{ Chapter 31 }
“What? I didn’t even mention the Crown Prince in that note.”
[It’s because they found out about Shiz, right? Otherwise, there’s no reason for you to leave so suddenly.]
“How do you even know that—wait, no. Why? Why don’t you want me to go?”
[Because I can fix this.]
“You think you can solve this problem?”
[Yes.]
Aska’s voice over the channel was full of confidence. For a moment, I felt shaken.
But…
“It’s already too late. My resignation letter was sent by express. It should’ve arrived by now—and probably already been approved. They’ve been waiting for me to step down.”
Aska seemed caught off guard. He stayed quiet for a while.
Outside the train, a station worker rang a bell. Just as the train doors were closing, Aska finally spoke again.
[If you don’t believe me, fine. I’ll handle it and see you later.]
“…Handle it?”
That didn’t sound good.
“Hey—you’re not planning to do anything stupid to the Crown Prince, are you?”
But instead of answering, the call disconnected with a click—right when I was about to hang up myself.
“Huh? Aska? Aska! What the—he just says what he wants and hangs up!”
“What did Ash say?”
“Ugh, don’t even ask. That lunatic! What kind of nonsense is that first thing in the morning?”
“Bad word! The headmistress said we’re not supposed to say mean things!”
I ripped the connector off and threw it somewhere into my bag.
“And what’s with ‘see you later’? He doesn’t even know where we’re going…”
The train whistle drowned out my words. It was the signal for departure.
***
Tap, tap.
Reyester tapped rhythmically on the smooth marble surface of his desk.
In front of him was a single piece of paper—the resignation letter submitted by that mage, brought in early by his aide, Sabin.
“So fast,” he muttered.
The way Relshiz Baltain had clung to the palace, it felt almost unbelievable. But now, she had raised the white flag.
“Still…”
Reyester’s brows furrowed slowly.
“It doesn’t feel like I won.”
Sabin, quietly listening nearby, closed his eyes.
‘There he goes again.’
Crown Prince Reyester, despite his elegant and beautiful appearance, had a cruel personality.
He didn’t just defeat his enemies—he crushed them completely.
So, simply forcing Relshiz out wasn’t enough for him.
“I mean, she made me suffer too.”
If anyone had suffered, it was obviously Relshiz. But Sabin wasn’t stupid enough to say that out loud.
“I’ll accept the resignation. But still… what should we demand from her in return?”
Sabin hesitated, then cautiously offered:
“Um… Isn’t resigning enough?”
“Just that?”
Reyester smiled darkly.
“She’s dangerous. What if she joins Dallen? That would be a big problem.”
“Then… maybe send her far away from the capital? Somewhere like the southern countryside…”
“That’s too close. Maybe… I should send her to the north on a beast-hunting mission?”
His dark eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam.
Edelheim North—a brutal, icy land where terrifying monsters crossed the border regularly. It was a place where no one settled, and only the bare minimum military force was stationed for safety.
Most couldn’t survive there long.
“She’ll be too busy fighting monsters to think of coming back.”
“That would work well to keep her away… but…”
Sabin paused to take a breath.
“There’s the child. The northern environment would be too harsh for a young kid.”
Reyester’s fingers stopped tapping the desk.
Oh. Right.
The child.
That girl looked just like her mother. The first time he saw her, it had been obvious—though somehow, he missed it at first.
And her name—Shiz.
Thinking back, Reyester felt foolish. He also regretted it.
‘I should have known right away.’
If he had known, he wouldn’t have tied her hair or dusted off her clothes.
Then maybe he wouldn’t be feeling this weird, unpleasant emotion now.
“Are you really going to send her to the north?”
“That’s the plan.”
“She’ll have to take her six-year-old daughter with her. You know, kids can’t grow up without a guardian.”
“…”
At Sabin’s words, Reyester felt his mood souring even more.
‘Why am I feeling guilty over getting rid of someone in my way?’
He glanced down at his hand.
On his index finger was a bright blue diamond ring, glowing softly in the light. Coincidentally, it was the same finger where Shiz had put on that cheap little flower ring the other day.
That silly little flower ring was somewhere in his drawer now. He didn’t even know why he hadn’t thrown it away.
And those teary green eyes kept flashing in his mind—so annoying.
‘She cried.’
Because of me.
Just like Dallen had, long ago.
“Even so, it feels like she left too quickly,” Sabin muttered as he thought deeply.
“Do you think she’s already left the capital?”
“Left?” Reyester asked.
“Well, if she expected Your Highness to react badly, maybe she decided it was better to leave altogether. If she’s being blackmailed or cornered, she might think running away is the smarter option.”
“If she disappears on her own forever, I’d be grateful.” Reyester muttered coldly.
He imagined the mother and daughter leaving the capital with all their luggage—maybe by carriage, train, or ship, heading far away.
For a moment, he felt strangely empty, like he had dropped something important. But he quickly shook the feeling off.
“Prepare a banquet, Sabin.”
“Pardon? By when?”
“Tomorrow.”
“T-Tomorrow?”
“I’ve pulled out a rotten tooth—now it’s time to celebrate. Invite everyone, and make sure the alcohol flows twice as much as usual.”
Right after saying that, Reyester waved his hand, signaling for Sabin to leave—clearly not expecting any more conversation.
“That terrible habit again…” Sabin swallowed his complaints and left the room with a gloomy face.
* * *
Thanks to his capable aide, Reyester’s banquet was held the very next day.
At the outer palace’s grand hall, many nobles showed up to the sudden social gathering with smiles on their faces. The noble ladies who had always taken an interest in Reyester were, of course, there too.
Even though the event was planned in a rush, the food and wine were of the highest quality.
“It looks like he really went all out… but why?” Guests whispered to one another.
Despite being the host, Reyester didn’t seem to be enjoying himself. He didn’t even look pleased.
Everyone was curious—why throw a banquet now?
“Is it about the princess?”
“No, maybe it’s about that mage.”
“Could be because of the Queen.”
Reyester, being sharp, was aware of the questions hanging in the air.
“Are you wondering why I’m hosting this banquet?” he suddenly asked.
“Will you tell us?”
“It’s not that hard to guess.”
He emptied his glass in one swift motion, just about to announce the resignation of the royal court’s chief mage—
But just then, a commotion from outside drowned out his voice.
“Please show your invitation first—”
“I don’t understand why you’re stopping me. I have the most trustworthy identity here.”
“But according to the rules—wait! You can’t go in right now!”
The guards raised their voices, and at the same moment, the banquet hall doors slammed open.
Reyester’s eyes widened as he saw who entered.
“The Tower Master of Dawn?”
It was Aska Willovis—an unexpected and extremely rude guest.
