The humans consumed divinity with every breath. Their fragile hearts couldn’t handle divinity, and they coughed up blood and collapsed.
To survive, they were blessed in exchange for serving Gods.
The blessed were grateful to the Gods, but the followers of the ‘Masked God’ were different. They lived a life of slavery and misery.
The ‘Masked One’, on the other hand, glorified in the most exalted of thrones.
“But this is not enough!”
The ‘Masked One’ wanted to be absolute. He wanted all humans to kneel at his feet. He wanted to monopolize power and be the only God.
The problem was that Gods couldn’t kill each other.
“But sealing them is possible,” the ‘Masked God’ chuckled.
He donned his mask and swooped down on each of the four Gods, sealing them in turns.
The last to be sealed was the ‘Merciless God’.
The ‘Merciless God’ could have used his power to fight the ‘Masked God’, but he chose not to.
Instead, he used his power to release the sealing stones from the ‘Masked God’s’ grasp, scattering them across the continent.
The ‘Masked One’ was furious at the loss of the Sealing Stones, but he was helpless.
He couldn’t even track the location of the ‘Merciless God.’
Eventually, the ‘Masked God’ decided that he would retrieve the sealing stones and trace the Gods back.
Now was the time to celebrate having sealed all the Gods.
“Thus, I, Prache, have become the sole deity,” the ‘Masked God’, Prache, proclaimed.
“The Gods who once protected you are no more. If you wish to survive, swear allegiance to me and my messengers. I will bless your lineage and protect your hearts.”
Fearing death, all humans pledged allegiance to Prache, except for the independent people who didn’t serve the Gods.
To preserve their freedom, they lived on the brink of extinction. By chance, they found the sealing stone of the ‘Merciless God’.
The ‘Merciless God’ lent them the last power he had stored before being sealed, allowing them to engrave this history into the annals of their family.
And they hid from Prache, who sought to erase the truth.
They disappeared into obscurity, adopting the name ‘Koch’. Yet despite their efforts, as countless ages passed, history faded, and the books were filled with research on curing ‘hereditary diseases.’
***
“Miss? Miss!”
Someone shook my shoulder.
When I abruptly opened my eyes, Sherry sighed in relief.
“You’re awake. I was worried because no matter how much I tried, you wouldn’t wake up. I thought something bad had happened to you, Miss.”
I panicked, “Did I fall asleep? Since when?”
I slowly rose from the cozy bed.
“You stayed up late reading yesterday. I carried you from the desk to the bed while you were sleeping.”
Sherry explained.
‘So was that a dream? Or the truth that someone showed me?’
I need to check the book again.
“Now, you have to get ready,” Sherry urged me.
When I looked dumbfounded, she said, “Have you forgotten, Miss? There’s a banquet at His Majesty’s villa tonight.”
***
The imperial villa on the outskirts of the capital, a large number of nobles had gathered here again, where the prayer ceremony of the fake saint Asta had been held not long before.
The reason for the reopening of the villa, which was only open to a select few, was a special dinner.
His Majesty had invited all the nobles of the capital and their families to attend. It was said that the dinner was meant to bring the people together in times of turmoil.
“Since Asta has forced us to open our doors to the public, we must make good use of this opportunity. I will hold a banquet for the imperial faction here. Taking advantage of the fact that everyone wants to come to this villa. Even the previously hesitant Temple faction will eagerly attend, proclaiming their allegiance to the imperial faction.”
The Temple started to crumble. And the Emperor decided to sway the non-imperialists. He hoped to use this opportunity to consolidate the imperial faction and dismantle the opposite faction.
The emperor’s goal was achieved, and the villa and garden were bustling with people.
Among them were many of the people who had been a part of the Temple faction.
Once the imperial and the Temple faction were at daggers with each other, but now the topic of their conversations were mostly the same, “I heard the Temple admitted to Asta’s crimes, but I thought they were going to defy it until the end.”
“There’s evidence and testimony. Can they escape punishment? Besides, Asta confessed everything.”
Even the ladies who met after a long time, “I never knew that Asta was responsible for the bad rumours surrounding His Highness, Prince Hart. She blamed her own actions on His Highness.”
“His Highness has been bearing this unfair treatment, in-case it hinders his secret missions. His Highness is truly pitiful!”
“I never believed her from the beginning. His Highness has been so intelligent and discerning since he was a child.”
Even businessmen were talking about their ventures, “I suppose it’s the only way for the Temple to survive.”
“We should take back our sponsorship. The Duchy has also promised to compensate.”
“I’ve already canceled the funding. They are providing nice offers, but it’s no use investing in a lost cause.”
“And what did you say happened to Asta Appel?”
“Her execution date has finally been decided.”
Even the elderly couple, who had been politely pretending to stroll through the landscaping, lowered their voices and joined in the gossip.
Their silence was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
“No way..!”
“Isn’t that the Duke of Eisen?”
The nobles’ eyes widened at the sight of the Duke of Eisen, who had arrived with his wife and two sons.
Duke Eisen was the head of the Temple faction. He was not in a position to switch factions as easily as some of the other nobles. Yet here he was, attending a dinner party that was openly trying to unite the Emperor’s forces.
“Even the Duke of Eisen is abandoning the Temple?”
“What a betrayal, after all he’s gained through the Temple!”
“What a sc*m!”
Ignoring their stares, Duke Eisen moved to the table where the imperial family was seated.
***
The youngest prince possessed a soft appearance different from his brother’s. His handsome face was marred with worry.
Patrick was completely shocked by seeing Asta’s true face, leading him to give up eating and drinking for the past few days.
Today marked his first outing since the prayer ceremony.
“I must have been entranced by something. To believe in Asta till the end..”
“Not entranced but bewitched.”
Dad snapped at Prince Patrick’s rueful words.
I looked up at him in surprise, ‘You used to be bewitched too!’
The pot calling the kettle black!
‘Because Asta has moved on from you, she changed her target to Prince Patrick.’
Unlike Dad, Patrick wasn’t a ‘useful hound’, but Asta kept him around as an insurance.
He had a crush on Asta and was jealous of his brother, who was closer to Asta. But as Asta distanced herself from his brother and approached him, he couldn’t control himself and fell deeply in love.
‘I’ve been so focused on my dad that I haven’t paid attention to Prince Patrick.’
I am too small to pay attention to two grown men!
Eventually, Prince Patrick came to his senses when he saw Asta’s true colours at the prayer meeting.
“I apologise to Your Majesty and brother. But most of all to Hanelope. I should have realised something was wrong with Asta.”
Patrick’s face looked crestfallen.
‘I hope he keeps his guard down when Yenna appears.’
Compared to dad, Prince Patrick was in a worst situation.
Just then-
“Your Majesty, it is an honour to be invited to such a dinner party. Your villa is truly magnificent.”
The Duke of Eisen’s voice came out of nowhere, and I looked up sharply. Duke Eisen was greeting grandfather with his wife, Jacob, and Brantley.
“We would have felt left out if our family hadn’t been invited.”
“I sent the invitation knowing you would come.”
Grandfather spoke leisurely as if he had expected Duke Eisen to attend.
“Actually I…”
Grandfather cut off Duke Eisen’s words and turned his head away.
Since the invitation had been extended, it was up to them to make the most of it.
Duke Eisen bit his lip.
‘It feels unpleasant to be blatantly ignored after swallowing my pride and coming this far.’
But with the narrow foothold of the Temple Faction now, there was no other choice but to submit to the Emperor.
I diverted my gaze from Duke Eisen and waved to Brantley. Brantley also waved back quietly.
‘I’d like to play with him later when we have time.’
The Academy would soon be on holiday.
It wouldn’t be long before I would see Brantley again.
Duke Eisen, who had caught me and Brantley exchanging a secret greeting, said.
“Ah, yes. Brantley and Princess Hanelope are friends, aren’t you?”
It was strange how he sounded so forced yet affectionate.
Grandfather and Dad shot Duke Eisen a wary look.
I was also puzzled.
‘Why suddenly bring that up?’
“With the vacation coming up, friends won’t be able to see each other. I wanted to invite the Princess to my mansion to alleviate that regret. What do you think?”
It was an unexpected suggestion.
‘I want to see Brantley, but going to the Duke’s is a bit…’
There might be ulterior motives.
‘No, it’s 100% an ulterior motive! There’s no way it’s an innocent offer!’
Brantley nodded silently towards me. He seemed to share my thoughts.
When I didn’t respond, Duke Eisen pleaded in a humble tone.
“Given that our Brantley, the next Duke, has never been invited as a friend, it’s an embarrassment for me. My dignity is at stake. So, will Her Highness accept the invitation?”
As he openly referred to Brantley as the ‘next Duke’, his wife gave him a glare. But Duke Eisen pushed Jacob aside and put Brantley forward.
Brantley looked embarrassed. There was nothing he could do.
“I’ll think about it,” I said, to send the Duke of Eisen away.
‘I’ll just think about it for a looong time,’ I said to myself.
‘You can leave,’ The Emperor ordered, looking uncomfortable.
A sharp sound came from the Duke of Eisen’s family as they turned to leave. The Duchess Eisen was furious with her husband.
The good news was that Brantley didn’t look intimidated by the atmosphere.
‘His conduct was appropriate as the next Duke.’
Others seemed to recognize that confidence as well.
Even at the banquet table, more attention was focused on Brantley than Jacob.
There were nobles who approached Brantley before the rest of the Duke Eisen’s family.
The successor of the Duke, who had already accumulated accomplishments at such a young age and become a royal knight.
There was no one who didn’t want to befriend the handsome boy.
‘It feels like the earth and sky have turned upside down compared to a few months ago when Brantley’s status was in question.’
However, Brantley seemed annoyed by the attention. He answered vaguely with a furrowed brow. Although he became more handsome every day, even with a furrowed brow, he was still charming.
‘The next Duke should not find such situations bothersome. I should let him know that.’
It would be better to tell him before the formal dinner started.
I approached Brantley.
But there was a problem.
“Young Master, do you remember me?”
“Sir Brantley! It’s been a while.”
It wasn’t easy to approach Brantley because of the people trying to do the same. Brantley was surrounded by numerous people in the distance. I suddenly felt lonely.
‘He used to be my Brantley, but now everyone wants to be with him.’
It’s a good and joyful thing. As the successor of Duke Eisen, he should naturally receive such treatment.
‘But why do I feel bitter?’
Despite his annoyance, Brantley responded to people’s words diligently.
He showed dedication even to etiquette and occasionally took care of Jacob, who was sometimes excluded.
He truly looked like a Duke.
“I guess I’m no longer needed.”
The humans consumed divinity with every breath. Their fragile hearts couldn’t handle divinity, and they coughed up blood and collapsed.
To survive, they were blessed in exchange for serving Gods.
The blessed were grateful to the Gods, but the followers of the ‘Masked God’ were different. They lived a life of slavery and misery.
The ‘Masked One’, on the other hand, glorified in the most exalted of thrones.
“But this is not enough!”
The ‘Masked One’ wanted to be absolute. He wanted all humans to kneel at his feet. He wanted to monopolize power and be the only God.
The problem was that Gods couldn’t kill each other.
“But sealing them is possible,” the ‘Masked God’ chuckled.
He donned his mask and swooped down on each of the four Gods, sealing them in turns.
The last to be sealed was the ‘Merciless God’.
The ‘Merciless God’ could have used his power to fight the ‘Masked God’, but he chose not to.
Instead, he used his power to release the sealing stones from the ‘Masked God’s’ grasp, scattering them across the continent.
The ‘Masked One’ was furious at the loss of the Sealing Stones, but he was helpless.
He couldn’t even track the location of the ‘Merciless God.’
Eventually, the ‘Masked God’ decided that he would retrieve the sealing stones and trace the Gods back.
Now was the time to celebrate having sealed all the Gods.
“Thus, I, Prache, have become the sole deity,” the ‘Masked God’, Prache, proclaimed.
“The Gods who once protected you are no more. If you wish to survive, swear allegiance to me and my messengers. I will bless your lineage and protect your hearts.”
Fearing death, all humans pledged allegiance to Prache, except for the independent people who didn’t serve the Gods.
To preserve their freedom, they lived on the brink of extinction. By chance, they found the sealing stone of the ‘Merciless God’.
The ‘Merciless God’ lent them the last power he had stored before being sealed, allowing them to engrave this history into the annals of their family.
And they hid from Prache, who sought to erase the truth.
They disappeared into obscurity, adopting the name ‘Koch’. Yet despite their efforts, as countless ages passed, history faded, and the books were filled with research on curing ‘hereditary diseases.’
***
“Miss? Miss!”
Someone shook my shoulder.
When I abruptly opened my eyes, Sherry sighed in relief.
“You’re awake. I was worried because no matter how much I tried, you wouldn’t wake up. I thought something bad had happened to you, Miss.”
I panicked, “Did I fall asleep? Since when?”
I slowly rose from the cozy bed.
“You stayed up late reading yesterday. I carried you from the desk to the bed while you were sleeping.”
Sherry explained.
‘So was that a dream? Or the truth that someone showed me?’
I need to check the book again.
“Now, you have to get ready,” Sherry urged me.
When I looked dumbfounded, she said, “Have you forgotten, Miss? There’s a banquet at His Majesty’s villa tonight.”
***
The imperial villa on the outskirts of the capital, a large number of nobles had gathered here again, where the prayer ceremony of the fake saint Asta had been held not long before.
The reason for the reopening of the villa, which was only open to a select few, was a special dinner.
His Majesty had invited all the nobles of the capital and their families to attend. It was said that the dinner was meant to bring the people together in times of turmoil.
“Since Asta has forced us to open our doors to the public, we must make good use of this opportunity. I will hold a banquet for the imperial faction here. Taking advantage of the fact that everyone wants to come to this villa. Even the previously hesitant Temple faction will eagerly attend, proclaiming their allegiance to the imperial faction.”
The Temple started to crumble. And the Emperor decided to sway the non-imperialists. He hoped to use this opportunity to consolidate the imperial faction and dismantle the opposite faction.
The emperor’s goal was achieved, and the villa and garden were bustling with people.
Among them were many of the people who had been a part of the Temple faction.
Once the imperial and the Temple faction were at daggers with each other, but now the topic of their conversations were mostly the same, “I heard the Temple admitted to Asta’s crimes, but I thought they were going to defy it until the end.”
“There’s evidence and testimony. Can they escape punishment? Besides, Asta confessed everything.”
Even the ladies who met after a long time, “I never knew that Asta was responsible for the bad rumours surrounding His Highness, Prince Hart. She blamed her own actions on His Highness.”
“His Highness has been bearing this unfair treatment, in-case it hinders his secret missions. His Highness is truly pitiful!”
“I never believed her from the beginning. His Highness has been so intelligent and discerning since he was a child.”
Even businessmen were talking about their ventures, “I suppose it’s the only way for the Temple to survive.”
“We should take back our sponsorship. The Duchy has also promised to compensate.”
“I’ve already canceled the funding. They are providing nice offers, but it’s no use investing in a lost cause.”
“And what did you say happened to Asta Appel?”
“Her execution date has finally been decided.”
Even the elderly couple, who had been politely pretending to stroll through the landscaping, lowered their voices and joined in the gossip.
Their silence was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
“No way..!”
“Isn’t that the Duke of Eisen?”
The nobles’ eyes widened at the sight of the Duke of Eisen, who had arrived with his wife and two sons.
Duke Eisen was the head of the Temple faction. He was not in a position to switch factions as easily as some of the other nobles. Yet here he was, attending a dinner party that was openly trying to unite the Emperor’s forces.
“Even the Duke of Eisen is abandoning the Temple?”
“What a betrayal, after all he’s gained through the Temple!”
“What a sc*m!”
Ignoring their stares, Duke Eisen moved to the table where the imperial family was seated.
***
The youngest prince possessed a soft appearance different from his brother’s. His handsome face was marred with worry.
Patrick was completely shocked by seeing Asta’s true face, leading him to give up eating and drinking for the past few days.
Today marked his first outing since the prayer ceremony.
“I must have been entranced by something. To believe in Asta till the end..”
“Not entranced but bewitched.”
Dad snapped at Prince Patrick’s rueful words.
I looked up at him in surprise, ‘You used to be bewitched too!’
The pot calling the kettle black!
‘Because Asta has moved on from you, she changed her target to Prince Patrick.’
Unlike Dad, Patrick wasn’t a ‘useful hound’, but Asta kept him around as an insurance.
He had a crush on Asta and was jealous of his brother, who was closer to Asta. But as Asta distanced herself from his brother and approached him, he couldn’t control himself and fell deeply in love.
‘I’ve been so focused on my dad that I haven’t paid attention to Prince Patrick.’
I am too small to pay attention to two grown men!
Eventually, Prince Patrick came to his senses when he saw Asta’s true colours at the prayer meeting.
“I apologise to Your Majesty and brother. But most of all to Hanelope. I should have realised something was wrong with Asta.”
Patrick’s face looked crestfallen.
‘I hope he keeps his guard down when Yenna appears.’
Compared to dad, Prince Patrick was in a worst situation.
Just then-
“Your Majesty, it is an honour to be invited to such a dinner party. Your villa is truly magnificent.”
The Duke of Eisen’s voice came out of nowhere, and I looked up sharply. Duke Eisen was greeting grandfather with his wife, Jacob, and Brantley.
“We would have felt left out if our family hadn’t been invited.”
“I sent the invitation knowing you would come.”
Grandfather spoke leisurely as if he had expected Duke Eisen to attend.
“Actually I…”
Grandfather cut off Duke Eisen’s words and turned his head away.
Since the invitation had been extended, it was up to them to make the most of it.
Duke Eisen bit his lip.
‘It feels unpleasant to be blatantly ignored after swallowing my pride and coming this far.’
But with the narrow foothold of the Temple Faction now, there was no other choice but to submit to the Emperor.
I diverted my gaze from Duke Eisen and waved to Brantley. Brantley also waved back quietly.
‘I’d like to play with him later when we have time.’
The Academy would soon be on holiday.
It wouldn’t be long before I would see Brantley again.
Duke Eisen, who had caught me and Brantley exchanging a secret greeting, said.
“Ah, yes. Brantley and Princess Hanelope are friends, aren’t you?”
It was strange how he sounded so forced yet affectionate.
Grandfather and Dad shot Duke Eisen a wary look.
I was also puzzled.
‘Why suddenly bring that up?’
“With the vacation coming up, friends won’t be able to see each other. I wanted to invite the Princess to my mansion to alleviate that regret. What do you think?”
It was an unexpected suggestion.
‘I want to see Brantley, but going to the Duke’s is a bit…’
There might be ulterior motives.
‘No, it’s 100% an ulterior motive! There’s no way it’s an innocent offer!’
Brantley nodded silently towards me. He seemed to share my thoughts.
When I didn’t respond, Duke Eisen pleaded in a humble tone.
“Given that our Brantley, the next Duke, has never been invited as a friend, it’s an embarrassment for me. My dignity is at stake. So, will Her Highness accept the invitation?”
As he openly referred to Brantley as the ‘next Duke’, his wife gave him a glare. But Duke Eisen pushed Jacob aside and put Brantley forward.
Brantley looked embarrassed. There was nothing he could do.
“I’ll think about it,” I said, to send the Duke of Eisen away.
‘I’ll just think about it for a looong time,’ I said to myself.
‘You can leave,’ The Emperor ordered, looking uncomfortable.
A sharp sound came from the Duke of Eisen’s family as they turned to leave. The Duchess Eisen was furious with her husband.
The good news was that Brantley didn’t look intimidated by the atmosphere.
‘His conduct was appropriate as the next Duke.’
Others seemed to recognize that confidence as well.
Even at the banquet table, more attention was focused on Brantley than Jacob.
There were nobles who approached Brantley before the rest of the Duke Eisen’s family.
The successor of the Duke, who had already accumulated accomplishments at such a young age and become a royal knight.
There was no one who didn’t want to befriend the handsome boy.
‘It feels like the earth and sky have turned upside down compared to a few months ago when Brantley’s status was in question.’
However, Brantley seemed annoyed by the attention. He answered vaguely with a furrowed brow. Although he became more handsome every day, even with a furrowed brow, he was still charming.
‘The next Duke should not find such situations bothersome. I should let him know that.’
It would be better to tell him before the formal dinner started.
I approached Brantley.
But there was a problem.
“Young Master, do you remember me?”
“Sir Brantley! It’s been a while.”
It wasn’t easy to approach Brantley because of the people trying to do the same. Brantley was surrounded by numerous people in the distance. I suddenly felt lonely.
‘He used to be my Brantley, but now everyone wants to be with him.’
It’s a good and joyful thing. As the successor of Duke Eisen, he should naturally receive such treatment.
‘But why do I feel bitter?’
Despite his annoyance, Brantley responded to people’s words diligently.
He showed dedication even to etiquette and occasionally took care of Jacob, who was sometimes excluded.
He truly looked like a Duke.
“I guess I’m no longer needed.”
