Chapter 23.
A Dangerous Invitation
I was more worried than happy when I received the sudden news that Robby was coming to Pritan.
Did something so urgent happen that he had to travel all the way here to see me?
Even during dinner, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
“Your Majesty, are you not happy that Young Master Robby is coming?”
Millie poured tea into my cup as she cautiously observed my expression.
“I thought you’d be delighted, but you seem rather concerned.”
“I am,” I nodded slowly and picked up my teacup.
“For Robby to come all the way here, he must’ve received permission from Count Stone. But that man has always treated me like a thorn in his side.”
“That’s true. He was always obsessed with marrying off Young Master Robby to Miss Hailey.”
Millie frowned in agreement.
“Why would someone like that suddenly send Robby to me?”
Millie, who had become just as serious, quickly refilled my teacup.
“Surely, Young Master Robby wouldn’t mean any harm. You haven’t seen each other in a long time—why not catch up and enjoy the visit?”
“And you’ll get to see your first love again too, Millie. Sounds like a good time for you.”
My teasing words turned Millie bright red.
“Oh, right! Maybe Robby’s visiting because of you.”
“W-What do you mean by that?”
Millie, now red to her ears, looked up at me in confusion.
“You were so loyal to Robby back home, but the moment you got to Pritan, you started flirting with Sir William, Sir Ralph, even Sir Freddy. Maybe he’s here to confront you about that?”
“T-That’s not it at all!!!”
Startled by my completely baseless teasing, Millie hugged her tray to her chest and hurried toward the door.
“Millie, where are you going all of a sudden?”
“To get dessert!”
“Adele’s bringing the dessert.”
“……”
Watching Millie stand there with a flustered, teary-eyed look made me laugh.
Her antics helped ease the anxiety I’d felt ever since hearing Robby was coming.
The carriage that Emperor Haron had lent to Count Stone was on its fifth day of travel toward Pritan.
As expected of a royal carriage, it was luxurious and more comfortable than anything the Stone household owned—but Robby’s furrowed brow hadn’t relaxed once.
“My son, the Emperor has finally summoned me to the palace. After all these years of flattering Marquess Uzkal and biding my time in the capital, it seems my efforts are finally bearing fruit.”
Count Stone had been elated when he received the royal summons through Marquess Uzkal, acting as if he’d caught the rope to high office.
In truth, Count Stone’s domain was far in the southern regions, well removed from the capital.
If he had focused solely on managing his territory, he would never have laid eyes on the Emperor his entire life.
Like many nobles who lingered in the capital seeking advancement, Count Stone had established a residence there early on, traveling between it and his domain while eagerly awaiting an opportunity to gain the Emperor’s favor.
Sending his only son Robby to train in swordsmanship under Marquess Uzkal wasn’t just for martial skill—it was in hopes that Robby would hit it off with the Marquess’s daughter, Hailey.
Despite his wretched character, Count Stone believed that a connection with the family dubbed “the Emperor’s hounds” would open doors.
But his clueless son became best friends with the illegitimate daughter, Lea, instead of Hailey, much to Count Stone’s fury.
With no visible path to advancement and the cost of maintaining his capital residence growing burdensome, Count Stone’s opportunity had finally arrived.
Returning from his audience with the Emperor, Count Stone was visibly thrilled.
“Robby, pack your things and head to Pritan at once.”
“Why Pritan?”
“To see Lea, of course. You must miss her terribly.”
“But you’ve always disapproved of me being close to Lea.”
No matter how warmly Count Stone smiled or urged him along, Robby wasn’t buying it.
He’d been scolded countless times for being glued to Lea, the disgrace of the Marquess’s household—yet now he was being told to go see her?
“This is a royal command. His Majesty himself provided the carriage and expenses.”
Recalling his past actions, Count Stone forced a sheepish smile as he looked at his son. Robby, in turn, gave his father a look full of suspicion.
“His Majesty said to check on Queen Lea and see if she’s doing well, then report back.”
“Why would His Majesty give me such a task? I’m not one of his people.”
“Who knows? Lea was once nearly the queen-to-be. Maybe the Emperor feels guilty for sending her to that frigid land.”
Robby nearly snorted in disbelief.
Even a starving stray dog rummaging through the capital’s trash knew the Emperor wasn’t someone who felt guilt.
“If that’s true, he could’ve just sent a royal official.”
“Oh, stop asking questions! If you’re so curious, go ask His Majesty yourself!”
Irritated by Robby’s endless questioning, Count Stone finally snapped.
“Here, this is the letter from His Majesty. Maybe it’ll explain. He ordered that you depart without delay. You’ll travel with Hans. As luck would have it, the King of Pritan has been absent from the castle for months. He’s probably off somewhere drenched in blood again.”
“Now? Shouldn’t I request formal permission before meeting the queen of another country?”
“It’s not an official visit—it’s just childhood friends meeting. Why go through the trouble?”
“But, Father—”
“Fine, fine. I’ll notify the Pritan castle that you’re coming. Happy now?”
After half-heartedly placating his uneasy son, Count Stone left in haste.
He had skimmed part of the travel funds gifted by the Emperor and was dying to see what was inside.
Back in the carriage, Robby trembled slightly as he recalled the greedy gleam in his father’s eyes.
“Young Master, shall I fetch another blanket? Or perhaps some hot tea?”
Hans, the Stone family’s steward, looked at him with concern.
“I’m fine, Hans.”
“We’ve still got at least ten days to go, and it’s already freezing. Who knows how cold it’ll be in Pritan? No wonder they call it the forsaken land.”
Hans wrapped his blanket tighter, shivering.
“Try to get some rest, sir. It’s going to be a long journey. You’ll need your strength.”
“Alright. You should get some rest too.”
As he reassured Hans, Robby pulled out Emperor Haron’s letter from his pocket and reread it.
“Monitor Lea Uzkal’s condition closely. Report any abnormalities immediately.”
The Emperor hadn’t specified what Robby should look for—only a vague “abnormality.”
How is Lea holding up there? Is she crying in pain every day?
Suddenly, Robby remembered the piercing, cold glare Micloc had given him from Lea’s window.
That cruel look mirrored the harsh weather they were traveling through.
A man with eyes like that could never make Lea happy.
Robby clenched his fist tightly.
If you make Lea unhappy, not even the King of Pritan or Emperor Haron will be spared.
Though the night’s chill seeped into the carriage, all Robby could think about was Lea.
“It is a great honor to receive Your Highness at our humble Malau castle.”
When Micloc and the Special Knight Order arrived, escorted by the envoy Yamal, the King of Malau and his officials welcomed them at the gate.
The King of Malau had an oddly ageless face, smooth skin, and an eerie aura.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“You must be tired after your long journey. Please, rest here in our humble abode. Though we requested only one night, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Micloc responded with a mild smile.
“We’ve prepared warm lodgings and a feast for your knights.”
“No need.”
The king flinched at Micloc’s sudden rejection and looked up at him.
“Only I and two close knights will enter the castle. The rest will remain outside. You needn’t trouble yourselves.”
“But the cold—what if they fall ill…”
“The cold of Malau won’t harm my knights. Rest easy.”
Though his words were courteous, Micloc’s frigid gaze conveyed a silent warning: Don’t try anything foolish.
The King of Malau, catching the hint, stepped back with a forced smile.
“Then, please, come inside.”
Micloc entered the castle with William, leaving the knights behind.
“We’ve prepared a small banquet in Your Highness’s honor.”
“I’ve grown tired from prolonged battles. A simple meal and a bed will suffice.”
“But surely we can’t treat such a noble guest so simply—”
“The peace treaty between our nations is generous enough. I know Malau yielded much. Let us save the feast for another day.”
With polite firmness, Micloc shut down further insistence.
Servants guided Micloc and William to their rooms, where a generous banquet was already laid out.
“Ugh. No matter how human they look, demons are demons.”
Once alone, William exhaled deeply and flung open a window.
“Why?”
“Didn’t you notice? The king and nobles all had this weird seductive energy about them. Not normal.”
Micloc tilted his head.
“That so? I just…”
“Yes?”
“I was more surprised they all had the same platinum hair as Lea. In Pritan, she’s the only one like that. I didn’t expect it to be so common here.”
“Of course…”
Even among demons known for luring humans to their doom, Micloc’s mind was still Lea, Lea, Lea. William could only shake his head in amazement.
“Anyway, we’d better eat and rest. We leave at dawn.”
“You’re really going to eat this?”
William looked alarmed—understandably wary of consuming food from demons when he didn’t know their intentions.
“If my guess is right, they didn’t tamper with the food.”
“What kind of guess is that?”
“…We’ll see soon enough.”
Micloc smiled faintly and began eating. Hunger soon won over William’s doubt, and he followed suit.
Once they’d finished, Malau servants came to quietly clear the table and laid out robes, towels, and undergarments.
“Would you like a maid to assist with your bath?”
“No need.”
“Understood. Sir Knight, there’s a private bath through the next room. Your bed is prepared there too.”
Micloc nodded, and William left with the attendants.
Micloc entered the bath adjoining his bedroom and sank into the hot water. His tense muscles loosened, and a sweet rose scent filled the air.
“…Lea.”
The fragrance immediately reminded him of her. That sweeter, richer scent she carried on their wedding night—he longed for it madly.
Clink.
Suddenly, a faint clink of teacups came from the bedroom.
Rising from the bath, water streamed down his sculpted body. Micloc swiftly wrapped himself in a robe and gripped a towel in both hands.
He silently stepped into the bedroom—only to find a woman with platinum hair cascading down her back, pouring tea in a sheer robe.
Her figure, her movements… unmistakably—
“Lea…?”
Was he hallucinating from longing? He knew she couldn’t be here, yet joy flooded him uncontrollably.
The woman slowly turned.
Bathed in moonlight, her fair face and deep violet eyes looked straight at him.
“How are you here…?”
With a soft curve of her violet eyes, her voice drifted gently to him—
“I missed you so much, Prince Micloc.”
