Little Pink Starfish

“…It’s fine. I’m going to bathe.”

“I’ll help you.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Shrugging off the arm around his shoulders, Ishar practically fled to the bathroom.

He was definitely about to pounce.

Veloan’s hand, which had slipped under the robe and groped his chest, made his intentions obvious.

I’ll never let him touch my body again.

Physical intimacy inevitably sways the heart. Ishar didn’t want Veloan’s feelings to deepen any further.

So he firmly rejected the clinging man and disappeared into the bathroom alone.

He ignored the heated gaze following him from behind.

---

“Your Majestyyyy!”

The first to greet the Emperor upon his return from his first-ever vacation since ascending the throne were his advisors.

It was only natural. Ishar had declined Veloan’s offer to be escorted to the Imperial Palace’s bedchamber and instead teleported straight to his office alone.

The distance from southern Antere to the capital was considerable, but his body had recovered and stabilized, so he arrived safely.

“His Majesty has returned!”

“Your Majesty! Coming straight to the office—only a sovereign who truly loves the Empire would do such a thing!”

“Your Majesty, has your noble health remained robust?”

Despite the dark circles under their eyes, they crowded toward him like ducklings. It was almost pitiful.

“You all look ready to collapse. Are you truly all right?”

“We’re fine, Your Majesty. Just seeing you so healthy lifts our spirits. We’re truly, truly relieved to have you back.”

Ramela said, her voice full of emotion. Phailen, who had already started sorting documents, nodded in agreement.

Ishar glanced around. Not just the aides, but even the officials and knights visibly rejoiced to see him.

“I’m beginning work immediately. Don’t rush—bring the documents slowly.”

“Wasn’t your leave until the end of today?”

“The vacation was sufficient.”

“Understood. Ah, please wait just a moment, Your Majesty.”

When Ishar nodded, the aides exchanged glances and then pulled something from a drawer—a bouquet made of transparent ice, like glass.

It wasn’t real ice. It was crafted using freezing magic, mixed with colored powder and gem dust so it wouldn’t melt or feel cold. The result sparkled beautifully.

Phailen handed it to Ishar and spoke.

“We heard about Lord Veloan, Your Majesty. Congratulations. The entire Empire was in an uproar when the news broke. The citizens of the capital showered flower petals in celebration.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Ishar silently stared at the bouquet.

He wasn’t worried about an assassination attempt. He was just surprised that the people had responded so emotionally—had he really appeared so vulnerable?

But seeing the sincere joy in his aides’ eyes, he realized he had been wrong.

It was the opposite.

After losing Veloan, Ishar had never shown sadness or faltered. He’d remained perfectly composed. And because of that, those around him had worried even more.

“Thank you. Put the bouquet there.”

Once the commotion settled and he sat at his desk, documents began to pile up quickly.

Elam appeared, eyes glistening.

“Your Majesty…”

His face clearly showed relief and joy. When Ishar acknowledged him with a nod, Elam came close and gave a discreet signal.

The others used magic to block sound from escaping, and Elam began his report in a formal tone.

After reviewing the related documents, Ishar frowned.

Why is everything so quiet?

The Lucheist Empire’s golden age had forced neighboring nations into stillness, but the lack of any movement was still unsettling.

It felt like the calm before a storm.

If it was, he’d rather deal with a flurry of minor issues than wait in dread.

“Duke Superzen requested an audience on the first evening of Your Majesty’s absence. And just now, we’ve seen several of his messenger birds flying toward the palace.”

“So he’ll ask again soon.”

“I believe not. There’s a rumor that the Duke has shown signs of the illness that runs in his family.”

Ishar’s pen froze mid-stroke.

That illness—unique to the Superzen line—affected two or three people per generation.

From his past life, he remembered the name: ALS.

So he obsessed over research and hunted Veloan to eat his heart… That snake of a man.

He clenched his hand at the thought of the innocents the Duke had sacrificed.

Crack.

His pen snapped in half.

Ignoring Elam’s startled expression, he incinerated the broken pen and drew out a new one.

He had once thrown such things away, but after learning they somehow ended up in Rekayan’s pocket, he’d made it a habit to burn them.

“Order Ober to confirm the situation. What about ‘that place’? Any updates?”

“Apologies, Your Majesty. We confirmed the existence of another passage, called the ‘Fragment Path,’ but have made no progress since.”

The secret research lab used by Duke Superzen and Karsha hadn’t been located.

No—it had been found. But a massive explosion collapsed the entrance.

Now, no one could enter.

Ishar’s violet eyes glinted coldly. He tapped the desk, brows furrowed at the lingering sense of something foul.

Now that Veloan’s back, I want to eliminate Duke Superzen quickly.

Perhaps he would need to visit personally. Judging by the aides’ competent handling of affairs during his absence, he could spare another week.

As he calculated timelines in his head, his gaze fell on a stack of letters.

“Any letters from Jin?”

“One arrived the day before yesterday.”

Elam promptly handed it over.

Jin had always worried deeply for Ishar after Veloan’s fall. Every break, he’d bring top-ranked report cards and visit.

He’d cooked for Ishar when he refused meals, and chattered on endlessly to lift his spirits.

Ishar opened the letter immediately.

Now twenty, Jin’s handwriting had improved—but was still adorably round.

The letter opened with words of concern, then described his daily life and upcoming graduation.

It ended, as always, with the wish that Ishar would eat well and sleep enough.

The warmth in Jin’s letter brought a faint smile to Ishar’s lips.

By now, Jin must’ve heard about Veloan.

A tear-stained letter might arrive soon.

After Veloan fell into the abyss, Jin’s first letter had come with smudged, water-damaged ink.

Somehow, Ishar had the feeling the next one would be the same.

He tucked Jin’s letter away and returned to work—until he felt a familiar presence racing toward the office.

Lifting his head, he locked eyes with Shuzel’s pale-yellow gaze—he must’ve sprinted here the moment he heard of Ishar’s return.

“Sir Quiste. Come here.”

A brief command—but Shuzel stepped forward immediately.

His golden eyes, gazing resentfully at the desk separating them, spoke volumes about how much he had worried.

“Hold out your hands.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When Ishar placed a small blue seashell in his palms, Shuzel’s eyes widened.

“This is…”

“A souvenir.”

“…!”

His lips trembled. Tears welled up.

“Take it. You came to mind the moment I saw it.”

“Your Majesty…”

His eyelids fluttered as emotions surged—but like the seasoned knight he was, he composed himself quickly and bowed deeply.

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

It was a shell Ishar had hastily picked up from the shore that very morning, before leaving Antere.

Some might think it a poor gift from an emperor, but to those who understood—

That shell was worth at least ten thousand gold coins.

Roughly equal to three months of the Empire’s budget.