RODH Chapter 40

40.

The plan was simple.

To break off the engagement between Seor and Ian.

In a private meeting with Morris, Nevan spoke.

“We could stir the grass and startle the snake for no reason.”

“And that’s exactly why it will work. A startled snake begins to doubt everything on its own,” Morris replied.

He continued,

“King Kruh of the Dragon Clan surely still wants to restore my sister Epacia’s honor. Plant the suggestion—ask if it’s time that incident was reinvestigated.”

Kruh was notorious—even country bumpkins in the South knew how impulsive and gullible he was.

And ever since that incident, he had been extremely wary of Nevan.

So if Nevan even slightly hinted at revisiting it, Kruh would no doubt rush to petition the Emperor for a reinvestigation.

Nevan asked Morris what they stood to lose by doing this.

Morris hesitated for a moment before answering.

“The young lord may be placed under surveillance. Or, Your Grace, you might be tested at the autumn lance tournament.”

“Then the plan is off.”

“Will you just let him be taken, then?”

Unlike Luke or Klain, Morris didn’t lose his temper—he calmly and firmly appealed to his lord.

Nevan replied,

“Those who’ve lost much know how precious what remains truly is. I’m grateful for your advice, Morris, but I won’t sacrifice an innocent person—not even for the sake of our house.”

Once you fall under the Emperor’s eye, it’s almost impossible to escape it.

And Nevan knew too well what it felt like to have every move monitored.

He didn’t want that to happen to Ian.

But Morris was persistent.

“The young lord is surely curious too. He seems to know a great deal already about the one who brings spring… Are you really prepared to give up?”

Nevan shut his eyes tightly.

How could he give up on the moment they’d shared—trading breath as their lips touched?

How could he disregard the gentle, spring-rain-like affection they’d passed between each other in their letters?

Nevan’s resolve began to waver.

Morris pressed the advantage.

“It’s a flower that hasn’t bloomed in sixty years. The one who guards it must be the North.”

At last, Nevan spoke.

“We’ll eliminate the danger ourselves.”

“Thank you.”

“You may go.”

“Understood. May the Winstol Tree’s blessing be with you.”

The snow that had been falling like sleet had not touched the ground in over two weeks.

---

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

Today, more than ever, those eyes—gleaming with endless desire—looked like those of a snake.

“A reinvestigation of Epacia’s case?”

“Yes. His Majesty the Dragon King has expressed suspicion over several unresolved matters and formally requests a reinvestigation to uncover the full truth.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor immediately saw through Kruh’s intentions.

Clearly, someone had put the idea in his head.

The problem was—he couldn’t quite pinpoint who.

Under Kruh’s leadership, the dragons had become more integrated with human society, forming numerous alliances.

But the Emperor, shrewd as ever, began sorting the chess pieces on the board.

He turned to Peter, standing by his side.

“There was a monthly meeting in the North not long ago, was there not?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And right after that, this request for a reinvestigation. Suspicious, wouldn’t you say?”

Peter asked,

“There have been no unusual movements in the North. Does Your Majesty believe the Grand Duke of Kirias is involved in this?”

“Isn’t the timing too convenient, Sir Hubert? The dragons are fiercely proud. Kruh has likely wanted to request a reinvestigation for Epacia’s honor many times—but he’s always held back, because of the Grand Duke. And yet, now he suddenly takes action? While the North remains quiet?”

Peter said nothing, simply bowing his head before the Emperor, who always thought three steps ahead.

The Emperor’s expression briefly lit with amusement, then fell into a weary sigh.

“Still, reopening a case that’s already been closed is foolish. The North wasn’t the only one harmed by that incident.”

And he was right.

Among the casualties were not only Northerners but also members of the imperial family who had been visiting the region—young heirs from prestigious noble houses, even their attendants. Many had gone missing without a trace, their bodies never recovered.

If Grand Duke Kirias and his retainers were the ones pulling Kruh’s strings, this would not end quietly.

Rubbing his throbbing temple, the Emperor called to the messenger.

“Go and deliver my message. Ask what the terms of the trade are.”

“Yes, understood.”

The messenger returned a day later.

Just as the Emperor had predicted, Kruh proposed a deal.

A marriage annulment for Crown Prince Seor.

[…If His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince were to enter a political marriage with my niece, Märchen, it would bring great joy to the Dragon Clan.]

The Emperor exhaled sharply as he read the rolled-up letter.

“Seor’s annulment, is it…”

Was the true objective really just an annulment and a marriage?

What did the North stand to gain from this?

No matter how much he thought about it, the Emperor couldn’t easily guess.

And no wonder—he had never shown the slightest interest in the legend passed down in Kirias.

Still, a faint thread of suspicion moved him to act.

The Emperor turned to Peter and said,

“Place someone on Ian Pearl Ruben. Discreetly. Understood?”

Peter paused for a moment, but then replied smoothly as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

“I shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”

“And summon Duke Ruben. Have some fine wine prepared.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

News of the annulment spread quickly—from the imperial palace, to high society, and all the way down to the streets.

---

I was swinging my fists in the air, gripping the annulment notice with all my might.

Now I’d never have to see that bastard Seor’s face again.

“I’m a free man!”

I flung the notice into the air, cheering in celebration—when suddenly, I heard Bain’s voice from outside.

“Wait a moment!” followed by the door slamming open.

And in walked the ex. No, not ex-boyfriend—ex-fiancé. Seor.

Seor scowled fiercely as he saw me standing there, arms raised in triumph.

“Well, you seem very pleased with yourself.”

“I’m not that pleased.”

I replied, quickly wiping the smugness off my face and answering with a blank expression.
But it was clear Seor had no intention of believing me.

He perched himself on the edge of my desk, arms crossed, and glared at me like I’d personally offended him.

So I glared right back.

Why? What? Got something to say?

“Your eyes… they look like they’re cursing at me.”

“That’s just your imagination.”

“How exactly did you manipulate the Emperor? Since when was this annulment in the works?”

Seor was trembling with betrayal.

But seriously—betrayal? I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“I wasn’t the one who planned the annulment.”

“You’re the one who kept singing the breakup song, weren’t you?”

“Sure, I sang it, but I’ve never even had a private audience with His Majesty.”

“Duke Ruben paid him a visit. And right after that, the Emperor suddenly declared the engagement null and void. And you expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it?”

“Well, that’s…”

Okay, I had told my father I wanted to break off the engagement—but I hadn’t expected the Emperor to agree so easily.

Torn between wanting to leap for joy and trying to hold back, I calmly told Seor,

“I did tell my father that I wanted to break off the engagement with Your Highness.”

“I knew it!”

“But ultimately, the one who made the final decision was none other than the Emperor himself.”

In other words: if you’ve got complaints, take them to your father.

Seor ruffled his hair with one hand in frustration.

“Damn it! Ian Pearl Ruben. Get engaged to me again.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Sensing that the conversation was about to circle back to old arguments, I preemptively went on the defensive.

“I’m not someone suited to be Crown Princess. Do you want to watch me wither away?”

“You…”

Seor’s golden eyes trembled.

Did I hit a nerve?

I braced myself, expecting him to throw one of his usual tantrums.

But… he didn’t.

Instead, he let out a hollow laugh and bared the insides he’d been guarding so tightly.

“I used to think all omegas were the same. I was a fool. You’re not like that—not like any of them—and yet I still judged you too quickly.”

“……”

“Losing you… hurts more than I expected. Did I ever tell you? The horse I raised—he died recently.”

“No.”

Seor explained that it was a horse the Emperor had given him when he was ten. It had injured its leg and had to be put down.

Then he said this felt even sadder than that.

His expression was stiff and lifeless, like that of a wooden puppet, but he was claiming to be sad—it was kind of awkward.

And why was he even telling me this?

I didn’t really want to hear it, so I used class as an excuse.

“I’m sorry Your Highness is grieving, but once something leaves—it doesn’t come back. I wish you well in finding a good match, but I have a lesson now, so…”

“Ian Pearl Ruben.”

“Ah—”

My wrist was caught, and in a flash, I was pulled into Seor’s arms.

He whispered softly into my ear.

“If you think I’ll give up on you because of this, you’re gravely mistaken. I’ll show you just how patient I can be.”

Please don’t show me, bastard.

I yanked my wrist away in annoyance and shoved out of his embrace.

“Have you ever treated me like a person even once?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You called me an omega. But I’m a person before I’m an omega. As the imperial law states, people with traits still have full rights and dignity as human beings.”

“I know that. That’s why I’m apologizing—”

“I don’t want to hear any more of Your Highness’s pathetic excuses. Please leave.”

“Ian.”

Seor called my name with a voice thick and trembling, like someone on the verge of tears.