“Let’s go home. Forgive me, but I have no business here anymore.”

As she stared at Hades’ hand, Jill forced her dry, heavy lips to budge.

“…Let’s reclaim Her Highness Natalie and the National Seal. Calling this a declaration of war is too extreme.”

‘It’s too extreme, isn’t it?’ Jill almost wished for him to laugh and dismiss it as such.

“The Saber family, including my father and my mother, will help us. Or even Prince Geraldo! There’s no need to turn this into a war, so…”

“Are you asking me to help Kratos with their internal conflict? A request like that is ridiculous.”

Hades scoffed.

The was a constant rustling noise—was it from the surrounding trees, or did it come from within her chest?

“You can fight all you want. It has nothing to do with me—the Rave Empire. No matter which side you are on, nothing good will come from it. Exhaust yourselves all you wish you’re your internal disputes. At the very least, it’s to my benefit.”

“B-but, my marriage to His Majesty…”

“The victor gets to decide that, Jill. No further concessions can be made. We also need to ensure Natalie’s safety.”

“I know that! But I’m sure you understand what it means to move the army to rescue Her Highness Natalie!”

Won’t that result in a war? Wasn’t he supposed to make peace? For my sake.

—Aah, Hades must’ve noticed it.

He knows that my family is against our engagement.

If anything, I was the one oblivious to everything and was just dreaming.

Without asking anything directly, Jill clenched her fists and looked up.

“I-I’m going to save her! I’m going to save Her Highness Natalie, even if it’s just by myself… And then I’m going to reclaim the National Seal and marry His Majesty! Afterwards, there shouldn’t be any problems, right!?”

Hades sighed, but not in a relenting manner. Instead, in abject disappointment.

Then, he smiled at her. A deliberate, judging one, as if he was testing her.

“—Is that your decision as the Dragon Princess? Or as Jill Saber?”

“Both! Both are me, so…”

“That’s a lie.”

He cut her off mercilessly.

“In the end, you chose your homeland over me. I expected this.”

Despite his refined language, there was a mixture of frustration and contempt towards her lack of understanding.

“Even though you were the one who told me to become a great emperor.”

‘You were the one who made me like this, so take responsibility.’

It was as if he were blaming her.

“As the Dragon Princess, you are not allowed to involve yourself in internal conflicts. If you still insist, I won’t forgive you.”

“…I don’t really care! Even if Your Majesty doesn’t give me permission—”

“—Then you are no longer the Dragon Princess.”

It was an abrupt and sudden statement.

Even though they were just throwing words at each other, the moment she heard that, she felt as if a hole had opened right under her feet. She was nauseous, as if her world were suddenly turned upside down.

I refuse to accept that.

Yet, her mouth refused to form a single world.

Despite still struggling to comprehend the meaning of those words, something threatened to overflow from her eyes.

A Dragon Emperor had no need for a Dragon Princess who clung to her homeland.

A self-evident truth. Reason without love.

This is a lie. No—

She lost her voice. She was just gaping her mouth like a fish. Surely, Hades noticed that as well. He would. That was the kind of person he was.

“You’re no longer my fiancée. You’re nobody to me. Let’s part way here.”

“What have you been rambling about all this time!?”

“Are you going to return so you can start a war!?”

“—Rick, Andy, stop it!”

Rick and Andy leaped at him, shaking off their father’s restraints. Zeke and Camila tried to stop them. Rick threw a dagger, which grazed Hades. A streak of vermillion ran across his cheek.

At that, Hades vaguely shut his eyes, before opening them again.

“You laid a hand on me. You brought this upon yourself.”

In an instant, the twins were crushed by the Dragon Emperor’s magical power and fell to their knees.

All Hades did was lift his chin and his devastating magical power forced them to kneel. Seeing the ruler’s gaze, her parents, Lawrence who was beside her, as well as the approaching Geraldo fell to their knees. Camila and Zeke, who were standing, stopped moving as if dazed.

Jill watched the entire scene unfold, unable to move or blink.

Is this just a dream…?

The Emperor of the Dragon God Empire who protected the land and the skies with overwhelming power.

“I will bend my knee to my wife.”

Even those words, which she had heard so many times, felt like a dream.

“But I won’t kneel to anyone but my wife. Jill, this is the last time.”

…Maybe it truly was a dream. If so, it was a cruel dream!

“Come.”

Her beloved was smiling and reaching out to her, yet her heart was in anguish.

“…I can’t go.”

How could she not refuse?

“I won’t succumb to a threat like this…! Release them right now, Your Majesty—I beg of you!”

Hades lowered his hand and laughed.

“Zeke, Camila, let’s go. We need to regroup before we’re surrounded.”

“W-wait, Your Majesty, we…”

“Although you may be the Knights of the Dragon Princess, we’re inside an enemy country. If you want to live, I recommend you abscond to the Rave Empire.”

“Wait—”

“No, Princess Jill, don’t go! The Dragon Princess…!”

Geraldo weakly grabbed her wrist. She could easily shake it off. Yet, when she saw him drenched in sweat as he tried desperately to stop her, Jill couldn’t bring herself to.

“—So far, every past Dragon Princess has perished at the hand of their Dragon Emperor!”

Jill turned around to look at Hades, staring at him in disbelief.

Perhaps, that was the finishing blow.

An obvious look of disappointment appeared in Hades’ eyes.

“Goodbye, young lady with amethyst eyes.”

Smiling bitterly, Hades turned on his heels. That same instant, everyone was able to move again. Geraldo jumped up and screamed.

“Count Saber, stop the emperor!”

“Andy, Rick, notify the Saber territory! Seize the Dragon Emperor!”

“Don’t let him return to the Rave Empire! He’ll start a war!”

Following her parents’ instructions, Zeke cut down an arrow that flew behind Hades. Camila clicked her tongue and jumped out from the terrace, standing in front of Hades while drawing her bow.

“Jill-chan, we—”

“Stop it, Captain is no longer the Dragon Princess.”

Camila turned away as if to dismiss the thought. Zeke bowed and stood in front of Hades. The three of them began to float.

Someone was screaming that they were teleporting.

They shouldn’t be able to escape that far.

A barrier suppressing magical power expanded across the sky.

There was a roar, followed by the clashing of swords. Then, the brilliance of magic.

There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.

Yet, Jill couldn’t budge an inch. Her legs remained taut, as if frozen.

She was just clutching her chest, trying to adjust her breathing.

I’m such a fool.

She still had a lot to do. She also didn’t think what she did was wrong. Most of all, she still had tons of complaints.

Yet, she couldn’t do anything.

It was painful, agonizing, sad, and heartbreaking just to say goodbye.

Even though I said I wouldn’t give up.

Even though all I had to do was keep my promise.

So this is love.

She never knew.

Now, she wanted to remain oblivious.

---

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***T/N: It’s now 2024 and Happy New Year to all my readers! (Belated) As you can see, our power couple is still going strong into 2024 as evidently by their action… (read the chapter again)… … …Okay this is awkward.

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