Asha was momentarily worried that Jackal might recklessly come to save her, but she did her best to erase that thought.

“Understood.”

“Then, since you’ll be confused, don’t think about anything today and rest comfortably. I’ll instruct the palace’s best doctor to treat the wound without leaving a scar.”

He finished speaking and got up from his chair.

Asha felt her chest swell with the realization that she could finally achieve what she wanted, but at the same time, an inexplicable sadness came over her.

‘This will do…….’

She did not enter Licaon as Jackal’s companion.

So, she wished for him to find a good companion other than her, and thus, now enjoy a normal and happy second life.

Although they might never meet again, it was enough if they were safe.

But as he was leaving the room, Karaf suddenly stopped at the door.

“……Asha Camellia.”

At the sound of her full name, Asha was slightly startled and looked up at him.

He looked back with red eyes and said,

“I’m glad you have become my woman.”

He finished speaking and left the room, fluttering his uniform. Asha stared blankly at his retreating figure.

His face as he walked away somehow seemed a little excited, like a boy in unrequited love.

In fact, Asha did not know, but if she knew how much effort he had put into his appearance before attending the banquet, she would be surprised.

Karaf was finally thrilled with the thought that she would become his butterfly, so he stayed up all night and, like Asha, got up at dawn to pester the servants to appear in his best appearance at the banquet hall.

He only wanted to show her his best side.

Even though this had happened, the fact that he hadn’t changed his uniform until now showed how much he wanted to look splendid to her.

(This is the time divider.)

Karaf returned to the Emperor’s office with long strides.

After a commotion, the banquet was forcibly suspended.

The guests were temporarily staying in the empty rooms of the palace during the festival period, and the knights were patrolling more strictly and thoroughly defending the palace than ever before.

As soon as he arrived at his office, Duran, who had been waiting with his head bowed at the door, immediately prostrated himself and spoke.

“……I have something to report to Your Majesty.”

Karaf was about to pass him and go into the room when he suddenly turned back.

“Do you have something to say even though you have two mouths?”

“…….”

Duran seemed to have already prepared himself and took the sword from his waist and laid it down in front of his knee.

It was the sword that Karaf had personally bestowed on him when he became the commander of the Knights.

Duran now lay flat on the floor with his eyes downcast.

“……For failing to keep Your Majesty and Lady Vanessa safe as the Commander of the Knights, I will repay with death.”

His once bright and neat blond hair was now disheveled, and his skin was scratchy and pale.

Having run around all day on foot, giving orders, and organizing the scene after the sudden assassination attempt, he had suddenly become haggard.

Karaf walked over and picked up the sword.

He then drew the sword from its scabbard and pointed it at Duran’s neck, lifting his chin and saying,

“Speak.”

“…….”

“Did you not say you have something to report to me? Even if I kill you, I should hear it first.”

Duran closed his eyes as if resigned and spoke.

“……The assassin took poison and committed suicide on the spot. It appears he had the drug in his mouth in case the assassination failed. He died before we could do anything. I have no face to show Your Majesty…….”

“Do you only have sins to tell me? Do you have anything else to say?”

Duran spoke calmly.

“Lady Vanessa will be safe. According to the doctors, the wind spirit within Lady Vanessa’s body exerted its natural healing ability and expelled the deadly poison.”

At that, Karaf’s face relaxed slightly.
Even when he had fallen, his face had turned as pale as a corpse, appearing as though he would never rise again, but he quickly regained consciousness, and it was he who had been relieved.

“……My report is now complete.”

Durand finished his report and waited for his disposition with a reverent attitude.

Karaf raised his sword high with his red eyes glaring down at him.

However, as the sword deeply pierced the ground, the epaulet that had been on his shoulder fell neatly from his clothing.

Durand opened his eyes from the floor.

Karaf then abruptly flung his sword to the ground. The heavy sword clanged as it fell.

“……You swore then, with your own mouth. That from now on, your life is mine. That you would live only for me, and die only for me.”

Durand asked, slightly startled.

“You heard……right?”

It was the oath he had tearfully sworn at Karaf’s bedside while Karaf had been cursed to slumber.

“To kill you with my hand is to kill the day when I decided to save you. Never ask me to kill you again. Without you, there is no one beside me.”

At these words, Durand’s face turned to grief, and he said,