DSB 13

“What?”

“Rather, the empire is avoiding war. So they sold me here.”

To be precise, they wanted to kill you through me.

Lebel didn’t say that during classes, he repeatedly heard things like stealing the north’s confidential military information or brainwashing-like words.

“…You, are you really the Foolish Prince?”

“I’m called that.”

“Edmund, are you going to watch that? It’s suspicious.”

“His Highness can hear it all.”

“I’m saying it so he can hear!”

Damian’s burning gaze showed no sign of dying down.

Is this what married life is? Someone said something like that.

“Leaving aside war, opposing the emperor now isn’t good. Food issues are urgent. It’s better to avoid unnecessary fights in winter. You know that.”

“…I know.”

At Edmund’s persuasion, Damian seemed to concede. Their relationship is good. He could feel trust, bond, love. Even though the child had grown this much, they didn’t split, but maybe because they’re human.

Lebel had been a demon for over a thousand years. As much as he acted and thought as a demon, he often found human customs and habits awkward or curious. Now was such a time.

Humans becoming husband and wife was similar to a demon gaining a mate.

Of course, the meaning was worlds apart.

Humans had short lives, but demons didn’t die naturally unless killed by someone.

Taking a mate was very rare, and even if they took one , it was close to being bound by contract. It was an unspoken promise to focus on the other because of the contract.

Thus, one could have dozens of lovers without a mate. A mate was just an expression showing a little sincerity. But even that could break.

Even humans often divorced after not even ten years together, so a contract breaking after over a hundred years staring at one demon was decent.

“Fortunately. You don’t have to go back.”

Lebel pondered briefly while looking at Yutis smiling satisfactorily at him.

Should he tell about the knights’ scheme upon arrival here? The emperor, seeing no sign of victory in war, plans to ambush and kill you.

But no matter how he thought, he couldn’t picture the imperial knights winning. Rather, it would be good if sparks of war flew now.

It would be good if the empire collapsed completely. It seemed good for the future too.

They wanted to avoid war breaking out, but they didn’t seem like they would lose.

“When do you think we should hold the ceremony? It’s winter now, so shall we do it in spring? What do you think?”

“Ceremony?”

“Since Your Highness is weak to cold, holding it in spring doesn’t seem bad.”

Ceremony. Is it similar to contract? Winter or spring didn’t matter.

Yutis, interpreting Lebel’s silent expression somehow, bowed his head apologetically and said.

“…Actually, we don’t have the capacity to hold the ceremony right away. As I said, food issues are urgent. We couldn’t replenish food due to the empire’s invasion last year.”

“The aftermath of the war still lingers, I see.”

Then it would be better to avoid war. Supplies were the problem.

“We received territory, but the crops were already harvested, and preparations for trade have just begun, so we have to go on expedition to kill demonic beasts and obtain food.”

The food issue seemed quite a headache.

“What’s the need for a grand ceremony?”

“Ha, but….”

“I requested marriage from you, and you accepted. With this, no one can deny that you are my mate. And many people witnessed it.”

Lebel recalled the servants gaping in shock and looking at him.

After finishing speaking, Lebel turned his head at the feeling of a hot gaze.

Seeing Yutis’s eyes that seemed somehow moved, he found it odd. What exactly moved him? Then Edmund spoke to Lebel.

“I didn’t expect Your Highness to think positively of this marriage.”

“Is that so?”

Edmund stared at Lebel. That gaze was fierce, but since it wasn’t a gaze he received for one or two days, Lebel calmly met it.

“Father.”

“Even if you’re certain, I need to know Your Highness.”

“If you look at him like that, Your Highness could collapse.”

Lebel knew that every time Damian or Edmund’s gaze reached him, Yutis subtly spoke to divert their attention.

He knew that, but they don’t look scary?

Does he think I’ll collapse in fear from a human’s interrogating gaze?

It was true his current body was weak, but thinking he’d collapse from a human’s gaze was shocking.

Lebel asked Yutis.

“Do I look weak?”

“It’s not that, I’m worried. Those who face Father often tremble in fear. I’m worried if Your Highness might too.”

Seeing weak and worrying are a bit different…?

“You’re soft.”

“…Me?”

It was like the first meeting, why worry unnecessarily?

They have no friendship, and he’s just a bride sent arbitrarily from the empire.

He seemed like he’d even send back the knights aiming for his life obediently. Well, humans can’t help being weak to humans.

In that case, he can just help. If they marry, he’ll be his mate.

Then someone quietly knocked on the door.

“My Lord, the imperial knights are outside. They’re asking what we did with His Highness, what shall we do?”
He was Iol, the butler of this castle. He felt faint malice, but it wasn’t felt in his attitude. As befitting a seasoned butler, he didn’t easily reveal his emotions.

Edmund asked Lebel.

“What will you do?”

“Why ask me that? The owner of this castle should handle it.”

Lebel had no intention of meeting the knights, and knowing their scheme, he left the disposal to Edmund.

“It’s a sensible statement.”

Isn’t it obvious? Edmund stood up. Damian and Yutis stood following him.

“Your Highness, let’s go.”

Lebel let out a small sigh while looking at Yutis extending his hand toward him. He had no particular intention of facing them, but it seemed he had to go.

Going to the entrance, he saw the imperial knights with quite fatigued expressions.

They seemed to have forced their speed to catch up with Yutis, who had run ahead first.

“Your Highness, are you safe?!”

Lebel couldn’t understand Hans’s worried gaze. When did he worry about him this much that he’s rushing over in one step.

Hans, relieved that Lebel was safe, glared at Yutis with bulging eyes.

“Young master, how dare you kidnap His Highness.”

“Kidnap? Your Highness was trembling from cold. It would be a big deal if he caught a cold, so I just escorted him to the castle faster.”

“How can I believe that? You didn’t say anything strange to His Highness, did you?”

He seemed worried if he and Yutis were conspiring or something.

Then Edmund took one step toward the imperial knights. As if the momentum he had emitted so far was a joke, his aura pressed down on the assembly.

Lebel let out a small exclamation and his eyes slightly widened b That’s why Yutis worried about him. Certainly, it was different from ordinary killing intent.

“Imperial knights.”

Demonic energy rippled more greatly following his momentum. The demonic energy gradually extended, dominating the space.

Hans and the imperial knights, facing him, swallowed dry saliva. Humans suppressed by demonic energy instinctively felt fear.

“I never invited you to the castle. According to my son, we said we’d fetch the bride in spring, does anyone know what happened?”

“…We only followed His Majesty’s orders. We sent the bride to prepare for the approaching young master’s rut cycle.”

“The emperor is very concerned about our situation.”

He sneered softly. Before the imperial knight could flare up, Edmund struck first.

“There must be more the emperor sent separately, hand it over.”

Hans gritted his teeth, put his hand in his chest, and handed over a letter written with the imperial edict to him.