Chapter 111

“We’re both so clueless about Omega matters, that’s why the Crown Prince is so liberal with his marking. And if he accidentally gets pregnant, it’ll be a disaster…”

—Why would that be a disaster? It would be a blessing.

Leia’s tone was flat, unconcerned.

“A male Omega pregnancy is incredibly dangerous and difficult! And the prince has narrow hips, which makes it even more risky! His stomach will swell, his skin will tear, and… and… down there… it could…”

—….

Belfry’s voice trailed off, his face burning crimson.

He’d just described the prince’s potential birthing injuries in graphic detail to the princess.

“Please… forget what I just said. It’s… very, very dangerous, that’s all.”

—Your father, Duke Hendrick, managed it three times.

Leia smirked, and Belfry’s jaw dropped.

—And the prince will experience it eventually as well.

It was clear that Belfry was still in love with Carl Lindbergh.

Since when had he cared so much about the prince?

He’d been so hostile at first.

The human heart was truly fickle.

Leia, feeling a flicker of annoyance, fidgeted with the hilt of her sword.

—Regardless, this isn’t your concern, Belfry.

Her words, sharp and dismissive, made Belfry’s heart sink.

“…You’re right, of course.”

—The prince’s well-being is now his partner’s responsibility. Focus on your own duties.

She was right, of course, but her words stung.

Belfry, his cheeks puffing out, his eyes welling up, remained silent.

Leia sighed.

—Belfry.

He didn’t respond, clearly hurt. She could end the communication, but his attempt to compose himself, to control his emotions, was a testament to his loyalty.

Romance and marriage… they weren’t Leia Lindbergh’s priorities.

She had a kingdom to rebuild. She couldn’t afford such distractions.

However, the news of Belfry Hendrick’s differentiation into an Omega had stirred something within her. She found herself thinking about him often.

That vulnerable, heartbroken expression…

It was exactly how she’d imagined him.

And it was an expression she never wanted to see.

She unsheathed her sword slightly, the metal scraping against the scabbard, then said:

—Let him go.

“What?”

His heart, already aching, plummeted.

Belfry’s face paled.

Leia, however, found this shocked, vulnerable expression far more appealing than his previous petulance.

—Whatever feelings you harbor for Carl Lindbergh… let them go. You can’t be with him. Ever.

Ever.

“…Is that… so easy for you to say?”

His voice was sharp, laced with resentment.

—It doesn’t matter if it’s easy or not. He’s bonded to someone else. What are you going to do? Challenge your liege for his mate?

“How can you say that?! Do you think I want to feel this way?!”

Belfry finally snapped, his voice rising.

He knew it was wrong, inappropriate, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Why are you making me feel so pathetic? I was already trying to move on! I know my place, even without your reminder!”

She was the princess, he was the third son of a Duke, unlikely to inherit the title.

That’s why his father had sent him to the Imperial Palace, to be raised alongside the Crown Prince, to become his companion, his confidant, hoping to secure his future.

He knew this outburst, this emotional display, would jeopardize everything he’d worked for.

What good was his noble lineage when he could never surpass the Crown Prince?

He already knew, even without her reminder.

“I hate this! I can’t challenge my liege! Even if I did… the prince wouldn’t choose me! He… He openly declared his love for Adrian… to my face!”

Belfry sobbed, his shoulders shaking.

He hated Leia, her sharp words twisting the knife deeper into his wound.

He hated her indifferent expression, her calmness as he cried.

He wiped his tears furiously, his eyes burning.

—Have you calmed down now?

“…No. I’m going to cry some more. We can continue this report later.”

Or perhaps delegate it to someone else, he added, sniffling.

—Carl Lindbergh loves someone else.

Belfry’s eyes narrowed.

“I know! Even without your reminder, I wouldn’t dare to interfere with their relationship!”

—Then, Belfry…

Leia’s voice softened.

—Stop crying, and do your duty. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to move on? You’re busy, you have work to do…

She was right, but it didn’t feel like comfort.

Belfry nodded reluctantly.

—I’ll return as soon as possible.

“I doubt I’ll be happy to see you.”

Belfry muttered, still resentful.

—You were just asking when I’d be back.

“…I missed you then. Not anymore.”

His petulant tone made Leia chuckle. He was so endearing.

Belfry cursed her internally.

She was so cruel, so unfeeling, laughing at his misery.

All Alphas were the same.

Adrian Heineken, Leia Lindbergh… all the same.

—Be brave, and wait for me. Until I can return and… pat you on the back.

“…That sounds violent. ‘Patting’ someone who’s crying…”

He hadn’t just cried. He’d yelled at the princess.

And he’d done it because he couldn’t bear to hinder the prince’s happiness, or his liege’s. Adrian, if he ever found out, would probably have him flogged.

Belfry, his tears now forgotten, mumbled an apology.

Clang.

A metallic sound echoed from the communication device.

Leia, who’d been watching him cry, had half-drawn her sword. Now, she sheathed it.

—I said ‘pat,’ not ‘beat,’ Young Lord Belfry Hendrick.

“I apologize for my outburst, but you’ve also hurt me, Your Highness.”

Belfry straightened his posture, emboldened by Leia’s condescending tone. He might be an Omega, but he wouldn’t let a princess bully him.

—Honestly… I don’t know what to do with you.

Leia ran a hand through her hair, exasperated.

“I apologize.”

Belfry’s insincere apology made Leia laugh, a clear, bell-like sound.

Belfry was confused.

—Belfry Hendrick. I’m offering you comfort. I’m telling you it’s okay to cry. But don’t do it alone, not in some dark corner where no one can see you. Cry in front of me, like you did today. I’ll be there for you.

Understanding dawned, and Belfry, speechless, dropped the papers he’d been holding.

—End this pointless infatuation. I’ll help you.

Leia winked, then ordered him to pick up the papers.

Asking how she intended to help was pointless.

‘What are you planning, Leia Lindbergh?!’

Belfry’s trembling hands fumbled with the scattered papers.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“One hundred thousand elite troops mobilized towards Parman. Forty thousand mounted cavalry, twenty thousand artillery, twenty thousand infantry armed with various weapons.”

Count Bourbon reported, and Glenn tapped his fingers on the table.

“And the remaining twenty thousand are holy knights from the Temple.”

“Haa… My Teacher actually…”

Glenn, his head throbbing, rubbed his forehead.

The Count chuckled wryly.

It had only been two days since he’d advised against the Temple’s involvement.

“The High Priest is determined to eradicate dark magic at its source. And the holy knights, who’ve been polishing their rusty swords, are eager.”

He relayed the news of the High Priest’s unusual excitement, his usually calm and collected demeanor replaced with an almost manic zeal, enjoying Glenn Heineken’s bewildered expression.

Besides Empress Theresa, the only person who could truly fluster the unflappable Emperor Glenn was the High Priest.

“It’s not a bad thing, Your Majesty. Parman is infested with dark magic, and the holy knights, imbued with divine power, are best equipped to handle it.”

“I know that. But…”

Glenn’s fingers tapped the table impatiently.

“My Teacher has always stressed the importance of restraint, of avoiding unnecessary bloodshed among differentiators. However, I believe unleashing the Temple’s forces carries its own risks.”

Divine power and magic were like two branches stemming from the same tree.

The same source, but growing in different directions.

“Magic can enhance our lives, but it can also corrupt, depending on the wielder’s intentions. Divine power, however, is different.”

“You mean, it’s solely dependent on the goddess’s will?”

“Yes.”

Divine power was useless without unwavering adherence to the goddess’ laws, as outlined in the scriptures.

Nikita represented faith, honesty, and… destruction.

How many humans were truly honest and faithful? The holy knights, empowered by divine judgment, could easily justify their actions, their violence.

And twenty thousand? That was enough to wipe out Parman’s entire population.

“You understand why I’ve always kept the holy knights separate from the regular army, don’t you?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Their blades know no mercy.”

Glenn nodded.

The High Priest, the priests, and the holy knights, trained separately by the Temple…

They answered only to the goddess’ laws. And if those laws were applied to human lives, every single person would be found wanting, deserving of death.

The Imperial family’s role was to ensure balance, to remind the Temple that this world belonged to humans, not just the gods. Fortunately, the High Priest and the other members of the Temple were reasonable. They were well-versed in human laws, ensuring a relatively harmonious coexistence with the Imperial family. But the holy knights…

“I wouldn’t say this if my Teacher were here, but… those holy knights are fanatics. Once unleashed, there’s no stopping them.”

They were inflexible, devoid of empathy.

The Emperor feared a divine crusade, a massacre justified in the name of the goddess.

“We have to be careful. Our enemies are the King of Parman and his dark magic. Wiping out Parman’s entire population isn’t the solution.”

Count Bourbon, who’d been standing silently before the Emperor, stepped forward.

“But Your Majesty, what if all of Parman’s citizens are tainted by dark magic?”

Glenn, his eyes closed, groaned in frustration.