WTPB - Chapter 5




A faint but clear smile of victory appeared on the lips of the Marchioness Fiddlers after she finished speaking. It was
a smile that came from the satisfaction of having said everything she wanted to say, and the confidence that even the Princess, who was like a crazy dragon— she heard that was the case on the battlefield—would realize that her prestige in the empire and her status in Vetor had changed significantly.

However, Erdene’s reaction was different from what the Marchioness Fiddlers had imagined—or expected.

It was quite different.

“Ahaha!”

The loud laughter that made her ears tingle! Not only the timid Viscountess Wickes, but even Fiddlers couldn’t help but flinch.

The two noble ladies, who had each grown up in excellent families and under strict family traditions, were literally shocked by Erdene’s appearance, laughing so wide that her throat was visible.

“Your Highness! A lady who knows manners doesn’t laugh so vulgarly.”

The Viscountess, whose face was flushed, could not hold back and raised her voice.

But Erdene could not stop laughing and held her stomach and giggled until she even wiped her tears and said.

“My goodness, Viscountess. In my twenty years of life, I have seen all sorts of things and heard all sorts of strange things, but this is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard.”

“What on earth is so funny?”

Erdene stared at the Viscountess, still holding back her laughter.

She looked just like one of those street thugs—throw stones at the walls, spit on the wheels of carriages—and for a moment the Viscountess felt the urge to slap Erdene in the face.

Then Erdene said.

“Don’t you think what you are saying is funny? I thought the only things the King of Vetor could boast about were grains and fatty meats that could even roast the Emperor of the empire, but now I see that his height is quite something to be proud of. But you know, if you’re feeling safe compared to me, then it’s not something to be proud of. It’s also bad to worry too much.”

Erdene sneered at the two ladies’ changing expressions as if mocking them.

“Since ancient times, it’s best for people to live as they are.”

The mouths of Marchioness Fiddler and Viscountess Wickes fell open.

Just like when Erdene laughed a moment ago, her throats were clearly visible. For a moment, Erdene thought that their jaws had dropped.

That would be great! I could laugh until my stomach burst.

“Your Highness, even if you are a Princess, you’re going too far!”

“The Marchioness seems to have too little patience for her position. It has been said that those in high positions should speak less and look deeper, but you are the complete opposite.”

“What are you talking about...!”

Erdene laughed.

“Well, I don’t have the patience for that either, so I guess I’ll be a bit blunt. Seeing how you’re trying to protect the King of a country like that, the Marchioness’s skirts must be very wide. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind from now on.” 

The Marchioness didn’t know that Erdene’s words were closer to mockery than a blatant lie.

The moment she was about to add a word, Erdene, who had already cleared the tent on the other side and was heading out of the barracks, made an “ah” sound and stopped walking.

“There’s one thing you should keep in mind, Marchioness Fiddler.”

The corners of the Marchioness's mouth twitched for a moment.

Should she remain silent or answer? Of course, the answer was already set.

“Go ahead, Your Highness.”

The Marchioness Fiddler suppressed her rising anger and answered more elegantly than necessary.

Erdene watched the change with interest, then smiled and her eyes sparkled.

“Raise your voice in front of me one more time without any shame. I will never forgive you.”

It was a low voice that made the listener tremble.

Although Erdene spoke with a smile, she could feel the emotion close to murder in each word. The Marchioness Fiddler suddenly came to her senses when she heard the faint groan of the Viscountess Wickes, who had been silent like a ghost.

Even she, who had been a veteran in politics, had been frightened by Erdene’s threats and stood there blankly.

Erdene listened to the Marchioness nagging in a very irritated voice—the poor Viscountess Wickes was probably going to suffer for a long time—and looked at the new carriage that had been prepared.

'I can't help but sigh,' she thought.

The carriages she had been riding in so far had been large, with sturdy wheels and a roof, suitable for long-distance travel.

Of course, they were more comfortable than small carriages and had a sense of stability when running.

However, the carriage she was to ride in from now on was small and cozy... and had cute flower decorations on every corner, made of silver and jewels.

Erdene recalled the thought she had been chewing on since leaving the Hirschsten Empire.

'Should I just overturn it now?'

Judging from the attitude of the Marchioness Fiddlers, it didn't seem like her position in the Vetor royal family would be solid from the start. The weak inlanders who would run away at the mere sight of the Hirschsten flag would constantly trample on and ignore her, who was practically traded for food.

If she had a sword, shield, spear, and bow, she would fight back, but Erdene was empty-handed. She couldn't bring even a single one of the knight commanders and officers who had been loyal to her.

[There must be a knight order to protect you in Vetor anyway. They are officers loyal to the empire, not just to you.]

Tenek's expression, pretending to be dignified and smirking, came to mind, and her teeth ground out.

The empire had now become her past... 

Then, wouldn’t it matter if I just cut off that coachman’s head and went wherever I wanted? Let that stupid Tenek take care of the aftermath.

But Erdene eventually shook her head and changed her mind.

‘That can’t be done.’

Yes, that couldn’t be done.

If the descendants of the empire were to be satisfied and comfortable, if that was their happiness, then she had to do her duty.

Erdene, who had gathered her thoughts, got into the ridiculously small carriage.

Fortunately, the two ladies and the young servant who had served Erdene until then followed her in another carriage.

She looked out the window with a dull expression the whole time she was passing through the forest, and bit her lip when she saw the high-quality trees growing thickly.

Some trees must have been at least a hundred years old scattered across the land.

The rich and abundant lands where they could grow and protect these many trees and grasses all belonged to the inland kingdoms.

As Tenek had said, the empire was vast in territory, but most of it was covered with barren, dry rocks.

'If only we had taken over these lands.'

She gritted her teeth as she recalled Tenek's smiling face.

She was going to leave anyway, and that idiot was going to give her a hard punch that she would never forget.

She regretted it later. As the shabby but well-managed forest ended, the capital of the Kingdom of Vetor soon came into view.

Unlike the houses of the empire, which were made of wood, stone, or dry grass, except for the castle where the royal family resided, the capital of the kingdom had colorful roofs and neat bricks.

The roads were well-paved, the clothes of the people passing by were diverse, and the shops were lively.

'I should have made all of this Hirschsten's. It's like that idiot ripping apart all the sacks of rice to eat a handful of barley in front of him.'

The top of the castle of Vetor began to appear as soon as it reached the center of the capital.

Unlike the empire that mainly built low and heavy buildings, it was a beautiful building with many thin and delicate decorations.

In other words...

‘It’s not my taste.’

That was all Erdene could say about the elegant and splendid castle that even foreign envoys praised for its beauty.

The scenery outside the carriage that had been running at a constant speed gradually became clearer.

When it finally slowed down enough to see the shape of the bricks that had been built up on the white castle wall, Erdene suddenly felt a sinking feeling in one side of her heart.

It felt similar to what she had felt on the battlefield, but when she thought about it carefully, it was completely different.

It felt like being locked in a prison, Erdene thought.

It wasn’t like she was surrounded by enemies—in that situation, there was no way she wouldn’t be able to escape—it felt like there was an impenetrable, tight iron bar... Surrounding her in a circle.

As people appeared outside the semicircular, tall window, the feeling of being trapped somewhere became even stronger.

She did not want to get out of this narrow, funny carriage, but her wish was not conveyed to anyone.

Soon, the carriage door opened, and the attendant placed a flat, comfortable cushion under her feet.

“Your Highness, please be careful when getting out.”

She's laughing so hard. Erdene roughly lifted the hem of her cumbersome dress and jumped down, stepping on the cushion.

“What’s so great about clowning? This is clowning.”

When Erdene raised her head, a tall man approached her alone.

His gait was slow and elegant, and the end of his black cloak, fluttering lightly near his shoulders, had peonies embroidered in dark silver thread that seemed faintly visible.

His hair was a warm brown reminiscent of autumn, and when touched, the fragrant scent of tree branches spread, and it was still as curly as a young boy.

On his head was the crown of Vetor.

“You must have had a hard time coming this far. Princess Erdene Badd of Hirschsten. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Arkan Cyprusmain, King of Vetor.”

Arkan Cyprusmain.

As she saw the awkward, gentle smile on his face, a thought flashed through Erdene’s mind.

‘He’s so damn handsome. That makes me even more amazed.’


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