Chapter 164: Don't Follow

Thump. Thump.

The sound of footsteps could be heard. However, Ian remained still.

Instead, he tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword he held in both hands.

At that moment, someone opened the door and entered.

Creak.

Ian’s cold eyes formed a crescent shape—a natural reaction.

“Brother!”

The visitor was his younger sister, the saintess.

She hurriedly ran towards Ian and threw herself into his arms.

“Weren’t you with our mother inside?” Ian’s voice carried an unexpected gentleness.

If his knights were present, they would have been shocked.

Nathan, in particular, would have likely teased Ian about his uncharacteristic kindness.

However, Ian couldn’t help himself.

‘Compared to this girl, the pain of being a serf was nothing.’

Since her birth, she had been separated from their parents and lived a solitary life.

Before becoming the saintess, she had been treated as little more than property under Cesare’s control.

The mere mention of his name made her shudder. Then, she was forced to work under duress while their mother was held hostage.

Of course, there were larger reasons behind it all.

“Did you enjoy being held like that?”

“Yes. Your embrace is so warm, Brother.”

Nestled in Ian’s arms, the saintess smiled blissfully.

It was a genuine smile, not one she put on just to please him. It was only natural.

Whenever the saintess touched someone, she involuntarily read their fate.

The problem was that once she did, that person’s destiny would be fixed.

Therefore, she always had to avoid contact with others.

She had grown up never experiencing the warmth of others, but Ian was different.

“Are you truly okay?” Ian asked.

“Yes, Brother. I can’t read any fate at all.”

“Doesn’t it trouble you?”

“It doesn’t seem to be an issue.”

Perhaps it was because they were siblings born at the same time.

No matter how much the saintess touched Ian, she couldn’t read his fate.

Not for Ian. And not for herself, the saintess.

It was nothing short of a blessing. Ian held his younger sister even more affectionately because of it, and she smiled brightly.

“I’m truly fine now. I have a mother… and you, Brother.”

The truly amazing one was their mother, Lila.

Just like Ian, his younger sister couldn’t read any destiny from their mother.

It might have been because of Ian.

Thanks to this, Elaira could embrace both of them without worry.

And that’s when it happened.

Thump. Thump.

Footsteps could be heard approaching from outside.

Ian gently placed his hand on Elaira’s head.

“It seems we have a guest.”

“Then I’ll step aside.”

Elaira’s face flushed red.

She quickly hid behind the chair where Ian was seated. She would move aside, but it seemed like she wanted to hide.

Seeing her like that, Ian let out a bitter smile.

‘It seems like she has realized that His Majesty might come.’

Elaira had lived her whole life without knowing her father’s presence.

It was clear that she wanted to see him, even if it meant sneakily catching a glimpse.

But whether he would come or not, no one knew.

‘The king understands the gravity of the situation.’

He knew well that the king would never act recklessly.

Moreover, in Ian’s past life, King Eloin had once said:

“A king who always acts justly should never make biased judgments based on trivial family emotions. Therefore, I cannot pass the throne to someone as frivolous as you.”

Those were not empty words.

King Eloin hadn’t shed a single tear at the deaths of his beloved First Princess or his successor, the Second Prince.

And then, it happened.

Creak.

As the door opened, Ian was taken aback.

The figure stood cloaked in dark garments that resembled royal attire but were entirely black, covering even the face with a dark cloth.

He was not the king, but Ian was startled by the unexpected visitor.

‘The Black Lion Knights?’

If the Blood Lion Knights were King Eloin’s military unit, the Black Lion Knights were a secret order of knights operating in the shadows.

They were the ones who protected King Eloin in the darkest places.

And it wasn’t just one of them.

Thump. Thump.

‘To think three members from the Black Lion Knights, which consists of only twelve in total, have come here. Should I be honored or concerned?’

The details about the members of the Black Lion Knights would only be revealed far into the future.

It would be unwise to act as if he knew anything about it at this moment.

But for them to come looking for him at this time…

Then, one man stepped forward.

“I offer my greetings. Your Highness, the Seventh Prince.”

“And who might you be?”

“The Third Seat of the Black Lion Knights. My name is Lawrence.”

“I am Umthina of the Seventh Seat.”

“Twelfth Seat.”

Umtina’s face was obscured by a black cloth, but she appeared to be a woman.

The one at the back didn’t give his name at all.

While most royals would be furious at such disrespect, Ian remained unfazed. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

These were individuals with enough skill to disregard formalities.

In another country, even earls and marquises would hold a significant status.

However, it was said that they had all sworn allegiance after being defeated by the king.

Ian decided to get straight to the point.

“So, what brings you here? I have no business with the Black Lion Knights.”

“We’ve come to deliver a message from His Majesty,” Lawrence replied.

At that moment, Ian’s expression hardened.

If the king had chosen not to come in person and instead sent a message, there could only be one reason for it.

And, as expected…

“His Majesty said to inform you that he cannot come. He instructed you not to wait either.”

Ian’s eyebrows twitched.

“Your coming means he’s aware of my mother and sister. Yet you’re telling me he won’t come?”

“Please understand, Your Highness. The supreme ruler of a country cannot act recklessly,” Lawrence explained, his tone seemingly taunting Ian.

However, Ian simply laughed.

“If that’s all you have to say, you may leave.”

“Pardon?” Lawrence was taken aback but quickly composed himself.

“There is one more thing,” Lawrence continued, gesturing towards the two knights behind him.

“They will serve the Queen and the Third Princess. His Majesty commanded them to provide covert protection nearby for their safety.”

“Whose command is this?”

“Of course, it is His Majesty’s,” Lawrence replied, expecting Ian to naturally accept the king’s order.

But that was a grave misunderstanding.

“I refuse. My mother and younger sister will now be under my protection,” Ian declared firmly.

“Are you intending to disregard His Majesty’s orders? His Majesty is concerned for the Queen and the Third Princess…”

“Who asked for your opinion on the Queen and the Third Princess?” Ian interrupted.

“Pardon?” Lawrence was visibly surprised.

“Go back. And tell His Majesty that if he wishes to see me, he should come in person. If a throne cannot even protect his own family, then I have no desire for it. No, rather, tell him I will take the two of them to Bahara.”

“!”

Lawrence’s mouth gaped open.

No one had ever dared to speak to the king in such a manner.

Just as he was about to protest, Ian swiftly commanded.

“Sir Galon!”

At Ian’s command, the ground seemed to shake.

Bang!

In an instant, Galon appeared, and Ian wasted no time issuing the order.

“Please see our guest out.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With a powerful force, Galon pushed the three individuals away, while Lawrence desperately shouted.

“Are you really going to disobey His Majesty’s orders?”

“It was His Majesty who first defied the bonds of family.”

Lawrence shouted urgently as Galon dragged him away.

“Then, please allow him to fulfill his duty,” Lawrence pleaded, pointing at the Twelfth Seat.

“Him?” Ian questioned.

“He is the most exceptional among us. Even if we are unaware of the queen’s situation, shouldn’t we prioritize the protection of the Third Princess?”

“Not him. I thought Umtina, the seventh seat, was a woman. Isn’t it customary for a woman to guard a woman?” Ian questioned further.

“Y-yes, but among us, his skills in guarding are unmatched!” Lawrence explained.

The Twelfth Seat, a man barely visible due to his obscured face and figure, emitted an aura that rivaled Galon’s and the Duke of Lavaltor’s.

Ian nodded.

“If it’s just one person… fine.”

The Twelfth Seat nodded at Ian, as if thanking him for fulfilling King Eloin’s request.

That was when Lawrence and Umtina were kicked out.

Sniffle.

Ian could feel Elaira behind him, quietly shedding tears. He let out a sigh.

‘It seems there’s no helping it.’

Elaira felt abandoned by her own father.

Just at that moment,

‘!’

Suddenly, she burst out of the room.

“Elaira!”

Ian tried to reach for her, but it was futile.

Perhaps she was saddened by the fact that King Eloin had not come to see her.

The Twelfth Seat also attempted to follow her out in a protective manner.

However, Ian stopped him.

“Wait!”

“?”

And then, in a colder tone than ever, he spoke.

“Do not follow her, Father.”

“!”

“What I permitted was the twelfth seat of the Black Lion Knights, not Eloin Kaistein, Elaira’s father.”

The Twelfth Seat froze upon hearing those words.

“What is your intention? To show yourself like that?”

With a cold gesture that seemed to convey not understanding the meaning, Ian drew his sword.

“If you plan to continue deceiving me like this…”

Clang!

“I shall ascend to the throne right here and now.”

***

“Where could His Majesty be at such a critical time?”

“Well, he mentioned taking a short break from the meeting… but he hasn’t returned yet.”

While King Eloin had stepped away from a meeting that was just underway, the ministers of Kaistein were in sheer chaos.

There was no other reason for it.

“It’s about time we wrapped up the competition, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. It seems the outcome is clear. There’s no need to delay the selection of a successor any longer.”

“I think so too.”

Everyone’s thoughts were centered around Ian.

From Haverion to Cardinal Cesare’s matters as well, many ministers and nobles had been saved by him during those events.

Moreover, Ian had brought numerous benefits to Kaistein thus far.

“It seems that no matter how you look at it, the next successor must be Prince Ian.”

“Of course. He’s the one who saved our lives, and he has the potential to restore the former empire’s glory.”

At this point, even the nobles who supported other heirs had to reconsider their stance.

“The First Princess First has fallen behind recently, hasn’t she?”

“Do you call that falling behind? Is there anyone who can currently rival the Seventh Prince?”

Moreover, there was no one who could be considered a true competitor to Ian.

Some factions that had supported the First Princess were starting to have second thoughts.

“Besides, isn’t the First Princess aiming for Cantum?”

“Indeed, it seems she’s more focused on Cantum than on the throne of Kaistein.”

“If the First Princess becomes Empress of Cantum and the Seventh Prince becomes our king…”

“That vast territory will be united under the name of Kaistein.”

“Bahara is our land as well. It’s like the birth of a colossal empire.”

With Bahara, Kaistein, and now Cantum, the potential for Kaistein to become a great empire capable of rivaling not only the Holy Empire but also other empires was evident.

Moreover, the same was true for other successors.

“Where has the Third Prince gone? We have no information on his whereabouts…”

“The Second Princess has already shifted her support to Prince Ian.”

The Second Princess had already sided with Ian and remained in Bahara

Rumors had it that she was acting as Ian’s representative, overseeing the overall governance of Bahara.

Still, the Fourth Prince still remained.

“Under the current circumstances, it’s difficult for him to aim for the throne.”

“The lack of military strength is a significant factor. Even if he were to join forces with the Third Prince, the chances would be slim.”

Moreover, due to the incident with the Fifth Prince Haverion, there was no way for the Sixth Prince to return.

It was Ian’s solo stage.

What remained was one thing.

“Why is the Council of Elders, who must prove Prince Ian’s eligibility as the successor, so quiet?”

“That’s right. It would be great if His Majesty could announce it quickly…”

“Let’s contact the Council of Elders immediately. Hesitating any longer is not a good choice for this country.”

The anticipation in the eyes of the nobles grew.

“Let’s inform His Majesty quickly.”

“Continuing this competition is just a waste of time.”

As the nobles raised their voices in frustration, a voice rang out.

“His Majesty is entering.”

King Eloin, with his usual indifferent gaze, made his appearance.

As if he understood the feelings of the nobles, he declared:

“Summon Prince Ian Kaistein.”

His resolute gaze indicated that he was ready to make a decision regarding the successor.

In response, all the nobles bowed their heads in unison.

“We shall obey your command.”

Author's Thoughts

Yass