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“…where are you going now? “

” I really need to check out the territory where the portal will be built. Something is very suspicious. ” She fixed her sleeve, buttoning the cuff as she faced him, ” Sorry, Claude. You’ll have to get back to work soon. “ 

“…are you going alone? Take Felix. “

” You know I can protect myself. “

” But still, you’re the Empress. We both know how dangerous it is so just—” Claude pursed his lips as she pats his head, eyes blank. 

” Don’t worry about that. The Grand Duke of the north will meet me there halfway. ” She smiled, ” I have to leave now if I need to reach the border by sunrise. “

“…he’s annoying. “

” You’ve always said that, yes. ” She chuckled, ” You seem uneasy though. What’s wrong? ” She sat in front of the mirror, struggling to fix her hair as she talked. ” Is something the problem? I’ll try to come back fast so just try to hold on—”

” I’m not incapable of taking care of my own empire. I’ve done that way before you came here. ” Claude snapped, arms crossed, ” Stop treating me like a
child. “ 

Y/n falters, blinking softly as she glances at him. ” What’s up your ass? “

” Why do you need to stay three days when all you need to do is check the territory? “ 

” Claude, traveling takes that long—”

” Or maybe you’re just tired of this place that you’re leaving! “

“…Claude! ” She stood up, trying to follow after him but he teleported instead, leaving her standing there, beyond confused. 

Felix barged in, ” What?! What’s wrong? ” He looked around, ” Your Majesty, where is—”

” Felix. ” She frowned, ” Did something happen with Claude? Why was he so annoyed with me? ” She slumped on the bed, ” Did I do something? “

“…no, Your Majesty. He has been that way for a few days now. I’m sure he is just trying to deal with everything his own way, please don’t take offense. “

She chuckled softly, ” When have I ever taken offense? I’m just worried. ” She stood up, ” Can you tie my hair if you don’t mind?  Dismissed my maids because I was leaving…but turns out there is something I fail miserably at. “

Felix blinked, ” Yes, of course. “ 

“….but are you sure he didn’t say anything about me? ” She mumbled, “…he seemed mad at me, not everything else. “ 

” I don’t recall him saying anything as such…” Felix mumbled, ” Your Majesty, could it be the Grand Duke—”

” I told you not to be so formal all the time. ” She muttered awkwardly, “…it makes me seem like I have no friends at all. It’s a good thing that Claude lets me address him casually. “

“…how could I…? “

She sighed, ” Alright, then. ” She touched her hair, ” Wow, you’re really good at this, Felix. ” She smiled, ” Do you have a lover that I don’t know of? “

” Huh?! No way! ” Felix flushed, ” I-I…I SHOULD GO TO HIS MAJESTY! HAVE A SAFE TRIP, EMPRESS! “

She blinked as he disappeared within a second. 

A laugh escaped her lips, “.. he’s so adorable to tease. “

…if only she returned earlier. 

—

” Y/N! “ 

Y/n could only flinch, eyes wide as Felix ran towards her, tears streaming down his eyes. She frowned, ” What? What’s wrong?! “

” Why didn’t you get my letters?! What do we do?! “ 

” Felix! Look at me, ” She grabbed his shoulders, ” Snap out of it! Tell me what happened, first! “

Felix sighed shakily, “…Claude…he used black magic. He won’t allow anyone in his room, there’s no way I could enter but I could sense something! I have no clue what to do! I sent it to you right away! “

“…what letters? I didn’t receive any. ” She frowned softly, ” I’ll go look. It’ll be fine, stop crying. ” She gave his cheek a pat before running towards Claude’s room.

‘ Damn it, damn it, damn it! I shouldn’t have left him alone! I thought it’d be okay to give him some space! ‘

She knocked on the door, ” Claude, may I come in? “ 

“….”

” Claude, I’ll break down this door, I’m telling you. “ 

“….”

” Alright. You leave me with no
choice—”

Slam.

She stepped in, ” What the hell is up with you, seriously?! ” She rushed towards him, was he sleeping on the couch? 

” Why must you worry Felix so much? He’s been bawling his eyes out—”

There was something unpleasant in the air. She squinted her eyes, glaring at him as the black mist continued to grow slowly. 

” Do you have a death wish? “

Subconsciously, she let go of his face, retreating at the intensity and malice in his stare. “…what did you do? ” She held her hand on his head, letting her healing mana seep through her palm to his head but  before she could do anything anymore, he smacked her hand aside.

“ Don’t step out of the line just because you’re the Empress.” Claude stood up, “ And don’t touch me as you please, either. Did I allow you to do that? ”

His speech was strange too. He talked as if he had been speaking to a stranger, but he knew her. This black magic…what does it do, again?

“ Is that so? ” She stood up, arms crossed and glared cold, “…I guess you won’t let me fix this if you’re awake.”

Claude scowled, “ How dare you—”

Fwoop.

The little ball of pink light flew right into his head, knocking him out in an instant. She sighed, pushing him to lay down and placing her hand on his chest. She flinched as she felt the black magic absorb her mana too fast, but there was no other way.

If it grew any further, it would reside in him forever. And whatever he is aiming for will be done. So she let all her mana fill the core of the black magic instead, so much that it made her cough up blood.

However, at least the black core was now full of pink mana and she knew then that it had been temporarily frozen, she sighed shakily. “ Felix, call a magician this instant.”

“…yes. Right away.”

– – –

“ Is there a reason he is asleep, Your Majesty? ”

“…I put him to sleep because he refused to let anyone near him. Now, tell me. What has he done to himself? ”

“…His Majesty has cursed his own memories. I’m assuming,” the magician gulped, “…his majesty  could not deal with the agony and used black magic on himself to forget things. The curse also aimed to…wipe out his emotions.”

Y/n could only stare blankly at Claude, “ What is his cognition now? What must be done? ”

“…Your Majesty has done everything that needed to be done, more exceptionally so. Normally, before the contract with the curse completes, magicians or healers try to stop it by shattering the core of the black magic by filling it with pure mana.”

Y/n sighed as the magician went on, “…however, Your Majesty holds quite a strong mana, which is on par with His Majesty himself and instead of shattering the core, it has altered its formula.”

“…so you’re saying we don’t know what has happened in the end.”

“ I-I apologize, Your Majesty. It’s just…your majesty’s mana is very different from the base, I cannot tell how it has affected the curse. But I can assure you that what His Majesty aimed to achieve from that curse has not happened. ”

“ Alright. I shall call you again if needed. You can leave for now.”

Felix led the magician out while Y/n slumped on the corner of the bed, resting her head in her hands as she thought, “…what stupidity is this, Claude? ”

She heaved out a sigh, ‘ That magician isn’t all that competent and he’s called the strongest around the capital here. Who should I call? My knowledge on this is limited.’

“ Your Majesty, would you like me to call your lady-in-waiting? ”

“ No, I’ll go back to my palace. I’ll come soon so don’t 
worry.  Just let me know once he wakes up.”

“ As you wish.”

– – –

“ Are you awake? There’s no way your stubborn ass can sleep for three days straight.” She hesitantly brushed aside the bangs, “ Claude, wake up already. I’m tired of doing your work, you jerk.”

He flinched softly under her touch, stirring awake right then. She paused, retrieving her hand but only for him to hold it, “Mhm..N/n? Is that you? ” 

She widened her eyes, clearing her throat as she schooled her features, “ Yeah. What have you done, you idiot? ”

“…what are you talking about? ” He rolled over, resting his head on her thigh, uncharacteristically so. She had no way to understand this…was he acting this way because of the curse? Is he normal? 

end.