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☾ twenty - two ☾

Marilyn looked at her master with eyes full of sympathy.

'Milady...'

Although the current Juvellian had been acting out senselessly up until recently, the younger Juvellian was a girl who was very lonely.

'I thought she was only cruel and crooked, but she's actually warm-hearted once you get to know her.'

Marilyn decided that she wasn't going to just stand by and watch her master holding onto her sorrows by herself.

"I'll stay by your side, milady."

After finally letting out the words she had been wanting to say, Marilyn saw a tiny smile appear on Juvellian's face.

"Alright, thank you."

The sight of Juvellian's smiling face was lovely but also sad, prompting the maid to further strengthen her resolve.

'Okay, since it's already like this...I'll do my best to cheer her up.'

_

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has sent a message saying that, due to border checks, his return will be delayed."

The Emperor clenched his jaw after hearing the chamberlain's report.

'Maximillian, that brat. If you're going to return, you should do so immediately. What are you dragging your feet for?!'

Hearing that his son, whose existence was already an eyesore as it was, refusing to listen to his orders, the Emperor became furious.

'I'll have to give him a scolding when he returns.'

While the Emperor was grinding his teeth thinking about his brazen son, the doors to the throne room suddenly opened with a loud Bang!

"Y-Your Grace! You can't be doing this..."

The royal guard tried to stop the intruder, but the latter–who was more skilled–evaded the guard easily and stood before the Emperor.

"I greet His Majesty."

Just when his temper from thinking about his disobedient son had started to cool off, the Emperor's anger flared once again due to the Duke of Floyen barging in unannounced.

"Duke Floyen, what is the meaning of this?!"

Despite the clear anger in the Emperor's voice, Regis simply bowed his head, showing no sign of being intimidated.

"Your Majesty, I'm here because I needed to have a word with you immediately."

"What is it that you had to make such a ruckus?"

The Emperor demanded, indicating that he would not forgive him if it wasn't something truly important.

Then, Regis looked at the Emperor with determined eyes.

"I've caught the tail of the ones who have been troubling you these past few days."

The Emperor's eyes widened.

"What did you say? Is that true?!"

"Yes."

"Then bring them here at once!"

Regis shook his head then spoke calmly in a subdued voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid I'll have to return home and further investigate the details first."

"What are you saying all of a sudden?"

"It seems there was an intruder at the house while I was away."