The next morning.

A faint layer of dark clouds hung over Growen Castle, perhaps because the Duchess had something on her mind.

While Raymond was away briefly attending to official duties, she was taking care of Dante and Lilia.

It was also Yerpi who first noticed Dreon approaching from afar.

“Could you watch the children for a moment?”

“Leave them to me.”

Yerpi entrusted Dante and Lilia to her maids and quietly walked away.

Fortunately, the two children were so absorbed in picking peaches that she managed to slip away unnoticed.

In the distance, Dreon’s figure came into view. He stood still, waiting for Yerpi.

Having apparently observed Dante as well, Dreon greeted her with a smile and a brief comment.

“There are truly extraordinary beings in Growen. I feel more than ever that I’m standing right in the heart of legend.”

“Dante is Growen’s rightful heir. You’ll meet him tonight, but please treat him with care.”

She had informed Dante in advance about the arrival of an outsider.

She had intentionally avoided him because she didn’t want to unsettle the sensitive child early in the morning.

“Of course.”

It was fortunate that Dreon was someone reasonable to talk to. But conversely, that also meant he wasn’t someone easily manipulated.

His appearance before her the moment Raymond stepped away—without waiting for the evening banquet—was proof of that.

“Do you have business with me?”

“Oh my, is it that obvious on my face?”

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been waiting here all this time. I’ve been watching you.”

“You’ve caught me. Your Grace seems to have sharp intuition.”

Perhaps that too was a skill of someone who knew how to observe closely.

Since the Charlotte incident, Yerpi’s senses had grown sharper, allowing her to detect presences more quickly.

Even those who concealed themselves silently were no exception.

Wherever she felt an odd unease, she would turn her gaze—and there, she could see things others could not.

Such as Dreon, whose presence was masked by magic.

“If possible, please refrain from using magic within Growen Castle. It might lead to misunderstandings.”

“I see. That’s understandable. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Had Raymond been present, Dreon might have been immediately expelled on suspicion of foul play.

Yerpi glanced briefly toward where the children were, then turned her back and walked in the opposite direction.

Dreon followed behind her into the depths of the forest.

Only when she felt sufficient distance had been created did she finally stop walking.

They stood in the middle of a forest, where a clear, fresh fragrance lingered despite being veiled under clouds.

Dreon’s eyes, which had remained playfully smiling even in life-threatening situations, grew serious.

‘Now that I think of it, they said the Emperor also has purple eyes.’

Though she had lived confined within the estate and never visited the Imperial Capital, she knew the Emperor’s appearance through common rumors.

But why was it that, somehow, Dreon seemed more like the current Emperor than anyone else?

“My eyes interest you, it seems. Everyone desires them. Currently, only His Imperial Majesty, the ruler of the Great Empire, and I possess purple eyes.”

“And yet you’ve managed to survive.”

At Yerpi’s words, Dreon briefly closed his mouth. Shrugging his shoulders as if struck by a direct blow, he broke into loud laughter.

“I had quite a headache pretending to be gravely ill. But judging by the fact that I’m still alive, my act must not have been too bad.”

“When did you begin learning magic?”

“Well now. If I said I realized it the moment I was born, would that sound too exaggerated?”

Skillfully shifting the topic, he conjured water in his palm. The water merged with the wind like a spirit, flowing toward the lake.

It was a beautiful and astonishing sight. Among even the strongest mages, few possessed the skill to manipulate natural elements with such gentle mastery.

“But it’s true. The moment I drew my first breath, I became aware that I could wield magic. And I also realized, just as clearly, that I must desperately hide this fact. Perhaps it was instinct.”

He briefly recounted his past.

Born with immense magical power, he had learned survival on his own.

He also said he sought out others like himself, trained them as fellow mages, and used their strength to build influence.

Dreon’s gaze grew calm. Within his violet eyes, his magic seemed to ripple.

“Kreksker must not become Emperor. Every day, palace servants die in the residence where he stays. Yet, solely because he is closest to tradition, he is considered the top successor.”

“I’ve heard some news from outside. But that alone isn’t enough reason for me to support the Prince. And even if I wanted to, it’s not solely my decision.”

Even before the Prince’s arrival, Growen had been receiving outside information. The capital was said to be drenched in blood, caught in a fierce struggle for the throne.

But this was nothing unusual. Those who sought the throne were countless, yet only one among them could seize absolute power.

“He will not view Growen kindly either.”

“Well, he should know what Growen is blocking.”

Behind Growen’s land lay a nest of monsters.

While other empires had suffered for centuries due to these monsters, Kerast Empire was an exception.

This was entirely thanks to Growen’s knights and exorcists.

Even past Emperors had treated Growen as a special case, realizing early on that recklessly invading this ancient land would cost them far more than they could gain.

“He cannot be judged by normal standards. He suffers from madness and cannot endure unless he crushes everyone beneath his feet.”

Though she had heard rumors about him, Growen had remained neutral. Yerpi took a step back, realizing she had just revealed this fact.

“…This doesn’t seem like something meant for me to hear.”

“Please convince the Duke to support me. Grant me strength.”

In the end, this was the conclusion. Yerpi had suspected it all along—that he would target her instead of Raymond. But there was one thing she hadn’t anticipated.

“I know that Your Grace and the Saintess Candidate are blood relatives.”

At those words, Yerpi froze, meeting Dreon’s gaze.

Her arrival in Growen was an open secret. That was why the Temple had never questioned the relationship between the Duchess and the Saintess Candidate.

If this matter were raised now, suspicions would arise—not only in the Grand Temple but also in the Emperor’s court—that Growen was plotting something.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“Not a threat—merely a plea for help. Please, look kindly not only upon Growen, but upon all of Kerast.”

If Kreksker became Emperor, a storm of blood would sweep across the Empire.

Dreon’s claim—that not only the Imperial family but the entire nation would fall into misfortune—was close to the truth.

Yet, it was still difficult to fully trust him. Yerpi posed the most important question.

“What is Your Highness’s reason for seeking the throne?”

She had always wondered. If, as she suspected, he had come to Growen to claim the greatest power, then she needed to know his reason for doing so.

To her question, Dreon replied:

“Because I want to lead those who wish to survive.”

His words carried the weight of his childhood—years spent crouched low, holding his breath just to stay alive.

“You may not know, but in Kerast, magic is an elite discipline. Those with talent wish to learn it, but ultimately end up under powerful, well-connected senior mages, exploited and denied proper training. I gathered such people and taught them magic. But it’s not just magic. Across every field, most citizens of the Empire live like this. I believe those with talent deserve equality.”

The world he dreamed of was one where everyone could flourish according to their abilities.

Now she understood what he sought. But it was a dream difficult to realize.

“You’re dreaming of a difficult future.”

“I know that well. That’s why I’m searching for someone who can empower me.”

Dreon winked one eye.

Though she now understood his intentions for becoming Emperor, and felt slightly reassured, whether or not she could help him was beyond her authority.