The party, which had initially been filled with unease, ultimately concluded successfully.

At this point, it seemed Dekain’s official recognition as a prince had been successfully finalized.

I instructed Zen to retrieve all the items brought to the party venue today, and inwardly sighed in relief at the thought that it was finally over.

I hadn’t attended as Tanashia, but disguised as a proxy, wearing a mask.

Even so, the attention from those around me was hotter than expected, and I broke into a real sweat keeping up conversations with various people.

It was even harder precisely because this wasn’t my true identity—I had to be careful with every word, even things I’d normally say without hesitation.

‘I was a little worried at first, but the atmosphere turned out not so bad later, and no one discovered my true identity—this is more than enough.’

I felt satisfied, as if things had gone according to plan.

Just as I was thinking I should return to my lodging and rest immediately, I boarded the carriage with Ascan—just as we had arrived at the imperial palace earlier.

Thud thud. Kevin hurriedly walked toward the carriage and stopped me.

“Proxy.”

Since we’d previously met at the Cain Trading Company, Kevin was one of the few who knew my true identity.

Fully aware of the circumstances, he treated me as “Proxy” while I wore the mask, helping conceal my identity.

I looked at Kevin, who had suddenly appeared, with a puzzled gaze and asked,

“What is it?”

“The head of the trading company—no, His Highness the Prince—asked if you could stop by the Cain Trading Company for a brief conversation.”

“Ah.”

Since Dekain had officially become a prince as of today, perhaps he wanted to discuss how to proceed or plan his schedule.

Though slightly tired, I nodded casually.

Stopping by the Cain Trading Company on the way back to the lodging wasn’t particularly difficult.

“Alright. Tell His Highness I’ll come to the Cain Trading Company.”

“Understood.”

Kevin replied with a bright expression and quickly disappeared again—likely hurrying to relay my answer to Dekain.

Ascan, standing beside me, spoke in a displeased tone.

“They should be thanking you for your contributions, yet they’re trying to summon you at this late hour.”

I glanced up at the darkening sky. Since the party had just ended, it was indeed quite late, as Ascan had pointed out.

“It can’t be helped. The party atmosphere was a bit rocky at first—he probably wants to consult with me about something.”

Ascan’s eyes still looked disapproving, but he gave a slight nod to show he understood.

Thus, the carriage we boarded headed not toward the lodging, but toward the Cain Trading Company.

Shortly afterward, the carriage led by Zen arrived in front of the Cain Trading Company.

Since it was past business hours, the entrance was closed. But someone had apparently been notified by Dekain in advance, as a person came out to greet us.

As I stepped down from the carriage, I spoke to Zen, who sat on the driver’s seat.

“I’ll be back shortly after a quick talk—wait here.”

“Yes.”

Zen deliberately avoided using the honorific “young lady” in his reply. Their thorough efforts to conceal my identity were so admirable I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Just as Ascan and I stepped down from the carriage one after another,

the person who had come out to greet us looked past me at Ascan standing behind and spoke.

“His Highness said he wishes to speak privately with the Proxy alone.”

“Alone with me?”

I was startled by this unexpected request.

Glancing sideways, I saw Ascan’s eyes behind the mask had turned fierce.

I wondered what kind of conversation required complete privacy.

‘Is it something important? Perhaps something he doesn’t even want to tell Ascan…’

Having read the novel, I knew how hard Dekain had worked to reclaim his true identity as the emperor’s illegitimate child.

Though his proposal for a private meeting was somewhat surprising, from Dekain’s perspective, today marked the first step toward his long-cherished goal.

Perhaps he had something special he wanted to say to me, his longtime friend.

I turned to Ascan and said,

“Wait here with Zen. I’ll be back soon.”

“It’s too late to send you alone.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll just have a quick chat and return.”

Ascan eyed the greeter suspiciously, then glanced toward the Cain Trading Company building, where most lights were already off.

I didn’t need him to say it—I knew he was worried for my safety.

But Dekain wasn’t someone who would harm me, and even if he tried, I was fully capable of defending myself.

Moreover, with Ascan and Zen waiting outside, wide awake and vigilant, no danger could possibly occur.

“You know as well as I do—we can’t avoid every future situation where I’ll need to be alone with Dekain. This is business.”

To make Dekain emperor, Ascan and I needed to cooperate as much as possible. It was a transaction mutually beneficial to both of us.

Of course, clever Ascan couldn’t possibly be unaware of this—he was the one who had recommended Dekain in the first place.

Ascan replied in a slightly roughened voice.

“…I know that’s why I’m not stopping you. Just don’t stay too late. If you don’t return, I’ll come up myself.”

His displeasure at letting me go alone was so palpable I couldn’t help but smile faintly again.

“Got it. I’ll be back soon—rest while you wait.”

With those brief words, I followed the greeter into the Cain Trading Company.

I didn’t turn back, but I could feel Ascan’s burning gaze fixed on me.

Guided through the dimly lit interior of the trading company, I climbed the stairs until I finally reached Dekain’s office.

Knock knock. The person who had escorted me knocked and announced,

“Your Highness, the Proxy has arrived.”

“Please show them in.”

“Yes.”

At Dekain’s permission, the man stepped back and bowed his head.

“You may enter. I will wait outside.”

“Understood.”

I opened the door and stepped alone into the office.

Inside, Dekain stood alone by the window, holding a glass of whiskey. His posture radiated a tangle of emotions.

Joy at becoming a prince, emptiness after achieving his goal, an inexplicable sadness—and other feelings I couldn’t identify, all tangled together.

“What did you call me for?”

At my words, Dekain smiled vaguely and gestured toward a seat.

“Sit down first. We can’t stand and talk like strangers.”

I obediently sat where he indicated. Since we were alone, I removed the mask from my head.

“Just so you know, it’s late—I can’t stay long. Believe it or not, I’m pretty exhausted after attending the party today.”

“Of course. First… thank you.”

My hand, in the act of setting the mask down, froze at Dekain’s unexpectedly heartfelt words.

It felt strangely unlike him. Normally he could say such things emotionlessly, but today, for some reason, it seemed difficult for him.

“Why say that all of a sudden? We made a deal—you help me become emperor, and I help you form an alliance with the Arwen Empire.”

“I know. But without you, today would’ve been much harder. Not just in terms of being recognized as prince… emotionally, too.”

I tilted my head, not understanding what he meant.

“What do you mean? Was there something today I don’t know about?”

Dekain seemed to hesitate briefly, then slowly opened his mouth as if deciding to speak honestly.

“Today, for the first time in my life, I had a private conversation with my father. Until now, as a lowly merchant, I could only watch him from afar—I never had the right to speak privately with His Imperial Majesty.”

“Ah, I see.”

I didn’t know why, but sadness welled up in Dekain’s crimson eyes.

It wasn’t tears—but his gaze looked even sadder than if he were crying.

“He said just one sentence, but it pierced me like a dagger. He never wanted me. Not my birth, not even this position today.”

My words caught in my throat.

If your first-ever conversation with your biological father was like that, your heart would surely feel torn apart.

I didn’t know what words of comfort to offer him.

Dekain took a sip of the whiskey in his hand and laughed casually. Had I not just heard his words, it would have looked like a happy laugh.

“Well, I never expected fatherly affection anyway. If he’d cared at all, he wouldn’t have abandoned me for all these years.”

Dekain was smiling, yet his smile radiated a deeper sorrow than tears ever could—and before I realized it, words slipped out of my mouth.

“…If you don’t feel like smiling, you don’t have to.”

Dekain’s crimson eyes widened in clear surprise at my unexpected words.

“You’re a prince as of today. If you’re sad, it’s okay to cry. It might even hurt less if you just let the tears out freely.”

“Ha, hahaha!”

Suddenly, Dekain clutched his stomach and burst into loud laughter.

Having read the novel , I knew he habitually smiled for others.

As a commoner, Dekain couldn’t even smile freely—he had to force a smile whenever nobles demanded it.

Now that he’d reclaimed his true identity and become a prince, I wanted to tell him explicitly: he no longer needed to force smiles.

“Just for today—if you want to cry, cry. If you need alcohol, drink. Once you let out what’s bottled up inside, you’ll feel a bit better.”

“Are you comforting me right now?”

“Yes. But I probably called the wrong person—I’m utterly terrible at this kind of thing.”

“No, it has to be you. Only you can comfort me.”

Dekain’s crimson eyes, fixed on me, grew serious and deep.

The smile that had filled his face moments ago vanished as if it had never existed. His expression, completely devoid of mirth, felt chillingly cold.

Perhaps this was the true face Dekain had been hiding all along.

“Tanashia, I need you.”

“I’m sorry, but I probably can’t stay to drink with you tonight. Ascan and Zen are waiting outside…”

“That’s not what I meant. I wish… you’d just be here, beside me.”

At first I didn’t realize, but the more I listened, the clearer it became—this was Dekain’s heartfelt confession.

Pushing aside my belated intention to comfort him, I answered gravely.

“I’m sorry. The person I want to spend my life with is Ascan.”

Dekain’s expression didn’t change drastically—he must have anticipated hearing such words.

“Tanashia, I can give you far more than that man. Once I become Emperor of Lazent Empire, I’ll grant you anything you desire.”

The power held by an emperor was undoubtedly immense. But if I chose based on status alone, I would’ve accepted Helsion’s proposal before Dekain.

“You know that won’t change my heart.”

“I know, I know—it drives me crazy. What exactly am I lacking compared to that guy?”

Dekain’s expression twisted. Having only ever seen him smiling, watching him vent such raw emotion felt strangely novel yet deeply pitiful.

“Dekain, you’re very much like me.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Truthfully, I’m greedy—if there are two rabbits, I want to catch them both. If, when I was young, I’d been forced to choose between the Brellof family and Ascan, I definitely would’ve agonized over it.”

“Of course. The Brellof family is practically your roots—abandoning them is unthinkable.”

“Yes, I think so too. But Ascan has nothing he won’t give up for me—not his status, power, wealth, not even his life.”

Ascan had already risked his life for me ten years ago.

And that wasn’t all—after we reunited, he betrayed the Karua Empire to rescue me from Helsion’s grasp.

He made that monumental decision without a moment’s hesitation.

Being beside Ascan taught me what it truly means to be loved.

“Tanashia, I’d also risk my life for you. Even following the Karua Empire this time was…”

“Then, could you give up the throne of emperor for me?”

“…!”

Dekain fell instantly silent.

Truthfully, I already knew the answer even without his reply. He might give up his life for me—but never the imperial throne he’d yearned for his entire life.

I didn’t want to say Dekain was wrong. I understood his feelings perfectly, since my own nature was similar.

After all, love that demands giving up everything you have is absurd from the start.

Yet having received such absurd love from Ascan, affection from anyone else felt painfully insufficient.

I already had someone I felt I couldn’t live without.

No one could ever replace Ascan’s place in my heart.

“Dekain, as I said—you’re like me. Maybe I’d have made the same choice. Loving someone else so blindly… it just doesn’t make sense.”

Dekain frowned. Then, sounding aggrieved, he said,

“Are you saying my feelings are too small?”

“No—your feelings are appreciated, but I’m already tamed by Ascan. I can’t live without him. So please, find another woman who can stand beside you.”

It was a gentle expression, yet a flawless rejection without the slightest loophole.

Dekain gazed at me with tender, wistful eyes and laughed helplessly.