RGS Volume 6 Part 1

The old workplace he returned to after 12 years had not changed at all. It had been closed for so long that it was covered in dust and had a musty smell. The pen nib he had left on his desk was still there. However, Melmond had no time to reminisce. With a tense expression, he stood like a statue, staring at the door since earlier. Nani, noticing his demeanor, gave a small warning.

“Sir Melmond. You, y-you’re acting too unnatural.”

Nani’s voice, meanwhile, was trembling like a goat. The only one who seemed somewhat normal was the butler.

“It will be fine. We’ve prepared so much for this moment…”

However, he didn’t get to finish his sentence. The door opened along with the sound of several footsteps. Melmond, looking as pale as if he would collapse, stepped forward. Karas, who had now become an adult, was a fearful presence, no matter how many times he saw him. And now, he had to lie to him. He felt proud of himself for not fainting.

“Your Majesty, thank you so much for coming.”

Melmond bowed his head deeply and quickly began to recite the words he had prepared.

“Abel, whom we barely found, has lost his memory and doesn’t want to be around anyone. He keeps trying to hide, and we’ve been so worried. But I believe Your Majesty will surely save Abel. Because Abel holds Your Majesty in special regard…”

“Where is he?”

Karas repeated the same question again. Melmond glanced up to gauge Karas’ condition, but it was hard to read any emotion from his expressionless face. With no other choice, Melmond pointed to a corner of the library on the second floor.

“He is hiding over there. H-he wouldn’t come out even when we called for him. But it will be different with Y-your Majesty, right?”

Despite the trembling voice behind his question, Karas heard it clearly. However, he said nothing and simply moved forward. It was only after he disappeared among the bookshelves on the second floor that those watching exhaled the breaths they had been holding.

Now, Abel had to play his part well.

No, the Emperor had to be convincingly deceived.

Only then would he realize that Abel needed him.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Should I give up on everything now?

At the far end of the bookshelf. Sitting with his head buried, Abel changed his mind hundreds of times, wavering back and forth between his conflicting thoughts. This plan seemed too underhanded.

Wouldn’t the prince recognize his true feelings if he simply spoke honestly?

However, everyone had worked so hard for this.

As Abel hesitated, lost in thought, he heard a sound behind him.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of slow footsteps. The occasional creak of the wooden floor. The approaching footsteps finally stopped. Even though silence followed, Abel knew who it was without looking. Dozens of thoughts raced through his mind again.

Abel’s plan was nothing special.

He would act as if he had lost his memory and reject everyone. He wouldn’t recognize Karas as well, but instinctively follow only him. It was a childish plan, but what else could he do? Abel had to show Karas that he was the most important person to him, even if it meant resorting to this.

If words were not enough, he would have to show him proof. Sometimes, people realize their importance to others when they become needed. Only then would they think that they are important to the other person.  Like the little prince who would rush to his side whenever Abel pretended to be sick when he was still a child.

Thus, Abel had prepared many things to say once he saw Karas. However, when he slowly turned his head after a long silence, all the words in Abel’s mind turned blank. Seeing him standing there like an expressionless doll, Abel couldn’t help but do only one thing.

As a warmth welled up inside him, tears began to fall. Seeing Karas, he felt overwhelmed with sorrow, joy, and happiness. Even though he just watched him without moving, a foolish smile naturally spread across his lips.

“Hehe.”

After a while, Karas slowly moved. He moved towards the person who had turned into a tearful mess and was smiling brightly upon seeing him.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

Even after a long time had passed, no screams or loud cries were heard, making everyone increasingly worried.

What happened?

Could it be that the emperor had broken through the wall as soon as he caught Abel?

Just as various strange thoughts crossed their minds, someone took a deep breath.

“*Gasp*!”

At the same time, everyone’s eyes turned to the second floor. Just as when he had gone up, Karas appeared with his usual expressionless face. Abel was following behind him. Holding tightly onto the hand Karas had extended.

While everyone else froze like statues, Ashler alone carefully observed Karas with tense eyes. He was still as expressionless as ever.

Still, since he brought Abel holding his hand, could it be that this plan, which he had thought was laughable, actually worked?

He hoped for a moment, but soon realized there was a problem.

Karas continued to walk past everyone, heading outside. Moreover, Abel, who was dragged along in a daze, had red, swollen eyes as if he had been crying. While everyone was in shock, Karas reached the door, and a startled Ashler quickly blocked his way.

“Your Majesty, where are you going?”

“Move.”

Only a short command came from Karas’ mouth. Before following his order, Ashler glanced at Abel. Seeing Abel just blinking in confusion, he made up his mind and took a step forward.

“If you are taking Lord Abel with you, please tell us your destination. Of course, I trust Your Majesty won’t keep him openly by your side for the King’s Heart to see. He is someone who only follows Your Majesty without knowing anything.”

His calm voice carried a sharp rebuke. Not knowing Karas’ state, it could be an unnecessary provocation, however, Ashler showed his determination not to back down until he heard an answer. Under the tense gazes around him, Karas tilted his head to the side and stared at Ashler. He looked at him as if asking, “What are you going to do about it?”

As Ashler realized that Karas intended to reveal Abel’s presence as it was, he spoke more forcefully.

“Your Majesty, the King’s Heart still controls the palace. Lord Abel being here is like being in the middle of enemy territory. This place is the only one where he can avoid their eyes, but now that Your Majesty has visited, we don’t know when he will be exposed to them. What do you think will happen to Lord Abel if you leave this place?”

Ashler paused for a moment as if to emphasize his words, then forcefully delivered his main point.

“Does Lord Abel not matter to Your Majesty?”

Even Karas, who had shown no reaction, narrowed his eyes at these words. However, he had no time to get angry. The three companions, who had gathered around, each stepped in to help Ashler.

“To think that our young master doesn’t matter at all to Your Majesty! Hmph.”

“This is unbelievable! So, Lord Abel means nothing to you! This is too much, Your Majesty! *Sob*!”

“Ah! How could Your Majesty dislike the one and only Lord Regas this much!”

As if showing just how rumors can grow wildly out of control, by the time the three had finished speaking, Karas had become the person who hated Abel the most in the world. This stirred an involuntary emotion even in Karas’ cold heart.

Injustice.

This unpleasant feeling, which he had never experienced before in his life, caused a change in him.

Twitch.

As he moved one eyebrow to reveal his discomfort, Melmond quickly gave a wink to Abel.

Hey, you should say something too, right?

“Uh, His Majesty doesn’t dislike me, d-does he?”

Everyone glared at Abel with fierce eyes. While everyone else was risking their lives to provoke Karas, he alone was saying things that sounded nice.

What does that make us if you say things like that?

Are you the only one pretending to be good?

Abel flinched at the anger he felt from those around him.

“W-Well, I mean, I don’t think His Majesty dislikes me. H-He even held my hand.”

Abel made excuses to those around him, but the returning gazes were even colder.

Do you think it’s good to act as if you’re the only one who cares about His Majesty?

Of course, that was part of the goal, but the people who might get beheaded by Karas didn’t feel at ease. Abel, who felt a sense of crisis, took action right away to resolve the situation. With green eyes genuinely moist with desperation, he looked up at Karas and asked.

“Isn’t that r-right? You d-don’t dislike me, do you?”

Please say no quickly, Abel unconsciously held Karas’ hand tightly. The other four turned to Karas so fast it was as if they made a snapping sound. Karas, still feeling the unpleasant injustice, looked slightly flustered by Abel’s earnest gaze.

“N-No.”

He answered belatedly and, thinking it wasn’t enough, slowly shook his head as well.

“I d-don’t dislike you.”

He emphasized this and didn’t forget to sharply glance at the four around them. The four simultaneously cleared their throats and looked away. As Karas’ eyes narrowed further as he looked at them, a small sigh of relief could be heard from Abel.

“Hehe, that’s a relief.”

When Karas looked back, Abel was looking down at the hand he was holding. He wriggled his small hand, which seemed like a child’s compared to Karas’ much larger hand. He muttered as if recalling how it had been the opposite just a few months ago.

“Somehow, this warmth feels familiar. I feel like I should keep holding it.”

Abel, who had been in a daze for a moment, seemed to come back to reality and soon raised his eyes. His eyes still held memories of the young prince, but he tried to focus on the large figure in front of him.

“It felt really good to hold hands. O-Of course, it was because I was lost and scared of losing my memory.”

His voice trembled when he lied about losing his memory, but there was no need for that in his following words. He only needed to tell the truth.

“Holding your hand made me feel at ease. Perhaps, it’s because Your Majesty is someone very important to me.”

“……”

“So, um, I think I can wait here. If you could come back next time and hold my hand again…”

“No.”

A blunt response flowed from Karas’ mouth. Then he gripped Abel’s hand tightly.

“There won’t be a next time. You’re coming with me.”

“You mustn’t, Your Majesty.”

Ashler quickly stepped in to oppose. Karas looked at him irritably, but Ashler did not back down this time either.

“Since Lord Abel also said he would wait, I hope Your Majesty would also consider what is best once more. Now is not the time. It may be difficult to let go of that hand, but for Lord Abel’s safety, you must step back for now. Especially, if Your Majesty doesn’t dislike him, you should do this even more.”

Ashler spoke the last sentence as if to emphasize it. That because he cared for the other person, the more he had to stay away. It wasn’t solely for Abel’s safety. Abel, who had planned this, had said.

‘His Majesty has never experienced sacrificing for someone else. So, he probably wouldn’t have considered the possibility that I might have pretended to die for him. To him, someone leaving means they dislike him. Just like the many nannies and Regas who left him when he was young. That’s why this absurd act is important. I hope he personally experiences that such things do happen. Of course, the question is whether I’m precious enough to him to make him do something he hasn’t done before.’

It made sense. Karas was the emperor. The word ‘sacrifice’ was an unnecessary word for someone born with everything. It was natural for everyone to follow his orders unconditionally. Regardless of whether they liked him or not.

Just as Abel had said, the current situation might seem humiliating for Karas. He was being forced to do something he had never done before. However, this moment was crucial for Ashler. He had to say the words he had painstakingly prepared without hesitation.

“Is Lord Abel precious to Your Majesty? If so, please think of Lord Abel before yourself at this moment. Surely, Your Majesty wouldn’t want someone precious to you to be exposed to even a bit of danger, would you?”

Ashler knelt down on one knee before Karas and bowed his head. Following his lead, the other three also knelt on the ground, fulfilling their respective roles faithfully.

“Would you please make a decision for Abel’s sake? We implore you, Your Majesty.”

“We are moved to tears by Your Majesty’s desire to protect our young master from danger. *Sob*.”

“As expected of Your Majesty. You intend to hide Lord Abel here for his safety! We are touched by Your Majesty’s deep compassion! *Sniff*!”

Once again, as the words passed through the mouths of the three, Karas has now become the kindest angel in the world. However, since Karas still didn’t move, the three of them raised the level of their praise. This was what they called the fanning-the-flames strategy.

“To think that Your Majesty has such magnanimity!”

“Indeed! With a heart that knows how to care for others, Your Majesty will become a wise ruler and lead the unified empire to greatness!”

“Ah, Your Majesty will become the greatest emperor in history. I’ve always known our Majesty would be the best!”

They say that even a dog dances when praised. It certainly had an effect. Karas finally opened his mouth.

“Alright, shut up.”