/
He knew why Nereus was doing this.
Nereus was a bad man, but his love of music was real.
‘Fortunately, we never met before the regression.’
At the time of Ethan’s late debut in the social world, Nereus returned to Hark, the two only briefly passed each other, so Nareus never listened to his performance.
Moreover, Nereus didn’t like Ethan very much even at the time, so he thought that rumors about Ethan’s abilities were based on his appearance.
“I love supporting musicians, Ethan Bronte.”
“That means
”
“I mean I will support you.”
Nereus raised his chin slightly,  showing off his wealth and power.
Ethan knew the wealth of Hark’s royal family.
It’s enough to surpass Ubera, which has been an empire for a long time.
“This is the best way to use your talents as a musician. Perhaps you will be able to live much more abundantly than the poor nobles here.”
His eyes were full of arrogance, which seemed to give great things to Ethan Bronte, who was talented but had no opportunity and strength.
Ethan couldn’t hide his laughter and burst out laughing.
“Are you telling me to follow you to Hark?”
“It would be a much nicer place to live than Ubera.”
‘You will get a large mansion that you can use for yourself, and there will be employees for you.’
Besides, if the prince sponsored musicians, they could live in Hark.
In fact, many musicians studied and settled in Hark with the support of Nereus and were satisfied.
“You will be able to meet the musicians I support and have conversations with them. Of course, it helps your skills.”
Originally, art is about discussing, mixing, and bumping into each other and enriching it, right?
Nereus was now making him an extraordinary offer: not only to give him money, but he was going to provide him with an environment for music for free.
It’s definitely a huge offer that can’t be easily rejected.
However, Ethan raised an eyebrow as if it were funny looking at Nereus.
“Do you know the culprit who broke my violin?”
Ethan asked, narrowing his eyes. Then Nereus frowned.
“Why are you asking me that all of a sudden? Do you suspect me?”
At Nereus’ words, Ethan burst into laughter.
“What do you mean by Suspecting? I heard the prince was always behind the stage before the music performance, so I was wondering if you had seen the culprit.”
At Ethan’s words, Nereus trembled slightly as if his legs were numb.
But since there was no direct evidence for Ethan, he shook his head.
“I was too busy to see it.”
“Ah, that’s very unfortunate. I was really curious as to who the culprit was, who doesn’t know how to handle musical instruments with respect and who pours out his anger on a precious instrument.”
Ethan smiled, not taking his eyes off Nereus.
“If Prince Nereus also loves music, I think you will be angry with the criminal’s ugliness and ignorance.”
“
.”
Ethan smirked as he saw Nereus’s hand, which was slightly reflected under his sleeve, curled up tightly.
“If I become more famous with the support of the prince, this will become more commonplace. I am very grateful for your suggestion, but I think it would be better for me to enjoy it quietly as a hobby, even for my violin.”
After saying that, Ethan turned around.
* * *
The next day, Dorothea faced Theon with more nervousness than she had when she confessed to Ethan.
Theon, as usual, sat in front of her with his eyes calm.
“Have you made up your mind?”
When Dorothea couldn’t summon her courage and stared at only the teacup, Theon asked softly.
Still, Dorothea didn’t answer easily.
Her heavy lips weighed on Theon’s chest.
The reason Dorothea can’t speak easily is because what she’s going to say to him is a refusal.
“You seem to have had a good conversation with Ethan Bronte.”
Theon smiled, suppressing the pain.
It was then that Dorothea gained courage and opened her mouth.
“I
I think Ethan is good. I’m sorry.”
At Dorothea’s heavy first words, Theon felt a throbbing pain in her chest.
‘I didn’t have high expectations from the start.’
This was just a process to confirm her will.
It wasn’t strange at all if she refused. Since he brought up a political marriage, it’s natural to refuse.
He had no right to push a dark spirit on her and order her to help him.
‘I know
I know it well
Still, it felt like my heart was being torn apart.’
“If the princess is happy, then that’s enough for me.”
It was half truth and half lies.
He didn’t want to crave Dorothea’s help by destroying her happiness.
However, on the contrary, it seems that he sincerely hoped that her happiness was Theon Fried.
“Theon, I’ll be happy to help you if you need the power of the spirits. So you can talk to me anytime.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Theon nodded and said that he would ask for help at any time, but contrary to his words, he couldn’t ask Dorothea for purification.
‘Even though I felt that I needed purification this morning, I couldn’t ask Dorothea with this kind of heart.’
‘I thought I could shake it off coolly without any lingering feelings, but maybe I had a bigger heart for her than I realized.’
* * *
“Theon
!”
Raymond hastily stood up from his seat as Theon came to him for purification.
Theon’s expression was darker than usual.
“Ray
”
At the sound of Theon’s low voice, Raymond quietly hugged him.
Theon rested his head on his shoulder and stood still. Dark hair slid helplessly down Raymond’s shoulders.
Raymond quietly patted his back and summoned the Spirit of Light.
“I’m pathetic.”
Theon muttered to his shoulder.
“What are you talking about, Theon?”
“I shouldn’t have told her.”
He regretted it now
If he hadn’t confessed, he could have remained a good friend and brother to Dorothea.
If only he could remember Dorothea Millanaire as the exciting, beautiful woman she was.
At the sound of Theon’s voice,  Raymond patted him on the back, cleansing his darkness.
“It was best to tell her then, Theon. Dorothy should have known about your spirits.”
“I think it would be better for her not to know.”
“Is she afraid of dark spirits?”
“No, she said he would help. with pleasure. at any time.”
‘It wouldn’t have hurt this much if she refused because she was afraid of the spirit of darkness.’
‘I would have blamed the spirit, not myself.’
Another regret ensued.
What if he suggested a political marriage through the elders of the family?
Perhaps he could have married Dorothea relatively easily, if Grand Duke Fried and Emperor Karnan talked about the Spirit, and thought it necessary politically.
Julia also advised that, if he wants to talk about his engagement, he should do it formally through the family, rather than privately in a restaurant or something.
It’s standard procedure, and it benefits him.
If it had been a family-level discussion, Dorothea might have been forced to agree to marry him.
But he didn’t do that. Because he can’t ignore Dorothea’s heart.
In hindsight, it seemed like a waste of time. The hope is that Dorothea likes him, so her heart will go to him.
“I’m sorry, Ray. I know you’re in trouble, but you and Julie are the only ones I can talk to.”
“I’m not in trouble, so don’t worry.”
Raymond still hugged him and summoned the Spirit of Light to purify him.
However, he couldn’t help but be a little concerned about Dorothea and Theon’s relationship.
And Theon’s purification bothered him.
Raymond, who has to work more and more as a crown prince and has to be more careful about his behavior, it was not easy to meet Theon often.
If Dorothea and Theon had gotten along, he would have been able to relax about the purification.
“I’m sorry I always bother you, Ray.”
“What are you talking about, Theon? I never thought of it as hard.”
If it’s hard, Raymond will be doing more.
It was because of the spirits that Theon, who was the best graduate of Episteme, couldn’t get a government position now.
He’s just graduated from Episteme, and he’ll have to work at the bottom as a new bureaucrat, which will make it harder for him to have time with Raymond.
“Hey, Ray
, if you don’t mind, I was thinking of taking your aide test.”
“an aide test?”
Rey asked, surprised by Theon’s words.
Of course, an aide also needed excellent skills.
However, that didn’t mean that position was high enough for the eldest son of Prince Fried and the best graduate of Episteme to apply.
In general, the best graduate of Episteme took the so-called elite course, which didn’t include an aide.
This is because, unlike other government positions that have certain decisions and power, an aide is treated as an assistant to manage a given schedule.
Besides, he’s not an aide to the emperor, but an aide to the Crown Prince.
“Being an aide will increase the time I spend with you.”
Theon lifted his head, which rested on Raymond’s shoulder.
He knew what Raymond was worried about.
It was a strange thing that no one could have imagined for him to become an aide.
It’s like a knight with a bright future who suddenly wants to go into the mountains and become a hunter.
Isn’t it something that went beyond everyone’s expectations?
Maybe everyone will be surprised. Why did the famous knight go into the mountains and become a hunter, while guessing the reason.
But since he was bound by the spirit of darkness, Theon had to make a decision.
“I might bother you with my purification.”
“I feel so reassured and happy when you become my aide! Who can get such a reliable and capable aide!”
When Theon smiled bitterly, Raymond shook his head, saying it was absolutely not.
Raymond was hoping Theon would get a better position, but he couldn’t ask him to give up the aide position and apply for another position.
Theon was probably the one who struggled the most to make this decision.
Theon realized Raymond’s consideration and was grateful to his old friend.