“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I have urgent news.”

The captain approached Lucius and conveyed a message in a hushed tone. Lucius’s face contorted immediately.

“…Is that really true?”

“Yes…”

Lucius, oddly biting his lower lip as if to get tired of it, gave a brief order.

“Prepare to return to Paradisium immediately.”

The captain, nodding quickly, hurriedly left the guest room.

“Whew…”

Lucius sighed and handed a short note to the attendant.

“Should I deliver this to Siren Marquess Yeongae?”

“Yes.”

“How should I respond?”

Since the foundation of the Empire, Lucius had hoped to meet Reneve several times, but he had been rejected repeatedly.

It didn’t seem different this time, but there was still a slight hope.

Now he had to leave Bashker, and today was the last day he could take Reneve to Paradisium.

“Wait a moment, and if there is no response, come back immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After the attendant left the guest room, Lucius paced around, waiting for Reneve’s response.

How much time passed like that?

The steward, returning with a dark expression, raised his head.

“Your Highness, if you are going to return to Paradisium, it would be better to hurry.”

In the urgency, Lucius also knew that he had wasted time.

“Understood.”

Lucius, leaving the guest room immediately, quickly boarded the carriage.

“Your Highness, may we depart right away?”

The urgent voice of the captain came from beyond the carriage window.

“Hurry.”

“Yes!”

The carriage started without delay.

Lucius, looking beyond the carriage window at the rapidly receding Bashker Palace, frowned.

‘I never imagined that the war with Salty would end so quickly.’

As the war dragged on, a rebellion broke out rapidly within the deteriorating Salty.

The instigators of the turmoil with Bashker, Marbel Duke and Regency Viscount, who became targets of condemnation, sought to subdue the king.

After executing the Salty king, they surrendered at the entrance of the royal city.

It was to apologize to Bashker for sending a fake princess and deceive Bashker.

In fact, Salty had no other choice.

The Bashker army was approaching the entrance of the royal city, and the fall of the castle was just a matter of days.

Marbel Duke would be recorded as the one who incited the rebellion later. However, it could also be seen as a choice for the Salty people.

When the castle falls, the Bashker army will burn the farmland and trample on the foundation of life with muddy feet.

Lucius could quickly receive all the details through his subordinates who had infiltrated Salty.

Lucius swallowed a sigh about to burst, pressing his forehead.

‘It’s become quite troublesome.’

Lucius had a clear purpose in coming to Bashker after the foundation.

Since the emperor led the soldiers directly and left for Salty, the Bashker Palace was like an empty house.

Lucius took this opportunity to thoroughly plunder the empty house.

Initially, the Emperor of Paradisium opposed Lucius’s plan. However, with continuous persuasion, although not many, he could receive military support.

The preparation was thorough, and he was confident.

Lucius first placed soldiers deep in the palace and planned to deal with those in important positions.

As expected, the operation proceeded smoothly.

And when the day to capture the culprits came close, news of Bashker’s victory arrived.

After a victory, it was customary to receive enthusiastic cheers from the imperial citizens and return to one’s country.

However, the Emperor of Bashker did not do that.

‘He returned to the palace alone.’

As Lucius, it was an unimaginable action. And it had a negative effect on Lucius.
“At first, I actually thought it was going well.

I thought it would be even easier if I quickly dealt with the Emperor, who returned to the palace alone without any soldiers.

However, upon further consideration, I realized it could be a trap.

Before, the Emperor of Bashker came alone to the palace of Paradisium, asking for the release of hostages.

But did he really come as an enemy with bloodshot eyes?

Absolutely not.

At that time, the Emperor of Bashker had secretly stationed soldiers in the north and south of Paradisium.

So, it was reasonable to assume that the same thing might happen this time.

If I hadn’t been keeping an eye on Reneve’s movements, I might not have known this fact. And Lucius, instead, might have been the one facing a counterattack without realizing it.

“Ha…”

Lucius, exhaling a long sigh, roughly swept his hand through his hair.

The situation was truly bleak, as the plan had completely fallen apart, and he had to return to Paradisium with no gains.

Unable to control the rising anger, Lucius struck the carriage wall with his fist.

Although it was a sturdy wooden carriage wall, it couldn’t withstand Lucius’s strength and dented.

Reneve returned to the palace with Icar, who suddenly returned during the hunting competition.

Perhaps because there was a lot to do since the war had just ended, Icar immediately headed to the study.