Cain wasn't immediately imprisoned. An imperial ceremony was still in progress. Imperial knights stood densely in front of the barracks where Cain was imprisoned.
It was the dim dawn. Even the birds were so drowsy they didn't chirp. Only the crackling of torches could be heard, and a robed girl and a maid appeared.
The knight guarding the barracks immediately recognized the girl. He saluted with a determined expression.
“Hello, Her Highness the First Princess.”
The robed girl was Abigail. As she lowered her robe, her beautiful silver hair flowed down in luxuriant streams. The knight stared at her, lost in thought, then quickly regained his composure and straightened his back.
Abigail said with an arrogant smile.
“I came to see my brother. Let me in.”
The knight did not move aside, showing an embarrassed expression.
“His Highness the Second Prince is here by imperial command. He has been ordered not to let anyone in.”
"But if not now, when will I ever see you, Uncle? Just a little while will do."
“But Your Highness, the Princess...”
There was no sign of them letting her in. Abigail smiled faintly and gestured to her maid. Then she handed a small pouch to each knight present. The knights furtively opened the pouch and gasped.
Abigail asked confidently.
“It’ll only take a moment. Understood?”
“It’s really just a moment. We’re also in a difficult situation...”
“Get out of the way.”
Abigail gave a curt command. The knight, overcome by the momentum, stumbled aside. Abigail stepped inside without even looking at the knight.
Inside the barracks, Cain was lying on the sofa, shackled. Judging by the bottles rolling around beside him, he seemed to have been secretly drinking.
Abigail clicked her tongue. Even though he was her own brother, born in the same boat, there were more than a few times when she felt pathetic. There were even times when she wanted to strangle him. But she kept him alive because she had a use for him.
Abigail approached Cain, still drunk.
“Brother.”
Cain's eyes shot open at the sound of Abigail's voice. He glared at her, growling like an enraged beast.
“Didn’t you say that this time we could finally get rid of that son of a bitch, Aslan!”
"Father is very sensitive to rare magic stones. So, if this had gone well, the Crown Prince's position would have been in jeopardy."
“Bullshit! Look at me!”
Abigail frowned. The sight before her reeked of alcohol and a listless expression, devoid of any sign of reflection or remorse.
"I told you clearly: You must inflict the wounds directly on the demon's claws! That way, if things go wrong, you can receive Father's mercy..."
Slap!
Before Abigail could even finish her sentence, Cain, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly stood up and slapped Abigail hard across the face.
Abigail stumbled, unable to overcome the force. The maid hurriedly grabbed her, barely keeping her from falling.
Even when Cain saw Abigail like that, only his own anger seemed to matter.
"You're heartless! What if this brother gets poisoned by the devil and loses the use of his arm? Huh? You really don't know how to be grateful to this brother! If it weren't for me, what would you, a woman, do? A bitch who'd be sold to anyone after being favored by Father!"
Abigail held her cheek and said nothing. Her eyes were red, as if bursting veins, but not a single tear fell.
Cain stuck out his tongue as if he were being cruel. He lay back down on the sofa and spoke. His voice was gentle, almost as if he had never slapped his sister.
"This time, somehow, get me out. Do you understand? I have to become Emperor to marry you off to a good family. Do you think Father wouldn't arrange a political marriage just because she likes you now? Father could sell you off to a neighboring country at any moment!"
Cain groaned, swiping the empty bottle.
“If you want to marry that monster, do it right. Find a way to kill that slut.”
Abigail left the barracks without answering. She had confirmed what she wanted to confirm, so there was no need to stay there any longer.
Cain will never sell Abigail out, no matter how foolish. He knows that Abigail is the only one who can save him.
Abigail returned to her barracks, where she lay exhausted and stretched out. A maid approached her. Abigail, who was receiving an ice compress on her cheek, saw the maid's face darken and felt a sense of foreboding.
"What's the matter?"
The maid bit her lip and moved closer to Abigail. Abigail's face turned pale as she heard the maid's whisper. She held the maid's arm tightly.
“What? Why is it gone!”
Something that shouldn't have been lost had vanished. The news sent Abigail into a state of anxiety, as if something was amiss.
The hunting competition resumed. Had it been under Prince Cain's jurisdiction, it would have been suspended long ago, but since it was under Prince Aslan's jurisdiction, the Emperor readily permitted its resumption. It seemed to be a decision made for the Crown Prince, who had endured the hardships of being framed.
However, I couldn't participate due to an injury, and Julian seemed determined to stay by my side. All I could do was sit on the bed and watch Julian read a book beside me.
“Julian.”
I was so bored that I called out to him, but Julian didn't look at me.
“Julian? Your Highness? My dear? You?”
I tried to get Julian's attention, calling him by all sorts of names and thrusting my face into his field of vision, but he didn't even blink. It was as if he'd entered a book. I placed my palm on his book and called out to him subtly.
"Honey?"
Only then did Julian shift his gaze and glance at me.
“Would you like to talk to me?”
When I asked with my hands clasped together earnestly, Julian flatly refused.
"No."
“Why? You heard my apology, you heard my excuses...”
"I'm afraid my wife will try to seduce me again. I won't listen."
When he came out like that, I was speechless. My plan to desperately persuade him was in vain.
As I continued to tilt my head, Julian reached out and threw me onto the bed. He had only one hand, but no matter how much I resisted, I couldn't stop him.
"Just go to sleep. The patient has no right to do anything but sleep."
I had no choice but to lie down on my side and watch Julian. At first, it was boring, but eventually, I found it quite enjoyable. Julian was a creature who was so satisfying to simply watch.
Julian's crimson eyes were often likened to blood, but to me, they looked like a fine red wine. Sometimes, when illuminated by light, they shone like rubies. Now, under the dim candlelight, they were closer to the former.
His stubbornly pursed lips were of the right thickness, and a rosy hue suited his pale skin. His black hair, which was sometimes swept back or down, refused to tolerate even a single shade of color, giving it a hue deeper than the night sky.
Right now, it comfortably covers his bangs, but it looks quite... to me.
"...Cute."
As I muttered, Julian's gaze rolled over to me. He was frowning deeply. The expression on his face was that of someone who'd just heard some nonsense, and I felt a little embarrassed. Still, since he was looking at me, I had to say what I'd been wanting to say all along.
“Julian, I’m sorry...”
“What are you sorry about?”
Isn't this something a wife usually says to her husband?
“I’m just sorry about everything.”
As I spoke, I felt like the worst woman in the world. I slowly moved my hand under the covers and gently grabbed Julian's hand. Fortunately, Julian didn't spurn my hand.
"I'm sorry I recklessly used my body. Actually, I intended to hurt myself just a little. I know you were worried, but I was too weak and ended up hurting myself more than I expected. This time, I really was in danger. I admit it. I was short-sighted."
Perhaps it was because of my earnest apology. Julian's furrowed brow seemed to relax a little. He let out a long sigh and squeezed my hand.
"I knew you were going to do something at this hunting competition. I saw that letter then."
He must be referring to the letter Kaiser sent. Julian closed the book and placed it on the nightstand. He then leaned in and looked at me.
"That's why I agreed to join you in this hunting competition. I wanted to be of help to you if something happened."
"...I know."
"When you left me behind, I should have chased after you. You wouldn't have stayed quiet. I chased you late, but you were already badly injured."
Julian chuckled. His hand was still gently stroking my hair. I could see my blond hair tangled in his large hands.
“I want to ask: Am I still of any use to you?”
Hearing that, I suddenly felt angry. I pushed Julian's arm away and stood up.
“What do you mean? Where can I find someone like you?”
But Julian didn't take what I said at face value.
“Then why didn’t you consult me about this matter?”
“That is... I’m afraid you won’t allow it...”
"I thought you finally trusted me when you read me the Marquis of Amber's letter. But you ended up taking care of this on your own. Am I just a title-giver?"
I shook my head quickly.
"No!"
It may have been like that at first, but not anymore. But Julian didn't seem to believe me. He spoke with his eyes downcast.
“Layla, I want to be a little more valuable to you.”
He said with an expression that seemed sullen, hurt, and perhaps even resentful towards me.
“I’ve been saying that all along.”
It was the dim dawn. Even the birds were so drowsy they didn't chirp. Only the crackling of torches could be heard, and a robed girl and a maid appeared.
The knight guarding the barracks immediately recognized the girl. He saluted with a determined expression.
“Hello, Her Highness the First Princess.”
The robed girl was Abigail. As she lowered her robe, her beautiful silver hair flowed down in luxuriant streams. The knight stared at her, lost in thought, then quickly regained his composure and straightened his back.
Abigail said with an arrogant smile.
“I came to see my brother. Let me in.”
The knight did not move aside, showing an embarrassed expression.
“His Highness the Second Prince is here by imperial command. He has been ordered not to let anyone in.”
"But if not now, when will I ever see you, Uncle? Just a little while will do."
“But Your Highness, the Princess...”
There was no sign of them letting her in. Abigail smiled faintly and gestured to her maid. Then she handed a small pouch to each knight present. The knights furtively opened the pouch and gasped.
Abigail asked confidently.
“It’ll only take a moment. Understood?”
“It’s really just a moment. We’re also in a difficult situation...”
“Get out of the way.”
Abigail gave a curt command. The knight, overcome by the momentum, stumbled aside. Abigail stepped inside without even looking at the knight.
Inside the barracks, Cain was lying on the sofa, shackled. Judging by the bottles rolling around beside him, he seemed to have been secretly drinking.
Abigail clicked her tongue. Even though he was her own brother, born in the same boat, there were more than a few times when she felt pathetic. There were even times when she wanted to strangle him. But she kept him alive because she had a use for him.
Abigail approached Cain, still drunk.
“Brother.”
Cain's eyes shot open at the sound of Abigail's voice. He glared at her, growling like an enraged beast.
“Didn’t you say that this time we could finally get rid of that son of a bitch, Aslan!”
"Father is very sensitive to rare magic stones. So, if this had gone well, the Crown Prince's position would have been in jeopardy."
“Bullshit! Look at me!”
Abigail frowned. The sight before her reeked of alcohol and a listless expression, devoid of any sign of reflection or remorse.
"I told you clearly: You must inflict the wounds directly on the demon's claws! That way, if things go wrong, you can receive Father's mercy..."
Slap!
Before Abigail could even finish her sentence, Cain, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly stood up and slapped Abigail hard across the face.
Abigail stumbled, unable to overcome the force. The maid hurriedly grabbed her, barely keeping her from falling.
Even when Cain saw Abigail like that, only his own anger seemed to matter.
"You're heartless! What if this brother gets poisoned by the devil and loses the use of his arm? Huh? You really don't know how to be grateful to this brother! If it weren't for me, what would you, a woman, do? A bitch who'd be sold to anyone after being favored by Father!"
Abigail held her cheek and said nothing. Her eyes were red, as if bursting veins, but not a single tear fell.
Cain stuck out his tongue as if he were being cruel. He lay back down on the sofa and spoke. His voice was gentle, almost as if he had never slapped his sister.
"This time, somehow, get me out. Do you understand? I have to become Emperor to marry you off to a good family. Do you think Father wouldn't arrange a political marriage just because she likes you now? Father could sell you off to a neighboring country at any moment!"
Cain groaned, swiping the empty bottle.
“If you want to marry that monster, do it right. Find a way to kill that slut.”
Abigail left the barracks without answering. She had confirmed what she wanted to confirm, so there was no need to stay there any longer.
Cain will never sell Abigail out, no matter how foolish. He knows that Abigail is the only one who can save him.
Abigail returned to her barracks, where she lay exhausted and stretched out. A maid approached her. Abigail, who was receiving an ice compress on her cheek, saw the maid's face darken and felt a sense of foreboding.
"What's the matter?"
The maid bit her lip and moved closer to Abigail. Abigail's face turned pale as she heard the maid's whisper. She held the maid's arm tightly.
“What? Why is it gone!”
Something that shouldn't have been lost had vanished. The news sent Abigail into a state of anxiety, as if something was amiss.
***
The hunting competition resumed. Had it been under Prince Cain's jurisdiction, it would have been suspended long ago, but since it was under Prince Aslan's jurisdiction, the Emperor readily permitted its resumption. It seemed to be a decision made for the Crown Prince, who had endured the hardships of being framed.
However, I couldn't participate due to an injury, and Julian seemed determined to stay by my side. All I could do was sit on the bed and watch Julian read a book beside me.
“Julian.”
I was so bored that I called out to him, but Julian didn't look at me.
“Julian? Your Highness? My dear? You?”
I tried to get Julian's attention, calling him by all sorts of names and thrusting my face into his field of vision, but he didn't even blink. It was as if he'd entered a book. I placed my palm on his book and called out to him subtly.
"Honey?"
Only then did Julian shift his gaze and glance at me.
“Would you like to talk to me?”
When I asked with my hands clasped together earnestly, Julian flatly refused.
"No."
“Why? You heard my apology, you heard my excuses...”
"I'm afraid my wife will try to seduce me again. I won't listen."
When he came out like that, I was speechless. My plan to desperately persuade him was in vain.
As I continued to tilt my head, Julian reached out and threw me onto the bed. He had only one hand, but no matter how much I resisted, I couldn't stop him.
"Just go to sleep. The patient has no right to do anything but sleep."
I had no choice but to lie down on my side and watch Julian. At first, it was boring, but eventually, I found it quite enjoyable. Julian was a creature who was so satisfying to simply watch.
Julian's crimson eyes were often likened to blood, but to me, they looked like a fine red wine. Sometimes, when illuminated by light, they shone like rubies. Now, under the dim candlelight, they were closer to the former.
His stubbornly pursed lips were of the right thickness, and a rosy hue suited his pale skin. His black hair, which was sometimes swept back or down, refused to tolerate even a single shade of color, giving it a hue deeper than the night sky.
Right now, it comfortably covers his bangs, but it looks quite... to me.
"...Cute."
As I muttered, Julian's gaze rolled over to me. He was frowning deeply. The expression on his face was that of someone who'd just heard some nonsense, and I felt a little embarrassed. Still, since he was looking at me, I had to say what I'd been wanting to say all along.
“Julian, I’m sorry...”
“What are you sorry about?”
Isn't this something a wife usually says to her husband?
“I’m just sorry about everything.”
As I spoke, I felt like the worst woman in the world. I slowly moved my hand under the covers and gently grabbed Julian's hand. Fortunately, Julian didn't spurn my hand.
"I'm sorry I recklessly used my body. Actually, I intended to hurt myself just a little. I know you were worried, but I was too weak and ended up hurting myself more than I expected. This time, I really was in danger. I admit it. I was short-sighted."
Perhaps it was because of my earnest apology. Julian's furrowed brow seemed to relax a little. He let out a long sigh and squeezed my hand.
"I knew you were going to do something at this hunting competition. I saw that letter then."
He must be referring to the letter Kaiser sent. Julian closed the book and placed it on the nightstand. He then leaned in and looked at me.
"That's why I agreed to join you in this hunting competition. I wanted to be of help to you if something happened."
"...I know."
"When you left me behind, I should have chased after you. You wouldn't have stayed quiet. I chased you late, but you were already badly injured."
Julian chuckled. His hand was still gently stroking my hair. I could see my blond hair tangled in his large hands.
“I want to ask: Am I still of any use to you?”
Hearing that, I suddenly felt angry. I pushed Julian's arm away and stood up.
“What do you mean? Where can I find someone like you?”
But Julian didn't take what I said at face value.
“Then why didn’t you consult me about this matter?”
“That is... I’m afraid you won’t allow it...”
"I thought you finally trusted me when you read me the Marquis of Amber's letter. But you ended up taking care of this on your own. Am I just a title-giver?"
I shook my head quickly.
"No!"
It may have been like that at first, but not anymore. But Julian didn't seem to believe me. He spoke with his eyes downcast.
“Layla, I want to be a little more valuable to you.”
He said with an expression that seemed sullen, hurt, and perhaps even resentful towards me.
“I’ve been saying that all along.”
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