Chapter 48 - Give And Take

“…” He had nothing to say, so he shut his mouth. But his defiant eyes didn’t change. His pride wouldn’t allow him to bow down to anything. Despite this, I tried to get closer. 

“And this isn’t pity. I’m Harel’s guardian angel.” I had no reason to help out like this because of pity. There was only one reason I was helping him. I wanted to save Harel!

Kais still looked at me in disbelief, but it didn’t matter. I went straight to the point. “So Kais, it looks like you’re uncomfortable with my pity.” We made eye contact, and I smiled at him. “Pay me back.” His eyes changed. “This is a deal. Let’s do an equal give and take.” ‘Let’s keep each other safe.’ 

Even though I said all that, Kais couldn’t shake off his misbelief. “What can I do for you?”

“Prove that you can be useful.” Although his words were a bit brusque, he was quite innocent. “One usually invests in something one thinks will succeed. I’ll bet on your future. What do you think?” I extended my hand toward Kais. 

He silently looked at me for a while, then grabbed it. “…Fine.” I smiled at his agreement, and his expression froze. In a rough voice, he said, “I won’t let you regret this.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

* * *

Kais was finally on my side, but I started thinking again. There were slaves in this world. The laws for slaves were different for each land, but slaves were illegal in the Rahel Empire. However, it was only illegal to have slaves in the empire. If someone brought a slave from another country, the laws wouldn’t affect them. So if a person had a subjugation seal on them, they would be considered a slave in Rahel. And slaves were treated horribly. 

“We need to get rid of the subjugation seal…” Kais’s seal was something the crazy magician had personally created, so it was unusual. Right now, I didn’t have a way to remove it. “It’ll be difficult if the magician isn’t of a higher level.” 

Since Miltiades hadn’t done anything to Kais yet, it seemed like he didn’t know about the subjugation seal. However, it wouldn’t take long for people to find it. I didn’t know how Miltiades would act once he found out. So… I had only one option. “Luci.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what Callian likes?”

“…?”

I had to attack first! 

* * *

Callian liked pomegranate jelly. It was a relief that we liked similar things, and it was easy to get some. 

“I heard you called for me…” Callian scratched the back of his neck as he tried to figure out what was going on. 

I smiled wider on purpose. “Callian.”

“Yes, Saintess.” Callian seemed to look at me in awe because it was the first time I had called him by his name. It didn’t seem like much, but I understood his feelings. He had been talking with Luciana. I took out the pomegranate jellies. “This.”

“What is this?”

“A bribe.”

“…” Callian’s face grew rigid. He was contemplating if it was fine for him to accept. 

I didn’t give him time to think and placed the pomegranate jellies in his hand. “Callian, do you like me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then you’ll help me, right?”

“Excuse me…?” Callian looked at me in confusion, but it was too late.

“I’ll believe in you!”

“Huh…?” Callian blinked a few times. 

Luciana held her forehead and sighed as I pressured him. “Great!”

All that was left was the decisive battle. ‘How could I make it happen?’ I started thinking about the strategies, but it seemed like I didn’t need to. 

“Looks like you guys are having fun.” Although his voice was peaceful, Callian froze at the violent energy it contained. Miltiades blatantly stared at Callian. “I heard you had something to do.” Miltaides’s cold glare was murderous. “But you’re spending time with my daughter.”

Callian awkwardly laughed at Miltiades’s sarcastic remark. “Your, Your Majesty—”

“Is this the important thing you had to do?”

“No, Your Majesty. Let me—”

“Do you regularly meet up to talk? Behind my back?”

Callian couldn’t do anything but beg. “That’s not it, Your Majesty. Please listen to me…”

“What more do I need to listen to?” It was the first time I saw Miltiades interrogate Callian. Miltiades seemed upset that Callian had ditched him. I walked between the two to separate them and hugged Miltiades. “It’s Daddy!” When I wrapped my legs around him and looked up, I saw his expression soften. “Hehe.” 

Miltiades hugged me back as I laughed. He then asked me with his softened expression, “What were you two talking about?”

“Huh? How handsome you are!”

“…” Miltiades silently looked at Callian. 

Callian immediately nodded at my urging. “Yes! Your Majesty is the most handsome man in the world!”

“See, what did I tell you?” My dad was the most beautiful person in existence.