The Kingdom of Capitis seemed quiet, but it was filled with chaos. The story of the crown prince, who barely made it back alive, spread among the people.
Felix was handling affairs with the Duke of Sabelisa. Although all the nobles’ titles were temporarily revoked, the nobles, led by Sabelisa, came together to assist.
With all the palace servants rounded up, Sylvia started cooking instead. Initially, Felix couldn’t eat anything but the food she made. Rather, it was more accurate to say that he could only eat the food she prepared.
Eryngium spoke to Sylvia, who was busily preparing food in the royal kitchen.
[The lair of Aetherium is in disarray.]
“Lair?”
[Yes, I tried to clean it up now and then, but it was too much for me.]
“Felix said there isn’t a single palace servant now, right?”
[That’s right. But we don’t need those servants anyway!]
When Felix was confined in the palace, the servants ignored him. The lower ranks have a ghostly knack for sensing shifts in power. No matter the legitimacy of the crown prince, to the servants, whoever currently holds power is more terrifying.
Sylvia, with her eyes narrowed into triangles, stroked the head of the puffing Eryngium.
“Then, shall I go have a look?”
[Really?]
“Yes. I’ll go and help clean up.”
[Thank you, Sylvia! Aetherium will be delighted!]
After making some sandwiches for an easy meal, Sylvia left the kitchen and looked around. Then, she spotted Jordan passing by.
“Sir Jordan!”
“Lady Sylvia!”
He ran over upon hearing her call and took the spatial bag she handed to him.
“I have to go somewhere briefly. Could you please deliver this for me?”
“Aren’t you going yourself? His Highness is waiting.”
Sylvia briefly recalled the Felix she saw yesterday. The atmosphere was starkly different when it was just the two of them. There was a solemn aura and his expression was cold, almost like a different person.
But it melted away as soon as he saw her.
“Uh… just for today, please. There’s also juice, so please tell him to have it together. Then, I’ll be off.”
After finishing her words quickly, Sylvia moved on. Eryngium, sitting on top of her head, spoke.
[Why? You could have stopped by Felix’s.]
“No…”
How could she explain that it was only after seeing him yesterday that she fully realized he was the crown prince? And to say that made her uncomfortable would make Eryngium sad.
Her feelings towards him hadn’t changed, but lately, Sylvia’s mind was unsettled. From the existence of the future heroine to the curious gazes around her, there was not a single thing that didn’t bother her. At least Eryngium following her around was comforting.
“Eryngium, where do we go?”
[Just follow me!]
The fairy on Sylvia’s head fluttered up. Leading the way with its vibrant purple hair, it was adorable. They left the main palace and entered a secluded annex built deep within. They descended a spiral staircase. After going down for quite a while, they finally reached the lair of the Black Dragon.
[This is Aetherium’s lair from here on. But it’s been badly damaged. There are no jewels, but a lot of books are left. Sylvia.]
Listening to the fairy, Sylvia exclaimed in awe. She browsed the densely packed books with curious eyes.
“Are these all magic books?”
[I told Felix, but he wouldn’t listen.]
Considering his light regard for a dragon’s lair, Eryngium’s words fell on deaf ears.
“Really? They all seem important…”
Having frequently borrowed books from the library, Sylvia recognized them just by their covers. The books here were far more luxurious than those in the library, and the leather covers bore the marks of time. She casually pulled out a volume and flipped it open.
“Wow, there really is magic for teleportation!”
Sylvia’s eyes widened in amazement at the teleportation magic she had only encountered in fantasy novels. Having crossed into this world, her curiosity was piqued even further by magic she had not seen before.
“The magic circle is incredibly complex.”
She traced the intricately drawn magic circle with her finger as she read. While she could vaguely understand the content made up of pictures, magic circles, and language, the precise details eluded her.
“But I don’t understand any of the writing here. Is this the language of the Kingdom of Capitis?”
[That’s the language of dragons.]
“Dragon language?”
That reminded her of something Felix had said involving ‘Secretoos’ or something of the sort.
“Ah.”
Nodding, Sylvia embraced the book on teleportation and followed the fairy deeper inside.
***
“So, Your Highness… your saying now is…”
Duke Sabelisa looked at Felix with a puzzled expression. Felix, with a nonchalant expression, repeated his statement while flipping through documents.
“I’m saying we should proclaim an empire.”
“An empire… but suddenly… why…”
The nephew he had reunited with after so many years bore little resemblance to the boy he remembered. His height and build had significantly increased, and his personality had changed dramatically.
“The land of our country has expanded, so shouldn’t it be fitting to become an empire?”
Felix planned to annex all the land Sylvia had created. Although the region had been vaguely defined due to the presence of demonic creatures, the moment her influence reached it, it essentially became a part of Capitis, or rather, under Felix’s jurisdiction.
“The land of our country has expanded?”
Duke Sabelisa still seemed bewildered by the statement.
“The land that Sylvia created is naturally my responsibility to take care of. And our people live there.”
He hadn’t forgotten about his people he met by the lake.
“Since we have to create new noble titles anyway, it would be better to transform into an empire.”
Throwing down the documents as if tossing them away, he snapped irritably.
“There’s a lack of nobles with any sense.”
Felix’s frustration grew as they continued to uncover the remnants of Count Lansmorris.
“If you’re planning to proclaim an empire, now is the time to root them all out completely.”
“Of course. I plan to replace all the palace servants as well.”
Felix had not forgotten the wrongs committed by them. No matter the pressure from superiors, a price had to be paid for their actions.
Duke Sabelisa hesitated before asking.
“Your Highness… what are your plans for Steward Barbara?”
Even among the palace servants, Barbara’s situation was different. She had done her best within her abilities to follow the orders of the late king. Duke Sabelisa couldn’t help but be concerned about her, given her efforts.
“I’m not saying to spare her alone, but if you consider her hard work, perhaps some leniency…”
“I’ve already considered her situation. As planned, she too will leave this place.”
“Excuse me?”
Duke Sabelisa’s expression hardened at Felix’s statement about dismissing her. However, he had no desire to question his sovereign’s decisions.
“I will follow Your Highness’s will.”
Duke Sabelisa bowed slightly in response. Felix caught his gaze and replied,
“Once she’s out, she can do as she pleases. She’ll be out on the streets with nothing.”
With that, Felix picked up the documents again. Despite being overwhelmed by the endless stack, he concentrated, determined not to miss a single detail.
The Duke belatedly grasped his meaning and flushed. Clearing his throat unnecessarily, he responded in a small voice,
“Thank, thank you, Your Highness.”
Catching the gaze of those dark eyes, the Duke picked up the documents.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The Duke hurriedly responded. Jordan entered and bowed to Felix.
“Lady Sylvia sent a spatial bag for you.”
“Sylvia did what?”
Felix’s mood visibly soured at her absence, contrasting with the previous day. Jordan sweated under the visibly upset Felix’s gaze.
“Leave the bag and exit.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Jordan saluted Felix and the duke before leaving the room.
“Your Highness.”
Duke Sabelisa broached a topic he had long wanted to discuss.
“She is a commoner. Moreover, a citizen of the empire.”
While being an imperial citizen was not inherently problematic, the recent situation with the crown prince made Duke Sabelisa uneasy about this fact as well. Felix glared at him with a look that clearly showed his displeasure.
“While I wish to respect Your Highness’s wishes, wouldn’t it be more fitting for the future emperor to have a consort from a family that could provide more robust support?”
Despite noticing Felix’s growing irritation, the duke sought to understand his nephew’s heart. Even as Duke Sabelisa struggled to breathe under the overwhelming magic aura, he did not avert his gaze from Felix’s sharp, dark eyes.
Dark grey eyes, almost black, locked with Felix’s inscrutable gaze. After a moment of silent observation, Felix slowly began to speak.
“She… has revived my past, made my present enjoyable, and allowed me to dream of a future.”
The duke’s eyes gradually widened in response.
“Therefore, all my emotions are influenced solely by her. The only reason I can be human is Sylvia alone. Is that a sufficient answer?”
Even though Duke Sabelisa, being of royal blood, would have accepted the explanation that she was brought by the Black Dragon, Felix did not wish to justify his feelings in such terms. Regardless of their first meeting, Felix loved her. She was the only one he could see now, unrelated to how they had met.
Overwhelmed by his powerful magic and the sincerity in his voice, the duke bowed his head, looking somewhat stunned.
“If Your Highness wishes it, I am more than willing to offer my support.”
Duke Sabelisa swallowed hard, having seen the determination in Felix’s eyes. It was a look no different from that of his brother.
****
After finishing his duties, Felix hurried back to his room, anxious due to the delayed conclusion of his tasks.
He was worried Sylvia might have fallen asleep without him. Missing her all day, he felt particularly restless today. Whether it was the effect of their bond or just his own stubborn nature, he desperately wanted to see her.
Not wanting to wake her if she was asleep, he carefully opened the door and entered. Sighing upon seeing the magic lamp turned off,
Felix moved silently toward the bedroom, eager to at least catch a glimpse of her sleeping form.
However, as soon as he entered the bedroom, Felix’s expression turned grim. The absence of her breathing and magical presence alarmed him. He hastily turned on the magic lamp. The brightly illuminated bedroom was empty.
“Sylvia?”
Calling out only brought a cold night breeze sweeping through the room.
Thump, thump!
His heart pounded violently, as if it would burst out of his chest. With a dark gaze, Felix flew through the balcony window.
Under the faint moonlight, Felix swiftly moved, searching for traces of her magic. He arrived at Aetherium’s lair, half in fear that he might be mistaken. Eagerly, Felix flew into the lair.
Entering the lair for the first time since returning to the palace, Felix sensed the residual magic of the Black Dragon. Stepping inside, he quickly moved toward the light seeping from afar.