Author's Preface
Knock.
"Come in."
Yuma opened the study door quietly.
Behind a large desk buried in documents, the middle-aged man continued moving his quill. Only after several seconds of silence did he finally look up.
"...Yuma?"
"Uncle. I'm sorry to trouble you."
Flint stood immediately, his chair scraping slightly as he moved around the desk.
"How are you feeling? Are you still unwell? Why are you out of bed? Did that brat Rue let you leave your room?"
His voice rose before he realized it.
Yuma allowed himself to be guided to the sofa. A faint smile rested on his lips.
"No."
He shook his head gently.
"I've been absent for eight days. If I remember correctly, there was a nobles' meeting yesterday."
His gaze remained steady.
"How did it go?"
Flint frowned.
"We can discuss that later. Your recovery is more important."
"I'm already fine, Uncle."
Flint didn't look convinced. His eyes carefully scanned Yuma's face, as if searching for hidden traces of pallor.
"...Rest one more day?"
"And the meeting results?"
Yuma's smile did not fade.
Flint let out a long sigh-loud enough to be heard.
"...Fine."
He walked back to his desk slowly, deliberately stretching each movement. He gathered a stack of documents. Straightened them. Adjusted them again.
"...Uncle."
"...Just briefly?"
Yuma shook his head.
"School registration opens in a week. I need to finish the important matters first."
Flint paused when he heard the word school .
Then suddenly-
He arranged the documents much faster.
"Here, Your Highness."
Yuma exhaled softly and lowered his gaze to the stack in his hands.
"The important file. The school investigation. You're certain it isn't falsified, Uncle?"
"Impossible, Your Highness. There are no false reports. Everything is original and based on verified findings."
Yuma looked at him for several seconds.
Flint hated lies more than anyone.
If the documents were forged, he would never have handed them over personally.
Yuma lowered his gaze.
"...Very well."
Without another word, he accepted the file.
As though familiar with its contents, Yuma immediately pulled out four sheets from the stack. The names of nobles were neatly written at the top of each page.
"What were the results?" he asked calmly.
"Two additional nobles were proposed," Flint replied. "Their achievements are substantial enough to be considered for elevation."
"Jazer and..."
Yuma blinked slowly. The memory felt distant-almost as if from another lifetime.
His brow furrowed slightly before he looked up again.
"...Gavra?"
Flint seemed mildly surprised.
"Have you been informed beforehand, Your Highness?"
Yuma shook his head.
"Archduke."
"Ehem. Yuma."
The corner of Yuma's lips curved faintly.
His uncle always became overly formal when uneasy.
Yuma lowered his gaze back to the first page.
"What Jazer did was fabricated. Reinvestigate the authenticity."
Flint frowned.
"Fabricated?"
"Information manipulation," Yuma replied evenly. "The orphanage he claimed to have rescued... has a hidden basement."
Silence filled the room.
"They were sold," Yuma continued softly. "Some as slaves overseas. Others died of starvation."
The faint smile remained on his face. His expression did not change.
Flint stiffened.
"How do you-"
"Verify it," Yuma interrupted gently. "Do not rely only on surface reports."
Yuma lowered his eyes to the document.
"If only..."
The sentence trailed off, unfinished.
His fingers slowly tightened around the paper.
His breathing shifted-almost imperceptibly.
His face remained calm.
But the color drained slightly from his cheeks.
Flint noticed.
Without a word, he raised his hand and gently covered Yuma's eyes.
"Have you steadied yourself?"
"...Mm."
Flint kept his hand there a moment longer than necessary.
"Don't carry everything so far on your own."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was heavy.
"Even if you're a prince, it doesn't mean the entire empire rests on your shoulders."
Yuma remained silent.
"That's what the nobles are for. If they fail... it is their responsibility. Not yours alone."
Yuma parted his lips slightly.
But he stopped himself.
Some things were better left unsaid.
He drew a slow breath.
Then offered a small smile.
"I understand."
Flint lowered his hand.
Yuma's expression had already returned to normal.
Calm.
Composed.
Unreadable.
"Good," Yuma said quietly.
"Let's continue."