Episode 8
I spoke, my voice trembling with emotion.
“How could I not worry about you?”
I can’t rest easy until I’ve completed your revenge and placed you on a path of flowers!
Harnen gave a languid smile at my words.
“I’m happy, Einra.”
Maybe it’s because he really was an emperor in his past life.
Harnen’s lazy smile gave off the aura of a well-fed predator.
Sniff… my ultimate favorite. No matter what he does, he’s cool, cute, pretty—he’s got it all.
As I wiped my imaginary tears away, I suddenly lifted my head.
“Oh, right. Harnen, how’s the search for evidence going? Is there anything else I can help with?”
Right now, only three people knew that Harnen had been the emperor of the Belzesty Empire in his past life: me, Duke Serenia—Akes—and the Emperor of Elberk.
Since Harnen had confessed it himself, there was no need to hide that I knew.
Of course, since he hadn’t told me everything about his past, I still had to be careful with my words.
When I brought up the evidence he was collecting to bring down the Belzesty nobility, Harnen gently shook his head to say it was fine.
“No, it’s fine. The Quiels you sent last time are more than enough.”
Quiels were low-ranking water spirits shaped like small blue mermaids. I had sent them to assist Harnen.
If they were to stay near Harnen in the capital for a long time, it was best to send spirits like Quiels that were easy to summon.
They were primarily tasked with keeping an eye on the Belzesty nobles, but lately, they seemed to also be helping in collecting evidence.
If I go up to the capital, I could help even more…
That’s what I kept thinking, but I still couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud.
If I go to the capital, I’ll inevitably have to visit the imperial palace often.
Which means a higher chance of running into Akes.
Ever since that dark history, Akes had avoided me to the point of wearing a mask again—until he left for the war against the Semel tribe from the barren lands.
Given that, and the fact that Akes had just returned and was probably enjoying his victory, showing up in front of him now would surely ruin his mood.
Besides, tomorrow is his birthday—when the acacia flowers begin to bloom.
Heading to the capital now really wasn’t a good idea.
Still, I am a water spirit mage. I’ll have to go eventually. Before then, I need to make sure Akes doesn’t hate me…
“Harnen?”
“Yes, Einra?”
I cleared my throat and finally asked the question I’d been meaning to ask for a while.
“…Is Akes doing well?”
Harnen’s handsome face, which had been smiling brightly, suddenly twisted in annoyance.
“Ah… that damn duke.”
“Harnen! Don’t call him that!”
Akes is your patron, your boss, and one of your few allies!
When I scolded him, Harnen’s expression instantly softened like a flower blooming in spring.
“You don’t need to worry about His Grace at all, Einra. He’s doing very, very well.”
“Really? Is he still wearing the mask?”
“He wears it when he wants to, takes it off when he wants to.”
Harnen replied in a gentle voice.
His face showed complete disinterest, as if he wouldn’t care even if Akes wore the mask, took it off, or used it to dance the tango.
“So don’t worry about him. Just worry about me, okay?”
Harnen said in a coaxing tone, as if trying to soothe me.
I looked at him with misty eyes.
Oh, my dearest favorite Harnen… Akes is one of your allies, you know?
As I was lost in those thoughts, I suddenly remembered As.
“Oh, Harnen. Do you happen to know a noble boy with black hair and red eyes? He’s about ten years old.”
“Black hair and red eyes? Hmm… not a common combination.”
“His hair is a little wavy and reaches down to his waist. His face is super cute. His name’s As.”
“…As?”
Harnen froze for a moment.
I nodded.
“A few days ago, he collapsed in front of my house, covered in wounds. I treated him, but when I tried to send him home, he said he couldn’t remember where he lived…”
“Damn it.”
Harnen’s face instantly darkened, and he jumped to his feet.
I blinked slowly, pretending not to notice my favorite’s real personality showing through.
Well, it figures.
Just because he’s my favorite doesn’t mean he has to be a saint.
I never said he had a good personality…
Harnen, who had just cursed, looked ready to rush out the door, but a voice stopped him in his tracks.
It was Count Chevila, Akes’ aide.
“Lord Harnen, I trust you remember your audience with His Majesty the Emperor at 8 p.m. tonight.”
“…Ah, damn it. I’m seriously going to lose it.”
Harnen sighed, raking a hand through his hair as he slumped back into his seat.
He looked at me again with a bright, spring-sunshine smile.
His double-faced switch in demeanor brought tears to my eyes.
My poor favorite.
Just how much suffering did he endure as emperor to get so good at changing expressions on the fly…?
“Einra, I think I’ll come to your place earlier than planned.”
My eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Really? When?”
“At the very least, before this month ends.”
“Yes!!”
Finally, I’ll get to see my favorite after nearly a month of him being too busy!
Beaming, I shouted in excitement, and Harnen looked at me fondly as he added:
“Until then, be careful with that As kid.”
“Huh? As? Why?”
“He’s a shady little wolf cub. It’s obvious just looking at him.”
He spat the words out like they left a bad taste in his mouth, then smiled sweetly again and asked, “Alright?”
I blinked in confusion, not quite understanding what he meant. Then my brows furrowed.
“…Did you just call that little kid a shady wolf cub?”
“Einra, that kid is…”
“That’s too much! How can you say something so cruel about a child?! Take it back!”
“Haa…”
Harnen sighed deeply, rubbing his temples like he had a headache. Then he ran his fingers through his hair and looked up.
He smiled softly, as if to reassure me.
“If it’ll put your mind at ease, I’ll take it back.”
“Thanks!”
“But you’ve only just met him, so it’s best to be a little cautious.”
He added.
I nodded, looking a little gloomy, but then something clicked and I jerked my head up.
Wait a second.
No matter how messy Harnen’s personality is, he’s not the kind of person who would insult someone he’s never met.
Which means… Harnen already knows who As is!
“Come to think of it—do you know who As is?”
I asked with wide eyes.
Harnen stared at me for a moment like he was measuring something, then nodded.
“Yeah, I know.”
His reply made my eyes light up.
“Who is he?”
Harnen narrowed his eyes and leaned back against his chair.
“A veeery high-ranking noble young master.”
“A high-ranking noble…?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
I thought I knew most of the influential nobles by now…
Even though I’m currently staying in Count Hyla’s territory, I’m the only spirit mage in the world contracted with a Spirit King.
A Spirit King’s contractor has massive influence worldwide.
Naturally, noble families scrambled to form connections with me, and I was basically forced to learn about all of them.
But now, just five years later, there’s a high-ranking noble kid I’ve never even heard of?
What family could he possibly be from?
While I scratched my cheek, Harnen continued.
“Just keep it at that. I’ll handle the matter with that boy myself. There’s nothing good in it for you to get involved.”
A crooked smile tugged at his lips.
It was the kind of arrogant smile that made me scratch my cheek and avert my eyes.
Maybe he had some kind of bad history with As’s family…
