Episode 135. I Want to Fight Here.
I felt Prince Kydel's aura suddenly turn fierce and quickly replied.
"I get seasick."
"You'll never find comfort on Imperial soil."
"You..."
I pressed my palm against Prince Kydel's chest as he gritted his teeth.
"I know. My fight will likely never end. As Ryuel said, this may be my only chance to escape."
Prince Kydel's eyes widened, as if shocked by my words. It was fascinating how this enigmatic man could so readily reveal his true nature to me.
I gazed curiously at the emotions—shock, guilt, and anger—in his eyes and said,
"But I want to fight here. I want to enjoy the freedom I've created, not the freedom given to me by others."
This time, Ryuel's eyes wavered slightly.
He snorted in resignation before speaking to Prince Kydel.
“I will not forget the grudge that stole my bride, Prince Locard Kydel.”
Ryuel said “grudge” cheerfully, as if joking. Then he smiled at me.
“Lady Lorisha Kydel. If you change your mind, come to Port Eron in the south and board any ship bound for Smilean. Smilean is always open to you.”
I couldn’t quite hear those shocking words because of what had just happened.
“...Lord Ryuel’s bride?”
He laughed in his characteristically low, rough voice and turned around.
“My name is Peylan. Peylan Ryu Eld Smilean.”
Ryu Eld. The alias he used, Ryuel, was a combination of the letters of his middle name.
We stood there, dumbfounded, watching the two Smilean's walk away.
I stammered,
“Prince, what did I just hear?”
“...Damn it!”
I was startled by Prince Kydel’s intense reaction. He grabbed my arms, looked into my eyes, and said.
“Lorisha, I’ll be back. In the meantime, please take care of His Highness Grayon. Don’t report anything about Ryuel’s true identity.”
“Yes?”
Instead of answering, he showered me with a kiss. Then he ran out of the palace.
I trudged toward His Highness Grayon’s drawing room. I couldn’t hide the energy that had drained from me.
For days, I hadn’t known where Prince Kydel had disappeared to. The Duke had dispatched his men to the Kydel family, but to no avail. His Highness Grayon had threatened the Kydel family to capture Locard, and I was on my way to report to him that there had been no results.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. I know it must be frustrating for you too, Your Highness, but I, too, with my husband gone, hope you won’t be too angry.”
But I couldn’t really say that.
I could say what I wanted to say, but there were other ways to express it that would be less irritating to Tagar...
While I was pondering, I arrived in front of the drawing room, and the servant who recognized me opened the door for me.
His Highness Grayon was cleaning his sword on the balcony. I could tell how sensitive he was even before I saw his face.
I hated Prince Kydel for entrusting me with this task.
'Where on earth did this man disappear to?'
As I approached the balcony, His Highness Grayon turned his head sharply and glared at me.
"So?"
"The search was fruitless. Prince Kydel is the kind of person who can hide if he wants to... It wasn't me who said it; everyone else said it was."
I wanted to speak with dignity, but my voice was growing increasingly dispirited and mumbled.
Prince Grayon began to polish his sword, his face amused by the displeasure with both me and everything named Kydel. He wasn't doing it because he had to clean his sword, but because he needed something else to distract him.
"So, you? Where do you think Locard went?"
"To kill Ryuel?"
"Tsk!"
His Highness Grayon thought I was joking. I couldn't say anything else, so I remained silent.
When Her Highness Princess Milliora was this sensitive, a sweet treat or a tailor shop was a quick fix. But there was nothing I could do for His Highness Grayon. I couldn't share a drink with him or practice swordsmanship with him.
Prince Kydel asked me to take care of His Highness Grayon, but it seemed impossible for me.
"If you have no other orders, I will step aside."
"Sit there."
"Yes!"
I sat down at the table, my buttocks clenched. Embarrassed, the words came out naturally.
“Prince Kydel is acting solely for Your Highness. If you could just be a little more patient and wait...”
“Did you say Miliora got off okay?”
I answered cautiously, a little surprised that he was interested in Her Highness the Princess.
“She hasn’t arrived yet, so I haven’t heard from her. ”
'Ugh. Your Highness, Miliora, why did you do that!
I felt Prince Kydel's aura suddenly turn fierce and quickly replied.
"I get seasick."
"You'll never find comfort on Imperial soil."
"You..."
I pressed my palm against Prince Kydel's chest as he gritted his teeth.
"I know. My fight will likely never end. As Ryuel said, this may be my only chance to escape."
Prince Kydel's eyes widened, as if shocked by my words. It was fascinating how this enigmatic man could so readily reveal his true nature to me.
I gazed curiously at the emotions—shock, guilt, and anger—in his eyes and said,
"But I want to fight here. I want to enjoy the freedom I've created, not the freedom given to me by others."
This time, Ryuel's eyes wavered slightly.
He snorted in resignation before speaking to Prince Kydel.
“I will not forget the grudge that stole my bride, Prince Locard Kydel.”
Ryuel said “grudge” cheerfully, as if joking. Then he smiled at me.
“Lady Lorisha Kydel. If you change your mind, come to Port Eron in the south and board any ship bound for Smilean. Smilean is always open to you.”
I couldn’t quite hear those shocking words because of what had just happened.
“...Lord Ryuel’s bride?”
He laughed in his characteristically low, rough voice and turned around.
“My name is Peylan. Peylan Ryu Eld Smilean.”
Ryu Eld. The alias he used, Ryuel, was a combination of the letters of his middle name.
We stood there, dumbfounded, watching the two Smilean's walk away.
I stammered,
“Prince, what did I just hear?”
“...Damn it!”
I was startled by Prince Kydel’s intense reaction. He grabbed my arms, looked into my eyes, and said.
“Lorisha, I’ll be back. In the meantime, please take care of His Highness Grayon. Don’t report anything about Ryuel’s true identity.”
“Yes?”
Instead of answering, he showered me with a kiss. Then he ran out of the palace.
***
I trudged toward His Highness Grayon’s drawing room. I couldn’t hide the energy that had drained from me.
For days, I hadn’t known where Prince Kydel had disappeared to. The Duke had dispatched his men to the Kydel family, but to no avail. His Highness Grayon had threatened the Kydel family to capture Locard, and I was on my way to report to him that there had been no results.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. I know it must be frustrating for you too, Your Highness, but I, too, with my husband gone, hope you won’t be too angry.”
But I couldn’t really say that.
I could say what I wanted to say, but there were other ways to express it that would be less irritating to Tagar...
While I was pondering, I arrived in front of the drawing room, and the servant who recognized me opened the door for me.
His Highness Grayon was cleaning his sword on the balcony. I could tell how sensitive he was even before I saw his face.
I hated Prince Kydel for entrusting me with this task.
'Where on earth did this man disappear to?'
As I approached the balcony, His Highness Grayon turned his head sharply and glared at me.
"So?"
"The search was fruitless. Prince Kydel is the kind of person who can hide if he wants to... It wasn't me who said it; everyone else said it was."
I wanted to speak with dignity, but my voice was growing increasingly dispirited and mumbled.
Prince Grayon began to polish his sword, his face amused by the displeasure with both me and everything named Kydel. He wasn't doing it because he had to clean his sword, but because he needed something else to distract him.
"So, you? Where do you think Locard went?"
"To kill Ryuel?"
"Tsk!"
His Highness Grayon thought I was joking. I couldn't say anything else, so I remained silent.
When Her Highness Princess Milliora was this sensitive, a sweet treat or a tailor shop was a quick fix. But there was nothing I could do for His Highness Grayon. I couldn't share a drink with him or practice swordsmanship with him.
Prince Kydel asked me to take care of His Highness Grayon, but it seemed impossible for me.
"If you have no other orders, I will step aside."
"Sit there."
"Yes!"
I sat down at the table, my buttocks clenched. Embarrassed, the words came out naturally.
“Prince Kydel is acting solely for Your Highness. If you could just be a little more patient and wait...”
“Did you say Miliora got off okay?”
I answered cautiously, a little surprised that he was interested in Her Highness the Princess.
“She hasn’t arrived yet, so I haven’t heard from her. ”
“So you’ll hear from her when she arrives.”
“I believe so.”
“Hmph. I have a sister who left without even saying goodbye.”
I was startled.
“I believe so.”
“Hmph. I have a sister who left without even saying goodbye.”
I was startled.
'Ugh. Your Highness, Miliora, why did you do that!
They say love is blinding, and I hadn’t expected to see such a vivid example of that.
I smiled awkwardly and said,
“It seems you were upset, Your Highness.”
“I’m saying I'm offended. Where are you listening to me?”
“I’m sorry!”
But I didn’t feel like he was truly angry. When Tagar disliked someone, the whole world would know.
“Her Highness the Princess looked truly happy, Your Highness.”
Even though I smiled, his reply was sharp.
"Now, Lady Amoe. The wife of a useless knight who's too injured to even use his body."
I said quietly, watching his reaction.
"If Your Highness ascends to the throne someday and bestows a worthy title on Sir Rond..."
At that, His Highness Grayon glared at me.
"Why are there so many people around me asking for titles!"
I smiled awkwardly and said,
“It seems you were upset, Your Highness.”
“I’m saying I'm offended. Where are you listening to me?”
“I’m sorry!”
But I didn’t feel like he was truly angry. When Tagar disliked someone, the whole world would know.
“Her Highness the Princess looked truly happy, Your Highness.”
Even though I smiled, his reply was sharp.
"Now, Lady Amoe. The wife of a useless knight who's too injured to even use his body."
I said quietly, watching his reaction.
"If Your Highness ascends to the throne someday and bestows a worthy title on Sir Rond..."
At that, His Highness Grayon glared at me.
"Why are there so many people around me asking for titles!"
"..."
"...."
'She's your sister!' I muttered to myself, biting my lip. Treating His Highness Grayon like a Princess would inevitably lead to trouble.
Besides, I should have gotten used to royal requests long ago.
'She's your sister!' I muttered to myself, biting my lip. Treating His Highness Grayon like a Princess would inevitably lead to trouble.
Besides, I should have gotten used to royal requests long ago.
"Sir Rond has recovered to the point where he's considering returning to the Knights. I think you can rest assured about his health."
"He recovered thanks to the medicine you gave him?"
He suddenly asked with agitation, and I shook my head vigorously.
I don't know why he's angry, but the extraction method was invented by Director Royman.
"I only deliver, deliver..."
“Either that or that. Anyway, if His Majesty raises the next competition question, then it’s your responsibility, Loire.”
“Ky...del.”
“What?”
“Kydel... It’s my name, Your Highness Grayon.”
I swallowed hard and answered, and His Highness Grayon stared at me and snorted.
“So, what did you think of taking over Locard? Why aren’t you overjoyed like Milliora?”
Questions like that were common.
“Do you know how Locard threatened me?”
“What are you talking about... I find it hard to believe that the loyal Prince Kydel would do such a thing to Your Highness.”
“Seducing you. In fact, it was my order.”
My heart suddenly started pounding.
“But you don’t like him, do you? You say he’s dishonorable? When I said I wouldn’t leave you alone, he made a condition. He insolent lion cub.”
I didn’t know how to take His Highness Grayon’s words.
I had just broken my habit of hating Prince Kydel, and I didn't want to know Locard Kydel, who was even worse than the one I'd known.
I was also angry with His Highness Grayon. Prince Kydel might be in danger somewhere right now, for his own good, and you're gossiping behind his back.
"Why do you say such things to me, Your Highness?"
His Highness Grayon glared at me, as if startled by my question, and then went back to cleaning his sword.
"I want to see what your face will be like when you know the truth. So shouldn't you tell me when Locard's not around?"
"..."
"That bastard told me. When I ascend the throne, give Lorisha Loire a title, and he'll be your womanizer."
I thought I must have misheard, but His Highness Grayon spoke as if mocking someone unseen.
“It seems Locard wanted to make sure you could live on your own without being pointed at. Marrying you was beyond his calculations. Isn’t that funny? Even the world-renowned Locard can be a jerk.”
“...”
“Oh, there was a prerequisite for that, that you become my Crown Princess’s maid, so don’t forget that. You’re mine.”
I was dumbfounded, unable to find the words to respond.
He stared at me and asked,
“But do I really need to give you a title? A future Duchess of Kydel is nothing compared to a mediocre title, isn’t it?”
I hung my head, forgetting that I was in front of His Highness Grayon.
I finally understood what Prince Kydel had said when he played a seductive role.
He said he was helping me, that I would eventually return to the palace.
A title?
That was a hundred times better than a tutor.
If I managed the land attached to the title well, I could live without working, and I could teach a small group of elite students without worrying about income. Of course, the tragedy of my status would end with me. It was so wonderful, so wonderful, that it almost seemed unrealistic.
'That man must be crazy.'
"He recovered thanks to the medicine you gave him?"
He suddenly asked with agitation, and I shook my head vigorously.
I don't know why he's angry, but the extraction method was invented by Director Royman.
"I only deliver, deliver..."
“Either that or that. Anyway, if His Majesty raises the next competition question, then it’s your responsibility, Loire.”
“Ky...del.”
“What?”
“Kydel... It’s my name, Your Highness Grayon.”
I swallowed hard and answered, and His Highness Grayon stared at me and snorted.
“So, what did you think of taking over Locard? Why aren’t you overjoyed like Milliora?”
Questions like that were common.
“Do you know how Locard threatened me?”
“What are you talking about... I find it hard to believe that the loyal Prince Kydel would do such a thing to Your Highness.”
“Seducing you. In fact, it was my order.”
My heart suddenly started pounding.
“But you don’t like him, do you? You say he’s dishonorable? When I said I wouldn’t leave you alone, he made a condition. He insolent lion cub.”
I didn’t know how to take His Highness Grayon’s words.
I had just broken my habit of hating Prince Kydel, and I didn't want to know Locard Kydel, who was even worse than the one I'd known.
I was also angry with His Highness Grayon. Prince Kydel might be in danger somewhere right now, for his own good, and you're gossiping behind his back.
"Why do you say such things to me, Your Highness?"
His Highness Grayon glared at me, as if startled by my question, and then went back to cleaning his sword.
"I want to see what your face will be like when you know the truth. So shouldn't you tell me when Locard's not around?"
"..."
"That bastard told me. When I ascend the throne, give Lorisha Loire a title, and he'll be your womanizer."
I thought I must have misheard, but His Highness Grayon spoke as if mocking someone unseen.
“It seems Locard wanted to make sure you could live on your own without being pointed at. Marrying you was beyond his calculations. Isn’t that funny? Even the world-renowned Locard can be a jerk.”
“...”
“Oh, there was a prerequisite for that, that you become my Crown Princess’s maid, so don’t forget that. You’re mine.”
I was dumbfounded, unable to find the words to respond.
He stared at me and asked,
“But do I really need to give you a title? A future Duchess of Kydel is nothing compared to a mediocre title, isn’t it?”
I hung my head, forgetting that I was in front of His Highness Grayon.
I finally understood what Prince Kydel had said when he played a seductive role.
He said he was helping me, that I would eventually return to the palace.
A title?
That was a hundred times better than a tutor.
If I managed the land attached to the title well, I could live without working, and I could teach a small group of elite students without worrying about income. Of course, the tragedy of my status would end with me. It was so wonderful, so wonderful, that it almost seemed unrealistic.
'That man must be crazy.'
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