But Stone calmly removed Yan’s hand holding his collar.

Even without exerting any force, Yan could hardly resist. He instinctively realized that there was a considerable difference in strength, just like between an adult and a child.

“Fine. Let’s accept the Marquis’s words. But even the Wolf Tribe, after about ten years since the death of their mate, can find a new partner, right? Reproduction is the natural order for all species.”

Yan became confused.

Whose words are really true?

Did April truly conceive that guy’s child?

“And now, the more important issue is who killed the former Emperor, isn’t it?”

Surprised, Yan stared.

“What did you say?”
“Lordwell Duke says it’s the work of the Silver Wolf. If that wolf is the Marquis… then the mastermind must be Your Majesty?”

“……!”

As Yan’s face turned pale, Stone laughed with amusement as if finding it incredibly interesting.

“As expected! I’m quite quick-witted, Your Majesty.”

At this rate, he might be drawn to that guy endlessly.

“Save such nonsense for hell. You will be executed soon, and April will be sent to the nunnery. I will punish the murderer who harmed my people and my country according to the principles. No exceptions to these principles!”

Yan spoke with the dignity of an emperor.

However, it seemed to have little effect on Stone.

“What will you gain by killing me, Your Majesty?”

“What?”

“Please, listen to my story for a moment. You can decide after that.”

Smiling sweetly, Stone approached Yan.

A cunning shadow loomed over Yan’s head.

“Captain, are you really going to stop like this?”

“Please reconsider!”

The Royal Guards rushed to Kristin’s office upon hearing the news, even though Yan had roughly explained the situation to the officers a while ago. They found it hard to believe.

He, who had played a significant role in capturing the Greenhill serial killer, was expected to be appointed as the Marquis soon. It was an unexpected piece of news.

“It was an honor to serve together.”

With that, Kristin left without any further farewell, carrying a box with documents, followed by Zimmer.

There was no lingering attachment.

She already had everything she wanted. Now, she was determined to pour all her strength into protecting that precious thing.

As Kristin left the main palace, her steps faltered.

The fragrance of Adel was carried by the wind.

By now, she would be in her mansion with Mia.

Could it be that she returned to the palace again?

As he descended the stairs, he saw Adel standing near the fountain in the garden.

Under the apricot tree, just starting to bud, she wore a pink bonnet and dress, resembling the blooming apricot blossoms.

“Chris.”

Adel noticed him and smiled faintly.

“I thought you would still be at home?”

Adel glanced silently.

“What are you talking about? Where you are is my home.”

Then, she lightly punched Kristin’s arm.

“Forgot? No matter what others say, you and I are a pair. Like shoes and gloves.”

“Ha!”

Kristin laughed as if astonished.

But Adel’s seemingly indifferent words left a deep resonance in her heart.

Where you are is my home….

It was the same for him.

Even in the midst of countless battlefields, he had occasionally felt confused about whether he missed her or the time when she lived in that house.

But at that moment, seeing her, he realized.

What he missed was the time spent with Adel.
She would soon be at his house.

“But the insignia on your shoulder…”

“Ah, this? I’ve decided to quit the Royal Guards.”

He casually looked down at his bare shoulder, as if he had stopped playing.

“…Why?”

However, Adel’s expression darkened. Lately, rumors about discord between the emperor and him were circulating quite actively. Seeing him suddenly quit the Royal Guards, there must have been a significant trouble between them, and the reason was likely Stone.

Adel was worried that Kristin might face some trouble.

After all, the other party was the emperor.

However, Kristin, guessing what she was worried about, sweetly smiled.

“I’ve been too busy lately, didn’t have enough time to love my fiancée properly.”

“Even now, you are loved enough.”

“I want to express it more with my body than my heart.”

As he whispered teasingly, Adel looked around in confusion.

“Don’t say such things outside!”

Looking at Adel, who whispered while blushing, he was rather dumbfounded.

“What’s wrong? What’s with the blushing when I’m talking about the confession we had yesterday?”

“Confession?”

“Other women get jealous when they see me. When the talk of engagement with the princess comes up, they get so jealous that they go crazy… Ugh!”

Adel quickly covered his mouth.

“When I confessed yesterday.”

“Confessed?”

“Don’t make up things that didn’t happen!”

Kristin playfully stepped back as Adel tried to cover his mouth again.

“What, if it didn’t happen, why is your face turning so red?”

“It’s hot. I thought it would be cold, so I wore thick clothes.”

Adel fanned herself with a determined face.

“Oh, is that so? Anyway, no matter how explicit my drunken confession was. I didn’t know your pretty head was filled with such naughty thoughts…”

“Stop, stop saying it!”

When Adel rushed again to cover his mouth, Kristin, with a mischievous face, escaped and teased him.

Splash!

The water stream from the fountain suddenly shot up powerfully, and the joyful laughter of the two mingled together.

Just as Yan, who had met Stone and was leaving, stopped his steps.

In the distance, Kristin and Adel were seen running around the garden like mischievous children.

He had quit the Royal Guards, but why were they so happy as if nothing had happened?

Yan’s judgment was twisted at the sight.

‘Here I am, feeling like my head is about to explode. And that guy…!’

He had once thought he was an excellent subordinate.

Having him as a vassal wasn’t as reassuring as he had thought.

In every battle he fought in the emperor’s name, he always emerged victorious, and Stone’s glory was essentially the emperor’s glory. Being his lord was his greatest pride.

So, he gave everything without hesitation. If he wanted land, he gave it; mines, he gave them. He even tried to give his beloved daughter. But now, seeing it, it seemed like that guy had only taken what he needed.
In the coal mine where only coal crumbs used to come out, I had no idea that such enormous diamonds and rare minerals were buried. If only I had control over the mine, I wouldn’t have suffered from such financial difficulties.

‘That cunning guy. Now that he has obtained everything, will he let go of my hand?’

But it won’t be that easy.

‘If you want to leave, you should naturally give up what you have.’

“Listen to what I have to say for a moment. You can decide afterward, and it won’t be too late.”

“Speak.”

“If you kill me, you’ll lose April, but if you kill him, everything he has will become yours. Wealth and glory… I’ll create them all for you. I am your son-in-law, Your Majesty.”