Episode 110

My whole body ached as if it had been crushed.

Yet, even in such a state, I dreamt.

And that dream was so ‘embarrassing’ that it was hard to tell anyone.

After all, it was a dream where the empire’s 2nd Princess kissed me.

It was vividly real.

My lips were still trembling from it….

But I could definitively say it was a dream.

Because.

The expression on Irina’s face as she kissed me was too different from usual.

“Sigh… Vail…“

Originally, she was an innocent and kind Princess.

But the Irina I saw in the dream.

“You are mine…”

She was indulgent and greedy; it was hard to believe it was her.

Her plump thighs wrapped around my fallen legs, forcibly kissing me.

That image was unimaginably lewd.

“I’ll mark every part of your body…”

Her face was flushed red, and her eyes were suggestive, like a succubus from mythology.

Her moist lips stretched, mixing her saliva with mine.

But the Princess, undeterred, savored it like a mature woman.

“So that no one else can ever take you away…”

It was too intense for her, who had never loved before.

Therefore, I had no choice but to believe all those moments were a dream.

“……”

Afterwards, I regained consciousness.

Surely, I was injured, but somehow my body felt more comfortable.

As if impurities had left it.

Thanks to that, the Grand Aura that had enveloped my body felt calmer.

Empowered by that feeling, I opened my eyes.

And at that moment.

I faced Irina, who was asleep with her face against the hospital bed.

She, holding my hand, was gently snoring.

Seeing her like that naturally made the corners of my mouth rise.

‘That’s right, how could someone like her act as she did in the dream?’

I carefully exerted strength in my palm.

Then, the Princess slowly moved her body.

“Vail…?”

Her sleepy eyes were half-closed.

Silver hair clung to the Princess’s lips.

“You’re awake?”

Even in a vulnerable state, the Princess smiled faintly.

“Yes, thanks to you, I am safe.”

“That’s really fortunate….”

Perhaps it was because her seductive face in the dream crossed with her current appearance.

Somehow, it was hard to keep eye contact.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Not too long. Maybe 8 hours?”

I listened to the Princess and looked towards the window.

The night had passed, and it was already morning.

“Just like waking up from sleep.”

“Yeah. But it’s better to rest from guarding today. You must still be quite fatigued.”

Hearing her words, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Is that really okay?”

“Yes, Father said he would give the reward separately.”

I had planned to cleanly resolve the situation and direct all credit to Irina.

But I ended up being acknowledged for my part due to being trapped together at the scene.

“You just need to attend the party today as a spectator.”

“That’s truly fortunate.”

I got up from the bed and sat next to her.

“….”

The ticking of the clock’s hands.

That sound filled the hospital room for a long time.

However, we didn’t have any conversations.

‘Damn, is it because of that damned dream earlier?’

Being with Irina felt awkward today.

I couldn’t think of anything to say to her, unlike usual.

“Well, I’ve checked that you’re okay, so I’ll leave now. I have to prepare for the party….”

The Princess carefully got up from her seat.

And she prepared to leave with an embarrassed expression.

It was I who had the dream, but somehow, the Princess seemed awkward around me, too.

“Ah, yes… You should do that.”

I watched Irina’s retreating figure intently.

Her hips and waist swayed seductively with each step.

Somehow, her movements felt softer than before.

‘Come to think of it, she seems to favor wearing those types of tights lately.’

Her tastes seemed to have changed a lot compared to her previous life.

“See you at the party later, Vail.”

“Take care on your way, Your Highness.”

Thud.

The door closed.

Then, I took a deep breath and leaned back.

“Fortunately, it ended without any major issues.”

Next, I should visit Mago for special training in spell.

It was the first time I’d seen a technique that maintained consciousness even after life had ceased, not just post-mortem rigidity.

“……”

I spent time reflecting on my past mistakes.

Then, I lifted my head at the sound of approaching footsteps.

A light knock.

Afterward, Dasha entered the room.

“The Princess just left.”

“I know.”

Dasha greeted me politely.

But she was still guarded like a difficult sister-in-law.

“So, what’s the matter?”

As I asked, the silver-haired maid wore a cold, expressionless face.

Then she asked me in a serious tone.

“I have something I want to ask.”

“To me…?”

The spy maid slowly nodded.

Then she spoke in a cautious voice.

“Was there anything… that happened while you were with the Princess in the debris?”

“No, nothing in particular.”

I firmly shook my head.

And answered honestly.

“I was exhausted and asleep at that time. I barely remember anything from then.”

“Is that so…?”

Dasha listened to me and silently closed her mouth.

“Why? Did something happen to Lady Irina?”

The maid looked at me intently.

Then she hesitated, wondering if she should tell me.

“Well, it’s just that…”

Finally, Dasha let out a deep sigh.

And then, seeking answers, she confessed frankly to me, the person involved.

“She’s been spacing out frequently since then.”

Spacing out.

I frowned at that word.

“She’s spacing out?”

“Yes, she keeps rubbing her lips with her finger. Even when lying in bed, she just stares into space.”

The maid spoke with a worried expression.

“Like she’s pondering something.”

“Probably due to the shock of being trapped under the debris.”

I responded nonchalantly.

However, Dasha still looked serious.

“She usually doesn’t flinch, even at the slightest attempt of poisoning…”

“Being caught in an explosion is a different feeling altogether.”

She nodded, understanding.

“Understood, I must have been overly sensitive.”

Then, she placed the paper bag she was holding on the table.

“By the way, you seem to have gotten quite close with the other princesses recently.”

“Me?”

I pointed to my face with a finger.

Then, Dasha said in a cold voice.

“Yes, last night Lady Rea and Lady Lidia visited you in turns.”

“Why would they visit when they’re busy with the banquet preparations…?”

Just hearing their names made it hard to breathe.

But Dasha’s next words tightened that constricted breath even more.

“Well, you would know better.”

Dasha looked at me with a cold gaze.

Then, pointing to the bag, she said.

“A Capital Defense Command Unit knight asked me to deliver this to you on my way here.”

“A knight from the Capital Defense Command Unit…?”

I asked, but the maid gave no answer.

She just quietly left, closing the door behind her.

As if suggesting I should check who sent it myself.

“……”

I approached the table with a hesitant expression.

Then, I opened the bag and found a letter and jelly made from cranberries.

It was fruit jelly, known for its fatigue-recovery properties.

I chewed the jelly while reading the words.

“Do you have to be a hero alone? That’s why you get hurt!”

“Next time, go with me.”

“Your great senior, Mia Greta.”

Fluffy handwriting befitting a senior.

I let out a chuckle while reading the letter.

“Tastes good.”

Chewing the jelly, I looked out the window.

A hill bathed in morning sunlight.

On top of it stood the grand Central Imperial Palace.

And tonight.

All the imperial family members would gather there.

I was discharged from the hospital during the day.

Then, as a participant and not a guard, I headed to the banquet hall.

A grand red carpet was laid out long.

Numerous nobles and foreign royalties entered.

“It’s magnificent. Lidia’s birthday party was just a picnic compared to this.”

Thinking so, I stood on the balcony of the second floor of the party hall.

From there, I could see the entire grand banquet hall and watch the Emperor’s opening ceremony.

Leonhardt rose from the throne set up at the end of the palace.

In a voice far more solemn than his usual doting father tone, he proclaimed.

“I express my gratitude to everyone who has participated in today’s banquet.”

As he spoke, everyone in the palace bowed their heads.

“This banquet serves to announce my victory over illness and to commend all who have worked for the empire in my absence.”

The attendees listened intently to the Conqueror Emperor’s words.

“Enjoy this day, and I hope you will continue to work faithfully for the empire with me.”

The Emperor extended his grand palm and shouted.

Thousands of applause resounded throughout the palace.

Clap, clap.

The sound was so loud that the chandeliers gently swayed.

“Before we start the banquet, I want to commend those who have made great contributions.”

Upon the Emperor’s words, everyone stopped clapping.

And they waited for the first honorable person to be commended by him.

“Lord Moshian, step forward.”

The Royal Minister, Moshian, emerged from the crowd.

He slowly approached the Emperor and kneeled before him.

“You have managed the national treasury with integrity and resolved various national crises, even in my absence.”

The Emperor raised his treasured sword, worn at his waist.

“In commendation of your service, I bestow upon you the empire’s treasure, the Sage’s Staff.”

He lightly pointed his sword at the minister’s shoulder.

Then, a flood of applause erupted from around them.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!!”

The Minister bowed in gratitude and then stood up.

He was then presented with a gold staff adorned with a cross by the royal attendants.

“Next, last night, there was a vile group that tried to hinder my recovery.”

The Emperor, hands clasped behind his back, broadly surveyed the entire banquet hall as he spoke.

“I wish to commend two individuals who eradicated that group.”

Everyone focused on Leonhardt’s words.

‘Two people must mean Allen and Irina. Anyway, I said I’d commend them separately.’

“Irina Andalusia, Allen Mitrof, come forward.”

The Emperor had a pleased expression.

He faced the 2nd Princess in her dress.

“…!”

Irina wore a daring off-shoulder dress, revealing her décolletage.

Everyone was surprised by her beautiful attire, which was different from her usual style.

Not only men but also women admired the Princess’s transformed image.

Her beauty was well-known enough to be recognized in neighboring countries.

But her modest attire had been her only flaw.

Everyone admired her dazzling current attire and her fair skin.

“Last night, there was a group audaciously attempting to plant explosives in our homeland’s underground. You two apprehended them through thorough patrolling.”

The Emperor sheathed his sword back for his daughter.

Instead, he proclaimed with a gentle gesture.

“In recognition of this achievement…”

Everyone listened in silent agreement to the Emperor’s words.

“From today, the Sinrok Knights will be recognized as the empire’s seventh knight order. The order is commanded to protect Princess Irina for life!”

“We will uphold this.”

“We shall fulfill this duty!”

Irina elegantly lifted the hem of her dress and bowed.

Contrary to his reckless past, Allen kneeled down in a very dignified manner.

“As an official knight order of the empire, continue to conduct yourselves accordingly!”

Both received the imperial decree with faces brimming with emotion.

‘Pleasing to see.’

I smiled slightly, looking down at the scene.

In her past life, she had been a Princess who crumbled powerlessly.

But in this life, she was acknowledged as one of the empire’s influential figures.

‘The award ceremony should be wrapping up soon.’

That was what I thought as I turned my head.

But then…

“Now, let’s commend those who dealt with the remnants of the subversive forces.”

‘What?’

‘Were there more remnants besides those the Sinrok Knights and I dealt with?’

“The one who rescued Irina from the ruined cathedral and punished the pursuing remnants…”

Puzzled, I looked down at the award ceremony again.

“Deputy Commander Camilla of the Imperial Knight Order and Crown Prince Leon, who led them, step forward.”

Two unexpected names were mentioned.

My previously relaxed eyebrows furrowed.

‘Leon? Surely, he was the mastermind behind this incident?’

The Crown Prince and Camilla came forward.

And they were commended by the Emperor.

“I bestow upon Leon one of my swords, Cassis, and to Camilla, an Elixir.”

“Thank you, Father!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

They, in white and black uniforms and adorned with elegant capes received the awards with humble expressions.

The royal elixir could lead a high-level consumer to become a mature Sword Master.

And Cassis was one of the legendary swords known to cut through anything.

“Continue to illuminate the empire by my side!”

“We will obey your command!”

I looked down disapprovingly at the two who spoke in unison.

They were celebrated and applauded by everyone.

“……”

The shower of praise around me was quite irksome.

I turned my head to avoid the sound.

And then, at that moment…

“Isn’t it strange? It surely seemed like his doing.”

A familiar and cool voice came from behind a golden lion mask.

“Princess…?”

A sensual figure like an hourglass, draped in an enchanting silk dress.

I faced the 1st Princess, Rea, who approached me without any notice.

“Yes, it’s strange. Even the instigator admitted it was ordered by the Crown Prince.”

I conversed with her in the quiet royal box on the second floor.

“Of course, that’s to be expected.”

Rea stood beside me.

A sweet fig scent emanated from her.

“It’s a self-staged act.”

The Princess looked down with sensuous eyes.

“Now that the Emperor has awakened, Leon has secretly gathered his forces in preparation for the death of Father.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

She lightly covered her lips with a fan.

“Probably, Father has already been informed of his actions.”

And she spoke with a charismatic, monarch-like gaze.

“In this situation, what would be the best way for Leon to regain Father’s trust?”

“By quickly gaining merit and proving that he is on the same side.”

Rea cautiously extended her hand.

And she neatly adjusted the collar of my hastily changed suit.

“Smart, Vail Mikhail.”

“It would be problematic to do this in an official setting.”

When I firmly spoke, the Princess pointed to the mask she was wearing.

“It’s fine; I’m wearing a mask.”

Hearing her words, I chuckled softly.

A mask that barely covered her eyes seemed incapable of hiding the Princess’s figure.

“You don’t need to look so worried.”

The Princess casually put her hands behind her back.

And, looking down at the Crown Prince with me, she said,

“Showing such a facade means he’ll be groveling to Father for a while.”

‘That wasn’t what I was worried about.’

I was more concerned about my gaze constantly drifting towards the Princess.

After all, it was an involuntary reaction for a man.

“Just relax and enjoy the party today.”

Rea looked at me with a queenly, dignified gaze.

Then, turning around, she said,

“It’s a grand party, after all, isn’t it?”

I nodded silently, listening to her words.

Then suddenly, I felt something was off.

“But how did you know I was here?”

The Princess heard my words and smiled as if it were obvious.

Then, turning her head slightly, she answered.

“I told you so.”

Her blue eyes sparkled from behind the lion mask.

With those eyes, the Princess said,

“Now, I can sense your presence very well.”