Sezh’s daily life was peaceful. Late at night or early in the morning, she will go to Raytan’s palace and spend time with him in the library.

And Mathias Kareem continued to send letters. Sezh thought about telling Raytan about this, but in the end, she decided not to.

Mathias’s care for her was closer to sympathy. For the time being, he often sent her letters. But Sezh thought that one day he would naturally stop doing it. Nothing has happened yet, but Sezh was a little worried that something embarrassing might occur in the future.

When they finally get closer, and Mathias doesn’t do this based on sympathy, she will be more open with him.

Like that, Sezh made a vow to herself.

Not long after, a piece of unexpected news came. The Emperor’s health was failing.

According to Luna, the Emperor had been coughing a lot since last winter. The physician already looked at it, but there was no big issue. Everyone assumed it was simply a minor cold, but the symptoms were progressively worsening rather than improving.

And now he still can’t stop coughing even after taking medicine?

Come to think of it, around this time was when the Emperor began to fall ill before she returned to the past.

Frankly, Sezh wasn’t very affected. Even though Rowain III, the current Emperor, was her biological father, he never had a single conversation with her.

On another note, Sezh has been steadily stealing some of Yerena’s disposed jewels. As she’s about to reach adulthood soon, Sezh has to prepare to leave the palace little by little.

The person who helped her to sell the jewels was Luna. Despite her embarrassment, Sezh asked Luna to call a merchant. Even though she was puzzled, Luna secretly called a merchant that was said to have tight lips.

However, she got a higher amount of money than she initially expected. Sezh knew it was wise to save the money well. Nevertheless, when she finally had a lot of it, she wanted to buy something.

It wasn’t for her but for Luna and Raytan. She wanted to give them gifts— lavish gifts.

Sezh chose a pair of leather shoes as a gift for Luna and a thick cloak for Raytan.

“Luna, is the merchant already back? Come here for a second and sit down.”

“Yes, but why did the Princess suddenly want to call a merchant…?”

Luna tilted her head when Sezh handed her the shoes.

“Luna easily gets cold. So I wanted to give you this.”

“This… this is for me?”

“Yes. I will certainly give you better things next time.”

“Princess…”

Luna held the shoes tightly in her hand and burst into tears. Somehow, Sezh felt so touched as well she could feel her nose start to run.

‘I’ll give you better shoes. You won’t die. You will wear those shoes and leave the palace with me.’

“Honestly, I also prepared a present for Brother Raytan.”

Sezh picked up the thick cloak and said, “He always wears light clothes, so I thought he might catch a cold. But will he… will he like my gift?”

“Of course,” Luna answered while blowing her nose. “If it’s a present from the princess, he will obviously like it.”

“…I hope the morning comes sooner.”

‘I’ll give this to Brother,’ Sezh touched the cloak with a blushing face.

***

It was a very dark night with no visible moonlight.

A foggy mist descended in the backyard garden’s small open space, and the sound of heavy breathing could be heard.

And behind the thick trees, in the pitch-black darkness, Raytan’s red eyes flashed sharply.

“…”

Hiding, Raytan quietly stared at General Hayden, who wielded his sword alone.

He retired from the front line due to old age, but the rumors that he was still practicing martial arts every day seemed to be true. Although it wasn’t fast, his moves were decent. But as someone who had lived all his life on the battlefield, they were well refined.

There was only one reason why General Hayden was on Lize’s killing list: he lived for Denhelder. His father and grandfather… From generation to generation, his family has defended the Emperor at the forefront.

So he had to kill him.

With bated breath, Raytan silently pulled out his sword.

“…I don’t recall inviting a guest tonight,” General Hayden, who had been standing with his back facing him, spoke coldly. “Even so, I heard the rumors already. The nobles are targeted and murdered. Guess it’s my turn today.”

General Hayden looked back slowly.

“Your reason?” His auburn irises shone sharply through his wrinkled eyes. “Is this a part of a coup preparation?”

“…!”

“Prince Raytan.”

For a moment, Raytan’s face darkened.

“Is it because you don’t have manners that you won’t answer me?” General Hayden mocked him. “However, why did I expect such courtesy from a traitor, right?”

Raytan didn’t answer. He just gripped his sword as tightly as he could and rushed towards General Hayden.

The sound of metal clashing against metal rang out. General Hayden was different from the others. He didn’t get scared, so he was able to face Raytan.

Raytan unconsciously bit his lips. It’s not easy to deal with General Hayden. He already expected it, but he didn’t expect it to be this tough. He was a great fighter as he had spent his entire life on the battlefield, but Raytan was no less skilled. He has never failed so far. However, Raytan had a small hunch that the result might be different this time.

Their blades collided once again, causing an unpleasant vibration in his hands. General Hayden took a step back and stared at Raytan with cold eyes.

“I was curious. Who the hell is this guy that is killing those who are close to His Majesty and Prince Bern?” General Hayden’s lips twitched.

“There was only one person: Raytan, the cursed prince. Before His Highness Prince Bern ascended to the throne, you had to start your plan.”

“…You’re chatty. I didn’t even ask for a conversation.”

“But people don’t ever listen. They say, ‘Prince Raytan, who is nothing and doesn’t know anything, could never do such a thing.”

It wasn’t wrong. Everyone was thinking the same thing. No one would have expected Raytan, who has been living quietly and didn’t even show his presence, would have planned such a tragedy.

“But I’m not like them.”

“…”

“I knew that one day you would reveal your true colors.”

“Such nonsense…!”

Raytan raised his sword high. However, it failed to reach the General’s heart. The sharp tip of the sword just slightly touched General Hayden’s chest and slipped away. General Hayden seemed to stagger for a moment but managed to get his balance back. He then quickly swung his sword.

A burning sensation arose over his shoulder, and the mask that covered Raytan’s face was cut in half and then fell to the ground.

“Countless times, I told His Highness that you must be killed before you even grew up. Like that monster in the past.”

General Hayden set a genuine sad expression on his face.

…He must be killed before he even grows up?

What did he do wrong?

His mother and him, what did they do wrong?

Raytan clenched his teeth and ran forward.

“Eukh-…!” General Hayden let out a groan.

Raytan’s blade had dug into his right arm. As a groan came out of his mouth, he released the sword from his hand.

Raytan, who did not miss the moment, kicked General Hayden’s sword that was rolling on the floor further away. Following that, he thrust his own sword into the left side of General Hayden’s chest.

“…”

Raytan’s forehead frowned as he was about to draw out his sword. He exhaled hard and looked down at his stomach. A small dagger could be seen embedded in his side with General Hayden’s hands holding the handle tightly.

“Ugh…”

Already weakened in his legs, General Hayden sank slowly onto the floor. Nonetheless, he still gave strength to the hands holding the dagger.

The sharp dagger was ripping through his skin, piercing deeper and deeper. Raytan was in grueling pain when he noticed blood spilling from his abdomen.

Raytan slammed his hilt down on General Hayden’s hand.

General Hayden, who lost even the dagger in his hands, slumped to the floor helplessly.

“Even in the past…”

Dark red blood ran down General Hayden’s mouth. He panted with a painful expression on his face, then continued.

“Someone like you… the same thing…”

“…What?”

“My ancestors… what they were trying to stop…”

“What do you mean!”

Raytan bent his legs and grabbed General Hayden’s collar. The General let out an unsteady breath and started coughing roughly.

“The cursed… those…”

Fresh blood splattered on Raytan’s face with a rustling sound.

“But just… be smart. This time too… Someone will stop you…The fact that it will be you who will eventually lose…”

With those words, General Hayden’s head fell limply.

And that was the moment the headache that felt like it could split Raytan’s head in two came back again.

Raytan dropped his sword to the floor due to the excruciating pain. He shook his head and gasped.

‘Denhelder doesn’t want…to be cursed.’

Again. Raytan heard a different unknown voice.