They rode the carriage for several days and arrived at Maho Castle.

Although it was a homecoming after a long time, Cyrus didn’t feel at ease.

Somewhere in this castle, or in this city, or somewhere in this country, there were still those who aimed for his life.

As soon as Cyrus sat on the throne, he ordered Duke Heren.

“Commence the investigation once again. Capture anyone suspicious. Make them talk by any means necessary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However…”

It was the first time Duke Heren attached a ‘however’ to Cyrus’s command. Cyrus raised an eyebrow.

“Princess Ariana White has sent a message.”

Upon hearing the name Ariana White, Cyrus’s expression softened, and Duke Heren astutely witnessed the change.

‘This can’t be! Is what Isaac said true!’

Though Cyrus appeared almost expressionless, Duke Heren, who had always been at his side, could keenly discern the change. After the unfortunate incident for the current and future North Emperor and Empress, it was the first time Cyrus cast such a gentle and affectionate gaze.

“Bring it here.”

“Ah, but…”

Cyrus silently stared at Duke Heren, who was trailing off.

After hesitating for a moment, Duke Heren cautiously spoke.

“It’s from Isaac.”

Duke Heren slightly lowered his head while observing Cyrus’s reaction.

Cyrus slowly crossed his long legs, clenched his fist, tapped his forearm with his index finger. After doing this for a while, Cyrus stood up leisurely and said.

“Filter out the spies. I need some rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Cyrus descended from the throne, walked slowly on the long carpet. Duke Heren was sure that his lord was heading towards Isaac’s room.

+++

Isaac, who was reading a message, was startled by the voice coming from behind.

“You look cheerful, Isaac.”

“Cyrus, my heart just skipped a beat. Can you find where it went?”

A playful smile appeared on Isaac’s lips as he turned towards Cyrus.

“You didn’t run all the way here just because the future wife sent me a message, right?”

“Why did Ariana directly seek your help?”

“Why go through someone else when asking for help? Besides, I have no intention of using the future wife, so it’s easier for her as the future wife to communicate with me directly.”

Isaac narrowed his eyes and added jokingly, “You’re not trying to interfere with the intimate and close relationship between me and the future wife due to jealousy, are you?”

The tension in Cyrus’s forehead eased. With a relaxed smile, he replied.
“If someone close to me is intimate with the Princess of Dongryeong, it could be helpful for me, so there’s no reason to obstruct.”

“Oh-ho. Then I guess you’ll permit me to leave for Dongryeong right now.”

As Cyrus’s lips tightened, Isaac watched with delight.

“Why are you going to Dongryeong?”

“That’s because the Empress needs me.”

“Can’t you just make some stamina potions and send them?”

“After reading the message, it seems like stamina potions alone won’t be enough. Do you want to check?”

Shaking the letter in front of Cyrus, Isaac continued talking as Cyrus, seemingly oblivious to Isaac’s impudence, stared at the paper in his hand.

Eventually, Cyrus snatched the paper and read its contents.

It said they rescued a child who had been imprisoned for a long time in a small cell. The child’s health was not good, and the body’s bones were so stiff that they couldn’t straighten out. If they could make stamina potions, they would appreciate it, and also, do you know a good way to straighten bent bones? Cyrus read the contents silently.

While Cyrus was reading the message without batting an eye, Isaac spoke.

“If the bones are so bent that they won’t straighten out, it must have been more than a year or two since they were imprisoned. Trying to forcefully straighten the bones could lead to a life-threatening problem. It’s better to personally go and see.”

“Do you have a reason to take precious steps for a slave like that?”

“I do. My father always said that the practice of medicine should be equal for everyone.”

Cyrus, who owed a debt to Isaac’s father, couldn’t refute and silently looked at the message. While gazing at it, he seemed to expect Ariana to appear any moment.

Whether it happened or not, Isaac was packing his belongings.

Cyrus spoke.

“We’ve just arrived; how about taking a rest?”

“Oh, this is the first time you’ve cared about my well-being, isn’t it? I’m moved, tears almost came out. Look at this.”

Cyrus couldn’t understand the cause of the emotion he was feeling right now.

Although Isaac was Cyrus’s person, he frequently left to help ailing people or to obtain peculiar herbs. This time was no different.

But why did it feel so unpleasant?

Cyrus read Ariana’s message again. There was only talk about the ailing slave in the message. There was no inquiry about Cyrus’s well-being.

However, even that didn’t give him a reason to feel bad.

Sending a message was expensive, and the longer the content, the longer it took to arrive. It was natural to write only important information in the letter.