That unfinished sentence caused the dining room to fall silent for a moment before Calian finally broke the silence.
"But?" Calian repeated, his eyebrows raised slightly, curious about his uncle's pause. "But what, Uncle?"
"But, you must truly guard his heart and loyalty well!" Rodaz stated firmly, giving advice like an elder. "Beastfolk are indeed naturally famous for being very loyal to their life partners. But you must remember, to find a beastfolk who has the dedication and emotional intelligence like this Wolvin... not even one percent of the millions of the beastfolk population in this entire empire can be like him. If you hurt him, you will lose a priceless treasure."
Hearing the advice from his uncle, which sounded a bit exaggerated but well-intentioned, Calian could only sigh softly.
"Uncle, you do not need to give me a warning about that." Calian replied casually but with a very firm tone, ensuring everyone in the room heard him. "In my eyes, from the past until now, Wolvin is the best and the only one. It is impossible for me to have the foolish thought of leaving or hurting someone who has always loyally accompanied me in joy as well as in my darkest times."
Even though in bed he is very hyper and merciless! Calian continued in his heart. He even makes me lack sleep and gives me backaches when his sexual passion has reached its peak.
"Incredible!" Rodaz praised sincerely, feeling very impressed by his nephew's unwavering heart. The middle-aged man leaned back in his chair, his gaze staring off at the dining room ceiling, as if imagining something. "Seeing the bond between the two of you... could I also find a beastfolk someday who could be as sincere and loyal as—"
Snap!
A rather loud flicking sound cut off the Emperor's romantic daydream.
Suddenly, Elara, who was sitting next to him, flicked her brother's forehead without the slightest hesitation. The servants standing at the edges of the room instantly widened their eyes, holding their breath as they saw the forehead of a great emperor flicked like a naughty child right in front of them.
"Ouch!" Rodaz let out a suppressed cry, rubbing his slightly reddened forehead while looking at his sister in protest. "Sister, what are you doing?!"
"Do not start talking nonsense and daydreaming too far, Rodaz!" Elara stated firmly, sitting upright again with the authority of a crown princess. "You just threw away a parasite last night! Do not rush to find new problems. And remember this well! If one day you truly want to find someone who sincerely loves you, never approach them by claiming that you are an emperor or a former emperor!"
Elara pointed at her brother's face. "Instead, disguise yourself and claim to be a commoner who has nothing. From that lowest point, you will be able to clearly see who truly and sincerely accepts you for who you are, you foolish brother!"
Rodaz fell silent, absorbing every sharp word that came out of his sister's mouth.
"If you still wander around looking for a spouse using the attributes of your imperial luxury, of course everyone will bow and act obediently towards you!" Elara continued to advise her brother mercilessly. "No one will know if they are sincere from the heart, or just because they see you as an emperor!"
Hearing his sister's very logical and striking advice, Rodaz slowly lowered his hand from his forehead. A relieved and understanding smile blossomed on his face.
"Okay, Sister! I understand what you mean!" Rodaz answered with sparkling eyes, as if finding a way out of his golden cage. "If so, this further solidifies my plan. You must replace my position as soon as possible! Tomorrow afternoon, we will immediately hold the handover ceremony in front of the core nobles! Once I am free from holding the throne, I will immediately disguise myself as a commoner and start searching for my own happiness!"
Seeing her brother's earnestness and fiery enthusiasm to quickly escape from the responsibilities of an emperor, Elara could only massage her temples and sigh in resignation.
"Just do as you please, Rodaz..." Elara complained, no longer having the energy to debate her brother about the throne. "I will become the emperor to replace you. But make sure of one thing! When you search for your spouse later, use your common sense. Do not let yourself bring another foolish spy into this palace!"
Rodaz nodded in understanding while chuckling softly. He felt very light and relieved because the heavy burden that had shackled him for over a decade as an emperor would soon shift to his sister's shoulders, who was indeed the legitimate heir to the Erthland throne from the beginning.
....
....
After the small debate that warmed the breakfast atmosphere concluded, Calian and Wolvin immediately stood up from their chairs, preparing to carry out their initial plan to go explore the capital.
However, before they had the chance to step out of the dining room, their mother suddenly took out the pile of luxurious jewelry they had previously bought in Argam City from her dimensional space earring.
"Calian, Wolvin, take this!" Elara said while pointing at all the jewelry on the table. "Sell all this jewelry you bought at the merchant guild or jewelry store."
Calian furrowed his brow. "Sell it? Today?"
"Yes, today!" Elara answered with a motherly smile. "Use the money from the sales wisely later. And remember this advice of mine! When transacting later, do not be shy to ask the merchants or the Guild about the exchange rate and the currency system in this empire. Learn it quickly so you know the standard for every price of goods in Erthland and will not be easily deceived."
"Understood, Mother!" Calian and Wolvin answered in unison, understanding the intent behind their first financial lesson in this new country.
Wolvin received the jewelry. He focused a bit of mana, and in an instant, the pile of boxes disappeared, stored safely into the dimensional space necklace circling his neck.
After saying their goodbyes, the two teenagers turned around and walked down the palace corridor. Their steps felt light and full of enthusiasm, ready to exit the palace gates to begin their first adventure exploring the capital of the Erthland Empire.