“Does it seem like I’ve come to persuade you?”
Franz raised the corner of his mouth.
It was a leisurely yet provocative smile.
Though he might appear playful due to his young age, Douglas inwardly sighed.
‘He really resembles His Majesty… I might have been foolish to doubt if they were not related.’
The blood relation between Nicolai and Franz was evident.
Despite the difference in hair color, their expressions and temperament were remarkably similar.
Moreover, weren’t the green eyes a symbol of the Ebrei royal family?
“If not persuasion, is it a threat?”
Owen, standing with a straight back, questioned Franz.
Franz slightly tilted his head, as if burdened.
“There’s no need to be so defensive.”
“…”
“I also owe a debt to Elizabeth.”
“You must be referring to the addiction incident.”
“I received significant help from Elizabeth. But there’s a separate debt that I consider the most significant.”
“What is that?”
“I, Franz Rop Ebrei, was awakened to the fact that I am the only heir to the Emperor thanks to someone.”
Franz stared resolutely.
“Until I met her, I was just a Crown Prince in name. I had no one who believed I would become the next Emperor, not even myself.”
“Your Highness…!”
Douglas sighed.
“I resolved to help His Majesty and create a country where people can live in peace. How significant is that debt?”
“Why would you say such things to someone like me, who merely draws pictures?”
Owen asked.
Franz replied.
“Because I want you to become my person.”
“I am a rebel and a fugitive!”
Owen shouted, filled with deep-seated resentment and anger.
“No, you are Owen Black, the Earl.”
Franz took out a document from his bosom and showed it to Owen.
Owen’s eyes widened as if they were about to tear.
“W-what is that…?!”
The document shook and fluttered in the Prince’s hands.
It was a document proving amnesty and a lottery ticket, bearing the stamp of the Hertmark Empire, indicating the Emperor’s decree.
“It nullifies all charges. As of now, your title is reinstated. You will also regain your mansion and territory.”
Franz spoke in a calm tone.
Owen blinked rapidly, swallowing dry saliva.
“If you become my person, will you revoke this document?”
“Why are you telling me this, a mere painter and a fugitive?”
Owen asked.
Franz replied.
“Because I want to make you my person. It’s a gift. I can’t come empty-handed when visiting the atelier of Owen Black, the empire’s greatest genius painter.”
“Y-your Highness!”
“Did Elizabeth not tell you? I have admired you for a long time. I would even like to invite you as an art professor.”
Joy spread across Owen’s face.
Pressing down the damp corner of his eye with the back of his hand, Owen lowered his head.
“If Your Highness is persuading me with this document, I would have followed even if I had to bite my tongue.”
“I know too. You’re the one who didn’t yield to the Empress Dowager’s threat, right?”
“It’s something that happened before His Majesty was born…”
Owen asked, seeming incredulous.
Franz showed a determined expression.
“I’m seeking those whose lives were taken by the Empress Dowager.”
“What is the reason, Your Majesty?”
“I too lost someone precious to that villainess.”
“…!”
“Never, I won’t forgive her. I will gather strength and eliminate the villainess who became the Queen of Warden.”
The fierce light in the boy’s eyes, sparkling like emeralds, turned savage.
‘Penelope was expelled just after His Majesty ascended the throne. You were merely four years old at that time. To harbor such strong revenge…!’
Douglas couldn’t hide his surprise either.
Who was the person Franz lost?
The secrets surrounding the expelled Empress and the young Crown Prince were growing like bright red toadstools.
“Will you join, Count Owen?”
Franz asked in the voice of the Emperor.
Owen bowed deeply.
“Thank you for the opportunity for revenge, Your Majesty!”
“Save your thanks for later. Are you drawing replicas these days?”
“It was Elizabeth’s idea. The public may perceive it as imitation.”
Owen, who drew replicas of his own works, looked embarrassed.
“The Empire is going to be overturned. If you become my art professor, the impact will be even greater. I will prepare a splendid party for you.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“However, there’s something you need to do.”
“Please tell me anything.”
“The Imperial Arts Exhibition will be held. Be the head judge.”
Owen looked bewildered.
Douglas, who didn’t know English, was the same.
‘An art exhibition… I wonder if Elizabeth was consulted about this as well.’
With a secretive smile, Franz didn’t add any explanation.
“I should go back and prepare for the party.”
“I will prepare with my best efforts, Your Majesty.”
Douglas took a step forward.
At that moment, a man appeared without any sign.
A smiling young man wearing glossy black leather armor.
In his hand, a razor-sharp sword gleamed.
“Who are you?!”
Douglas hugged Franz.
It was because the newcomer seemed like an assassin who had come to harm the Crown Prince.
Franz defended.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
