RODH Chapter 15

15.

“So, what did you steal?”

“Nothing of importance.”

“Nothing? Then why do you have all those magical artifacts bulging out of your chest pocket?”

‘Can dragons really sense magical artifacts?’

I made a mental note to add this to Berquist’s journal about dragons.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll scream.”

“I’ll talk.”

Resigned, I laid it all out. Count Gilliat had committed numerous crimes: tax evasion, smuggling, illegal trade, and maintaining a private army far exceeding the allowed number.

Lucian listened with an amused expression, grinning as I spoke.

“Sounds like several heads will roll.”

“Indeed.”

“But why is Lord Ruben the one exposing all this? Is detective work a hobby of yours?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Then why?”

‘Do I really have to explain this?’

“My cousin Tristan is an ambitious bastard. If I don’t act first, we’ll be ruined.”

“Don’t tell me… he’s targeting the Ruben family.”

‘Assumptions like that can destroy people,’ Lucian said, nodding as if my words made complete sense.

This time, I asked, “Now that you know, what will you do?”

“What would I do? Just keep it to myself.”

“You’re not planning to sell this information to anyone?”

“Why would I? This situation is just amusing. There’s no one foolish enough to try and take this juicy information from me unless they want to provoke the wrath of a dragon.”

Lucian’s tone carried absolute conviction, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

‘Is it just curiosity?’ I studied Lucian skeptically, and when he noticed my gaze, he asked, “What?”

“Nothing.”

“But, Lord Ruben, evidence, circumstances, and even witnesses won’t be enough. If you want proper justice, you’ll need a confession.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Lady Dmitri is somewhat involved.”

Lucian explained the nature of the Emperor.

“He’s a selfish man, immensely greedy. If he finds out his favorite mistress is tied to this, he’ll bury the issue out of sheer disappointment.”

“You’re saying without a confession, everything will fall apart?”

A faint smile appeared on Lucian’s lips.

“Exactly.”

“It’s been hard enough to get this far… what more can I do?”

I muttered to myself, but Lucian’s amethyst eyes gleamed.

“Have you heard of ‘Truth Serum?’”

“I’ve heard of it… wait, are you serious?”

Lucian grinned wickedly.

If I could obtain Truth Serum, a confession would be as good as guaranteed.

‘Why is he telling me about such a valuable item?’ I looked at Lucian with suspicion.

“I am no mere stranger to you, am I?”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Ruben, that my words in the dragon’s lair were no lie?”

‘Oh no… he remembered that.’

Of all times, why bring it up now? His slyness knew no bounds.

I forced a strained smile and nodded. “You’re right; you’re not just anyone.”

Lucian scooted closer, narrowing the distance between us to a mere hand’s span. His piercing gaze locked onto mine.

“You’re an intriguing omega.”

“….”

“I want us to get along. Surely you understand that much.”

“Can I be honest?”

Lucian gestured grandly with one hand. “I always welcome honest opinions.”

“Why, Your Highness, are you going out of your way to do this?”

“It’s exactly as I said. I want to get to know you better. More precisely….”

“….”

“I want to see the chaos you’ll create in the future.”

For a moment, Lucian’s violet eyes flickered, their shape elongating into slits like a predator’s.

‘Dragons really do have strange quirks,’ I thought.

Lucian’s obsession with bizarre events seemed to be his unique trait.

‘I’ve been caught in something utterly troublesome,’ I concluded. Nonetheless, I listened intently as Lucian began explaining the details.

“Ian.”

Ian’s face briefly twisted in irritation before smoothing out.

“Didn’t I say you could call me Ian from now on?”

Lucian seemed to find Ian’s grimace amusing, repeating the name a few times without much thought, just for fun.

Ian, however, was cold and prickly.

“If you don’t have a reason to call me, please refrain.”

“Why, Ian? I like calling you Ian.”

“Your Highness.”

“You could call me Lucian too, you know. Just don’t do it like you’re calling for a stray dog.”

Ian wanted nothing more than to shove this arrogant lizard out of his sight. How wonderful life would be if Lucian could just disappear entirely.

Perhaps sensing Ian’s thoughts, Lucian chuckled lightly.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow night at the place I mentioned.”

“Understood.”

“Good, Ian. It’s time for me to head off. I’ve got business at this estate as well.”

Ian exhaled deeply only after Lucian disappeared into the distance.

Lucian had a knack for draining one’s energy. While he found great amusement in Ian’s company, Ian found the dragon prince to be nothing short of exhausting.

Carefully scanning his surroundings, Ian stood up and brushed the dirt off his back and thighs. He was still cleaning himself up when a familiar voice called out.

“Ian? What are you doing over there?”

“My lord!”

It was Tristan and Bain.

Ian signaled Bain with his eyes, urging him to come over. Thankfully, Bain understood and rushed to take the pouch full of magical tools.

“What are you two up to?”

Before Tristan could get closer, Ian smacked Bain on the back.

“Get going already!”

“I’m sorry, my lord!”

“Huh?”

While Tristan watched Bain scamper away like a startled colt, Ian intercepted his questions.

“Why does your outfit look like that, Ian? What happened to you?”

“Ah, a bug! Yes, a bug landed on me, and I tripped trying to shake it off.”

“Tsk tsk.”

Tristan clicked his tongue and began brushing the dirt off Ian. Each touch made Ian feel like cold, clammy death was crawling over his skin.

Tristan, sharp as always, asked, “Are you sure that’s all that happened?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“Didn’t I just see the dragon prince leaving this way? Ian, don’t tell me…”

‘This might work,’ Ian thought. If rumors of an improper relationship between him and Lucian spread, maybe it would speed up his annulment.

Ian offered a faint, awkward smile and cut Tristan off.

“We’re only engaged, after all. I’m far too carefree to live as a crown princess.”

“Wow, Ian. I didn’t think you had it in you. Impressive.”

Pretending to dust off Ian’s clothes, Tristan let his hand brush against Ian’s earlobe.

Ian flinched, suddenly aware of how much larger Tristan was compared to him.

‘Right. He’s an alpha too.’

“Ian, relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know. It’s just…”

Ian deliberately trailed off, letting the implication of some clandestine affair with Lucian hang in the air.

‘Sorry, Lucian,’ Ian thought. Then again, Lucian would probably be entertained by such a story.

Tristan misunderstood Ian’s hesitation as shyness and burst into laughter, playfully tapping Ian on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it. Do you know how many omegas have relationships before marriage? You’re not the first.”

“Right, yeah. You’re absolutely right, Tristan. I should probably get going now.”

“So soon?”

Ian quickly came up with an excuse, throwing Bain under the metaphorical carriage.

“Didn’t you see Bain? He ate some hallucination-inducing mushrooms and has been like that since yesterday. I should head back before he causes more trouble for you.”

Tristan, recalling Bain clutching at his legs and wailing, nodded in agreement.

“Alright, head on back.”

“Thanks. Sorry I couldn’t stay longer.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Ian etched the image of Tristan against the backdrop of the count’s estate into his memory as the distance between them grew.

Gone were the days of carefree children hunting for bird eggs and playing on swings.

‘Sorry, Tristan. But I can’t afford to be resurrected five times like this again.’

Resolving himself, Ian climbed into the carriage and prepared to leave.

As soon as I returned home, I checked the contents recorded in the magical tool.

I was nervous, wondering if it had been damaged from the fall, but thankfully, the records inside were intact.

I set the tool aside to transfer the records onto paper and ordered Bain to guard it carefully before heading off to bathe.

Submerged in hot water, I let the events of the day replay in my mind one by one.

When I finished bathing and came out, it was just in time for pre-dinner tea. I headed straight to my father’s study.

“Oh, Ian. What brings you here?”

“Where’s Mother?”

“Elisa is resting for a bit. She seems exhausted from spending the whole day picking out gifts.”

Perfect timing. If Mother had been present, it would have been harder to bring this up.

With both hands full of documents, I handed them to my father and began to speak.

“Father, I have something urgent to discuss with you.”

“I had my suspicions, but I didn’t think Count Gilbert would stoop this low.”

My father examined the documents not as a parent but with the sharp eye of the head of our house.

I had brought the recording crystal as backup in case he didn’t believe me, but the documents alone were enough for him to acknowledge Count Gilbert’s wrongdoings.

“He’s been raising private soldiers. Not only that, but he’s been digging for information on us.”

“So that explains his frequent visits to the ducal estate. Damn bastard…”

My father decided to submit the matter of Count Gilbert to the upcoming council meeting and resolved to have him tried in court.

“The issue is securing a witness. Ian, do you have any ideas?”

“Yes, I do.”

It was time to prepare the Truth Serum.