Author: Chewyy

“Well, that’s….”

 

Theodore smiled, wiping the corner of his mouth.

 

“Even without you telling me, I’d probably act that way anyway. Don’t worry about it.”

 

His tone made it clear he had never once considered giving up on Yurika.

 

“But… how are you going to get me released from the ban?”

 

“Because it’s a hunting competition.”

 

Rivena replied with her usual blank expression.

 

“It is a very good day to create a situation that will make His Majesty the Emperor indebted to you.”

 

The hunting competition was also an event that had been held for a very long time.

 

During that time, hunting competitions could not be held due to the war.

 

So, it was widely rumored that the emperor also had great expectations for that event.

 

So, on that day, Prince Theodore was also temporarily freed from the ban.

 

It was probably because it was an event that had been a long time coming and it was nice to see everyone in the royal family participating.

 

Of course, even there, he would still have to behave himself quietly.

 

“You were confined for hiding the fact that you’re a mage—so I’ll plan for you to use your magic to achieve great things and lift the ban.”

 

“Good.”

 

Theodore smiled happily.

 

It was really frustrating being locked up in the palace and not being able to meet anyone.

 

Especially the thought of Yurika and Yohan being stuck together while he was locked up like that made him feel like going crazy.

 

Theodore looked at Rivena and asked further.

 

“Yohan Hyrad and Yurika Medes… are they still acting like lovers?”

 

“Yes. There is no change.”

 

Rivena answered expressionlessly.

 

“It seems like their relationship has actually gotten better. It’s highly likely they’ve become a real couple now.”

 

Theodore’s brow furrowed in an instant.

 

In fact, he also felt that they might have developed into real lovers.

 

Yohan had rescued Yurika from him.

 

If the two had built affection while pretending to be lovers all this time, that incident might have brought them much closer.

 

The fact that they kept pretending to be a couple even though there was no need for them to be together anymore only strengthened his suspicions.

 

“But… Why would you want to provoke him more? That wizard has already gotten what he wanted.”

 

“It’s actually a good thing.”

 

Rivena shrugged and answered.

 

“People tend to cling even more to what they already have. He’ll be even more irritated by you now. And he’ll think he has the right to be.”

 

Theodore raised his eyebrows.

 

The fact that it could offend Yohan was what made it so interesting.

 

“If we keep setting the stage like this, he’ll eventually realize something—what he truly wants isn’t a romantic relationship, but ownership.”

 

Rivena said with a grin.

 

“And when we take advantage of that opening, the two of them will soon fall apart.”

 

“Rivena.”

 

Theodore asked with genuine curiosity.

 

“Do you know Yohan Hyrad personally? How do you know his thoughts?”

 

“Do I have to know him personally to guess his thoughts?”

 

Rivena gave another little shrug, her tone cold.

 

“A wizard pretending to be a good person—how long can they keep it up?”

 

“Well, that’s true,”

 

Theodore chuckled in agreement.

 

“You can tell just by looking at me.”

 

Theodore, who had been laughing like that for a long time, frowned and tilted his head.

 

“But, Rivena, you’re not denying it.”

 

As expected, he is quick-witted.

 

“And one more thing.”

 

While Rivena was smiling brightly, Theodore continued speaking seriously.

 

“I’ve been thinking—if you turn back time, wouldn’t our promise never have existed in the first place? How are you going to give me that squirrel then?”

 

Of course.

 

She had been planning to gloss over it, but he had nailed the point.

 

Rivena rolled her eyes and answered quietly.

 

“When conducting an experiment to turn back time, magical power is needed in the final stage.”

 

“Really…?”

 

“If you wish, I can give you the report. And I don’t lie about experiments— on the name of the Artea family.”

 

Baron Artea’s obsession with experimentation was famous.

 

Theodore’s expression softened slightly upon hearing those words.

 

“In other words, you’re saying that you need magical powers to brainwash that squirrel in the end.”

 

“Hm, and I was thinking of leaving that brainwashing to you, Your Highness.”

 

Theodore fell silent for a moment, as if searching for a flaw in her words.

 

But Theodore, who couldn’t find anything to point out, smiled faintly.

 

“I see, Rivena.”

 

That smile was even a little creepy.

 

“Then you should have told me sooner. Why only say it after I’ve grown suspicious? That’s a bad habit.”

 

That’s because if he hadn’t been suspicious, she wouldn’t have said it at all.

 

‘If you can stab someone in the back, so can I.’

 

Rivena simply smiled quietly, bowed politely, and left the palace.

 

It was unfortunate she could no longer enter the temple, but in this situation, but in this situation, the trapped tiger would have starved to death anyway.

 

‘I’m glad the experiment went well.’

 

The experiment required the blood of Duke Medes. That’s why she deliberately avoided killing him the last time her subordinate infiltrated the temple.

 

Just in case she has to start the experiment over again from the beginning.

 

Fortunately, the experiment was going well.

 

It dealt with time, which was extremely tricky and so complex that even someone as clever as her couldn’t understand the whole process.

 

Still, it seemed like Rivena could finish it soon without any other materials.

 

‘Maybe.…’

 

She smiled to herself, remembering something she hadn’t even told Theodore.

 

‘….Around the end of the hunting competition?’

 

* * *

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