Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“I accidentally scratched myself on the brooch. I should have been more careful.”
Vivian revealed the chest adornment of her dress. It had been loosened once and then left undone, so there were signs of disarray.
Aslan's eyes narrowed as he looked down at it. He seemed worried about her injury, but he was clearly still wary.
Jesus’s residual magic seemed to be more potent than he had thought. Vivian quickly added,
“I was in trouble because I was bleeding a lot, but a passing magician found me and healed me. He said it wasn't perfect, so I should see a doctor again.”
“I must find him and reward him.”
“There’s no need. I gave him all the gold coins I had.”
“Well done.”
Aslan smiled softly and slowly unfastened Vivian’s chest brooch.
He gazed at her as if seeking unspoken permission, and when Vivian nodded, he clenched his fist and crushed it in one go.
The surrounding metal and the emerald in the center shattered instantly into fine powder.
“By the way, where did you go earlier?”
Vivian asked as she was led into a jewelry shop by Aslan. She had been concerned about why he had suddenly disappeared.
Aslan met Vivian’s clear face and smiled.
“Ah, I almost made an irreversible mistake.”
“Almost?”
“I resolved it well.”
“How?”
“Dylan sacrificed himself.”
Aslan’s voice was as refreshing and peaceful as a spring breeze.
Thus, Vivian nodded casually, and Aslan was able to protect his precious fiancée from the crisis of breaking off the engagement.
＊ ＊ ＊
At the same time, Alex was lost in thought as he left the Imperial Palace after finishing his official duties.
‘Blackford contacted me saying they want to postpone the engagement ceremony. Why?’
Today, he was planning to visit the Grand Duke’s residence in person.
It was about his precious younger sister, whom he had practically raised himself, even though he had refused to breastfeed her.
He had even finished the royal guard training early for once, but someone had come saying that the plans had suddenly changed.
‘Hmm, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go.’
Alex was the type to always carry out what he had decided.
Recently, things had been twisted this way and that, and he couldn’t escape abroad or marry Border Count Nicholas, but he had always faithfully carried out what he had decided.
‘I should ask Vivian why the engagement ceremony was postponed.’
He nodded to himself and was about to quicken his pace when a friendly shout came from behind him.
“Grand Duke Alex!”
“Ah, greetings to the Crown Prince.”
“You seem to have something urgent. The sun is still high in the sky, but you seem to be in a hurry.”
Johannes approached with a smile on his face. He raised the bowing Alex and continued,
“Well, it’s a hectic time with the hunting festival preparations. I wonder if I’m holding you up when you’re busy.”
“……?”
Alex was inwardly puzzled.
He had spent a long time studying abroad, but this was the first time Johannes had spoken to him so amiably.
To be precise, it was more like they had no interest in each other at all.
“Now that you mention it, the hunting festival is soon. I haven’t participated since I was a child, so I had forgotten.”
“Haha, you can’t forget it. The hunting festival is a big event in which all the nobles in the empire participate.”
Vivian used to go to the hunting festival often before she contracted Consumption. She was so brave that she would catch wild beasts and tame them herself.
‘But I wonder if she can participate this year……’
The thought of Vivian being left alone in the capital made his mouth bitter.
Johannes, who had been silently watching Alex’s expression, curved his eyes as if he felt sorry.
“Is it because of the Lady?”
“I apologize.”
“How could I not know the Grand Duke’s feelings for his sister? I heard from His Majesty that this year’s hunting festival is scheduled to be held in the Sacred Forest. It’s very close to the capital.”
“If it’s the Sacred Forest, isn’t that the sacred ground where the First Emperor is buried? How could they…….”
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise.
The Sacred Forest was not only close to the capital but also a land imbued with powerful ‘anti-magic power.’
Since anti-magic power suppresses all evil energy, Vivian’s Consumption would also be suppressed, at least for a short time.
But until now, it had never been open to the public.
Only a limited area was accessible once every four years during the Anti-Magic Festival, which commemorated the death of the demon Astaroth.
“As you know, it’s been almost a thousand years since the First Emperor founded the empire.”
“Yes.”
“Stagnant water rots, and rulers who become complacent become corrupt.”
Johannes turned his gaze leisurely and looked at the vast Imperial Palace.
“I want to become a Monarch who will bring about change in the future. So, I must break down the old laws one by one. I hope you will think of this hunting festival as the first step.”
“I didn’t know Your Highness had such thoughts.”
“Haha, I’m still very lacking.”
Johannes smiled awkwardly at Alex, who was genuinely impressed.
“Come to think of it, you seemed to be going somewhere in a hurry earlier…….”
“I was on my way to the Grand Duke’s residence to see my sister Vivian.”
“Then you’ll meet my brother too.”
“Yes, I think so.”
Johannes’s blond hair sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight. But an even more brilliant smile spread across his face.
“If you see Aslan, please give him my regards. Tell him to meet me at the hunting festival.”
Chapter 4. This is How You Wreak Havoc
The rumor that this year’s hunting festival would be held in the Sacred Forest spread quickly.
It was the first time since the founding of the empire that the sacred ground where the First Emperor was buried would be open to anyone other than the imperial family. Almost all the nobles in the empire were eagerly awaiting this hunting festival.
‘Ah, the Crown Prince finally made a move. So he’s going to follow the original story.’
Vivian massaged her throbbing head and fell into thought.
Two major events occur in the original Sacred Forest episode.
‘The first is the incident where Aslan transforms into a Demon Hand in front of people……’
The Sacred Forest is imbued with powerful anti-magic properties.
Aslan is driven into the Tomb of the First Emperor by the Crown Prince’s scheme, and eventually, he cannot overcome the rampaging magic and a tragedy occurs.
‘The second is that the Empress suddenly drinks poison and collapses. Her life is saved, but Aslan, who happens to be unable to prove his alibi, is framed as the culprit.’
The real culprit who attacked the Empress was the Emperor’s mistress, Countess Amelia.
But she was able to escape unscathed without being involved in the incident, thanks to framing Aslan.
“Vivian, are you tired?”
“I’m okay.”
“You haven’t looked well since earlier, though. You should have stayed at the mansion.”
“How could I miss it when you’re attending?”
Vivian was heading to the Sacred Forest with Aslan. Today was the day of the hunting festival.
The fact that the hunting festival was decided to be held in the ‘Sacred Forest’ was a clear provocation from the Crown Prince. Aslan had no choice but to go there, even though he knew it was a trap.
Vivian smiled at Aslan.
“Don’t forget what I promised you? That I want to go everywhere with you.”
“How can I refuse what you want? But I’m still worried. What if you’re in danger?”
“It’s not like this is my first time participating in the hunting festival. And maybe this is the last time…….”
Cough, cough, Vivian covered her mouth and turned her head to the other side.
Aslan’s face immediately contorted.
“I misspoke. I said I would let you do whatever you want.”
“No, I understand your concern, Aslan.”
Vivian smiled triumphantly under her handkerchief. Then, as if she had just thought of it, she offered a compromise.
“Then I’ll wait in the barracks. How about I join you after the hottest time of day has passed? It’s too much for me to participate all day anyway.”
If Aslan becomes the Empress’s attempted murderer now, she, as his fiancée, will also be framed as an accomplice.
She couldn’t let Aslan be in danger at such a precarious time.
‘In terms of order, the attack on the Empress comes first, so let’s stop that first and then help Aslan.’
While she was lost in thought, they had already arrived at the Sacred Forest.
Vivian felt her breathing become easier as she got out of the carriage. They said that anti-magic power blocks all evil forces, and it felt like it was suppressing the symptoms of Consumption as well.
“The sun is hot. I’ll be in the barracks. I’ll see you later.”
“Vivian.”
She was about to leave without regret when she was carefully held back. She felt the solid light armor that Aslan was wearing behind her.
“Aren’t you going to give me a kiss of encouragement?”
“…….”
Vivian looked around. Many couples were sharing passionate kisses to encourage each other.
She glanced up at Aslan.
His golden eyes were flashing fiercely. The arm that had been gently holding her waist tightened as people passed by. It seemed as if he was conscious of them.
‘Aslan cares about what people think in these situations.’
She was a little embarrassed because she didn’t think he would care about appearances in this regard. But it wasn’t good to reveal their cold relationship and attract attention.
Vivian turned slightly in his arms. They were now facing each other.
“You’ll do well even without my encouragement, but…….”
She gently stroked Aslan’s cheek as if asking him to lower his head. His golden eyes grew darker.
The breath on her forehead was mixed with heat.
“No, I need your encouragement.”
Aslan lowered his head, bringing their bodies closer together. She could feel the texture of the light armor that Aslan was wearing through the thin hunting clothes she was wearing.
“Will you kiss me?”
