AWWEWNR Chapter 25

The tears in her eyes and the slight tremor in her body could have misled anyone who didn’t know better into thinking she was genuinely worried about Lloyd.

 

“Don’t worry, Majesty. I’m fine.”

 

“Since you’ve lost so much blood, you’d better get back and see the doctor first.”

 

“…Yes, Empress.”

 

“Don’t worry too much about this incident, I’ll…”

 

“No, I’ll leave it entirely to the Imperial Guard.”

 

“Why would you do that when I’m here?”

 

“Please know that your son is worried about the Empress.”

 

At Lloyd’s words, the Empress’s expression twisted slightly.

 

“…However, in the absence of His Majesty the Emperor, I must attend to the affairs of the Hunting Festival…”

 

“That’s why I’m leaving it entirely to the Imperial Guard, Empress.”

 

The Empress’s face instantly stiffened at Lloyd’s words.

 

“Prince, what kind of…”

 

“Since you’re so frightened by my attack, I don’t think I can entrust you with finding the culprit who attacked me. Please consider the feelings of a son who cares about his mother.”

 

“…”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty, please leave it to us.”

 

In front of the Captain of the Imperial Guard, Lloyd pretended to be in the Empress’s favor and made it impossible for her to intervene further in this case.

 

The Empress gritted her teeth inwardly, but her facial expression never wavered as she played up the fact that her son’s concern touched her for her.

 

“It is truly unfortunate that His Imperial Majesty is not here, so I hope you can understand the feelings of this mother, who cannot leave her child in the hands of the Imperial Guard alone.”

 

“I, too, regret that His Imperial Majesty was not present at this time when I almost died. However, if you think about it, it’s also a great relief that he is not.”

 

“…?”

 

“How surprised would His Imperial Majesty be if he were here? This is an attempted murder of an imperial family member, and nothing else. His Majesty would have been in danger, as well.”

 

“…”

 

“So does the Empress, so I’ll leave this matter entirely to the captain of the Imperial Guard. It’s my case, so please do as I say for once, Empress.”

 

If it’s this far, stay away. Lloyd’s eyes said so. 

 

Realizing that she could no longer force herself to take charge of the case, the Empress stepped back with a sweet, gentle smile.

 

“The prince has given this to his mother, and she is happy as if she had the world.”

 

But there was no hiding the irritation in her step as she turned away. With her back to him, Lloyd turned to the captain of the guard.

 

“The horse, and the arrows. We must not lose any clues.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Sigh— 

 

The slightest sparring with the Empress always made his head spin like this. With a short sigh, Lloyd climbed into the carriage for the ride back to the palace.

 

💫

 

Cleaned up and tended to by a doctor, Lloyd lay in bed and thought of Hanaella. 

 

The hunt must have been canceled because of me, and I wonder if she went home. She certainly wasn’t feeling well, and he wondered what she was doing now.

 

‘Surely that healing magic can’t harm the wielder…?’ 

 

No, she wouldn’t have used it in the first place if it harmed herself.

 

Lloyd thought, and after a moment, he sat up. 

 

No, the act itself was a blow to her as a woman. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were worse.

 

“Tran.”

 

Tran entered quickly at Lloyd’s call.

 

“Summon Duke Ethan.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Since he couldn’t bring Hanaella into the Crown Prince’s palace, he would meet her through her father. 

 

Of course, it was doubtful that Ethan Verg Ariel, who wanted nothing to do with the imperial family, would allow his precious daughter, who had just come of age, to meet him. 

 

Fortunately, with his history of spurious relationships, it should not be too difficult. 

 

Lloyd finds it refreshing to find himself missing Hanaella after less than a day of knowing her.

 

💫

 

Sitting back, sipping the tea Belle had brought her, Hanaella was a little embarrassed by Gemma’s concerned question about the blood on her clothes and underwear.

 

“I’m not hurt.”

 

“I know you’re not hurt, and believe me, I’m not ringing and asking to get that answer, young lady.”

 

Gemma could already tell that Hanaella had her first experience somewhere. 

 

The way she walked, she was afraid she’d be the first one to notice, and would have to stop them.

 

Hanaella knew she had already been discovered by Gemma, who had managed to make them all leave and bathe herself. 

 

There was no such thing as a virginity before marriage among the nobility of the Empire. 

 

However, it was understandable that Gemma would be so concerned about a young woman who had just come of age and had just returned from her first hunting trip.

 

“Tell me the truth, young lady. Where did you come from and who did you play with?”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t suppose you were playing with…”

 

“No, that’s not true…”

 

“Then tell me. Don’t worry, it won’t reach my lord’s ears.”

 

“…The Crown Prince.”

 

“I see, the Crown Prince… What?!”

 

Gasp— 

 

Gemma’s sudden exclamation caused Hanaella to flinch.

 

After telling Gemma a slightly different version of what happened with the Crown Prince, Hanaella shook her head in response to Gemma’s worried question about whether she wanted to become the Crown Princess.

 

“I didn’t meet him with that in mind, I didn’t set out to meet him in the first place, I just happened to be where he was and… because there was blood, and I went there, and the Crown Prince was lying there, shot by an arrow.”

 

“…”

 

“Somehow, he needed me, and it was inevitable…”

 

‘He was about to die, and if I didn’t use my family’s secret magic, the Crown Prince of this empire would die.’

 

“…The Crown Prince… I really didn’t expect that.”

 

“Neither did I, Gemma.”

 

“…And for the Master…”

 

“He already knows.”

 

“What?!”

 

Startled. Gemma’s exclamation made Hanaella flinch again.

 

“Gemma, your voice is so…”

 

“Master already knows?!”

 

“Yes. No, he knows we’re lovers, I told him.”

 

“…And Master said it was okay?”

 

“He said he didn’t believe me and wanted to make sure we were both on the same page.”

 

Gemma thought for a moment, then turned to Hanaella, her face full of concern.

 

“Could it be… His Highness the Crown Prince is playing with you?!”

 

‘Why would that be?!’

 

Hanaella stared at Gemma in disbelief.

 

💫

 

Afterthought. Suddenly itching in his ears, Lloyd ran his little finger along them. Just in time, he heard Ethan outside.

 

“Come in.”

 

With a click, the door opened, and Duke Ethan stepped out.

 

“Greetings, Crown Prince, the little sun of the Empire.”

 

“Oh— you’re here.”

 

“I thought you were not well, since you summoned me here and not to your office.”

 

“I’m not, I am not well, I only look well, sit down.”

 

Lloyd said, gesturing to the couch across from him. 

 

Ethan wordlessly sat down on the couch and looked at Lloyd. 

 

The captain of the guard had told him about the attack at the hunting festival. Though not a Knight of the Imperial Guard, Ethan felt a little responsible for the attack, especially now that the demons had left the area.

 

“The Imperial Guard and a group of Knights is investigating the incident. We will find whoever attacked His Highness the Crown Prince and make them pay for their crimes…”

 

“I’m sure they will. Besides that, I didn’t call you here for that.”

 

“…”

 

“The Duke knows full well why I called you, doesn’t he?”

 

Ethan’s eyebrows twitched at Lloyd’s words.

 

“…I heard you were exchanging hearts with my daughter.”

 

“Mm— I don’t think it’s just the heart.”

 

Lloyd said with a shrug, and Ethan frowned weakly at him.

 

“I don’t like talking at length, so I’ll cut to the chase. I want you to send Hanaella here for the time being.”

 

“I can’t.”

 

Immediate answer. Lloyd turned to Ethan, his smile wiped off his face as if he’d already expected it.

 

“Why?”

 

“In case you didn’t know, an unmarried maiden entering and leaving the Crown Prince’s Palace is the talk of the town. Do you intend to make my precious daughter the subject of scandal among the nobles?”

 

“Why would it be a scandal.”

 

“Are you really asking because you don’t understand?”

 

“I ask because I don’t understand. What’s so wrong with a young man and a young woman wanting to love each other?”

 

“It’s a problem because the Young Man is your Highness.”

 

When Ethan gave a short sigh of pity at that, Lloyd set his jaw and glared at him.

 

“Then would you give her to me as a Crown Princess?”

 

“Not a chance!”

 

“I knew it.”

 

Sigh. Lloyd smiled.

 

“His Royal Highness will have to organize it.”

 

‘Organize…? I haven’t even started yet.’