RODH Chapter 53

53.

A face like that of an angel—one you’d never imagine could have caused the deaths of the previous Grand Duke and Duchess.

But the moment those golden eyes, shining brilliantly, turned toward me, it felt like I had been bitten by a massive lion.

To think this man was both a devoted father and a close friend to someone kindhearted.

I knelt before the Emperor, who exuded not a trace of human warmth.

Beside me stood Nevan, who must have been summoned in advance.

“Ian Pearl Ruben of House Ruben, young lord. I present myself before Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Both of you, rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The moment we stood up, the Emperor spoke.

“I hear there are signs that the Demon Lord is stirring again?”

The question was directed at Nevan.

He raised his eyes from where they had been lowered and answered the Emperor.

“The northern mages say that both the early arrival of the monster wave and the discovery of Hollow Knight are signs of the Demon Lord’s return.”

“What is your opinion on this?”

Nevan was silent for a moment, but did not take long to respond.

“I don’t fully believe everything the mages say. However, I don’t think it would hurt to prepare.”

“Then what does the young lord of House Ruben think?”

“I…”

I had written in my letter to Nevan that I met the great sage.

But since Nevan hadn’t mentioned it, he must not have considered it credible enough to report to the Emperor.

After briefly organizing my thoughts, I spoke.

“I also agree with His Grace, Grand Duke Kirias. The difference between being prepared and being unprepared can be immense.”

“Even if it means traveling to Mount Lampert yourself?”

“Yes.”

The letter of recommendation from Ephasia was written in my name.

Even if someone else brought the sword, Frigg would not grant the request.

I had already expected this, so I simply lowered my head to the Emperor, as if there was no helping it.

A cold gaze swept the back of my neck, and then I heard the Emperor mutter,

“A talent far too precious to be given away as the Dragon Crown Prince’s consort. Seor was too slow—he lost a fine match.”

What is he talking about? He’s the one who arranged the annulment.

I responded to his shamelessness with nothing more than a polite smile.

“Nevan Nik Kirias of the North and Ian Pearl Ruben, young lord of House Ruben, hear this. You are to depart immediately for Mount Lampert to restore Hollow Knight, the demon-slaying sword. This is an imperial command from the Emperor of the Empire. You will obey it without fail.”

“We accept your command.”

---

Ian headed to the Ruben ducal estate with Nevan.

Word must’ve already spread—when the duchess saw the imperial edict, she fainted on the spot.

Ian entrusted her to the family physician and then sat down to speak with his father.

“Ian, do you think you can handle this?”

“This isn’t just anyone’s request, Father. It’s a direct order from His Imperial Majesty. And besides, I won’t be going alone.”

Ian glanced briefly at Nevan, who was seated beside him.

As the rightful owner of Hollow Knight, once wielded by the founding head of House Kirias, Nevan was to accompany him.

While they were still in the middle of their conversation, a knock came, and the door opened.

“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Sir Hubert have arrived. Following them, His Highness Crown Prince Lucian and Tower Lord Alvis have also arrived. That is all.”

“Thank you all for coming to accompany Ian.”

Upon learning of the mission, the four Alphas had all volunteered to join him.

Duke Ruben stood and bowed his head to the Alphas gathered around Ian.

Ian wasn’t afraid as long as Nevan was with him, but now that the group had grown, his heart fluttered like he was joining an adventurer’s party.

Reading the excitement on Ian’s face, his father sighed and said,

“Ian. These are all honored guests—mind your manners. Especially with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I will, Father.”

“Good. I’ll have your luggage prepared ahead of time.”

“Thank you.”

But Ian’s excitement didn’t last long.

After departing the ducal estate and heading east toward Mount Lampert, two members of the party suddenly charged ahead.

It was Seor and Lucian.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Get back here right now!”

Straying from the group invited risk of ambush and, more importantly, wasted their stamina.

They knew that perfectly well, so what were they thinking?

As Ian shouted furiously at the two who didn’t seem to care a whit about his words, Peter approached.

“They’re not going to listen.”

“Why not?”

“They made a bet—a race.”

“Excuse me?”

Did they think this was some kind of picnic?

When the two finally returned, looking like they’d tumbled through a thicket, Ian’s expression looked about three years older.

And that was only the beginning of his troubles.

Once it became known that Lucian and Alvis had left imprints on Ian, Seor insisted he had to leave his own as well and raised a commotion.

“Your Highness, we need to leave the duchy by tonight.”

Even Peter was trying to rein him in.

Ian fully agreed with Peter and insisted the imprint was meaningless.

But then Lucian pouted,

“So the breathtaking kiss we shared meant nothing to you?”

Everyone’s attention turned to Ian.

Flustered, he snapped back,

“What are you even talking about?”

“A breathtaking kiss.”

“We did not kiss!”

“We did.”

Lucian’s obnoxiously casual tone made Ian boil like a pot of soup.

“That was one-sided!”

“Still, it was intense, wasn’t it?”

“Lord Lucian!”

“My crown princess is stunning even when she’s angry.”

The foolish grin on his face made Ian want to punch him.

Just as he was fuming, Ian turned to the source of a strong, silent gaze—and saw Alvis looking utterly crushed.

Now what’s wrong with you?

Ian felt like he was going to explode.

He gripped the reins so tightly they creaked, and the usually stone-faced Nevan finally spoke.

“…Are you all right?”

His tone was oddly subdued today. Was he also bothered by the fact that other Alphas had imprinted on Ian?

Ian hadn’t thought it was a big deal until now, but seeing Nevan so downcast made him feel strangely guilty. He was about to explain that the kiss with Lucian wasn’t something he had wanted when—

“Well, I—”

Lucian and Seor began bickering again.

This time, it was over how many gifts each of them had sent to Ian’s house.

Ian had never even opened or touched any of them.

He sent them all back.

They knew that, yet they were arguing over pride.

“You think a measly gold necklace is enough to win Ian over?”

“And Your Highness sent flowers. Useless once they wilt.”

“Flowers have meaning—unlike that crude gold.”

“Are you calling Ian crude for accepting the gold?”

“Did Ian even accept it? Ian Pearl Ruben, is that true?”

Ian pressed a hand to his forehead.

He wanted to throw these idiots off a cliff.

Seor pressed again.

“Did you receive it or not?!”

“I did.”

“You hear that?”

“Damn it, what’s so great about that gaudy gold?!”

“I didn’t take it because I liked it. I accepted it as a favor. And Lord Lucian, could you stop twisting things?”

“What did I twist?”

Lucian looked as clueless as a child, which made Ian even more furious.

Evening was falling, and they were still arguing.

Ian let out a long sigh and spoke.

“I’m exhausted. Let’s make camp here tonight.”

Peter returned from scouting the area and nodded in agreement.

---

It definitely felt like I had packed light, but once I started pulling things out, I had everything under the sun.

“Bain, why did you bring a nightcap?”

Bain grinned sheepishly.

“It’s cold outside. I heard most of your body heat escapes from your head.”

“Oh, that’s smart.”

“Ahem. It’s just common sense if I’m going to serve the young lord properly.”

I felt a twinge of guilt that Bain had to come along on such a long journey.

While Lucian and Seor were halfway through setting up their tents, they came over to ask where I was planning to sleep.

Naturally, I told them I’d be sleeping in my own tent. At that, something odd flickered in their eyes.

Lucian spoke first.

“Ian, you’re the crown princess-to-be. You should sleep in my tent. I’ll keep you safe.”

“What kind of twisted talk is that, you shady bastard. Ian, it’d be better to stay with me than with that guy. I swear I won’t so much as lift a finger without your permission.”

Behind the two makeshift tents stood an imposing, fully built house.

The person who stepped out the door was Alvis.

“I thought a proper house would be more comfortable than tents, so I made one.”

“Does it have enough rooms?”

Alvis nodded brightly.

Exhausted, I announced in a tired voice,

“Let’s just ditch the tents and stay at Lord Alvis’s place. It’s a mage’s house—no beast or person will be getting in easily.”

“Sounds good.”

All the Alphas—except Nevan—looked visibly displeased.

I didn’t care. I chose the room next to Bain’s and settled in.

Room assignments were decided with rock-paper-scissors. Amusingly, Lucian and Seor ended up having to share a double room.

“I’ll switch with them,” Peter offered, trying to give up his room.

But Seor, as if his pride was on the line, stubbornly insisted on sharing a room with Lucian.

Alvis ended up in the room beside Bain’s, and Nevan took the room next to mine.

Whether this arrangement would last until the end of the journey, I didn’t know—but it was nice to have some structure.

“Immature idiots…”

Not knowing if the walls were soundproof, I muttered under my breath. Then I heard a creak from nearby.

I immediately sat up.

Creak—

Maybe it was because the beds had been conjured by magic, but the quality left much to be desired.

The walls were thin, and it was obvious the beds were positioned directly across from each other.

I traced the direction of the wall and suddenly held my breath.

The bed was to the left.

That was Nevan’s room.

Ah, crap.

Did he hear me calling them immature idiots earlier?

I didn’t care how the others saw me—but I wanted to leave a good impression on Nevan.

Not just because he made my heart race…

Just as my tangled thoughts began to spin out of control, a low voice came through the wall.

“Are you still awake?”