"Would you do me the honor of being your life companion, Lady Verena Zielle?"
I stared into his sincere eyes, and his voice was so loud and clear that it drew the attention of the other aristocrats.
I could even sense my family's bewilderment at this unexpected event.
(If only I could live a life like this...)
I smiled at him as I nodded my head in delight.
(Imagine how different my life would be?)
"Of course, Your Highness Azazel, although your abrupt proposal has taken me by surprise, I couldn't be happier."
I stretched my hand to him, and he delicately placed the simple diamond ring on my ring finger, his expression thoughtful.
"Oh, my~ I couldn't believe what I'm seeing."
"Does this imply that the Dukedom of Zielle supports the second prince?"
"Look at how romantic his highness was~ They are such a perfect match made in heaven."
"I couldn't believe I'm about to occur something that might shake the whole
Within a single night, words about the second prince, Azazel von Elysian, who proposed Lady Zielle of the Zielle Dukedom at Princess Charlotte's von Elysian 14th birthday celebration had spread rapidly.It has become the Empire's hot topic, and everyone is talking about it.[Empress' Palace]"It's exactly as you reported to me, Olivier."The Empress, Kalliste, smiled to herself as she sipped her cup of black tea and savored the flavor while enjoying the weather in the garden.Behind her stood the same messy dark red-haired man with exhausted jet-black eyes, struggling to stay awake from all the meaningless chit-chat.(Whatever... I only gave all the information except the rebellion. I even told her the truth, that Azazel has been keeping an eye on Verena for who knows how long.)"You've done well. You made an excellent decision."Olivier remained utterly silent, his hands clenched into fists out of sight.(...... I'm hop
[2nd Prince's Palace] "Olivier, what do you think the energy element is?" Azazel questioned, his gaze falling on me. I look upwards since I was sitting on the garden's grass while he stood in front of me. "The energy element is the force that can let us control our own elements." He nodded in agreement to my response. "That is correct. Though, every element is controlled differently. I'll teach you energy fire control because there's no one to teach you energy air control." My mouth opened wide in disbelief. "... Your Highness, what exactly do you mean? What I have is air, not fire." Azazel smirked as he put his hand on his hip. "You fool. I'm talking about the control energy. Listen, I heard that air comes from meditation and the mind, but that fire comes from the breath and the heart itself. You will learn how to control your energy element by using fire control." "Does that even make any sense?!"
I yawned as I proceeded with my work. I continue to scribble down a plan for the revolt that could operate while Azazel was at war.I haven't heard anything about him for the last 3 years. With that time compromise, I'm not sure if he's still alive or not.However, despite being unsure, I still believed he will be alive. He would have to if he's going to overthrow the Empire.(I've been preoccupied with having to take care of this palace and always prevent myself from meeting the Empress. This is getting ridiculous.)Before I could even take a breather, a knock echoed throughout the room as I invited whoever had knocked to come in.The door opened. A familiar man in his sixties entered. With his hazelnut eyes narrowed, a pleasant smile on his face."Are you still not getting enough sleep, Olivier?""Louis, why are you here at this hour of the night?"With wide eyes, I questioned, halting whatever I was doing to give him my comp
[Present Time][Zielle Dukedom]The room was brightly illuminated, and the shelves were stacked with glass bottles containing an unusual colored liquid.Verena eagerly prepares potion powders. It is a special poison for the Imperial Family to use on the day of the rebellion."Azazel, could you find a dry leaves that has the color of brown? Also make sure that they haven't fallen from a tree."She asked with her attention fixed on the powder. Azazel, who was standing behind her, nodded at her asking as he exited the room.In the meantime, Oliver was gathering all of Verena's other ingredients. One of the important ingredients are the deadliest petals. After he gathered them, he place them beside Verena.(To this day, I still find it hard to imagine that Verena and Azazel have been engaged.)Olivier pondered while double-checking each materials thay could be usable. In the process, He also assisted Verena on making the potion.
[Ciel Casino]Baron Fred Goldenrod entered the casino with his head held high, knowing that he was a special guest because, according to Verena's information, the casino's owner is the Duke.He is overjoyed to have received the one-of-a-kind miracle thanks to the white ticket tucked neatly within his pocket.(I don't even remember saving the Duke whatsoever. But if that's what Lady Zielle claimed, then I must have done it in some way.)He smiled proudly as the light from the chandelier inside lit up the entire hall just for him and him alone.His arrogance and stupidity will be his downfall, just as Verena predicted."Ah, you must be Baron Fred Goldenrod."The appearance of a young man with jet black hair and confident jet black eyes. He's dressed in a black and white suit, just like the other casino employees who assist guests.But Baron Goldenrod had no idea that the man was Ethan Vad, who had changed his appearance as a resu
[Ciel Casino]The Baron exited the room, once again being led by Ethan as they walked down the halls with him carrying the bag of money for the Baron.(It's sure is a lot of money. It's really heavy......!)As they continued to walk, Ethan's hands trembled under the bag, and a scowl formed on his face.(How much longer do I have to walk?!)They returned to the casino, where nobles and commoners were engaged in their own games, but the Baron simply stared in wonder as he turned to look around."Why do we have to go back to the casino? Aren't there any other exit?"He whispered to Ethan, who didn't pay attention to his question and was instead preoccupied with his own issue while holding the bag of money.(Where is brother Ed-!)Before he could finish his thoughts, Edgar rushed in from the right side. He proceeds to tackled Ethan, who was holding the bag of money, become startled and caused him to dropped it broadly. This
[2nd Prince's Palace]Azazel looked worriedly at Verena, who was lying on the bed, as he seems to be unsure what to do. But he actually does knows exactly what to do which only adds to his uncertainty if this were the case.He felt the coldness in her hand as he grabbed it in his.(Her hand is ice-cold. It's too cold.)He thought as he was trying to send as much fire energy into her so that she could feel a little bit warmer.But it doesn't appear to be working because her hand did not warm up and it was only getting colder by the minute.(She must have been freezing the whole time.)He bit his bottom lip as he came to a choice that based on his own assumptions, would or would not make Verena hate him.He approached every curtain and closed them, as well locking the door, and walked back toward the bed.He ripped Verena's blanket from her shoulders as he continues to take off his clothes one by one, leaving him shirtless
[2nd Prince's Palace]"Thank you for letting me stay, Azazel."Verena smiled after Azazel prepared a large breakfast on the table for her and graced her with a friendly smile.The dress that he requested from Olivier also suited Verena nicely, and he was overjoyed to know that she liked it.Ignoring the fact that the empire was outraged by the news about the casino and how many people had died, including commoners who protested against the aristocrats, Azazel and Verena were enjoying their time as if nothing had occurred.They have entrusted the rest of the situation to Olivier, Theodore, and the twins. After the incident, Verena has started to always imagined what would her father's reaction if he ever founds out about the news."Oh? What is this?"Verena questioned, her tongue tingling with delight at the delicious flavor of the breakfast that Azazel served.Azazel shifted his gaze from the window to her, and a smile appeared
"... It's quite easy to tell that this is not your first life.""How can you tell?"My gaze were now wary. But his expression remained unchanged with that gentle gaze on his face."It shows in your aura.""... My aura?"(Ah... don't tell me he has that special ability in his eyes...)My eyes narrowed slightly, thinking about all the possibilities within him."You— is it alright to expose yourself like that?"I'm just a stranger he met for the second time. And this is the first time we have a proper conversation.Yet he answered my questions clearly and even revealing his ability about seeing this 'aura'."Hmm... I don't mind."He narrowed his eyes sadly the moment his eyes cathes mine, as if he saw something that I would never under
When I presented Rho with an imperial knight uniform, his eyes widened in surprise."T-this—""It's the attire of an imperial knight. Wear that because you're going to the temple with me."His eyes sparkled the moment he was handed the uniform."Wow~"I knew why he couldn't stop grinning. It was because he had sought numerous times to become a knight of a noble family but had always been rejected and discriminated against due to his social standing.And now he was given not only a regular knight's uniform, but the Imperial Knight's entireuniform.His fingers trembled slightly, and his eyes were fixed on the uniform I handed him."We're arriving to the temple soon. You have excellent abilities, so I'm confident you'll be a good figure fitting for the Imperial Knights.""Oh my god—
"Tell me what went wrong."When I asked Rho to tell me everything that had occurred, he nodded his head."My crew and I were traveling on our ship about a month ago. Oh, I just wanted to let you know that we're not a bunch of bad pirates!"I nodded, asking him to continue his story, as he grinned and waved his hands around in the air."Then, out of nowhere, our enemy, another pirate who despises me, attacked us. That one eyed bastard— Gladiolas."(Gladiolas? Haven't heard of that name.)I thought to myself as I continued to listen to his story."Normally, we'd win against him, but that jerk did something he shouldn't have. He was backed by a noble, and I noticed how his crew had been replaced by the knights of this noble."(... What I'm getting is that this noble who is currently supporting Gladiolas is trying to earn profits by selling slaves and using the Blue Island, the abandoned area, as his hidden slave source
"Please accept our apologies, Your Majesty. Please punish us for our irresponsibility. We don't deserve to serve you."Ethan and Edgar both bowed appropriately, their gazes fixed on the floor.I was in front of them, with the man who had snuck into my room the night before standing beside me.When I told the twins about what had happened, they felt terrible and blamed themselves for not noticing anything and putting me in danger.I reassured them that it was fine because the man was in need of help, despite the fact that the method he asked was a little overwhelming and I was on the verge of death.Of course, the twins were skeptical to believe this man who showed up, claimed to be a pirate, and requested my assistance.They're wary of him."Edgar, Ethan, I've previously stated that it's preferable if you don't make the same mistake again. Don't make me repeat myself."When they saw I was quickly losing patience, they both rais
"The moment you wake up, you see a stranger and try to kill them, and the moment you realize you don't have a chance against me, you turn the entire room into ice."He simply shrugged and leaned against the water that had formed behind him.(Not just any user.)My eyes sharpened in suspicion as I looked at him.(He's an excellent water user.)"How do you know that I'm the Empress?""It may not looked like it, but I saw you at the coronation."His response surprised me, and my eyes widened in disbelief.However, just by looking at him, I could tell he wasn't a nobleman."You're not a nobleman, are you? Truly, who are you?"With a smug expression on his face, he remained silent until the water behind him vanished.He moved a step closer to me, but I quickly built an ice between us to prevent him from crossing the line.(I didn't create any useful potions. Recently, I've been far too careless. And it wa
My heart was racing the entire day after my unexpected confession as I tried to keep my distance from Azazel.But, before long, the sun sets and the moon rises into a sky ablaze with brilliant stars.(I can't believe I just confessed to him.)I sat in my room, awaiting his return. Because I just declared my love for him, tonight will be different, and it will be awkward for me.When the door opened and Azazel entered the room with a brilliant smile on his face, my cheeks were still hot all over and my heart began to race even faster."Verena!"He rushed up to me as soon as he saw me and tackled me to the bed, surprising me."A-Azazel?!"My heart began to beat even faster as he titled his head and grinned so childishly that I was afraid it would explode.He drew himself away from me and dragged me in to sit next to him."I was surprised for you to come at me like that."I laughed as I looked him in the eyes,
Verena Zielle.She was the first person who could make my heart race out of control.My dark days and existence were lightened the instant I locked eyes with her for the first time.A pair of pure, stunning aquamarine eyes as blue as the sky and as vast as the sea.My cheeks flushed and my pulse raced frantically as I looked into those eyes.Yet I'm the first to admit that she was out out of my league.Yet, unexpected things occurred that made me dared to hope for more.She approached me first and asked for my assistance. She has no idea that whatever she wants, I will do everything in my power to have it.She gets what she wants.I, on the other hand, lived in the dark while she lived in the light. Our worlds were too different.Either I went to that light or I pulled her into the darkness.I choose the second option. Walking into the light would hinder my progress and accomplishments.But lur
"Hey Louis."When I was still a young kid, I remembered asking something to my head butler, Louis Vaughn who acted as my father and took very good care of me.His gaze softened as he turned his head toward me, a smile on his lips."Yes, Your Highness?"He asked, staring me in the eyes, and I returned his gaze, unwavering."Why I don't have a mother? I want to have a mother too."His eyes widened significantly, and he knelt to equal my height, looking at me with a pained expression on his face."Why did you ask that, Your Highness?""... because brother Drystan mocked me for not having a mother."I tightened my grip on my attire, my gaze lowered."... I want to have a mother too.."I murmured under my breath, didn't even dare to look at him in the eyes.Now that I think about it, I'm curious about his expression when I was lowering my head.Maybe he was pitying me, or maybe he
"So, what do you want to talk about?"Valac sat in his chair and rested both of his legs on the table, as it was his habit.Valac was uninterested about the tea cups and cookies on the table.Leon was taken aback by his unpolished demeanor, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything.He was bothered by Valac's treatment of the guests, but he couldn't express his displeasure since he was also fearful.Leon, on the other hand, tried to hide his nervousness by smiling sweetly at Valac, who was impatiently waiting for Leon to speak."Your Highness, this may appear impolite, but I'd want to inquire if you're satisfied in your current position."He questioned carefully, the word 'position' sounding bitter in his voice as he spoke, reminding Valac of his own status as the third prince.Valac, of course, would notice. He could even foresee what Leon would say next."You're the second son of the previous Empress, Prince Valac.