30: Encounter

Haruki's villa hadn't changed at all over the years. It was obvious the maids had been keeping it spotless every day.

When they saw Haruki return with several beautiful girls, the maids working there were overjoyed.

Back when the Prime Minister had warned many officials and nobles not to provoke Haruki, everyone had assumed Haruki shared a close relationship with him. Over time, as the Prime Minister's influence in court grew, more and more officials began visiting Haruki's residence, hoping to use him as a connection to curry favor with the Prime Minister.

Most of these visitors were high-ranking ministers who held real power in the Imperial Capital. But since Haruki was often away, the maids had no choice but to turn them away repeatedly, which left them anxious. In their eyes, even if Haruki was a noble, offending that many powerful ministers wasn't something they could afford.

Upon returning, Haruki told the Ice Phoenix to head back to her territory.

But to his surprise, she threw a bit of a tantrum, saying the far north was too boring and she wanted to stay with him. Haruki had no choice but to reassure her, promising that he'd come find her within ten years and bring her along from then on. Only then did the Ice Phoenix slowly take flight and leave.

Now, Haruki was showing Gin, Kurome, Tsukushi, and Pony—who were visiting the Imperial Capital for the first time—around the mansion to choose their rooms. All four had grown up in poverty and had never seen rooms this spacious. Each one Haruki showed them was bigger than their entire former homes, and they couldn't help but feel both excited and amazed.

Just then, Haruki noticed a maid rushing over in a panic.

"What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Haruki asked her.

The maid respectfully bowed to Haruki and the girls behind him, then spoke anxiously.

"Young master, the Prime Minister is here to visit. I tried to invite him in, but he insisted on waiting at the door and told me to come report to you first."

Haruki had long required all the maids to call him "young master."

To the maids, the Prime Minister was the highest-ranking official in the Empire—someone no one dared to offend. Over the years, the young Emperor had deferred to the Prime Minister in all matters. Now, many commoners barely knew the Emperor's name but were all too familiar with the Prime Minister.

"What's the rush? Just go tell him I said to come in and wait. I'll be there when I'm done."

Haruki said flatly.

"Huh?"

The maid hesitated, unsure. After all, no one ever dared to make the Prime Minister wait.

"Just do what I said. If the sky falls, I'll be the one holding it up."

Haruki said, clearly impatient.

"Yes."

Seeing his reaction, the maid quickly agreed. She was only a maid—she couldn't afford to overstep just because Haruki treated her a little better than most. Plenty of maids in noble households had been beaten to death for speaking out of turn. Compared to them, the ones in Haruki's mansion lived like they were in paradise.

"Alright, hurry up and pick your rooms. Once you're done, I'll take you to meet the Prime Minister."

Satisfied with the maid's response, Haruki turned and spoke to the girls still choosing rooms.

"Okay!"

Now that they knew who Haruki truly was, none of the girls were surprised by how he handled the Prime Minister. They all responded in unison.

…

On the other side, the Prime Minister and Esdeath were waiting in the reception hall of Haruki's villa.

"Well, well, Prime Minister, I didn't think there was anyone in the Empire bold enough to keep you waiting!"

Esdeath teased with a smirk.

"Esdeath, that's quite rude of you—makes it sound like I'm some terrifying tyrant in the Capital."

The Prime Minister, unfazed by her jab, responded with a straight face.

"And here I thought it was rare to see you not gnawing on some meat."

Esdeath quipped.

"This is basic respect for His Excellency."

The Prime Minister remained serious.

"Hah? Now I'm even more curious about this 'His Excellency' you're talking about."

Esdeath's eyes lit up with interest.

"Don't worry. He won't disappoint."

The Prime Minister fell silent after that, patiently waiting for Haruki.

...

After a while, just as Esdeath was starting to grow restless, Haruki finally emerged.

"Haha, it's been a few years, Prime Minister. Looks like you've gained some weight again. Seems like life in the Capital has been treating you well while I was away!"

Haruki called out before even getting close.

"Lord Haruki, you wound me. I've been working diligently in the Capital—I've lost plenty of weight!"

The moment he heard Haruki's voice, the Prime Minister immediately stood up, pulling Esdeath up with him, and respectfully replied.

"Alright, enough of the political pleasantries. Just tell me why you're here. You sure have sharp ears—I barely stepped inside before you showed up."

Haruki gestured for the Prime Minister and the girls behind him to take a seat as he spoke.

The moment the Prime Minister's large frame settled onto the couch, Esdeath—who had been standing behind him—was revealed. When their eyes met, both Haruki and Esdeath froze.

Haruki was stunned to see none other than Queen Esdeath from the original story standing right in front of him on his first day back in the Capital.

Esdeath, on the other hand, was shocked to discover that the "His Excellency" whom the Prime Minister treated with such deference was so young. Even though she always held the Prime Minister in contempt, she understood his stature in the Capital. But what truly caught her attention was Haruki's pale blue hair—a distinct trait of the Partas Clan. Yet in her memory, there had never been anyone named Haruki among them. The Partas Clan had been wiped out. She was supposed to be the last survivor.

As both of them fell into their thoughts, the Prime Minister—still uneasy from Haruki's earlier comment about his "sharp ears"—quickly spoke up.

"Lord Haruki, please don't accuse this old man unjustly. Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to pry into your affairs. The only reason I knew you were back was because Esdeath sensed the presence of a Danger Beast stronger than Budo coming from your estate, so I brought her along to investigate."

Hearing that, Haruki turned to Esdeath.

"So you're the last survivor of the Partas Clan? Was what he said true?"

"That's right. I am. The aura I sensed earlier wasn't yours—it's gone now—but it was definitely here not long ago."

Esdeath replied with a serious look. Since Haruki had fully suppressed his aura, she couldn't get a read on his actual strength.

"You're impressive. Even Budo couldn't pinpoint the Ice Phoenix's location that accurately."

Haruki genuinely praised her.

"Tch, you talk like you're my elder or something. And you—are you from the Partas Clan too? Why have I never seen you before?"

Esdeath brushed off the compliment, more focused on whether Haruki was truly a member of her clan. While she hadn't shown much sorrow over the clan's destruction in the original story, her brutal actions against the northern tribes later hinted that she still held deep feelings for her people.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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