Since Dylanâs accession, the emperor has only allowed a private meeting of one person until now.
Charlize Ronan.
âYour Majesty.â
Shadow, who was hiding in the shadow, bowed his head.
Because he doesnât know when heâll be assassinated, a private meeting is a momentous task that he wonât allow unless itâs a very close loyal subject.
However, Dylan did not blame Kahu for his rudeness. He knows that feeling in that look.
âAre you on guard?â
He was wary, afraid of Dylan.
âYou have a good sense.â
But Dylan didnât readily give permission. He drank wine leisurely with Kahu standing.
Kahu waits without saying a word.
A dignified position that Kahu wouldnât dare to speak without Dylanâs permission. He just wanted to make him realize the difference.
The wine was bitter. There is no sign of intoxication. Dylan emptied his glass.
The attendant accepted the glass politely.
âOkay.â
After a while, Dylan said.
Kahu swallowed his saliva. Dylan continued.
âIf itâs the young duke, heâs reliable.â
Dylan bobbed his head in recognition of his approval. As the emperor went on the road, everyone bowed their heads and stepped aside.
Kahu clenched his fists. For now, he followed Dylan politely.
There was a separate resting room for the emperor at the Imperial Palace ballroom.
âEveryone, get out. Iâll have a private talk with the young duke.â
Dylan ordered Shadow, who was catching up to escort him.
Shadow glanced at Kahu, but the Emperorâs order could not be disobeyed.
The sharp Shadowâs eyes passed Kahu.
âYes my lord.â
Shadow stepped back calmly.
The door was closed as it was.
They didnât get along well enough to smile face to face. Dylan stood by the window.
Dylanâs body was reflected and shone in the clear glass window. A suit well wrapped around the body muscles. As Dylan unbuttoned the cufflinks, the blue veins on his wrist were revealed.
The dark sky outside the window was full of stars.
âWhy did you ask for a private meeting?â
Asked Dylan.
Already weighed down by Dylanâs sense of pressure, Kahuâs tone was softened.
âYes, Your Majesty the Emperor.â
As Kahu looked at Dylanâs back, he almost bit his lips inadvertently. He acted impulsively thinking that Charlize was taken away earlier.
Indeed, having a private meeting with the Emperor, he remembered how cruel and crazy Dylan was before his return.
A genius of the century who was so thorough that no one knew Dylanâs true colors.
âFirst of all, I wanted to say thank you.â
Kahu tried quite hard not to stutter.
âFor trusting me to the point that you gave me the commander of the 1st Knights of the Imperial Family. Wouldnât it be a favor to repay for the rest of my life? Itâs the honor of my family.â
Kahuâs words sounded smoother than he thought.
Dylan replied formally.
âNo one complained about personnel appointments because of your excellent skills. Itâs your merit rather than my grace.â
âThank you, Your Majesty.â
Dylan waited for Kahu to continue.
Kahu controlled his trembling heart.
âAnd Your Majesty, my main point is..â
Kahu looked up determinedly.
âAs the grandmaster stayed in my mansion, she showed a lot of unexpected things.â
Kahu continued.
âIf I could. Of course, I would follow the grandmasterâs opinion. I thought it would be okay to proceed as she and the people wanted.â
ââŚProceed?â
Dylan copied Kahuâs words. The intelligent emperorâs head clearly grasped the intent but refused to interpret it.
Kahu answered clearly.
âYes. Itâs time for me and the grandmaster.â
âTimeâŚâ
âItâs time to get married, isnât it?â
Kahu trembled inside but didnât show it at all on the outside.
In the office. He thought while looking at the paper that had been blackened with the fallen ink.
Why Dylan is following Charlizeâs will.
On the day of the rebellion, he remembered Dylan, who acted cute only to Charlize as if a beast rubbed his cheek.
âHis Majestyâs wrath.â
Kahu knew better that he should never touch it.
However, it was worth it if you shake it up and take a peek inside it.
âWhy did this man who lived a peaceful life before returning appeared?â
The ink that fell to the paper that had been blackened eventually ruined his desk.
What has already permeated murky has not been erased.
Kahu didnât really want to marry Charlize or express his opinion unilaterally.
Just provocation.
He thought it would be nice if the target was Charlize if he did it with someone.
Dylan opened his mouth.
âIs there any permission from Master?â
ââŚThere wasnât.â
Dylan smiled faintly. The Emperorâs side face is revealed in an instant.
However, no restlessness or gaps were revealed.
Kahu bit his lips.
âMasterâs marriage is up to her. Did you come up with the story without even knowing the basics, an area where even me couldnât carelessly get involved?â
In the story that made sense, Kahu said nothing.
âThe other reason I asked Your Majesty for a private meeting isâŚâ
Kahu actually wanted to ask Dylanâs feelings for Charlize, but he didnât dare to bring it up.
Because there is nothing more rude than asking for selfishness to the royal family, who is the natural ruler. It has already crossed the line enough.
So Kahu changed his words.
âI got the information that the remnants of the traitors still seem to remainâŚâ
Kahu swallowed his saliva.
âAt a ball celebrating the complete sweep, I decided that it wasnât time to speak publicly, so I unavoidably asked for a conversation with Your Majesty alone.â
âIs that so?â
Dylan tilted his head sideways.
Kahu nervously reported.
âI think the priority is to check whether the information is true or not. Iâm secretly trying to contact my informant. And if it turns out to be true, I will inform the grandmaster and support her with all my might.â
So he might have to work with Charlize again.
Dylan smiled strangely, but it was just a moment. The emperor turned around.
Kahu looked defenseless and made eye contact with Dylan. Even though Dylan was younger than Kahu, he stood with dignity regardless of his age.
Kahu bowed his head.
âThe young dukeâs loyalty to the Empire always makes me happy.â
âIâm grateful, Your Majesty.â
âHowever.â
Dylan pulled out his sword from the sheath with an indifferent face.
âHow about being careful?â
Shiiiiiing.
Dylan shines in the moonlight, as if trying to make sure that the sword wasnât scratched. Shakes. Between the perfection that was solid and never cracked, the manâs passion was revealed for a moment.
Kahu flinched with his head bowed and trembled in his back.
ââŚIâm sorry, Your Majesty. I was so stupid that I couldnât properly grasp Your Majestyâs sincerity.â
âWhat a shame.â
âWhat are you telling me to be careful about?â
Dylan was silent for a long time.
In the prolonged silence, Kahu raised his head. Dylan kept his gaze fixed on his sword.
ââŚâ
âThey look alike.â
Kahu thought for a moment.
In the mansion under the moonlight, he resembled Charlize, who was wiping her sword.
They say that if youâre together for a long time, youâll look alike.
Is it a sign that they have shared their time for so long that Kahu canât dream of it? In Dylan, Charlizeâs influence was read.
âHe was raised by the grandmaster who was uniquely changed after the return. A tyrant.â
Kahu was nervous.
Dylan slowly stared at Kahu. The impeccably handsome emperorâs appearance is like a sculpture.
âThe duty of the low people is.â
ââŚâ
âEven if I donât explain it at length, youâre going to read the minds of your superiors on your own.â
ââŚâ
âThatâs what my Master taught me.â
Dylan stopped talking languidly. Kahu was somehow weighed down by Dylanâs sword and unable to move.
Realizing that Dylanâs change was influenced by Charlize, Kahu was just hardened.
âI think you chose the wrong subject to test. Donât you think?â
Kahuâs heart was beating hard.
He might have crossed the line. Shadow was also watching, so he even thought he was going to die here.
Nevertheless, there was an outcome. Charlize is important to Dylan as well.
Dylan looked at Kahu again.
âAttention comes with a price, young duke.â
A whispering voice as if revealing an important secret. Kahu unconsciously suppressed his own body, wanting to lie down in front of Dylan.
Cold sweat began to fill his hands.
âYes, Your Majesty.â
âYou donât have to experience how youâre going to pay the price.â
The emperor was elegant and noble. It was a word that could be interpreted in many ways.
He saw Dylan trying to beat around the bush because itâs Charlizeâs teaching. Kahu somehow managed to grasp the emperorâs sincerity.
This is perhaps too visible, the Emperorâs advice to be careful.
Or.
âStop being seen by Master.â
It would be a man-to-man warning. Thatâs the price, maybe.
âJust like I took Madame Cole all of a sudden.â
Out of sight, the Emperorâs hand will stretch out.
Dylan stretched out his sword as if he were checking the blade. Coincidentally, the edge of the sword was towards Kahuâs weakness.
Kahu held his breath. His backbone stiffened coldly, and his spines were covered with goosebumps.
âThis is not whatâs really scary.â
The emperorâs invisible hand is more terrifying than the sword in front of his eyes. Not knowing what to do. No one knows until theyâre about to be beaten.
As he saw the empire before the return, he didnât want to turn Dylan into an enemy.
âI hope youâll have a better conversation next time.â
Rather than telling him to be careful about the next conversation, it sounded like it would be possible to have a private meeting only when he lives.
Contrary to the soft tone, the blade was still hung and was not withdrawn.
ââŚYes.â
I understand, Your Majesty. Kahu replied like a habit.
âYour Majestyâs precious words. Iâll never forget it and keep it in my mind.â
He lowered his gaze, hiding his true intention as if he were conforming. But did he see-through?
Dylan approached, dragging his sword to the floor. The sound of the iron scratching the marble floor sounded very dangerous.
âYoung duke.â
Kahu bowed his head suddenly.
âIf youâre going to steal âMy Swordâ. Youâd better throw it away.â
Dylan said, pointing the handle at Kahu as if he was handing him a sword.
Kahu didnât understand what he meant, but he felt quite terrified.
âHis sword?â
Itâs common for the emperor to give a sword to a loyal knight, but somehow Kahu desperately avoided his gaze, not receiving Dylanâs sword.
Dylanâs face that reflected on the blade looks very indifferent, but⌠He looked cruel. Indeed, worthy of that of the tyrant.
In an instant, the side of Dylan, which he had always been hiding as a sweet and kind disciple, was revealed.
Dylan advised in a gentle tone.
âThere are areas in the world that you canât see.â
It was like a question and answer.
âArea that I canât see?â
But just in case. Letâs assume it may be related to before the return. Kahu couldnât move.
He got goosebumps all over his body.
When Kahu didnât answer, Dylan slowly put a sword into the sheath.
The emperor walked past Kahu casually, leaving the room first.
ââŚâ
âJust now.â
What was it?
Although he looked at Kahu.
He didnât see it.
Later, Kahu, who had endured it, burst out of breath.