“‘Lucius and Icarus are clearly different people. So, the choices would be different too.'”

Only then did Renev feel a sensation of his previously narrow vision suddenly expanding.

The events by the lake, the incidents on the birthday, and many other memories with Icarus brought assurance to Renev, who had been anxious.

Icarus was undoubtedly a different person from Lucius.

Moreover, Icarus always trusted Renev without any doubt.

This was a clear difference from Lucius, who selectively trusted Renev only when relationships were confirmed or facts were verified.

“Yeah, Lucius and Icarus are different people…”

So, being with Icarus might lead to a different future compared to before the regression.

Dehan glanced back at the firmly closed office door.

‘Did I push too hard?’

He was anxious.

He wanted to open the office door right away and check if Baroness Siren Young Ae was okay. However, half of him did not want to look into it at all.

After hesitating for a moment, Dehan decided to continue on his way.

If Icarus knew that Baroness Siren Young Ae’s feelings were hurt, he would definitely not stay quiet.

Dehan brushed away his uneasy feelings and entered an empty room.

Approaching the window, Dehan whistled. Shortly after, a black bird landed on the windowsill.

Dehan took out one of the notes from his pocket.

One was prepared in case Baron’s operation failed, and the other was to be tied to the bird’s leg and sent now.

‘Bain, it seems your operation was successful.’

Thinking so, Dehan watched the black bird soar into the blue sky.

He smiled proudly.

‘Your Majesty, please treat me well in the future.’

As Icarus moved towards the table with his meal, his eyes fell on Bain.

Bain seemed to be in a good mood lately.

Occasionally, he would smirk while looking at Icarus’ face, and for some reason, it made Icarus feel deeply moved.

So, Icarus decided not to endure it.

Icarus eyed the round back of Bain, who was diligently tearing into roasted pig.

Icarus’ hands were large even among men, and they were incredibly strong.

“Ack!”

Even though Icarus controlled his strength and struck him lightly, Bain let out a scream that sounded like a scream of agony.

“Do you have any idea what kind of…”

Bain, who had been complaining about the pain for a moment, turned his head. He then realized that the person who hit him was Icarus and suppressed his anger with a grumbling expression.

“…Your Majesty?”

However, seeing that it was Icarus who hit him on the head, his expression of anger turned somewhat pitiful.

“Why, why did you hit the back of my head?”

With a reddened face, Bain yelled.

“There’s a saying on the same continent.”

“What saying is that?”

“A handsome man hits the back of the head.”

Of course, there was no such saying on any continent. Bain, who had traveled to various continents together, would also know this fact well.

“Do you know that Your Majesty’s hands are like weapons? You nearly killed me just now! You almost lost such a capable subordinate like me.”

“Do not exaggerate.”

Icarus nonchalantly spat out and sat next to Bain.

“Haven’t you heard the saying that you don’t touch a dog while it’s eating?”

Bain said with a distorted expression.

His face, which had turned blue and red, had teardrops glistening in his eyes.

‘It was harsh.’

Seeing him like that, Icarus felt a little sorry.

Icarus transferred a small piece of meat from his plate to Bain’s.

Bain glanced at Icarus’s plate for a moment before picking up the meat he was eating with his hands.

Whether the pain at the back of his head had somewhat subsided, or whether Bain suddenly laughed at the new meat, he let out a hearty laugh.

Seeing that happy face was a bit annoying, so Icarus turned his head.

“Hasn’t the messenger bird come from the palace?”

“Why would a messenger bird suddenly…”
Bain firmly grasped the roasted whole pig with both hands, tearing it apart while laughing heartily.

“Undoubtedly, Your Majesty will be grateful to me.”

Icarus, with narrowed eyes, looked at Bain.

“Why would I?”

“I cannot tell you right now, but when the time comes, you will know that I played a significant role. Don’t regret hitting me today when that happens.”

“Tell me now.”

Icarus growled lowly.

Because it had a threatening nuance, Bain quickly cleared his position, stood up, and left. As someone who had been with Icarus for a long time, Bain knew well when to avoid trouble.

And because he knew himself well, Icarus’s mood worsened a bit because Bain left his position.

Renev spent a busier morning than usual preparing for the National Foundation Day.

“I wrote the numbers wrong.”

His concentration seemed to be waning.

“Should I take a short break and have some tea?”

While contemplating this, Dehan entered the office.

“Young Ae, do you have a moment?”

“I was just about to take a break.”

“Oh, that’s good. The person I mentioned before has come to the palace today. Would you like to meet her?”