The sound of a cough filled with phlegm filled the bedroom.

“Your Majesty, this is medicine to soothe your cough. You will feel better if you take it.”

It was not the emperor who took the medicine handed over by the doctor. It was Rex, the knight guarding the emperor, sticking close by his side like a shadow.

Rex first tasted the medicine slightly and waited for a few minutes to see if there were any abnormalities.

Only after a not-so-short time had passed and Rex was convinced that there was no problem with the medicine did he politely hand the bowl to the emperor, who began to drink the medicine while panting.

“……”

When the emperor had emptied the bowl with difficulty, Rex handed it back to the doctor. Then he parted his lips briefly.

“You may leave now. If we need anything, we will call for you again.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The doctor, who bowed his head, hurriedly left the place with a frightened expression.

He knew too well that if he carelessly annoyed the emperor, he would not be able to avoid the fate of his colleague who was beheaded and died right in the bedroom a few days ago.

Once left alone with Rex, the emperor laid down on his seat, letting out a moan.

Rex sincerely supported him so that he would not get hurt, and then stood by the bed like a dog guarding its master.

“……”

No hope could be seen on the wrinkled face looking up at the ceiling.

Feeling a bitterness that he didn’t know whether it was because of the medicine or because of the situation he was in now, the emperor closed his eyes tightly.

‘Even Chaz has joined Sinclair.’

Of course, it wouldn’t matter which side Chaz himself went to. The problem was Chaz’s background.

Chaz’s mother, whom Yuria had killed, was from a noble family.

Moreover, from the Wilter family, one of the five families representing the nobles of Edenbell.

Of course, rather than fully inheriting the blood of the Wilter family, she was closer to being from a branch family.

The Wilter family tried to expand their power in any way possible since their branch family member had set foot in the imperial palace. The child she gave birth to was not even a daughter, but a son.

Nevertheless, Yuria did not hesitate. Rather, perhaps the fact that Chaz was a son was more of a trigger.

As he grew older, Chaz gradually became smarter. Realizing reality, Chaz had been living almost completely cut off from the Wilter family. He knew it well himself.

If he got close to the family related to his mother, the next person to face death would be none other than himself.

The Wilter family, who had great ambitions, gave up on Chaz at some point.

There was nothing they could do. As long as the prince they could immediately wield as a weapon had no will at all and no desire to gain any power, there was nothing they could do.

……But what if Chaz tries to use his background to help Sinclair?

Then the story would be different.

“What…what happened to what I asked…?”

The emperor, who had been lost in thought alone, turned to Rex and asked, and he bowed his head and answered in a low voice.

“There are no special movements from Prince Sinclair. The same goes for Crown Prince Hister. He hasn’t even applied for an audience since yesterday.”

Yes, you must have realized it too. That I have let go of your hand.

The emperor’s mind began to turn quickly. At this rate, it was obvious to anyone that the loser in the fight would be Hister.

The reason he had expressed his intention to stand by and deliberately set the stage might have been his desire to confirm Hister’s competence one last time, from a different perspective.

But Hister had failed.

[If you tell me to drink more, I will gladly do so.]

And quite spectacularly at that.

[Sincerely congratulating the birthday of our Prince Chaz, who has such excellent elder brothers.]

No, pathetically.

[What shall we do, Your Highness the Crown Prince?]

Recalling Elaina’s voice that still clearly rang in his ears, the emperor bit his lip slightly.

They are increasing.

Sinclair’s people.

And they are leaving.

Hister’s people.

And that secret decree……

[The throne that could be replaced at any time? Even if Hister becomes the next emperor, it will be over with a rebellion.]

“……”

[You…you will eventually cause a bloodbath in Edenbell…?] [My life has been a bloodbath itself since then. From the very moment you and Yuria put your seal on that damn secret decree!]

If it’s a fight that can no longer be helped.

Then……

‘Rather…giving strength to Sinclair…wouldn’t that be more advantageous for me…..’

The sound of teeth gnashing could be heard between the emperor’s tightly closed lips.

Was it the wrong choice from the beginning?

When the empress died. If he had not let that incident slide at that time.

When Sinclair beheaded Yuria in broad daylight, if he had turned a blind eye.

Then, could he have at least ensured his own safety?

It was a belated regret that was too shameless and incompetent to the extreme, but it couldn’t be helped.

The emperor was weak, incompetent, had no power to hold back Sinclair who had begun to run wild, and had no political power to unite the nobles who had begun to divide.

Moreover, if he had been betrayed by Hister, who was supposed to protect him, it would be even more so.

“…Your Majesty, please go to sleep now.”

As if knowing the emperor’s confusion, Rex slowly parted his lips as if to soothe him.

“The night has deepened. I apologize for my presumptuous words, but let’s worry about tomorrow’s concerns tomorrow. Caring about something is only possible when the body is healthy.”

“Rex……”

The emperor tightly grasped Rex’s hand with his wrinkled hand.

And looking up at him, he said.

“I’m so glad to have you by my side…at least.”

“……”

“In times like these…who can I dare to trust carelessly?”

Among the knights guarding the emperor, the one who had been in his position for over 10 years.

A precious knight who had always taken the lead and fought for his cause.

If it weren’t for Rex, it would be as if the emperor had no hope at all.

“I am unworthy, Your Majesty.”

And Rex said in a flat voice.

“As you said, I will stay by your side forever, so please close your eyes. I will be here until you wake up.”

“Yes……”

With those words, the emperor slowly closed his eyes. It seemed that the sleep-inducing ingredients included in the medicine were gradually rising.

Before long, the emperor fell completely asleep, and Rex looked down at him intently.

“There will be many more things to be sorry and apologetic about.”

Then he muttered softly.

“……Even more so in the future.”

And thinking of his true master.

Sinclair Butler, he just twisted the corners of his mouth and smiled.

* * *

Sinclair’s embrace was warm without fail today as well.

“……”

Elaina, who was held in his arms like a baby, enjoyed Sinclair’s warmth and smiled faintly at the hand that stroked her hair.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Just because.”

“Your just because is rarely just that. Isn’t that right?”

Sinclair asked back with a chuckle.

“Then shall I put it this way? I’m happy that I have times like these too.”

“What times like these?”

“Times when my heart is at peace.”

“……”

“So it feels like I don’t have to worry about anything.”

But reality was different from her heart. After all, Sinclair had not yet fully taken the throne, and Hister was sure to be up to something again.

Nevertheless, her mind was at ease to the point of being irresponsible.

Literally, because it was the first time she had experienced days like this.

“There will be many more in the future. I guarantee it.”

Sinclair, who could not have missed her feelings, held Elaina a little tighter in his arms and muttered.

“And there will be no more days like before.”

Elaina, who had been looking at Sinclair with a smile, suddenly flinched slightly.

“……Elaina?”

[I promise, Elly.]

Over Sinclair’s voice calling her name, it was as if she could hear the kind and gentle voice of Ren that she had heard some time ago,

[From now on, there will be more happy days. I guarantee it.]

overlapping.

[Because you’re not alone anymore.]

“Elaina.”

Only then did Elaina come to her senses and looked at him with a slightly awkward smile. But it was not enough to deceive Sinclair’s eyes.

Realizing that fact, Elaina began to move her lips with a short sigh.

“I’ve heard a similar story before.”

This time it was Sinclair who flinched.

“I was just a little dazed because I remembered that time.”

It was not only Elaina who remembered Ren’s words from when he was young.

Sinclair was the same. He had never forgotten all the conversations he had with his lovely Elly in those short but happy days that had been shattered and broken.

“You’re not jealous, are you, Sinclair?”

“……I’m not.”

I can’t be. How can I be jealous of myself? Sinclair smiled a little bitterly.

“Although it didn’t come true back then……I just feel like it will come true now. Is it because I want to believe that?”

Every time Elaina brought up the past like this, Sinclair felt a confusing emotion.

Of course, the source of that overwhelming emotion was not Elaina.

It was the self-loathing towards himself and the guilt of still hiding everything from Elaina.

So sometimes he had this thought. Even though he was well aware that he could not reveal the truth to her, he had the brazen lingering attachment that perhaps he could be forgiven.

“So……”

Sinclair, who had been staring at Elaina blankly, parted his lips with a voice that was somehow cracking.

“Do you…resent the person who said those words?”

“……”

“For not being able to keep the promise.”