War.
The weight of those words was considerable, but Perdes' gaze on me felt even heavier.
Because it was a look that seemed to expect me to say no.
"That's right."
Even if I lied, it would be found out soon, so I told the truth.
“I will use the Allies to start a war and completely wipe the Empire off the map.”
“Do we really have to go to war? There are other ways.”
“What other way is there?”
"That..."
Perdes paused, wondering if the words had been spoken with a clear method in mind.
His gaze was directed to the floor.
“There is no method more certain and faster than war, by any means. Preparations are already complete.”
“...”
“Do you by any chance still have attachment to this empire?”
He said he wanted to abandon his status as a Prince, leave the empire, and travel the continent, but has he changed his mind since then?
When I asked curiously, his tightly shut lips opened.
“That’s what I wanted to ask.”
Golden eyes, a mixture of worry and confusion, stared at me.
“Are you really sure it’s okay to start a war?”
“I don’t know what you mean by asking if it’s okay.”
“If there is war, many people will be injured and killed. Even ordinary people who have nothing to do with the Emperor.”
Perdes grabbed both of my shoulders tightly.
I felt a sharp pain because he pressed exactly on the bruised spot, but I endured it and met his gaze.
“Are you okay with that? Are you okay?”
“It’s okay, I’m fine.”
"Lie."
“I’m not lying.”
“No. That’s a lie. If it really didn’t matter, I wouldn’t have made this plan.”
Does that mean you know what plans I have?
No, that can't be true.
Only a few people knew of my plans, and they weren't the type to talk nonsense, so there was no way Perdes would know about it.
Even as I thought that I couldn't look him in the eye any longer because the way he looked at me, those golden eyes that seemed to see through everything, was burdensome.
“It’s not too late, Adele.”
Perdes' earnest voice echoed overhead.
“Let’s give up the war and find another way. Surely there is a way to wipe the Empire off the continent’s map without going to war.”
“...You are telling a dreamlike story.”
“Adele.”
“If you still have any attachment to the Empire, you may tell me honestly.”
I pulled Perdes' hand away.
“If the empire falls, Perdes will no longer be treated as a Prince.”
“Do you think I’m doing this because I’m not treated like a Prince?!”
Perdes was unusually angry.
“I’m saying this because I’m really worried about you! I’m saying this because I’m more worried about you watching the people getting hurt and dying in the war than I am about them!”
I know.
That's why I didn't want to keep him around.
Because I could see him suffering as he watched me in pain.
“...Please leave.”
“Adele.”
“I knew this would happen, so I told you not to return to the Empire for a while, but now that you’ve come back on your own, I can’t trust you anymore, Lord Perdes.”
If I had been firm from the beginning and sent him away, we wouldn't have had this emotional fight.
It was all my fault.
Just a little more. This much should be okay.
That kind of complacent thinking ended up catching me by the ankles again.
I've lived the same life four times, and I still haven't come to my senses.
How stupid and foolish is that?
“Let’s stop here.”
If I delayed any longer, I would not just be caught, I would be cut off, so now was the time to really end it.
“What I originally asked of you, Lord Perdes was to buy me time by acting as a double agent until I could lay the foundation for my revenge. Now that that role is over, please stop bothering me and leave.”
“Does that mean my presence is a nuisance to you?”
"Yes."
If I continued to avoid eye contact, he would become suspicious, so I looked straight into his eyes to show him my intention.
“Not only did you break the promise you made to me, but you’re also bothering me right now.”
“It’s all for you...”
“If it’s for my sake, then you can’t do that.”
I cut off Perdes and spoke firmly.
“You shouldn’t have even said that you liked me.”
“...!”
His golden eyes widened as if he was greatly shocked.
Perdes covered his mouth with a trembling hand and spoke as if talking to himself.
“Is it even a hindrance that I like you?”
“To be honest, it’s a nuisance.”
It was as if there was a thorn in my mouth, and it stung every time I spoke.
“So please leave. I beg you.”
It started off firmly but ended in a plea.
After my last words, a heavy silence fell between us.
"I am...!"
Knock knock.
As Perdes, who had been looking at the floor with his shoulders slumped, opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind about something, someone knocked on the door.
“Your Excellency, I have brought the doctor with me.”
When I heard Count Martina's voice, I looked at Perdes instead of answering right away.
He was also looking at me, but the moment our eyes met, he turned around.
Then he walked towards the door and opened it rather violently.
“Oh, His Highness the Prince is here too.”
Count Martina spoke to him, but Perdes passed by without even giving him a glance.
Count Martina looked slightly embarrassed and looked in the direction where Perdes had disappeared, then asked me.
“Did you fight with His Highness?”
"No."
We didn't fight, I just attacked unilaterally.
“Did you bring the doctor?”
"Yes."
At Count Martina's gesture, the senator came in and greeted me politely.
Maybe it's because I'm a woman, but the doctor was also a woman.
“I swore an oath of secrecy, and I will never reveal to anyone what I saw and heard tonight.”
"Yes."
“Then I’ll go outside.”
Since the treatment required undressing, Count Martina went outside.
As I took off my clothes, the doctor came closer and opened her medical bag.
“Where does it hurt the most?”
“It doesn’t hurt right now, but the worst injured part is my left arm.”
When I showed her my left arm, the doctor examined it carefully and took appropriate action.
She gave her opinion after treating all the other wounds as well.
“There are a lot of wounds here and there, but except for your left arm, none of them are that bad, so if you just apply some medicine, they’ll get better quickly.”
The doctor put a small box down on the table.
It looks like there's some healing medicine in there.
“The wound on your left arm is stitched up, so all you have to do is disinfect it and then remove the stitches after a week.”
“Can paralyzing poison be cured?”
“I don’t think there’s a need for a separate detoxification since the paralysis has almost completely lifted. After a good night’s sleep, everything will be lifted.”
The doctor added that if that didn't work, I should come back to her.
“Do you have any other questions?”
"No."
“Then I will take my leave now.”
After the doctor left, I took off my clothes and dried myself with a wet towel.
The reason my gaze kept turning towards the door was because of some trivial obsession.
I wonder if Perdes will come back.
Then what should I say?
Should I just kick him out coldly again, or apologize and say it was a mistake?
All sorts of thoughts were swirling in my head, but Perdes didn't come back until I had cleaned myself.
“That’s obvious.”
I heard that story, but there was no way he would come back.
I opened the box the doctor had left behind, chuckling softly at how ridiculous it was that I had thought that Perdes would return, even if only for a moment.
“What is this?”
I naturally assumed there would be medicine inside, but what was inside was a small note.
I think someone sent it to me through a doctor.
I don't know who sent it and for what purpose, but it didn't seem like a good purpose.
To confirm or not to confirm.
I thought about it for a moment, then unfolded the note and checked it.
The moment Adele was receiving treatment from the doctor.
Perdes sat on the top of a large tree that stretched over the fence, watching the capital city as its lights faded away one by one.
He was idly looking at the scenery, not even realizing that the night was deepening when he suddenly felt a presence and looked down.
One floor below, Byblos sat.
“When did you come?”
“Just now. But why is your expression like that? Did you get dumped by that woman?”
"Yes."
The face that had been full of playfulness froze for a moment at the returned answer.
Byblos scratched his head awkwardly and coughed.
“Ahem, I see. Cheer up. That’s all I can say.”
Perdes smiled bitterly at the encouragement, which was of no comfort at all.
“I didn’t understand why my mother clung to the Emperor even though he didn’t like her... But now I think I understand a little.”
Because he also wanted to cling to Adele.
Even though he heard such harsh words, he still liked her and wanted to be by her side.
Stupidly enough.
“While you’re at it, just give up cleanly.”
Byblos, who was sitting next to him, tapped Perdes on the shoulder.
“It’s good for you and for her. If you keep clinging to each other, you’ll both get hurt.”
“Is that advice from experience?”
“Let’s say that’s true.”
“I’m not saying that to be rude, I’m saying that I’ve never really been rude!”
Perdes' laughed a little when he saw Byblos jumping around.
“I have to go right now.”
Perdes, who had been smiling faintly, suddenly looked down when he heard Adele's voice.
The weight of those words was considerable, but Perdes' gaze on me felt even heavier.
Because it was a look that seemed to expect me to say no.
"That's right."
Even if I lied, it would be found out soon, so I told the truth.
“I will use the Allies to start a war and completely wipe the Empire off the map.”
“Do we really have to go to war? There are other ways.”
“What other way is there?”
"That..."
Perdes paused, wondering if the words had been spoken with a clear method in mind.
His gaze was directed to the floor.
“There is no method more certain and faster than war, by any means. Preparations are already complete.”
“...”
“Do you by any chance still have attachment to this empire?”
He said he wanted to abandon his status as a Prince, leave the empire, and travel the continent, but has he changed his mind since then?
When I asked curiously, his tightly shut lips opened.
“That’s what I wanted to ask.”
Golden eyes, a mixture of worry and confusion, stared at me.
“Are you really sure it’s okay to start a war?”
“I don’t know what you mean by asking if it’s okay.”
“If there is war, many people will be injured and killed. Even ordinary people who have nothing to do with the Emperor.”
Perdes grabbed both of my shoulders tightly.
I felt a sharp pain because he pressed exactly on the bruised spot, but I endured it and met his gaze.
“Are you okay with that? Are you okay?”
“It’s okay, I’m fine.”
"Lie."
“I’m not lying.”
“No. That’s a lie. If it really didn’t matter, I wouldn’t have made this plan.”
Does that mean you know what plans I have?
No, that can't be true.
Only a few people knew of my plans, and they weren't the type to talk nonsense, so there was no way Perdes would know about it.
Even as I thought that I couldn't look him in the eye any longer because the way he looked at me, those golden eyes that seemed to see through everything, was burdensome.
“It’s not too late, Adele.”
Perdes' earnest voice echoed overhead.
“Let’s give up the war and find another way. Surely there is a way to wipe the Empire off the continent’s map without going to war.”
“...You are telling a dreamlike story.”
“Adele.”
“If you still have any attachment to the Empire, you may tell me honestly.”
I pulled Perdes' hand away.
“If the empire falls, Perdes will no longer be treated as a Prince.”
“Do you think I’m doing this because I’m not treated like a Prince?!”
Perdes was unusually angry.
“I’m saying this because I’m really worried about you! I’m saying this because I’m more worried about you watching the people getting hurt and dying in the war than I am about them!”
I know.
That's why I didn't want to keep him around.
Because I could see him suffering as he watched me in pain.
“...Please leave.”
“Adele.”
“I knew this would happen, so I told you not to return to the Empire for a while, but now that you’ve come back on your own, I can’t trust you anymore, Lord Perdes.”
If I had been firm from the beginning and sent him away, we wouldn't have had this emotional fight.
It was all my fault.
Just a little more. This much should be okay.
That kind of complacent thinking ended up catching me by the ankles again.
I've lived the same life four times, and I still haven't come to my senses.
How stupid and foolish is that?
“Let’s stop here.”
If I delayed any longer, I would not just be caught, I would be cut off, so now was the time to really end it.
“What I originally asked of you, Lord Perdes was to buy me time by acting as a double agent until I could lay the foundation for my revenge. Now that that role is over, please stop bothering me and leave.”
“Does that mean my presence is a nuisance to you?”
"Yes."
If I continued to avoid eye contact, he would become suspicious, so I looked straight into his eyes to show him my intention.
“Not only did you break the promise you made to me, but you’re also bothering me right now.”
“It’s all for you...”
“If it’s for my sake, then you can’t do that.”
I cut off Perdes and spoke firmly.
“You shouldn’t have even said that you liked me.”
“...!”
His golden eyes widened as if he was greatly shocked.
Perdes covered his mouth with a trembling hand and spoke as if talking to himself.
“Is it even a hindrance that I like you?”
“To be honest, it’s a nuisance.”
It was as if there was a thorn in my mouth, and it stung every time I spoke.
“So please leave. I beg you.”
It started off firmly but ended in a plea.
After my last words, a heavy silence fell between us.
"I am...!"
Knock knock.
As Perdes, who had been looking at the floor with his shoulders slumped, opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind about something, someone knocked on the door.
“Your Excellency, I have brought the doctor with me.”
When I heard Count Martina's voice, I looked at Perdes instead of answering right away.
He was also looking at me, but the moment our eyes met, he turned around.
Then he walked towards the door and opened it rather violently.
“Oh, His Highness the Prince is here too.”
Count Martina spoke to him, but Perdes passed by without even giving him a glance.
Count Martina looked slightly embarrassed and looked in the direction where Perdes had disappeared, then asked me.
“Did you fight with His Highness?”
"No."
We didn't fight, I just attacked unilaterally.
“Did you bring the doctor?”
"Yes."
At Count Martina's gesture, the senator came in and greeted me politely.
Maybe it's because I'm a woman, but the doctor was also a woman.
“I swore an oath of secrecy, and I will never reveal to anyone what I saw and heard tonight.”
"Yes."
“Then I’ll go outside.”
Since the treatment required undressing, Count Martina went outside.
As I took off my clothes, the doctor came closer and opened her medical bag.
“Where does it hurt the most?”
“It doesn’t hurt right now, but the worst injured part is my left arm.”
When I showed her my left arm, the doctor examined it carefully and took appropriate action.
She gave her opinion after treating all the other wounds as well.
“There are a lot of wounds here and there, but except for your left arm, none of them are that bad, so if you just apply some medicine, they’ll get better quickly.”
The doctor put a small box down on the table.
It looks like there's some healing medicine in there.
“The wound on your left arm is stitched up, so all you have to do is disinfect it and then remove the stitches after a week.”
“Can paralyzing poison be cured?”
“I don’t think there’s a need for a separate detoxification since the paralysis has almost completely lifted. After a good night’s sleep, everything will be lifted.”
The doctor added that if that didn't work, I should come back to her.
“Do you have any other questions?”
"No."
“Then I will take my leave now.”
After the doctor left, I took off my clothes and dried myself with a wet towel.
The reason my gaze kept turning towards the door was because of some trivial obsession.
I wonder if Perdes will come back.
Then what should I say?
Should I just kick him out coldly again, or apologize and say it was a mistake?
All sorts of thoughts were swirling in my head, but Perdes didn't come back until I had cleaned myself.
“That’s obvious.”
I heard that story, but there was no way he would come back.
I opened the box the doctor had left behind, chuckling softly at how ridiculous it was that I had thought that Perdes would return, even if only for a moment.
“What is this?”
I naturally assumed there would be medicine inside, but what was inside was a small note.
I think someone sent it to me through a doctor.
I don't know who sent it and for what purpose, but it didn't seem like a good purpose.
To confirm or not to confirm.
I thought about it for a moment, then unfolded the note and checked it.
***
The moment Adele was receiving treatment from the doctor.
Perdes sat on the top of a large tree that stretched over the fence, watching the capital city as its lights faded away one by one.
He was idly looking at the scenery, not even realizing that the night was deepening when he suddenly felt a presence and looked down.
One floor below, Byblos sat.
“When did you come?”
“Just now. But why is your expression like that? Did you get dumped by that woman?”
"Yes."
The face that had been full of playfulness froze for a moment at the returned answer.
Byblos scratched his head awkwardly and coughed.
“Ahem, I see. Cheer up. That’s all I can say.”
Perdes smiled bitterly at the encouragement, which was of no comfort at all.
“I didn’t understand why my mother clung to the Emperor even though he didn’t like her... But now I think I understand a little.”
Because he also wanted to cling to Adele.
Even though he heard such harsh words, he still liked her and wanted to be by her side.
Stupidly enough.
“While you’re at it, just give up cleanly.”
Byblos, who was sitting next to him, tapped Perdes on the shoulder.
“It’s good for you and for her. If you keep clinging to each other, you’ll both get hurt.”
“Is that advice from experience?”
“Right, and for the record, I've never been dumped.”
“I’m not saying that to be rude, I’m saying that I’ve never really been rude!”
Perdes' laughed a little when he saw Byblos jumping around.
“I have to go right now.”
Perdes, who had been smiling faintly, suddenly looked down when he heard Adele's voice.
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