~Chapter 12~
Antonio was busy training the magic swordsmen for a while.
The third destination ordered by the Emperor was Kashiya, a densely populated city in the central south. Since they were targeting flying monsters in such a crowded area, they couldn’t recklessly unleash sword energy.
Even a slight misfire could cause casualties or destroy people’s homes. The precision of the attacks had to be improved to avoid harming civilians or property.
On the other hand, he also focused on information gathering.
He had several skilled magic swordsmen disguise themselves as palace guards and positioned them near his older brothers.
It was for collecting intelligence within the palace. More precisely, to understand the disgraceful behavior of his unruly brothers and prevent any possible incidents.
Late at night, after finishing training, Antonio summoned the spies to his quarters to receive their reports.
“You were right, Your Highness. Especially the Third Prince—he’s been beating the princes of Ruby Palace like firewood.”
That was the report from Callen, who had shadowed Prince Javier yesterday.
“…You didn’t just watch that happen, did you?”
Antonio’s voice turned sharp.
“What do you take me for? I picked up a rock and flung it at the back of the Third Prince’s head. In the meantime, the Prince of Tegal managed to escape behind the library. The Princess of Iote helped him hide, buying time. I treated him myself—”
“The Princess of Iote? She encountered Javier?”
Antonio shot to his feet.
His hair stood on end. Of all his brothers, she had to run into that one—the worst of the bunch. He had a bad feeling.
“Yes. Do you know her, Your Highness?”
“Did Javier lay a hand on her?”
“No. They only exchanged a few words.”
“That’s enough for today. Submit the rest of your report in writing.”
Antonio immediately grabbed an oil lamp and left his quarters.
With long strides, he reached Ruby Palace in under ten minutes. The room said to belong to the princess, on the second floor at the far end, was dark. He picked up a pebble lying at his feet and threw it at her window. Tap! Tap! The stone made a rather loud noise as it hit the window frame.
But there was no response.
He couldn’t tell if she was asleep or hadn’t returned yet.
‘They said nothing happened… Dammit. Why isn’t she opening the window?’
Feeling restless, Antonio wandered near the Ruby Palace.
The night grew deeper.
Around 10 p.m., he spotted a small figure matching the princess’s build.
He moistened his dry lips and approached her. It was indeed the princess. Her hair was shorter now, tied up high, which made her harder to recognize at first.
“Josephine of Iote. What are you doing out this late at night?”
“Oh, Antonio! It’s been a while.”
She cheerfully waved and trotted over.
“I was just coming back from the library. What about you? Why are you out at this hour?”
She asked brightly, her round eyes curling into crescent moons as she smiled.
Antonio’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Just one smile from her, and the anxiety he’d felt melted away completely.
…She’s safe.
That wave of relief washed over him like a tide, leaving him dazed for a moment.
Maybe it was the scent of wildflowers carried by the humid summer air.
“Why the library at this hour?”
His voice had softened strangely.
“I took on a translation job. Since I can’t bring the documents back to my room due to archive rules, I have to commute.”
Josephine replied in her usual bright tone.
Antonio studied her face carefully. Despite the late hour, there wasn’t a hint of sleepiness—only energy. It seemed she enjoyed her work.
He recalled how she had once staggered, unable to stand after nearly being assaulted by the priest.
Was she recovered? Was she truly okay?
She had seemed like someone who’d snap with a single touch, but here she was, standing tall again.
Antonio began to think—maybe she was stronger than he had assumed.
Suddenly, Josephine’s expression hardened as if she remembered something.
“Antonio, I just remembered something I need to tell you.”
She looked unusually serious.
“…Go on.”
She suddenly stepped closer, stood on tiptoe, and whispered into his ear.
“Be careful of the Third Prince.”
“…”
“Don’t interact with him. Even if you happen to run into him, don’t speak a word.”
Antonio was momentarily speechless.
Then, indignation flared.
“Haah… Look who’s talking.”
He swept his bangs back, utterly dumbfounded.
Who was warning whom, exactly?
He briefly recalled their first encounter. That reckless goodwill that had driven her to jump into the lake to save him—it must’ve been the same when she helped the Tegal prince escape.
Strangely, that thought didn’t sit well with him.
“Spare me the unnecessary concern.”
“It’s not unnecessary. He’s really dangerous.”
“The one who needs to be careful is you. Whatever happens, prioritize yourself—whether it’s wealth, opportunity, or your life.”
Antonio’s cold voice sank like thick fog into the night.
It was a prediction, a warning, and advice all at once.
“If you keep pitying others and saving them, you’ll never be able to protect yourself.”
He added icily.
Josephine lowered her gaze in silence. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows under the moonlight.
Neither spoke for a while. The world around them was still.
“…Alright. I will.”
After a long silence, she replied quietly.
A warm breeze rustled the white collar around her neck. Antonio realized it then—the fresh wildflower scent came from her.
Finally, a soft smile bloomed on her small face. The pale moonlight flowed gently down her slender neckline. Even her plump lips shimmered under the light.
In contrast, Antonio’s face hardened.
A strange and unfamiliar impulse surged within him.
What if he roughly crushed those soft-looking lips, or sank his teeth into that pale neck?
He had never imagined doing such a thing to a woman. He shook his head to chase the vulgar thoughts away, but a dull ache throbbed low in his stomach.
‘No matter what anyone says, maybe the most dangerous person… is me.’
Antonio swept his bangs back and sighed inwardly.
No matter what, he couldn’t leave her in this hellish palace.
He decided firmly—it was time to push his plans forward.
As dawn broke in a hazy light, a man arrived at Antonio’s quarters. He was slim, with light blond hair and grayish eyes.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Why so stiff? We’re childhood friends.”
“…You’ve grown so much, I barely recognized you.”
“It has been fifteen years. Things are bound to feel awkward. Anyway, good to see you again, Marquis Fernandez.”
Antonio held out his hand.
The marquis shook it stiffly. The Fourth Prince, now returned from Saragoth, had grown into such a massive man that, except for his black hair and golden eyes, he no longer resembled the little boy they’d played with.
“Just call me as you used to, Your Highness.”
Diego Fernandez, the marquis, had grown up alongside Antonio in the palace, having arrived as an infant before being sent to Saragoth.
“Alright, Diego. Let’s skip the small talk. I hear you’ve started a big business in the capital. That true?”
“I dabble in hospitality, as a hobby.”
At that, Antonio let out a faint chuckle.
