18 The Imperial Banquet [1]

The party has begun. The nobles shuffle around and talk, and secret glances are exchanged between them.

It's a party to celebrate Carl's recovery, but that's just a justification.

Like the 4th prince, who has no power, no one cares if he dies.

Nero chatted with the knights about martial arts, ignoring the fancy lights and sweet food at the party, and smiled like a child about the mysterious place that adventurers dream of exploring.

"I heard that you set foot on the land of the Balturan people in the north."

"It was awesome!"

"I heard you also saved Prince Karl's medicine. Indeed, it is wonderful."

"ha ha ha. No, of course it would have been impossible if I had been alone."

Nero smiled brightly and waved his hand at the words praising him.

'These Guys are like snakes.'

Nero was getting sick of it.

If they want to fight for power, they will do it among themselves, but they keep subtly trying to bring in Nero, who has said countless times that he will withdraw from the battle for the throne.

'Karl, you never came to me.'

Nero quietly withdrew from the crowd, leaned against the corner of the party and looked around.

Nero thought Carl would come visit him.

Even if it was etiquette and all, He thought Carl would definitely come to him and ask for help, even if it was just to get a banquet dress.

Above all, the only person Carl can rely on at this party is Nero. Because Lilly can't follow him to the party.

Lilly is Carl's maid, but that's all. She has no status to her. She is the lowest of the nobles, and she can actually be considered a commoner. She is not qualified to attend the party hosted by the emperor.

In other words, Carl will be thrown into this abyss of desire alone.

'Are there no plans? Or are you really going to give up everything?'

Nero spent time alone, looking very uncomfortable, trying to escape from those who sneakily approached him.

Nero's eyes turn to his mother, Bella, who is laughing and chatting with many people on one side of the party.

It would be nice to be with his mother, but since it can be interpreted somewhat politically, it is better to stay away from places like parties as much as possible.

Nero rolled his eyes and looked quietly at his younger siblings, who were toddling along while holding the other empress's hand, before looking at his second brother, Adrian, who was by far the brightest figure at this party.

'It's not a problem for a man who owns it.'

Nero is very handsome as a man, but Adrian is truly beautiful, as if sculpted by a god.

Whether he is young or old, he tries desperately to talk to him.

However, Gwen is next to him with her arms crossed and whispering, covering her mouth with a fan, making it difficult for everyone to approach him.

To begin with, Adrian doesn't like this kind of place very much. To the point where he hides using Gwen as a shield.

'Brother Adrian would have given up the throne too...'

Nero felt a reluctance from Adrian that could not be explained in words.

"… … ."

"… … ."

Their eyes met.

Adrian smiled with that angelic face and nodded slightly, and Nero also nodded with his characteristic cheerful smile.

'Shit.'

Nero secretly trembled in discomfort.

Adrian is displeased, but he is more displeased with himself acting under a mask like this.

'Ah! 'I want to go out!'

It was fun when he went to get Frostwind Corpse Flower...

Leaning his head against the wall, Nero look at the endlessly high, gorgeous ceiling of the party room.

All of this is a huge cage. As long as Azgoth remains emperor, he cannot leave this place.

Because his mother, Bella, is being held hostage.

Nero, who had been distracted by thoughts and neglected to understand the surrounding situation for a moment, was a little taken aback by the suddenly noisy atmosphere at the party.

Nero stood straight and looked at the entrance, wondering if Azgoth had already arrived.

He can't believe Azgoth came this early, Carl hasn't arrived yet...

"… What… ."

Nero, who thought so, could not help but doubt his eyes.

"What the hell is this…"

"Anyway, it's like that…"

"It's miserable."

Amid the noise of the nobles whispering, Carl's shabby appearance was clearly revealed as he opened the door with his own hand and entered without any introduction.

He wore long, loose white pajamas that were almost like underwear, soft slippers, and his carelessly grown hair was pulled back into a tight tie.

Karl, who had just recovered from his illness and still looked thin and haggard, was existing there in an unfamiliar way, as if he had been thrown out of another world alone.

"What on earth are you thinking…?"

Nero was so embarrassed that he grabbed his beautifully slicked-back hair with his big hands and made a mess of it.

Nero told him to clearly state that you are not interested in the throne, but he never told him to ignore all royal laws and act as you want like a fool.

Among the nobles who were startled and whispering as if an animal had rushed in.

Carl stopped alone, looked around, and then made eye contact with Nero.

'Do not come!'

Nero shook his head tremblingly.

But unfortunately, Carl cruelly trampled on his earnest wish and approached Nero with a bright smile and dragging his slippers on.

After saving my brother's life, I feel so bad that I want to fuck him.

Nero's' eyes became dark.