Albert’s eyes went wide.
“What kind of promise?”
“Express yourself more—be more honest about what you feel in the moment.”
I just wished to relieve the burden he would carry in the future, even if it was only a little.
“I want you to keep doing that.”
As I murmured, I could feel a self-deprecating smile tugging up on my lips.
“There’s so many wishes I want from you. How selfish of me.”
Albert blinked. And, amidst that silence, he answered quietly.
“I’ll only do it for you.”
His red eyes contained embers of a flame that was lighting up. His gaze was vivid with color.
Albert hooked his pinky with mine. Within his voice, another overlapped.
“So, you can go ahead and do that.”
It felt as though I was seeing the version of him in the future.
“You can wish for more things from me.”
Then, you won’t be able to leave me.
Albert’s voice struck me sharply.
Snow began to fall through the flames that were bursting in the sky.
The festival around us was the image of awe-striking beauty, embroidered with snowflakes, colorful fireworks and the beautiful winter landscape.
However, there was nothing else more beautiful than Albert’s sincere heart.
* * *
After Marquis Evnen greeted Alexander early in the morning, he left the room.
It had been a long time since he had tried this hard to hide his true nature. But this was all because he met a dragon cub.
His lifelong dream was to become an archmage, and he was getting closer to attaining it.
Meeting this dragon cub in his life was an inexplicable miracle for him.
How could he pass up this chance when treasure had appeared right before his eyes?
Dragons were incredibly cautious when it came to choosing their contractor, so Marquis Evnen needed to play the long game this time.
Alexander was especially wary.
So far, Marquis Evnen had been successful in approaching the dragon cub while putting on a friendly mask. He also treated the cub, but it seemed like Alexander still couldn’t trust him.
He might just need to take good care of Alexander for the next ten years or so just to get his trust.
Evidently, dragons had a different perception of time compared to humans.
Of course, considering the sheer amount of magical power that one would get after being a dragon’s contractor, even a decade’s worth of time wouldn’t be a waste at all.
Especially in this world where King Rosteratu was reigning and where Marquis Evnen himself was in a position of power, it would absolutely not be difficult for him.
He knew that a man who was an angel to one might be a demon to another, so the king could neither push back nor fully accept Marquis Evnen, who had been playing the role of a pure-hearted scholar in front of him.
“There’s about two decades left until your 500th birthday.”
It was not uncommon for a dragon to face their ordeal alone. They would make an effort to find a contractor amongst the humans around them, but they would be cautious just before the birthday itself.
Until then, Marquis Evnen would have to keep up a good relationship with the cub.
‘So pick me, dragon.’
Marquis Evnen’s eyes glinted with greed. At that, Alexander became visibly agitated.
‘If you don’t, I’ll make sure to kill you.’
If, after all that effort, this dragon cub wouldn’t choose to enter a contract with him, he would personally exact his revenge.
Wasn’t it only right to receive proper compensation after doing a meritorious deed?
A catastrophe would be enough to cover for personal connections and money.
After he finished thinking about all this, Marquis Evnen clicked his tongue.
‘It’s a shame I wasn’t born with it.’
God was said to be just. Of course, since he had been given power and smarts, he was not bestowed mana.
Marquis Evnen walked faster.
Every time the festival was held, there was a corresponding banquet. But this time, it was a little different.
He was paying special attention because of the banquet’s special guest.
‘Though it’s too much to say that he’s a guest.’
Marquis Evnen narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
Rather than a client to meet… He had finally found a puppet that suited his taste.
Albert Grey.
Marquis Evnen was here to see if the boy truly had the qualities to be a prince.
It was here at the banquet that the marquis would gauge whether Albert would have any chance of stepping up to the throne after Rosteratu.
In short, it was the perfect event to humiliate him.
The time was coming for Rosteratu to name his successor. Albert Grey had the qualifications for it.
However, Rosteratu knew of the child’s beauty, and he was not pleased. To him, the prince had to be as insignificant as a worm.
So, Marquis Evnen was already planning ahead. He needed the next king after Rosteratu to be someone that’s in the palm of his hand.
Recalling Albert’s face though, Marquis Evnen frowned.
‘Indeed, he’s got the looks.’
But that was all. When a person had no power, their external beauty would only serve as a hindrance in their life.
Considering that Count and Countess Grey had come to borrow money from Marquis Evnen not too long ago, it was a good thing that Albert Grey had yet to lose his mind.
And, practically everyone was jeering and ridiculing House Grey to boot.
A child of royal descent, hailing from a fallen noble household.
That’s the perfect candidate for the position of prince.
Thus, he needed to be trampled even further.
Tracing through the planned out spectacle that’s been especially prepared for Albert, Marquis Evnen smiled delightfully.
It was so much fun to trample on young blood.
Albert’s eyes went wide.
“What kind of promise?”
“Express yourself more—be more honest about what you feel in the moment.”
I just wished to relieve the burden he would carry in the future, even if it was only a little.
“I want you to keep doing that.”
As I murmured, I could feel a self-deprecating smile tugging up on my lips.
“There’s so many wishes I want from you. How selfish of me.”
Albert blinked. And, amidst that silence, he answered quietly.
“I’ll only do it for you.”
His red eyes contained embers of a flame that was lighting up. His gaze was vivid with color.
Albert hooked his pinky with mine. Within his voice, another overlapped.
“So, you can go ahead and do that.”
It felt as though I was seeing the version of him in the future.
“You can wish for more things from me.”
Then, you won’t be able to leave me.
Albert’s voice struck me sharply.
Snow began to fall through the flames that were bursting in the sky.
The festival around us was the image of awe-striking beauty, embroidered with snowflakes, colorful fireworks and the beautiful winter landscape.
However, there was nothing else more beautiful than Albert’s sincere heart.
* * *
After Marquis Evnen greeted Alexander early in the morning, he left the room.
It had been a long time since he had tried this hard to hide his true nature. But this was all because he met a dragon cub.
His lifelong dream was to become an archmage, and he was getting closer to attaining it.
Meeting this dragon cub in his life was an inexplicable miracle for him.
How could he pass up this chance when treasure had appeared right before his eyes?
Dragons were incredibly cautious when it came to choosing their contractor, so Marquis Evnen needed to play the long game this time.
Alexander was especially wary.
So far, Marquis Evnen had been successful in approaching the dragon cub while putting on a friendly mask. He also treated the cub, but it seemed like Alexander still couldn’t trust him.
He might just need to take good care of Alexander for the next ten years or so just to get his trust.
Evidently, dragons had a different perception of time compared to humans.
Of course, considering the sheer amount of magical power that one would get after being a dragon’s contractor, even a decade’s worth of time wouldn’t be a waste at all.
Especially in this world where King Rosteratu was reigning and where Marquis Evnen himself was in a position of power, it would absolutely not be difficult for him.
He knew that a man who was an angel to one might be a demon to another, so the king could neither push back nor fully accept Marquis Evnen, who had been playing the role of a pure-hearted scholar in front of him.
“There’s about two decades left until your 500th birthday.”
It was not uncommon for a dragon to face their ordeal alone. They would make an effort to find a contractor amongst the humans around them, but they would be cautious just before the birthday itself.
Until then, Marquis Evnen would have to keep up a good relationship with the cub.
‘So pick me, dragon.’
Marquis Evnen’s eyes glinted with greed. At that, Alexander became visibly agitated.
‘If you don’t, I’ll make sure to kill you.’
If, after all that effort, this dragon cub wouldn’t choose to enter a contract with him, he would personally exact his revenge.
Wasn’t it only right to receive proper compensation after doing a meritorious deed?
A catastrophe would be enough to cover for personal connections and money.
After he finished thinking about all this, Marquis Evnen clicked his tongue.
‘It’s a shame I wasn’t born with it.’
God was said to be just. Of course, since he had been given power and smarts, he was not bestowed mana.
Marquis Evnen walked faster.
Every time the festival was held, there was a corresponding banquet. But this time, it was a little different.
He was paying special attention because of the banquet’s special guest.
‘Though it’s too much to say that he’s a guest.’
Marquis Evnen narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
Rather than a client to meet… He had finally found a puppet that suited his taste.
Albert Grey.
Marquis Evnen was here to see if the boy truly had the qualities to be a prince.
It was here at the banquet that the marquis would gauge whether Albert would have any chance of stepping up to the throne after Rosteratu.
In short, it was the perfect event to humiliate him.
The time was coming for Rosteratu to name his successor. Albert Grey had the qualifications for it.
However, Rosteratu knew of the child’s beauty, and he was not pleased. To him, the prince had to be as insignificant as a worm.
So, Marquis Evnen was already planning ahead. He needed the next king after Rosteratu to be someone that’s in the palm of his hand.
Recalling Albert’s face though, Marquis Evnen frowned.
‘Indeed, he’s got the looks.’
But that was all. When a person had no power, their external beauty would only serve as a hindrance in their life.
Considering that Count and Countess Grey had come to borrow money from Marquis Evnen not too long ago, it was a good thing that Albert Grey had yet to lose his mind.
And, practically everyone was jeering and ridiculing House Grey to boot.
A child of royal descent, hailing from a fallen noble household.
That’s the perfect candidate for the position of prince.
Thus, he needed to be trampled even further.
Tracing through the planned out spectacle that’s been especially prepared for Albert, Marquis Evnen smiled delightfully.
It was so much fun to trample on young blood.
