“You, you little—”
Yuri looked at him, her emotions tangled and conflicted.
Pride mixed with pity, relief with discomfort—an odd blend of feelings welled up inside her.
“So, in the end…”
Though she was only now seeing his face clearly, his build was unmistakably the same as that black-clad swordsman she’d seen before.
To think he had grown into such a fine swordsman, yet was now dealing drugs—it stirred a deep ache in her chest, and she shook her head.
“You’ve really grown.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Jared nudged Yuri’s side.
“Who is he?”
“Don’t you remember?”
“Huh?”
“That guy from back then.”
Long ago, Yuri had fought a trial by combat against Georg’s great warrior.
The young man who had served in the royal guard then was older and bigger, but Yuri had subdued him with dazzling swordsmanship.
In the end, she had even twisted his sword to spare his life.
“The one who got beaten by me in the trial.”
“Oh, that friend?”
He bristled at the remark.
“I wasn’t beaten.”
Yuri looked at him anew.
She hadn’t expected their paths to cross again after all this time.
The boy who had been a royal guard’s subordinate had grown into such a neat figure—time really changes things.
Their unexpected reunion in the imperial archives, where even the royal family rarely ventured, brought a flood of old memories back to Yuri.
“You really got me good back then…”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“You were so small then, and now look at you…”
“I was bigger even then.”
“Your sharp comebacks are just like your sword style. You’d swing wildly whenever I attacked, only to get smashed and whine afterward…”
“I never cried, nor was I smashed.”
“Let’s just say you were.”
“That’s not saying, it’s fact.”
“Alright, alright. Since we’ve met again, at least tell me your name.”
“You didn’t even know my name?”
“I thought you were just some nameless extra who’d soon disappear. Didn’t really care.”
“Sigh…”
He let out a long breath, and the flickering light cast three shadows that danced erratically on the walls.
“It’s been six years since I last told you. I’m Hassan.”
“Hassan, huh? Sounds more like an assassin’s name than a knight’s.”
“Is there such a thing as that kind of name?”
“You know the vibe I mean.”
Yuri kept teasing him for a reason.
Hassan held a lantern in one hand and a thick bundle in the other.
Seeing that, Yuri suddenly thought:
Beneath the imperial archives lies a forbidden zone even the royal family rarely enters. If drugs were truly being manufactured in the palace, could there be a more perfect hideout than this?
So she deliberately provoked him, watching his reactions.
“Something’s fishy…”
And every time she pushed, Hassan seemed to hide the bundle behind his back.
Yuri tilted her head, peering over his shoulder.
“I said, it’s suspicious…”
“W-what do you mean?”
“The bundle you’re hiding behind you…”
Hassan quickly concealed it completely.
“That’s none of the prince’s concern.”
“Oh, really?”
“I heard about the commotion you caused. If you’ve come all the way to the empire, why not just stay quiet and leave?”
“Your tone’s pretty challenging.”
“It’s not just the tone.”
Hassan’s eyes sharpened as he continued.
“We’ll meet at the tournament. This time will be different. I’ll defeat you, Prince.”
“Oh?”
Yuri stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“Do you really think you can take me on?”
“I won’t be eliminated. Unless you fall first, we’ll face each other. I promise.”
“Can you keep that promise?”
“Of course.”
“And if you don’t?”
“That won’t happen.”
“Just hypothetically.”
“Want to bet?”
“Fine. If we don’t fight at the tournament, you have to do whatever I say.”
“Agreed.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
He seemed much more confident, probably from all the training he’d done.
But Yuri wasn’t entering the tournament.
She couldn’t understand why everyone naturally assumed she would.
She pointed to herself with her thumb.
“Then this match is mine.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not going to the tournament.”
“Huh?”
Hassan’s eyes widened in shock.
Yuri laid out her logic like a wedge.
“If I’m not there, no matter who gets eliminated, we won’t fight. So your condition is already met.”
“That’s nonsense…”
“Now, my demand: hand over that bundle.”
Like a bandit demanding toll, Yuri blocked his path.
Hassan looked bewildered.
“W-why are you doing this?”
“Hehe, you’re not going anywhere!”
Jared nodded approvingly, muttering.
“As expected, the prince sure knows how to mess with people. Genius.”
Hassan glanced around, clearly uncomfortable.
Yuri stepped closer.
“You’re not planning to cause a ruckus in the imperial archives, are you? If you bump into a bookshelf, it could topple like dominoes and Princess Katrina at the entrance might get caught in the mess.”
“You’re such a thief…”
“I’m just here to watch the show. What’s wrong? Got some treasure hidden in there?”
Yuri strode forward and snatched the bundle from him. Hassan sighed, stepping back as if surrendering.
“You’ll regret this.”
“I don’t do regrets.”
“This must stay a secret.”
“Understood.”
Yuri untied the knot.
“Uh…”
After seeing what was inside, she quickly covered the bundle again.
“Hmm…”
She couldn’t believe what she’d just seen, so she carefully lifted the cloth once more, then wrapped it up tightly again.
“Ugh…”
She handed the bundle back to Hassan.
“Hassan… um…”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m just running an errand.”
“Whose errand?”
“That’s not something I need to tell you.”
“Hmm…”
“Please keep it a secret.”
“Alright…”
Yuri stepped aside to let him pass.
“You must be busy. Go on.”
“Yes.”
Hassan bowed to Yuri and walked toward the exit.
His lantern’s light faded into the distance.
Jared asked,
“Prince, what was in that bundle that made you act like that?”
“Well…”
Yuri stared into the deep darkness of the imperial archives where Hassan had come from.
“It was a collection of erotic paintings.”
“Huh?”
Jared blinked, needing a moment to process such a word in the sacred imperial archives.
Yuri continued.
“Quite explicit ones, too…”
“Uh…”
“Open-minded, without prejudice…”
“What does that mean?”
“To think such things exist in the imperial archives…”
Yuri raised her lantern higher. The light stretched farther, illuminating endless rows of bookshelves.
“Well then, shall we explore the archives a bit more?”
“Sure.”
Yuri and Jared wandered deeper inside.
Books of every kind were gathered here.
Eventually, they found a section on swordsmanship. They fumbled through pages in the dim light.
Yuri was surprised at how many old sword manuals there were.
“Interesting.”
“Old-fashioned compared to now, but still worth remembering some techniques.”
“Reading in the dark isn’t good for your eyes…”
“But it’s not often we get a chance like this, so better take a look.”
Yuri suddenly found an intriguing book titled One-Point Thrust.
The entire volume was dedicated to explaining a single technique. The text wasn’t printed but handwritten and illustrated.
“Oh…”
The idea was fresh.
If used well, it could become a new ultimate move following the spinning whirlwind sword.
But just as she got into it, the explanation abruptly stopped.
At the end, it read:
“I have perfected the One-Point Thrust, but due to lack of space, I will not write it here.”
That was the end.
No next volume, no continuation anywhere.
Yuri trembled as she checked the author’s name—one she’d never seen before.
“What an infuriating guy.”
Time slipped by as they immersed themselves in the books.
Yuri tapped Jared’s shoulder.
“Jared.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you staring like that?”
“Swordsmanship.”
“Don’t look at that. Learn from me.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
They closed the book and retraced their steps.
As they neared the entrance, they heard Katrina’s clear voice. She was chatting with an elderly man guarding the archives.
Katrina spotted Yuri and waved.
“Oh, you’re back?”
“Yes.”
Yuri glanced around. Hassan was nowhere in sight.
“By the way, I met someone earlier…”
“Oh, someone came to borrow books.”
“Is lending allowed?”
The old man smiled faintly.
“For the royal family, yes.”
Hassan wasn’t royal, but since he said he was running an errand, that meant whoever sent him was.
Katrina explained,
“He’s one of the Crown Prince’s shadows. He often comes here on the prince’s behalf. Yugen loves books.”
Yuri and Jared exchanged looks. Jared whispered quietly,
“Prince, that ero—”
“Quiet.”
“Yes.”
Clearing her throat, Yuri said,
“So, just out of curiosity, do you know what kind of books the Crown Prince likes to read?”
“Well, I don’t check every book the royals borrow…”
“I see. Hmm…”
Katrina tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Shall we head out then?”
“Yes.”
She bid farewell to the old librarian.
“I’ll be going now. See you again, Parkinson.”
“Yes, Princess.”
They stepped out of the palace library. After being in the dim interior, the fading sunset outside was dazzling.
Katrina smiled and asked,
“Want to look around some more?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s getting late.”
They climbed back into the carriage and left the palace grounds.
Yuri had been lost in thought the whole time.
Noticing his silence, Jared leaned in and whispered,
“Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”
“Just thinking.”
“Don’t tell me it’s about that—”
“Shut up.”
Truthfully, Jared wasn’t far off. Yuri was thinking about that collection of erotic paintings.
Not the cover itself—he wasn’t fooled by the gaudy artwork. His surprise had been an act, a ruse to distract anyone who might stumble upon the bundle. If discovered, it would naturally fluster the other party and allow the matter to be quietly dropped.
What better cover than the Crown Prince’s secret collection of erotic art?
Yugen Ivarna Granzaien.
As he mulled over the name, the carriage suddenly came to a stop.
They had arrived back at Katrina’s estate.
The three of them stepped down one by one. Twilight was settling in, casting a soft gloom over the surroundings.
Yuri bowed politely to Katrina.
“Thank you very much for today, Princess.”
“Not at all.”
“I’ll be sure to repay this favor.”
“No need.”
“It’s late, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Hmm…”
Katrina stared at him for a moment, then spoke.
“Yuri.”
It was the first time she’d called him by his name. She had said she’d speak more casually once they got closer. Yuri wasn’t flustered and replied,
“Yes, Princess.”
A smile spread across Katrina’s face, her eyes crinkling gently.
“Want to stay for some bread?”
Laurent looked up at the building.
It was a towering high-rise, like a spire reaching into the sky. Rows of hanging lights glowed brightly.
It was a renowned restaurant in the capital, famous for prices so steep that even many nobles rarely dined there.
An attendant appeared as if on cue.
“I’ll show you to your table.”
Inside, Laurent saw a pulley-operated elevator. He took it up to the restaurant’s highest floor.
The attendant said,
“It’s an honor to introduce you to the top floor. This area is reserved only for distinguished guests.”
As he finished speaking, the doors slid open.
Laurent was momentarily speechless.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched the night view of the capital.
Countless stars clustered in the sky, while below, a river of colorful lights traced the city’s outline. Occasionally, fireworks burst in the distance, dazzling the eyes.
It was breathtaking—enough to make his heart race.
No jewel, no matter how brilliant, could compete with this view.
But that was Laurent’s mistake.
“Please wait at your seat.”
The attendant’s voice pulled Laurent’s gaze away. And once again, he was lost for words.
There, bathed in the glow of the city lights, stood a presence so radiant it rivaled the nightscape itself.
“You’re late.”
Ekaterina smiled warmly at Laurent.