The truth of the matter was, she felt more rage than sorrow over the death of the Crown Prince. The rage of losing the most important trump card she gave birth to.

Skillfully reading the mind of the First Consort, Deon continued.

“How dare she commit the sin of undoing the dawn of the empire, it is only appropriate to repay in death… If she is destined to die regardless, we might as well use her for the good of the Empire instead. It would be a shame to waste the so-called Beauty of the Empire.”

“A-Ahem. Well, that’s…”

The panel of judges and aristocrats who gawked at Hannah cleared their throats in embarrassment, expressing their agreement.

Naturally gravitating the atmosphere towards him, Deon continued talking.

“So, how about demoting her to a slave, then sending her to the Forune Kingdom as a gift of friendship?”

“What in the—”

The Forune Kingdom! The trial ground turned upside down in an instant.

Forune, for the longest time, housed seven separate tribes and only recently was transformed into a kingdom.

The seven tribes had big and small wars over many centuries, then finally, after stepping over their history, a king was born.

A newborn kingdom, just building its central monarchy. It’s an unorderly kingdom where strength is law, and even then, vicious crimes still broke out there.

Gifting Hannah, the emperor’s favored consort, who was also destined to receive the death penalty to that barbaric kingdom was…

Huh? From the looks of the aristocrats, the initial disgust diminished, and then approval rose.

Even the First Consort whispered to her father, the Duke of Tanium, as she covered her mouth with her fan.

“That’s not a bad idea, is it, Father?”

The Duke of Tanium, without saying a word, glanced between his daughter and Deon. It was more than alright.

He couldn’t find a better use for the imperial family’s prisoner on death row.

Nevertheless, the Forune Kingdom was the most brought up topic among aristocrats nowadays.

Although they looked down on them for their barbaric tendencies, the kingdom’s army was strategically superior, thus, the empire couldn’t quite give up on their relations.

But then, sending a murder-committing consort as a slave to present amity.

To other empires or kingdoms, it’s something they would not imagine doing, but the notorious Forune Kingdom would think of Hannah as an exciting plaything.

It was a brilliant move to bridge between the strong barbaric kingdom and the empire, while not at the expense of throwing away our pride.

That remark was easily given by that 17-year-old, the youngest prince.

“Hmm… hmm… That, it’s just that…”

The panel of judges and aristocrats exchanged glances with one another, not daring to voice their opinions, unable to judge whether it was good or not.

Undoubtedly, the authority to decide this fell on the First Consort.

Deon smiled innocently before pressing on for confirmation.

“If this results in the Forune Kingdom showing our empire goodwill, that will solely be due to your mercy and wisdom, Mother.”

Diverting all the credit and rights to decide, as well as people’s attention from himself to the First Consort naturally, like a river, Deon sat down.

The sight of a shocked Hughes and an inquisitive Second Consort was hovering somewhat in the surroundings, but from start to end, there was one pair of eyes continually pinned only on him.

His older sister, unrelated by blood.

By the name of Kathia.

To Deon, until now, there was no variable. Being able to suppress himself, he was a boy of pride.

But not today.

Without knowing why, he was curious, but he was hesitant to answer with some odd reason. He contemplated deeply and even caused a mess that he wouldn’t have normally made.

Why? Why did I do it? He couldn’t, for the life of him, understand his variables.

Then… Ah. This. Damn.

Again, another curious thought came to mind.

I wonder, what color do those eyes hold?

* * *

In the beginning of the world, there was a dragon by the name of Spírĭtus.

He was the untainted breath of wind, the only soul in existence. The world was birthed from him and maintained by him.

In other words, he was like an ‘absolute being.’

But even for an absolute being, Spírĭtus couldn’t withstand the loneliness.