The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

A day before Ciel Minerva made the decision.

Paul spoke softly as he watched his master processing some documents.

“Do you have to do this, Your Majesty?”

At those words, Cedric’s hand, who had been playing with the quill, stopped.

“Would Ciel think the same?”

Paul couldn’t help but answer the question.

Because those smiling eyes seemed to contain some bitter taste.

“Then why didn’t you propose marriage as a wish from the beginning when you wanted to have Ciel next to you?” (Paul)

“If I offered the marriage in the first place, she’d probably run away. Sadly, Ciel was more than that, and she’s capable of doing so.” (Cedric)

Cedric straightened his back and looked down at the document again.

“But if you have the worst and the lesser choices, I could induce her to choose the worst.” (Cedric)

“Well, that’s true.” (Paul)

“And I don’t want to force her to marry me.” (Cedric)

Cedric sighed heavily.

“I don’t know if Ciel would ever like me. I don’t want to, but I shouldn’t make her unhappy by forcing her to marry me.” (Cedric)

Looking at Cedric reaching out for the tea, Paul gave a concise answer.

“I see.”

Cedric turned his head to glance at Paul’s back, who was concentrating on cleaning the room, then leaned back to the chair staring down at the red ring on his hand.

It was the ring that made all the current situations possible.

‘If I could protect you even for eight years.’

He could do anything if he could only do that.

However, he wasn’t the kind of person who could say that he had nothing to wish for if that only happened.

A warm voice and sparkling blue eyes that always said it was okay to make mistakes.

The warmth of the hand that she held out saying that he worked hard for the day.

“…How could I be so greedy?”

Cedric had no choice but to admit it in the end.

He wants to win her heart at the same time during the eight-year contract in the name of protecting Ciel.

And that he wants her to look at everything like she did when she was a child.

✿

Predicting the worst choice was more effective than expected.

“Well, the contract period here has been revised to five years. I’ve fixed all the provisions as well.” (Cedric)

With that said, Cedric offered the new contract.

“I’ve added all the provisions you mentioned. Check it out.” (Cedric)

There were three provisions Ciel suggested.

First, if you are planning a war that aims to invade rather than defend the empire, be sure to inform me before anyone else.

‘In the original, Cedric invaded other countries first, and the entire continent experienced the same situation as in the Warring States period.’

What that meant was that the war in the original might not happen unless Cedric didn’t attempt to start a war first.

As the commander of the knights, I would naturally participate in the war as a defense to prevent him from invading other countries, but I wanted to stop Cedric from starting the war first.

Second, not to inform anyone else that the contract has the above provisions.

Originally, discussions about the war should be conducted first by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Defense defense, who’s in charge of the entire empire’s defense.

Therefore, if he found out that I had put such a clause in our contract, the imperial palace would be overturned, so it was a provision to prevent it in advance.

“I really didn’t want to include the last clause you said… but I put it in for reference.” (Cedric)

Ciel glanced at Cedric, who had a sad expression on his face, and said.

“Well, Your Majesty should also take a small penalty.”

The last clause was that if Cedric Deamant violates the above clause, Ciel Minerva treats Cedric Deamant as an invisible man for 72 hours from the time it was revealed and does not allow any physical contact or conversation except when she fulfills her duty to hold hands.

For your information, I would use this clause very usefully.

“Yes, it’s perfect. I’ll sign it.” (Ciel)

Everything was smoother than expected.

If I had known it would be like this, I would have done something crazier earlier.

“Now that I have signed it, please remove the mark of the oath, Your Majesty.” (Ciel)

Ciel pointed at her cheek and said to Cedric.

“Ah, yes. I have to erase it.”

And he got up from his seat and approached me.

A warm hand touched the cheek with a mark on it.

For an instant, I felt warm blood rushing down my cheek, and then when Cedric pulled his hand, my cheek cooled down again.

“Well, look. It’s gone, right?”

Cedric kindly showed me a mirror, and I could confirm that my right cheek had become clean as he said.

“Now look at your left hand.” (Cedric)

“Left hand?” (Ciel)

As Cedric said, when I raised my left hand, a green light appeared on my ring finger.

“Huh?”

The light gradually took the shape of a thorny vine like the mark of the oath on my face and wrapped around my ring finger.

The light disappeared as soon as it completed the ring-like shape, and instead, a green pattern remained on the ring finger.

It was a pattern that gave the illusion of wearing a thin thread ring if not seen closely.

“Now, with this, Ciel became the most trusted person in the empire who kept her promise with the imperial family.” (Cedric)

I thought it was amazing, so I raised my left hand and stared at the pattern on my ring finger.

“The oath was… something like this.” (Ciel)

Those who fail to keep their promises would have dishonorable marks on their faces that anyone could see.

However, the moment one keeps their heavy promise, they’re marked with the most honorable pattern on the contrary.

Both marks remain permanently.

‘It could be a reward or it could be a punishment.’

In any case, since ancient times, the imperial family has been very good at using their heads.

“Was there a special reason why I have the pattern on my left ring finger?”

At my question, Cedric raised the corners of his mouth.

“It’s said that blood vessels in the ring finger are connected to the heart. That’s how much I trust people who keep their promises.”

He pointed his finger at his chest and said.

“So that’s how much I believe in Ciel.” (Cedric)

A compliment from a master was the best reward a servant could receive.

Nevertheless, it may have been because of Cedric’s face, who speaks faintly as if he were dealing with a lover, not a servant.

✿

Shining chandeliers and an empty throne as if boasting of the wealth of the Deamant Empire.

A gorgeous insignia engraved with eagles roaring in the imperial carpet that hurts the eyes of people as they stare at it.

From the smell of perfumes of beautiful ladies wearing colorful clothes and waving their fans, to the smell of sweet wine as if making them dizzy.

While everyone was chatting happily and laughing, I was the only one awkwardly crouching around the table.

‘I hate crowds…’

Although I possessed this body at a young age, even after growing up, I couldn’t get used to the banquets and parties, and I enjoy drinking alone.

No matter how I look at it, I could only admire the noble girls who used the fan language well, took care of their personal connections, took care of their manners, and sometimes even got a man with luck.

‘I don’t know anyone…’

Everyone’s gathering in pairs, but why couldn’t I see people I know?

Oh, come to think of it, they didn’t really like banquets either.

[Why are you crouching like an outsider? Have a drink while you’re here and have some fun!]

‘I’d rather drink alone.’

[Such a boring woman…]

‘Oh, that’s right, so stop hitting the sore part. Was it fun to hit human bones with swords?’

After all, nobody would talk to me even if I attended this kind of place. No, I am a pitiful person whose existence was nothing but a bad-tempered sword.

[What’s wrong with you? You do know someone. The Emperor]

‘No, how could I pretend to know Cedric here? I guarantee you that Cedric would be chased by at least 20 people today.

There’s a reason why I attended this banquet that I don’t even like.

Today was the banquet to commemorate the founding of the country and it’s only celebrated once a year.

It’s the largest event held at the Imperial Palace during the year, and on this day, the separate palace, which the Imperial Palace created exclusively for the banquet to commemorate the foundation of the country, was opened to invite outsiders.

It was held in a large enough palace that the high-ranking nobles and imperial officials in the empire, as well as royalty from neighboring countries, could also attend.

And since the purpose of this banquet was to solidify the harmony of the community by celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the country, on this day, the pro-imperial faction and the aristocratic faction also seek harmony with each other.

It’s not really like that, but it’s written like that in the book, so let’s just assume it was.

‘In that situation, it’s Cedric’s first banquet after he ascended to the throne, so everyone would have attended with sparkles in their eyes.’

Not only would there be many people who are curious about the new emperor, but there would also be those who would try to get Cedric’s attention.

Cedric has been bothered by many in banquets since he was a crown prince, but it was clear that today there would be more.

[Still, he asked you to come by all means. He misses you so much.]

Just then, I heard someone’s voice from behind.

“Who’s this?”

When I turned my head to the owner of the voice that I had heard somewhere, a man with a shiny face holding a glass and a woman adorned with circlets, lace gloves, and jewelry stood.

“Aren’t you the commander of the knights of the empire Ciel Minerva?”

The man spoke in an arrogant tone.

There was a clear smile around his lips. The woman, who covered her mouth with a fan at his words, smiled and spoke softly.

“Oh my, this was that famous person…”

“Yeah. That famous commander of the Knights, Minerva.”

All the people around me began to look this way because of the man who spoke so loudly that everyone could hear him.

Because of the man speaking so loudly that everyone around him could hear it, everyone around him started to turn around.

‘…Who’s this?’

For some reason, it seems like he’s just trying to annoy me, but I have no idea who that bastard is.

The woman standing next to him seemed to be in the same group, but it was clear that the woman was someone I had never seen before.

The woman openly looked up and down at me and spoke to the man in a sneering voice.

“Oh my. Uncle, it seems that His Majesty’s eyes are quite… unique, how could he care for such a person.”

Their followers, including the one called ‘uncle‘ by the woman, began to laugh unpleasantly as if the hall was turned upside down.

In a situation like déjà vu, I realized that the man with the shiny face was none other than ‘Brian Tekarke‘.

‘Oh yeah. This bastard must have also been invited today…’

Originally, Brian was banned from entering the main palace, but this banquet was held in a separate palace.

And from the imperial family’s point of view, it would have been difficult to rule out the aristocracy today, so he seemed to be invited as well.

“I’m late to greet you, Marquis Tekarke. It’s been so long since I saw your face after leaving the palace that I didn’t know who you were.” (Ciel)

Ciel made a formal greeting without hiding the indication that she was in a bad mood.

“And the person next to you…”

Looking at the circle on her head, she did not seem to be from the Deamant Empire.

The roots of the Tekarke family were not in the Deamant Empire, and for that reason, they had connections with royal families or aristocrats from other countries.

She seemed to be one of those, but there was no way to know who she was specifically.

“Oh my, you don’t know me. You must have only known how to wield a sword and know nothing about the outside world.”

The woman folded her fan and smiled brightly.

‘Ah, this woman was no different.’

“I’m Kernia Maronheim, daughter of Archduke Maronheim of Gristia.”

So, she meant that she’s a princess.

‘I heard that Princess Maronheim was also aiming for Cedric, but it was true.’

Ciel thought so, and spoke in a dry tone.

“I’m Count Ciel Minerva, the commander of the imperial knight.”

“Yes. Kernia, take good care of the Count.”

Tekarke said to Princess Maronheim, playing a serious expression on his face.

“Because she’s an incredible person.”

In addition to the followers brought by Princess Maronheim and Marquis Tekarke, people were gradually flocking.

‘Unfortunately, I knew none of them.’ (Ciel)

“How wonderful it was to have risen to that position even though you’re a commoner.”

“Of course, uncle.”

Her followers began to giggle at the word ‘commoner‘.

“She’s not just a commoner.”

Tekarke smiled as if he couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“She’s from the Herseli Orphanage, where children were collected and was be sold into slavery?”

At that moment, the blood circulating all over my body felt cold.

“It’s amazing that a person like her was forced to postpone her retirement because she thought she’d become a noble, who was almost sold as a slave with no roots and no background!!”

It was not long after coming to the Imperial Palace that I found out that Herseli Orphanage was actually a place where children were enslaved and sold to barracks, drug dens, and brothels at a bargain price.

When I learned about that, I was shocked once more as if I had been abandoned by my parents again.

The previous Emperor and Cedric were the ones who worked hard until the end to prevent this fact from spreading.

It was their consideration to prevent me from getting hurt or damaging my reputation.

Brian Tekarke was ruthlessly trampling on the feelings I had been suffering from, as well as the Emperor’s consideration that I had been grateful for.

By revealing to the public the facts that I didn’t want others to know.

“Marquis…” (Ciel)

Ignoring the ridicule of the people, I walked towards the contemptuous man.

“I have to speak right away so you would understand.”

With the sound of footsteps, the blue dress was also dragged along.

“It was His Majesty the Emperor, not me, who postponed my retirement. At his request, the contract was also extended.” (Ciel)

“Huh, what nonsenseㅡ”

“I think the news was a bit slow because you were kicked out of the main palace and were on the outskirts?” Ciel said with a sneer at him who was snorting.

Tekarke’s face distorted with those words.

“What? How dare you say such a thing!” (Brian)

“I didn’t say anything wrong, but I don’t know why you’re angry. Did you forget that you were kicked out of the Imperial Palace like a rat running away eight years ago?” (Ciel)

Ciel said, looking down at Tekarke, whose face was red as he grappled inevitably.

“I heard you drink a lot on the outskirts these days, how about reducing your drinking habits a little?” (Ciel)

Ciel pointed to her head with a finger and blew the last shot.

“You don’t even remember that? I think there’s a problem with your memory.” (Ciel)

Tekarke, who stood with bloodshot eyes, glared at me, and eventually he couldn’t stand it and screamed.

“This damn thing!!” (Brian)

In his hand was a glass full of transparent wine.

Ciel raised her arms in anticipation of being baptized with a cold, sticky liquid.

However, after waiting for a while, I couldn’t feel any drop of water.

When I lowered my arm thinking it was strange, I saw the back of a man wearing a red cape.

Tekarke, quivering like a tree with a pale face when he saw him, finally dropped his glass.

“Yoㅡ Your Majesty…!”

Cedric’s head was drenched in wine.

The twinkling eyes that were exposed through the hair dripping with wine were filled with overwhelming pressure.

“What are you doing now?” (Cedric)

A voice roaring like a wild beast just before its roar echoed through the banquet hall.