‘A commoner like me loses sleep worrying about the emperor and even tries to interfere in national defense. It’s a good thing dogs aren’t laughing.’

I swallowed hard.

Franz muttered coldly.

“It’s all because of Penelope. She frames innocent artists for treason. Warden only overlooks Hart because of her.”

“Is there some history?”

“An enemy is never forgotten.”

“What did Penelope do to you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

An unchildlike energy swirled in Franz’s pale green eyes.

That murderous intent. He was very much like Nikolai. Blood didn’t lie.

“Owen Black was dragged off to the northern mines instead of being executed. We don’t even know if he’s alive or dead.”

Franz grumbled.

He sounded like he regretted giving me false hope.

But Franz didn’t know that it was too early to be disappointed.

Especially if there’s a mentor who knows every detail about the count.

“If I make Owen your art teacher, what will you do for me?”

Not all mentors work for free, and Franz needed to learn too.

Nothing in this world is free.

“Do you know how hard it is to pardon a rebel? The nobles will make a fuss.”

“Do you think I care?”

“You should care. Don’t you know how Elizabeth’s reputation is these days?”

“I told you, I don’t care. I can do anything for our crown prince.”

It was not a lie, technically.

Isn’t Franz’s future also secure as long as the royal family is protected?

‘If I get Owen after Boritz, I’ll have snatched two of Claudia’s allies. Even if a revolution erupts, it won’t be as easy as the count thinks!’

I grinned triumphantly.

Franz clasped his hands and looked up at a mentor who would go through fire and water for him.

Then a knock sounded.

“The emperor commands that this letter be delivered to you.”

What the servant extended was a palmsized golden envelope.

A purple seal, marked with three swords and a heart emblem symbolizing the emperor, was imprinted on it.

I tried to remain composed, but my hand trembled as I broke the seal.

It was the first time Nikolai had sent a letter.

(This is a time separator.)

Fat drops of sweat stung Nikolai’s eyes.

His black hair and, of course, his training suit were soaked with sweat.

He gritted his teeth each time his sword almost slipped from his slippery grip.

He wanted to pour everything out along with the sweat.

Otherwise, he felt he couldn’t bear it.

“Let’s go, Blackwing.”

Nikolai spurred the black horse he’d handfed since childhood.

Blackwing had been obediently following him through several hours of continuous training.

The horse seemed to quietly submit, as if understanding its master’s complex emotions, even when it had every reason to resist.

“Haap!”

With a resounding shout, Nikolai swung his sword.

A wooden dummy in armor was split in two.

Squire trainees rushed over to remove the broken dummy and set up a new one.

This was already the dozenth.

The emperor’s cavalry training showed no signs of stopping.

“Is there no knight who wishes to spar?”
Nikolai, dissatisfied with the wooden figures, eyed the captain of the knights.

The elderly knight watching the young Emperor appeared both intimidated and regretful.

“You’ve practiced handtohand combat and competed in swordsmanship. Yet you wish to engage in equestrian games as well?”

“I plan to focus on equestrian training for the time being.”

“Both the knights and the Blackwings are quite exhausted. You too should rest, Your Majesty.”

He was right.

But he couldn’t stop.

The moment he’d sheathe his sword, he’d surely rush to Elizabeth.

Being with her made him lose his senses in an instant.

He’d get drunk on her sweet scent and couldn’t hide his boiling desire.

The weakened mental defenses would allow the wolf to whisper once more.

“Alright, Nikki. Quench your thirst quickly.”

As he was about to kiss her, the wolf whispered.

A dizzying sense of defeat washed over him.

“What are you doing? Elizabeth is waiting, isn’t she?”

It was the same on the day he’d fallen into the lake.

The wolf wanted to relish her scent through Nikolai.

He couldn’t bear its untimely intrusions and constant interferences with his emotions any longer.

“Kiss her, Nikki. She wants it too!”

He wanted to stop the wolf.

He had to, by any means necessary.

Knowing it was cowardly, he fled into the water.

He hadn’t known Elizabeth would dive in to save him.

‘Elizabeth… I want to monopolize you. I want to own all of you.’

He bit the inside of his mouth until it felt like it would burst.

This heart should have been solely mine.

He could no longer tolerate that cunning and rude wolf.

The Emperor’s last will, stalking her, was forgotten.

He’d forsaken his imperial duties and authority.

He loved Elizabeth, and he wanted her.

But he didn’t want to subject her to the humiliation he had to endure for borrowing the wolf’s power.

How could he escape this wretched wolf?

The only way was to pass it on, along with the throne, to Franz.

Hundreds of blades pierced his heart.

He’d sworn to protect Franz for Laila.

He’d vowed to elevate this child to the noblest position.

Was this truly the best choice for Franz?

The dazzling crown was but a luxurious shell.

The towering throne was no different from crushing chains.

A life in the palace filled with deceit and disputes, being controlled by the goddess’s wolf.

If he passed on this cursed fate, Franz would be unhappy.

His conviction changed after learning that Franz painted.

The captain of the knights shook him awake from his endless thoughts.

“Your Majesty. A request for an audience has arrived. What would you have us do?”

The shadow that loomed over Nikolai’s face lifted in an instant.

His previously oppressed heart also brightened like the newly risen sun.

‘Elizabeth has accepted my invitation…!’

He’d written in the invitation that he wanted her to come to the banquet.

But he didn’t know if she’d really come.

He’d turned away from her lips.

He’d been disappointed again.

But Elizabeth seemed willing to give him another chance.

Nikolai commanded in a stern voice.

“What are you doing? Clear away all these hazards at once!”