BIG STEPS

Ouch..." I smiled wryly while stroking the place where Dina hit me.

To think she even used body reinforcement. Fortunately, I'm not a normal person, or I would have ended gravely injured.

Did she have to react like that? It was only a kiss. Even if she was embarrassed, it was not necessary to use so much strength.

Thinking about it, though, her lips were pretty soft.

I smirked inwardly while remembering the sensation of Dina's lips.

I'm sure that Dina has positive feelings towards me. They are not romantic love yet, but they are near it. After all, we two have supported each other from when we were children, facing together the cold treatment inside the palace.

After all that time, I'm the person Dina trust the most in the world. Part of the reason she agreed so easily to my earlier proposal was due to that trust. Although I'm sure she thought about being the ruler of the empire before, she never would have made up her mind if not because of my words.

So, I already have most of her heart on my grasp. I'm sure that with a bit more of work, Dina will agree to be with me, even if we are siblings.

While I was lost in my thoughts, a shadow suddenly rushed towards me.

"Big brother, are you alright?!" The shadow hugged me and asked worriedly. I smile softly and patter her beautiful blue hair.

"Of course I'm fine, Lena. Why are you so worried suddenly?"

B-But, I heard you were attacked on the way home! They said that one of the attackers was an eight-layer assassin!"

"So you already heard about it, huh." I smiled wryly and reassured her with a hug. "Look, I'm alright. Nothing happened to me."

"B-Big brother, *sob* I was so scared *sob*..." Lena looked at me and suddenly started to cry. I could only continue patting her head. Finally, after crying for a few minutes, Lena calmed down.

"I'm sowy..." Lena apologized with an embarrassed expression. I tussled her hair and grinned. "Don't worry, I'm very happy you are so concerned about me."

Lena blushed and lowered her head shyly.

At that moment, a servant approached us.

"Prince Claus, his majesty the emperor has asked for your presence in the throne hall."

I looked at the servant and nodded. Lena then put on a disappointed expression.

"Are you leaving already?"

"I have to. You know that I can't make the emperor wait."

Lena's expression turned downcast. I smiled briefly and cupped her face. "Let's do it. If you want, you can come to sleep with me tonight."

"Really!? B-But you told me last time that I was already too old to sleep with you..." Lena looked at me with a look of anticipation.

"You are right, but today can be a special exception." Instantly, Lena's smile turned bright.

Okay, remember what you told me, brother." Then, she dashed away quickly.

I could not help but let out a small smile and shake my head. I then looked at the servant and nodded. "Let's go."

A few minutes later, I was before the throne hall.

"Enter." From inside, a majestic voice spoke and the servant that led me here opened the door. I walked in big steps towards the center of the room.

At the end of the hall, the emperor was seated on the throne. Empress Lilia was seated beside him, looking at me with an expressionless look, but I could feel the hidden hatred behind her gaze.

Apart from them, some other people were standing at the sides. They were some of the different ministers and generals of the empire, each one of them a person of influence.

When I entered the hall, all their gazes were directed towards me. I remained nonchalant and bowed slightly.

The emperor was completely silent on his throne. His expression was completely unreadable, but after I heard the story about my mother's death, I could not help but feel disgusted after seeing him.

After staring at me for a while, the emperor finally spoke.

"Claus, I heard you were attacked on the way to the palace."

"You are right, your majesty." I replied politely.

"Mm. Can you explain to me what happened?" The emperor asked curiously. For a moment, a strange light flashed through his eyes.

I nodded and began to recount the story, but omitted everything about how the assassins died. The emperor did not interrupt my story, but he put on a thoughtful expression when I finished.

"Is it so? However, I heard some other things besides what you told me."