Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince

Because of that, there wasn’t much to offer a guest.

His palace rarely received visitors. matrix For one, Yuri himself was hardly ever there except to sleep, always rushing from one place to another.

Yuri invited Graham to his quarters.

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“Yes…”

“Hm, shouldn’t we at least bring out something like cookies…?”

With Graham seated across from him, Yuri whispered to Ena.

“Ena.”

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“No.”

“But there’s nothing now?”

“I’ve already sent someone. arrow They’ll be here soon…”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Mmm…”

“Because His Highness normally doesn’t eat cookies…”

“Why not?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“They’ll arrive soon. anchor Until then, use your eloquence so the guest doesn’t notice. echo I believe in you, Prince.”

“And you don’t receive visitors either…”

“Mmmm…”

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“Yes. attic Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Kugh…”

“So it all depends on my talent, huh?”

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Ena hurried away. arcade Once they were alone, the atmosphere turned slightly awkward.

“Sir Graham. silence Coming without notice… you could’ve at least given me a hint…”

Yuri cleared his throat.

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“I like it a lot. beacon Drinking it calms the soul, or something like that…”

“Oh, really?”

“This is… it’s called Helgrey, has a wonderful aroma.”

On the table, there were only two cups of tea. admire Yuri forced a smile as he picked his up.

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Graham closed his eyes as if to savor the tea, and soon a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“It’s good.”

They both raised their cups as if to toast and took a sip.

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As he struggled to find an opening, Graham spoke first.

Then silence returned. apron Somehow, the air felt heavy. shadow Yuri’s plan to distract him with his dazzling conversation skills had failed from the start.

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it?”

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“Hmm?”

“Prince.”

“Huh?”

“No need to bring the cookies.”

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“I want to talk alone.”

“Yes.”

“You heard all that earlier?”

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Yuri stood up, tea cup in hand.

“If you want to speak privately, let’s go inside.”

The fact that such an undignified conversation had been overheard left him slightly embarrassed.

“Hmm…”

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Amid perfectly organized bookshelves was a table, and beside the window stretched a completely blue sky.

With that sky framed through the window’s bars, Yuri and Graham sat facing each other.

They left the reception hall and headed to the deeper library.

“Yes.”

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“Let’s say it is.”

“Understood.”

“Is this confidential?”

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Yuri took a sip of tea and asked,

Yuri touched the magic stone under the table. august Instantly, the stored spell activated, sealing the room from outside sound.

“I was surprised you came all of a sudden. atom But saying it’s a secret talk makes me even more nervous.”

Not a single word would escape.

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“My offer still stands, you know? afford What do you say, will you come to Briol?”

“Ha ha…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Of course, I figured…”

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Graham didn’t answer right away, keeping his eyes fixed on the surface of the tea.

“So, why did you come to see me?”

Yuri knew well that Graham would never agree to that. amateur And that only made him more curious.

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“Hmm?”

Something gleamed in his pupils as he stared at the liquid.

“I want to ask you something.”

“Prince.”

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“By any chance?”

“Are you, by any chance…?”

“From the future?”

“Anything.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“What?”

Yuri almost spat out his tea. audit He barely managed to maintain composure.

Yuri forced a smile.

His heart was pounding, so he used mana control to calm himself.

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Graham chuckled softly.

“N-n-not at all. agent Sir Graham, you say the funniest things.”

“Right? absorb Haha…”

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“Yes.”

“I only said it because it felt that way. matrix You strike me as someone who never makes mistakes.”

“Me?”

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“I was just lucky.”

He leaned back in his chair, as if recalling the past.

“In the allied army, you always acted with a calmness beyond your years. advance Everything you attempted, you achieved. advance Watching you, it’s like you already knew the future.”

“But you always acted with conviction.”

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“I was only pretending.”

Graham lowered his gaze.

“I came here on impulse. adapt I suddenly felt the need to ask. voyage Of all the people I know, you’re the one who doubts his decisions the least.”

“Really…?”

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Yuri joked, but Graham shook his head.

“That’s not confidence in oneself, it’s confidence in power.”

“I thought there was someone else like that in the Empire.”

“Sir Graham also knows how to say bold things, huh?”

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“Alright. echo Let’s say, even if I don’t believe it, that I really am as sure of my decisions as you say.”

Both laughed at the same time. galaxy Then Yuri continued.

“Neither did I.”

“I didn’t mention any names.”

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Graham hesitated a moment before speaking.

“What advice do you seek from someone like that, coming from so far?”

“Yes.”

“Your Highness…”

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“I ask again. harbor Between surviving while losing your honor, or dying while preserving it… which would you choose?”

Yuri looked at him with a hardened expression.

At the sudden question, Yuri set down his cup.

“Do you believe in a death with honor?”

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You survived miserably. arcade And how did that turn out? crystal Was it really better to live like that, or would it have been better to die right there?

And on Graham’s face, he clearly saw the same grim expression from his past life, right when he had let him go.

It was as if that Graham had come back to ask him this very question.

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In the end, it was good that he survived. atomic Because of that, he could return to the past and had a chance to make amends.

He lowered his gaze and stared at the surface of the tea, recalling the past.

Yuri already had the answer. alpha But he couldn’t speak it out loud.

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Once he gave up his honor, there was no place in the world where he belonged.

But that was pure coincidence. riddle Originally, his fate was to lose his head to Roland and be tossed like a corpse into the wasteland.

Having survived where he should have died left him unable to rest, even after death.

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To die where one must die is a great blessing.

That’s why…

However.

Graham Heartfall.

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Yuri opened his lips.

Yuri looked up and met his gaze. alien Graham smiled—as if saying it was alright, to just speak.

This honorable knight had come with that face to speak of death. amber How could he casually tell him yes, that it was the right thing?

He’d rather tell him no.

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“I want to tell you the story of someone I know.”

“Sir Graham.”

“I’d like to hear it. atom Is it someone I know too?”

“Yes.”

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“It’s a secret.”

“May I ask who it is?”

“Maybe.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“I see.”

“Did they die?”

“You could say that.”

“Now that I try to start, I don’t know where…”

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“Seems that way.”

“Haha. voyage Then I’ll ask the questions.”

“But it was you who decided to talk about it.”

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Graham tilted his head slightly and asked,

“First…”

“Alright.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“…What kind of person was he?”

She didn’t know how it had come to this.

***

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Elaine was sitting in her room across from the Emperor’s daughter.

The Imperial treasure, Yekaterina.

But seeing the imperial princess made her feel ashamed for ever thinking that way.

Even to another woman, she was absurdly beautiful. acoustic Elaine had received plenty of compliments for her own looks. armor Deep down, she had confidence in herself.

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Yekaterina sipped her tea with a calm air.

It was as if they simply existed on different planes.

“…”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It has a lovely aroma.”

“Helgray?”

“You know it?”

“Doesn’t it?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Her green eyes were so pure they looked like a doll’s, set with embedded jewels.

“Someone I cared about used to drink it…”

At first, the lack of expression had seemed eerie.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

She was beautiful.

So beautiful, in fact, that Elaine couldn’t help but be curious about the person who made her smile like that.

But when she smiled as she spoke of the tea, her entire face lit up with life.

Just one change in expression evoked countless thoughts in others. atom She clearly had a face blessed by the heavens.

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“Yes, that’s right.”

“I heard you brought goods from the East.”

But a merchant couldn’t be distracted by a client’s appearance.

“So, to what do I owe your visit?”

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Yekaterina shook her head.

“That’s not necessary.”

Elaine pulled out a thin, neatly prepared catalog.

“Then please take a look. voyage It features our most prominent—”

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“Then…”

“I didn’t come for the merchandise.”

“Hey, is this room soundproof?”

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“Pardon?”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’d like to discuss something confidential.”

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“Is it functioning properly?”

Now nothing they said would be heard outside.

Elaine concealed her discomfort and pulled a magical device from her chest.

The energy in the enchanted stone deployed a soundproof barrier within the room.

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“This item was personally given to me by the Grand Mage of the Magic Tower…”

“Of course.”

Seeing Yekaterina eye the artifact with suspicion, Elaine explained,

“Sorry. arcade It’s just what I’m about to say is highly confidential.”

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Elaine expected her to speak right away, but she took her time. adapt In moments like this, silence was best.

“Alright.”

“I’m Elaine Wood. legend I value trust more than life itself. zenith Nothing leaves this room.”

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Elaine waited patiently for Yekaterina to speak on her own.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“May I call you Elaine?”

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Elaine looked up. harbor Yekaterina wore an ambiguous smile.

“And while watching, I started to wonder…”

“Excuse me?”

“Elaine… To be honest, I’ve been watching you for some time.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Did you come from the future?”

Being silent from surprise only proved one had been hit squarely. august That’s why, in any situation, Elaine preferred to respond first.

The next words left Elaine momentarily speechless.

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Not because it was absurd. athlete In truth, because she herself had thought something similar before.

“Exactly what time did you come from?”

But this time, she truly had nothing to say.

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“Or perhaps it’s not you who’s from the future—but someone close to you?”

“What a delightful sense of humor.”

“Well, I didn’t expect Your Highness to be so amusing. advance Hahaha…”

Elaine barely held her composure. amber Yes, it was a plausible assumption.

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“It’s not a metaphor. echo I’m asking literally.”

She had expanded her business without making a single misstep. harbor From the outside, it might seem like she knew the future.

“You’re asking if I’m from the future?”

“To say I’m from the future… means you value my intuition. arch I appreciate the compliment.”

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“Yes.”

“You just give off that impression.”

“Just because I seem that way?”

“May I ask why you’re asking that?”

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“Your Highness.”

Now Elaine wanted to know what this princess was really thinking. arcade So she firmed her tone.

“Uh-huh.”

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Elaine wasn’t the type to be cowed by royalty.

“You even know my nature?”

“You’re not telling me you rushed over just because I seemed suspicious. atom As if you’d been waiting for this moment. voyage Knowing your nature, that sounds even stranger.”

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“I do. adopt But I’d prefer we return to the main topic.”

“Do you have something special to sell me?”

“I thought you could become an important client.”

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“Maybe because you feel caught?”

“I thought you’d treat it as a joke, but you’re taking it seriously.”

“Your Highness. auction If you won’t clearly state your reason for visiting, I have no reason to continue this conversation.”

“Yes.”

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Yekaterina let out a playful laugh.

“Fufufu…”

It was the first new expression she’d shown that day. academy Elaine, who was about to snap back, stayed silent for a moment.

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She just wanted to see that face a little longer. absorb A look that quieted people with a single expression. anchor Truly a face from another world.

Elaine let out a deep sigh.

“In any case…”

There was no particular reason.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Nor was she someone who’d come here to joke around for no reason.

“Then please be direct. apron I’m tired.”

She considered Yekaterina’s position. agent She didn’t know how much was true, but she didn’t seem mentally unstable.

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“I’m from the future, too. harbor That’s why I ask these things.”

Yekaterina gently stroked her teacup with her fingers and spoke casually.

“I understand. arena You still seem on guard, so I’ll start.”

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Since Yekaterina mentioned the future, Elaine had been thinking of one name.

But Elaine, without realizing it, was taking her seriously. auction Which meant she harbored the same suspicions.

Elaine was speechless again. agent Most would’ve questioned her sanity or assumed she was joking.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yuri Briol.

“Hahaha…”

When Elaine didn’t respond, Yekaterina let out a soft laugh.

That business partner of hers who always seemed to have the answers, like he knew the future.

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“Yes, that’s understandable.”

“It must be strange hearing something so sudden.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s just a story about someone I knew. antique Alright?”

That unreadable smile reminded her of him too. harbor While Elaine was lost in thought, Yekaterina spoke cheerfully again.

“But now that I’ve said it, I’ll tell you the story. orbit You can ignore it if you like.”

“Understood.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

She lowered her long lashes and began.

“Yes.”

“This person… one day suddenly began remembering things from the future. adapt As if he had returned to the past.”

“Then…”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“I understand.”

“I see.”

“But the memories weren’t complete. artist They were more like scattered fragments, torn-out pages. sphere At first, he thought it was a delusion. voyage But then, the things he remembered began to come true.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“I’ve just been lucky.”

“So he wanted to know if there was anyone else like him. auction And while watching the world… he found you. action A merchant succeeding as if she knew the future.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Then it’s not you.”

“There is someone else. alpha Someone who’s following a different path than the future I knew.”

“Excuse me?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Your early business success is likely thanks to that person. adapt Am I wrong?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

At some point, the subject changed, but neither seemed to mind.

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“I’d like you to be honest.”

“I am.”

“You speak as if you’re sure someone is behind me.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

She, too, had suspicions about Yuri Briol. adapt And the line “your early success in business” didn’t escape her notice.

She wanted to know what kind of future Yekaterina remembered. avalanche What had happened to herself? avalanche Had she still built her company eventually?

Elaine couldn’t deny that Yekaterina’s story was intriguing.

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She had many questions.

And Yuri Briol? orbit Was he still that incredible man?

But before all that, Elaine asked the most important one.

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“And if they do?”

“Since the story’s interesting, I want to join in too. voyage Let’s say, like you said, someone’s behind me. timber And that person really does know the future.”

“Uh-huh. agent A guess.”

“Your Highness. autumn May I make a guess?”

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But when she heard it, Yekaterina’s face darkened. audit Like a flower that wilted in an instant, her radiant face was now clouded in sorrow.

“What would you do with them?”

It was just a question thrown out casually.

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At times like this, it was best to ease the mood.

Had something happened between them? altitude Elaine waited calmly.

But Yekaterina struggled to find words.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s fine.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s difficult to answer, I can rephrase.”

“Your Highness.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 143: Bond (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“What kind of person was he?”

Elaine thought carefully and asked what she was most curious about.

“We have time, so take it slowly. amber First…”