Tenstheon smiled softly. When Eunhan saw his smile, he felt somewhat relaxed.

"What's the occasion?"

"I want you to escort the Crown Princess."

It was rather unexpected. Eunhan frequently guarded the Crown Prince's Palace under orders from the Emperor. Naturally, it was also part of his duty to protect the Crown Princess.

Tenstheon added, "I want you to protect that child for me."

Tenstheon meant Eunhan had to escort her without hiding his appearance. Eunhan was reluctant.

"But I'm your shadow."

He was the Emperor's shadow. It wasn't Tenstheon's command, but Eunhan wanted to follow him, so he became a shadow.

Eunhan was a highly wanted sinner in Chang.

Whether he lived in the West or quietly grew old, there would still be people who would pursue him for the rest of his life.

Therefore, Eunhan became a shadow. Apart from Tenstheon and Collin, who first saved him, no one knew of his existence.

"I know your situation well, Eunhan. But you're the only one I can trust and ask for a favor from."

Tenstheon often persuaded Eunhan. He told him not to worry and live freely because he would protect him, but Eunhan turned him down every time.

But today was different from the usual. His master wanted to rely on him. He could feel his earnestness.

"....okay."

"Thank you."

Eunhan bowed his head. From the moment Tenstheon saved him, he had given his life to him.

"It is my duty to protect the Crown Princess, and I am willing to do it."

Today, he had been busted by the Crown Prince.

But when he was told to give up the peaceful life he had been living in the shadows, a simple sense of excitement arose in Eunhan's heart.

"I will gladly obey your orders."

***

Today was the day I was going to go to the Tenlarn Palace, but I didn't say anything to Blake.

If I told him that I wanted to go to the Tenlarn Palace, he would have been opposed to it.

"Your Highness, there's going to be a ball at the Palace soon. I have a lot to prepare, so I'll be a little late today."

"Take it easy. Don't overexert yourself."

"Don't worry. Your Highness should be careful when you go to practice swordsmanship."

Frankly speaking, I wished Blake would rest and do nothing, but he was stubborn.

I also told Edon to lower the intensity of his training, but the more he lowered it, the more stubborn Blake would become.

"I'm not a child, don't worry."

He frowned slightly.

"I'll leave you alone."

"Yes. Go ahead."

Blake held my hand tightly. Then, he smiled and waved. I waved my hand too and headed for the Emperor's Palace.

I went to the secret room on the third floor, where the stone tablets were kept. But, Tenstheon had already come first and was waiting for me, and next to him I saw a man whom I had never seen before. He was tall, handsome, and his skin was pale, and he looked to be on the border between a boy and a young man.

I forgot to give my greetings and just stared at the man who was as beautiful as a painting.

Who was this?

It was the first Asian I saw in this world. Why was Tenstheon with an Asian boy? Furthermore, this was a secret room. Who was he for the Emperor to bring him in here?

There was no boy like that in the original novel.

"Ancia."

I returned to my senses when I heard Tenstheon's soft voice.

"Sorry, I was late."

"No. You're not late."

"But who's that guy?"

"This child is Eunhan. He'll be escorting you to the Palace."

Eunhan...

The name sounded somewhat familiar. But why? I had never heard that name before.

"I'm here to see you, Your Grace, the blessing of the Empire. I'm Eunhan."

Eunhan bowed his head with discipline and was polite. His hair cascaded down and covered his shoulders.

"Ah!"

I remember!!!

'The prince of Chang, Eunhan.'

He was the prince of the great Chang Empire of the East, but he was on the run to avoid execution after being chosen by an ominous "Black Dragon".

Eunhan ran away and came to the Asteric Empire.

Tenstheon found Eunhan and treated his whole body that was covered with wounds.

Tenstheon took care of him from the bottom of his heart, and Eunhan was also loyal to the Emperor.

Eunhan's powers were borrowed from the Black Dragon, so his ability to hide himself and heal wounds was very high.

Eunhan was under the orders of the Emperor to protect Blake and to heal him when he was sick. He also informed the Emperor about news related to Blake.

Memories of Eunhan quickly appeared in my mind. A shadow planted by the Emperor to protect Blake. That was Eunhan.

The Emperor sending healthy Eastern food ingredients to Blake was also due to Eunhan's influence.

Why did I forget this?

"Your Highness?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. You looked familiar for some reason."

"Pardon?!!"

Eunhan was shocked.

"Your eyes are like Sir Collin's."

"Oh, yes...I see."

He looked somewhat relieved yet bitter hearing that. Did he feel bad because I said he looked like Collin? I didn't think either side would be offended because they both had very prominent features.

When I finished greeting him, Tenstheon told me about Eunhan in detail.

"In fact, I had entrusted Eunhan with protecting the Crown Prince."

Eunhan aided Tenstheon in finding ways to dispel the curse and find Eastern ingredients.

This was contrary to what I knew.

My mind was filled with confusion as I listened to Tenstheon.

How could I forget about Eunhan? Though he only appeared for a short while, he was still a very important character.

My tips of my fingers felt chilly. Rather than the fact that I had forgotten his existence, it was because of the fear.

I thought I remembered everything from the original story.

The aristocrats, knight and servants, who were extras, were all remembered, so I was confident that I knew all the other important things.

But maybe there was still something I hadn't thought of.

And what if that was the important clue needed to lift Blake's curse?

My heart was pounding with anxiety while Tenstheon apologized for hiding Eunhan's existence for so long.

"I'm sorry I haven't told you this."

"It's not His Majesty's fault. It's all my fault."

Eunhan also bowed his head and asked for forgiveness. I shook my hand in a hurry.

"Oh, no. I'm fine. So come on, raise your head."

"I'm very pleased."

"Thank you for understanding. Ancia."

"No, I'd rather thank you for protecting me and His Highness."

Eunhan was a sinner charged with high treason.

If it was revealed that he was alive, the Chang people would surely try to kill him. It was only natural to hide him. Suddenly Tenstheon gave me a box.

When I smiled, the corners of Tenstheon's mouth raised gently.

"What is this?"

When I opened the box, I saw that it contained a necklace made of transparent mana stone.

"It's a purification tool made by the church. It will help with protecting you from black magic."

I had never seen a tool made of mana stones before.

The mana stone of light had the power to purify and heal, but it had no effect on the curse. Rather, the use of the mana stones were like poison and made the curse worse.

The mana stones were counterproductive because the curse was given by the Goddess of Light herself.

For that reason, the Crown Prince did not use Mana Stones of Light.

I was worried that if I used the Mana Stone of Light, it would adversely affect Blake. However, it was absolutely necessary today.

"Thank you."

Tenstheon took out a necklace and hung it around my neck. At that moment, there was a tingling sensation in my whole body.

"What's wrong?"

I laughed reflexively. I felt something strange, but if I say that there seems to be a problem with the necklace, I can't go to Tenlarn Palace.

I wanted to go to Tenlarn Palace as soon as possible. There can't be a delay because of this sort of thing.

"You're pretty. It suits you."

"Thank you, Father."

He patted me on the shoulder.

"Eunhan will use his magic to take you to the Palace of Tenlarn."

"Yes."

"I'd love to come with you, but I can't."

There was no limit to the distance in Eunhan's magic. But the number of people who could move was limited, so only one person could move together, excluding himself.

"It's just ruins. Don't worry."

"If anything dangerous happens, you should come straight back."

"If it's dangerous, I'll run away. So relax your face. Your handsome face will become full of wrinkles at this rate."