The Tyrant’s Tranquilizer - Chapter 117

“I’ll go with you.”

 

“If you stay still here, the Duke will pick you up on his own.”

 

“It must be because of me that my father came, I can’t be left out.”

 

Ruben didn’t step back. The reason Duke Odorus came to the imperial palace in the morning was only because of him.

 

Serwin glanced at Ruben. Clearly, if he left him now, he would continue to follow Amelie. Now he was about to part ways with Amelie and go to deal with the Duke because of him— and he was jealous at the thought of him being with Amelie when he wasn’t even there.

 

‘It would be easier to take him. The Duke will send Ruben back anyway.’

 

“Follow me.”

 

“Really?”

 

Ruben doubted his ears. Having been ignored so much, his positive answer now sounded strange.

 

“It’s better to show that you’re fine.”

 

Serwin said something incomprehensible. Amelie wondered what that meant, but she decided to ask again later.

 

“Then I’ll be back, Amelie.”

 

“Yes, see you later.”

 

As if making a big decision, Serwin left the drawing room with a determined expression. Ruben waved to Amelie and walked lightly behind Serwin. It seemed that he was quite happy to accept the offer.

 

“It would be nice if they could get close.”

 

“His Majesty and Young Master Odorus?”

 

Amelie gave a clear answer to Milena’s question.

 

“Yes, don’t you think the two look good together?”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Milena tilted her head. She couldn’t imagine Serwin being close to anyone other than Amelie.

 

‘Ruben is a good person, so it would be nice if Serwin got closer.’ 

 

Serwin had been alone all his life, so he seemed like a good match for the friendly Ruben. Both of them don’t like to lose and have a mischievous side, but won’t they get close quickly if they talk about each other?

 

No matter how good a lover or friend is, they are strangers in the end. She wanted Serwin to have such happiness, just as she felt safe with Renee.

 

Of course, there are times when they are more like enemies because they are siblings, but with Ruben, it seemed like they could definitely have a good relationship.

 

‘The problem is Serwin’s iron wall.’

 

Serwin seemed to be avoiding Ruben on purpose, even though Amelie could see it. That kind of behavior stood out more because he wasn’t one to avoid anyone.

 

‘Is there a reason for that? I’ll have to ask him later.’ 

 

She considered calming him and making room for Ruben if it was about a trivial reason.

 

‘Anyway, that’s for later… I have to do what I have to do first.’

 

“Where is Lira? Is she in the attic?”

 

When she looked at the clock, she saw that the time for prayer was over.

 

“I saw her go out earlier.”

 

After Lira always prayed in the morning, she always went to the stone chamber where the disaster was sealed.

 

“It will take some time to come back. Should I go there?”

 

“Why don’t you take a break and wait? You look tired.”

 

“Uhm…”

 

“If you soak your body in hot water, your fatigue will be relieved.”

 

After listening to Milena’s words, her whole body suddenly felt sore and wanted to soak in hot water and get some rest. It was because she had been nervous since yesterday morning.

 

“Then I’ll do that.”

 

Besides, since she wasn’t quite sure how to convey what she had learned yesterday to Lira, she thought it would be nice to think about it while taking a bath.

 

“Then let’s change into something comfortable first.”

 

When Amelie said yes, the maids began to move busily.

 

‘The imperial palace is comfortable.’ 

 

In the mansion, it was difficult to ask for it easily because the water had to be heated separately for her bath.

 

It was a job that could be done by using magic, but using magic was also tiring, so it was much more convenient for the maids to take care of it as they do now.

 

Especially in Amelie’s palace, everything was made for her.

 

It was all thanks to him that she, who lived in modern times, didn’t feel much inconvenience in her daily life even without using magic.

 

‘Coming to think of it, continuing to live in the imperial palace doesn’t seem like a bad thing. They catch bugs too.’

 

Amelie left the drawing room with silly thoughts.

 

****

 

Even while moving together to the imperial palace, Serwin moved separately from Ruben. It was blatantly revealed that he didn’t want to be in one space.

 

Since it was early in the morning, only the knights on duty and the cleaning servants were coming and going in the imperial palace. When Serwin suddenly visited the imperial palace, there was a brief commotion.

 

“No one is there.”

 

Ruben followed Serwin and spoke to him.

 

“Since the knights of the imperial family saw us, the news must reach father, right? When will he come?

 

Serwin didn’t answer, but Ruben didn’t mind and said whatever he wanted.

 

“In the meantime, we are talking among ourselves.”

 

“There you are.”

 

Ruben turned around, and the Duke of Odorus was just entering the Imperial Palace.

 

Duke Odorus approached them with a hardened face. Even though he was past middle age, his eyes were intense, and his steps overflowed with power.

 

“Your Majesty. It’s been a while.”

 

The Duke bowed to Serwin. His life as a knight was seen from his simple movements.

 

“Duke, you’ve been having a hard time since morning because of your son.”

 

Serwin wasn’t surprised that Duke Odorus showed up quickly. He didn’t announce the news separately, but it was because he, who once led the Imperial Knights, had already known.

 

The Imperial Knights were an organization that could move freely within the imperial palace. That’s why the information power was strong. Although he is now retired, the influence of the Duke of Odorus, who was once a Knight Commander, remained within the Knights.

 

“Father…”

 

Ruben looked at the Duke of Odorus and said. He was good until he followed the Emperor, but he was stunned when he met his father. It was because he disobeyed the Duke’s order not to enter the imperial palace or pursue Serwin.

 

“Ruben. Is your body okay?”

 

“My body? I’m tired because I used a lot of magic, but I’m fine.”

 

The Duke carefully examined Ruben’s eyes, expressions, etc. He sighed briefly, confirming that Ruben was no different from usual. Serwin carefully observed the Duke’s actions. It was because he was unusual for treating a grown child. Moreover, isn’t the Duke’s family famous for strengthening their children’s education?

 

“You look fine.”

 

“Yes? I’m fine, but….”

 

Ruben thought the Duke’s question was a little strange. What’s okay? His body condition? He used a lot of magic, but his fatigue was all over and it wasn’t enough for the Duke to worry about.

 

“Then go home first. I have something to share with Your Majesty.”

 

“I can’t do that. Aren’t you going to talk about me? Then I’ll….”

 

“Ruben.”

 

When the Duke called his name sternly, Ruben shut up.

 

“Later. Let’s talk at home.”

 

“….”

 

When Ruben reluctantly nodded, the Duke went upstairs with Serwin and left.

 

“Young Master, I will call a carriage.”

 

An attendant came and spoke.

 

“No. I will go on my own.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“That wizard. I don’t need a carriage or something.”

 

Ruben, who had been looking at the stairs for a long time, used magic. Fortunately, there was still a mana stone that Serwin gave me, so he could use magic without any effort. His appearance disappeared as the mana stone was consumed.

 

“Wow, it’s really gone. It’s amazing.”

 

The servant admired and went back to do other things.

 

In the eyes of those who don’t know magic, Ruben seemed to have teleported. But in fact, Ruben only made his body invisible, and he didn’t move at all.

 

‘I’ll have to follow them secretly.’

 

He respected and followed the Duke, but now he couldn’t obey at all. The biggest reason he wanted to meet Serwin was because he was worried that his family would get hurt. Even knowing that, he tried to keep him apart like this, which made him even more curious about the reason.

 

‘I’ll get caught if I come out the hallway, so I’ll have to go outside and come out the window.’

 

Ruben moved quickly.

 

* * *

 

“If you keep breaking your promise, it will be troublesome, Your Majesty.”

 

As soon as the office door closed, the Duke began to argue.

 

“How can you take Ruben to the palace without telling me?”

 

“Calm down, Duke. Would I have wanted to break my promise? As promised to the Duke, I kept ignoring Ruben. But what can I do when he doesn’t give up?”

 

Serwin really tried to keep his promise. Not only did he refuse Ruben’s request for a meeting, but he didn’t punish him when he approached Amelie while plotting a play.

 

“It’s true that Ruben is stubborn, but isn’t Your Majesty who created the opportunity?”

 

“Me?”

 

“According to the agreement we made when we put Ruben under confinement at his house, we had to release him after this year. But Your Majesty released Ruben without consulting me.”

 

“It’s only a few months.”

 

In the first place, the biggest reason Serwin put Ruben under confinement was to keep Ruben away from disaster.

 

However, with Amelie’s appearance, the disaster’s seal became stronger than ever. Therefore, Serwin had no reason to keep Ruben locked up. And he conciliated that he would release him if he brought Count Dellaheim.

 

Ruben didn’t know he would be freed, so Serwin tricked and used him. The problem was that he was in a hurry and hadn’t discussed it with the Duke first, but Serwin didn’t feel guilty at all.

 

‘You should be thankful that I, the Emperor, need it.’

 

“Now that this has happened, how about pretending that promise never happened?”

 

Ruben didn’t seem to give up easily, and Amelie seemed to like him too. That’s why Serwin wanted to quickly do what Ruben wanted and keep him away from Amelie.

 

“No, I can’t.”

 

But the Duke was determined.

 

“Do you still think I will hurt Ruben?”

 

Serwin thought that the Duke wrapped Ruben around himself to protect him from him. The Duke saw him as a madman who would pull his sword when angry, and he had enough motivation to kill Ruben.

 

‘If I were going to kill him, I would have killed Ruben when he was young. Don’t you know me that much?’

 

The Duke looked at Serwin silently. Even though he had led the empire together for decades, his eyes still showed vigilance.

 

Even before the disaster was sealed in Serwin’s body, the Duke was strangely reluctant to Serwin. People who followed the Regent King regarded Serwin as a thorn in their eyes and thought that he would grow up to be a rascal like the previous Emperors. But unlike them, the Duke was serious, like watching a monster that might run wild at any moment.

 

Serwin was always bothered by his gaze. Even knowing that the Duke was a loyalist who worked hard for the stability of the Empire, Serwin couldn’t easily trust him.

 

“I want the things about Ruben to follow my will.”

 

No matter how much Serwin glared at him, the Duke didn’t waver. In the end, it was Serwin who raised the white flag.

 

“It can’t be helped. All right, let’s do Ruben’s issue as we do now.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

The Duke bowed his head deeply and greeted him. However, even that appearance was very uncomfortable for Serwin.

 

“Duke, please behave well so that Ruben never gets near me again.”

 

“Of course. Sooner or later, she will call Ruben for illness, so it won’t go against Your Majesty’s will.”

 

“Will he go without hesitation? He might think it’s weird.”

 

“He might think it strange. I’ve already prepared to drag him away by force.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It’s time for aides to come soon. Then I will leave now.”

 

When Serwin gave a satisfactory answer, the Duke rose without further delay. Serwin sent him away without pretending to hold on because he was happy to be sent off.

 

Meanwhile, Ruben collapsed in shock after hearing all their conversations in the office.