RODH Chapter 49

49.

“Mmgh.”

I flinched at the sudden heat and the sharp sting.

A tongue pushed past my lips and pinned mine down, sweeping across my teeth like it owned the place.

Startled by the strange sensation, I tried to push Lucian away with both hands, but he didn’t budge.

His tongue dove deeper, sucking and pulling at mine as if to swallow it whole. Saliva trickled down my chin.

It was a kiss so intense it left me breathless.

Before I could lose consciousness, I grabbed both of Lucian’s ears and pulled hard.

Snapped out of the kiss, his eyes flew open.

Vertical pupils split the center of his eyes like fine amethysts.

They trembled.

What’s wrong with him?

Just as the heat of his lips turned from warm to painful, Lucian gave my lower lip a quick bite and abruptly pulled back.

I wiped the blood from my mouth and said,

“What the hell was that?”

“You tell me! Why’d you do that?”

“…Excuse me?”

“You knew my ears are an erogenous zone, didn’t you?”

“No!”

What the hell.

If I’d known your ears were that sensitive, I wouldn’t have touched them!

“Young master, you’re bleeding…”

Even now, Bain remained calm and assisted me.

As a servant trained to care for a marked heir, he was likely taught how to handle situations like this—so I didn’t expect him to be fazed.

And yet—

“You’re bleeding… uwaaaah, young master!”

“Wait—why are you crying? I’m the one who’s bleeding.”

Apparently not.

It was the first time Bain had ever seen me kiss someone.

And it had to be such a deep, messy kiss.

I knew he liked and admired me a lot, but I didn’t think it would crush him this much.

Lucian, sensing the situation instantly, folded his arms with a smug expression.

“What exactly is the relationship between you two?”

“Master and servant.”

“Then why’s he crying?”

“…I don’t know. Anyway, what was that just now?”

“What do you mean?”

“That wasn’t a kiss—it was a dog bite.”

I snapped, angry, and Lucian looked stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Has he lost it? He sees blood during a kiss and starts laughing?

As I glared at him coldly, Lucian grinned brightly.

“Heh… Ian. That was an imprint. I just imprinted on you.”

“But imprinting…”

“Yeah, I know. An alpha’s imprint doesn’t mean anything. Still, I’m your first imprint partner, aren’t I?”

He wasn’t wrong. But for some reason, I didn’t feel like answering him.

“If you’re done, please leave now.”

“Why?”

Lucian kept leaning into my side, backing me into the corner.

I had to calm Bain down—he was still sobbing. And I had a million other things to do.

And even more coming.

“Alright, alright. If my fiancé says so, I guess I’ll leave.”

“This is a political engagement. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“See you soon then, Ian.”

Lucian opened a portal inside the carriage, waved, and disappeared.

‘That damned bastard.’

Even in the middle of the chaos, I focused on calming Bain, who was still wailing.

And then, just as we returned to the duke’s estate, an emergency message arrived.

“A monster wave?”

The butler, flustered, delivered the news.

“Yes, young master. It’s dangerous—please don’t leave the estate for a while.”

“But I still have things to do. I have to get the sword repaired and deliver it to His Grace the Grand Duke.”

That’s when my father spoke.

“The sword can be repaired after the monster wave ends. And Ian, you can’t even wield it anyway, can you?”

Once again, my father was the voice of reason.

“…Alright, Father.”

I stared up into the sky, waiting for something—anything—before turning and hurrying back into the house at the butler’s prompting.

Imperial Palace, Audience Hall.

Nevan knelt before the Emperor.

“Nevan Nik Kirias of the North greets the Sun of the Empire.”

“Raise your head.”

“As you command.”

When he lifted his head, golden eyes worthy of being called the Sun of the Empire swept over Nevan.

“I know you’re a busy man, and yet I asked to see your face… I didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly. I feel a bit guilty.”

“Not at all. Answering Your Majesty’s summons is the duty of the North.”

“Your way with words has improved.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha.”

The Emperor was smiling, but beneath that, he was extremely wary. It was no small matter that all the elders of the North had gathered at once.

Though everyone sent to monitor Ian Pearl Ruben had failed to stay near him, according to the information gathered through Sir Hubert, the boy might be the one who could break the northern curse.

To test Nevan and confirm what he’d heard, the Emperor asked,

“I heard Lord Ruben collapsed in the North.”

“It was due to dizziness.”

“Hmm. His constitution must be weak. He should see the royal physician soon.”

“As Your Majesty sees fit.”

“I hear Seor, the dragon prince, and even the Tower Lord all hold Lord Ruben in special regard. Do you not share their interest?”

“I…”

Before Nevan could respond, a chamberlain rushed in.

He whispered something into the Emperor’s ear. Hearing the message, the Emperor’s voice rang out in fury.

“What?! Lord Ruben is engaged to the Dragon Crown Prince?!”

The chamberlain bowed repeatedly, trembling at the Emperor’s piercing voice.

The Emperor, gripping the edge of his throne tightly, turned to Nevan, whose expression remained neutral.

“It would be good if you had a suitable match as well. Shall I find one for you?”

“Your Majesty, I appreciate the offer, but the North is not easy for anyone to adapt to.”

“That sounds like you’re saying anyone could get used to it eventually.”

“That was not my intention.”

“I know. Still, you’ve disappointed me. I expected you to say something about the Bringer of Spring.”

Even when the term “Bringer of Spring” was mentioned, Nevan showed no reaction and bowed his head.

“It is nothing more than a legend passed down in the North.”

“Then how do you explain the gathering of all the elders over that legend?”

“…”

“Sigh. You are truly frustrating. Sometimes you test my patience.”

The Emperor stood and turned toward the sunlit window.

“Why did you remove every agent I sent?”

“To protect Lord Ruben.”

“I wouldn’t have harmed him, especially when he was once the Crown Princess-to-be.”

“I understand. However…”

“However?”

“If House Ruben learned of it, I feared it might tarnish the long-standing friendship between Duke Ruben and Your Majesty.”

“Hmph.”

Looking at Nevan, who slipped through words like a snake, the Emperor thought: when did this nine-year-old boy grow up like this?

At the same time, it was like hearing a warning bell: the sprout of danger must be cut.

He was just thinking he needed to send more people to the North when Sir Hubert came rushing in.

He dropped to one knee and reported,

“Your Majesty, a monster wave has broken out in the northwestern region.”

“It’s still late summer, isn’t it?”

“Even so, it’s definitely a monster wave.”

Despite the strange timing, the urgency of Hubert’s report showed how certain he was. The Emperor immediately gave his orders.

“Lord Kirias, hear this: depart for the North immediately and stop the monster wave. Protect the Empire.”

Nevan knelt on one knee and responded,

“I receive Your Majesty’s command.”

“Sir Hubert, you will go with Seor and lead the troops.”

“Understood.”

“No matter what happens, those monsters must not be allowed to reach the central or southern regions.”

The Emperor’s mood soured with this cascade of unexpected events.

Nevan may act indifferent, but Ian Pearl Ruben was clearly at the center of something.

Before Sir Hubert left, the Emperor spoke to him quietly and firmly.

“If Ian Pearl Ruben behaves suspiciously, kill him on the spot. And even if he simply becomes a threat to the Empire—kill him.”

“Your Majesty!”

“It is an imperial decree. Sir Hubert, do you object?”

Looking into the Emperor’s brilliant yet merciless golden eyes, Peter bowed his head.

“…I receive the command.”

The northern army led by Nevan steadily drove back the monsters.

Meanwhile, the imperial forces struggled to fight in the frost that fell despite the late summer, barely surviving each encounter.

Unhappy with the imperial army’s sluggish pace, Seor took the lead with Peter and pushed forward. With Nevan’s support, they managed to complete the monster hunt without any troop losses.

As they cautiously observed the remaining monsters, Klain commented,

“They’re definitely weaker than last time. But since they came from the far north, it looks like something was chasing them.”

Great snow leopards and grizzly bears were monsters that lived only at the northernmost edge.

If even those creatures were being driven out, then whatever was chasing them must be far stronger.

While Nevan was deep in thought, Peter approached cautiously.

“May I speak with you for a moment?”

Avoiding Seor’s line of sight, Peter quietly informed Nevan of the imperial decree.

Hearing that the Emperor had targeted Ian made Nevan’s heart sink.

But he masked his reaction and replied calmly.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I know how close you are. And I also know… only Your Grace can protect Lord Ian.”

Peter had made up his mind.

This time, he would have to disobey the imperial command.

When he looked into Ian’s honest green eyes, he couldn’t help but trust him, no matter what rumors surrounded him.

The Emperor wasn’t wary of Ian simply because he was the Bringer of Spring.

He feared that this would increase the North’s influence.

‘It’s fear over the consequences of what he’s already done.’

After a moment of silence, Nevan said,

“Thank you for telling me.”

“It’s nothing.”

“And, Sir Hubert.”

“Don’t tail Lord Ian too closely.”

The warning was sharp enough to feel like a blade against the cheek.

Nevan believed his words—but not the man, who was still the Emperor’s pawn.

Just then, Seor approached.

“What was that about, Peter?”

“Nothing at all. They say the monsters have all been cleared.”

“Good. Let’s withdraw, then.”

Just as they began to relax, something burst out from between the rocks.