“...I see. If you know that I have been unable to act despite knowing the location, then you must also realize how difficult of a task it truly is.”

The Emperor let out a sarcastic scoff and asked.

“Do you honestly believe it is possible for you? Something I have failed to achieve for over a decade...”

“I can do it.”

—If it is for the sake of obtaining the Crown Prince.

A mad glint flashed in Richard’s eyes.

“So long as you pay the price, without fail.”

“The price, you say...”

The Emperor gave a hollow laugh. From his perspective, this was a trade with no real cost. As Richard said, he utterly disliked the Crown Prince, Caelus.

No, he loathed him.

“...Quite interesting indeed.”

A twisted smile flickered across the Emperor’s lips. He still did not believe Richard could pull it off. However, since it was a deal with no loss for him.

“I accept the trade.”

In the end, he nodded his head.

***

‘That ended smoothly.’

Having finished his conversation with the Emperor, Richard stepped out of the Central Palace. The sun shattered into pieces as it shone down upon the Imperial gardens. Golden roses lined both sides, their petals scattering in the gentle breeze, while lotus flowers bloomed with noble grace atop the jade-colored pond.

‘What I must do next is...’

Just as he had confidently told the Emperor: retrieve the Empress’s corpse. It shouldn't be too difficult.

‘I’ll have to approach the Duke Chesica’s estate soon.’

Perhaps because he had finished the deal with the Emperor as planned, his steps felt particularly light.

‘Now then...’

Richard hummed as he took steps along the bridge stretching over the pond.

‘I should return to the estate.’

It had been two days since he had fainted from the poisoned tea at the party. He had been away from the Marquis’s estate for two whole days. If he didn't want to face a harsh reception, it was best to return as early as possible.

However, as they say, the enemy always meets on a single-log bridge[[ut6dqw]].

“...!”

At the end of the bridge on the opposite side. A cold-faced Caelus stood perfectly still. His navy-blue robe fluttered in the blowing wind.

“I greet the Crown Prince.”

Richard immediately offered a formal greeting.

“...”

Red eyes looked down at Richard for a long time.

“...”

“...”

“...?”

For a while, he neither moved out of the way nor spoke.

“...Do you perhaps have something to say...?”

“What did you discuss?”

A blunt question flew at him in a flat voice.

“If you mean the conversation...”

“Yes, I am asking what you spoke of with the Imperial Father.”

“...Hmm.”

Richard paused for a moment, rolling his eyes. Recalling the Emperor’s voice from his brief memory, Richard soon gave a bright smile toward Caelus.

“I made a request for him to give the Crown Prince to me.”

“...Ha.”

A hollow laugh leaked from the other man.

“...And did he say he would grant such an absurd request?”

Caelus asked, twisting his lips. He looked as if he was certain there was no way it had been accepted.

“Well.”

Richard gave a meaningful smile as he looked at him. Then, he simply shrugged his shoulders, passing over the question with an ambiguous response.

“...”

For a split second, he saw Caelus’s face stiffen, but he didn't pay it any mind.

“More importantly...”

Richard took a step closer to him, pulling the corners of his mouth into a devious grin.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“...”

Suddenly, Caelus’s face contorted.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

As if he didn't want to be touched, he took two steps back. Despite that behavior being quite clear, Richard stepped three paces forward and—

—Whoosh.

He poked his head forward.

“I was asking if the Crown Prince also missed seeing me.”

Standing on his tiptoes, Richard peered up at Caelus.

“Is that not it?”

Then he chuckled. Like a fox wagging its tail.

“...”

He saw Caelus’s brow furrow menacingly, but he ignored it.

“I missed Your Highness terribly...”

Richard blushed and gave a beaming smile. A blatant lie. The words he didn't mean flowed out smoothly. Missed him, my foot. If he could go his whole life without seeing him, he wouldn't have a single wish left.

“...You...”

Caelus narrowed the space between his brows.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

“...Pardon?”

“I remember the day I first met you.”

His gaze sank coldly. As if he were recalling his first encounter with Richard.

“That day, you were clearly... shedding tears for Daphne.”

“...”

...Ah. The smile on Richard’s lips stiffened slightly.

‘...That’s right.’

It was so long ago that he had briefly forgotten. That is to say, once upon a time. During the first regression when he knew nothing.

After being jilted by Caelus, Lady Daphne began to waste away, and at one point, she had collapsed and lost consciousness for several days. His heart had plummeted. Back then, he truly thought she was dying...

‘Lady Daphne, Lady Daphne... please, wake up...’

By her bedside, he had prayed to God. Please, in any way possible, just let her live. And that day, perhaps having heard the news, Caelus also visited Daphne’s estate.

‘...Daphne...!’

Drenched in cold sweat and looking like a mess, he entered Daphne’s bedroom and turned pale upon seeing her collapsed.

‘What in the world happened...’

‘...Your Highness, where do you think you are coming?’

That day, Richard had lashed out at Caelus with a fierce rebuke during their first proper meeting.

‘Do you even know why Lady Daphne ended up like this?’

Richard didn't know how Caelus actually felt, but to Richard, it looked as if he had simply thrown her away and was now suddenly pretending to care.

‘It is all because of Your Highness.’

Richard had glared at Caelus with frigid eyes that day, spitting out every word with venom. Rage that couldn't distinguish who the target was poured out.

‘Your Highness has no right to be here. Leave.’

……That was their first meeting.

“...”

Richard remained frozen for a moment.

“...That day, you said that to me.”

Caelus looked at Richard with a chilling gaze.

“Did you not clearly love Daphne?”

His tone held suspicion but lacked certainty.

“I cannot understand why you are suddenly acting this way toward me.”

…Aha. The man was confused.

‘Fortunately, I haven't been caught.’

It seemed he hadn't realized that Richard was only acting like he loved Caelus for Lady Daphne’s sake. Seeing an opening, as if he had never been stiff, a smile returned to Richard’s face.

“That is correct. I did like Lady Daphne.”

He spoke softly. As if telling a very old, worn-out story.

“However,”

“...”

“That is no longer the case.”

Richard reached out.

“The one I have in my heart now.”

His arms wrapped around Caelus’s neck.

“Is the Crown Prince.”

Lies. Bringing his face close, Richard continued fluently, like a snake flicking its tongue.

“The only one I love right now, the only one I could give my body to, is Your Highness.”

A blatant lie.

“...”

Thwack—!

Caelus grabbed Richard’s shoulders and pushed him away with immense force.

“Young Lord Friedrich.”

Biting his lip, he spoke as if grinding his teeth.

“I do not wish to be involved with you in this manner.”

A cold wind brushed his cheek. He rebuked Richard as coldly as the blowing wind.

“I do not like men.”

Richard let out a scoff as if it were laughable. Well, the feeling is mutual, but...

“You will come to like me.”

Because he’s going to make it that way.