The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

 

The Oath of the Imperial Family of the Deamant.

 

It was a mysterious spell indeed. The same spell could mark one person with the indelible mark of a traitor, and another with the mark of boundless glory.

 

While this much was known for certain, there was still much that was unclear about this unique magic.

 

Even within the palace, rumors abounded about the Pact.

 

‘They say that pacts are made between those who love each other.’

 

Cedric had heard the story from the Emperor when his mother-in-law was still alive.

 

The idea was new to Cedric, who had heard that oaths were usually made to prove the loyalty of a vassal or the righteousness of an imperial family.

 

‘I see. That’s what I’ve heard, but I’ve also heard of such cases.’

 

As he said this, the Emperor patted Cedric on the head.

 

‘I don’t know why, but it’s because they believe the oath protects each other.’

 

Cedric found himself strangely drawn to the Emperor’s words that day.

 

So much so that he searched the palace library for all records of the Oath. He realized that a previous emperor had recorded his father’s story in a diary.

 

As Cedric studied the diary, he realized something else.

 

Even if you make an oath, there needs to be a price to pay to keep it.

 

It didn’t say what that cost was. Cedric wondered if his strange interest in oaths as a child might have been to prepare him for his meeting with Ciel.

 

‘Back then, I thought it would make everything better.’

 

Cedric thought to himself as he looked at Ciel’s white hand, now clasped tightly in his own, and the ring glowing red.

 

As a twelve-year-old, he thought that making a vow meant that he could protect the other person, and that he could always be there to make sure they didn’t get separated from him.

 

But later, as his feelings for Ciel grew, the meaning of ‘protect’ changed.

 “Your Majesty, are you all right?” “Huh?” “You’re not unwell, are you? You don’t look good…” 

Cedric blushed and shook his head at Ciel’s behavior of examining his complexion.

 “Oh, no, I’m fine.” 

For now, he just desperately hoped that the gentle being would continue to live.

 

If it was going to live, it should live next to him, but even if it didn’t, it didn’t matter.

 

Cedric did not want to lose Ciel, not ever.

 

‘To do that, I must go to the temple. ‘

 

The temple was the only way to obtain an important oracle related to Caliberne.

 

The contents of the Oracles were randomized, so no guarantee going to the Temple this time would give him an Oracle related to Caliberne.

 

But it was better than nothing, and if I did get a Caliberne-related oracle, it might be the key to saving Ciel.

 

That was why he had to visit the temple, even if it meant potentially harming himself on the way to it or within it.

 

‘If the Deamant has a Caliberne oracle, it’s likely that other countries with temples have them as well.’

 

So far, this has always been the case.

 

If one country had an oracle mentioning Caliberne, other countries would have similar oracles.

 

Cedric had suspected that the messenger from Nemesis had attacked him, and that he might have been sent by a mastermind from another country who had learned of Caliberne’s existence.

 

‘Perhaps the lion’s master thought it was me. Word would have spread that I, who had no magic whatsoever, could use a thunderbolt.’

 

Cedric hoped the illusion would be short-lived.

 “But, Your Majesty, do you really need to go to the temple?” 

Sapphire blue eyes looked up at him. Seeing the concern in those gentle eyes, Cedric gave an apologetic smile.

 “Yes, I must go. The oracle only comes on the date the temple gives me.” “And you’re worried that if you don’t make it this time, you won’t be able to make it until next year?” “Yes.” “Well… that’s a problem.” 

Ciel probably doesn’t realize that he’s going to the temple because of her. Cedric planned to keep it a secret until the end.

 

He intended to hide it until the end, because he knew Ciel wouldn’t stand for it if she found out.

 “I know you’re worried, Ciel, and I understand that you’ll be even more so now that your men have returned wounded.” 

Cedric said, placing his other hand over Ciel’s.

 “We’ll take fewer people with us, but we’ll be heavily guarded and camouflaged, so it’s hard to tell it’s the Emperor’s procession from the outside.” 

They would leave with a very thorough plan. If anything were to happen, the only one who would be hurt would be the emperor himself.

 “I’ll also be careful how I behave, so you don’t have to worry about your knights getting hurt.” 

For some reason, Ciel hesitated. 

 “Your Majesty, I appreciate that, but—” “What? What’s wrong?” “No, of course, I was worried about the knights who succeeded you getting hurt, but the reason I objected to visiting the temple was because I was worried about you getting hurt.” 

Ciel began to speak at length,

“Things don’t look good in many ways these days… and a knight with a sword isn’t allowed to enter the temple, and I won’t be able to protect you then.” “You’re worried about that?” “Yes. Because while you’re in the temple, there will be no knights, no mages, and no minimally armed men by your side, and what if the temple’s protective magic fails?” 

Cedric was somehow pleased to hear such genuine concern.

 

He felt terribly guilty that Ciel was so worried, but he was also oddly pleased that she was concerned about him.

 

‘I’m so selfish. I should hope Ciel values his life enough to be selfish.’

 

Part of him didn’t want to give Ciel the guard duty he’d always given her.

 

But I couldn’t, because if I showed any signs of it, Ciel would suspect something was amiss.

 “It’s okay, Ciel, it’s not like the priests are completely without defense or means of combat, and the temple’s protective magic is nearly top-notch.” “Still, it’s better to be prepared for all eventualities.” 

Ciel replied softly,

“I don’t want His Majesty to get hurt because of complacency.” 

Cedric’s heart pounded. 

 

‘I don’t like this at all.’

 

But why his heart was beating so fast, Cedric didn’t know.

 

‘If anything, it was because I cared more about you, rather than myself.’

 

Cedric’s heart was beating fast, even though he was certain he was right.

 

Laughing at himself, and trying to hide his sadness, Cedric opened his mouth.

 “Ciel, I need a favor.” “Uh, suddenly?” 

Those vibrant blue eyes sparkled with meaning.

 “What do you want?” 

Cedric spoke slowly, hoping that the eyes that had saved him would never lose their sparkle.

 “Ciel, if…” “Yes.” “If it ever comes to a situation where you must choose between my life and yours—” 

It pained Cedric to see the kindly face contort in an instant at those heavy words.

 

Still, Cedric wanted to say these words to Ciel.

 “You do not have to save my life, you have to save yours. Do you understand?” 

Gently kissing her confused hand, Cedric whispered in a low voice.

 “It’s an order.” 

And then smiled, as if none of this mattered.

  “That’s weird, no matter how many times I look at it.” […again?] 

My suspicions were further fueled by Caliberne, who agreed with me.

 “If I had to suddenly choose between my life and his life, I would save my neck.” 

It was unnerving. Cedric laughed it off as a joke, but for some reason, the unease didn’t go away.

 

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were in the same situation.’

 

I’m not that selfless. Despite being in a position that values chivalry, I’m not sure that I’ve helped many people to the point where I’ve risked my own life.

 

But to hear someone I’ve known since I was a child, and someone who cares so much about me, say something like that, it struck a nerve.

 [Hey, don’t be too anxious, though. You’ve completely rewritten your temple security plan, and I thought you were excellent with that.] 

‘I know, I think it was for the best, but…’

 

But somehow, I couldn’t help but worry about Cedric.

 

‘Oh, wait. Do you still have that?’

 

A lightning-bolt thought flashed through her mind, and she began to rummage through the drawer where she kept her souvenirs from other places.

 [Hm? Ciel, what are you looking for?] 

Focusing too hard to answer Caliberne, I searched through the drawer until I found five leaves curled up in the corner.

 

‘Thank goodness.’

 

Maybe this would ease my anxiety.

 [What’s this for?] 

I gazed at the leaves, which hadn’t yet fallen apart, and answered with a sigh of relief.

 “To give to His Majesty.”