By Zephyria 
The false castle that reflects everything and the Secluded mirror inside the castle.
At first, it was difficult to guess what kind of place it was referring to. Even Lennox, who had become knowledgeable about the ancient legends and folktales of various places while investigating the traces of the Ancient God, pondered and suggested narrowing down a few candidates.
He had been so insistent that I come to the north as soon as possible that I thought he had planned the next step more clearly… but it turned out that all he had done was discover the Sanctuary located in the basement of the main castle. As soon as he entered the Sanctuary with Carlisle’s help, which was completely hidden from outsiders, he had a strong feeling that he had to bring me there somehow.
The intuition of a Sorcerer who had reached the pinnacle was quite accurate, and it was definitely a good thing that it brought back the Spirit’s last words that had been buried in the back of my mind.
A very fortunate thing was that Grand Duke Graham, who was more familiar with the situation in the north than anyone else, was with me as an active helper.
Carlisle had been silently watching me and Lennox, who was grinning, exchange a few words, when he suddenly declared that he knew where it was.
‘I heard that a play set in the north was popular in the capital a few years ago.’
‘Ah,
‘It would be faster to explain if Noah has seen it too.’
I had enjoyed watching it, and more than anything, I had watched it so diligently to avoid the Crown Prince’s suspicion and to use it as an excuse to go to the north naturally, so I remembered the contents clearly. Carlisle guessed that the ‘Shadow castle’ where the king’s brother, who had rebelled in the play, had resided, and the ‘Mirror lake’ in the center of it, were the places the Spirit was talking about. It also fit the description of being Secluded, as it had been strictly restricted from entry since two hundred years ago.
‘Fortunately, I have the authority to manage the Shadow castle, so it won’t be difficult to enter.’
Hearing the following words, I was so relieved that Carlisle was on my side. If it weren’t for Carlisle, things would have been several times more complicated.
We, who had gathered at Lennox’s residence, left the main castle only when the sun had completely set and the sky had darkened. The Wailing cliff and the Doomsday monument, which had been used as the backdrop for the play, ominously brushed past our eyes.
“We’re here.”
“This is……”
The Shadow castle was surrounded by an artificially created stream. The width of the river surrounding the castle looked quite wide at a glance. The fact that there was no small boat or drawbridge installed showed that no one had been allowed to invade or visit for a very long time.
As soon as the three of us floated into the air with Lennox’s power, the calm stream swirled fiercely. The river water, which surged into the air, bared its sharp claws and tried to mercilessly attack the uninvited guests who were trying to invade the Secluded castle.
I wasn’t flustered because I had already investigated these protective devices. Carlisle didn’t change his expression and slashed his wrist with a dagger. Thud. The bright red blood, which was clearly visible even in the darkness, fell below the violent stream. The river finally allowed our invasion after confirming the Graham bloodline, which had legitimate rights.
Creak.
The sound of the castle gate, which had not been opened even once in over a hundred years, heavily stretching was deafening.
“I’ll guard the entrance here. I don’t think there will be any intruders… but just in case.”
Lennox whispered in a low voice, in a tone that I couldn’t tell whether he was trying to reassure me or if he wanted to reassure himself. All I could do was thank him. Even if he was a God or whatever, it was just someone else’s business to him.
What am I to him, anyway? I haven’t even promised him a future together like Carlisle has… Really, what am I to him…
“Thank you. I know it’s shameless of me to only say these words… but still, thank you.”
“It is my pleasure.”
The great Sorcerer’s crimson eyes, which had swept away their usual lecherous air and were now smiling brightly, lingered in my mind for a long time.
I crossed the castle gates with Carlisle.
“Ugh…!”
“Noah!”
There was no time to prepare myself. As soon as I crossed the castle gates, my legs moved on their own. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that an invisible force was pulling me relentlessly. Carlisle, startled, tried to hide me behind him, but even Carlisle’s abilities were useless this time. A gust of wind blew Carlisle far away, and then pulled me back in violently. The wind was blowing so hard that I couldn’t even open my eyes.
Finally, you’ve arrived. I don’t know how bored I was waiting.
“Ugh, you… you are…?”
Here. Now I’ll return the memories that I barely managed to steal away from him. Don’t lose them this time.
The Spirit’s voice, bouncing cheerfully as if it knew my surprised heart or not, echoed in my head, and that was the end.
“Noah! Noah!”
Along with Carlisle’s scream, my whole body plunged into the pitch-black lake.
* * *
Noah Hamilton was truly an angelic boy. He was merely the third son of a Count’s family, not even the heir, and far removed from any right of succession, yet he was so famous throughout the country for his angelic appearance and loveliness. The Divine Mandate that he would become the consort of the most noble being was certainly the fuse for his fame, but if the boy had only the Divine Mandate, he certainly would not have been able to receive such great support from so many people.
Even those who criticized the rumors about the boy as merely a means to solidify the position of the prospective Crown Princess and fill the Crown Prince’s lack of legitimacy, quickly changed their minds after seeing Noah Hamilton even from afar. Everyone who lived in this world inevitably loved Noah Hamilton.
Of course, love did not only bring positive aftereffects, but strangely enough, such dark and negative aspects of love were useless in front of Noah Hamilton.
Anyone could have envied Noah Hamilton for the extreme favoritism of fate, and anyone could have criticized Noah Hamilton, but no one did. It was a strange thing. It was as if this world itself was designed for the beloved Noah Hamilton.
“Noah!”
And at the forefront of the group of followers who loved Noah Hamilton so dearly was this man. Adrian Pearson, who, by the standards of foolish humans, was determined to be Noah Hamilton’s partner.
Adrian Pearson, born from a lowly palace maid who was not even appointed as a concubine, let alone the Empress, a Dominant Omega, should have been caught up in endless legitimacy disputes and found it difficult to even be recognized as a proper Prince, let alone aim for the throne. And in fact, that was generally how he had been treated until Noah Hamilton was born.
However, with the birth of Noah Hamilton, who was designated as an object of Divine Mandate while still in his mother’s womb, his fate was also reversed. The Priests unanimously interpreted the object of the Divine Mandate given to Noah Hamilton as Adrian Pearson, who was then the only bloodline of the Emperor. The Priests were seized by a strange fervor and all pushed Adrian up as the Crown Prince, or rather, as Noah Hamilton’s partner, without a shred of doubt.
“Aren’t you coming too often? No, aren’t you?”
“What is it? That honorific that doesn’t suit you. Who dared to order my acorn to grow up?”
“Um, but. My first brother… said that now that I’m not a baby anymore, I shouldn’t treat His Royal Highness the Crown Prince so carelessly, no, I mean, I shouldn’t.”
His pouty lips, puffing out his cheeks and speaking quite stubbornly, were just cute. Adrian burst into laughter, hugging his young fiancé, who was now only up to his waist.
“Anyway, you’re so old-fashioned.”
“Don’t insult Andy. That’s bad.”
The person who had just said that he shouldn’t treat him carelessly was nowhere to be found, and the boy even pretended to slap the Crown Prince’s cheek with his finger, protecting his own brother. Adrian felt the escorts around the Crown Prince momentarily tense their shoulders, and he stopped the knights with a cold gaze. Of course, secretly, so that his young fiancé in his arms would not notice anything.
“Yes. It suits you better to be moderately rude like that. Keep acting like that in the future. That’s an order.”
“Tch, what kind of order is that? Then will Adrian take the scolding from my brother for me?”
“There’s an even better way than that.”
“What is it?”
“To have the Royal Wedding as soon as possible and come into the Imperial Palace. What would a mere Little Count dare to say to the Crown Princess? How about it, isn’t it a good idea?”
After speaking, he grabbed the finger that had slapped his cheek and, under the guise of punishment, gently bit and kissed it. The boy burst into clear laughter, saying it tickled.