Chapter 351

He moved Eva, who had barely regained consciousness, to another room.

Like Dardin and Yurik, Eva was extremely busy, and it was common for her to go to the royal castle's medical office early in the morning and return at dawn the next day.

Today, as always, she had stayed up almost all night at the medical office and returned,

And had lain down to rest her eyes briefly before having breakfast.

But just as she was falling asleep, small rattling sounds began coming from the window,

And because of that, she couldn't respond quickly when the intruder entered.

Of course, the fact that she wasn't a combat-oriented person like Cellinne or Valter would have played a part too.

Eva's neck, as she struggled to explain the situation, already had blue bruises forming. Her voice was also completely hoarse.

"If you talk more, your throat will get damaged."

"It's, fine."

She kept coughing and shook her head. Ah, this was really driving him crazy. How could he tell Eva that he had swung her medical bag at her?

While he was reading Eva's mood, the sound of someone rushing urgently toward the room where they were sitting could be heard.

"Primavera Viscountess!"

Was he the Captain of the Royal Guard?

Having apparently run here with all his might, Milo Eivanshter had several strands of sweat-soaked hair stuck to his forehead.

He strode in and knelt down beside the bed where Eva was lying.

"Are you alright? Are there no other injuries? We were providing maximum security for the 3rd Prince's palace, so how did such a thing—"

"Sorry, but don't make Eva talk. Her throat hurts."

"Ah, Mage. I apologize. I failed to greet you properly."

What was with this guy?

Seeing him being particularly flustered, it was hard to believe this guy was the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Moreover, the way he was restless about Eva too.

Hmm.

"You said you're the Captain of the Royal Guard. Is that right?"

"Yes? Ah, yes. That's correct. I'm Milo Eivanshter. Though lacking, I'm leading the Royal Guard of the royal castle."

"Then are you also in charge of security around the 3rd Prince's palace?"

"The precious people of the royal castle have Guards specially organized for them, but by His Highness the 3rd Prince's orders, the Royal Guard also checks from around the palace for suspicious people..."

"Enough. So whose responsibility is it that a suspicious person infiltrated the 3rd Prince's palace now? Yours, or someone else's?"

"That is."

Eva gave him a suspicious look as if asking why he was like this, but he had no intention of just letting this matter pass.

The intruder knew Eva's movements well. That she often returned late, that she only went back and forth between the medical office and the 3rd Prince's palace.

So he must have chosen a time when there were few people to enter her bedroom.

If he hadn't coincidentally been lost and passing near Eva's room at that time? Eva might be dead by now.

He began glaring at Milo with all his might. Milo floundered while glancing at Eva, then began rambling excuses with all his effort.

But he didn't have the mental leisure to listen to such talk now.

Just as he was about to threaten him by saying Yurik would take him away if he kept this up, another visitor opened the door and entered without even knocking.

It was Dardin and Yurik.

"Is your condition alright?"

"Apart from my throat hurting, I'm fine, Your Highness."

"The intruder?"

"We were lucky. Yesung subdued him."

"Yesung?"

Yurik looked at him. It was a tone asking how he had come to do such a thing.

But when he just shrugged his shoulders without saying much, Yurik turned his gaze back to Eva.

"Was it someone you knew?"

"No. It's probably the Queen Dowager's remaining people. Forces that still can't attach themselves to this side even after Duke of Ophir disappeared."

"I'll look into it by today. I'll conduct the interrogation personally."

"Haven't Cellinne and Grandfather Valter returned yet?"

"They're still in pursuit. The Queen Dowager has been hiding so much that she left the capital. I received contact that they'll show results within four days."

Ah, Cellinne and Dardin weren't there.

That explained why the palace felt somewhat empty. Dardin, who had been standing beside Yurik, frowned slightly at Yurik's words.

"Your Highness, interrogation is also an important matter, and capturing the remaining pawns from Duke of Ophir's side is good, but according to yesterday's report, Brythunia has been in close contact with Gunderland."

"What about from Asgard?"

"No news yet. It would be better to send an envoy soon before holding the coronation ceremony."

"Look into suitable candidates."

"The minister in charge of diplomacy is unable to perform his duties due to burns. We must hurry before news of the Queen Dowager's death spreads."

"Any other matters?"

"There remains the matter of punishing the soldiers and banneret knights who went to the eastern wasteland, and the Duke of Ophir investigation. In connection, we'll need to thoroughly examine nearly 10 years of southern tax collection records. But we need the Finance Minister's cooperation, so summon him soon."

"The Finance Minister previously claimed neutrality, but the news I've heard several times about him is..."

Taxes, Duke of Ophir, territories, citizens, exploitation, taxes, crop failure, waterway construction, wasteland, Queen Dowager faction, attacks, public order. Complex words passed back and forth between the two several times.

Dardin, who had been talking with Yurik there, looked at him sitting blankly and suddenly smiled as if frowning.

What? Why was he smiling while looking at him?

He stared at Dardin in bewilderment, and he casually spoke to Yurik, who was lost in thought about the Finance Minister.

"Your Highness. Though you must be busy with various matters, there's one thing you should know. That we're short-staffed."

"I'm fully aware."

"If we're away from the palace, incidents like today will occur frequently. Even if not Eva, I might be attacked too."

"Dardin. What are you trying to say?"

Yurik spat irritably.

Dardin calmly offered his advice in response.

"Your Highness the 3rd Prince, how about granting Duke of Ophir's house to Yesung?"

"Dardin!"

"Baronet Hessen!"

"Hey!"

All three of them shouted at him simultaneously. But Yurik raised his hand to stop them.

"Give Duke of Ophir's house to Yesung? Do you think that makes sense?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I'm certainly not suggesting giving him the Duke's full authority. However, we will no longer be able to expect Your Highness's protection. Once you ascend the throne, Your Highness will become the King of Aquilonia and must establish new standards to apply to all matters including us."

"Are you saying I might not choose you depending on the situation?"

"To be blunt, yes. Your Highness, that's why we desperately need someone else's protection now, not Your Highness's."

Yurik closed his mouth. Just from that, he felt he could understand what Dardin wanted to say.

Yurik, who was currently favoring the 3rd Prince's associates as the 3rd Prince. But if he became the King of Aquilonia, he wouldn't be able to pay as much attention to them as now.

The responsibility and duties a prince held differed from a king's like heaven and earth, and Yurik might even have to abandon them depending on circumstances.

Dardin wanted to create another safety net in preparation for such times.

He continued persuading the silent Yurik.

"Yesung is merely a mage. No matter how much everyone fears him, if Yesung doesn't have the status and rights to step forward, he won't even be able to protect himself. We swore to dedicate our lives to Your Highness, so that's one thing, but what about Yesung? He helped us wholeheartedly. This is a proposal not just for us but also for Yesung."

"As you said, Yesung helped us. That's enough. I cannot tolerate burdening him with more unnecessary responsibilities."

"A title is not an unnecessary burden. Your Highness may think so, but for some people, a title also means the right to command private soldiers, the right to be safe in others' eyes, and the right to receive protection."

"Stop it. Don't cross the line."

"No, I must cross it. Because all our lives depend on this."

Dardin looked straight at him over Yurik's shoulder.

"What are Yesung's thoughts?"

"Me, me?"

"Now that Duke of Ophir has disappeared, the Queen Dowager faction is in complete chaos. Moreover, since news that the coronation has been decided has reached some people, their hearts are urgent, which is why they came for Eva today."

"To reduce the close associates by even one before Yurik's coronation?"

"After the coronation ceremony, Eva and we will be officially incorporated into the royal castle in recognition of our merits. A new flow of power is about to be created—who would welcome that?"

"So you want to use me."

"Didn't I tell you? I intend to use you. Instead, I didn't try to kill anyone carelessly according to your wishes. I kept my promise by respecting you. Please also keep the oath you made to me."

Promise. That damned promise.

But hearing about Duke of Ophir's house still made his stomach churn.

The aversion was greater than expected, so no matter how much Dardin coaxed him, it seemed he wouldn't be tempted.

Right then, Dardin added.

"Yesung, if you take charge of Duke of Ophir's house, you might be able to save thousands of innocent citizens suffering in the south. Because there's no one as trustworthy as you. Do you still have hesitation?"

"Ah, please. Dardin..."

"If you become a duke, I can protect not only myself but also Cellinne, Eva, and Valter more safely. The frequency of incidents like today would decrease too. Some of His Highness the 3rd Prince's work would resume more smoothly, so His Highness wouldn't have to stay up all night for four days straight either."

"Are you trying to take everyone here hostage or what?"

"That's right. Do you think it's cowardly, Yesung? But if you were in my position, you wouldn't think it's cowardly either."

"Am I that important? Can't you entrust it to someone else? There's Eva, there's Cellinne. There's Valter too!"

"No, it must be you."

Dardin said firmly.

"Because you like His Highness and us very much, you'll have no choice but to do it. This is your only weakness and the factor of your defeat."

Hey, you bastard.

Curses came to the tip of his tongue and then rolled back in.

He might have thrown a punch at Dardin in other circumstances, but hitting him now would only hurt his own hand.

He grabbed a handful of red hair and pulled at it, then took a deep breath. He thought, endure it, Yu Yesung. Endure it. The opponent was just a kid who had lived less than 40 years.

...No, but the more infuriating point was that such a kid was telling him 'you like us so you'll sacrifice yourself for us.'

Moreover, it was somewhat confident, which made him even more irritated.

So what, did liking someone mean he had to do everything? Did liking them mean he should be taken advantage of?

This was like the saying about stretching your legs according to where you lie, but in front of him, they were stretching their limbs in all directions and lying down demanding food and snacks?

Finally unable to endure it, he bolted up. He pushed aside Yurik, who was standing in front of Dardin, and struck down on Dardin's head with his fist.

"Aak!"

-Thud, thud, thud, thud!

By the time the edge of his clenched fist became numb, Dardin was covering his head with his glasses askew.

"Why are you hitting me!"

"Because you're saying annoying things when the blood hasn't even dried in your head! I'm being patient because it's me, but if you go around saying such things elsewhere, know that I'll feed you to the black bugs!"

"Why! Did I say anything wrong!"

"I don't like you guys! I don't like you, understand? And even if I have favorable feelings, you shouldn't use that as an excuse to make demands of people. How impudent!"

"Why are you talking like some 80-year-old geezer?"

"Oh, well said. How old am I to be hearing such words from a little brat? How old are you? When I came to this planet, your ancestors weren't even born yet, you punk! Where's my staff? Where did it go!"

"Yesung, shut your mouth, no. Calm down a bit..."

"Calm down? Do I look like I'll calm down? This little bastard needs to be turned over and beaten on the butt until it catches fire before he'll come to his senses. Hey, bring me my staff."

"You can't even swing it anyway."

"Be quiet! You're also responsible for making him like this. Got it? Because I just let it pass every day, the kid has nothing to fear and lies down throwing tantrums! Or what? Do you have the same mind as him?"

"No, it's not that."

"Even giving a hundred concessions, since such things shouldn't happen to Eva, I'll do it whether it's Duke of Ophir or Grand Duke. I'll do it for now, but separately from that, what kind of habit did you learn to speak so rudely that it pierces the sky? Hey you, won't you come here? Put your head down. Put it down!"

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Please stop Yesung!"

Even Eva, who had been lying in bed, got up. Eventually Dardin hid behind Yurik, and he glared at him while huffing with his arms held by Milo.

After confronting each other for about another hour,

They were finally able to dramatically reconcile only after he pounded Dardin's head three or four more times.

And at the top of the coronation ceremony noble participant list, the following name appeared:

[ Yesung, Y. Ophir Acting Duke ]