The emperor gave this blue pendant only to his half-brother, the second prince.

So, when the 2nd Prince appeared in front of Zerkan, she would show up with a blue pendant hanging around her neck as if bragging about it. that's childish

However, at least on the outside, Zerkan pretended to be okay and didn't show anything.

But he must have been both envious and sad on the inside.

'Even so, Zerkan is still an immature child.'

「Ah! Is that the thing the Duke of Aston made a fuss about a few days ago?」

Ruby also recognized the gift Raffine had given to Zerkan.

'That's right.'

This pendant, which Raphine gave to Zerkan, was actually given to Raphine by the Duke of Aston a few days ago.

Raphine found Adrian's pendant as if passing by and thought about it.

'It would be nice to gift something like that to Zerkan!'

So without realizing it, I was like, 'I want to have one too..." he said.

It was a small voice, but the Duke of Aston reacted sensitively.

Then he summoned the capital's most famous craftsman and wizard.

He gave him a pendant that was completed in two days by injecting his own magical power into it.

Moreover, thanks to Raphine's persistence, the pendant was made in blue.

'Even my father said he put a protective magic on me that would protect me even if the world collapsed...'

Anyway, thanks to that, Raphine was able to present this item to Zerkan.

It was a masterpiece that the capital's best craftsmen polished their souls in two days.

Even the blue gem, the material used, was one of the precious gemstones handed down to the peacock family.

The pendant looked incredibly precious even at a glance.

I'm sorry Dad... Still, it was something that would be more useful to Zerkan than to himself.

In the original story, when Zerkan returns to the capital, he returns with serious injuries. Maybe this pendant could prevent the injury.

'Besides, it must be bigger and prettier than what the second prince has?'

Raphine looked at Zerkan with a proud face.

Zerkan, who had been looking at the pendant for a while, asked.

"... Maybe Adrian's?"

"no! It's mine, and I'm giving it to Zerkan's brother."

"Why this?"

"I give this to someone I think is precious."

"But, this is what his father gives to his son..."

"Anyone other than my father can give it to me! I'm giving it to the person I don't want to get hurt!"

Raphine said stubbornly.

To be honest, this object may not mean much to Zerkan.

Because it wasn't given to me by my father in the first place.

But sometimes, even if it is a meaningless object, owning it is comforting.

'Besides, it's not like it's something that only a father can give to him by law.'

Raphine wanted Zerkan to be healthy, both physically and mentally.

'Then the empire will be at peace.'

Our Adrian is also at peace!

"..."

But at Raphine's words, Zerkan said nothing. as if speechless.

Raphine murmured further.

"Because Zerkan's brother is precious to me. Besides, I hope he doesn't get hurt, and..."

In fact, what I want the most is... I wish I didn't go crazy.

But Zerkan still did not respond.

'Are you offended by any chance?'

Raphine asked to check Zerkan's mood.

"This is something anyone can give to a loved one. Right?"

"... Yes, you are right."

Zerkan answered with a slight smile. Fortunately, he didn't seem to be offended.

"But who gave it to Zerkan's brother?"

"..."

"I!"

"..."

"Did I give it to you?"

Raphine fluttered her chest and gave a condescending look.

Because I paid such a bribe, it meant that I wish you well in the future.

If possible, even promise to get married.

"Yes, thank you. Raphine."

"Oh. And! What I gave you is a secret. got it?"

Raphine said while holding Zerkan's hands tightly. very earnestly.

"But can you really give it to me? If the Duke of Aston or Adrian knew..."

"You can keep it a secret. It must be a secret."

put it on, put it on

I'm sorry his dad, but I wanted to give Zerkan a little bit of consolation with this item.

And I wanted to tell you.

'You don't have to be loved by your father.'

'You are perfect without your father.'

So that's it.

Every human being has shortcomings.

Some people think of it as their own complex and live as a luxury, while others fill that part with other things.

and realize It doesn't matter if it's something else to fill in that gap.

The lack of Zerkan was the same. It doesn't mean that it has to be filled with the love of a father.

"thanks."

As if Raphine's feelings like that had been conveyed, Zerkan smiled slightly.

As Raphine had expected, it was meaningless to Zerkan, but it was a very comforting item.

When Zerkan was younger than he is now, he whined to his mother because he wanted the blue pendant his father gave him.

But his mother, the Empress, was a kind but strict person.

She trained even more rigorously, especially when Zerkan talked about her father.

It was probably because her mother herself did not want to show her the wounds she had received.

The Empress always said this to Zerkan.

"Zerkan, you are the future emperor of this empire, so don't be foolish. You have to get stronger and stronger."

"The second prince is a child who cannot become an emperor, so His Majesty takes care of him. Except for that, Zerkan, you're happier with more, okay?>

But at that time, Zerkan did not understand those words at all.

I can't get my father's love, so what makes me happy? I thought so.

'Well, I still don't understand what my mother said, but...'

Still, somehow...

Hearing Raphine's words seemed to be a little comforting.

'It's something that anyone can give to a loved one...'

Zerkan looked at the pendant, smiled and stroked Raphine's hair.

I thought that the existence of a younger sister was really lovely.

'... I really envy Adrian.'

It felt like an empty chest was being filled somehow.

"Thank you, Raphine."

"Thank you, you must marry me next time."

However, at Raphine's next words, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Where the hell is this child of her own, begging her to marry her because she likes it so much?

Zerkan suddenly aroused curiosity and asked.

"Why does Raphine so want to marry me?"

"that..."

Because she has to marry Violet and my brother...

But it was also a way to make Zerkan happy.

'Because Zerkan will also be happier when he meets a woman who truly loves him.'

First of all, let's answer briefly.

"That's because... Because Zerkan's brother is the coolest in the world."

It wasn't exactly wrong.

Because in the novel, Zerkan was a beautiful man that all women could covet.

In the position of the imperial prince, his handsome looks, a huge body that he wants to see over and over again, and strong power.

He honestly had no flaws other than his personality.

In the original, Zerkan, who had grown up in the original, was cold-hearted at best, and at worst, he had a very low-key personality.

'Only Violet and Adrian were treated well.'

However, Zerkan as a child did not seem to have a particularly bad personality.

'Honestly, isn't this very kind?'

Raphine was unaware of the fact that Zerkan's personality was also acting as an exception to her.

"..."

And...

Hearing an unexpected answer, Zerkan awkwardly turned his head.

It was kind of embarrassing. It was the first time I had heard such a thing.

'Besides, to this little boy...'

At that moment, a thought ran through Zerkan's head.

'I wonder if Adrian hears these words every day...'

If so, I'm really envious.

It was then.

Adrian, who had disappeared through a gap in the bookshelf in the distance, came to him with a thick book. After that, his Violet also walked in.

"Hide now! Hide it!"

Raphine tapped Zerkan to quickly hide the pendant.

With those words, Zerkan hurriedly hid the pendant in her inner pocket.

Adrian came over and piled thick books on the table.

They were huge books.

'What is all that...'

Raphine was disgusted inwardly.

Violet puts her hand on top of the stacked books! Pointed and said.

"Zerkan! There is something you need to help us with."

"What?"

When Zerkan asked, Violet raised his chin and said.

"Listen. We are looking for a way to get rid of this empire's marriage system. I need your help, the Crown Prince, to pass it to Parliament later. I have to cooperate."

"... What?"

At the absurd remarks, Zerkan inhaled a waste of air. It sounded like it was picking up and laughing.

Violet and Adrian's expressions were quite serious. Violet asked, wrinkling her brows.

"Why are you laughing? Is this funny?"

"... Is this funny?"

Violet and Adrian's expressions darkened. Violet asked as if it was ridiculous.

"no way... Zerkan. Are you in favor of marriage? Is that so? You, you really like Raphine..."

"Not our Raffine!"

Adrian squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.

'What the hell are you talking about...,'

Zerkan only blinked in bewilderment.

Rafine watched the scene and ate the cookies without saying a word.

She and she thought inwardly like a grown-up watching the teasing of children.

'It's just little kids. Do you think she can get rid of the marriage system? You are naive, you are naive.'

How can you be so immature like that,,,? Ha, I'm envious. I envy you.