The look in Etienne’s eyes as he gazed at Fernando resembled the spring pushing away winter. It contained a warmth that seemed to care for what had frozen in the cold.

And the solitary joy hidden within that warmth was so secretive that I felt compelled to bring it out myself.

[If someone were to look at me with those eyes…]

For the first time, a smile appeared on Leharth’s lips as he muttered to himself.

[It seems good.]

I’ve seen the emotion of liking someone many times. However, the eager feelings and the gaze that simultaneously tried to conceal them seemed unfamiliar. A wish emerged that the subject of those feelings would become himself.

Have you ever wished for something so strongly?

The desire to become an emperor was not for my own sake but rather to protect the people around me. Born into nobility with abilities to see the future, it wasn’t something I wanted, but it burdened my life heavily.

Yet, Etienne’s gaze felt different. If I could receive her gaze, my heavy heart would likely become much lighter. Yes, if she looked at me like that, I’d be willing to give up everything…

[Ah.]

At the sudden thought, Leharth lifted his head. Anticipation filled his eyes as he looked at Duchess Supraher.

[I just had a great idea. Would you like to hear it?] When Duke Supraher sent a puzzled glance, Leharht laughed for the first time.

[I have something I want to pursue at the risk of all my abilities. Please help me.]

Duke Supraher still had a perplexed expression. He asked,

[What do you want?] [Before that, there’s something you need to know. I’m going to die soon. To be precise, I’ll be murdered.]

Duke Supraher’s expression noticeably hardened, but Leharht didn’t flinch. After all, he knew that he could see the future.

Duke Supraher asked again,

[What do I need to do?] [After I die…]

Leharht pointed at Etienne with his sword.

[Kill that woman.] [Kill Etienne… Are you telling me to kill her?]

Duke Supraher’s expression darkened. He thought he could do anything if it was the Crown Prince’s order, but taking the life of a child who hadn’t even reached adulthood was a different matter.

Seemingly reading Duke Supraher’s thoughts, Leharht smirked.

[Why? Can’t you do it?] [I’d rather offer my own life.] [I don’t like that.] [Why… Etienne?]

Was that why he had stared so intently at Etienne earlier? When Duke Supraher asked that question, Leharht looked at Etienne and answered.

[I like the look in that woman’s eyes.]

It was not a kind explanation.

[Anyway, I’m going to die. Then, Ludvi will surely not let you off the hook.] Leharht’s words were correct. If Prince Ludvi becomes the emperor, a few troublesome noble families will likely disappear. He could be at the forefront of that.

[However, I cannot condone taking the life of an innocent child.] [I don’t know what it means to be “me.” Anyway, if the Duke kills Etienne, my ability will turn back her time to the past.]

Now that the Duke knew why Leharht wanted to kill Etienne, he let out a heavy sigh.

[Don’t do that. How about this instead? If His Highness has witnessed your assassination, we are trying to prevent that situation in advance.] [Even if you’ve experienced it before, don’t you know? What I see always comes true. I have the ability to see, and it’s not something that can be shaken.]

Leharht shook his head.

[If it were someone else, they might be able to change the future.]

That’s why Etienne was chosen as the person to do it.

[Just Etienne… Do I need to kill her?] [The Duke’s water ability will also need to be used.]

After thinking for a moment, Leharht continued.

[I asked how I could remember the accident when I was young, and he told me he had put it in the water. I’m not even the Duke’s child.]

The Duke’s water ability was related to memory.

[That, too, was placed there to preserve memories.] [Can others see it as well?]

When Leharht casually asked, Duke Supraher nodded.
[Only direct descendants with water abilities can do it. Among them, only a few can utilize the ability of memory.] [So, you asked if there is someone who can see those memories now… Got it. Please engrave a few things in the water. The Duke should be able to know all of this when Etienne’s time is turned back.] [You mean put memories into the water?] [That way, you can remember the current situation, right?]

Leharht spoke as if it were obvious, and Duke Supraher nodded, closing his mouth.

[Things that will happen in the future will become interesting.]

Leharht smiled while still pressing his throbbing head.

[By the way, the time I can turn back is 5 years.]

Opening his eyes, Leharht stared at the ceiling for a while, unable to shake off the lingering feeling of the dream.

“Dream.”

No, what I saw was the memory of the day I decided to use my ability to turn back time.

“I really saw it.”

Even though I didn’t want to.

As Leharht muttered to himself, it seemed like a voice was coming from somewhere, and Etienne appeared in front of him.

“Did you have a dream?”