33. Fall.

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few days later.

 

 

Aran received a message through Terrin.

Huana had invited Aran.

 

 

“I knew it. She’s finally making her move.”

“Uhoop…ububoop…”

“…Speak without that in your mouth.”

 

Ayla, wearing a disappointed expression, lifted her face and smiled brightly.

 

 

“Hehe. She’s probably trying to settle things. She’s calling Aran to a place where everyone is, to deal with him somehow.”

 

She said only that much and buried her face again.

A long object disappeared into her mouth.

 

Aran gently stroked her hair. As if she was doing a good job.

 

 

‘Come to think of it… Ayla-nunim has been waiting for almost two years now…’

 

 

After Aran left with Iliana, she remained in Persia as just an informant and lover. Waiting for the day Aran would call her…

 

 

He said he would call her soon, but Aran felt quite sorry that it was delayed every time.

 

 

‘Just let this be over. Then there’s no reason to leave her behind anymore.’

 

 

When Huana is defeated and completely kneels before Aran, there will be no need to leave Ayla behind.

 

 

 

 

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“But Aran, isn’t it impossible for Unni to reveal that she’s a Baemgnyil? If she invites you and launches a large-scale attack, Narsi will obviously notice, and there’s no way Unni would make such a rookie mistake.”

 

 

After the deed, Ayla asked with a refreshed but worried face.

 

As she said, Huana shouldn’t be caught by Narsi as a Baemgnyil. But if she uses the Baemgnyils to launch a large-scale attack, she will inevitably be caught.

 

“That’s right. She probably already has something in mind about that. For example…”

“That she’s also being attacked?”

“Yes. She doesn’t necessarily have to get hurt, just be threatened and run away… but she couldn’t protect her younger brother Aran… then she can get away with it.”

 

 

Depending on the situation, Narsi might handle everything. And since Aran is also an incredible ability user, a significant number of them will surely die.

 

But to Huana, they were just tools, not very precious beings. Can’t she just make more Baemgnyils?

 

“The problem is that I’m Narsi.”

“Kukuk. I want to see Unni’s expression. The expression she makes when she realizes that Aran is Narsi… Aah. I think I’m going to get excited~.”

“Stop it for today…”

“Uuung…too much.”

 

Ayla clung to him, cutely acting affectionate.

Aran hugged her slender waist and gently rubbed her soft belly.

 

 

“Anyway. In about a week… everything will be over.”

“Yeah… and it begins.”

“What does?”

“Aran’s world domination!”

“I don’t… really intend to…”

“Even if you don’t, your lower body thinks so.”

“What are you talking about??”

 

Ayla smiled without a word, caressing his thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 days later.

 

Aran, having received Huana’s invitation, entered the country.

 

 

Of course, Narsi naturally disappeared.

 

 

 

“How is Narsi?”

 

 

Sprout, who was beside her, answered.

 

 

“She’s much better. But I don’t think she can do any proper activities yet.”

“I see.”

 

 

Menstrual cramps.

 

 

That terrifying name had defeated the Tier 7 Narsi.

 

 

 

In fact, menstrual cramps weren’t a big problem for women who could handle mana, but not everyone was like that.

 

 

Apparently, Narsi’s menstrual cramps sometimes get very severe….

 

 

“It’s better this way. Narsi is lovely… but at the same time, she can be a hindrance to work.”

 

Huana pursed her lips tightly.

 

‘Once today passes… Aran is finished.’

 

 

“Just in case something goes wrong, let’s keep her away from the Imperial Palace. Sprout, you make up a good reason to keep her far away.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

As Sprout stepped back, Huana looked in the mirror and spoke to herself.

 

And she vowed.

She would definitely kill Aran to repay the sin of insulting the Persian Imperial Family and insulting herself.

 

 

“Beast. Eat something delicious on your way here. That way, you’ll have a little more attachment to life, won’t you?”

 

 

Giving the mirror one last cold smile, she roughly straightened her clothes and headed to where Aran was.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hmm… a masquerade ball…”

 

 

Aran chuckled.

He found it amusing that Huana was using various tricks to deal with Aran somehow.

 

“No matter what you do, you’re in the palm of my hand.”

 

 

It’s probably a measure taken in preparation for Sprout and Aran recognizing each other, but it’s meaningless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Welcome. Great King.”

 

Huana sat on a chair on the high stairs and looked down at Aran.

She was also wearing a mask, but the area below her nose was exposed, giving off a rather strange feeling.

 

 

 

Aran knelt before her.

For now, he was still her subject.

 

 

Huana, smiling as she looked at him, talked about various things and praised Aran’s achievements during that time.

Then, she spread her hands to the left and right and scanned the audience.

 

 

“Now, let’s talk about the gloomy stuff later. Let’s enjoy ourselves now. You should get up too. You’re the protagonist of today, so please enjoy yourself without any burden.”

“Then, I will.”

 

 

Aran bowed slightly, then stood up and met Huana’s eyes.

She was smiling. Very brightly.

 

 

 

 

 

“Your Highness! Over here. Over here!”

 

As the masquerade ball was in full swing with many people dancing, Hancock, who was wandering around looking for delicious food, called him.

 

 

“Hancock.”

 

 

Still the same silliness even with a mask on.

She bounced up and down and waved her hand until he came.

 

 

“Hehe. Look at this. It’s shabu-shabu!”

“…”

 

 

Aran received the plate with a displeased face.

To him, shabu-shabu wasn’t a very edible food.

 

During the war, he ate shabu-shabu almost every day.

 

 

“Don’t you get tired of it?”

“Uum… not at all.”

 

She smiled brightly and picked up the food.

An attitude of not worrying at all.

 

 

It was absurd, but this is Hancock as always.

 

 

Aran smiled for no reason.

Countess… no, now the King’s wife, but still without any dignity or anything.

Nothing had changed at all.

 

 

‘Well, she’s a dragon, so she probably doesn’t care about human etiquette.’

 

It seemed that way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Aran.”

 

 

Someone called from behind.

 

 

“…Your Majesty.”

 

It was Huana.

She was smiling brightly and beautifully, but with a somewhat eerie smile.

A smile that was hiding a sharp knife.

A smile with poison on the knife.

 

 

It was a smile that seemed like she would stab you in the neck right away if you let your guard down even a little.

 

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face, let’s dance together. We’re siblings, aren’t we?”

“…”

 

 

For her to bring up siblings.

 

Aran hoped she would do something and agreed.

 

 

“Let’s do that.”

“I’ll escort you.”

 

Huana took Aran’s hand and led him to the center of the stage.

 

The Emperor and the Great King’s dance.

 

Naturally, people’s attention was focused on them.

 

 

 

“Have you ever danced before?”

“I learned from the young lady my mother assigned to me.”

“Oh, really? That’s a relief.”

 

As Aran placed his hand on her waist, new music began to play.

 

“I hope you don’t step on my feet.”

 

 

Huana mocked Aran to the fullest and moved her body.

 

 

The two gracefully rotated to the music and made eye contact.

 

“Aran.”

 

While dancing, Huana opened her mouth.

 

 

“Did you enjoy your dinner?”

“?”

 

It seemed like a pointless question.

There’s no way she would be interested in Aran now.

 

“Well, yes. Persian food is well-known.”

“Is that so. That’s… a relief.”

 

What is she trying to say?

He couldn’t understand the meaning at all.

 

 

But one thing he could tell was that something was coming close.

 

 

Huana’s trick was coming close.

 

 

Soon, the trap she created will engulf Aran, and she will burst into laughter as if she has won.

 

 

“Narsi isn’t here either. You’re lucky.”

“Um… Narsi, you mean that one I mentioned before…?”

“Yes. The woman who will become my wife in the future.”

“A woman loving a woman. Isn’t that strange?”

“Hmph. It’s a million times better than marrying a man. Don’t you think so? Beast.”

“My, the Emperor’s language is harsh.”

“There’s an Emperor from a neighboring country who’s even worse than me.”

“I guess so…”

 

 

Huana stopped her feet.

And the music stopped too.

 

 

“Do you know what?”

“?”

 

 

When Aran expressed his doubt, she grinned.

As if there was nothing more to hold back.

 

 

 

“I hate you.”