episode_0071

After meeting with Elios, Katlena sets out to visit.

There… was the person she had wanted to see so badly.

The person I had missed so much even though we had only broken up a few minutes ago was waiting for me.

“Katlena!”

“… Zeros..”

Zeros approaches you with an earnest expression.

Then Katlena began to feel the last string of tension snapping.

and..

“! Ka..kattle..”

Katlena, who was staggering as if she was collapsing, and Zeros, who was literally accepting Katlena’s body with a loud crash.

Feeling her small, delicate body tremble in his arms, Zeros patted her back.

“Well done.. Really.. Really hard work..”

“Zero..S..Black..Euheuuk… ”

As the tension subsided, Katlena began to shed tears again as the feeling of fear surged back.

While supporting Katlena’s body, Zeros headed to the guest room.

To comfort her for completing something that was not easy.

Also, to talk about what happened next in more detail.

*

“So, you’ve decided to get help from Princess Elios.”

“Yeah. Fortunately, my sister didn’t seem too uncomfortable with me either… and she even told me what to do next.”

Katlena, barely able to come to her senses, talks to Zeros.

In less than an hour, she had literally been through the worst situation one could ever experience.

He was appointed as successor by his father, a position he never wanted to receive.

Going to my sister and telling her everything, essentially begging for my life.

For her, it was no different from risking her life in the worst possible situation.

Literally, Katlena struggled with all her might, squeezing out the child’s voice.

Please save me…

I don’t want to die yet.

He said that he was just a poor child who didn’t know anything.

therefore..

Just please spare this poor life just once.

And the result of all that soul-crushing pleading is…

It ended in success.

Her older sister, who was looking at her with a shocked expression, hugged her body instead of pulling out her sword.

With the words, “Don’t worry about anything.”

And what happened after that… I barely remember.

The only thing she barely remembers is what her sister told her about how she should act in the future.

Other than that, no detailed story remained in my head.

In any case, she survived the near-death experience, and it was clear that her relationship with her sister had become even stronger as a result.

However, she had no energy left to be happy about this fact.

What I’m feeling right now is that I just want to rest.

All I wanted to do was close my eyes for a moment in the arms of the man I loved.

While thinking like that, Katlena slowly leaned against Zeros and closed her eyes.

In the arms of that man who is always warm and relatable.

For a brief moment, she put everything aside and relaxed.

The huge storm that is sure to occur later…

The path they must choose within it…

Everything now. Put it aside in a corner of your heart for a moment.

*

“What? Is that how things are going?”

“Yes, sir.”

The master shows a displeased expression on his face while receiving the servant’s report.

He began to feel frustrated and annoyed that things weren’t going as smoothly as he had expected.

However, despite this, he soon calmed down and began to consider the situation calmly again.

‘No… even if that’s true, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing. Either way, it’s clear that there will be conflict in the Dragona Duchy over the successor position.’

Of course, from his perspective, the best thing would have been for Princess Katlena to take over, but… at this point, he already had some idea of the situation.

Perhaps at this point, it would not be easy for Katlena to inherit the ducal throne.

‘No matter what, she is not the eldest daughter of the first wife, but the youngest daughter of the second wife. Forcing such a child to become the successor… It is difficult to resolve this issue in a short period of time, and it has already become a public issue at this point.’

However, that doesn’t mean he had to view this matter vaguely and negatively from his own perspective.

Now that the issue of succession has become a public issue, it is only natural that if Duchess Rosebetta and her followers rise up immediately, it will cause great chaos in the Duchy of Dragona.

‘If the Dragona Duchy continues on its current course, it will be a good thing, but if it doesn’t, then this kind of chaos and division is not a bad thing. If we can’t be allies, it would be better for us to be split and weak.’

While watching the current situation with some interest, he spoke to his attendant again.

“Continue to monitor the situation and report back to me. Also, I will write a letter to confirm once more, so please pass it on to the Duke.”

“Yes, sir, I understand.”

*

Each person had values that they considered important.

It could be their own life for some, or their family and colleagues for others.

And… for some, it is.

It could be loyalty to the country and the monarch.

‘I cannot turn my back on my country. No matter what happens, I cannot do anything with my own hands that will harm my country and the empire.’

Duke Radu Constantino Dragona.

He was taken prisoner and lived as a citizen of the empire from the time he was born, and was able to rise to a high position through the grace and trust of the Padishah.

He was once one of the three most powerful men in the empire, second only to the Padishah, and was also in charge of the palace’s military power and the position of captain of the guards who protected the Padishah.

Because that’s what he was like…

Even after he founded the Duchy of Dragona and became a Duke by order of the Padishah, his loyalty to the Empire remained the same, and he was willing to give his life for the Empire and the Padishah even at this moment.

But his consistent loyalty…

It ended up causing him a completely unexpected problem.

That is the action he is taking at this very moment.

This was the biggest reason why the eldest daughter, Elios, could not be appointed as successor.

There were personal feelings and issues with her personality, but there was a bigger reason..

That was because… that kid was so talented.

Elios was already sitting in a position as the president of the Academy’s students, which was practically the same as the ruler of a small country.

The power and authority she holds within the Academy is virtually no different from that of a monarch.

Even though there was a princess of the same age, Elios was actually in a superior position the whole time, crushing her with his power and authority.

And, watching her demonstrate such terrifying abilities…

The Duke became clear about one thing.

‘It is too dangerous for that child to become the ruler of this country. If that child is like that, it is certain that he will cause great harm to my homeland… the empire and the Padishah.’

Such outstanding ability..

And at the same time, his eldest daughter, who also has an equally great desire.

She was literally a child who had more than enough qualities and abilities as a leader, and unlike him, her loyalty to the empire was extremely weak. If she were to become a duke, it was obvious what would happen next.

‘It’s clear that right after he took over as Duke, he and the Empire have been at odds. And from the Empire’s perspective, he’s the worst enemy they’ve ever had to deal with.’

He was a boy who was not satisfied with the position of a duke.

If such a child were to gain real power and authority, it was certain that he would try to break away from the empire and establish his own kingdom.

That’s why Duke Radu needed to stop it.

To protect the people who will be sacrificed because of that child’s greed.

And, for the safety of one’s own country, which is more important than anything else in this world,

He blocked Elios from being appointed as successor without caring about his daughter’s feelings, which resulted in today’s situation.

‘Everything… for the people and my country. And, for the Padishah..’

So, once again, he was constantly thinking about his country, which had become the object of his loyalty, while also firmly establishing his heart.

In order to somehow bring about the public debate on succession in the way he wanted.

And as part of that work, the Duke began to move to solve the biggest problem he faced.

That’s right..