“That would be even better.”
It was just a needless tantrum, but Julian didn't panic at all and handled it very skillfully.
“No. I want a son who looks like you.”
At my words, Julian tilted his head and looked at me. Then he spoke as if he were distraught.
“This is a big deal. I think I’m going to have a son who looks just like you.”
"Why?"
“Since you insist on having a son, it will definitely be a son, and the baby must have learned to be stubborn while in the womb.”
“What can a baby learn when he doesn’t even have fingers and toes yet?”
“Well, even babies know.”
I snorted, opened the book, and handed it to Julian. I leaned against his shoulder and poked my head out.
“Read it to me. We’ve been in bed all day, so both the baby and I are bored.”
Julian looked at the first page of the book, his mind firmly set. It began with a scene of two friendly sisters enjoying a picnic.
Julian's lips opened and he began to read the first sentence of a common fairy tale.
"Once upon a time, long ago, there lived two sisters known for their amicable relationship. The older sister was brave enough to fight a wild boar and defeat it, and the younger sister was wise enough to read every book in the library."
The sentences in the book were written in a gentle style, as befitting a children's book. It was the first time I'd seen Julian use such gentle language.
This sight was truly special, as even as a child, he was the kind of person who would say to his mother, "Mother, are you serious?"
I pointed to the picnic mat the two sisters had used and said,
“Let’s go on a picnic after this is over.”
"Where?"
"Well, come to think of it, I don't think I've really seen Duchzan's territory. Now that you've taken off your mask, maybe if we dress a little lighter, people won't recognize us? Let's go out and have some fun."
"Duchzan Territory isn't a good place for a picnic. Choose somewhere else."
“Then let’s have a picnic when we stop by the capital, and let’s take a look at Duchzan’s territory separately.”
“Yes. When the weather clears up a bit.”
I clapped briefly and turned the page. The next page showed a dragon appearing and capturing the wise younger brother.
“A dragon suddenly appeared from the sky...”
Julian wasn't a particularly compelling storyteller, but he had a distinctive, low, gentle voice that was soothing to listen to.
The problem was that I was so comfortable that my eyes gradually closed. Even the faint flicker of candlelight brought on a faint drowsiness in me.
“...My sister asked the rabbit, ‘Did you see the dragon flying?’ ...Layla?”
I heard Julian calling, but I was overcome with drowsiness and couldn't open my eyes.
“Are you sleeping, Layla?”
Julian whispered softly. I nodded with effort. A small laugh echoed overhead.
Julian closed the book and lay me down on the bed. I hugged his hand, seeking warmth.
“Yes, I’ll go to sleep now.”
After a while, the candles went out and Julian lay down next to me. Every time he kissed my forehead or the bridge of my nose, I heard a kiss. I thought it was as cute as a fairy tale.
I was taking a light walk near the inn with Hela and Marian.
I was taking each step slowly, wondering how I could persuade my father to join me in persuading the imperial army.
I couldn't even feel the baby in my stomach, and aside from the curse, I was naturally healthy, so I didn't feel any trouble walking yet.
However, before returning, I was already nervous because my pregnancy had been incredibly difficult. I wanted to get some things in place in advance, just in case I felt as awkward as I did back then, taking even a single step out of the room.
“His Highness the Grand Duke read a fairy tale to me yesterday.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it really cute? He says the fairy tale protagonist looks just like me.”
“In my opinion, you look cuter when you’re excited like this.”
Marian accepted it calmly, but Hela seemed surprised that the hard-looking Julian was reading me a storybook. She didn't show it, as was typical of her, but she did look a little flustered.
“Madam, please come in. You’ve been out too long.”
“Just a little more.”
“Oh, no.”
“I have a child, why do you treat me like one?”
When I asked in a bewildered manner, Hela, who had been listening quietly, eventually couldn't hold back her laughter and secretly laughed.
“Hela, is this funny?”
"...Sorry."
“If it’s funny, laugh. It’s nice to see you laughing.”
As I smiled at Hela, Marian urged me on. I was so worried, I had no way to overcome it.
Finally, I was on my way back to the inn. I saw Adam walking across the street. He seemed to be returning from visiting his father and Ruin.
“Adam! Have you met your father?”
“Oh, Sister. You came out for a walk. I just came back from seeing my father.”
Adam extended his arm as if to escort me. Thinking back now, I think Adam seemed particularly worried about me when I first woke up.
Of course, it was understandable since I had been asleep for a week, but it was a little more ticklish than that...
"Maybe it was because I had a child," I asked playfully, placing my hand on Adam's arm.
“Are you happy to have a nephew?”
"Yes."
Adam answered without hesitation.
“Hurry up and have a baby. I want to give him a wooden horse to ride on and make toys for him.”
“We still have a long way to go.”
“If that narrow stomach is good, how good can it be for a long time?”
I slapped Adam on the arm. Adam was so happy to have a nephew that he just chuckled.
Adam, who was muttering about what to do with his nephew when he was born, suddenly spoke as if a thought had occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I heard the Erian army is withdrawing.”
"...suddenly?"
"The Marquis of Eriant, who was in charge, was injured. He said it would be difficult to receive treatment here, so he had no choice but to return. Come to think of it, the Eriant army is small for a Marquis' private army, so I doubt it would have taken much of a toll. It was smaller than Sasha's army, after all."
“Because he only sent a portion of the private soldiers.”
"It didn't seem like he was being sincere. I even wonder why he sent them. And why did they suddenly return?"
I was lost in thought. I remembered what had happened in Duran Village. Shuan had come to find Julian, and Julian had broken Shuan's arm.
Shuan offered no resistance. He also submitted to treatment obediently, as if he had no intention of becoming disabled.
I thought he must have had some plan. He must have had a reason to feign injury, and he must have enlisted Julian's help.
And when I heard that the Erian army was withdrawing, I had some idea.
Shuan had always wanted to repay his debt to me. And I told him that if he wanted to help me, he should take his younger sister and go somewhere.
However, Shuan, who had participated in the subjugation of the demons, could not return without a justifiable reason. To do so would not only expose him to personal criticism but would also tarnish his family's reputation.
It couldn't have been possible because Shuan loved his family so much.
Not long after I made that suggestion, Shuan began to hesitate. Then, he called Julian aside to discuss the matter, and we actually carried it out.
Could it be that Shuan is keeping my offer? Has he finally made up his mind this time?
“I should go and see.”
I stood upright and turned around. A startled Adam grabbed me.
“Sister, where are you going?”
“To Young Master of Eriant. I have something to confirm.”
If he was really going to repay the debt, I had to check. Checking where each chess piece was placed was a basic requirement.
I pushed Adam's arm away and headed toward the lord's castle. I was wearing the comfortable dress Marian had prepared for me, but it felt like a distraction at this moment. I grabbed the hem of my skirt and strode briskly.
“Sister!”
"Don't stop me. You can follow me. No, would you like to follow me? I think it'll be more reassuring."
Adam was going crazy and delirious trying to stop me. Not only Adam, but Hela and Marian too.
But since I was coming out recklessly, I couldn't stop them with force. It seemed like they were afraid I'd get hurt.
I felt bad that I was taking advantage of their worries, but I still moved forward with the determination to see Shuan at least once.
Adam, Hela, Marian, and I all headed toward the lord's castle. Of course, we didn't reach it.
Before us, the imperial army stood in a blockade, preventing the Winsley and Duchzan armies from advancing any further. I arrived at the barracks where my father and Ruin had set up camp near the lord's castle.
As I entered the barracks where my father and Ruin were, as expected, they both looked at me with surprised eyes.
Up to Adam was easy, but Father and Ruin were a bit more challenging. I deliberately stood upright, pretending to be calm.
"Father, hello. Ruin, it's been a while. You must be very busy. I haven't seen you in a while."
"Sister! What are you going to do if you come here? Why do you think I'm busy? I'm busy trying to keep you from coming here."
As expected, it was different from Adam. From the very beginning, he pointed out my guilt and started with the right words, leaving me speechless. However, in terms of shamelessness, I resembled my mother more than my father.
"I know everyone's worried. That's why I stayed at the inn as much as possible. But that's not why I came here. More than anything, I came here because I have someone to meet."
“Who on earth are you trying to meet?”
"Shuan Eriant. I have something to say to him."
"Are you talking about Young Master of Eriant? If that's him, he's already gone."
“You’re saying he left already? Without even seeing me?”
“Why is that person looking at my sister?”
Ruin asked, as if he found it absurd. He couldn't help but react that way, not knowing that there had been any dealings between Shuan and me.
I opened my mouth to explain, but suddenly felt drained and put my hand on my forehead.
“Anyway, please check. Did he really go?”
Ruin seemed eager to nag me further, but for now, he agreed to my request. He sent soldiers to double-check whether the Eriant forces had left.
After the soldier left, I had to endure more nagging from Ruin. My father, fed up with it, even told him to be patient since his older sister was pregnant.
But Ruin nagged me even as he covered me with a blanket. Even though I was sitting in the warmest spot in the barracks, wrapped in a blanket, I still felt uneasy.
After waiting for a long time, I finally met the soldier. The only strange thing was that he came running in a much more hurried manner than when he had left.
“What’s going on?”
Being impatient, I asked first. The soldier shouted urgently.
"This is serious. The Imperial Army and Sasha's Army are armed and moving! They seem to be heading this way!"
It was just a needless tantrum, but Julian didn't panic at all and handled it very skillfully.
“No. I want a son who looks like you.”
At my words, Julian tilted his head and looked at me. Then he spoke as if he were distraught.
“This is a big deal. I think I’m going to have a son who looks just like you.”
"Why?"
“Since you insist on having a son, it will definitely be a son, and the baby must have learned to be stubborn while in the womb.”
“What can a baby learn when he doesn’t even have fingers and toes yet?”
“Well, even babies know.”
I snorted, opened the book, and handed it to Julian. I leaned against his shoulder and poked my head out.
“Read it to me. We’ve been in bed all day, so both the baby and I are bored.”
Julian looked at the first page of the book, his mind firmly set. It began with a scene of two friendly sisters enjoying a picnic.
Julian's lips opened and he began to read the first sentence of a common fairy tale.
"Once upon a time, long ago, there lived two sisters known for their amicable relationship. The older sister was brave enough to fight a wild boar and defeat it, and the younger sister was wise enough to read every book in the library."
The sentences in the book were written in a gentle style, as befitting a children's book. It was the first time I'd seen Julian use such gentle language.
This sight was truly special, as even as a child, he was the kind of person who would say to his mother, "Mother, are you serious?"
I pointed to the picnic mat the two sisters had used and said,
“Let’s go on a picnic after this is over.”
"Where?"
"Well, come to think of it, I don't think I've really seen Duchzan's territory. Now that you've taken off your mask, maybe if we dress a little lighter, people won't recognize us? Let's go out and have some fun."
"Duchzan Territory isn't a good place for a picnic. Choose somewhere else."
“Then let’s have a picnic when we stop by the capital, and let’s take a look at Duchzan’s territory separately.”
“Yes. When the weather clears up a bit.”
I clapped briefly and turned the page. The next page showed a dragon appearing and capturing the wise younger brother.
“A dragon suddenly appeared from the sky...”
Julian wasn't a particularly compelling storyteller, but he had a distinctive, low, gentle voice that was soothing to listen to.
The problem was that I was so comfortable that my eyes gradually closed. Even the faint flicker of candlelight brought on a faint drowsiness in me.
“...My sister asked the rabbit, ‘Did you see the dragon flying?’ ...Layla?”
I heard Julian calling, but I was overcome with drowsiness and couldn't open my eyes.
“Are you sleeping, Layla?”
Julian whispered softly. I nodded with effort. A small laugh echoed overhead.
Julian closed the book and lay me down on the bed. I hugged his hand, seeking warmth.
“Yes, I’ll go to sleep now.”
After a while, the candles went out and Julian lay down next to me. Every time he kissed my forehead or the bridge of my nose, I heard a kiss. I thought it was as cute as a fairy tale.
***
I was taking a light walk near the inn with Hela and Marian.
I was taking each step slowly, wondering how I could persuade my father to join me in persuading the imperial army.
I couldn't even feel the baby in my stomach, and aside from the curse, I was naturally healthy, so I didn't feel any trouble walking yet.
However, before returning, I was already nervous because my pregnancy had been incredibly difficult. I wanted to get some things in place in advance, just in case I felt as awkward as I did back then, taking even a single step out of the room.
“His Highness the Grand Duke read a fairy tale to me yesterday.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it really cute? He says the fairy tale protagonist looks just like me.”
“In my opinion, you look cuter when you’re excited like this.”
Marian accepted it calmly, but Hela seemed surprised that the hard-looking Julian was reading me a storybook. She didn't show it, as was typical of her, but she did look a little flustered.
“Madam, please come in. You’ve been out too long.”
“Just a little more.”
“Oh, no.”
“I have a child, why do you treat me like one?”
When I asked in a bewildered manner, Hela, who had been listening quietly, eventually couldn't hold back her laughter and secretly laughed.
“Hela, is this funny?”
"...Sorry."
“If it’s funny, laugh. It’s nice to see you laughing.”
As I smiled at Hela, Marian urged me on. I was so worried, I had no way to overcome it.
Finally, I was on my way back to the inn. I saw Adam walking across the street. He seemed to be returning from visiting his father and Ruin.
“Adam! Have you met your father?”
“Oh, Sister. You came out for a walk. I just came back from seeing my father.”
Adam extended his arm as if to escort me. Thinking back now, I think Adam seemed particularly worried about me when I first woke up.
Of course, it was understandable since I had been asleep for a week, but it was a little more ticklish than that...
"Maybe it was because I had a child," I asked playfully, placing my hand on Adam's arm.
“Are you happy to have a nephew?”
"Yes."
Adam answered without hesitation.
“Hurry up and have a baby. I want to give him a wooden horse to ride on and make toys for him.”
“We still have a long way to go.”
“If that narrow stomach is good, how good can it be for a long time?”
I slapped Adam on the arm. Adam was so happy to have a nephew that he just chuckled.
Adam, who was muttering about what to do with his nephew when he was born, suddenly spoke as if a thought had occurred to him.
“Come to think of it, I heard the Erian army is withdrawing.”
"...suddenly?"
"The Marquis of Eriant, who was in charge, was injured. He said it would be difficult to receive treatment here, so he had no choice but to return. Come to think of it, the Eriant army is small for a Marquis' private army, so I doubt it would have taken much of a toll. It was smaller than Sasha's army, after all."
“Because he only sent a portion of the private soldiers.”
"It didn't seem like he was being sincere. I even wonder why he sent them. And why did they suddenly return?"
I was lost in thought. I remembered what had happened in Duran Village. Shuan had come to find Julian, and Julian had broken Shuan's arm.
Shuan offered no resistance. He also submitted to treatment obediently, as if he had no intention of becoming disabled.
I thought he must have had some plan. He must have had a reason to feign injury, and he must have enlisted Julian's help.
And when I heard that the Erian army was withdrawing, I had some idea.
Shuan had always wanted to repay his debt to me. And I told him that if he wanted to help me, he should take his younger sister and go somewhere.
However, Shuan, who had participated in the subjugation of the demons, could not return without a justifiable reason. To do so would not only expose him to personal criticism but would also tarnish his family's reputation.
It couldn't have been possible because Shuan loved his family so much.
Not long after I made that suggestion, Shuan began to hesitate. Then, he called Julian aside to discuss the matter, and we actually carried it out.
Could it be that Shuan is keeping my offer? Has he finally made up his mind this time?
“I should go and see.”
I stood upright and turned around. A startled Adam grabbed me.
“Sister, where are you going?”
“To Young Master of Eriant. I have something to confirm.”
If he was really going to repay the debt, I had to check. Checking where each chess piece was placed was a basic requirement.
I pushed Adam's arm away and headed toward the lord's castle. I was wearing the comfortable dress Marian had prepared for me, but it felt like a distraction at this moment. I grabbed the hem of my skirt and strode briskly.
“Sister!”
"Don't stop me. You can follow me. No, would you like to follow me? I think it'll be more reassuring."
Adam was going crazy and delirious trying to stop me. Not only Adam, but Hela and Marian too.
But since I was coming out recklessly, I couldn't stop them with force. It seemed like they were afraid I'd get hurt.
I felt bad that I was taking advantage of their worries, but I still moved forward with the determination to see Shuan at least once.
***
Adam, Hela, Marian, and I all headed toward the lord's castle. Of course, we didn't reach it.
Before us, the imperial army stood in a blockade, preventing the Winsley and Duchzan armies from advancing any further. I arrived at the barracks where my father and Ruin had set up camp near the lord's castle.
As I entered the barracks where my father and Ruin were, as expected, they both looked at me with surprised eyes.
Up to Adam was easy, but Father and Ruin were a bit more challenging. I deliberately stood upright, pretending to be calm.
"Father, hello. Ruin, it's been a while. You must be very busy. I haven't seen you in a while."
"Sister! What are you going to do if you come here? Why do you think I'm busy? I'm busy trying to keep you from coming here."
As expected, it was different from Adam. From the very beginning, he pointed out my guilt and started with the right words, leaving me speechless. However, in terms of shamelessness, I resembled my mother more than my father.
"I know everyone's worried. That's why I stayed at the inn as much as possible. But that's not why I came here. More than anything, I came here because I have someone to meet."
“Who on earth are you trying to meet?”
"Shuan Eriant. I have something to say to him."
"Are you talking about Young Master of Eriant? If that's him, he's already gone."
“You’re saying he left already? Without even seeing me?”
“Why is that person looking at my sister?”
Ruin asked, as if he found it absurd. He couldn't help but react that way, not knowing that there had been any dealings between Shuan and me.
I opened my mouth to explain, but suddenly felt drained and put my hand on my forehead.
“Anyway, please check. Did he really go?”
Ruin seemed eager to nag me further, but for now, he agreed to my request. He sent soldiers to double-check whether the Eriant forces had left.
After the soldier left, I had to endure more nagging from Ruin. My father, fed up with it, even told him to be patient since his older sister was pregnant.
But Ruin nagged me even as he covered me with a blanket. Even though I was sitting in the warmest spot in the barracks, wrapped in a blanket, I still felt uneasy.
After waiting for a long time, I finally met the soldier. The only strange thing was that he came running in a much more hurried manner than when he had left.
“What’s going on?”
Being impatient, I asked first. The soldier shouted urgently.
"This is serious. The Imperial Army and Sasha's Army are armed and moving! They seem to be heading this way!"
Comments
Post a Comment