Emperor's Warning at the Valenos Table
The Valenos family. The crackling sound of burning firewood. Cold wind blowing through the window. The training ground scattered with frozen iron shackles. Snowfall, the heart of Winterer territory, was still bitterly cold.
"...Is that true?"
Miyabi couldn't calm her excitement. As the legitimate wife of the Valenos family head, she was stunned to hear her husband was fighting in the Pentagon. The young man looked desperately urgent. Her lips trembled as she gazed at Lucius, the emperor of the Pentagon she'd met once before.
"Why didn't Your Majesty go with him!"
"...It was his request."
That desperate cry carried layers of meaning. They hadn't even shared a bed, let alone seen each other in two years already. She'd been holding the real power in the Valenos family while Kadan was away, but it wasn't enough on her own. Above all, her beloved husband was fighting alone up there. She hated herself for being utterly useless.
Lucius clenched his fist. He couldn't lift his head. Kadan's final moments kept flashing before his eyes.
Plip.
A transparent droplet slid from Miyabi's cheek, wetting the floor. What a fool. A foolish man who never looked back to protect those precious to him. That's why Miyabi had chosen Kadan—because she loved that side of him.
"Don't grieve. Kadan hasn't died yet."
"You don't even know if he's dead or alive, Your Majesty!"
"Do you?"
"There's no way he could defeat that massive army alone..."
"There's no confirmation he's dead either. He... has to be alive."
Lucius bowed his head lower in response to Miyabi's cry. Kadan had bought him time to escape in secret. He clearly remembered those moving statues. They weren't mere summons. A relic from a forgotten era—magitech. Forbidden technology where forcibly implanted magic activated on its own. That's why ancient humans had sealed themselves away along with magitech.
Lucius ground his teeth. He bit his lip hard. Red blood trickled down his chin.
"Where are the children?"
"...Still sleeping."
"Prepare to leave. This place isn't safe anymore."
"You're telling us to flee when my husband might return?"
"You fool! Didn't I say it was his final request!"
"...You wouldn't understand, Your Majesty, being so young. Where exactly do you expect us to go?"
Miyabi screamed in agitation, her reason shattered. She couldn't help it. She'd lost her most precious person in an instant. As the north's representative, she had to protect her people. If she fled with the children now, what would become of Winterer's folk? Arkanthia might truly invade. They had nowhere else to go.
Lucius knew it too. There was no safe haven. Hiding anywhere in this vast north would only mean starving or freezing to death. He understood Miyabi. Though they'd yelled at each other, both had lost someone dear. Above all, nothing would get through to Miyabi in her current furious state.
Lucius turned to leave.
"Let's talk inside first."
"...Do as you please."
"Damn it..."
*
Rowen couldn't adjust to this inexplicable atmosphere. Miyabi, whom he hadn't seen in ages, looked haggard. And there was a boy his age sitting across from him—a total stranger.
A few hours earlier. Mrs. Miyabi had returned from a pile of documents, entering with a boy he'd never seen. She hadn't bothered with formalities, but Rowen could feel the overwhelming pressure and swirling emotions radiating from him.
It was dinnertime. Following Biden's guidance, the Valenos children, the boy, and Lucius shared the meal.
Miyabi didn't introduce the boy. She just glanced at him and clicked her tongue. Elves were supposed to be calm after living so long. But today's Miyabi was different. Rowen had never seen her so angry and disheveled.
Miyabi set down her knife, unable to even cut her meat properly. Rowen turned to her with worried eyes and asked,
"Doesn't it suit your taste?"
"...It's fine."
Rowen was being cautious. Miyabi knew this child had a kind heart. But she couldn't bring herself to like him. When her most beloved husband brought home a child from another woman, it had been utterly revolting—enough to want to tear him apart.
But she'd forgiven him. What did this child know? He was just born into it.
After that, she'd heard many stories from Kadan. About the boy's mother. So Miyabi couldn't hate Rowen. Look at that innocent face now. Genuine worry. A maturity unlike her own son Cain. A diligent nature just like Kael. She liked the boy. No matter how angry or sad she was, she couldn't worry the children.
Miyabi forced a low smile in response.
Rowen knew it was fake. He'd seen that face countless times before—the one holding back sorrow.
This has something to do with that guy who came in with Mrs. Miyabi.
That much he could tell. As Rowen glanced at Lucius,
A knife and fork suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"You not eating that? Mind if I take it?"
Cain snatched the chunk of meat from Lucius's plate. Rowen frowned at the utter lack of manners toward a guest and threw a jab,
"Hey."
Cain flinched and returned the meat to Lucius. Gently. Ever so slowly, so as not to ruin its shape. But the meat was already mangled, its juices spilled.
Rowen sneered at the sight, brow furrowed.
"What's wrong with your brain? No manners for guests?"
"Shut up."
"Ever heard of dinner table etiquette? Oh, sorry—always busy screwing around, so you wouldn't."
"You done talking?"
"Yeah, I'm done. Can't read the room or what?"
"You, outside. Let's end this today."
Cain slammed the table and stood. Rowen shot him a silent glare, then smirked. He enjoyed provoking that reaction.
Karin sighed at the two.
"Big bros are so childish."
"The kid can't read the situation. Total idiot."
"And what's with your tone toward your brother?"
"Sorry, I'm a bastard—only child, y'know? Don't know any 'brothers.' Forgot we're the same age, huh? Want a reminder?"
"You fucking—!"
"Oh, coming at me? Bring it!"
"I said stop it! Rowen oppa looks rude too."
Rowen ignored the trembling Cain, popping meat into his mouth. The premium beef's flavor was exquisite. Not gamey, perfectly balanced bloodiness, subtle herbs in harmony.
Rowen was laid-back; Cain was hot-headed. Miyabi shot them a silent glare. The two slowly turned, sitting back down.
"We showed our ugly sides."
Karin whispered to Rowen beside her. Rowen whispered back—loud enough for all to hear.
"Told him to stop, didn't I?"
"Couldn't help it. That pest has no manners."
"I can hear you?"
"Meant for you to."
"Argh!"
Lucius let out a low chuckle at the perfectly mismatched pair. Rowen caught the shift in his emotions. The mood had lightened a bit.
Rowen wasn't an idiot. Provoking Cain from the start was to break the stifling tension. Lucius knew it too, softening his expression. Cain was the idiot, flailing blindly without grasping the intent. Karin just didn't care. She found her fighting brothers pathetic in this weird atmosphere.
"Hahaha, just like Kadan described."
The boy laughed heartily. His speech mimicked an adult—precocious brat.
At his laugh, Rowen finally asked,
"Who the hell are you, anyway?"
Lucius sliced the ruined beef—thanks to Cain—and met Rowen's gaze at the question. Straight in the eyes. Something eerily familiar about him. Lucius liked it. The kid could read the room, had tact. If he'd asked right away, Lucius might've just demanded they flee in his distress.
"Seems like first time meeting us—no, have we met?"
"No."
"Obviously. First time I've seen anyone that dumb-looking."
"Shut it. Please."
"Yeah, Cain oppa, just eat your meat quietly."
Cain's standing was low. He wasn't smart. Unlike Rowen, he couldn't read situations—brain filled with lust, a total wastrel.
Lucius realized Kadan's kids were unique. Clashing personalities. Chaotic, but intriguing to him. A special bond only siblings could form—one he couldn't know or understand.
Then he recalled Kadan's words.
"Kadan said to flee with you all."
The sudden remark puzzled Rowen. Why mention his father? And why flee? He glanced at Miyabi. Her face darkened further—if possible. He couldn't grasp the meaning. But one thing was clear: this guy knew Kadan.
Lucius set down his knife and spoke. Even noisy Cain perked up at his father's name.
"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Lucius Dragnik."
"What the fuck?"
Cain's crude curse summed up the shock. The emperor ruling the empire, overseeing four continents—a boy his age? Everyone knew the new emperor was young, but not this young, slicing meat before them.
Rowen was stunned too. Speechless. He'd seen the emperor in his past life. A mystical feeling at this descendant. No resemblance, but that ash-gray hair was proof.
"Whoa..."
"You don't need to say it."
"Okay!"
Karin was clueless. First time hearing "Lucius," didn't care who the emperor was. But she noted the stunning sword at his waist. The pure white blade Rosmerta gleamed radiantly.
"Honestly, Arkanthia is still preparing to invade."
They might not, of course. Conquering Pentagon meant they could dominate the continent with a word. Declared independent, Arkanthia aimed to seize the rest too.
"So we must flee. Kadan entrusted you to me. So..."
"Hold up."
"Hm?"
"Hey, Emperor? Ugh, awkward. I'll just call you 'you.'"
"Fine. We're about the same age."
"Whatever. You're human, right? Talk so I can understand. Spouting stuff only you get—how am I supposed to follow?"
Rowen was impressed for the first time. Cain making sense! Progress. He nearly teared up. If Saintess Lea, Rian's comrade from his past life, were here, she'd weep in prayer. Her moved, emotional face flashed by, her voice echoing in his mind.
Punches really help. Looks like getting beat finally gave him some manners.
A bit rude, but agreeing with the point, Rowen spoke up.
"What happened in the Pentagon?"
"It's a long story. You sure?"
"Doesn't matter."
Miyabi bit her lip. Rowen felt unease at the sight. Lucius's expression soured too—though softer than before.
"It was just a little while ago."
Lucius began. In under five minutes, rage enveloped Rowen entirely.