Instead of a response, Riley imagined a situation where Gibran, her father, or Hilana Ban was in danger of dying at someone’s hands.

If an assassin came to threaten me, endangering my life and my precious ones, I would…

“I would make the same choice.”

“…”

“Of course, I don’t have the strength to protect myself. But if I had the power to protect myself like you do… I would have made the same choice.”

Gibran, with closed lips, embraced her and closed his eyes.

Many understood him. It could happen, and it was an inevitable situation. People make mistakes. I understand you.

Most of those who whispered such things couldn’t endure and left.

Gibran’s surroundings also became targets of the assassins, and each time, Gibran personally dealt with those assassins.

People who witnessed that all showed the same reaction. Everyone showed fear towards me, who had turned bloodied while killing assassins.

“Did you have to kill them? You could have just subdued them and let them go.”

“Yeah, you didn’t have to kill them on the spot… There’s no reason to dirty your hands when you can easily subdue them. Maybe claiming to protect yourself is just an excuse.”

“He might be enjoying it. He’s unusually emotionless.”

“To be honest, it’s a bit creepy each time…”

“He’s harsh and cruel. He’s too mature compared to his peers… Especially his gaze is frightening.”

The reason for killing them on the spot was that letting them go would mean they could come back next time.

Was there a reason to let future threats go? It wasn’t meaningful to subdue and escort them since someone behind them would release them. It was simply realized that a powerful high noble was watching over them.

There was no need to explain such internal circumstances. Even if they explained, their prejudices and preconceptions wouldn’t change, and they would never be understood.

“I won’t let go no matter what happens.”

“…”

“If you try to escape, I’ll catch you.”

“…”

“But can you stay by my side? Can you understand me?”

To Gibran’s question, Riley nodded her head.

“Even if you call yourself a demon that devours my soul, I won’t leave your side.”

“…”

“You’re the one who pulled me up from the depths of hell. I understand you, support you. Whatever you do…”

“…”
“You might have extended your kindness like a lifeline to a pitiful person, but that kindness was a turning point in my life. You gave me a new life and happiness. So, as long as you don’t push me away, I’ll stay by your side… Even if you’re considered trash by the world, I’ll become trash with you.”

Gibran burst into laughter loudly.

How extreme can this be! It was the first time someone gave such a crazy answer. Become trash together! What an absurd idea. It was unbelievable, yet her response pleased him a lot.

So, he felt relieved.

She seemed like the type to live according to such an absurd answer. She seemed like she would continue to stay by his side.

“Thank you.”

It felt like it would be okay to entrust my heart entirely to this person.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I visited Count Erments’s territory.”

The man, who had been looking out the window while Reynald reported, slowly turned his head.

“How was it?”

“There were no nearby villages, making it suitable. The surroundings are swamplands, making it difficult to approach. It’s not suitable for agricultural use, so there’s unlikely to be any interference in the future.”

“That’s good.”

“But Count Erments had someone following me.”

“The old man with a lot of suspicions is moving as expected.”

“Yes, it seems we need some time to deal with it, but…”

“It might be good for the future.”

“Yes, you don’t intend to hand over Riley Eadalin to that senile count, right?”

Smiling at Reynald’s words, the man recalled the moment he met Riley.

“I can’t hand over that woman, whether she’s Rice-ton’s child or not.”

“We may need to confirm whether she is Rice-ton’s child or not… But Gibran Liensster’s vigilance is so high that it’s not easy to approach.”

“No need to be impatient. Anyway, Gibran will marry that woman, and she will stay by Gibran’s side for a long time. Opportunities will come on their own. We just have to wait for those opportunities.”

“Still… Now may not be the time to be complacent.”

The power struggles are intense under the surface.

“There’s evidence that the 1st Prince, 4th Prince, and 5th Prince are colluding with each other.”

The princes are colluding to eliminate the most likely candidate for the next emperor.

“It hurts to see my brothers so obsessed with capturing one brother.”

“…They are approaching some radical noble factions, trying to persuade them to be a force against the next emperor. They are offering conditions to support them if they become the next emperor.”

“It’s ridiculous that they proclaim themselves as the next emperor.”

“Of course, I find it pathetic, but if, by any chance, nobles from noble factions join forces, it could become dangerous.”

“…That could be a possibility.”
“If Riley Eadalin is indeed Rice-ton’s child… There’s a high probability that she was born through Emily’s womb. In that case, we must get hold of her first from our side, before others realize the existence of the power she possesses.”

He looked over the cityscape beyond the palace with his chin resting on his hand.

“The opponent is Gibran Liensster. If you act impatiently, you might mess things up to the point where we can’t intervene.”

“…….,”

“For now, concentrate on the land we received from Count Erments.”

“Understood.”

Left alone after Reynald left, he blinked absentmindedly. As he did, a courtier approached him quietly and whispered.

“Your Highness, the 9th Princess has returned.”

“Already? Earlier than scheduled.”

“She is expected to arrive at Blessidge tomorrow.”

At the news of the arrival of a consanguineous relative, his eyes, which had been indifferent, momentarily revealed a flicker of emotion.

An entrance much faster than planned. Even with a little consideration, he could understand what it meant. A smile spread across his face.

Since someone has appeared who will shake things up on their own without needing to do anything, perhaps it’s worth putting some expectations on it.

It was amusing even to think about it. After she returns, the situation might unfold quite interestingly.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’