DSB 147

“Although there are times when they cannot control their strength, everyone is kind to us.”

“Young Master, thank you so much for providing us with the supplies we were lacking.”

“Oh, by the way, a few prisoners escaped a moment ago, but the knights have brought them back…!”

At the center of it all was Yutis. Those whose lives had been saved thanks to him looked at him with eyes of trust and respect.

Calling fellow citizens of the Empire “prisoners” without hesitation meant they already considered him as their master. They had all witnessed the man known as the Crown Prince joining hands with a demon to take people’s lives.

Conversely, Yutis threw himself in front of them to stop them, even though he had no reason to save the citizens of the Empire. To those who had witnessed that scene firsthand, Yutis was no longer an object of fear.

Lebel watched the scene with a satisfied smile.

Yutis was the same in the North. Unlike his gruff and indifferent appearance, he always carefully observed his surroundings. He was a man of few words, yet he ensured that everything necessary was taken care of without fail, and he took full responsibility for every decision he made.

To those grieving the deaths of their loved ones, he personally delivered the urns of the deceased and compensated them. Although that alone would not bring about improvement, Yutis cared for them sincerely, even though it was not his doing.

Gradually, not only the people of the North but also the citizens of the Empire came to know this.

‘He is indeed the human I love. Others are bound to like him too….’

Lebel, who had been watching the scene for a moment, moved closer to him and took his hand. He proudly demonstrated that he was the one who belonged by Yutis’s side.

“I made the right decision entrusting this to you. Everyone has come to trust and follow you.”

“…Isn’t this something you asked of me?”

“Because it is impossible for me to do.”

I don’t know how to please humans, nor would I know what they need.

To be honest, with a single wave of Lebel’s hand, he could have restored all the buildings to their original state. However, even if he did such a thing, public sentiment wouldn’t follow. It seems humans have a pace suited to them.

“Um, Your Highness…!”

At that moment, the people who spotted Lebel froze, and several recoiled. The distance Lebel had initially felt was not directed at Yutis. Rather, it was directed at himself.

Feeling fear in the humans, Lebel tilted his head in confusion.

Why are they afraid of me?

He had been looked down upon because of his nickname, the Foolish Prince, but this was the first time people looked at him with eyes full of fear. Was it because of his status as a prince?

Since Lebel had only ever encountered humans within the imperial palace, he did not know how ordinary commoners treated him.

The answer was surprisingly simple. It was due to the remarks of the conscripts who had been dragged in by the nobles and then released. Those who faced Lebel had every reason to be afraid after personally experienced his inhuman aura and power.

On the other hand, the citizens of the Empire who had not witnessed Lebel’s power firsthand did not believe it at first, as the figure in the rumors was so different from the prince they knew. However, the northern knights boasted so much about who their young madam was that, at some point, the rumors solidified into reality.

Furthermore, Lebel had been ridiculed in the Empire as the Foolish Prince, and he was forced to leave for the North – sold off to Yutis, who was once called a monster – for the Empire’s benefit.

Rumors spread that he had even staged a suicide attempt because he did not want to go to the North. Yet, the Empire declared war on the North and went so far as to kidnap him.

No matter how one thought about it, Lebel had grown up in an environment where he could not possibly be favorable toward the Empire.

“Is everything those people said true?”

“How does Your Highness view the Empire…? Becoming the bride of the North was surely not Your Highness’s will, and to think you were kidnapped…”

“It seems the young master has no intention of becoming Emperor, and Your Highness doesn’t seem to want to be emperor either… Then who is going to become Emperor?”

They probably thought they were just whispering amongst themselves, but Lebel could hear it all. Lebel could understand. With more than a few nobles fearing him now, the public’s reaction was not a concern.

Since the one destined to become Emperor was Yutis, it wasn’t a matter of particular concern, and Lebel had no intention of doing anything to the Empire. His only goal was to ensure it could not become a threat to the North, and that had already been achieved.

The important thing was Yutis. How he would be perceived in this Empire was everything. So, he had to correct one thing.

“The title ‘Young Master’ is a designation the Empire arbitrarily imposed.”

Anyone hearing it might misunderstand and think the Hestro family belonged to the Empire. Well, that would happen soon, but not now.

“Ah, um… I, I am sorry. In that case… may I call you ‘Young Lord’?”

“Hmm, call him that for now.”

At that brief answer, the eyes of the people lit up. Their primary concern was who would claim the throne. The Emperor was dead, and Biakin had become a criminal, leaving the throne vacant. Nobles had even appeared in the capital leading armies, coveting that position.

Yet, the throne remained vacant.

Nevertheless, no one claimed to be the Emperor. Neither Lebel nor Yutis. Even when those who could face Yutis mustered the courage to ask, he did not give a definitive answer, so their worries only grew worse.

In the midst of this, Lebel’s words from a moment ago served as a hint. They were relieved to see that they shared the same heart for the Empire. Only then did a few recall what had been said when they captured Biakin.

“Um, Your Highness, will you continue to stay in the Empire…?”

“Hmm? You don’t want me to?”

“Th-How could that be…! It is just that the Empire….”

“I know what you’re worried about, but it’s unnecessary.”

Lebel said with a smile.

“Going to the North was a stroke of luck for me. I’m actually grateful for that. Being a wife suits my aptitude quite well.”

“Wife…”

Yutis muttered, the emotion in his voice was so honest that even those standing nearby felt their hearts race. Lebel chuckled softly, amused by their reaction.

“So there’s nothing to worry about.”

Humans always go out of their way to worry about useless things.

“Let’s go somewhere else now.”

I’ve boasted enough.

“Are you leaving already?”

It wasn’t just the citizens of the Empire who were sad to see him leave. The knights had no intention of letting go of Lebel, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Now that I’ve seen you all healthy and well, there’s nothing more for me to see.”

The knights’ expressions softened, moved by the words that suggested he had come specifically to see them.

“I intend to present you with separate rewards once everything is over, so think about what you each want.”

“Why do we need rewards? A knight is supposed to obey orders when they are given.”

“You stayed in the Empire for the sake of Yutis, so you deserve to be compensated accordingly.”

There were cases where knights who had distinguished themselves in war were granted minor titles. Since there were a few territories without owners, granting titles wouldn’t be a bad idea. It was better to have nobles who wholeheartedly supported Yutis.

“Is the young madam eating well and sleeping soundly at the imperial palace?”

“Was this noble someone you could reason with? We are ready to wage a territorial war at any time!”

“You worry about everything.”

Are you comparing the stamina of a human to that of a demon? Moreover, perhaps because Norman had unintentionally gathered human souls to perform a summoning ritual, all of those souls had become Lebel’s power. Thanks to this, even using powerful spells didn’t strain his body.

Just then, Yutis stepped forward and blocked the knights’ path.

“Do not bother him.”

“Are you monopolizing the young madam right now? We would like to speak with him as well! He must have suffered so much after being kidnapped by that fellow!”

While this was a fact forgotten by Lebel, the knights had not forgotten that the precious young madam had been kidnapped by Biakin and imprisoned in the imperial palace.

“Ah, that happened.”

He wondered what he meant by mentioning kidnapping.

Yutis grimaced. A crunching sound echoed as his teeth gritted together. He, too, had not forgotten it. It was an incident he would never forget in his lifetime.

Feeling the surging demonic energy of Yutis beside him, Lebel took his hand. Yutis gasped as he sensed the growing demonic energy.

“Are you still not feeling well?”

“I’m fine. I have the holy sword now.”

Yutis smiled. However, Lebel frowned in disapproval. In fact, Lebel had tried to soothe Yutis’s demonic energy several times, but Yutis had vehemently opposed it. It was not as if he had been physically ill, but only confined within the imperial palace.

“Let’s go to the temple.”

“…The temple?”

Lebel took something out of his pocket. Written on a small, fluttering piece of paper was the words ‘Marriage Vow.’ Yutis’s eyes widened.

“I thought we just needed to stamp it with the Emperor’s seal, but I was told we have to report it to the temple.”

“What? But we already…”

“Biakin arbitrarily destroyed the marriage contract the Emperor had taken. According to imperial law, you and I are not in a marital relationship.”

Yutis’s gaze turned menacing. Biakin was currently being held captive in the dungeon. Although he had said he would be executed at the appropriate time, Yutis felt the urge to immediately slit his throat. Lebel saw Yutis ruminating on his rage alone. He lifted his head slightly and kissed him on the cheek.

“So, you need to hurry up and let them know you’re mine.”

“You don’t have to…!”

“I want to. Besides, you are going to become the Emperor now, so you must take a bride according to the laws of the Empire.”

Yutis’s face softened in an instant.

His tense shoulders relaxed, and a helpless smile formed on his lips. His reaction pleased Lebel, who also smiled and naturally pulled his hand closer.