(Royal Palace of Velmoria — Morning)
(Luca’s Chamber)
“Come in,” Luca said.
The door opened, and Hans stepped inside, several documents clutched in his hands.
He bowed deeply. “Good morning, Master Luca.”
Luca smiled faintly. “Good morning, Hans.”
After a brief moment, Hans asked, “How is your health now?”
Luca raised his hand. Magic shimmered softly around his finger—stable, unbroken. “I’m perfectly fine, as you can see.”
Relief washed over Hans’s face. “Thank goodness…”
“Forget that,” Luca said calmly. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
“Yes.” Hans handed over the papers.
Luca took them and scanned the contents in silence. The room was quiet—until Hans spoke again, cautiously.
“Master Luca… may I ask why you requested the list of people who attended His Majesty’s engagement announcement banquet?”
Luca’s hand stopped mid-page.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze.
“Hans,” he said softly, “come closer.”
Hans obeyed, stepping forward.
Luca looked straight into his eyes. “You will forget about this.”
He raised his finger, magic gathering to activate the memory-erasing spell—
Hans grabbed his wrist.
“I CAME BACK IN TIME TOO!”
Luca froze.
Shock flashed across his face. “You… too?”
“Yes,” Hans said urgently. “So please—don’t erase my memory.”
Luca stared at him, then let out a hollow laugh. “Why, Hans? Why… and when did you return?”
“It’s been three weeks.”
Luca’s expression hardened. “Three weeks… That means you came back before me and sister-in-law.”
Hans nodded. “Yes.”
He lowered his gaze. “After you and Her Majesty made the wish, I was left alone. I had no choice… so I followed the two of you.”
Luca laughed quietly, rubbing his temple. Then his eyes sharpened as realization struck.
“…Then that means Prince Velco—”
“Yes,” Hans said immediately. “He didn’t attend His Majesty’s birthday celebration this time. Because I never sent him the invitation.”
His voice trembled. “It was that bastard’s fault His Majesty died,” Hans continued, tears spilling freely now. “I watched my king kneel before him. I watched him take his own life right in front of my eyes… and I couldn’t do anything.”
His grief twisted into rage. “That’s why I made sure that piece of shit—garbage—assh**e—would never be allowed to set foot in Velmoria this time!”
Luca’s expression turned serious.
“Hans do you remember the execution pool?” he asked.
Hans stiffened. “Yes.”
Luca’s brows knit together. “That shouldn’t be possible. I activated the memory-erasing spell in all directions. I only left Violet.”
Hans inhaled slowly. “I ran out of the palace—outside the spell’s range. That’s why I still remember.”
For a moment, Luca simply stared at him. Then a slow, humorless smile curved his lips.
“You’re cleverer than I thought,” Luca said quietly. “No wonder Eyan kept you as his assistant.”
Hans lowered his head slightly. “Thank you, Master.”
“You may go now.”
Luca turned his attention back to the papers in his hands, eyes scanning the list of names written neatly across the page.
“Master…” Hans hesitated.
Without looking up, Luca said coldly, “Hans, I said you may go.”
Hans swallowed. “Who… are you looking for?”
Luca’s fingers paused on a name.
“It’s a woman,” he replied flatly. “You don’t know her.”
Hans stepped closer, lowering his voice. “If you’re looking for that suspicious woman… you don’t need to. I already locked her in the dungeon.”
Luca looked up sharply. Confusion flickered across his face—brief, but unmistakable.
Luca thought.
His gaze hardened. “How do you know about that woman?”
Hans straightened. “I don’t know why you’re searching for her,” he admitted. “But during the banquet, there was one woman who stood out to me.”
Luca remained silent, listening.
“When Her Majesty collapsed beside the pool,” Hans continued, his voice tightening, “everyone was crying… panicking… praying.”
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He clenched his fists.
“But that woman—she was smiling.”
Luca’s eyes darkened.
“She kept saying, over and over again.”
Hans looked genuinely shaken now. “She’s the one behind the pool incident… isn’t she? Because there’s no way—absolutely no way—Her Majesty would do something like that.”
He searched Luca’s face for confirmation. Luca gave him none.
Instead, he swung his legs off the bed and stood up, the air around him subtly shifting as his magic responded to his resolve.
“Hans,” Luca said, already walking, “come with me.”
Hans nodded immediately and followed.
“That woman is in the dungeon?” Luca asked as they moved through the corridor.
“Yes.”
“Is Eyan back at the palace yet?”
“No,” Hans replied. “His Majesty hasn’t returned.”
Luca’s lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile.
“Good,” he said quietly. “Let’s end this… before he comes back.”
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(Royal Palace — Dungeon)
The iron door burst open with a deafening crash.
The woman chained inside the cell flinched violently, the sound echoing through the stone corridor. Her shackles rattled as she shrank back—until she saw who stood before her.
Her breath hitched.
Then, trembling, she bowed as much as her restraints allowed. “Greetings, Master Luca…”
Luca’s eyes were cold, burning with restrained fury. “Keep your greetings to yourself,” he snapped.
Hans stood just behind him, unease flickering across his face. “Master… you erased her memories. How will you question her about the incident now?”
Luca didn’t even glance back. “There’s no need for questions.”
He stepped closer to the woman, his presence alone making her shake harder. “I only need to look into her memories,” he continued calmly, dangerously, “and find out who told her to do it.”
Hans stiffened. “told…? You mean she was ordered?”
“Yes.” Luca’s gaze never left the woman. “There’s no way someone like her could obtain a mind-control spell on her own.”
Hans’s eyes widened. “A mind-control spell… then that means—”
“Yes,” Luca said flatly. “You understand now.”
He sat directly in front of the woman. Slowly, deliberately, he lifted her chin with two fingers. “Look at me.”
Her eyes met his.
Magic surged.
Her pupils trembled as Luca invaded her memories—images flashing violently through her mind.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
When Luca finally withdrew, his expression had changed. The anger was gone. In its place was something far colder.
He exhaled slowly, then flicked his finger.
The restraints snapped open, chains falling to the floor with a heavy clang.
Hans stepped forward in shock. “Master—what are you doing—?!”
Luca raised a hand, silencing him.
He turned back to the woman. “You may go,” Luca said evenly. “And don’t worry about your child.”
Her head snapped up.
“I’ll take care of everything,” he added.
Her eyes filled with tears. She collapsed to her knees and bowed deeply, her forehead pressing against the stone floor.
“Thank you,” she whispered, voice breaking.
She stood on unsteady legs and left the dungeon without looking back.
Luca rose slowly to his feet.
Hans watched him, confusion etched across his face.
“It’s Count Alric Elvaris,” Luca said.
Hans stiffened. “Her Majesty’s father…?”
“Yes.” Luca’s voice was cold, certain. “He took that woman’s child and used the child as leverage. He blackmailed her into carrying out the act.”
Hans clenched his fists. “But why would Count Alric Elvaris try to kill his own daughter?”
Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“After sister-in-law kissed Eyan in front of everyone, he panicked. He feared the Emperor would begin investigating him as well—and that his secrets would come to light.”
He scoffed softly. “So he chose to strike first.”
Hans exhaled sharply. “What are you going to do now?”
“First,” Luca said, turning toward the corridor, “I’ll free that woman’s child.”
He paused, then added quietly, “And then… I’ll erase Count Alric Elvaris from the board.”
“Why not let His Majesty handle him this time?” Hans said quietly. “We already know Count Alric Elvaris was planning treason and involved in illegal activities.”
Luca fell silent.
For a moment, he simply stood there, eyes distant, weighing the options. Then a slow smile curved his lips.
“You’re right,” Luca said. “I’ll let Eyan deal with him this time.”
His smile deepened—dark, calculating. “But I’ll also tell him about the mind-control spell.”
Hans stiffened.
“Then,” Luca continued softly, “he can decide how to punish him.”
Before Hans could respond, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
A knight came running toward them, stopping abruptly. He dropped to one knee before Luca, then turned to Hans.
“Lord Hans,” the knight said, slightly breathless, “His Majesty is looking for you.”
Luca’s smile widened, unmistakably pleased. “Perfect timing.”
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(Royal Palace of Velmoria — Throne Room, Night)
Eyan sat upon the throne, his posture relaxed—too relaxed. His eyes were dark, fixed on the man kneeling before him.
Chains bound his arms and legs. Blood streamed down from his temple, matting his hair, dripping onto the marble floor beneath him. His body trembled—whether from pain or fear, it was hard to tell.
Luca stood to the side, arms folded, watching with idle interest. Hans remained beside him, silent.
Alric bowed as deeply as the chains allowed. “Your Majesty… please. I beg you. Forgive me—just this once.”
Eyan smiled.
A slow, almost gentle smile. “That won’t be happening,” he said. “You will be executed.”
Alric’s head snapped up. Rage replaced fear.
“I wouldn’t have been caught if it weren’t for he spat. “It’s her fault— Eva should die—”
“Oh,” Luca murmured lazily. “He really shouldn’t have said that.”
Luca glanced at Eyan.
Eyan’s smile vanished.
He rose from the throne and walked toward Alric, each step unhurried, deliberate. He removed his gloves as he moved, setting them aside before crouching in front of the Count.
Eyan met his eyes.
“Say that again,” he said quietly. “Whose fault is it?”
Alric sneered through bloodied lips. “That useless daughter of mine—that bitch Eva—”
SLAP.
The sound echoed through the throne room—wet, violent. Bone cracked.
Alric’s body flew sideways, crashing onto the floor. Blood spilled from his mouth as he coughed violently, teeth clattering against stone.
Eyan stood. He placed his boot on Alric’s head and pressed down—hard. A scream tore through the hall.
Eyan didn’t look down. Instead, he turned his head slightly toward Luca.
“Luca,” he said calmly. “Teleport him to the palace rooftop.”
Luca’s lips curved upward, eyes lighting with excitement. “Oh… I like where this is going.”
__________________________________
(Royal Palace — Rooftop)
Cold wind howled as Luca teleported them above the palace.
Alric collapsed onto the stone, gasping, disoriented.
Luca hugged himself dramatically. “Tch… it’s freezing out here.”
Alric looked up at him, confused, terrified. “Master Luca… why—why have I been brought here?”
Luca let out a low, dark laugh. “You’ll find out in a minute,” he said cheerfully. “Don’t worry.”
The rooftop door burst open.
Eyan stepped out, Hans close behind him.
In one swift motion, Eyan grabbed Alric by the throat and dragged him across the stone, forcing him to the edge of the rooftop. Alric clawed at Eyan’s arm, choking, feet scraping uselessly.
Eyan lifted him—ready to throw.
Suddenly—
The magic crystal vibrated.
Eyan froze.
Hans quickly pulled it out. “It’s Her Majesty.”
Eyan dropped Alric to the ground and covered his mouth with brutal force, silencing his sobs. Then he turned sharply to Hans.
“Give it to me.”
Hans placed the crystal in Eyan’s hand.
Eyan answered.
A cheerful voice filled the cold air.
“Honey,” Eva said sweetly, “where did you put the new tea herbs? I’m making tea, but I can’t find them.”
Alric’s eyes widened in shock.
Eyan’s expression softened instantly. “Top shelf,” he said gently. “You can’t reach it.”
“I’ll stand on the stool—”
“No,” Eyan cut in. “Eva, you’ll fall. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’ll make the tea for you.”
There was a small laugh. “Okay. Then come quickly. I’m waiting for you… I love you.”
Eyan smiled. “I love you too.”
The call ended.
The warmth vanished from Eyan’s face.
“I need to hurry,” he said coldly. “My wife is waiting.”
Alric whimpered. “W-wife…?”
Eyan lifted him effortlessly and threw him off the rooftop.
Alric fell, screaming—
Splash.
The execution pool swallowed him whole.
Luca watched from the edge, eyes gleaming. When the ripples finally settled, he clapped slowly.
“Perfect,” he said, delighted.
Eyan turned and walked back toward the door. Luca and Hans followed. As they moved, Eyan spoke without looking back.
“You took care of the child?”
“Yes,” Luca replied easily. “She’s safe. With her mother.”
“Good.”
Eyan’s steps quickened. “Then I’m going.”
Luca waved lazily behind him. “Bye-bye.”
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