When Ail elaborated further, Nathan nodded.

“Then listen carefully. If you wish, I will let you live in the imperial palace with Ruth. However, you must be on my side. Never defy me, and live by my words alone. If you do, I will ensure you live a long life.”

Although Nathan didn’t fully understand what Ail meant, he nodded vigorously. Ail was the scariest person in the world to him, and the prospect of being with Ruth, his favorite person, gave him no reason to refuse.

Watching Nathan nod mechanically over and over, Ail frowned slightly.

“Are you mute? Answer me.”

At Ail’s irritated voice, Nathan flinched and stopped nodding. He looked terrified, his voice trembling as he managed to stammer a response.

“Y-yes, Your Highness.”

“I don’t like fools. If you forget and make me repeat this in a month, I won’t forgive it. Remember my words for the rest of your life. If you break this vow, I can’t guarantee your life.”

Though Ail’s words were laced with venom, Nathan tilted his head in confusion, his face betraying that he didn’t fully understand the difficult language. Seeing this, Ail gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath, “I really can’t stand children.”

“If you don’t listen, I’ll throw you out of the imperial palace. Now do you understand?”

Ail’s voice grew louder and more menacing. Nathan still didn’t fully grasp the meaning but nodded repeatedly, murmuring his agreement with a trembling voice.

Watching Nathan nod incessantly and babble in his childish tone, Ail thought to himself that Nathan was truly a formidable opponent. Threatening and persuading someone who didn’t understand was far harder than dealing with cunning and deceitful adults.

“I really despise children,” Ail muttered to himself again.

“Stand up. We’re going to the Northern Palace.”

Nathan’s face, previously filled with fear, lit up at the mention of the Northern Palace. Ail had heard that Nathan was fond of Ruth but hadn’t realized it was to this extent. It annoyed him slightly, and he suddenly didn’t want to take Nathan to Ruth. His initial plan was to have Ruth raise Nathan and turn him to his side, but seeing them together might be intolerable.

Looking down at the child, who barely came up to his knee, Ail entertained the thought of simply killing him. But he quickly dismissed the idea, knowing he needed Nathan alive to counter the ministers’ potential accusations about succession. At least until Lindsay bore him a son.

Ignoring Nathan, who was struggling to keep up with his short legs, Ail reached the door and grabbed the handle. Just as he was about to open it, the door swung open from the outside, revealing Salina, her face pale with fury and humiliation.

“What’s the matter?”

Her face was taut with anger, likely from meeting Adiba. Ail ordered the waiting nanny to take Nathan to the Northern Palace, then closed the door and turned back toward the table. Salina, however, didn’t follow and instead spoke in a voice quivering with restrained rage.

“You can’t do this to me.”

Ail turned, feigning confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

“You informed Her Majesty the Empress about the Erita abduction, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t need you anymore.”

Ail’s blunt answer made Salina tremble with fury, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

“I’ll inform the Kaizel family that it was you who commissioned the job.”

“Go ahead. In fact, it’ll be amusing. Tell them you conspired with me to corner the Kaizel family.”

“I won’t come out unscathed, but neither will you. Adding the matter of your unauthorized departure from the palace, it’ll be hard for you to maintain your position.”

Salina bared her claws in desperation, but to Ail, her threats were like brittle remnants of what once held power, incapable of causing even a scratch. Still, since she raised her fangs against him, Ail responded in kind.

“Because of that unauthorized departure, I’ve regained Virel from the Kaizel family. Oh, but you wouldn’t know that, would you? Kaizel sent assassins after me, and guess who funded them? Your elder brother.”

Ail’s words cut deep, his sharp retort devastating Salina. She trembled visibly, unable to refute him.

“That can’t be true,” she whispered, her voice weak from shock.

Ail, his tone calm and measured, added more detail to crush her remaining confidence.

“I have letters exchanged between Lyman Kaizel and your brother. Your brother’s name is at the top of the list of those who financed Lyman’s secret funds. Am I supposed to trust the sister of the man who tried to have me killed?”

It was a fatal blow aimed directly at her. Salina’s pale face froze as if all life had drained from her.

Ail reached out and gently patted her lifeless expression, as though pitying her pitiful state.

“Should I execute everyone who colluded with Lyman Kaizel for treason, or keep them alive and use them? I’m still debating,” Ail mused.

Salina’s shoulders trembled at his words. Watching her reaction with amusement, Ail corrected himself.

“No, that’s the wrong question. Do you want to die right now, or live and be used?”

Salina’s body stiffened, as though her heart had stopped. Ail removed his hand from her beautiful but now lifeless face and turned back toward the door. As he passed her, he whispered softly.

“Make your choice wisely. You have exactly one week to decide.”

With those parting words, Ail left the room and began walking down the corridor, accompanied by his attendants and knights. Everything was proceeding smoothly. Thanks to the letters sent by Leysha, things were falling into place with ease. Once Lyman Kaizel was dealt with, everything seemed poised to stabilize—assuming, of course, that Lyman remained alive.

—

After Kamiel left the room, Ruth cleaned himself up and changed into fresh clothes. He felt grateful that it was autumn. His neck and shoulders were covered in marks, forcing him to wear clothes with a high neckline, something unbearable in summer. The damp chill of the autumn rainy season was a small blessing.

Donning a white silk outfit that covered his neck, Ruth neatly combed his short hair and stepped out into the corridor upon hearing that Nathan had arrived at the Northern Palace. As he hurried toward the building, he spotted Nathan, who was being carried by the nanny and just entering the palace. Recognizing Ruth, Nathan squirmed in the nanny’s arms, demanding to be put down.

Nathan had grown noticeably since their last meeting, and Ruth quickened his pace to greet him. Standing before Nathan, Ruth bowed politely.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness. Have you been well?”

At Ruth’s gentle voice, Nathan extended his arms toward him. Nathan, usually quiet and reserved for his age, expressed his affection openly by reaching out to Ruth. Overcome with warmth, Ruth embraced him. Nathan immediately wrapped his arms tightly around Ruth’s neck. Feeling the child’s warm, soft body, Ruth smiled tenderly.

“You’ve grown so much taller.”

At Ruth’s affectionate comment, Nathan pressed his cheek against Ruth’s hair, nuzzling into him. The gesture, full of longing, tugged at Ruth’s heartstrings. Despite living in the grandeur of the palace as a member of the imperial family, Nathan was always starved for affection. Though shy and introverted, Nathan clung eagerly to those he liked, seeking warmth and comfort through physical closeness.

Feeling a pang in his chest at the boy’s yearning, Ruth hugged Nathan even tighter.

“Shall we go to my room? I have some delicious treats waiting.”

“Mm-hmm,” Nathan nodded enthusiastically, still clinging tightly to Ruth.

Feeling the boy’s warm body against his, Ruth gestured to the nanny to follow and began walking back to his room. Nathan held onto him as if afraid to let go, which only made Ruth stroke his hair soothingly in an effort to comfort him.

When they reached Ruth’s room, he asked Meril to bring tea and treats. Still holding tightly to Nathan, Ruth carried him inside. Even after they entered the room, Nathan refused to release his grip on Ruth.

“Your Highness, let me see your face,” Ruth gently coaxed.