Serios raised one corner of his mouth.
"Do you think Beramund would betray you?"
"After seeing Beramund attempt to kill my wife, I might consider it."
"Uh— Brother, that's a bit scary even to think about."
Beramund leaned over and whispered to Ravis, who replied, "I agree." Serios tapped the armrest a few tis and said:
"I understand. I'll handle Rudinal myself."
"Very well."
The duke nodded lightly.
It might seem heartless, but it's only natural. Once you're on the sa boat as the Crown Prince, if there's soone trying to put a hole in that boat, you have to strike them down even if it's the prince's brother.
You can't just watch them put a hole in the boat and let the Western Alliance sink along with it.
Duke Fienscha continued:
"And if His Majesty is truly aiming for immortality and has joined hands with magicians, it would be good to obtain evidence of that."
Ravis nodded.
"If we have that, we'd have no choice but to dethrone His Majesty for ntal instability."
It goes without saying who would beco the next emperor. Serios looked at Arkana. Arkana tilted his head at the gaze and said, "Ah."
"I can try to track down the magicians, but it's difficult for
to do much alone. If you can bring sothing that could serve as evidence, I should be able to at least verify it."
"How is this immortality magic supposed to work? Surely it can't be achieved just by killing people?"
"I'm not an expert in that field, so I'm not sure, but the most plausible thod would be to set up so kind of magic circle or life force-absorbing device in the slums."
"We'll have to look into it."
Serios nodded.
As the brief eting ended, Serios asked only Arkana, Sigrid, and Beramund to stay behind.
Ravis thought about saying sothing to Beramund but simply bid farewell and nodded to Duke Fienscha. They had their own matters to discuss anyway.
After the two left, Serios stood up and said to Arkana:
"I appreciate the Ice Tower's help. I offer my formal thanks."
"It's not formal. Whether we win or lose, magicians prefer not to get involved."
"But they sent you, and that's enough. If I ascend to the throne, I'd like to have more active exchanges with the Ice Tower."
"That would be welco news."
The Ice Tower can't stay isolated forever, so increasing friendly exchanges would be beneficial. Serios smiled gently and turned to Sigrid.
"Lady Ankertna, may I make a separate request of you?"
"If it's within my capabilities."
"Would you join the Achtschwietz?"
"—!"
Sigrid's eyes widened before she lowered them and asked:
"As a spy?"
"Sothing like that. I'd like you to gather evidence we can use. I have few people around
I can trust with this. And you've already been invited once before."
"That's too dangerous."
Beramund interjected.
"Besides, undercover work doesn't suit Sigrid. I don't think she's the type who can hide things."
"I'll do it."
At Sigrid's answer, Beramund turned to her sharply.
"Siri!"
"If there's anything I can do to stop this, I want to do it."
"But— do you think you can do it well?"
Beramund blurted out without thinking. Normally, she might have been angered, asking 'Are you saying I can't do it?' But Sigrid wasn't angry.
'His face is full of worry.'
She nodded.
"Yes, I can do it."
"Ah— really."
Beramund roughly ran his hand through his hair. As the captain of the Imperial Guard, he could officially exclude Sigrid from this mission. But he didn't want to force that.
"Alright. But if there's any problem, you tell
imdiately, understand?"
"Yes."
Sigrid nodded. Arkana gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said:
"Don't overdo it."
"I won't."
Serios looked at the three of them with a strange expression. Looking at Arkana and then at Beramund, Serios thought:
'Isn't this a bit unfavorable for Beramund?'
Though he wasn't sure, it seed that Sigrid and that magician were close, whereas Sigrid and Beramund's relationship...
'Hmm.'
He wondered if he should help a bit, but then shook his head.
'I'm the one with problems right now, what help could I offer?'
Thinking of Rudinal made his chest tighten. Serios thought of his only younger brother.
'What could have been the problem?'
What did I fail to see?
Why did he make such a choice?
Could he have been threatened by His Majesty? Could he have no intention of harming ?
'I said I'd deal with Rudinal, but...'
In truth, he wanted to et and talk. He wanted to ask the reason. Ask what he was dissatisfied with, ask what he should have done...
Serios turned his gaze to the crystal fountain. The water streams flowing from the fountain, which was about his height, fell into the basin, making a cheerful sound.
"Beramund..."
Serios called his cousin-in-law's na with difficulty. Beramund looked at his profile and said:
"I'll bring him back."
At those words, Serios turned his head sharply, and Beramund shrugged.
"Let's bring him back and hear what he has to say first."
"Beramund!"
Sigrid shouted, grabbing his arm, then let go with a gasp. Her intense reaction surprised Beramund more.
"Siri?"
"You can't. That person, he—"
The image of his arm and eye being lost was still vivid, yet he would forgive him?
It absolutely cannot happen. Sigrid could never forgive Rudinal. Beramund looked down at her and smiled faintly.
"It's okay. I won't be caught off guard twice."
"No. If soone's going to fetch him, send soone else."
"Who else could I send but myself? By the way, how do we et Rudinal?"
"Beramund!"
"I'll go with you."
Arkana sighed softly and said. His words surprised both Beramund and Sigrid. Sigrid hesitated and asked:
"Really...?"
Her voice was thick with relief, and Arkana nodded.
"Of course, if he allows it."
Sigrid turned quickly to Beramund.
"You'll go together, right?"
No brave soul could answer 'no' to those trembling lips and eyes. Beramund nodded.
"Alright."
Only then did the tension leave her shoulders.
"In that case..."
"Is my subordinate Siri giving permission for her superior's work?"
"I'm just worried."
Sigrid replied with dissatisfaction to Beramund's words. He laughed lightly and said, "Is that so?" as he reached out to touch her cheek, but Sigrid avoided his touch like a cat. Beramund grinned.
"Hey Siri, shall we talk for a mont?"
He added, looking at Arkana:
"Just the two of us."
Arkana shrugged, and Serios cleared his throat.
"Well, I'll be going now. Thank you for indulging my selfish request, Beramund. And Master Arkana, shall we talk outside for a mont? I have so questions about magic."
"Of course, Your Highness. Then, Siri, I'll wait outside."
"Oh, o-okay."
Sigrid nodded to him, lightly moistening her dry lips with her tongue. After the footsteps of Serios and Arkana completely faded away, only the sound of the fountain remained.
The spring sunlight entering through the greenhouse windows reflected off the water droplets splashing in the basin. Fragnts of light danced on the crystal basin and fountain.
Amidst the silence, with only the sound of water and birds, Beramund opened his mouth with a heavy sigh.
"Siri."
"Yes, yes!"
"Do you dislike
touching you?"
"No!"
A direct answer to a direct question. Beramund looked at her with skeptical eyes. Sigrid lightly rubbed her sweaty palms on her thighs.
How should she put it?
How should she explain?
"It's— it's not that I dislike it, it's not dislike, it's—"
"It's?"
"It feels... strange, I guess. I don't really understand it myself— it's, well..."
Beramund stared blankly at Sigrid as she stumbled over her words. The corners of her eyes reddened as if feverish.
"I'm sorry. I think I've beco a bit strange, but once I calm down, I'm sure I'll—?"
Beramund reached out and caressed her ear. Sigrid flinched and shrank back. His fingers gently stroked her earlobe, then softly traced down to cup her nape.
"Be, Be, Bera—"
Sigrid shrank her shoulders, not knowing how to react to his touch.
'Thump-thump.'
He could feel her pulse racing beneath his palm on her nape. Beramund suppressed a laugh, finding her adorable as she shrank back, flustered, while her body temperature gradually rose. When he carefully removed his hand, Sigrid finally relaxed.
Her elevated heart rate and body temperature had yet to return to normal.
"Siri."
"Y-yes."
Sohow unable to look Beramund directly in the eyes, she lowered her gaze as she answered.
"Ah, this won't do. I was going to wait, but..."
"Pardon?"
"There's a rival-like guy right next to you, so maybe I should make the first move."
"—?"
Puzzled, Sigrid raised her head.
"What are you talking about?"
"Siri, I like you."
"Well, I also—"
"No, not like that— I love you."
Beramund said those words so casually that Sigrid thought for a mont she had misheard.
"What? You what?"
"Love."
"Love."
"I, Sigrid."
"Beramund, ."
Love?
Beramund?
?
Love? Love?
"What exactly do you an by that love?"
At Sigrid's dumbfounded question, Beramund looked at her with a serious face.
"I'm saying I love you as a man."
For a mont, Beramund worried he might have to catch her eyeballs if they rolled out. Her crimson eyes were wide open, staring at him intently.
"As... a man...?"
Her voice was like a mouse squeaking, pathetic even to her own ears, but Sigrid could barely manage that much. Beramund leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Yes, to the point where I want to do even more than this."
"—!"
Finally, Sigrid tried to quickly dodge away, but her feet tangled unknowingly, and she fell.
"Siri—?!"
Trying to avoid Beramund's outstretched arms in her panic, Sigrid ended up rolling and tangling with him instead.
"Ugh..."
"Are you okay?"
Sigrid squinted her eyes open at the voice. Beramund was boldly straddling her.
"Y-yes, I'm fine."
Her voice automatically beca stiff. Beramund removed his hand that had been cradling her head and said:
"Was it that surprising?"
"Of course—!"
She was about to shout but held back. Sigrid took a deep breath and said:
"Of course it is..."
"I thought I had given enough hints."
"I had no idea."
"Oh, that hurts a bit."
"What? No, I didn't an to—"
As a flustered Sigrid spoke, Beramund grinned. He leaned closer to her. He was on top, and Sigrid below him couldn't escape.
Whether by chance or not, having gained the upper hand, he had no intention of easily backing down.
"So?"
"Yes?"
"So what's your answer, Siri?"
"An answer... even if you ask..."
Sigrid didn't know what to say. She looked up at him with a troubled expression, not knowing what to do. It was irritating to see him smiling so casually after putting her in such a difficult position.
"I'm not sure."
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