“I, I think I can understand the words of the monsters.”
Yerhan opened his eyes wide in surprise. He knew that Rosena could understand the language of animals, but it was the first time he heard that she could hear the monster’s words.
Yehan’s face quickly became serious. No one else would have believed it, but Yerhan believed Rosena straight away without a doubt.
“I want to make sure if I really can talk to a monster.”
“……”
“I want to help you by doing what I can.”
Rosena really wanted to help Yerhan.
Looking into her sincere eyes, Yerhan couldn’t say anything more.
“But we don’t know what that monster will do.”
“I don’t mean to meet him recklessly. I’ll be fully prepared.”
Yehan did not speak for a long time. After much thought, he finally opened his mouth.
“Then there is a condition.”
Instead of letting her meet the monsters, Yerhan put up a condition. The condition was that she had to meet the monster with him.
Rosena nodded in agreement.
Yerhan was still dissatisfied, but no longer opposed.
As soon as things were cleared up, Rosena looked out the window. A cold wind blew and knocked on the window. Unlike the empire, which was still in late winter, Astania, where the hot sun was rising, passed in front of her eyes.
Rosena naturally thought of Illian. It had already been two months since she left Astania.
Children grow up quickly in a short period of time, but how much will he grow?
Another two months would go by if Illian was called from Astania.
When Rosena made a gloomy face, Yerhan said.
“I have someone to show you.”
At Yerhan’s words, Rosena turned her head. He got up and walked towards the door. Then he called the servant and said something.
Who is he going to show her?
As Rosena waited silently, footsteps could be heard from afar.
The sound of footsteps running down the hallway was familiar. And someone ran through the open door.
“Mom!!”
It was Illian.
Rosena rubbed her eyes as if she had seen something amiss. But it wasn’t wrong. Obviously, the child who came in through the door was Illian.
“How are you here…”
Obviously, Rosena had left Illian behind in Astania. It was because she didn’t know if she would get involved in something bad if she brought Illian. But how did Illian get here?
Rosena patted Illian’s shoulders and face. As his warm cheeks was touched, Illian smiled broadly and grabbed Rosena’s hand.
“I came by following mom.”
“Me….?”
Rosena asked with a look that said she didn’t understand yet.
“Illian, tell me what happened.”
Illian, who received Rosena’s gaze, hesitated and confessed.
“I sneaked into mom’s ship.”
“What?”
Rosena was startled and shouted reflexively.
People might not have known if he had been hidden in a warehouse or something, but it had been over a month. There was no guarantee that an accident would not have occurred. Besides, she got off the boat and came here alone.
“What would you have done if something had happened?”
Rosena quietly admonished Illian.
Meeting Illian was so happy and delightful in itself, but that was a different thing. If Illian had had an accident, Rosena would not have been able to forgive herself.
Illian looked at Rosena’s face and immediately put on a sullen expression. But Rosena didn’t want to let this slide.
If she let it slide once, it could happen again.
“You promised to stay calm. If anything happens to you, I…”
As Rosena’s face darkened, Illian quickly grabbed the hem of Yerhan’s robe.
“Mom, Dad said he has something to tell you.”
Surprised by the word ‘dad’, Yerhan immediately looked at Illian.
Illian’s eyes signaled for help. Yerhan, who was already preoccupied with the word dad, suddenly nodded his head.
Rosena raised her head and looked at Yerhan.
“Something to say?”
“So…..”
Yerhan paused for a moment before opening his mouth.
“As soon as Illian cleverly got off the ship, he went to the store where I had planted a contact. Isaac immediately brought Illian to the capital safely, and nothing really happened.…”
“So you’re saying he did a good job?”
“…No.”
It was an infinitely weak Yerhan, only to Rosena.
Yerhan immediately changed his attitude and told Illian.
“Illian, apologize.”
Illian was in tears when he realized that Yerhan would no longer support him. He didn’t want to see his beloved mother angry.
“….I did wrong.”
Illian’s shoulders shook as if he was about to burst into tears.
Rosena, who watched silently, sighed. Her heart weakened, and she could no longer scold him. It was also Rosena’s fault for thinking of leaving Illian alone in Astania.
He must have had a hard time coming here… Rosena stretched out her arms and hugged Illian.
A sense of relief came over her as she was holding the Illian that fit snugly in her arms.
“That’s a relief.”
It was really fortunate that Illian was safe and that they were able to reunite like this again.
Illian, in Rosena’s arms, rubbed his face. The corners of Yerhan’s lips, who was watching the reunion of the mother and son, rose slightly.
He would have been jealous in the past, but not at all now. Just looking at the two of them, he felt a sense of satisfaction as if his chest was full.
Illian, who was in Rosena’s arms, raised his head slightly. When Yerhan’s eyes met, Illian slightly stuck out his tongue.
Unlike before, it was cute to play around without being mean. In the end, Yerhan laughed.
***
After a while, Rosena recovered enough to be able to walk in the garden.
In the meantime, many things happened inside and outside the Imperial Palace.
First, the Imperial Palace started a large-scale renovation. All the places where the monsters passed were ruined. There were more than ten collapsed buildings, and the gardens were trampled down like ruins, requiring maintenance.
And after the funeral, all imperial affairs were paralyzed. As the rebellion of the third prince Yerhan succeeded, the emperor, the empress, and the crown prince were all detained, so it was natural.
Three people were detained, so there were only a few remaining members of the royal family. Second Prince Zeref, his children, and the family of Third Prince Yerhan.
Since Zigrit would soon be stripped of the crown prince position, the next crown prince would be Second Prince Zeref if the order of succession was followed. However, no one mentioned the second prince.
The second prince is a modest, quiet, scholar-like man. Unfortunately, his wife, Asilia, who swept the social circles and became a strong supporter, had already been expelled from the imperial family.
Moreover, there were rumors that the second prince would be ousted, and the illegitimate son, Yerhan, came to power. Although Emperor Barmun was imprisoned, he was able to regain power as he corrected himself unharmed.
However, no one was in favor of the emperor’s reinstatement. As all the truths were revealed this time, the reputation of the imperial family had fallen to the level beyond the ground – underground. Even if Barmun returned, the weakening of the imperial power was a natural procedure.
A new wind blew as a controversy arose over who would sit on the throne. When the crown prince’s fraudulent activities were revealed, it was Yerhan who received the most attention.
The nobles who attended the funeral watched Yerhan’s performance carefully. A strong power that no one can deny.
It was Yerhan who suited the throne more than anyone else in the imperial family, which strengthened the imperial power by promoting it as the divinity’s bloodline.
In addition, the reaction of the people of the empire changed like the flipping of the palm of the hand to the fact that they had been subjugating monsters while traveling around the empire on behalf of the crown prince.
The third prince, known for being ugly and suffering from madness, soon turned into a more righteous imperial family member than anyone else. It was no exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to Yerhan that the imperial family, which had suffered a complete loss of honor, survived.
Yerhan’s popularity skyrocketed from that day. The nobles on Yerhan’s side immediately spread propaganda, and the nobles who had their lives saved thanks to Yerhan at the funeral also liked him.
The people of the empire also clamored for Yerhan to rise to the throne.
It was when there was one week left before the meeting to discuss the issue of succession to the throne and future state affairs.
Early in the morning at dawn, Rosena greeted her morning in the palace of the third prince.
Now it didn’t matter which palace in the Imperial Palace was used, but Rosena and Yerhan were still living in the palace of the third prince.
Rosena had a cup of tea after breakfast with Illian.
Yerhan had so much work to do these days that he wasn’t always there when she opened her eyes. But today, he had promised to make time in the afternoon.
Rosena, who spent the morning with Illian, wore a dress of a calm blue color.
The weather was cold, and she even put on a scarf and a fur cloak sent by Yerhan.
Even though she wasn’t going out and was just wandering around the palace, Yerhan was always worried.
Rosena’s reflection in the mirror looked brighter than ever.
On the day of the funeral, it was as if she was about to collapse as she had lost a lot of weight. She then ate well and rested well for a few days, and her condition improved quickly.
After finishing preparations, Rosena got up from her seat. Then, Illian tilted his head through the door that was gently opened.
“Illian…”
Rosena sighed. Seeing Rosena’s reaction, Illian immediately noticed and opened his mouth.
“I will go too.”
She had been reluctant to say no from the last time, but Illian insisted.
“No, you can’t.”
Rosena answered him firmly. No matter how thoroughly she guarded him, she would never know.
Then Illian mumbled as if dissatisfied.
“I am no longer a child…”
It was a little funny when a child said that.
Rosena, whose smile faded slightly, suddenly remembered that Illian could converse with animals.
If so, will Illian be able to understand the language of the monster?
After a moment of contemplation, Rosena looked at Illian.
“Be a good child.”
“All right.”
Illian nodded vigorously.
In the end, Rosena took Illian’s hand and exited the Third Prince Palace.
The place where Rosena headed to was a palace with a red roof.
As they entered the building, the men in black uniforms straightened their backs.
Rosena looked at them slowly. Familiar faces came into view.
They were Crayle, Isaac, and Karlan, whom she had seen a few times.
Up until now, Rosena thought they were the people Yerhan had hired. But to think that they are the Tiriad knights…
Rosena said inwardly that she had made a silly mistake until now, and she chuckled to herself.
Rosena, who had recovered her expression, walked down the hallway and headed inside.
As the servant opened the door, she saw a spacious room. There was minimal furniture and warm rugs on the floor. A round table was placed in the middle of the well-organized room.
Rosena slowly looked away. A man was sitting in front of the table.
The man, who was wearing a huge restraint device, quietly bowed his head.
As Rosena entered, the four Tiriad knights stood in the blind spot of the room.
They monitored closely, as if they would not let their guards down even just a little.
Not long after, the door opened again. It was Yerhan who entered.
“Rosena.”
As soon as Yerhan entered, he kissed Rosena’s forehead very naturally.
It was like a sweet greeting from a long-lost lover.
Rosena blushed slightly. In this room, there were not only Illian but also the Tiriad knights.
However, their expressions did not change as if they were very familiar with it.
“Please have a seat.”
Rosena and Illian followed Yerhan and sat down on a chair in front of the table.
Rosena lowered her head and looked down at the man who had his head bowed down.
As she was contemplating what to say, the man, who had not moved, flinched. Then he slowly raised his head.
– ….A new king?
With a soft murmur, dark blue eyes stared at Illian with precision.
When the eyes of the monster touched him, Rosena was surprised and wrapped her hand around Illian.
However, the man just stared at Illian without any reaction.
What does he mean by a new king….?
Rosena had no idea at all about what he had just said.
After thinking for a moment, Rosena carefully opened her mouth.
“You understand my words, don’t you!”
At Rosena’s question, the man slowly nodded his head.
Rosena bit her lips softly. As expected, it wasn’t an illusion.
“What did you mean when you said you were coming to help?”
– ….Because you asked for help.
Rosena lowered her eyes at the slow reply.
Back then Rosena asked the animals to help. So, did he come after hearing those words?
However, there was no way monsters could fall from the sky.
It was clear that he had come to invade the Imperial Palace for some purpose, and then heard her voice.
“I will change the question. Why did you come to the Imperial Palace?”
Rosena was asking what was his original purpose. Then the blue eyes rolled over and finally turned to Rosena.
– To find the stolen land.
The stolen land?
As Rosena narrowed her forehead, he continued his speech.
– In the beginning, this was our land. Long ago, humans took over this land and drove us away.
He squinted as if recalling the distant past. Then he put his hand with the restraint device down on the table.
Yerhan and other Tiriad knights reflexively laid their hands on their swords.
– I just came to seek land from the king of humans.
Rosena couldn’t say anything hastily. Obviously, the past this man was talking about must be very old.
Rosena closed her mouth, and the man closed his eyes.
– Our king sided with humans in the distant past. And he was betrayed.
Rosena’s heart began to thump at his blunt words.
She didn’t know the reason, but she felt like she was being shot to death by confirming a story she knew.
The man stared blankly into the air, and then he slowly gazed at Rosena and Yerhan.
– I can feel the power of our kind in you. And in that boy too.
The man who looked away from the two of them turned towards Illian.
She drew a line.
– A person with perfect power. Our new king.
“I, I think I can understand the words of the monsters.”
Yerhan opened his eyes wide in surprise. He knew that Rosena could understand the language of animals, but it was the first time he heard that she could hear the monster’s words.
Yehan’s face quickly became serious. No one else would have believed it, but Yerhan believed Rosena straight away without a doubt.
“I want to make sure if I really can talk to a monster.”
“……”
“I want to help you by doing what I can.”
Rosena really wanted to help Yerhan.
Looking into her sincere eyes, Yerhan couldn’t say anything more.
“But we don’t know what that monster will do.”
“I don’t mean to meet him recklessly. I’ll be fully prepared.”
Yehan did not speak for a long time. After much thought, he finally opened his mouth.
“Then there is a condition.”
Instead of letting her meet the monsters, Yerhan put up a condition. The condition was that she had to meet the monster with him.
Rosena nodded in agreement.
Yerhan was still dissatisfied, but no longer opposed.
As soon as things were cleared up, Rosena looked out the window. A cold wind blew and knocked on the window. Unlike the empire, which was still in late winter, Astania, where the hot sun was rising, passed in front of her eyes.
Rosena naturally thought of Illian. It had already been two months since she left Astania.
Children grow up quickly in a short period of time, but how much will he grow?
Another two months would go by if Illian was called from Astania.
When Rosena made a gloomy face, Yerhan said.
“I have someone to show you.”
At Yerhan’s words, Rosena turned her head. He got up and walked towards the door. Then he called the servant and said something.
Who is he going to show her?
As Rosena waited silently, footsteps could be heard from afar.
The sound of footsteps running down the hallway was familiar. And someone ran through the open door.
“Mom!!”
It was Illian.
Rosena rubbed her eyes as if she had seen something amiss. But it wasn’t wrong. Obviously, the child who came in through the door was Illian.
“How are you here…”
Obviously, Rosena had left Illian behind in Astania. It was because she didn’t know if she would get involved in something bad if she brought Illian. But how did Illian get here?
Rosena patted Illian’s shoulders and face. As his warm cheeks was touched, Illian smiled broadly and grabbed Rosena’s hand.
“I came by following mom.”
“Me….?”
Rosena asked with a look that said she didn’t understand yet.
“Illian, tell me what happened.”
Illian, who received Rosena’s gaze, hesitated and confessed.
“I sneaked into mom’s ship.”
“What?”
Rosena was startled and shouted reflexively.
People might not have known if he had been hidden in a warehouse or something, but it had been over a month. There was no guarantee that an accident would not have occurred. Besides, she got off the boat and came here alone.
“What would you have done if something had happened?”
Rosena quietly admonished Illian.
Meeting Illian was so happy and delightful in itself, but that was a different thing. If Illian had had an accident, Rosena would not have been able to forgive herself.
Illian looked at Rosena’s face and immediately put on a sullen expression. But Rosena didn’t want to let this slide.
If she let it slide once, it could happen again.
“You promised to stay calm. If anything happens to you, I…”
As Rosena’s face darkened, Illian quickly grabbed the hem of Yerhan’s robe.
“Mom, Dad said he has something to tell you.”
Surprised by the word ‘dad’, Yerhan immediately looked at Illian.
Illian’s eyes signaled for help. Yerhan, who was already preoccupied with the word dad, suddenly nodded his head.
Rosena raised her head and looked at Yerhan.
“Something to say?”
“So…..”
Yerhan paused for a moment before opening his mouth.
“As soon as Illian cleverly got off the ship, he went to the store where I had planted a contact. Isaac immediately brought Illian to the capital safely, and nothing really happened.…”
“So you’re saying he did a good job?”
“…No.”
It was an infinitely weak Yerhan, only to Rosena.
Yerhan immediately changed his attitude and told Illian.
“Illian, apologize.”
Illian was in tears when he realized that Yerhan would no longer support him. He didn’t want to see his beloved mother angry.
“….I did wrong.”
Illian’s shoulders shook as if he was about to burst into tears.
Rosena, who watched silently, sighed. Her heart weakened, and she could no longer scold him. It was also Rosena’s fault for thinking of leaving Illian alone in Astania.
He must have had a hard time coming here… Rosena stretched out her arms and hugged Illian.
A sense of relief came over her as she was holding the Illian that fit snugly in her arms.
“That’s a relief.”
It was really fortunate that Illian was safe and that they were able to reunite like this again.
Illian, in Rosena’s arms, rubbed his face. The corners of Yerhan’s lips, who was watching the reunion of the mother and son, rose slightly.
He would have been jealous in the past, but not at all now. Just looking at the two of them, he felt a sense of satisfaction as if his chest was full.
Illian, who was in Rosena’s arms, raised his head slightly. When Yerhan’s eyes met, Illian slightly stuck out his tongue.
Unlike before, it was cute to play around without being mean. In the end, Yerhan laughed.
***
After a while, Rosena recovered enough to be able to walk in the garden.
In the meantime, many things happened inside and outside the Imperial Palace.
First, the Imperial Palace started a large-scale renovation. All the places where the monsters passed were ruined. There were more than ten collapsed buildings, and the gardens were trampled down like ruins, requiring maintenance.
And after the funeral, all imperial affairs were paralyzed. As the rebellion of the third prince Yerhan succeeded, the emperor, the empress, and the crown prince were all detained, so it was natural.
Three people were detained, so there were only a few remaining members of the royal family. Second Prince Zeref, his children, and the family of Third Prince Yerhan.
Since Zigrit would soon be stripped of the crown prince position, the next crown prince would be Second Prince Zeref if the order of succession was followed. However, no one mentioned the second prince.
The second prince is a modest, quiet, scholar-like man. Unfortunately, his wife, Asilia, who swept the social circles and became a strong supporter, had already been expelled from the imperial family.
Moreover, there were rumors that the second prince would be ousted, and the illegitimate son, Yerhan, came to power. Although Emperor Barmun was imprisoned, he was able to regain power as he corrected himself unharmed.
However, no one was in favor of the emperor’s reinstatement. As all the truths were revealed this time, the reputation of the imperial family had fallen to the level beyond the ground – underground. Even if Barmun returned, the weakening of the imperial power was a natural procedure.
A new wind blew as a controversy arose over who would sit on the throne. When the crown prince’s fraudulent activities were revealed, it was Yerhan who received the most attention.
The nobles who attended the funeral watched Yerhan’s performance carefully. A strong power that no one can deny.
It was Yerhan who suited the throne more than anyone else in the imperial family, which strengthened the imperial power by promoting it as the divinity’s bloodline.
In addition, the reaction of the people of the empire changed like the flipping of the palm of the hand to the fact that they had been subjugating monsters while traveling around the empire on behalf of the crown prince.
The third prince, known for being ugly and suffering from madness, soon turned into a more righteous imperial family member than anyone else. It was no exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to Yerhan that the imperial family, which had suffered a complete loss of honor, survived.
Yerhan’s popularity skyrocketed from that day. The nobles on Yerhan’s side immediately spread propaganda, and the nobles who had their lives saved thanks to Yerhan at the funeral also liked him.
The people of the empire also clamored for Yerhan to rise to the throne.
It was when there was one week left before the meeting to discuss the issue of succession to the throne and future state affairs.
Early in the morning at dawn, Rosena greeted her morning in the palace of the third prince.
Now it didn’t matter which palace in the Imperial Palace was used, but Rosena and Yerhan were still living in the palace of the third prince.
Rosena had a cup of tea after breakfast with Illian.
Yerhan had so much work to do these days that he wasn’t always there when she opened her eyes. But today, he had promised to make time in the afternoon.
Rosena, who spent the morning with Illian, wore a dress of a calm blue color.
The weather was cold, and she even put on a scarf and a fur cloak sent by Yerhan.
Even though she wasn’t going out and was just wandering around the palace, Yerhan was always worried.
Rosena’s reflection in the mirror looked brighter than ever.
On the day of the funeral, it was as if she was about to collapse as she had lost a lot of weight. She then ate well and rested well for a few days, and her condition improved quickly.
After finishing preparations, Rosena got up from her seat. Then, Illian tilted his head through the door that was gently opened.
“Illian…”
Rosena sighed. Seeing Rosena’s reaction, Illian immediately noticed and opened his mouth.
“I will go too.”
She had been reluctant to say no from the last time, but Illian insisted.
“No, you can’t.”
Rosena answered him firmly. No matter how thoroughly she guarded him, she would never know.
Then Illian mumbled as if dissatisfied.
“I am no longer a child…”
It was a little funny when a child said that.
Rosena, whose smile faded slightly, suddenly remembered that Illian could converse with animals.
If so, will Illian be able to understand the language of the monster?
After a moment of contemplation, Rosena looked at Illian.
“Be a good child.”
“All right.”
Illian nodded vigorously.
In the end, Rosena took Illian’s hand and exited the Third Prince Palace.
The place where Rosena headed to was a palace with a red roof.
As they entered the building, the men in black uniforms straightened their backs.
Rosena looked at them slowly. Familiar faces came into view.
They were Crayle, Isaac, and Karlan, whom she had seen a few times.
Up until now, Rosena thought they were the people Yerhan had hired. But to think that they are the Tiriad knights…
Rosena said inwardly that she had made a silly mistake until now, and she chuckled to herself.
Rosena, who had recovered her expression, walked down the hallway and headed inside.
As the servant opened the door, she saw a spacious room. There was minimal furniture and warm rugs on the floor. A round table was placed in the middle of the well-organized room.
Rosena slowly looked away. A man was sitting in front of the table.
The man, who was wearing a huge restraint device, quietly bowed his head.
As Rosena entered, the four Tiriad knights stood in the blind spot of the room.
They monitored closely, as if they would not let their guards down even just a little.
Not long after, the door opened again. It was Yerhan who entered.
“Rosena.”
As soon as Yerhan entered, he kissed Rosena’s forehead very naturally.
It was like a sweet greeting from a long-lost lover.
Rosena blushed slightly. In this room, there were not only Illian but also the Tiriad knights.
However, their expressions did not change as if they were very familiar with it.
“Please have a seat.”
Rosena and Illian followed Yerhan and sat down on a chair in front of the table.
Rosena lowered her head and looked down at the man who had his head bowed down.
As she was contemplating what to say, the man, who had not moved, flinched. Then he slowly raised his head.
– ….A new king?
With a soft murmur, dark blue eyes stared at Illian with precision.
When the eyes of the monster touched him, Rosena was surprised and wrapped her hand around Illian.
However, the man just stared at Illian without any reaction.
What does he mean by a new king….?
Rosena had no idea at all about what he had just said.
After thinking for a moment, Rosena carefully opened her mouth.
“You understand my words, don’t you!”
At Rosena’s question, the man slowly nodded his head.
Rosena bit her lips softly. As expected, it wasn’t an illusion.
“What did you mean when you said you were coming to help?”
– ….Because you asked for help.
Rosena lowered her eyes at the slow reply.
Back then Rosena asked the animals to help. So, did he come after hearing those words?
However, there was no way monsters could fall from the sky.
It was clear that he had come to invade the Imperial Palace for some purpose, and then heard her voice.
“I will change the question. Why did you come to the Imperial Palace?”
Rosena was asking what was his original purpose. Then the blue eyes rolled over and finally turned to Rosena.
– To find the stolen land.
The stolen land?
As Rosena narrowed her forehead, he continued his speech.
– In the beginning, this was our land. Long ago, humans took over this land and drove us away.
He squinted as if recalling the distant past. Then he put his hand with the restraint device down on the table.
Yerhan and other Tiriad knights reflexively laid their hands on their swords.
– I just came to seek land from the king of humans.
Rosena couldn’t say anything hastily. Obviously, the past this man was talking about must be very old.
Rosena closed her mouth, and the man closed his eyes.
– Our king sided with humans in the distant past. And he was betrayed.
Rosena’s heart began to thump at his blunt words.
She didn’t know the reason, but she felt like she was being shot to death by confirming a story she knew.
The man stared blankly into the air, and then he slowly gazed at Rosena and Yerhan.
– I can feel the power of our kind in you. And in that boy too.
The man who looked away from the two of them turned towards Illian.
She drew a line.
– A person with perfect power. Our new king.
