“Delia, Delia. Everyone loved only that child. Grandfather, parents, and the senators.”

Alfredo, looking at the shimmering surface of the liquid, raised the glass.

The strong drink in the glass flowed into his mouth along with the sound of the strings from Lut.

“Even the enemies are looking only for that child. Stellreicht and Pheber too.”

Alfredo’s voice, soaked in alcohol, flowed out.

“But I, no matter what I did, received blame.”

Intense jealousy consumed Alfredo.

“They set standards as they pleased, and every time I couldn’t satisfy them, I was always compared to my talented younger sibling.”

Alfredo felt suffocated as he recalled the disdainful gazes he had endured until now.

He cast eyes that labeled him as pathetic for not meeting their expectations.

“If only Delia had been born first, if only she had been born a man, if only the crown prince had stepped aside.”

Alfredo’s voice gradually sank.

“So, I wanted to pay Delia back. To know how it feels to receive such looks.”

He had lived cowering in the shadow of his talented younger sibling.

As the younger sibling received love and shone, Alfredo delved further into the darkness.

He thought it was over now, thought he could live in the light.

But due to King Pheber’s search for his missing sibling, the darkness from back then was resurrecting.

“Now there’s no one left to look at me like that.”

“But why does Delia’s shadow still feel like it’s strangling me?”

Unable to overcome his anger, Alfredo forcefully threw the glass.

Clattering, the sound of the golden glass rolling startled the Lut players, making them stop the music.

Even the beautiful movements that danced in the air froze.

“Calm down. If you find the princess and hand her over to King Pheber, everything will be over.”

At Revolant’s calm words, Alfredo took a deep breath.

He seemed momentarily agitated by Pheber’s threat.

Regaining his composure, Alfredo politely conveyed his apology.

“I seem to have gotten too excited. I apologize.”

“No need. Considering how much you’ve suffered, I apologize for not helping you sooner.”

When Revolant clapped twice, the sound of the Lut, which had stopped, flowed again.

The beautiful dance with flowing silk resumed.

When the maids approached, offering new glasses, everything seemed to return to normal.

Alfredo, as if trying to control his emotions, sipped the drink and looked at the grand hall.

“Now, only those who know Your Highness’s true self remain.”

Revolant, gazing at Alfredo tainted with twisted hatred, looked at him with a hint of mockery.

To hide the smirk forming on his face, he quickly turned his head away.

Even though he had chosen Alfredo, it didn’t mean he welcomed his foolishness.

Alfredo, the crown prince who closed his eyes and turned away, but everyone in Ioventi knew.
The effort the princess put in to obtain what she desired.

When learning swordsmanship, she practiced every night until the royal guards dropped.

During visits from foreign envoys and merchants, she refrained from eating and drinking, learning the language of the visiting country.

She assisted the king in negotiations with a foreign language more proficient than an interpreter, securing advantageous points.

Even with a boiling fever, she put on a brave face and attended royal charity events to the point that those around her were concerned.

“Relax and enjoy the banquet.”

To envy only the beloved appearance while completely disregarding the princess’s efforts, how petty and simple-minded.

That’s why it was more convenient to manipulate her from behind.

That was the reason why Revolant chose Alfredo over Delia.

A foolish family that, while ignoring others’ efforts, only envied what others possessed.

That was Alfredo, the current king of Ioventi.

“Now, I am the king of Ioventi. Why worry about anything when everyone admires and looks up to you?”

“That’s right. There’s no need to worry now.”

Alfredo ruffled his hair roughly to shake off the resurfacing gunshots.

“Thanks to the wise counsel of Revolant, we have restored peace to Ioventi.”

It was truly fortunate that Alfredo went to find Revolant after escaping from the Kavat Plain.

Alfredo followed Revolant’s advice to avoid Ferber, went to Ferber’s king.

There, he received a warm welcome and was informed about Ioventi’s situation.

Kidnap a ship attending the Beloni Royal University Festival.

During the festival, with an invitation bearing the signature of Head Jeanoti, you can easily pass through the harbor.

All of this was thanks to Revolant’s advice.

“It was something a loyal subject should do.”

With Revolant’s loyal words, Alfredo regained his composure.

“Your loyalty always moves me. Let’s raise our glasses together; this is not how we should be.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Revolant, with a leisurely movement, refilled Alfredo’s empty glass.

“For our Ioventi.”

Revolant also answered with a smile and narrowed eyes.

“For Your Highness’s glory.”

The two clinked glasses leisurely.

Clink.

The faint sound of glass subtly permeated through the resonance of the Lut.