No one answered, but at the same time, no one refused, so I took it as consent and opened my mouth.
"I love Ronheim. The view of Ronheim from my room every morning is beautiful and never gets old, and the people of Ronheim are friendly and genuinely warm."
“...”
“I think I understand why Callius and you love Ronheim so much and would risk your lives to protect it.”
“...”
"I'm so glad I was able to follow Callius to Ronheim. I'm so happy where I am now."
The knights were a little shaken by the word happiness.
Although it wasn't my intention, my words seemed to prick their conscience.
"If you, the guardians of Ronheim, and the people of Ronheim accept me, I will be happier than I am now. But I won't bother you for my own happiness. Time resolves all misunderstandings and makes strangers familiar. I believe in the magic of time."
Now the knights looked straight at me.
I saw their wavering gazes.
Some people looked confused, and some looked displeased.
“I told you my story today, so next time we have another chance to sit together and enjoy this, I hope you’ll tell me your stories too.”
I slowly got up from my chair.
“I’m tired, so I’ll get up now. Have a good time, everyone.”
I asked the chef to send the remaining snacks she had prepared to my room and left the restaurant.
“...”
Callius stood outside the restaurant and listened to Chloe.
He arrived halfway and heard Chloe's voice from beyond the door, so he stopped and listened to what she was saying.
Chloe's footsteps as she left the restaurant approached the door where Callius was.
Callius ducked slightly around the corner of the wall and hid himself.
"Phew."
He heard Chloe sigh quietly outside the door.
Her elegant back looked lonely as she headed up the stairs.
It must have been difficult just to endure the curse, but she must have tried to drag her frail, small body along and mingle with the knights.
It broke Callius's heart to see her, who had mustered up the courage to go back alone, knowing that those people would not welcome her.
Everyone was trying to get away from Kavala.
Chloe, Callius, the knights, and everyone in Ronheim.
There is a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but the reason it is not easy to become allies with one another is probably because the darkness spread by Kavala is so thick that it is difficult to recognize one's friend.
Among the knights of Callius, there were too many who lost their families in the battle with Arrental.
'It may be different if they died honorably in battle, but most of them fell in vain, caught up in the curse of Kavala.'
After the death of the Saint of Ronheim, the sorcerer's curse easily spread throughout Ronheim.
A meaningless death and a defeat that is difficult to accept.
That's what broke everyone's heart.
In such circumstances, the fact that Chloe grew up in the shadow of Kavala, the enemy of all, was a fatal factor for her to blend in with Ronheim.
'I hope Chloe isn't too upset.'
Callius wondered if there was any way to comfort Chloe, then a good idea struck him as he opened the restaurant door with all his might and went inside.
“My lord, my lord, have you come?”
Even after Chloe left, the restaurant was still filled with awkwardness.
The knights rose again to greet Callius.
Callius looked around at them.
As if they had committed a crime, no one made eye contact with him and looked the other way.
Chloe's honest speech must have really struck home with the knights' consciences.
They were people who hated Chloe but had a conscience.
'I guess I don't need to say much.'
Since he came in right after Chloe left, if he had said anything bad here, Chloe would have thought he was plotting something behind her back.
Callius spoke briefly.
“I heard everything outside.”
“...”
"I'm sure everyone has heard her story and felt something, so I don't need to add anything. Anyway, today's banquet is for you, so enjoy it."
After that, Callius gestured to the chef and Alex, whispered something briefly, and left the restaurant.
The knights asked Alex.
“What did he say?”
“You don’t have to know.”
Alex turned his head away as if he didn't want to talk and picked up his top.
The knights grabbed Alex's clothes and hung on.
“Where are you going all of a sudden?”
“What did the lord say?”
"Oh, you don't have to know! Didn't you hear what your master said? Just drink and have fun."
Alex waved his hand and shook off his colleagues, quickly leaving the restaurant after following Callius.
The chef also ran to the kitchen in a hurry.
The remaining knights wrinkled their noses and poured out their cold glasses.
“Our youngest is really shameless.”
“It’s because I raised him with such care, thinking he was my precious youngest. When I was that age...”
On one side, a story about the past began, with Alex glancing off to the side he had left behind, while on the other side, a story about Chloe was in full swing.
“Did we go too far?”
“What did you say...”
“But it’s true that the Princess solved Ronheim’s winter food shortage.”
"So what! We swore, what did we do? We just sat there blankly because it was awkward. Is pretending it wasn't awkward also a knightly duty? Come on, everyone, just have a drink."
Someone clutched his chest as if his conscience was still pricked and said.
"The Princess might be different from what we thought. She loves Ronheim. She's happy. I didn't know she thought that way..."
Andrew snorted.
"Who knows? Those words might all be lies. What can't words say?"
Another knight lowered his voice and whispered.
"By the way, my lord, are you angry? What's going on? I'm more afraid of that kind of thing. I'd rather be beaten with a club."
“I don’t think he cares.”
“Be careful. Can’t you tell just by looking at him leaving?”
One of the knights was tearing his hair out.
“Oh, I don’t know! I don’t know.”
“Let’s just drink. Let’s drink and die. Cheers, cheers!”
After returning from the restaurant, I was sitting in a rocking chair in the shared bedroom, reading a book with a blanket over my lap.
I tried to soothe my empty mind with a book, but the words didn't register well.
'I said I believed time would heal everything, but...'
Is that really true?
"No, let's not think too deeply about it. If I just do my part well, everything will be fine."
What can I do? I have to put down roots here now.
'I have nowhere to return to.'
In this situation, worrying and feeling anxious are futile.
I won't go back to the palace crying just because the knights reject me.
Besides, since when did I start living a life of welcome that I should be ruined by something like this?
'I'm used to it.'
Still, compared to the past when I had simply succumbed to rejection, hidden inside, and lived quietly like a ghost, wasn't it quite courageous?
I didn't conform, I didn't hide.
That alone was a huge change for me.
'If I change, the situation will change too.'
How many times have I checked that since I returned?
I clenched my fist and praised myself.
'Good job! You did great today!'
Now, instead of crying and feeling depressed when I'm alone, I've decided to comfort myself.
Because I know how empowering it is to let go of the inner whip and let go of my inner self.
It was at a time when I was controlling my mood so well.
Knock knock.
"Madam, this is Lamia. I'm sorry, but may I come in for a moment while you're resting?"
“Yes. Come in, Lamia.”
I wondered why Lamia, whom I had sent off work early, had come to see me again.
“Is something wrong?”
“Madam, that is...”
Lamia fidgeted and cried.
Looking at her expression, I instinctively knew that something serious had happened.
“What’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong! You should come out quickly!”
I was startled and jumped up from my chair.
"Why?"
“I think you should see it for yourself! Hurry up, hurry up!”
Lamia pushed my back.
I was pushed out of the bedroom by her and went into my room.
The room was very dark; not a single candle was lit.
In Ronheim, magic lights aren't used, so candles that could spread are not left unattended. Even if they are, they can easily be blown out by the wind.
“Lamia, could you bring me a candle from the bedroom? It’s so dark I can’t see.”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Lamia, who answered coolly, just mumbled behind me.
'Why are you doing that?'
I was groping my way through the darkness, startled by a sound in a room that should have been empty.
“Hey, who’s there...!”
"I love Ronheim. The view of Ronheim from my room every morning is beautiful and never gets old, and the people of Ronheim are friendly and genuinely warm."
“...”
“I think I understand why Callius and you love Ronheim so much and would risk your lives to protect it.”
“...”
"I'm so glad I was able to follow Callius to Ronheim. I'm so happy where I am now."
The knights were a little shaken by the word happiness.
Although it wasn't my intention, my words seemed to prick their conscience.
"If you, the guardians of Ronheim, and the people of Ronheim accept me, I will be happier than I am now. But I won't bother you for my own happiness. Time resolves all misunderstandings and makes strangers familiar. I believe in the magic of time."
Now the knights looked straight at me.
I saw their wavering gazes.
Some people looked confused, and some looked displeased.
“I told you my story today, so next time we have another chance to sit together and enjoy this, I hope you’ll tell me your stories too.”
I slowly got up from my chair.
“I’m tired, so I’ll get up now. Have a good time, everyone.”
I asked the chef to send the remaining snacks she had prepared to my room and left the restaurant.
***
“...”
Callius stood outside the restaurant and listened to Chloe.
He arrived halfway and heard Chloe's voice from beyond the door, so he stopped and listened to what she was saying.
Chloe's footsteps as she left the restaurant approached the door where Callius was.
Callius ducked slightly around the corner of the wall and hid himself.
"Phew."
He heard Chloe sigh quietly outside the door.
Her elegant back looked lonely as she headed up the stairs.
It must have been difficult just to endure the curse, but she must have tried to drag her frail, small body along and mingle with the knights.
It broke Callius's heart to see her, who had mustered up the courage to go back alone, knowing that those people would not welcome her.
Everyone was trying to get away from Kavala.
Chloe, Callius, the knights, and everyone in Ronheim.
There is a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but the reason it is not easy to become allies with one another is probably because the darkness spread by Kavala is so thick that it is difficult to recognize one's friend.
Among the knights of Callius, there were too many who lost their families in the battle with Arrental.
'It may be different if they died honorably in battle, but most of them fell in vain, caught up in the curse of Kavala.'
After the death of the Saint of Ronheim, the sorcerer's curse easily spread throughout Ronheim.
A meaningless death and a defeat that is difficult to accept.
That's what broke everyone's heart.
In such circumstances, the fact that Chloe grew up in the shadow of Kavala, the enemy of all, was a fatal factor for her to blend in with Ronheim.
'I hope Chloe isn't too upset.'
Callius wondered if there was any way to comfort Chloe, then a good idea struck him as he opened the restaurant door with all his might and went inside.
“My lord, my lord, have you come?”
Even after Chloe left, the restaurant was still filled with awkwardness.
The knights rose again to greet Callius.
Callius looked around at them.
As if they had committed a crime, no one made eye contact with him and looked the other way.
Chloe's honest speech must have really struck home with the knights' consciences.
They were people who hated Chloe but had a conscience.
'I guess I don't need to say much.'
Since he came in right after Chloe left, if he had said anything bad here, Chloe would have thought he was plotting something behind her back.
Callius spoke briefly.
“I heard everything outside.”
“...”
"I'm sure everyone has heard her story and felt something, so I don't need to add anything. Anyway, today's banquet is for you, so enjoy it."
After that, Callius gestured to the chef and Alex, whispered something briefly, and left the restaurant.
The knights asked Alex.
“What did he say?”
“You don’t have to know.”
Alex turned his head away as if he didn't want to talk and picked up his top.
The knights grabbed Alex's clothes and hung on.
“Where are you going all of a sudden?”
“What did the lord say?”
"Oh, you don't have to know! Didn't you hear what your master said? Just drink and have fun."
Alex waved his hand and shook off his colleagues, quickly leaving the restaurant after following Callius.
The chef also ran to the kitchen in a hurry.
The remaining knights wrinkled their noses and poured out their cold glasses.
“Our youngest is really shameless.”
“It’s because I raised him with such care, thinking he was my precious youngest. When I was that age...”
On one side, a story about the past began, with Alex glancing off to the side he had left behind, while on the other side, a story about Chloe was in full swing.
“Did we go too far?”
“What did you say...”
“But it’s true that the Princess solved Ronheim’s winter food shortage.”
"So what! We swore, what did we do? We just sat there blankly because it was awkward. Is pretending it wasn't awkward also a knightly duty? Come on, everyone, just have a drink."
Someone clutched his chest as if his conscience was still pricked and said.
"The Princess might be different from what we thought. She loves Ronheim. She's happy. I didn't know she thought that way..."
Andrew snorted.
"Who knows? Those words might all be lies. What can't words say?"
Another knight lowered his voice and whispered.
"By the way, my lord, are you angry? What's going on? I'm more afraid of that kind of thing. I'd rather be beaten with a club."
“I don’t think he cares.”
“Be careful. Can’t you tell just by looking at him leaving?”
One of the knights was tearing his hair out.
“Oh, I don’t know! I don’t know.”
“Let’s just drink. Let’s drink and die. Cheers, cheers!”
***
After returning from the restaurant, I was sitting in a rocking chair in the shared bedroom, reading a book with a blanket over my lap.
I tried to soothe my empty mind with a book, but the words didn't register well.
'I said I believed time would heal everything, but...'
Is that really true?
"No, let's not think too deeply about it. If I just do my part well, everything will be fine."
What can I do? I have to put down roots here now.
'I have nowhere to return to.'
In this situation, worrying and feeling anxious are futile.
I won't go back to the palace crying just because the knights reject me.
Besides, since when did I start living a life of welcome that I should be ruined by something like this?
'I'm used to it.'
Still, compared to the past when I had simply succumbed to rejection, hidden inside, and lived quietly like a ghost, wasn't it quite courageous?
I didn't conform, I didn't hide.
That alone was a huge change for me.
'If I change, the situation will change too.'
How many times have I checked that since I returned?
I clenched my fist and praised myself.
'Good job! You did great today!'
Now, instead of crying and feeling depressed when I'm alone, I've decided to comfort myself.
Because I know how empowering it is to let go of the inner whip and let go of my inner self.
It was at a time when I was controlling my mood so well.
Knock knock.
"Madam, this is Lamia. I'm sorry, but may I come in for a moment while you're resting?"
“Yes. Come in, Lamia.”
I wondered why Lamia, whom I had sent off work early, had come to see me again.
“Is something wrong?”
“Madam, that is...”
Lamia fidgeted and cried.
Looking at her expression, I instinctively knew that something serious had happened.
“What’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong! You should come out quickly!”
I was startled and jumped up from my chair.
"Why?"
“I think you should see it for yourself! Hurry up, hurry up!”
Lamia pushed my back.
I was pushed out of the bedroom by her and went into my room.
The room was very dark; not a single candle was lit.
In Ronheim, magic lights aren't used, so candles that could spread are not left unattended. Even if they are, they can easily be blown out by the wind.
“Lamia, could you bring me a candle from the bedroom? It’s so dark I can’t see.”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Lamia, who answered coolly, just mumbled behind me.
'Why are you doing that?'
I was groping my way through the darkness, startled by a sound in a room that should have been empty.
“Hey, who’s there...!”
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