She was the first woman he had ever cherished in his heart.

Being with her felt like having the world at his fingertips.

Her smile was dreamlike.

He wanted to dream sweet dreams while circling around her.

He never wanted to wake up.

His awakened desires became obsessions.

He wanted to know everything about her.

He wanted to monopolize her from head to toe.

Yet, Elizabeth was suffering because of this.

It was the first time Nikolai and the wolf missed out on underworld flowers.

‘Is it truly a fate that cannot be realized? Was my wish to stay by her side merely a vain dream?’

Nikolai leaned his elbow against a rock wall.

His body slid down like a tree with a cut base.

His knees started to soak in the wet soil, yet he didn’t flinch.

If he got up, he would go look for Elizabeth.

He would abandon his empire and his people to run away with her.

And in doing so, he would crumble, unable to overcome his guilt towards the woman he loves.

(Is this a time separator.)

“Did His Majesty not say anything?”

Franz carefully asked after finishing a day’s worth of homework.

He smirked while arranging the disheveled writing instruments.

“He seems busy. Haven’t seen him in days.”

“That’s too bad. Even not seeing Elizabeth.”

Franz grumbled, looking sullen.

He patted Franz’s tangled blonde hair.

“Just wait a bit longer. I’ll somehow bring Owen, no matter what.”

“Do you think I’m worried about that?”

“Then what?”

“Ah. Elizabeth really doesn’t know her only disciple. How much I worry about her. I can’t sleep at night because of Elizabeth.”

“Staying up late is just a bad habit, right? You were snacking late last night too. What if you get sick?”

“Stop nagging!”

Franz covered his ears with both hands.

“Can you please not nag?”

As I tried to pinch his cheek, Franz got furious.

“I was deeply thinking about how to save Elizabeth. I just supplied some nutrition to my brain for a while!”

“Don’t even speak.”

“All the professors except Duke Nettleton want to expel Elizabeth. Should I just stand by?”

“…”

“They say Elizabeth is ruining me. They need to appoint a properly trained education officer from the noble lineage. For my future.”

“Don’t interfere.”

I responded in a lower tone.

A cloud of sadness settled over Franz’s lovable face.

“Is it because I’m just a useless kid?”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Elizabeth is the only teacher I acknowledge. If her own disciple doesn’t worry, who will? Especially when even His Majesty ignores her!”

“Franz.”

“I also want to protect Elizabeth. I don’t want to be apart from her.”

Tears welled up in Franz’s green eyes.

His tightly clenched fists looked lonely and desolate.

‘Nikolai is too busy, and Franz is too young. It’s scary to drift away from the first person you rely on. Added to that must be the feeling of powerlessness…’

I thought he was just a bratty kid who always spoke harshly.

When did he grow enough to worry about me?
“Thanks, Franz. But I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

“What? You’re thinking of resigning from your position as the education officer?”

An astute tenyearold at that.

“The Crown Prince’s palace is already under scrutiny. A largescale protest is also being planned in the aristocratic circle. If I stay in this position, it will be a burden on you and His Majesty.”

“So you’ll run away? Wasn’t Elizabeth someone who bites back when cornered?”

“This isn’t a situation that can be resolved like that. I have to consider various options.”

She let out an awkward laugh to appease Franz.

Franz’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“Are you scared?”

“Yes, I am.”

She admitted frankly.

Surprised by her unexpected answer, Franz’s eyes widened.

“Did you eat something wrong at lunch?”

“I’m afraid that because of me, His Majesty will be criticized. I’m afraid that you’ll lose the support of the aristocrats because of me.”

“I never had supporters in the first place.”

“You said it yourself. A nation can’t be governed alone. Even if you dislike the nobles, you have to pacify them.”

“……”

“I’m also troubled being in the palace. I can’t just fire everyone like they’re housekeepers.”

“But… but…”

Unable to find the right words, Franz lowered his head.

His slumped shoulders looked more pitiable than ever.

Franz was a clever child.

He knew better than anyone that now was the time to step back, even if it was unfair.

That’s why he couldn’t throw a tantrum like a child.

‘I want to protect Franz, but enduring in the palace isn’t the solution. Nikolai is also keeping his distance… After leaving the palace, I’ll have to find another way.’

She decided to step down from her role as Franz’s education officer.

Though she made her decision, her chest felt congested as if swallowed by a hazy mist.

Since then, Nikolai didn’t come to see her.

He didn’t even meet her.

She inquired through Cares, but the answer was always that he was busy.

Why he killed Simon.

Why he had to use such a method.

If she knew the reason, it wouldn’t be this painful.

Even if it was for her, there was no need to kill.

Above all, she was not someone special enough to warrant such action.

So was there not even a need for an explanation?

“His Majesty will not allow it.”

Franz tried to the end to change her mind.

A tingling pain, like an electric current, swept through her chest.

“His Majesty can’t break my will either.”

“Can’t you wait a bit longer? His Majesty will intervene soon.”

“I don’t want to rely on His Majesty.”

“Elizabeth.”

“It’s not that I’ll leave forever, I’m just preparing to strike back. Like a red wolf, I’ll tear them apart!”

She playfully bared her teeth and raised her nails.

Leaving Franz behind was harder than she had expected.

As she was about to persuade him one more time, a soft voice came from behind her.