I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 186

I was particularly curious about the family of the sage, even though it was only a one-time thing, so I welcomed the opportunity.

Among the portraits was one of a younger Chancellor, making me think that this must be what Count Jester would look like as he grew older.

“This is…”

Next to the current Count Jester in the portrait was a woman about my age.

“My sister.”

“…”

“Was only sister, that is.”

The word ‘was’ hit me. It dawned on me that this was the daughter who had died, as mentioned by the Chancellor.

Unsure whether to acknowledge this or not, I chose to remain silent.

Throughout the meal, the image of the woman in the portrait haunted me.

A pretty lady with curly blonde hair. Her kind-looking brown eyes were striking.

Now that I think about it, Weathering also has blonde hair and brown eyes, doesn’t he?

Throughout the meal, I found myself inadvertently glancing at Weathering.

“Why, Euel. Is there something you want to talk about?”

“No.”

Blonde hair isn’t uncommon in the Duchy Lantia, and blonde hair itself isn’t rare.

But the Chancellor’s daughter was taken to Lantia…

“Euel? Why?”

“Seeing Weathering just reminded me of something I had forgotten. I’ll be excusing myself first.”

As I headed to my room, my pace was neither fast nor slow, but my mind was whirling with various thoughts.

The Chancellor had said his daughter had committed suicide. Weathering had referred to the former Duke Lantia as his father.

If the Chancellor’s daughter had had a child with the former Duke Lantia before she died…

“Could it be?”

Wouldn’t the Chancellor have known?

I shook my head lightly to scatter my thoughts, but they were not so easily dismissed. However, this issue was overshadowed by another incident that erupted as soon as we returned to the capital.

1. The End and the Beginning (1)

As we came up from the southern Count Daidi’s estate, the cold of Alin hit us hard. Autumn vanished in an instant, replaced by winter.

“It’s already the end of the year.”

The social season of the second half is over, and the nights are getting deeper.

“I know.”

Tess, who had hugged me from behind, kissed my nape.

Since returning from the Count’s estate, Tess had visited my room every single day without fail. Sometimes we met outside, or I visited the imperial palace, but like a daily event, he always came by at sunset.

Even if he could only see my face briefly at dawn, he made sure to do so every day.

I really cherish this.

“Another year is almost over.”

While I think living with Tess would be wonderful, the journey to see him, the anticipation of his arrival, makes me hope it lasts a little longer.

But how do I infuse the magic?

As I sat up abruptly, Tess followed suit and pulled me onto his lap.

I stared at the heart of the Kirapt on the table.

I truly monopolized the Kirapt hearts and wanted to try something with them. After blowing up two of the bright blue orbs in attempts to infuse them with my power, only two remained.

“Tess, I want to join the monster hunting team too.”

“No, absolutely not.”

“I won’t get hurt!”

“It’s not about you getting hurt. I just don’t want to be apart from you anymore.”

I let Tess’s words go in one ear and out the other. Should I go back to Count Daidi’s estate once more before the New Year to give him his present? Or should I venture to the border?

Maybe I should look for a place that hires mercenaries to hunt monsters.

“Euel. Euel, are you listening to me?”

“Yes.”

“What did I just say?”

“Uh? What did you say?”

“Let’s be partners at the New Year’s Eve ball.”

“No, that won’t work.”

Seriously, my father, who strongly opposes my marriage, might literally collapse. My mother also seems reluctant deep down. Gael doesn’t oppose it, but she won’t disclose what she discussed with Tess.

The biggest thing was that I’m not ready for marriage yet.

I wouldn’t mind revealing our relationship. It’s actually something I hope for.

“Why?”

Since a few years ago, love marriages have become trendy. After dating for a set period, if both parties agree, they proceed to engagement, then get married.

“If I’m your partner, it’ll feel like we’ll have to get married the following month.”

Regrettably, as the Emperor, Tess is an exception. He was already past the typical age for an Emperor to have heirs. If he partners with me, it’s straight to marriage.

With rumors swirling that Hardland’s firstborn and the Emperor are seriously involved, those concerned about the imperial family’s continuation are hopeful. Making it public would lead directly to wedding bells!

The reason I changed my mind about getting engaged to Tess as soon as we returned to Alin was also because of this.

To marry without properly dating first? No, that’s not right!

“Tch.”

Tess clicked his tongue and glanced at the Kirapt heart before making a suggestion.

“Take it, there are plenty in the treasure vault. I’ll give you a whole box, so give up on going monster hunting. I’ll bring it right now.”

“No.”

“Why are you so fixated on that thing?”

Tess lifted me up to face him, burying his face against my bare skin while grumbling.

“You said you blew up two of them. Have you developed a hobby of bursting monster hearts?”

Holding me tightly to prevent me from pulling away, Tess tickled me with his tongue, mumbling with a muffled voice.

“It seems you’ve picked up a strange hobby, which is worrisome.”

“I want to get it myself because it’s for you.”

Tess stopped moving suddenly, then raised his head from between my chest. He looked at me with wide eyes.

“I was going to give it to you because I can’t embroider. I thought I could make an ornament by infilling it with my magic. Maybe if you put it in your room, it’ll feel like I’m always there, even when I’m not.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“The fruit of the meming tree disappears once eaten, so it doesn’t quite feel like I’ve given a gift.”

Tess, lifted his face from between my chest and cradled my face in his hands with a smile.

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