“I am alone.”
Dmitry stepped back reluctantly from the doorway. As soon as the lock was unlocked and the door opened, Veronica entered the room with a somewhat impatient attitude.
“Lady Veronica. What the heck is this...”
"Your Highness."
She noticed me and immediately greeted me. She must have come riding at full speed; her hair and clothes were a complete mess. It was the first time I had seen her so disheveled since I met her.
Veronica said, grabbing my shoulder.
“Your Highness once asked me to move for Your Highness.”
“...”
“I came to keep the promise I made back then.”
Her eyes were shining a strange color.
“Could you please entrust your life to me one more time?”
“...Do I really have to do it according to that plan?”
“...”
“If you don’t believe me, how can you believe Lady Veronica?”
Dmitry, who was watching me prepare to leave, asked while leaning against the door.
To be honest, I didn't like the sight of him, but I thought I knew why he was attached to Kairak. But knowing didn't mean I wanted to understand.
When I didn't even answer, Dmitry let out a short sigh and placed the bundle containing the travel expenses on top of my suitcase.
The travel expenses were desperate, and I knew that not taking them would be nothing but empty pride.
But... I couldn’t accept his help if I thought he was selling me for money.
Perhaps even this kind of leisure was possible because of the jeweled earrings Veronica had given him.
“There is no reason to accept it.”
“Wouldn’t you consider it a bribe?”
“Just answer one thing. Since when?”
I felt like my ambivalent feelings were choking me. I wanted to believe that it wasn't a planned approach from the beginning, but I also wished that everything he said to me was fake.
Maybe... the former might have been a regret about the past with him.
“... When His Highness finished the second competition.”
“...”
“The Duke of Kairak has made a proposal. He wants you to persuade the High Priest.”
“How can you be the High Priest...”
“His last name before he abandoned the secular world was Batistan. And he was someone who always felt sorry for me.”
I bit my trembling lips. At the time, I thought the High Priest was avoiding conversation with me because he despised me.
But... Now that I think back, maybe that was just an expression full of guilt.
“Is it me that you got in return?”
“...I won’t deny it.”
“...”
“I won’t even dare ask for forgiveness...”
He said, lowering his head. No matter how weak he was, my heart was hardened like stone.
It was foolish to trust a traitor twice. A person who has betrayed me once would not hesitate to betray me a second time if the same situation arose.
I stared blankly at his face and spoke without hesitation.
“Of course I won’t forgive you. I deeply regret the moment I decided to trust you.”
“...”
“But there is only one way.”
Like a man finding a ray of light in the darkness, he barely managed to raise his head.
I spoke in a quick, mumbling voice.
“...Yes. Then, we can start over from there.”
“I will do that.”
“We will have to give it our all.”
“...Anyway, I am grateful for the opportunity.”
I stood up, carrying my suitcase. As I was about to pass him and go out the door, Dmitry grabbed my wrist.
Not weak, but not so weak that it was annoying. Just the right amount of lukewarm temperature and strength.
“Please answer just one.”
“Tell me.”
“If you were an ordinary Asha, not a Princess.”
“...”
“And if I were the one who discovered you first.”
“...”
“Would you have chosen me?”
That was not a question I could answer. It was a question I shouldn't answer.
Of course, Dmitry is handsome, and I am often tempted by looks... so maybe that was it.
But one thing I can be sure of is that Laskan was not there at the beginning of all this.
I looked into Dmitry's wet green eyes without avoiding them. His furrowed brow, his somewhat ragged breathing, his reddened eyes as if he was about to cry, and his thin, twisted lips.
It was all sad and pitiful. But that was it.
“I have no peace to give you.”
“...”
“I wish you peace always, Dmitry. I wish you could live your life now.”
The strength slowly left his grip on my wrist. I passed him and went through the door.
There was no need to greet each other.
Linelli, near the capital.
It had been more than five days since the army of Duke Ashkabad had set up barracks. Despite the suspicion of treason being placed on their commander's head, the camp remained calm and undisturbed.
From the palace came messengers every day urging surrender. They walked around the barracks and shouted orders to betray Ashkabad.
They did not forget to mention that they would give great wealth and status to the first ten people to leave the camp.
But despite the effort, there were no dropouts.
They had clearly won the war and were in the process of improving. Just because the Princess had disappeared... It felt unfair to remove the commander-in-chief who had fought on the front lines.
“How about advancing to the capital instead?”
He was an adjutant who made radical claims. Laskan tilted his head up, his arms resting on the table where the map was spread out.
As if encouraged by that gaze, the adjutant took a step forward and continued speaking.
“We are chronically short of supplies due to our hasty departure from the North. We have already consumed one-third of our military rations.”
“However, Your Excellency, if you move your troops before His Majesty regains consciousness, you will be accused of treason.”
He was a centurion who came from a good family. The rebuttal came out immediately.
“Does that mean we should be tied down here?”
“I haven’t even been able to determine the safety of Her Highness the Princess. What would happen if I just enter the palace?”
“...”
“If there is no one to prove our innocence, all that remains is the charge of treason.”
Laskan raised one hand and wiped his tired face.
Since hearing the news of the Princess's disappearance, he had not slept properly. His mind, which had always made sound decisions, seemed to have turned to stone.
Besides, the information he had was extremely limited.
Even the Duke of Kairak said he didn't know where the Princess was. Had he already secured her identity and was lying about it, or was she really in a safe place? If only he knew that, he would be able to come to his senses.
Lately, he has been far from normal. Whether his eyes are closed or open, the worst imaginations have been sending him to hell.
Laskan touched his throbbing temple. That was it.
“Your Excellency.”
A soldier who ran into the command barracks in a hurry saluted stiffly at the cold gaze pouring down.
“Sir, I think you should go to the guard post now.”
“What's going on?”
“A woman claiming to be the Princess has appeared.”
It was the right choice to make a fuss in front of the guards. If by any chance I had secretly contacted someone, it could have been dangerous if he had been a spy for Duke Kairak.
When I shouted and insisted like that in front of the guards, they seemed momentarily taken aback. It also played a part in the fact that my appearance was well-known.
As soon as the hood was removed and the blond hair and blue eyes were revealed, one of them ran straight to report to Laskan. I was led to a nearby barracks under heavy guard.
Soon, before long, the tent was lifted. I turned my head towards the direction where the light was coming in, and was speechless when I saw Laskan.
"Your Highness?"
He stood with his back to the sunlight, stiffly holding up the tent as if in disbelief.
She had become noticeably thinner. Her elegantly long knuckles were particularly bulging, and her blue eyes, which had always shone with a deep and beautiful light, were now particularly dazzling.
Even a knight who had just killed someone on the battlefield wouldn't have such a miserable face.
“Laskan.”
I barely moved my lips to call him. Only after hearing my voice did he seem to become certain that I was not a hallucination or a ghost.
He closed the gap in about three steps and hugged me tightly. Even amid his urgency, he seemed to have delicately adjusted his strength, so I didn't feel any weight or pressure. As if I would break if be were to apply any force...
I felt his fingertips tremble as they rested lightly on my back.
“Laskan. I’m really okay.”
“Please come here safely, safely...”
His voice, which had sunk, contained a trembling that he could not completely erase. Laskan leaned his head against the nape of my neck before he could even finish his words.
I hugged him and patted his back, which was rounded because of the difference in our physiques.
“Were you worried a lot?”
"... Yes."
It was a simple confession, but the concern contained within was real. His concern for me was beautiful, and I was grateful, but my heart was complicated.
Can I convince this person? Can I share my plans with him completely? How rational can he be?
The calculation was not easy. If in the exact opposite case, Laskan were to take the same risk... I would also try to stop him.
But... there were risks in the world that had to be taken. And I believed that now was the time. I pushed him away with a short, deep breath.
“Laskan. I have something to tell you.”
The look on Laskan's face after I explained my plan was truly something to behold.
I said, pulling his arm while his mouth was tightly shut.
“I understand why you’re so surprised.”
“...Do you understand?”
His voice, which had become so quiet that it almost sounded like a growl, could even sound sarcastic depending on the listener's perspective.
I hesitated for a moment because it was a sight he had never shown me before. I was determined to convince him.
“Think rationally. This is the best we can do in this situation.”
“Then forget about that best. I won’t be able to do it even if I die.”
“...Is it really going to turn out like this?”
“If Your Highness had thought about me even a little, you would not have said that you would stand trial.”
“Laskan, please. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“I know.”
A self-mocking smile briefly appeared on his lips, then disappeared.
“Your Highness, what you are telling me is not a matter of consultation, but of notification.”
Dmitry stepped back reluctantly from the doorway. As soon as the lock was unlocked and the door opened, Veronica entered the room with a somewhat impatient attitude.
“Lady Veronica. What the heck is this...”
"Your Highness."
She noticed me and immediately greeted me. She must have come riding at full speed; her hair and clothes were a complete mess. It was the first time I had seen her so disheveled since I met her.
Veronica said, grabbing my shoulder.
“Your Highness once asked me to move for Your Highness.”
“...”
“I came to keep the promise I made back then.”
Her eyes were shining a strange color.
“Could you please entrust your life to me one more time?”
***
“...Do I really have to do it according to that plan?”
“...”
“If you don’t believe me, how can you believe Lady Veronica?”
Dmitry, who was watching me prepare to leave, asked while leaning against the door.
To be honest, I didn't like the sight of him, but I thought I knew why he was attached to Kairak. But knowing didn't mean I wanted to understand.
When I didn't even answer, Dmitry let out a short sigh and placed the bundle containing the travel expenses on top of my suitcase.
The travel expenses were desperate, and I knew that not taking them would be nothing but empty pride.
But... I couldn’t accept his help if I thought he was selling me for money.
Perhaps even this kind of leisure was possible because of the jeweled earrings Veronica had given him.
“There is no reason to accept it.”
“Wouldn’t you consider it a bribe?”
“Just answer one thing. Since when?”
I felt like my ambivalent feelings were choking me. I wanted to believe that it wasn't a planned approach from the beginning, but I also wished that everything he said to me was fake.
Maybe... the former might have been a regret about the past with him.
“... When His Highness finished the second competition.”
“...”
“The Duke of Kairak has made a proposal. He wants you to persuade the High Priest.”
“How can you be the High Priest...”
“His last name before he abandoned the secular world was Batistan. And he was someone who always felt sorry for me.”
I bit my trembling lips. At the time, I thought the High Priest was avoiding conversation with me because he despised me.
But... Now that I think back, maybe that was just an expression full of guilt.
“Is it me that you got in return?”
“...I won’t deny it.”
“...”
“I won’t even dare ask for forgiveness...”
He said, lowering his head. No matter how weak he was, my heart was hardened like stone.
It was foolish to trust a traitor twice. A person who has betrayed me once would not hesitate to betray me a second time if the same situation arose.
I stared blankly at his face and spoke without hesitation.
“Of course I won’t forgive you. I deeply regret the moment I decided to trust you.”
“...”
“But there is only one way.”
Like a man finding a ray of light in the darkness, he barely managed to raise his head.
I spoke in a quick, mumbling voice.
“...Yes. Then, we can start over from there.”
“I will do that.”
“We will have to give it our all.”
“...Anyway, I am grateful for the opportunity.”
I stood up, carrying my suitcase. As I was about to pass him and go out the door, Dmitry grabbed my wrist.
Not weak, but not so weak that it was annoying. Just the right amount of lukewarm temperature and strength.
“Please answer just one.”
“Tell me.”
“If you were an ordinary Asha, not a Princess.”
“...”
“And if I were the one who discovered you first.”
“...”
“Would you have chosen me?”
That was not a question I could answer. It was a question I shouldn't answer.
Of course, Dmitry is handsome, and I am often tempted by looks... so maybe that was it.
But one thing I can be sure of is that Laskan was not there at the beginning of all this.
I looked into Dmitry's wet green eyes without avoiding them. His furrowed brow, his somewhat ragged breathing, his reddened eyes as if he was about to cry, and his thin, twisted lips.
It was all sad and pitiful. But that was it.
“I have no peace to give you.”
“...”
“I wish you peace always, Dmitry. I wish you could live your life now.”
The strength slowly left his grip on my wrist. I passed him and went through the door.
There was no need to greet each other.
***
Linelli, near the capital.
It had been more than five days since the army of Duke Ashkabad had set up barracks. Despite the suspicion of treason being placed on their commander's head, the camp remained calm and undisturbed.
From the palace came messengers every day urging surrender. They walked around the barracks and shouted orders to betray Ashkabad.
They did not forget to mention that they would give great wealth and status to the first ten people to leave the camp.
But despite the effort, there were no dropouts.
They had clearly won the war and were in the process of improving. Just because the Princess had disappeared... It felt unfair to remove the commander-in-chief who had fought on the front lines.
“How about advancing to the capital instead?”
He was an adjutant who made radical claims. Laskan tilted his head up, his arms resting on the table where the map was spread out.
As if encouraged by that gaze, the adjutant took a step forward and continued speaking.
“We are chronically short of supplies due to our hasty departure from the North. We have already consumed one-third of our military rations.”
“However, Your Excellency, if you move your troops before His Majesty regains consciousness, you will be accused of treason.”
He was a centurion who came from a good family. The rebuttal came out immediately.
“Does that mean we should be tied down here?”
“I haven’t even been able to determine the safety of Her Highness the Princess. What would happen if I just enter the palace?”
“...”
“If there is no one to prove our innocence, all that remains is the charge of treason.”
Laskan raised one hand and wiped his tired face.
Since hearing the news of the Princess's disappearance, he had not slept properly. His mind, which had always made sound decisions, seemed to have turned to stone.
Besides, the information he had was extremely limited.
Even the Duke of Kairak said he didn't know where the Princess was. Had he already secured her identity and was lying about it, or was she really in a safe place? If only he knew that, he would be able to come to his senses.
Lately, he has been far from normal. Whether his eyes are closed or open, the worst imaginations have been sending him to hell.
Laskan touched his throbbing temple. That was it.
“Your Excellency.”
A soldier who ran into the command barracks in a hurry saluted stiffly at the cold gaze pouring down.
“Sir, I think you should go to the guard post now.”
“What's going on?”
“A woman claiming to be the Princess has appeared.”
***
It was the right choice to make a fuss in front of the guards. If by any chance I had secretly contacted someone, it could have been dangerous if he had been a spy for Duke Kairak.
When I shouted and insisted like that in front of the guards, they seemed momentarily taken aback. It also played a part in the fact that my appearance was well-known.
As soon as the hood was removed and the blond hair and blue eyes were revealed, one of them ran straight to report to Laskan. I was led to a nearby barracks under heavy guard.
Soon, before long, the tent was lifted. I turned my head towards the direction where the light was coming in, and was speechless when I saw Laskan.
"Your Highness?"
He stood with his back to the sunlight, stiffly holding up the tent as if in disbelief.
She had become noticeably thinner. Her elegantly long knuckles were particularly bulging, and her blue eyes, which had always shone with a deep and beautiful light, were now particularly dazzling.
Even a knight who had just killed someone on the battlefield wouldn't have such a miserable face.
“Laskan.”
I barely moved my lips to call him. Only after hearing my voice did he seem to become certain that I was not a hallucination or a ghost.
He closed the gap in about three steps and hugged me tightly. Even amid his urgency, he seemed to have delicately adjusted his strength, so I didn't feel any weight or pressure. As if I would break if be were to apply any force...
I felt his fingertips tremble as they rested lightly on my back.
“Laskan. I’m really okay.”
“Please come here safely, safely...”
His voice, which had sunk, contained a trembling that he could not completely erase. Laskan leaned his head against the nape of my neck before he could even finish his words.
I hugged him and patted his back, which was rounded because of the difference in our physiques.
“Were you worried a lot?”
"... Yes."
It was a simple confession, but the concern contained within was real. His concern for me was beautiful, and I was grateful, but my heart was complicated.
Can I convince this person? Can I share my plans with him completely? How rational can he be?
The calculation was not easy. If in the exact opposite case, Laskan were to take the same risk... I would also try to stop him.
But... there were risks in the world that had to be taken. And I believed that now was the time. I pushed him away with a short, deep breath.
“Laskan. I have something to tell you.”
***
The look on Laskan's face after I explained my plan was truly something to behold.
I said, pulling his arm while his mouth was tightly shut.
“I understand why you’re so surprised.”
“...Do you understand?”
His voice, which had become so quiet that it almost sounded like a growl, could even sound sarcastic depending on the listener's perspective.
I hesitated for a moment because it was a sight he had never shown me before. I was determined to convince him.
“Think rationally. This is the best we can do in this situation.”
“Then forget about that best. I won’t be able to do it even if I die.”
“...Is it really going to turn out like this?”
“If Your Highness had thought about me even a little, you would not have said that you would stand trial.”
“Laskan, please. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“I know.”
A self-mocking smile briefly appeared on his lips, then disappeared.
“Your Highness, what you are telling me is not a matter of consultation, but of notification.”
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