By the time Erina returned to the Kerenik mansion after finishing her work, Sandes was coordinating matters regarding the mana stone mine with Enzo and Herigel.

“Then we’ll decide to activate the mana stones in the market after the celebration, and accordingly, the empire will permit the use of artifacts.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please coordinate the amount released into the market so it’s not excessive, Sandes.”

“Understood.”

Enzo, who had been talking to Sandes and Herigel, tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully and said:

“How are the surrounding kingdoms reacting?”

“Generally favorable. They seem to want the mana stones and artifacts to be released into the market soon. Even the kingdoms that were making moves to test the waters seem to have backed off after hearing news of the celebration.”

Enzo’s expression twisted slightly at Herigel’s answer.

“Any places we should be wary of?”

“The kingdoms of Tula, Smale, and Trumto seemed quiet, but it appears they have formed an alliance without the knowledge of surrounding kingdoms. There’s no movement yet, but we should keep an eye on them.”

As Herigel continued speaking, Enzo’s mood soured. Just as he was about to respond, Sandes’ aide hurriedly entered, paid respects to Enzo, and reported:

“There was an attack. It appears there was an attempt to kidnap Lady Medelia by targeting her carriage.”

“What?”

“They were heading towards the eastern gate of the capital with the carriage, but fortunately they were caught before passing through.”

Sandes asked the aide with a coldly hardened face:

“Is Lady Medelia alright?”

“She is safe. She wasn’t injured but seems to have been startled, and is currently resting at the mansion.”

“That’s a relief. What about the attackers?”

“One of the three assassins was killed on the spot, and one was captured alive. They’re pursuing the one who escaped.”

As he listened to the continuing conversation between the aide and Enzo, Sandes lowered his gaze to look at his own hands.

Unlike his impassive face, his hands were trembling faintly.

Sandes had thought he was thinking calmly, but apparently not.

As soon as he heard that Erina was almost kidnapped, all rational thoughts evaporated.

“Lord Emkil is bringing the captured assassin to the imperial palace.”

“As soon as Barun returns, have him thoroughly investigate the mastermind and report back.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as the aide finished speaking, Enzo ordered Herigel, who answered and left his seat.

“Sandes.”

Enzo called out to Sandes, who was still looking down at the hand holding the documents, but there was no response.

Seeing Sandes showing signs of agitation, Enzo quietly called out his full name.

“Sandes de Ville Kerenik.”

At that, Sandes raised his head and met Enzo’s gaze.

“Go to the mansion quickly.”

“…Brother.”

“Yes.”

Enzo smiled and replied to the form of address he hadn’t heard in a long time.

“It seems you care more than I thought.”

“It appears so, now hurry and move, Sandes.”

At Enzo’s words, Sandes hurriedly got up from his seat and headed towards the mansion.

As the aide hastily followed after Sandes, Enzo, left alone, pressed his eyes tightly and leaned back in his chair.

Strangely, he was reminded of the time when he brought Sandes to the imperial palace.

Although they had different mothers, Sandes was Enzo’s only sibling.

Enzo’s mother, now the Empress Dowager, had a weak constitution and could not have any more children after giving birth to him.

The former emperor was excessively fond of women and had several illegitimate children with numerous concubines, but most did not survive past one year or died in the womb.

The former emperor knew it was his mother’s doing, but did not restrain her.

Then, Sandes’ mother, who was a maid closely serving Enzo’s mother at the time, unwillingly became a concubine and became pregnant.

However, she was the only one Enzo’s mother did not take action against.

Then one day, Enzo learned why his mother had not acted against the two of them.

About a year after Sandes was born, his mother was mercilessly beating the maid who had become a concubine, her eyes red with anger, while the maid simply endured to protect Sandes in her arms.

Enzo was shocked by this violent side of his mother he had never seen before.

His mother said she felt greatly betrayed by her trusted maid becoming a concubine.

Knowing it wasn’t right but unable to control herself, his mother cried like a child in front of him.

Enzo was dumbfounded seeing the two people twisted by the former emperor and Sandes who was born without blessing.

Shocked and pondering for a moment, Enzo helped the two escape from the palace without his mother noticing.

As a result, he had to bear his mother’s anger for a while, but it was okay knowing that the innocent child born would be a little more comfortable.

He believed that they had left the palace and were living comfortably somewhere, but when he met Sandes again one day, he was only waiting for the day he would die.

Though he had left the palace, Sandes had lost his mother, sister, and nephew, and was only alive on the outside.

Enzo felt sorry for Sandes.

Perhaps feeling a sense of brotherhood towards him with his sky-blue eyes resembling his own, Enzo ordered Sandes to live.

He begged him to live, even if it was to dream of revenge he couldn’t achieve if he died.

After that, although Enzo knew what Sandes had in mind, he turned a blind eye.

It was the first time Enzo had an unfair heart after becoming emperor, but he was able to save Sandes.

Sandes, who came to have a purpose in life, turned out to have an incredible amount of talent that no one expected.

Enzo was pleased by this fact.

When Sandes had gained enough strength to protect himself to some extent, Enzo bestowed a title on him and gifted him a middle name.

His mother, who was in seclusion at the detached palace, flew into a rage, but when he warned her to stay quiet if she felt even a little pity for the poor maid who had died, she said no more.

Although Sandes seemed to be living well, Enzo, who was by his side, could tell.

Sandes, who lived only for revenge, did not become attached to anyone.

He did not give his heart or show interest to anyone.

Such a Sandes changed after meeting Erina.

“Thank goodness.”

It was truly fortunate.

He felt relieved that his life no longer seemed to be solely driven by revenge.

Enzo got up from his seat and moved to do his work.

He had to hurry if he was going to work without Sandes today.

Sandes, who outwardly appeared unaffected, rushed to the mansion in one breath.

Seeing Sandes return during peak working hours at the palace, Shimildun tactfully approached and quickly reported.

“The doctor says there are no injuries other than being startled. She’s resting in her room now for stability.”

Sandes went to Erina’s room, almost running.

Just as he was about to knock, the door opened and Heila came out.

Seeing Erina sitting blankly through the door, Sandes hesitated, and Heila smiled and made a knocking sound with her mouth instead.

“Knock knock, Erina, the Marquis is here.”

“Ah, please come in.”

When Sandes glared at Heila, she quietly smiled and stepped aside.

Sandes quietly entered the room and approached Erina.

Seeing Erina sitting quietly and smiling at him, Sandes felt a corner of his heart crumbling.

As if enchanted, he approached her and stood in front of her.

Erina looked no different from when he saw her in the morning, but she couldn’t hide her eyes that were more shadowed than usual.

“Sandes, you came back early from the palace today.”

There was a strange tremor left in her seemingly nonchalant tone.

Sandes felt his tension release as he confirmed with his own eyes that she was safe.

He bent over as if collapsing and buried his face in Erina’s shoulder.

“San, des?”

“I’m relieved.”

Erina could feel that Sandes’ words were trembling faintly.

“I’m so glad you’re safe, Erina.”

He had been tense with worry that something might have happened to Erina, that she might have been hurt.

He was afraid that she, who had already been through so much pain, would be hurt again.

Only now could Sandes understand his own heart clearly.

He had thought he had simply found a woman he liked, and felt pleased that this lovely woman was relying on him.

What he thought was just a simple fondness had already overflowed and grown large enough to permeate the rest of his life.

He foolishly believed he could discard or hide this feeling from anyone at any time.

He had stupidly failed to realize that it had already grown large enough to engulf everything about him.

Foolishly.

He couldn’t say anything with his head buried in Erina’s shoulder.

He was afraid to open his mouth, fearing his pent-up emotions might suddenly burst and leak out.

“Sandes, I’m alright.”

Erina said she was fine, bewildered by Sandes who had suddenly come and buried his head in her arms.

Although Erina was the one who had gone through the incident, she felt strange seeing him in more pain.

Feeling the faint trembling on her shoulder, Erina carefully wrapped her arms around him slowly.

As she gently patted Sandes’ shoulder, his trembling seemed to subside.

For a while, the two embraced, each hoping their hearts would reach the other.

Translation complete. 100% of original text translated.