In the empty corridor, the sound of Reus’s footsteps echoed steadily. His composed back showed no sign of agitation, but his calm blue eyes flickered with silent, tightly coiled anger.

[“It seems the Empress has tampered with my daughter’s banquet. As you know, Iris is new to the palace and has no one to protect her. I could send someone directly, but… that would only fan the flames of the Empress’s wrath. So, I’d like you, Reus, to discreetly handle the situation.”]

I thought the Emperor had summoned me during the banquet for some important matter. But what I got instead was this absurd request to cover up for his daughter.

Reus suppressed the rising anger and continued walking.

Truth be told, his frustration had started during his conversation with the Emperor earlier in the day.

[“Enough. It’s my fault for losing a friend too soon. If Licasen had been there, he would have been the first to know about my marriage…”]

He almost burst into open laughter at such shameless words.

Dare to bring up my father’s death?

Reus paused for a moment and closed his eyes tightly. He wanted to tear apart those lips, the deceitful voice spewing out words about parting and guilt. The image of the Emperor nonchalantly talking about such matters kept replaying in his mind.

Reus felt a mixture of disgust and a slight unease.

While the Emperor had always used him politically, it had been a long time since he had been called out for such trivial tasks. What could be the motive behind this sudden change?

‘…Could he have noticed the rebellion?’

No. That was too hasty a conclusion.

Given the life Reus had led as a loyal dog, it was impossible for the Emperor to have noticed anything yet. He had endured, despising every moment of his existence, so it was likely the Emperor hadn’t caught on yet.

Even if he had called Reus to probe about the incident in the Forest of Silence, it was realistic to think that he couldn’t decide whether it was a premeditated act or simply the folly of the foolish Count Ibelr.

Having completed his thoughts, Reus regained his composure. His memory stopped replaying the Emperor’s disgusting voice and shifted focus.

Now he remembered the Emperor trying to probe Roel with a hidden grimness.

The Emperor’s pathetic attempt to dig into something that might have happened between Roel Ibelr, a stain on her family’s name, and himself.

The crucial reason for their childish lovers’ play was the Emperor, but he hadn’t explicitly instructed to act especially considerate towards the woman. And that was an excellent choice.

Roel Ibelr.

A woman quick to understand when to act and when not to, never crossing the line. Yet, she was fearful and not good at hiding her emotions.

Reus knew she regarded him quite favorably, a fact he found fortunate.

The Emperor’s disappointment at the woman’s genuine responses, skillfully dodging the desired answers, was quite amusing.

Yes. For now, the Emperor knows nothing.

Reus decided to avoid the Forest of Silence for a while and entered the Britian Palace.

It was just at that moment.

Splash-!

A sound completely out of place with the banquet echoed loudly.

Pausing, Reus slightly turned his head to check beyond the bushes.

The wooden pieces that used to be the stage were bobbing on the water’s surface. He then saw the panicked nobles, the servants, and knights with expressions of agony.

‘So this was the Empress’s prank.’
The Empress’s devious way of waiting until the birthday banquet to humiliate the protagonist seemed characteristic of her nature.

From what I could see, there was no one present to rescue the unfortunate princess immediately. Given that the Empress had likely tampered with the guest list, the spineless nobles would remain inactive until the end.

Reus gazed at the ripples on the water, pondering in his downturned eyes.

Should he wait until someone eventually rescues Iris before she completely runs out of breath? Or should he, as always, play the role of the Emperor’s loyal dog?

Both options were equally bothersome, and contemplating them felt like an unnecessary effort.

However, he couldn’t afford to mess things up over trivial emotions. Considering the time he had spent groveling as the Emperor’s dog, it was only right to act decisively.

Having made his decision, Reus clicked his tongue in annoyance and headed towards the lake. Without hesitation, he dived into the water.

He spotted the princess, who had already sunk deep. She seemed disoriented, likely from having swallowed too much water.

For a moment, Reus was overtaken by a strong desire to leave her to die.

The filthy blood of the Emperor, the imperial lineage, something he would have typically strangled with his own hands.

He wanted to act on it immediately, but the option of Iris dying at this banquet was unacceptable.

Quickly erasing his personal emotions, Reus didn’t take long to bring Iris to the surface.

As they emerged, his muffled ears cleared, and his dulled senses returned. But with them, Reus’s mood plummeted.

It felt dirtier than expected.