CHAPTER 154: GOING TO THE EASTERN REGION

Elina sat on the bed, staring at her brother, who was lounging on the sofa with a book in hand.

Her cheeks puffed in annoyance. Crossing her arms over her chest, she asked, "Brother, what did you talk about with Father? Please tell me."

Ever since he returned, he hadn’t said a word about it, as if he didn’t want to share anything. Even when she asked, he’d only say, "It’s nothing important."

Naturally, that left Elina upset and dissatisfied.

Hearing her complaints, Nolan let out a quiet sigh and closed his book.

He leaned back against the sofa and replied, "Like I said, it wasn’t anything important. Father was just worried about you and asked me to keep you company, that’s all."

Elina narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Is that really all?"

"Yes, that’s all," Nolan replied with a small nod before taking a sip of tea.

Elina paused, then finally relented. "Alright. I believe you."

Of course, she knew her brother wouldn’t lie to her. Still, there had been a strange feeling in her heart just now—one that needed to be let out before it weighed her down.

She was sure Nolan understood. After all, he knew her better than anyone else in the world.

"By the way, Brother..." Elina got off the bed and walked toward him, her voice laced with concern. "Are you really okay coming with me? It’s not a burden, is it?"

She sat down beside him, casting him an awkward, uncertain glance.

Elina knew her brother was a laid-back person, and she worried their father’s orders might trouble—or even annoy—him.

But contrary to her fears, Nolan showed no trace of irritation.

Instead, he smiled and gently ruffled her hair.

"What are you thinking? How could I be angry with you?" he said with a casual shake of his head. "Did you forget my promise to Father? I said I’d support you in the succession. So traveling with you to the eastern region is just part of that."

His warm words instantly eased the tension in Elina’s body.

She let out a small sigh of relief and leaned the right side of her head against his shoulder, affectionately.

"Thank you, Brother," she whispered. "If I ever get the throne, I’ll make sure to repay you. If you ever want it, I’d give it to you."

Becoming empress had always been her greatest dream. It was an ambition she had nurtured since childhood, often daydreaming about it in quiet moments.

But even that dream meant less to her than Nolan did.

If the day ever came when she held the throne—and her brother asked for it—she wouldn’t hesitate to give it up for him.

That was how deep her affection and love for him truly ran.

The corners of Nolan’s lips twitched slightly at her words. He glanced at Elina, then flicked her forehead.

"You foolish girl. Do you think it’s a gift? It’s a punishment for me!" He snapped, his face twisted in mock annoyance.

"Ouch!" Elina winced, rubbing her forehead.

She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him with irritation.

"Why are you messing with me? And I meant what I said. If you want it, I’ll give it to you," she said firmly.

Nolan rolled his eyes, crossed his legs, and took a sip of tea before replying, "Thanks for the offer. But I don’t want it. I have no desire to be emperor or to be chained down by power. So just take the throne for yourself."

With his hidden power and status, Nolan could have easily claimed the position of Emperor.

But it held no appeal for him. Power was nothing but a burden—draining, tedious, and completely at odds with his dreams.

Elina didn’t respond right away. She remained quiet, but there was no trace of anger in her expression.

Deep down, she knew her brother had never been interested in the throne. If he had, he wouldn’t have handed over his rightful claim so easily.

That was just the kind of person he was, and it was exactly why she loved him so much.

Unlike her strained relationships with the other princes, her bond with Nolan was pure and sincere—something rare among those born into the Imperial family.

"Alright, enough talk about that. I feel sick every time I imagine myself as Emperor," Nolan cut in, snapping Elina out of her thoughts.

"I wanted to ask you something," he said, sitting up straighter. "Do you still have the sixteen million Sharn I gave you?"

The question caught Elina off guard, but she stayed composed and gave a small nod.

"It’s still there. I haven’t touched it," she answered honestly. "Do you need it? I can give it back if you want."

She still had her own savings and had never planned to use the money her brother gave her.

Nolan shook his head lightly. "No, I don’t need it."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver check. Handing it to Elina, he said, "Actually, I’ve got more for you. Take this."

Elina blinked in surprise. "More money? Is this from your savings?"

Nolan didn’t reply. Instead, he gently opened her palm and placed the check in it.

Elina looked like she wanted to say something but held back. Without unfolding the check, she quietly slipped it into the pocket of her dress.

"I’ll accept it. Thank you, Brother," she murmured.

Nolan was quietly relieved that she didn’t open it—after all, it was nearly a hundred million Sharn.

"You’re welcome," he replied with a faint smile.

...

Two days later...

In the vast palace courtyard, Ragan stood at the top of the stairs, his five wives—Vanessa, Cassandra, Clarisse, Melinda, and Claren—by his side.

To his right stood the princes: Aldric, Cedric, Adalen, Zarak, and Cassian.

Beside them were the princesses, all of whom had attended the earlier meeting in the throne room.

Their eyes were fixed ahead, where a thousand cavalrymen stood in formation, clad in gleaming silver armor.

At the front of the troops stood Elina, Nolan, and a man in his forties with brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard.

The man was Luvistar—one of the two generals of the Great Velmora Empire.

Luvistar stepped forward, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and said, "Then, I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."

Ragan gave a small nod. "Be careful on your journey, and please protect my two children. Understood?"

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Luvistar replied respectfully.

Ragan then turned his gaze to Elina and Nolan, who stood at Lavistar’s side.

Unlike usual, both were dressed in armor—Elina in polished silver, Nolan in deep black.

For two people who had never worn armor before, the sight was admittedly a little amusing—especially Nolan, who somehow looked comically out of place.

"Pfft!" Ragan suddenly chuckled.

Nolan: "..."

Damn... this old man is definitely laughing at me, Nolan grumbled internally.

There was nothing he could do at the moment, but he silently vowed to get back at him one day.

"Ahem!" Ragan quickly stifled his laughter and straightened his expression. "I don’t have anything important to say. Just... be careful."

"Yes, Father," Elina replied respectfully.

With that, the two siblings and Luvistar mounted their horses.

Under everyone’s gaze, they left the palace, their figures slowly disappearing into the distance.