Chapter 4.1
This was the carnivorous therianthrope empire of Rodelius. An empire full of fierce, brutal, and merciless carnivorous therianthropes. The emperor who ruled this empire, where only the strong became the top predators due to their excessive pride, was a wolf therianthrope. He had thrown the once-peaceful Anser Continent into terror by immediately ascending to the throne after the previous emperor’s death.
“Lucael Rodelius”
Cynical and ruthless, he was truly a “tyrant” who was feared even within the empire.
They say he showed a bit of leniency only to his allies.
With his dark black hair reaching his shoulders and black eyes, the emperor had earned the terrifying nickname “Black Reaper.”
He was a tyrant among tyrants who was more interested in purges and wars than sitting in his office attending to state affairs.
Still, as he approached thirty, he had been keeping quiet lately.
“Even starting wars has become boring now. No one provokes me like they used to.”
“Of course not. They’d face racial extinction that very day if they did. It’s only natural.”
“Ah, is that so? It’s just too dull and boring. Isn’t there anything fun?”
Rihan, the prime minister and the tyrant emperor’s closest aide, pressed his lips tightly together.
‘If you’re that bored, please just attend to state affairs! Why must I always suffer like this? I want to get married too!’
Knowing his head would be immediately severed if he spoke those words aloud, Rihan could only endure.
“I’m thinking of taking an empress soon.”
“That’s the most delightful thing I’ve heard from Your Majesty in a while.”
“What?”
“Is there a woman who has caught Your Majesty’s eye?”
“You cunning fox.”
“Haha. I’m a wolf like Your Majesty.”
Rihan pushed his glasses up and stood.
“Before Your Majesty changes your mind, I’ll find the most suitable lady in the empire…”
“No. There’s no woman I want in this empire.”
“Pardon? Then among the foreign countries I’ve researched…”
“Harus.”
“….”
“Elena Harus, was it? That princess. They say she’s the most beautiful princess on the continent?”
Rihan was also well aware of that princess. Even within the empire, people acknowledged her beauty despite being a rabbit therianthrope, to the point where some would travel just to see her.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“That’s correct.”
“Bring me her portrait.”
“She’s so popular that getting one would be like catching a star from the sky…”
“There must be people who have them, right? They wouldn’t dare refuse to show me.”
“Sigh. Please wait a moment.”
The emperor’s greatest dislike was waiting.
“I can’t wait long. I’ll give you 30 minutes. Bring it immediately.”
“You’re really too much.”
“It’s 30 minutes only because it’s you.”
“I’m tearfully grateful.”
As balls of fire appeared in Lucael’s hands, Rihan rushed out of the office, saying he’d be right back.
“I wonder how beautiful she must be to be on everyone’s lips.”
As Lucael tapped his fingers on the desk, waiting for the princess’s portrait, his brow gradually furrowed.
BANG!
“I-cough! hack! Wheeze! I brought it. cough! Gasp!”
“I’ll give you an extra minute. Come here. Relax your expression. Hurry up.”
‘Should I just quit…?’
Rihan seriously considered it but decided to endure. Despite being worked like a dog, the salary and benefits were worth it.
“This is Princess Elena Harus.”
“…”
Lucael, who received the portrait, couldn’t take his eyes off the princess, who looked as if she might move at any moment.
“Is she really a rabbit therianthrope?”
“Yes. A very rare snow rabbit clan, from the queen’s side.”
“Hmm. I’ve decided.”
“Pardon?”
“I said I’ve decided. This princess. Bring her to me immediately.”
Having served the emperor for 10 years now, Rihan wondered what to do with this increasingly unreasonable emperor, but with no good options, he simply stated the known facts.
“I regret to inform you, but this princess already has a consort…”
“She’s not married yet, is she?”
“No, but since childhood, there’s been a promise…”
Rihan watched as the emperor ignored his words and wrote something on a document. He didn’t know what was being written, but he was certain it wasn’t anything good. His throat became increasingly dry.
“Send this to the Harus Kingdom immediately.”
“What exactly does it contain…”
The moment he confirmed the letter’s contents, Rihan’s eyes widened.
“Your Majesty. Are you ordering me to send this?”
“You know I don’t like repeating myself, don’t you?”
“Your Majesty, if we send this as is, you’ll only earn Princess Harus’s hatred.”
“Hatred, haha. She knows who I am. Would she dare hate me?”
‘Being a tyrant is truly your pride.’
Once again contemplating resignation, Rihan calmed himself by thinking of his salary and benefits.
“Why are you standing there blankly instead of sending it?”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
After Rihan left with a complaint about his slowness, Lucael stared intently at the portrait.
“Twenty years old. She looks like a very delicious rabbit. Especially…”
The emperor’s gaze, looking quite pleased, focused on her seemingly bursting chest.
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