Hicksons apology was quite crude. Its


    What?


    Im sorry.


    So what is this about?


    Hicksons face turned red uncontrobly. Now that he was older, he wasnt used to apologizing.


    It was hard.


    In the past I hurt you a lot.


    I heard you became somewhat like a drunk dog.


    Why are you talking about the past?


    And correct your words. Seal set down his cup of warm ck tea. White steam rose from the cup. You didnt hit me a lot.


    What? He didnt know what else to say, so he promptly shut up.


    It was a simple situation.


    Really?


    I judged that responding to violence with violence was not suitable for the dignity of the nobility. Heughed. As long as its in the past, thats fine.


    Really?


    When you lost your daughter, I honestly thought it was justice.


    Hickson frowned. He hade to apologize, but this felt like scratching an open wound. Maybe he should teach Seal a lesson. Itd been a long time since his reputation was cemented, so he felt for a moment that it wouldnt matter if he acted like it.


    My heart was so evil then too. So lets forgive each other.


    Do you even know what it means to forgive? I thought my ears would start bleeding because you always talk about honor and dignity.


    Lets make an agreement. Seal put out his right hand. I confess and apologize for having an evil heart. I ask for your forgiveness.


    I cant think of any reason not to. All right then.


    Anyway, you epted my apology. You cant take it backter.


    Hickson held onto Seals hand. Im sorry for your son.


    A strange consensus was formed between the two. One lost his beloved daughter, and another lost his beloved son.


    After shaking it three times, Seal let go of Hicksons hand. I have a question.


    What is it?


    You imed to be the guardian of Princess Vi, right?


    There was a big smile on Hicksons face. He wagged his index finger. No. Vi asked me to help her.


    Princess Vi?


    The princess in Seals eyes was cool and reasonable. She didnt look like the type to reach out to someone for help.


    She wants to have a good adult next to her. She said she needs guidance.


    Thats unexpected.


    What about it?


    That she chose you as a good adult.


    I know.


    It was funny even to Hickson. What did Vi see that made her want his help? Why did she reach out to him?


    The Princess Vi I know is the owner of a calm and thorough spirit.


    I know. Thats also what I think of her.


    Princess Vi needed your help and at the same time recognized your need.


    What do you mean, my need?


    I guess she wanted to help you.


    Vi wanted to help me?


    Hickson was lost in thought for a moment. In hindsight, his life did change after meeting Vi.


    She brought me back to life, from when I was living so pitifully.


    Was that the best way to describe it? Like some sort of salvation?


    I guess its true that she helped me. But why is that?


    Princess Vi is a Verratoux. Ive never seen a sessor quite like her.


    That was right. Thats what Hickson thought too.


    She seems to have immense wisdom.


    Otherwise, these situations could not be exined.


    She reached out to you, who was a nuisance, and came here as a special envoy and opened my eyes. And Seal took a moment.


    It was difficult to speak. A child in the belly of his beloved woman. The child who would be born due to his wifes affair.


    What is it?


    And she imed guardianship over my child.


    What, do you have a baby?


    Seal nodded. Although its not exactly my child. He gulped. When I decided to forgive my wife it didnt matter. From now on, my wifes child is my child. Its like that.


    He didnt know if he had forgiven herpletely, but at the time, he had decided to embrace his wifes everything. That was the forgiveness that he was thinking of.


    My child has tremendous magical talent.


    They havent even been born yet. How would you know that?


    Seal only nodded, as if to state the obvious.


    Hey!


    Whats wrong?


    Dont you have too many theories about the princess?


    What?


    Hicksons nostrils red. I know Heron Verratoux is my friend.


    Thats right.


    Okay. No matter how monstrous Verratoux is, would he have that ability?


    Even if you have theories in your head, you have to keep it at just the right amount, man. Why would Vi say that? Isnt that idea too far-fetched? How would a fetus magical talent be recognized?


    It was as if Seal had been hit on the head. It made sense, now that he thought about it. Recognizing the magical talent of an unborn child? That was impossible even for the most skilled magicians.


    Ah


    Seal was deeply shocked and speechless for a while. It was like seeing a new side to Vi


    Hickson smiled and continued to talk, Its true that shes an iron-blooded Verratoux who knows how to wear a thousand masks.


    But shes really warm and cute.


    Being warm and cute is just a part of being young. Are you kidding?


    But he was being serious! It was an exceptional warmth and cuteness.


    But even though I said it myself that its part of being young, somehow Vi being like that is unimaginable.


    Hickson burst intoughter. He decided to keep the precious secret of Vis qualities to himself.


    It was then that the butler suddenly knocked on our door.


    Whats going on? I told you not to disturb us.


    Im here to report a great disturbance in the castle.


    Disturbance?


    Sir Jermi appeared, the butler reported. The little storm Jermiwhose beauty caused numerous women to follow him into entanglements, caused more than a few idents.


    Seals head started to ache.


    Three carriage idents. Six incidents of injury while pushing each other. And two cases where some of them fought by grabbing each others hair. In summary, is this all that happened?


    Thats right. The butler fixed his sses and continued his report. Its the new culture of young people.


    New culture?


    Yes. This group, which expresses a crazy feeling, is called a fandom.


    Fans? Fandom? These are all strange terms.


    Some of them are quite radical. They idolize and follow Sir Jermi.


    What happened to thend?


    The butler took a deep breath.


    This was the point.


    Because I said I was waiting for the beautiful spirit Thats why the fuss grew even bigger. Some extreme fans, who predicted that the dark young master was the one they were seeking, grabbed each others heads and even fought.


    But I think Im waiting for Princess Vi.


    [Ill be waiting for you at the vige square.]


    Vi frowned. At the end of the short note, Jermis name was written. Vi recalled the story she had been told. If Jermi reveals himself in the vige square without a disguise, idents caused by the fandom will continue.


    She could tell without hearing the news that there must have been amotion already. It was the early days of fandom culture.


    The writer also described it themself. Jermi was close to the worlds first-generation idol. Before the mature fandom culture was established, it could be seen as the beginning of the process. As a result, there were much more extreme fans here than in South Korea in the 21st century.


    Its better not to go out, right?


    No matter how much she thought about it, it was best to stay still. If she got involved with Jermi, that fandom


    She didnt even know if shed be safe from all these kinds of stones and insults from the people here. However, the letters seemed to appear by themselves on the note. It seemed to have been made to reveal the words over time.


    [If you dont arrive after an hour, Ill sing a hymn for Vi Verratoux.]


    Vi sighed deeply. Does it really have to be this way?


    For Jermis fandom, the prestige of House Verratoux was not important. As soon as Jermi sang a hymn dedicated to Vi Verratoux, droves of Jermis fans all over the continent would start to think of Vi as their enemy.


    This isnt a dream is it?


    Vi called Xenon. Give me my mask.


    Yes, princess.


    This was a special mask created by Seivan Marcos, the puppet master.


    It was so sophisticated that it was nearly impossible to recognize that it wasnt the wearers real face. After finishing her disguise, Vi took the lead in walking as Xenon trailed closely.


    Together, they headed to the square with two strong guards to prevent any possible mishaps. They deliberately moved in the direction of thergest and most colorful wagon on the road to prevent getting noticed. As they rode it, more guards were also deployed in advance as a precaution against quarrels.


    Jermi sat near the central fountain of the square, and hundreds of fans were peeping around him to see him. Some even cried as if their lifelong wishes hade true.


    Xenon. Did we take that long that a group of hundreds of girls could have gathered here already?


    We came as soon as we could


    Yes.


    Im meeting Lord Jermi like this.


    Is there a need for all this?


    A gaudy wagon and a horse used only for exhibitions. The mask made by Seivan Marcos. Even these guards.


    No matter what happens, we cant cut down innocent people. Even if we take these precautions it would still be a huge risk and we could face a rude crowd.


    Wouldnt it be quieter to reveal yourself as Vi Verratoux?


    Vi shook her head. It was true that Xenon was a great butler, but it seemed that he didnt know enough to fear the threat of an extreme fandom.


    The Verratoux name is useless, too. It doesnt matter in front of them.


    Should I?


    Theyre going to stare at me with fire in their eyes. If they find out that Im Vi Verratoux


    She imagined a sudden darkness in front of her. They would never see Vi Verratoux in the same way again. Tens of thousands of faceless people. It would result in the creation of a myriad of enemies.


    Just thinking about it made her shudder.


    But Vi didnt say any of that.


    Theyll be rude to Vi Verratoux, and then Vi Verratoux will have to kill them. I dont want to spill blood when I dont have to.


    As expected, youre a princess.


    They arrived in front of the fountain. The carriage door opened and she was escorted down by Xenonwho was also wearing a mask.


    She got off the wagon.


    Vi felt numerous eyes on her. Wow. She felt thrilled for some reason, her heart pounding.


    Donte out, its raining. Stay inside.


    So sharp were her responding emotions that it felt like the original Vi would pop out.


    It seemed that the life of an idol with a fandom was worse than that of a Verratoux.


    Youve predicted all this, Schr Jermi.


    Youre here. Jermi jumped from the fountain and dipped into a bow.


    Nice to meet you. I dont really know what to do in these situations.


    Then Ill make sure to keep you on your toes all the while.


    What does that mean?


    Jermi had predicted this whole situation and called Vi here on purpose.


    In this situation, she thought that even if all the worlds possible futures had been made, they wouldnt be something she could change, and the idea was an illusion. Jermi didnt know Vi well yet. From Jermis point of view, she heard an answer that she had never thought of.