Douglas nodded quickly.

Claudia continued, “They were an assassin family that hid in the shadows. Impossible to catch, unstoppable.”

“How is such a technique possible?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, their stealth skills surpass mine. It wasn’t easy even to detect the presence of Shade.”

Douglas, with an expression of disbelief, widened his eyes.

“The Shade clan has long dominated the underworld. They suddenly disappeared a few years ago.”

“Did they form a connection with the Ebrei royal family at that time?”

“It seems so now.”

“A member of the underworld bowing to the Crown Prince. That’s a rare occurrence.”

Claudia did not respond.

‘There must have been a reason why the Shade clan had to disappear. Also, the reason why they had to attach themselves to the Ebrei royal family.’

Claudia once had a subordinate from the Shade clan.

If he hadn’t confessed the secrets of the clan before his death, it would have taken her much longer to figure out the true identity of Shade.

“Shade won’t betray the Crown Prince.”

She didn’t add any further explanation.

She didn’t want to cause unnecessary worries to Douglas.

“Anyway, replace the Crown Prince’s palace guard.”

“Thank you, Radia.”

Douglas stood up from the chair. It was partly impulsive for Claudia to stop him from leaving.

“Douglas, I have a favor too.”

“What is it?”

“Let me meet His Highness.”

“That’s not difficult, but why?”

Douglas’s confusion was not unreasonable.

Claudia, as the commander of the royal knights, faithfully fulfilled her duties, but she didn’t show more interest in Franz.

Raising the banner of reform didn’t mean she served Nicholas either.

“Lord Nettleton will be classified as a supporter of the Crown Prince. If Viscount Owen is acquitted, the forces restraining His Highness will move in earnest.”

“I see.”

Douglas’s gaze became more intense and determined.

“I want to keep an eye on the person supporting you.”

“Radia! You can’t mean that…”

A bright smile spread across Douglas’s face.

Claudia cut him off sharply.

“Don’t expect anything. I’m just watching.”

“Still, I’m glad! His Highness will be very pleased!”

Douglas grabbed Claudia’s hand excitedly.

When they were young, he used to hold this hand and run across the lush grass field.

In the small world of the girl, the most sparkling thing was the boy with pink hair.

It was the same now.

Although his heart was directed towards another woman.

“I’m not as just as you think, Douglas.”

Claudia withdrew her firm hand subtly, averting her gaze.

‘I just want to see you more often. I’m waiting for you to be hurt by Elizabeth. That way, an opportunity will arise for me to step in.’

I remember when the wolf approached me.
What happened after that?

With a dull headache, the voice of the wolf echoed.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. You are a much more interesting woman than I expected. And…”

A deep headache throbbed at the temple.

Rubbing the aching head, I sat up with a groan.

The midday sun pierced through the arched window.

“When did I return to the temple? I don’t even remember lying in bed…”

Scratching my head while feeling dizzy and uneasy.

A sharp pain struck my ears as the mid-low-frequency sound played.

“Why did I even engage in conversation with that guy?”

“…Your Majesty?”

Startled, I turned around.

Nicholas was leaning against the wall.

An expressionless face like a carved marble statue.

The man I loved and missed had returned.

“Letting him smell your scent in a defenseless state. Are you in your right mind?”

His reprimand was also welcome.

Wiping the sweaty nose bridge with the back of my hand, I got up from the bed.

I forgot about the headache and dizziness.

Running barefoot on the cold marble floor, I rushed to him.

“Your Majesty!”

I opened my arms wide and embraced Nicholas around the waist.

His familiar body was stiff.

Seeing him hesitating like a man unaccustomed to contact with a woman, it was clear that Nicholas was himself.

“Do you know how to forgive for this?”

Nicholas answered coldly.

His cheek, glanced upwards, was faintly flushed.

The scent brushing against the tip of my nose and the eyes unable to hide affection belonged solely to Nicholas.

Overflowing with longing and the relief of having found him, I exclaimed, “I missed you so much.”

“….!”

His turquoise eyes trembled.

His entire being seemed to express overwhelming gratitude as if he had found a lost treasure.

“I really, really missed you so much.”

How should I express my feelings?

Could it be possible with just a few words?

Pressing my cheek against his chest, I poured out things that might be antics or coquetry.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to see you. I missed you so much. I wanted to strangle the wolf.”

“You really…”

Nicholas, who received an unexpected confession, mumbled the end of his words.

It seemed he realized that scolding me was impossible.

“I’m sorry. I was curious about ‘that guy.’ I wanted to bring him out from Your Majesty. I won’t want to see him again in the future, though.”