The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

 “I mean, it’s okay to be happy for yourself, and I want you to think that.” 

With that, I spoke the truth I had buried in the back of my mind.

 

A surprised glint flashed across his ruby-red eyes.

 “…I’m sorry, I’m so happy to hear that, but I don’t know what to say,” 

Cedric said, his voice trembling slightly,

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that to me before.” “Well, I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way about you, Your Majesty.” 

They’re probably all thinking the same thing I am, that they haven’t had a chance to speak.

 

Paul, the ministers, the knights, and everyone else in the palace thinks well of Cedric.

 “So, promise me you won’t forget about your birthday in the future,”

I said, holding out my pinky to Cedric.

 “Because there are so many people who are comforted by your presence.” 

And I am one of them.

 

At first, I had vowed that our relationship would remain a professional one, a master and pupil.

 

But now I had to admit it. I felt comfortable and secure with Cedric and the care and attention he showed me.

 

He was a gentleman who made me realize again that I, who had been abandoned twice by my parents, could be what someone needed.

 

We’d been through too much together to define it as just business and a master-disciple relationship.

 “To be honest, I don’t know if I’m a good enough person to deserve that.” 

Cedric hesitated, choosing his words carefully,

“Still, if Ciel says so, I suppose I should.” 

The slightly upturned corners of his mouth curved gracefully, like the strokes of a painter’s brush.

 

His red eyes glowed like warm embers.

 

Cedric smiled, a delicate smile like moonlight, and it was clear he was genuinely delighted.

 “Thank you, for saying that.” “I was just telling you how I felt.” “That’s one of the hardest things. It takes courage to say what you feel in front of others.” 

And he pulled the cake I’d pushed away toward him.

 “Ciel, you’re right, I’ll never forget my birthday again.” “Really? I’m glad.” 

Maybe next year we could have a grand celebration.

 

I’m sure the ministers would be thrilled to finally be able to show off their well-grown Emperor around town.

 “If I hadn’t been born, Ciel, I would never have met someone as nice as you.” “What? Ah…” “Well, considering that, I guess it must be a special day, and I’ve been thinking about it the wrong way all this time.” 

Wow, that’s a weird thing to say.

 

I thought to myself,

‘I guess I’m not getting anywhere with my subbing history.’ 

 

With that thought, I moved my chair in front of the cake.

 “Now, why don’t you blow out the candles, and I’ll sing you a song.” “Wow, really? You didn’t sing last year.” “I’m just doing it as a special service this year.” 

Cedric looked radiant, bright, and cheerful as he laughed at my comment.

 

I started singing Happy Birthday to him, hoping he had plenty of reasons to keep smiling like that.

  

On Cedric’s birthday, which passed without celebration, the palace was quiet, but not without its share of drama.

 

The ministers rushed in as soon as they heard Cedric had awakened and stood at the door.

 

When I told them that Cedric’s timely awakening just before midnight had resulted in a very enjoyable birthday surprise, they were delighted.

 

Their hands were full of unidentified packages.

 “…You got me all the presents after all.” 

Apparently, Cedric wasn’t accepting gifts from the ministers this year.

 “If you don’t want a gift for your birthday, we’ll give it to you as a gesture of good wishes.” 

And they did indeed come into the room, leaving their packages at the foot of the bed in unison when Cedric ordered them to do so.

 

Wounded and unable to move out of bed, Cedric could only watch the scene in silence.

 

‘It’s not quite what it used to be, but it’s fun…’

 

It was nice to see the Emperor’s birthday celebrated with only those inside the palace, as it felt more intimate and personal.

 

Still, I personally hope that next year we can celebrate Cedric’s birthday more grandly.

 “I’ll call the emergency meeting into session immediately.” 

The day of Cedric’s birthday passed uneventfully, but the next day the mood in the palace was different.

 

The raid on the temple had made it clear that someone was targeting Cedric.

 

So everyone was up early in the chill of dawn to attend a meeting.

 “The Mages will report first.” 

Marquis Lauren stood up. The council members were the same as the last time they had discussed Cedric’s visit to the Temple.

 

So once again, Marquis Lauren and I, who were not typically included in the High Council’s meetings, were joining them.

 “There have been multiple eyewitness accounts of a mass of black magic appearing in the air and shortly thereafter, the shield at the very center of the temple shattered. I am one of the witnesses.” 

I saw that ball of energy appear. My heart sank as I watched a human-like figure emerge from the mass of energy that appeared over the temple without warning.

 

‘And as soon as they landed on top of the temple, it started to collapse.’

 

It was fortunate it didn’t collapse completely, but if it had collapsed any faster, Cedric might not have been saved.

 “It was a similar type of magic to the one described by the witnesses to the raid on the search party earlier, and the same type of magic found on the piece of clothing that Minerva took from the assailant in that incident.” “You mean that unregistered magic power.” 

Cedric asked, his face serious as he brought a finger to the corner of his mouth.

 “Yes, that’s right, but after a long investigation, I have additional information about the magic power that I’d like to report to you.” [Wow, so after all those days and nights, he finally figured it out.] 

Caliberne marveled at the Marquis of Lauren’s words.

 

‘Indeed. It’s something I’ve never seen before in Deamant, and I’ve dueled with many people, but I’ve never seen anything like it.’

 “It has been determined that the power was artificially generated by the use of a curse.” “What exactly do you mean, using a curse?” 

Cedric asked, narrowing his eyes as the Marquis de Lauren flipped through the report.

 “In layman’s terms, black magic.” “Black magic?” 

The deputies began to chorus.

 “You mean there are still people who practice black magic? In Deamant, it’s the unborn who don’t even know there is such a thing as black magic.” 

Marquis Lauren nodded at a questioning look from one of the deputies.

 “Yes. In Deamant, yes, but I’ve heard of it being used in other countries.” 

Then again, there were countries where curses were still practiced that weren’t used much in this country.

 

Was that how black magic remained alive and active?

 “Besides, black magic has an advantage in sheer power over normal magic, so there’s no reason not to use it if it’s available.” “Then that’s why the shield of the temple was broken as soon as that mass of magic appeared…” “Yes. It was only possible because the magic created by black magic is overwhelmingly powerful.” 

Marquis Lauren sighed and skimmed through the report.

 “To be honest, it’s beyond common sense. It wasn’t enough that the assailants broke the shields of the temple, but they also used spatial travel magic.” “Surely, spatial travel is something only those who specialize in it can do…” 

The Defense Minister said worriedly, tugging at his graying beard.

 “But as I understand it—” 

Cedric’s red eyes flashed with the sharpness of a razor blade.

 “To use black magic, you would have to sacrifice a human life.” 

The hall fell silent at his words.

 

‘Magic gained by killing people.’

 

That meant something terrible was happening somewhere, something I had never thought of before.

 

And for some reason, the words made my blood run cold and the goosebumps rise on my arms.

 “…Yes. That’s why most countries have abandoned the development of black magic.” 

Marquis Lauren said as he put down the report.

 “The power of the magic they produced was strong, but they had to kill too many people to produce it, and it wasn’t efficient.” 

There was more talk of black magic for a while.

 

Then it was my turn, having witnessed the assailants closest to Cedric.

 “Then I would like the Knights to report next. And I’d also like the Commander to take questions from your report on the assailants.” 

I nodded at the secretary’s words and rose from my seat.

 

‘Uh…?’

 

At that moment, my vision became strangely blurry and I couldn’t see the materials I had prepared.

 

For some reason, my whole body trembled, and a cold sweat broke out.

 “Captain Minerva?” Tap, tap,

and a red droplet of blood dripped onto the white presentation.

 

At the same time, an uncontrollable wave of nausea washed over me.

 “Minerva!” 

And then I blacked out completely.