Dylan bowed his head. Now at her eye level, Charlize stared at him. Was this how butterflies felt when caught in a spider's web?
'Dylan. He fed the Emperor a piece of Ehyrit.'
She felt that she was caught in a trap for a moment, but judging by her calm rationality, it was only part of her coincidence.
Dylan completely destroyed the imperial family. He proceeded with the plan without Charlize's permission, but in the end, he followed her will thoroughly.
She asked him to grow up as a tyrant. And Dylan. He rebelled, exterminated the imperial family, and even made the Emperor kneel.
A ruthless character that shows no mercy even to his kin. Wasn't that what Charlize wanted from Dylan from the beginning? He wouldn't have done so if he had known something.
So it wasn't something to get angry about.
'Your eyes asking for praise.'
Besides, Dylan seemed to think he did a good job now. He was confidently hoping for a compliment for the first time.
Charlize had been trying to tame Dylan till now. Charlize had been the one who mesmerized him to win his heart, so she didn't refuse Dylan's request.
"You did… well."
Charlize carefully brushed Dylan's black hair with her hand. Was the sensation of her fingers too developed?
It was soft and smooth. His hair drifted at her fingertips. The sensations touched and it tickled.
"…"
But there was serenity as well.
Charlize was still confused. All of her original plans were messed up.
Her idea was to get Dylan to the throne in the blessing of everyone and becoming recognized for his cause and legitimacy. After the execution of the Emperor later on.
'But the Emperor who ate the piece of Ehyrit can't be killed.'
After this, things had become several times more complicated.
Charlize simply stroked his head. But Dylan's eyes were odd.
A soft and courteous eye as if looking at a precious person. However, beyond the gentle blue, a deep will was read like an abyss.
Charlize opened her mouth.
"…Could you give me a little bit of time?"
As if it took time to understand and accept him.
Her gentle words carried no sting.
Dylan answered by holding Charlize's hand down into the air.
"Gladly."
Dylan's breath stucks to the back of her hand. Like a sacred knight's oath to a Lady, Dylan raised his head, kissing the back of Charlize's hand.
Charlize was still uncomfortable with the Emperor. Dylan seemed to have noticed Charlize's thoughts.
Dylan moved his feet to cover up the Emperor. Soon, the Emperor disappeared from Charlize's sight.
A creature that has become no longer human. And while holding Charlize's hand, Dylan still smiled like a pure child.
It was somewhat a hard distorted sight.
But again, Charlize didn't express her feelings. No, she looked at Dylan like a mirror and smiled.
***
As soon as Dylan gave her time, Charlize entered the bathtub.
The maids retreated and she washed her body alone.
Even the scent of the bath bomb made by Mary didn't make her calm down. Maybe she was afraid.
'Why did Dylan do that…'
Why to the late Emperor?
Dylan eagerly explained the reason why. But is that all? There must be a more essential reason.
'Originally tomorrow is.'
As soon as the morning dawned, she tried to reveal all the sins of the late Emperor and to delegitimize him through a due process.
She tried to execute the Emperor with her own hands and do the same with the imperial family. So that even the knights and the employees who have fainted due to the 'Faint-herb' can wake up tomorrow and understand.
However, this plan has already gone down the drain.
'There is no doubt that resistance would happen.'
Even if Dylan ascended to the throne through the coronation ceremony, his image of cruelly usurping the throne became more intense.
There will be people who will get a glimpse of the opportunity to bring down Dylan every time.
'Of course, even if there is a resistance, I will suppress it all.'
After all, it's because Dylan grew up so well. Who is to blame?
It was her who made Dylan like this. And Dylan wouldn't be Dylan for nothing. She was sure he would do well.
Charlize immersed her face under the water. The water was still warm. Charlize held her breath and raised her face again.
Splashing.
The water surface is shaking.
Near the bathtub, fairies were flapping their wings. It's been a while. Charlize blinked her eyes.
"…"
Are they trying to comfort her? When she was silent because she rarely felt like greeting, the fairies laughed at Charlize.
"…If I run away."
Charlize broke the silence. Her voice was a little rough.
"Can you help me?"
As if it were natural, the fairies nodded with a big smile.
Even when she participated in the fencing competition, Charlize succeeded in disguise with the help of fairies.
After she spits it out, she can feel her heart for sure. Charlize was engulfed in the urge to run away now.
She just suppressed it somehow.
The fairy whispered.
Charlize reached out her hand. The fairies sit down on her neat fingers. It was a little different feeling of tickling than when Dylan kissed the back of her hand.
Charlize turned the mana circle. There was no end of her mana pouring out everywhere. The mana that penetrated Charlize was soft and sweet to the fairy.
The fairies sucked in with pleasure.
Charlize smiled vaguely. Still, they were totally on her side, so it was a relief.
***
"Are you really not going to participate?"
The next day, the morning was bright.
Charlize woke up earlier than anyone else. In fact, she couldn't sleep well and only got a few hours of sleep.
"But it's His Highness's coronation ceremony… If the Grandmaster doesn't go, who can make the place look better?"
Looking at Charlize, who didn't wear the uniform for the coronation ceremony, the maids make a long face desperately.
Charlize turned her head and looked out the window.
"I've already got permission from His Highness. I don't feel like participating. Why don't you stop recommending me?"
She asked Dylan to give her time, and he accepted.
When Charlize refused softly, the maids couldn't speak anymore. Of course, Charlize knew it was an immature response.
Because it's a one-time coronation ceremony.
But Charlize needed time.
"I'm going to take a stroll."
Charlize walked lightly down the street.
She didn't attend Dylan's coronation ceremony, nor did she attend the important political talks that divided about the official recognition of distinguished service.
It was a pity that she didn't see Dylan wearing the crown.
'All the nobles would have bowed their heads together and wished for the prosperity of the Empire.'
The rebellion was successful, and the Empire was turned upside down. It seemed that the settlement was going well. In fact, it was obvious.
The collapsed Imperial Palace will begin repairs, and everyone will hold their breath for a while in front of Dylan, who holds their life and death. If they understand their valuable life.
It was announced that the late Emperor had died with the imperial family who had already been exterminated.
The people of the country will point out that he's a tyrant because it's not a legitimate process to speak ill of the King where he wasn't around.
'Dylan, and the tyrant.'
Charlize looked up at the sky with an indifferent look. It's extremely clear.
The sun was especially hot today.
Dylan I ascended the throne.
According to its original history, it would have been named 'Dietrich II'. But Dylan created a new one in his own name.
Charlize naturally became the Jesa (*the teacher of the Emperor) from the Grandmaster (*the teacher of the Crown Prince).
Even if she didn't participate in the meeting, Charlize was already receiving attention because she was a person in power. Reports kept come in.
"Greetings to the Jesa."
Charlize, who was taking a walk, stopped.
Together with Dylan's ascension, they were those who were organized as 'Shadow', direct knights of the Emperor.
Charlize looked at the five Shadow bowing politely.
"Are they the people His Majesty sent? I thought he had given me time for sure…"
"Oh, n-no, Jesa. I was just passing by and accidentally met Jesa and said hello."
As she walked aimlessly, it was the central corridor of the Imperial Palace.
"Ah."
Charlize nodded lightly. She tried to pass by, but the knights talked to Charlize.
"Actually, I've heard the rumor that you've completely attacked the four-digit shadow monsters… and so I'm curious…"
The knights didn't know what to do in front of Charlize, who was said to be cold.
Charlize tilted her head and they gulped down. Anyway, Shadow is the one who is the foremost in the Empire due to an obsession with swords.
It was their feeling that they longing for when they saw the inspection of outstanding swordmaster's skills.
One person took the lead as if he had plucked up his courage. He was shaking and asking questions with difficulty.
"How did you do that? Are, are you like a god of swords? Because I thought you've crossed the level of humans…"
It was clearly a compliment. Even though she knew.
"I."
Charlize asked back gently.
"Do I look like I'm not human?"
Charlize was smiling brightly. However, when they faced Charlize for a moment, Shadow felt suffocated.
Would it be like that if they look at the dark space? At first glance, her unfolding energy opened their eyes to the point where they couldn't see the end.
They were more scared of her state than the outstanding swordsmanship or the beautiful face.
They couldn't run away.
When Charlize made eye contact with each Shadow, they instinctively held their breath. No one could answer because of the tension.
As elite knights, they began to be admired even among knights, but in front of Charlize they just hardened.
"…You did a great job."
Charlize casually disarranged the tension as if she didn't expect an answer from the beginning.
The sharp and cold smile faded away like smoke. Charlize said softly.
"I heard that your contributions are great in achieving an important task. Please continue to support His Majesty."
"…Yes, yes. Jesa."
It was then that Shadow woke up and bowed their head to Charlize. Their heart pounded like it was about to burst.
The gaze of the knights poured into Charlize's appearance from behind that was aloof. They were still dazed, but their eyes filled with fear.
Only then did they recognize that Charlize, who raised a tyrant, was also a fearful being beyond humans.
No one will ever ask Charlize in her face again.
There was a man watching Charlize from a distance.
Dylan.
As soon as he became the Emperor, he wanted to be congratulated first. But he has no choice but to watch from a distance because his Master doesn't want it.
'Did I do something wrong?'
Dylan thought deeply. However, even if time is turned back and another chance is given. Dylan would have made the same choice.
Because.
Because he wanted to have Charlize.
His breath ran out hot. Maybe Dylan needed more time than Charlize.
Because he was embarrassed by his strong possessiveness. Dylan was also confused by his uncontrolled emotions.
"Your Majesty."
Shadow found Dylan and bowed their head altogether.
The sun is shining today. Dylan didn't close his eyes.