Chapter 78
“A Subtle Shift”
Diana’s expression didn’t look good.
Lueri, concerned, kept staring at her persistently, even though she was avoiding his gaze.
“Diana…”
Was it not just choking earlier? Was it actually a real cough?
He was about to ask if she was okay—wondering if she might be unwell—when someone called out to him.
“Sir Lueri.”
Lueri slowly turned his head. A man stood before him.
Pinned to the center of his white jacket was a gold clover brooch with a small diamond.
It was the symbol of the Emperor’s elite knight order.
“Who are you?”
“…His Majesty is asking for you.”
The knight whispered quietly.
Sensing something unusual, Lueri quietly stood up and slipped out of the hall.
Diana’s eyes slowly followed him as he walked away.
* * *
“The Emperor’s Arrangement”
“Where are we going?”
The knight wasn’t heading toward the Emperor’s palace. That’s where the Emperor’s office should be.
Lueri glanced at the knight suspiciously. It wasn’t the knight he usually met—it was someone new.
Sensing Lueri’s doubt, the knight calmly said:
“We’re going to the Empress’s palace. His Majesty is currently there.”
Lueri shut his mouth, feeling a little awkward.
“And I’m newly appointed,” the knight added, his expression stiff.
“…Sorry.”
Lueri cleared his throat, shifting his eyes. Soon, they reached the Empress’s palace. Though he’d visited the royal palace many times, this was his first time here.
Even after being revealed as the Emperor’s son, Lueri had never met the Empress or his half-siblings—the Crown Prince or the princesses. He assumed they wouldn’t welcome him.
Technically, Lueri was the emperor’s eldest son. That alone made him a threat in their eyes.
Standing before the Empress’s palace, Lueri paused.
“Is the Empress… with other people too?”
“Yes.”
Hearing that, Lueri’s expression darkened.
He had never once wanted to meet them. To him, family meant the Tower Master, Diana, and the Emperor—nothing more.
“I should get back to the magic festival…”
“Lueri.”
A commanding voice echoed behind him just as he turned to leave.
He slowly turned his head.
“Father.”
It was the Emperor himself.
“You’ve come all this way—where are you going now?”
“I heard others are here. I don’t belong.”
“This isn’t to introduce you to them.”
“…Pardon?”
Lueri’s brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
“Come with me.”
He followed the Emperor into the garden inside the Empress’s palace.
“This place…”
The Emperor didn’t answer and kept walking. Soon, they arrived at a glass terrace where the Empress and two young nobles—a man and a woman—were seated.
“Welcome.”
The Empress smiled warmly and stood to greet him. The others followed.
Though uncomfortable, Lueri knew he had to show proper respect.
“Greetings to the Moon of the Edith Empire, Your Majesty.”
“No need to be so formal. If you’re His Majesty’s son, then you’re my son, too.”
He stared at her. Her smile was bright and warm—but her true intentions were unreadable.
“I asked His Majesty to bring you. I’ve wanted to meet you.”
Why would she want to meet me? Lueri stayed stiff and cautious.
“Please sit. Let’s talk slowly.”
He sat beside the Emperor and looked around.
The young man, presumably the Crown Prince, looked just a few years younger than him. Next to him was a young woman, seemingly the princess—but oddly, they appeared the same age.
The prince, who looked exactly like the Emperor, nodded casually. Lueri awkwardly returned the gesture.
“I wanted to introduce someone to you,” the Empress said.
“To me?”
“Yes. And since we’re at it, I also called the Crown Prince so you could meet your sibling.”
Lueri picked up his teacup slowly.
“So who exactly am I being introduced to?”
He planned to make it quick and return to Diana as soon as possible.
“Go ahead, dear. This is Lueri, His Majesty’s son.”
Lueri looked at the young woman again. So she wasn’t a princess—just a noble lady.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Antea de Iverque, eldest daughter of the Duke of Iverque.”
Antea shyly tucked her pink hair behind her ear and smiled. She called him Your Highness.
That’s when Lueri understood.
Instead of fearing the emperor’s hidden son, they chose to publicly acknowledge him as a prince.
And rather than waste a noblewoman who wasn’t fit for the Crown Prince, they wanted to marry her to him.
He narrowed his eyes at the Empress. She smiled brightly, pretending not to notice anything.
He sighed softly and said, calmly:
“Don’t call me ‘Your Highness.’ I’m just a mage.”
This is why I didn’t want to come. His bad feeling had been right again.
He couldn’t leave with the Emperor in front of him.
“The Empress was worried you haven’t married yet,” the Emperor added, seeming sincere.
“You’re not getting any younger. It’s past time, Lueri.”
“Father, I…”
“I’m going to declare publicly that you are my eldest son.”
Lueri blinked.
“Even though there’s a Crown Prince, you are still my child. It’s only right to let you compete for the throne.”
At that, the Empress gasped and looked at the Emperor.
“What are you saying, Your Majesty? Wolfram is already Crown Prince!”
Her voice trembled.
Lueri quickly spoke up.
“I have no interest in the throne. I’ll swear it on my life right now if you wish.”
Hearing that, both the Empress and Crown Prince sighed in relief.
“Fine, but you still need to marry. Lady Antea has status, beauty—she’s perfect for you.”
The Emperor smiled proudly, glancing between them.
Lueri looked at Antea.
She was young and undeniably beautiful. But—
“Father, I…”
His mind filled with the image of Diana.
To me, she is the most beautiful person in the world.
Even time itself can’t take away her beauty, because it comes from within.
Her strength, her compassion—like when she risked herself for a child at the orphanage…
“I’m not thinking of marriage right now.”
He stood up, the urge to see Diana overwhelming him.
“Lueri!”
“Forgive me, Father. And my apologies, Lady Antea.”
“Oh my…”
The Empress hid her face with her fan—probably to hide her irritation at his indifference.
“And one more thing… I truly have no interest in the throne. Please don’t worry unnecessarily, Your Majesty.”
Lueri’s gaze turned cold as he looked between the Empress and Crown Prince.
“If I wanted the throne, I would’ve used this long ago.”
He held up his hand, and a small flame burst forth.
The Empress and Crown Prince flinched and swallowed hard.
“Lueri! Still, marriage is—”
He didn’t need to hear the rest.
Lueri bowed his head to the Emperor and said firmly:
“I already have someone I love.”
With that, he turned and left the garden.
He could feel the Emperor calling behind him—but his steps were already quickening.
* * *
“Unwanted Proposal”
Lueri arrived back at the banquet hall and looked around.
The room was calm—thankfully, the event hadn’t started yet.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, someone tugged at his sleeve.
He recognized the voice instantly. With a look of disbelief, he turned around.
As expected—it was Antea holding onto his robe.
“I really like you, Your Highness.”
“…What should I say? I don’t like you.”
“That doesn’t matter. My position as the duke’s heir could be taken by a younger sibling who doesn’t even share my blood. I’m just trying to secure things early—by holding your hand.”
“I have no intention of becoming a prince.”
As Lueri turned to walk away, Antea stepped closer.
She leaned in—so close her lips were just a breath away from his.
Startled, Lueri gently pushed her back.
Luckily, no one was in the corridor to see.
“Marry me, Lueri.”
“…I refuse.”
“You’ll have to get married someday. Don’t you dream of it? Of marriage?”
Lueri’s shoulders stiffened slightly.
Yes—he did have a dream of marriage.
Specifically, a dream of marrying Diana.
“Don’t you want to marry someone beautiful… have children… and live happily?”
His eyes wavered at her words.
Yes. That’s exactly what I want most right now…
To love Diana and live a happy life together.
“See? You want it too.”
And just behind the wall nearby…
Diana—who had accidentally overheard everything—was standing frozen,
her hand covering her mouth in shock.
I think she reliazed