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It was the truth. If it had not been for the absolute power of the Crown Prince, the end of their people might have been set in stone a long time ago.

“But only history will tell what is true.”

However, the conditions Julian needed to win were still insufficient.

In an empire led by the powers granted by her gods, divinity was the absolute measure of status that could not be refuted. That was why the Crown Prince was strong. It was his inexplicable strength that placed him in the position he was today.

Dane was an abnormality. Compared to others, he knew more, learned faster and calculated quicker.

“There’s still time till it happens but I’d like to refuse your request to help in your coup. I think it’s better if I just pretended I never heard.”

His predictions, which sometimes surpassed reason, was a result of his calculations based on his knowledge of the world rather than the use of something as magical and powerful as divinity.

But he didn’t use his abilities for just anyone.

“I don’t want to remain in history. My prince.”

“So, you wish to remain in the shadows?”

“No one will be able to control me.”

The curtains flapped loudly against the wind blowing through the open window.

While Julian held his hair back with a wince, a beautiful smile appeared on Dane’s face as his brown hair fluttered into his eyes.

“This is my choice, one uncontrolled by anyone else.”

His eyes that were as red as camellias blooming against the snow had a calculative glint in them.

“… I heard that you hadn’t want to become the ‘Emperor’s Shadows’ a long time ago.”

He did. He did once.

“I won’t be a shadow”

The day Ahn disappeared, Dane had given up on everything.

At first, he was coaxed and appeased. Then, they killed his mother to set an example. But even if they hadn’t killed her, he had already been swayed.

“Why don’t you become our chief? Well. If you need time to think this over, I’ll buy you some time. Hurry back. I’ll hand the title to you once you return.”

That was how no one remained in his palace. A few years later, he had welcomed her back from the western territories.

“I knew it. I knew you’d come back. You’re the only one who can be our chief.”

When he became chief, Deros was happier than anyone else to see him.

That was how he became Chief of the Shadows.

“I have not once ever considered myself to be a shadow.”

Dane had always stood out from the others. But even for him, there was one thing he never expected.

The 10th Day of the Month of Habermia.

The one he loved more than anyone else in the world had died that day.

“I am so very sorry to say this even though you sought me out especially just to appoint me as your personal aide, my prince.”

“So, you’re not going to accept.”

“It’d be too much for me.”

As he spoke, Dane smiled piercingly.

“You’re already surrounded by countless talents, my prince. You expect too much from a shadow who has long been ousted from the race to the throne with no chance to climb higher in status. Why do you want me?”

“Still, when I see a talented person, I become greedy. I fear that my greed is endless.”

Dane did not allow him to rest.

“There are so many other than myself who yearn to be captured in your gaze. You’ll be disappointing them, my prince.”

“They’ll be more than happy to hear that I’ll be bringing an outstanding talent to my side.”

“I refuse. I plead with you to let me go. You have burdened me with too much this time, my prince.”

“Of course, this is what you deserve, no part of it is too much.”

Smiling with his head tilted, Julian’s voice sounded gentle and friendly. Recognising the mischief that permeated his words, Dane smiled sheepishly.

“Aren’t you worried that all the dirty work I carried out will sully your name?”

“You didn’t do it because you wanted to.”

Julian smiled as he stared at Dane.

“I feel sorry for you.”

A hollow smile. The prince’s dark brown eyes looked so kind and warm almost as if he would embrace all of him without worries or concerns. Perhaps he was speaking the truth. Perhaps Julian was genuinely concerned about Dane.

‘But.’

Turning his head, Dane stared at the desk. Despite being the 7th Prince, there was little chance for him to succeed the throne which was why all he had was a small desk that was commonly used by junior officials.

He asked himself again.

Was he in any way dissatisfied with this life, unhappy with living like this?

‘No.’

He spotted glimpses into his day-to-day life on the desk he used for a long time now.

“I’ll be losing my memories, Dane.”

The smell of ink and old parchment in the air.

The quill shuddered softly in the wind as it swayed.

“Can you guarantee it? That no matter what happens, nothing will change?”

A tiny voice swept through his mind.

The tiny voice of a little girl that sounded both nostalgic and faint. One he was once afraid of disappearing.

“Ashley.”

He was someone who could remain calm when others could not–one who went through numerous events to attain his tranquillity.

“Sometimes, I think it’s both a blessing and a curse to be able to predict and know everything.”

He was an abnormality. And the two halves of his brains were used for only one person. So, upon witnessing her changed voice and appearance, he scoured through numerous literature and forbidden records to reach the truth.

When Dane finally found out the truth, everything felt so distant and he started resenting himself.

‘You died. You died and came back to life.’

Dane squeezed his hands behind his back with a polite smile placed on his face. He did not wrestle with paperwork because of his greed.

“Thank you very much for your concerns.”

He lowered his head in an attempt to earnestly ask Julian to give up through his etiquette.

“I have been treated too kindly considering my humble maternal background. I might have pale skin but that doesn’t free me from discrimination. Seeing as my thousand-year-old blood of the gipsies was not going anywhere, I was bound to be excluded.”

“That!”

“My prince.”

Dane interrupted Julian with a smile.

‘He’s trying to pull me to a higher position.’

Perhaps the position he was pulling him to would grant him power. A cool glint settled in his sunken eyes.

Julian coveted Dane.

The nobles who supported the acquisition of Dane might have different reasons for their support but they all recognised Dane’s abilities. It was hard for him to refuse. In any case, he was the prince who divided the Empire so he had to contemplate over this decision thoroughly.

“I know why you covet me so, my prince. Do you think having me will give you a chance to defeat the Crown Prince?”

He held the emperor’s life in his hands.

“Correct. But that’s not the only reason.”

“Yes. That’s not the only one”

Dane nodded.

“You sympathise with me.”

Without checking Juliann’s expression, Dane continued as he stared off into the distance. Even if he didn’t manage to see it, he didn’t have to because he could easily guess what expression he wore.

“We were destined to be used as puppets. I am a prince but before I could enjoy my life as one, I was forced to memorise. Both my cousin and I had been shackled to a predetermined future the moment we were born. Well, I’m not recounting my past because I have any resentment or ulterior motives for bringing it up.”

His role was not to intervene in the power struggle between the two princes. He was to shield from the damage caused by this battle one day.

“Are you going to continue that work?”

“Do you mean the ‘Emperor’s Shadows’?”

“Yes.”

The reason why he continued to address his honourable older brother politely was due to his desire to continue watching him from afar.

Dane tilted his head and glanced at Julian.

“You seem to be very interested in me, my prince.”

“I just wish for you to live a better life.”

“I’m not the only one who has had a terrible life in the hands of the emperor. Would you help out everyone who catches your eye?”

He quickly shifted his eyes and gave a lukewarm smile.

“You should go out and meet more people, my prince. I’m not the only pitiful person you’d need to take care of.”

Dane released his clasped hands before tapping on his neck. He was pointing towards a small pendant shaped like a cartwheel that was shaking and reflecting light around Dane’s neck.

“If you’re handing me a position out of pity, I’d like to refuse. I know you had decided this after much consideration despite much resistance from the head templars. But it was my choice to stay here.”

Julian did not answer. He merely bit his lips.

“I don’t need achievements nor do I care about the filthy deeds my family is carrying out to cleanse themselves of the stigma to become high-ranking noblemen in the Empire. I’d rather give up on everything but there’s only one reason why I didn’t leave the palace.”

Dane moved to grab a sharp pen.

He instantly threw it upwards towards the ceiling. A groan could be heard above them. It was the 2nd Prince’s escort. Dane was shaking him off. Dane brought his hands behind his back before raising his head.

“It is enough for me to be able to protect one person.”

At the same time, Julian’s eyes curled.

“Did you think I’d be unhappy because I am walking on a given path without a choice?”