken. That can’t happen. Absolutely not.’

It was after Lucas’s confinement had been lifted.

Having made her decision, Elise no longer hesitated. She went to the capital city of Atanta, rented a room in a small inn in a corner, and sent a secret message to Lucas through a hunter.

Late at night, a man with his hood pulled low came to the room where Elise was staying. As soon as he entered, he took off his hood and embraced Elise.

“It’s been a while, Elin. Why did you ask to meet in a place like this? Without coming into the palace.”

“I thought it wouldn’t be good for Your Highness to come and go when His Majesty the King is in a bad mood.”

“You’re so thoughtful. But don’t worry. Father has calmed down now.”

As if that could be true. Joseph V was probably just pretending to have calmed down because he thought Lucas’s position would be shaken if he kept being angry at him.

But Elise didn’t say what was on her mind. Men don’t like it when women appear too smart.

“That’s a relief. You don’t know how worried I was.”

“Even though I was just staying in the Crown Prince’s palace, why were you so worried? I was bored, but… Ah, I have something to apologize for to you.”

Elise instinctively knew Lucas was about to bring up the topic of the Crown Princess and struggled to manage her expression.

“Actually… My father was so displeased with this incident that he chose a Crown Princess without even asking for my opinion. I refused several times, but I’m sorry. With even my mother supporting father’s opinion, there was nothing I could do…”

Elise lowered her eyes as if upset. As a tear that had welled up under her long lashes rolled down her cheek, Elise raised her gaze to meet his eyes and spoke in a trembling voice.

“It’s alright, Your Highness. It’s really alright…”

Seeing the small woman trying hard to say it was fine with an expression that was not fine at all, Lucas’s heart ached.

“I’m sorry, Elise.”

“Don’t be sorry, Your Highness. I’m just a woman from a colony with nothing. Someone chosen by His Majesty the King would be more suitable by your side than someone like me.”

“Don’t say such things. Who else could be as suitable by my side as you? You’re beautiful and intelligent. I heard you’re managing Kingteren very well. Father just doesn’t have an eye for talent.”

“No. I’m just doing what needs to be done… I won’t be greedy for the position by your side. I’ll just build up my strength to be of help to you. That’s enough for me.”

Lucas was deeply moved by Elise’s words as she spoke with a sob. He couldn’t bear how lovely she was, willing to work for him despite how upset she must be inside.

“You’re the only one I love. Someday when I sit on that throne, I’ll find a way to drive out the queen and put you by my side.”

Although she had heard what she wanted to hear most, Elise didn’t reveal her true feelings and shook her head.

“Don’t do that. It’s enough for me just to be able to see Your Highness up close. I don’t want you to get hurt by acting recklessly.”

“Hurt? Who would dare to oppose my will when I become the supreme ruler? You are my will, my meaning, my strength to live. So don’t you dare say anything that sounds like you’re giving up on me.”

As if he could no longer hold back, Lucas embraced Elise and headed for the bed. Elise didn’t resist and let him take her, making the sounds he wanted to hear.

After pouring out his passion several times, the exhausted Lucas flopped down and held Elise in his arms. As Elise fiddled with his chest, she carefully brought up the topic.

“Your Highness, I heard a somewhat strange story.”

“A strange story?”

“Yes, it’s about Duke Ratean…”

Lucas abruptly raised his upper body. Only after seeing his crumpled face did Elise realize that Puchino’s words about Lucas hating Duke Ratean terribly were true.

“Ratean? Are you talking about that damned brat? How do you know about that bastard? Have you met him without my knowledge?”

“No, Your Highness. No. How could I? I just heard the story from a merchant who frequently visits Kingteren. I don’t even know his name properly. Your Highness, I’m scared…”

Only after seeing Elise’s shoulders trembling did Lucas’s eyes soften.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve suffered a lot from that bastard.”

Lucas had never suffered anything from Floyd, but every time people compared Floyd to him, he felt as if he had suffered greatly.

For example, comments like how Duke Ratean is tall while the Crown Prince is short, or how Duke Ratean bravely leads in battle while the Crown Prince only knows how to enjoy parties in the Crown Prince’s palace.

Seeing Lucas flare up in anger, Elise thought that Puchino had provided her with very accurate information.

“So, what kind of story did you hear?”

“I heard that Duke Ratean secretly sent a letter to Casar. Saying he had something urgent to discuss if they met in Canta.”

She added a little exaggeration to the story she had heard from Puchino.

“Moreover, he’s going to trade monster byproducts at the auction house in Canta. Since the auction house takes at least 10 percent when an auction is held, Casar will make a lot of money. Isn’t it too strange? What is Duke Ratean trying to do by showing so much favor to Casar?”

Lucas gritted his teeth.

“It’s clear without even looking. Those two bastards are conspiring to take me down!”

“How dare they even think of such a thing…!”

“Casar, yes, that bastard was very dissatisfied that I became Crown Prince just because I’m the eldest son. As for Floyd, that trash… It’s clear that the two of them are joining hands to take me down. They must be anxious because I gave father the big gift of the Kingdom of Canta.”

Elise nodded as if she agreed, waiting for the words she wanted to hear. After spewing out curses about Casar and Floyd for a while, Lucas asked Elise.

“What should we do, Elin? Should I lead troops to Canta right now and capture and kill those two bastards?”

“Don’t do that, Your Highness. I’m worried that if you keep raising troops, the evaluation of you will deteriorate.”

“Who dares to evaluate me!”

Even as he shouted, Lucas considered Elise’s words to be right. He was already facing criticism for attacking Canta. Although things had quieted down as the evil deeds of the Franche royal family were revealed, if he raised troops and entered Canta again in this situation, a group would emerge talking about Lucas’s temperament.

“Your Highness, there’s a way to handle this quietly.”

“Oh?”

Stroking Lucas’s thigh, Elise whispered as if this stratagem was her own.

“Send a letter to Casar. Gather many nobles in Canta. Even if Casar and Duke Ratean try to form a secret alliance there, it won’t be easy with many eyes watching. And if someone discovers it, all the better.”