Mia stepped back from Julius, eyes wide.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean exactly what I said—Leca is no longer by your side."
"Where did he go?"
Julius began walking toward her, slow and deliberate. As his beautiful eyes locked onto hers, Mia quickly looked away.
Didn't Leca say the Peridot bloodline uses some kind of charm magic? Let him try it—I won't fall for it.
But Julius didn't come any closer, nor did he touch her. He didn't even avert his gaze. He simply stood there, arms crossed, looking down at her silently.
His pride was wounded.
Women across the kingdom practically clawed their way toward him, yet this girl was riddled with pointless wariness. Even Anna, who had been so defiant in the beginning, was now utterly obedient.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Just answer the question. Where did Leca go?"
Julius chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a quiet sigh.
"You won't like the answer."
A chill crept into Mia's chest.
"Did something happen to him?"
"Of course it did. Did you honestly run away without thinking anything might?"
"…No way… Is it because of me…?"
"That's right. For failing to protect you—and for hiding the phoenix summon—Leca has been exiled and sentenced to forced labor."
"Exile and labor? Where?"
"Do I look like your messenger? Even if I told you, you wouldn't know the place."
At that, Mia bolted for the door. Julius stepped in front of her, blocking the way.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I told you—I'm going back. Move!"
"Impressive. You act first and think never. Just how do you plan on reaching the palace in that state?"
Mia froze. She hadn't eaten or had a sip of water since she escaped. Her body was covered in bruises, and she had a fever. Honestly, she felt like she'd collapse any moment.
"For your information, it's quite far from here to the palace."
"If you just tell me how to get there—"
"I will. But first, you need to rest. Got it?"
"…Fine."
Mia finally trudged back to the bed and lay down. It was surprisingly soft, the blanket smooth against her skin. A pleasant scent wafted around her. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
Before long, she was fast asleep, her breathing soft and shallow. Julius watched her for a moment, then summoned a low-level earth spirit— a gnome. A squat little creature appeared, about 120 centimeters tall with a long red cap and a mischievous face.
"Bring food and water for the patient."
The gnome vanished and soon returned with a tray—warm oat porridge, a dollop of raspberry jam, and a cup of milk. Julius placed it gently on the table and turned back to Mia.
She was drenched in cold sweat. He touched her forehead—it burned like fire. Her whole body radiated heat.
Then...
A faint murmur escaped her lips.
"Leca... I'm sorry... it's my fault... so please don't go…"
What?
"Next time... let's go together…"
The peridot on Julius's forehead sparked violently. Did she just say his name? In her sleep? After everything I've done for her?
A bitter memory flickered in the back of his mind—
It had been years ago. Julius was fifteen, Leca twelve. Leca had come along as his page on a hunting trip. Shamanaz, who knew nothing of hunting, had insisted on tagging along as well.
It had been a good day. They bagged two pheasants, a rabbit, and a duck. Spirits were high as they prepared to head back—until a strange, sorrowful cry echoed from the trees.
"Oo cheep-cheep, oo cheep-cheep!"
"What is that? What's making that sound?" Shamanaz perked her ears. Julius felt his pulse quicken with an odd excitement. An animal he didn't recognize. Could it be... a divine beast he'd never seen before?
"Cheep... cheep-cheep..."
Julius spoke cautiously.
"Stay here. I'll go check it out."
He slipped through the underbrush, following the sound. Near a small pond, he found it—a small bird, shivering violently. It looked like it had barely escaped drowning.
About the size of a rooster, the bird was covered in vibrant orange feathers, with a golden beak. Julius was mildly disappointed. It was a karakal—a rare species, yes, but no divine beast. Still, he'd never seen one in real life, only in books. It was worth capturing.
He drew his bow.
But then—
"Don't shoot. It's still just a baby."
A voice called out from the side. Julius turned sharply, glaring.
He'd told Leca to stay behind—when had he followed?
"What?"
"Don't you know karakals are a protected species under national law?"
"Ugh, who cares. I'm taking it. I'll raise it myself."
"Its mother must be nearby. If you take the chick, she'll grieve."
"Have you always been this mouthy?"
Just as Julius was about to swing a fist at Leca in frustration, Shamanaz appeared.
"Oh my, a karakal? Wow~ It's even prettier in person! I want to keep it!"
"See? Shaminy wants it too!" Julius smirked.
Leca finally turned his head with a resigned sigh. Instead of firing his bow, Julius swiftly moved forward and scooped up the baby karakal. It chirped furiously, struggling in his grip, but went limp as soon as he pressed its pressure point.
And so, the karakal ended up living with Shamanaz. Strangely, it refused to eat anything given by her—or Julius. Only when Leca came and offered food would it happily eat.
Shamanaz merely laughed it off. "Isn't he picky!" But Julius was deeply annoyed.
Eventually, he took the karakal away from Shamanaz and kept it at his own estate.
Time passed. Slowly, the creature began to accept food from Julius and even responded to basic training.
A year went by.
One day, the karakal grew weak, its health failing. The royal physician declared it incurable—some mysterious wasting disease.
A week later, early in the morning, Leca appeared at Julius's villa—holding the lifeless body of the karakal.
"I found it in front of my door."
That was all he said.
The memory flared hot and bitter. Julius clenched his jaw as fury surged inside him.
Mia was still murmuring in her sleep. And for one dangerous moment, Julius considered whisking her away to his private chambers, locking her up where no one could reach her.
But no. He shook his head. He needed to be careful.
He summoned the gnome once more, instructing it to watch over Mia. Then, wrapping the cabin in a concealment barrier, he mounted Gaia and rode swiftly back to his villa.
"You're late. And empty-handed?"
To his surprise, Shamanaz was still waiting in his sitting room. Julius scowled.
"You're still here? Why?"
She giggled.
"If I say I was with you, my parents will forgive me. We're practically engaged, after all."
"…What?"
Shamanaz's violet eyes turned serious.
"Let's be honest. No one knows whether she's alive or dead. And even if she is alive—how can someone so reckless be made queen?"
"So you think you should be queen?"
"Obviously. I'm your match. That low-born human girl can go get eaten by some monster for all I care."
Julius's heart lurched. Is the gnome watching Mia carefully enough? The barrier should be solid... She's hidden...
His brows drew together.
"That's a harsh thing to say, Shaminy."
"I'd become a villain if it meant keeping you."
She smiled sweetly.
"I'm leaving now."
As her silver dress trailed out of the room, Julius felt a chill.
Something clicked in his mind—Shamanaz, goddaughter of Jakiel... Jakiel, who seemed hostile toward Mia… and the initiation ceremony he proposed… the inexplicable deaths of young women from the Peridot bloodline—
Why am I only seeing this now? I need to investigate.
That night.
Julius disguised himself thoroughly. His golden hair turned pitch black. He wore plain peasant clothes and covered his face with a festival mask.
Casting an invisibility spell, he teleported to Shamanaz's estate and found the room of her closest maid—Laila.
Thanks to an air spirit's guidance, locating it was easy. Laila was sound asleep.
Julius crept in silently, covered her mouth, and shook her awake.
Her eyes snapped open. She tried to scream—but he pressed on her throat just enough to silence her. Then, softly:
"Stay calm. As long as you cooperate, you'll be fine. Now, look into my eyes."
Laila's gaze locked onto his. Her expression slowly emptied, like her soul was drifting away.
Julius spoke.
"Gentle soul—will you answer all my questions with nothing but the truth?"
"Yes… anything you ask…"
"Then tell me: how is your mistress, Shamanaz, involved in the deaths of the Peridot bloodline maidens?"
"…Lord Jakiel…"
Julius's brow furrowed.
"What about Jakiel?"
A voice called out from the side. Julius turned sharply, glaring.
He'd told Leca to stay behind—when had he followed?
"What?"
"Don't you know karakals are a protected species under national law?"
"Ugh, who cares. I'm taking it. I'll raise it myself."
"Its mother must be nearby. If you take the chick, she'll grieve."
"Have you always been this mouthy?"
Just as Julius was about to swing a fist at Leca in frustration, Shamanaz appeared.
"Oh my, a karakal? Wow~ It's even prettier in person! I want to keep it!"
"See? Shaminy wants it too!" Julius smirked.
Leca finally turned his head with a resigned sigh. Instead of firing his bow, Julius swiftly moved forward and scooped up the baby karakal. It chirped furiously, struggling in his grip, but went limp as soon as he pressed its pressure point.
And so, the karakal ended up living with Shamanaz. Strangely, it refused to eat anything given by her—or Julius. Only when Leca came and offered food would it happily eat.
Shamanaz merely laughed it off. "Isn't he picky!" But Julius was deeply annoyed.
Eventually, he took the karakal away from Shamanaz and kept it at his own estate.
Time passed. Slowly, the creature began to accept food from Julius and even responded to basic training.
A year went by.
One day, the karakal grew weak, its health failing. The royal physician declared it incurable—some mysterious wasting disease.
A week later, early in the morning, Leca appeared at Julius's villa—holding the lifeless body of the karakal.
"I found it in front of my door."
That was all he said.
The memory flared hot and bitter. Julius clenched his jaw as fury surged inside him.
Mia was still murmuring in her sleep. And for one dangerous moment, Julius considered whisking her away to his private chambers, locking her up where no one could reach her.
But no. He shook his head. He needed to be careful.
He summoned the gnome once more, instructing it to watch over Mia. Then, wrapping the cabin in a concealment barrier, he mounted Gaia and rode swiftly back to his villa.
"You're late. And empty-handed?"
To his surprise, Shamanaz was still waiting in his sitting room. Julius scowled.
"You're still here? Why?"
She giggled.
"If I say I was with you, my parents will forgive me. We're practically engaged, after all."
"…What?"
Shamanaz's violet eyes turned serious.
"Let's be honest. No one knows whether she's alive or dead. And even if she is alive—how can someone so reckless be made queen?"
"So you think you should be queen?"
"Obviously. I'm your match. That low-born human girl can go get eaten by some monster for all I care."
Julius's heart lurched. Is the gnome watching Mia carefully enough? The barrier should be solid... She's hidden...
His brows drew together.
"That's a harsh thing to say, Shaminy."
"I'd become a villain if it meant keeping you."
She smiled sweetly.
"I'm leaving now."
As her silver dress trailed out of the room, Julius felt a chill.
Something clicked in his mind—Shamanaz, goddaughter of Jakiel... Jakiel, who seemed hostile toward Mia… and the rite of passage he proposed… the inexplicable deaths of young women from the Peridot bloodline—
Why am I only seeing this now? I need to investigate.
That night.
Julius disguised himself thoroughly. His golden hair turned pitch black. He wore plain peasant clothes and covered his face with a festival mask.
Casting an invisibility spell, he teleported to Shamanaz's estate and found the room of her closest maid—Laila.
Thanks to an air spirit's guidance, locating it was easy. Laila was sound asleep.
Julius crept in silently, covered her mouth, and shook her awake.
Her eyes snapped open. She tried to scream—but he pressed on her throat just enough to silence her. Then, softly:
"Stay calm. As long as you cooperate, you'll be fine. Now, look into my eyes."
Laila's gaze locked onto his. Her expression slowly emptied, like her soul was drifting away.
Julius spoke.
"Gentle soul—will you answer all my questions with nothing but the truth?"
"Yes… anything you ask…"
"Then tell me: how is your mistress, Shamanaz, involved in the deaths of the Peridot bloodline maidens?"
"…Lord Jakiel…"
Julius's brow furrowed.
"What about Jakiel?"