That was Jaekiel's immediate reaction.
The words escaped his mouth without going through his brain, but he
couldn't help it. The Emperor's words were that shocking.
When he said there was a way, Jaekiel expected something like preparing
diluted Sun Water. But the problem was what followed. Who could have
guessed this method?
"Union? And with the First Princess?"
Jaekiel couldn't believe what he had heard.
"In order to dilute the Sun Water… the First Princess takes it first. Then,
after she would absorb it, I would sleep with her. Is that what you mean?"
"Your understanding is correct."
"…Why so suddenly?"
Jaekiel's mind was full of questions.
At this moment, Jaekiel's curiosity outweighed his desire to obtain the Sun
Water. The Emperor's attitude didn't make sense.
"The Emperor treasures the Princess more than anyone."
The Emperor had always been displeased when Jaekiel even spent time or
talked with the princesses.
And now, this man was suddenly talking about sleeping with the First
Princess. It was tantamount to asking Jaekiel to take her chastity. It was too
shocking.
"To take the First Princess's chastity… so suddenly?"
It was certainly rude to even mention the Princess's chastity, but the matter
was too serious not to question.
The Emperor made a subtle sound, likely a meaningful chuckle.
"I am merely suggesting it."
The holy grail in the air swayed.
"I'm just letting you know that such a method exists."
With that statement, the intense heat in the room disappeared, leaving the
temperature as Jaekiel knew it.
Of course, the sensation of the Sun Water he had just experienced remained
in Jaekiel's soul—no, it was etched there.
Though the Emperor claimed he was merely suggesting a method…
For Jaekiel, whose life had a time limit, it was a desperate option. But since
it involved sleeping with the First Princess, it required careful
consideration.
After all, the other party was the Empire's First Princess.
There were many things to think about.
"I will speak to the First Princess separately, and I will take care of the Sun
Water as well. You can work things out with her."
The Emperor murmured softly.
The Emperor's willingness to speak to the First Princess on his behalf was
suspiciously proactive. Could it be that the Emperor had finally changed his
attitude toward Jaekiel?
Everything was still unclear and delicate.
Creak.
Finally, the doors to the audience room opened.
It was a dismissal. Time to leave.
"Yes. I will think about it. Thank you."
Jaekiel bowed respectfully.
Rustle.
The Emperor's robe spread comfortably over the throne. He was likely
leaning back to rest.
Jaekiel maintained his bow until the doors were fully closed. With so many
thoughts swirling in his mind, he stood still for a moment longer.
"So that's what the Sun Water really is…"
The Sun Water—a privilege only the strong could enjoy.
It was by no means a cure-all for the weak.
With this new understanding, Jaekiel's thoughts were conflicted. He now
knew he had to relentlessly train to raise his power if he wanted to absorb
the Sun Water.
"In order to absorb the Sun Water…"
He would have to take the First Princess's chastity.
As a man, it might seem like an honor and a happy occasion… but the First
Princess's feelings were important, too.
Then, a comment from the First Princess came to mind.
─When I catch you, I'll wring everything out of you.
…No, perhaps her feelings were clear all along.
Maybe it was Jaekiel's survival that was in question.
Step, step.
Jaekiel quietly started walking.
He headed straight for the First Princess. There was no time to waste.
But then…
"My dear Auditor, so you were here."
…he encountered the Second Princess.
Inside the Imperial Palace, within the First Princess's domain.
The Imperial Palace, which embraced the mysteries of all four seasons,
contained several domains. Among them, the First Princess resided in the
Winter Realm, a place where the snowy landscape was perfectly recreated.
The sound of snow pattering down constantly filled the air.
Amidst the unceasing downpour of snowflakes, a loud cry reverberated
through the atmosphere, piercing the air.
"What on earth is the First Princess thinking?!"
To think that someone would dare raise their voice at the First Princess?
It was a shocking sight.
Before the grand doors, burly Northern warriors were lined up, their
muscles bulging. They had been shouting for a week straight, and the
messenger was growing increasingly exasperated.
'This is so frustrating,' thought the messenger.
The First Princess's messenger rubbed his head, still feeling the bump from
when she had struck him with the hilt of her sword.
"First Princess! At least give us an answer! First Princess!!!"
It was a remarkable scene, but the messenger understood.
This was a situation that could easily happen.
'In the North, the only language is muscle and blood.'
It was a saying that perfectly encapsulated the North.
The North had its own rules.
Not only was the weather harsh, but being on the border with the Demon
Realm meant constant battle. It was a place where bravery and battlefield
accomplishments mattered more than common sense.
Thus, this kind of scene wasn't strange at all.
Here, hierarchy wasn't as important as how much support one received
among the warriors. The one who demonstrated the most bravery held the
greatest voice.
"The First Princess must answer as a warrior right now! Immediately!"
The warrior currently shouting at the First Princess, Broolka, was a prime
example. Having accumulated great achievements and support among the
warriors, he had the authority to raise his voice.
Even if the opponent was the First Princess, like now.
…And the reason for his shouting was, in fact, somewhat justified.
"Why is the First Princess hesitating to return to the North? Has she lost her
pride as a warrior? Explain yourself!"
The messenger let out a deep sigh upon hearing the shout.
Yes, the issue was the First Princess's failure to return.
'…I can't exactly say the reason is because of a man.'
The messenger was the only one who knew the real reason. From the
perspective of the Northern warriors, the sudden declaration from the First
Princess that she wouldn't return had thrown them into a frenzy.
The First Princess's feelings for Jaekiel, and the Northern warriors'
concerns… Understanding both sides, the messenger felt he was caught in
an impossible situation.
"First Princess! Answer us as a warrior! Answer us immediately!"
This situation had been going on for a week.
The warriors, as massive as mountains, were now covered in snow,
resembling giant snowmen. They had not slept, shouting at the gate
continuously.
Finally, the First Princess's messenger carefully spoke.
"Everyone, calm down. How about we wait for the First Princess's response
calmly?"
"It's already been over a week!"
"We're not fools! We know how much time has passed!"
The messenger forced a smile.
"Even so, let's try to settle down…"
"Messenger Rizolta! Let's settle it with a fight to the death!"
"…"
As expected, rational discussion wasn't possible. Here, it was common to
bring out axes and bare fangs while muscles swelled to the point of
bursting, making a normal solution impossible.
At that moment, the voice of the First Princess rang out.
─You're all making quite a ruckus.
"It's the First Princess!"
"Our leader, the greatest warrior! The First Princess!"
All the warriors reacted with excitement.
"First Princess, answer us! Are you planning to abandon the North? Why
are you delaying your return? Give us an answer!"
─I believe I've already given my answer.
The door remained closed, so it was impossible to see what expression the
First Princess, Ether, was wearing or what she was doing.
But despite her voice not being particularly loud, it was clear. Her energy
filled every word.
─There's something I absolutely must hunt.
"What is this prey you must hunt?!"
"Reveal it!"
"Does it mean it's more important than the North?!"
Despite the objections, Ether remained calm.
─It's a hunt of utmost importance in my life.
─Until it's finished, I will not return.
With the massive door between them, there was a tense standoff.
On one side was the First Princess, and on the other was the respected
Northern warrior, Broolka. The two most influential figures in the North
were clashing fiercely.
"The situation in the North is dire!"
"The First Princess must step forward as a warrior!"
"Are you planning to abandon us?!"
The messenger cautiously intervened.
"First Princess… It seems the resistance is even stronger because you made
this decision on your own…"
In the North, where respect and support among warriors were held in the
highest regard, it was extremely rare for someone to make a decision alone.
The First Princess had pressed ahead despite knowing all of this.
─Go to the North first. I will finish soon.
"Reveal the identity of your prey!"
"Tell us!"
─It's not something you need to know. For now…
But at that moment…
"What's with all the noise?"
Someone entered the First Princess's domain.
In this freezing domain, the figure showed no sign of being affected by the
cold. They didn't even flinch under the fierce glares and towering figures of
the Northern warriors.
The man who appeared, with Sun Water in his mouth, spoke.
"I have business with the First Princess for a moment."
It was Jaekiel, the Auditor of the Imperial Tower.
And at the same time…
Slam!
The door, which had never opened, swung wide.
The First Princess, in her nightclothes.
Pointing her finger straight ahead, she shouted.
"Catch him! Catch that man!"