Chapter 24
When Heliote broke the seal on the scroll with the golden dragon emblem, gold dust scattered into the air, forming an image of a great dragon. The imperial decree from the Emperor of Bellettinaum surrounded Tessarion like a command he couldn’t escape.
[Imperial Decree]
— By order of the 43rd Emperor, Griossteon, on the first day of the Moon of Sigewol, year 531.
— Crown Prince Heliote Fabien Quinter Belletti is to escort Princess Berieta and ensure the wedding proceeds successfully.
— Duke Tessarion Claremont, ruler of the North and Winter, is to support Crown Prince Heliote, help protect peace and stability with the 1st Division of the Imperial Knights, and produce an heir within three years and return to the Imperial Palace.
— If not followed, the Emperor, the Noble Council, the Lords of the East and West, and the three Archmages will hold House Claremont responsible.
The Emperor clearly meant business.
“Tsk…”
Tessarion scowled. Though the Emperor may not have realized it, it was impossible for Berieta—who was biologically male—to bear children. The “three years” was essentially a grace period.
Tessarion’s first thought upon hearing the decree was:
“Could I win a war if I took the Crown Prince hostage?”
His quick strategic calculations led to one conclusion:
If he could bring Altair—currently in Claremont Castle—to his side, the odds would be in his favor.
But if the war dragged on, Claremont would suffer heavy losses. And most importantly, Roy Dover could die again, recklessly throwing himself into danger.
“….”
Tessarion gritted his teeth and glared at Berieta. This wasn’t a plan that came out of nowhere—it must’ve been carefully thought out and written in that letter.
Heliote sneered down at him.
“Duke, are you planning to disobey the Emperor?”
“….”
Tessarion clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white, and a cold blue aura started to drift out of him. Heliote licked his lips and stepped back, ready to fight.
But then…
“…Don’t.”
A soft, tearful voice broke the tension.
Everyone was on edge, so even that small difference stood out like a thunderclap.
They all turned toward the sound.
Roy was on the floor, on his knees, crawling forward to grab the edge of Tessarion’s black cape. His trainee knight cloak made him look even smaller and more pitiful.
“Please, Duke… anything but war…”
Tessarion’s eyes, which had been colder than midwinter, wavered with complex emotion.
❖ ❖ ❖
Crown Prince Heliote, Duke Tessarion, and Princess Berieta—now his fiancée.
To commemorate this high-level meeting, the mayor of Shinnevan hosted a grand banquet. The food and wine kept coming, the musicians played, and dancers lifted everyone’s mood.
Somehow, war had been avoided this time. Roy had clung to Tessarion and begged, but that alone wouldn’t usually have worked. Tessarion wasn’t someone who would easily obey an imperial order that disadvantaged him.
And yet… he had knelt before Heliote, bowed, and said:
“I accept the Emperor’s command.”
It was good that the worst was avoided—but peace didn’t mean safety.
I glanced at Tessarion beside me.
“….”
He looked terrifying. He hadn’t touched any food or drink and just sat there, glaring at Heliote and Berieta like he wanted to kill them.
Sigh. What do I do now?
I think I’m the reason he’s in such a foul mood.
Ever since I asked him to be kinder to Berieta last night, things had become awkward. Then I recklessly rescued Berieta, helped him escape, and now Tessarion had been forced to obey the imperial decree. Things had really spiraled out of control.
All my nerves were focused on Tessarion. My mouth felt dry like I’d eaten sand, and I couldn’t sit still—like I was on a hot grill.
“Gulp…”
Like a punished child, I put my hands on my knees and watched him nervously.
But then, to make things worse—
“Dear savior,”
“…”
Princess Berieta looked at me with concern. Not at Tessarion—at me!
Between the princess on the left and the angry duke on the right, all I could do was hang my head.
I had acted like a main character when it was clearly the male lead’s job to rescue the female lead. I truly was in the wrong.
“Are you alright?” Berieta gently offered me a handkerchief.
“A-ah! Y-yes, I’m fine!”
I quickly waved her off and turned toward Tessarion, my heart pounding like a drum inside my skull.
I suddenly realized—I hadn’t even thanked the princess for her kindness. Flustered, I bowed my head and mumbled thank yous and apologies.
“Hey.”
A cold voice rang out from the high table.
The music stopped. The dancers knelt down like falling petals, awaiting the Crown Prince’s command.
Heliote looked annoyed and jerked his chin at me.
“You. Yeah, you.”
Everyone looked at me.
I stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“Yes, Your Highness. How may I serve?”
Berieta quickly stepped forward and blocked me.
“Don’t pick a fight with someone minding their own business. Just enjoy the party.”
Heliote raised one eyebrow.
“Was this party made just for me to sit alone? It was supposed to be a fun get-together, but that crybaby over there ruined the mood. All the Shinnevan mayor’s efforts are going to waste.”
Ugh, this is why I hate dealing with these uptight northerners.
Heliote glared at both me and Tessarion—then decided to bully the easiest target: me.
“Liven things up.”
“…?”
I blinked, confused. Heliote scowled and stood from the high table. He clapped his hands twice.
“Musicians, play!”
The music resumed. Dancers began moving again.
He pushed through the crowd and grabbed me by the collar, dragging me to the center of the hall.
“Heliote!”
Berieta tried to stop him, but it only made things worse. Heliote tossed me into the middle of the hall, then grabbed a dancer’s waist and laughed down at me.
“What are you doing? Dance!”
The dancers giggled and tapped my shoulder, twirling around me.
Panicked, I looked at Tessarion. Even as Berieta struggled to stand with her injured leg, Tessarion didn’t move an inch. He just kept glaring at me.
I tried to back away, but Heliote smirked and whispered:
“What? Don’t know how to dance, country boy?”
The dancers laughed loudly. My face burned.
Heliote let go of the dancer, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward him. He caught my falling body and spun me hard.
Instinctively, I held onto him and stopped breathing.
Heliote grinned.
“So, you were crying like someone died, but you know how to hold a dance position? If you’d stepped on my foot, I was going to kick your butt.”
Ugh, this guy…!
I frowned and glared at him. He kept holding me tight and twirled us across the floor in big strides.
He stopped right in front of Tessarion, smugly grabbing my waist and dipping me in a wide, spinning move.
“The party’s started—so enjoy it.”
