A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The moment Yukal rose from his golden throne, killing intent flooded the room.

“How dare you interrupt me?” His voice dropped—low, cold, lethal. “Do you take me for some feeble old man cast aside? You must not value your life.”

“Y-Your Majesty! Never—never would I dare think such a thing! It’s just that… this matter is urgent!”

The man trembled, still sprawled flat against the floor. With shaking hands, he raised a letter above his head.

A soft pink glow shimmered from it, forming the image of a lioness in midair.

Yukal’s eyes narrowed.

“…A message from that brat in Singcester?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperors of the Blake Empire had never trusted their princes.

Not nobles.

Not allies.

But sons.

Creatures who could rip out their father’s throat at any moment to seize the throne.

They did not hesitate to betray.

And the emperor did not hesitate to kill his own blood.

That was why Yukal had planted a watcher among the delegation when Leonard Blake departed for Singcester.

Yukal snatched the letter and read.

Then—

Before he even reached the end—

A thunderous laugh burst from him.

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

“Well now…” His lips curled. “I never expected Leonard to make a move like this.”

“What has the Sixth Prince done?”

Yukal tossed the letter back, amusement twisting his expression.

“My sixth son is marrying Charlotte of Singcester—the princess of the Sacred Kingdom.”

“…What?!”

The man’s voice cracked.

Yukal only laughed harder.

“Leonard is one thing… but that young pope…” His eyes gleamed sharply. “What game is he playing, sending his precious little sister into my empire?”

Once, Yukal had been called a conqueror.

Now—

He was an aging emperor, slowly being pushed aside.

But even now, he still held one power.

To decide who would sit on the throne after him.

“Summon the elders of the four great houses!”

He rose to his full height, a glint of life returning to his dull eyes.

“It’s time to decide the next emperor.”

Blueheart Territory

A land where spring never came.

At its heart stood Oceanos Castle, battered endlessly by winds from the frozen sea.

Its master—

Damian Blueheart Blake, the First Prince.

If Leonard’s gaze burned like fire, at least he knew how to smile when needed.

Damian did not.

As if smiles had never existed in his world, he stared into the raging snowstorm, expression frozen solid.

“…He’s getting married? To the princess of Singcester?”

“Yes, Lord Damian.”

“A creature that devours death… falling in love at first sight?” His tone was flat. “Absurd. There’s a deal behind it. Find out what it is, Camilla.”

Without a word, Camilla bowed and left.

Silence settled—

Only to shatter moments later.

A sharp voice outside.

Clashing armor.

Knights shouting.

Then—

A surge of magic.

The door burst open.

She entered like a storm.

The most powerful woman in Blake—

And the most tragic.

Empress Gracia Blueheart.

“My son.”

“…Mother.”

Magic preserved her youth.

But not her nature.

Her beauty twisted beneath venom and ambition.

“Have you fallen behind that lowborn bastard again?” she hissed. “How can that vermin take the princess of Singcester?!”

Damian didn’t even turn.

“I believe I told you not to use magic carelessly in my castle.”

His gaze shifted slightly—to the knights collapsed outside.

Limbs frozen.

Bodies trembling.

If untreated, frostbite would rot their flesh.

He looked away without a trace of concern.

“They blocked me,” Gracia said coldly. “Incompetence deserves punishment.”

“…So? You didn’t come here merely to criticize them. Speak.”

“Kill her.”

Her voice sliced through the room.

“Before she reaches Blake. Make it look like an accident. I will not allow that bastard to gain Singcester’s light.”

“…If it were that simple, he would already be dead.”

Damian’s tone remained calm.

“Leonard was acknowledged by the emperor himself. The imperial family is suppressing information about him.”

“Then will you simply let him rise?!” she snapped. “At this rate, the Blackwood faction will take the throne!”

A vein surfaced briefly on Damian’s forehead—

Then disappeared.

“Mother.” His voice turned colder. “Do not test my patience. You’re beginning to sound vulgar.”

“…!”

Gracia stiffened.

Then lowered her head slightly.

“…I spoke out of turn.”

“…”

“But my point remains. The Blueheart family must retain the throne. Leonard must be stopped.”

“Do not worry.”

His voice was quiet.

But heavy.

“I will become emperor. By any means necessary. Have I not already proven that?”

“…Then what of the princess? Will you bring her to our side?”

“I have a method.”

His gaze dropped to the documents on his desk.

“You should return to the imperial palace. I hear there is a troublesome concubine in the harem.”

Gracia’s eyes narrowed.

“…You are well informed.”

“As are you.”

No warmth.

No affection.

Only power.

“…I will take my leave.”

She turned and left.

Silence returned once more.

Damian lowered his gaze.

The documents before him—

All of them were about Charlotte.

His fingers traced the pages slowly.

“…Why him, Princess?”

His voice barely rose above a whisper.

“What are you planning?”

Back in Singcester

“A punishment unit…”

I sat at my desk, spinning a quill between my fingers.

In front of me lay the White Owls’ report on Leonard Blake.

Calling it a report was generous.

It barely filled a single page.

But every line was absurd.

• Former commander of Thanatos

• Appeared in L.D. 211 as the “Sixth Prince”

• Original prince: James (brown hair, brown eyes)

• Raised secretly by the Blackwood family

• Died under unknown circumstances

• Replaced by Leonard

“…Why is everything ‘unknown’?!”

And then—

• Favorite food: spicy braised saury

• Dislikes: sweets

“…Yeah. Definitely Korean.”

I sighed and leaned back.

What am I supposed to do with this man?

Should I confront him?

If we’re going to cooperate, shouldn’t we know each other properly?

…But that would mean revealing my own past too.

“And that’s absolutely not happening.”

Still—

“Thanatos…”

Two things came to mind immediately.

A place for criminals sentenced to death.

And a life of endless war.

If that was true—

Then what were those smiles?

A mask?

How could he laugh like that?

How did someone like that become a prince?

“…How am I supposed to face him now?”

Another sigh escaped me.

Then—

A faint sound tapped against the window.

I turned.

And froze.

“Leonard?!”