Episode 94. Carefully
Atop a tree towering above the clouds, Dipper, lying askew on Muha's neck, gazed at the thin rain drenching the forest like mist.
"It's going to rain."
Long ago, he, the god of the earth, made a pact with the King, the ruler of the kingdom of Contana.
"Because of that damned divine water."
At the time, Dipper was searching for the mystical seed that would transform the fruit into a divine tree, but the King of the Earth he protected, had discovered it just in time.
Having wasted so much time searching for the divine tree seed, Dipper had no time to wait.
He threatened the King, demanding immediate handover, and he offered a simple deal: whenever they wanted, just once. It was a simple matter: Dipper would grant the royal family a favor.
If they asked him such an outrageous request that he couldn't possibly grant, he could simply withdraw his protective aura.
Dipper readily accepted the King's offer.
Years passed, and when he had forgotten even the promise, the Supreme Being appeared and commanded him to go to Periat.
He added that he must bring Bercheria and marry her.
At first, Dipper couldn't believe his ears.
Marriage?
Even if they were Awakened and marriage was a promise that would expire in this life, it didn't make sense.
'If you marry and bind Bercheria to the Kingdom of Contana, I will grant you the full power of a god in the next life.'
No.
This was an unbelievably good deal.
If he had just spent his short life with Bercheria, he would never have to search for Awakened people again.
Atop a tree towering above the clouds, Dipper, lying askew on Muha's neck, gazed at the thin rain drenching the forest like mist.
"It's going to rain."
Long ago, he, the god of the earth, made a pact with the King, the ruler of the kingdom of Contana.
"Because of that damned divine water."
At the time, Dipper was searching for the mystical seed that would transform the fruit into a divine tree, but the King of the Earth he protected, had discovered it just in time.
Having wasted so much time searching for the divine tree seed, Dipper had no time to wait.
He threatened the King, demanding immediate handover, and he offered a simple deal: whenever they wanted, just once. It was a simple matter: Dipper would grant the royal family a favor.
If they asked him such an outrageous request that he couldn't possibly grant, he could simply withdraw his protective aura.
Dipper readily accepted the King's offer.
Years passed, and when he had forgotten even the promise, the Supreme Being appeared and commanded him to go to Periat.
He added that he must bring Bercheria and marry her.
At first, Dipper couldn't believe his ears.
Marriage?
Even if they were Awakened and marriage was a promise that would expire in this life, it didn't make sense.
'If you marry and bind Bercheria to the Kingdom of Contana, I will grant you the full power of a god in the next life.'
No.
This was an unbelievably good deal.
If he had just spent his short life with Bercheria, he would never have to search for Awakened people again.
He wouldn't have to go through the tedious infancy of being in a human body before birth.
For Dipper, born an imperfect god, there was no more shocking offer than this.
He arrived in Periat determined to bring Bercheria to the Kingdom of Contana, no matter what.
This time, it was Lawrence, the daughter of the King, who had been sold to the Periat Empire, who pulled out the contract.
She said she had received it as part of her sale to Periat.
“I’ll tell you where Bercheria is. I’ll also tell you what kind of seduction techniques to use. I know better than anyone what she’s vulnerable to. I don’t care whether you marry Bercheria or fight her. My only request is that you obey my orders above all else here.”
“What the hell do you think I am? You summon me by making it rain, you threaten me with the contract.”
The biggest problem was that the contract between humans and gods was absolute, and as a party to the contract, Dipper had no right to refuse it.
“Damn it.”
Dipper spent a while glaring at the rain falling on the green forest.
Then he tapped Muha’s bald head.
“Let’s go to the palace, Muha.”
Gerard’s morning began relatively late.
Unlike his predecessors, he wasn't as punctual or enthusiastic about receiving reports, so the council members had to constantly be on guard when meeting him.
But today, Gerard was sitting in the dining room from early in the morning.
As always, the splendidly dressed Lyone was by his side, and his invited guests sat side by side.
To his left were Lacrahan and Bercheria, and to his right, the Empress and Kelita faced each other.
"Since you've been visiting from the north for so long, wouldn't it be polite to share breakfast with us? Isn't it?"
At Gerard's words, the Empress and Kelita smiled and nodded.
He nodded, and a long table was laid out with mouthwatering dishes.
The ingredients were far too extravagant for breakfast, and it was clear at first glance that they were prepared to dampen the spirits of the guests.
As the dishes arrived, each one exchanged fierce glances.
Bercheria looked at Lyone, Kelita at Bercheria, and Gerard at Lacrahan.
And Lacrahan was staring at Empress Lawrence, whose thoughts were unclear.
“Your Majesty.”
Everyone’s attention shifted to Lacrahan’s voice.
Wearing a leather tunic instead of a cloak, Lacrahan looked comfortable yet formal.
His freshly washed face made it easy to forget that he was a hero who had fought in fierce battles.
“Yes, Grand Duke Lacrahan.”
Lawrence stared at Lacrahan with an expression that suited the occasion perfectly, nothing to add or subtract.
Lacrahan glanced at the cutlery placed before him, speaking nonchalantly.
“I thought I saw Your Majesty the Empress while I was walking in the garden early yesterday morning.”
Gerard, who had been looking at her with interest, quickly lost interest and turned his gaze to the maid’s chest as she carried the plates. Lawrence briefly glanced at him, blinking with a puzzled expression.
“You must be mistaken,”
Lacrahan said, dismissing her answer.
“You were with some man.”
The noise in the dining room died down.
Gerard could almost hear his head jerking towards Lacrahan.
Lawrence opened her mouth, but Lacrahan cut her off in a soft, low voice.
“Ah. It can’t be a mistake. I wasn’t the only one who saw it.”
For Dipper, born an imperfect god, there was no more shocking offer than this.
He arrived in Periat determined to bring Bercheria to the Kingdom of Contana, no matter what.
This time, it was Lawrence, the daughter of the King, who had been sold to the Periat Empire, who pulled out the contract.
She said she had received it as part of her sale to Periat.
“I’ll tell you where Bercheria is. I’ll also tell you what kind of seduction techniques to use. I know better than anyone what she’s vulnerable to. I don’t care whether you marry Bercheria or fight her. My only request is that you obey my orders above all else here.”
“What the hell do you think I am? You summon me by making it rain, you threaten me with the contract.”
The biggest problem was that the contract between humans and gods was absolute, and as a party to the contract, Dipper had no right to refuse it.
“Damn it.”
Dipper spent a while glaring at the rain falling on the green forest.
Then he tapped Muha’s bald head.
“Let’s go to the palace, Muha.”
***
Gerard’s morning began relatively late.
Unlike his predecessors, he wasn't as punctual or enthusiastic about receiving reports, so the council members had to constantly be on guard when meeting him.
But today, Gerard was sitting in the dining room from early in the morning.
As always, the splendidly dressed Lyone was by his side, and his invited guests sat side by side.
To his left were Lacrahan and Bercheria, and to his right, the Empress and Kelita faced each other.
"Since you've been visiting from the north for so long, wouldn't it be polite to share breakfast with us? Isn't it?"
At Gerard's words, the Empress and Kelita smiled and nodded.
He nodded, and a long table was laid out with mouthwatering dishes.
The ingredients were far too extravagant for breakfast, and it was clear at first glance that they were prepared to dampen the spirits of the guests.
As the dishes arrived, each one exchanged fierce glances.
Bercheria looked at Lyone, Kelita at Bercheria, and Gerard at Lacrahan.
And Lacrahan was staring at Empress Lawrence, whose thoughts were unclear.
“Your Majesty.”
Everyone’s attention shifted to Lacrahan’s voice.
Wearing a leather tunic instead of a cloak, Lacrahan looked comfortable yet formal.
His freshly washed face made it easy to forget that he was a hero who had fought in fierce battles.
“Yes, Grand Duke Lacrahan.”
Lawrence stared at Lacrahan with an expression that suited the occasion perfectly, nothing to add or subtract.
Lacrahan glanced at the cutlery placed before him, speaking nonchalantly.
“I thought I saw Your Majesty the Empress while I was walking in the garden early yesterday morning.”
Gerard, who had been looking at her with interest, quickly lost interest and turned his gaze to the maid’s chest as she carried the plates. Lawrence briefly glanced at him, blinking with a puzzled expression.
“You must be mistaken,”
Lacrahan said, dismissing her answer.
“You were with some man.”
The noise in the dining room died down.
Gerard could almost hear his head jerking towards Lacrahan.
Lawrence opened her mouth, but Lacrahan cut her off in a soft, low voice.
“Ah. It can’t be a mistake. I wasn’t the only one who saw it.”
Kelita, who had been sitting next to Lawrence, stood up without realizing it and beckoned to the maid.
“Water. I’m suddenly thirsty. Hmm.”
Kelita calmly sat back down as the maid ran off to get water.
“Where has Rosie gone? What has he been up to lately? It seems the discipline of the subordinates has become quite lax these days. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
Kelita, who had idly fixed her hair, spoke for Lawrence, who was blankly staring at Lacrahan.
“Speaking of Rosie, I was reminded of this. If there was a man with Your Majesty the Empress on her dawn walk, wouldn’t he have been one of the Royal Guards?”
“Yes!”
Lawrence suddenly answered loudly, but met Kelita’s glaring gaze, then turned her head with a calm expression. “Hmm.” Lacrahan glanced at Gerard, who was watching with narrowed eyes, and then leaned back in his chair.
“No.”
Lacrahan’s answer, vague and muttered, not a strong assertion, only made Lawrence feel more awkward.
She had no room for a response.
Everyone was watching Lawrence’s face flush bright red when Kelita spoke to Gerard.
“Your Majesty, when are you planning the wedding between me and Grand Duke Lacrahan?”
Gerard, who had been staring intently at Lawrence, lifted his chin as if a forgotten memory had surfaced.
“Oh, that.”
Lyone, sitting next to Gerard, reached out and gently stroked his arm.
Gerard stroked his beard haughtily.
“No need to waste time. How about two days from now? We need time to decorate the banquet hall, after all.”
Bercheria and Lacrahan’s expressions hardened at Gerard’s words.
Two days.
It was far too short a time to prepare for anything.
“Oh my, I’m so happy,”
Kelita exclaimed, delighted as if she had been waiting for it.
“Water. I’m suddenly thirsty. Hmm.”
Kelita calmly sat back down as the maid ran off to get water.
“Where has Rosie gone? What has he been up to lately? It seems the discipline of the subordinates has become quite lax these days. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
Kelita, who had idly fixed her hair, spoke for Lawrence, who was blankly staring at Lacrahan.
“Speaking of Rosie, I was reminded of this. If there was a man with Your Majesty the Empress on her dawn walk, wouldn’t he have been one of the Royal Guards?”
“Yes!”
Lawrence suddenly answered loudly, but met Kelita’s glaring gaze, then turned her head with a calm expression. “Hmm.” Lacrahan glanced at Gerard, who was watching with narrowed eyes, and then leaned back in his chair.
“No.”
Lacrahan’s answer, vague and muttered, not a strong assertion, only made Lawrence feel more awkward.
She had no room for a response.
Everyone was watching Lawrence’s face flush bright red when Kelita spoke to Gerard.
“Your Majesty, when are you planning the wedding between me and Grand Duke Lacrahan?”
Gerard, who had been staring intently at Lawrence, lifted his chin as if a forgotten memory had surfaced.
“Oh, that.”
Lyone, sitting next to Gerard, reached out and gently stroked his arm.
Gerard stroked his beard haughtily.
“No need to waste time. How about two days from now? We need time to decorate the banquet hall, after all.”
Bercheria and Lacrahan’s expressions hardened at Gerard’s words.
Two days.
It was far too short a time to prepare for anything.
“Oh my, I’m so happy,”
Kelita exclaimed, delighted as if she had been waiting for it.
“Your Highness, you’re happy too, aren’t you?”
As everyone’s eyes focused on him, Lacrahan narrowed his eyes and nodded.
“Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you just say you weren’t getting married?”
Wyatt and Timothy, hearing the news, looked even more bewildered than the parties involved.
Wyatt, who was particularly hot-tempered, was furious.
“Grand Duke. I’m really dumbfounded, but do you remember me stopping you from marrying the weather goddess a while ago?”
“Me.”
“And now I’m stopping Princess Kelita from marrying the Grand Duke?”
“Uh.”
“Well, don’t you want to make excuses?”
Lacrahan shook his head wearily.
“Hmm. Well. It wasn’t like excuses worked in the first place.”
Wyatt looked at Lacrahan with a genuinely annoyed expression.
“What are you planning to do this time?”
Lacrahan leaned back deeply in his chair.
“We need to handle this carefully. This isn’t something started by one or two people.”
Timothy, who had been silent the entire time, nodded and sat down in front of Lacrahan.
“So that’s why you didn’t say anything. If we act rashly, we could end up in even more trouble.”
A smile spread across Lacrahan’s lips.
“Because this isn’t the North.”
"Yes, this is their territory now."
Lacrahan tapped his long fingers on the table.
"It bothers me that Gerard is a mean person. I can't predict what he'll do."
"About that..."
Timothy and Lacrahan continued their conversation quietly.
Timothy, who had been by his side for a long time, was exceptionally good at listening to conversations, and Lacrahan often talked with Timothy and resolved difficult issues even in the North.
While the two were conversing,
Wyatt, who had been quietly observing, quietly opened the door and stepped outside.
"Princess Kelita wouldn't do that."
Wyatt took a nervous step forward.
He knew the royal family's structure better than the back of his hand.
It had been his workplace until just before the war broke out.
Spending so much time with her had naturally led him to learn things about Kelita.
Kelita wasn't one to stand out, preferring to be alone most of the time.
Thinking back to her back then, he'd often find her smiling brightly.
But when he followed her back to the palace, it was hard to find a smile on Kelita.
He'd observed her repeatedly throughout the party, and even the occasional smile she managed to force felt forced.
"Even so, Princess Kelita isn't the type of person to insist on marriage."
Wyatt believed that human nature wasn't something that easily changed.
He walked briskly toward Princess Kelita's room.
But as he passed the castle where guests stayed and reached the south corridor where the Emperor's family resided, something felt off.
"Why is there no one here?"
He remembered the Imperial Palace, especially the south castle where the Emperor resided, always bustling with servants.
But that was before the war.
Ten years later, things might have changed.
As soon as he reached Princess Kelita's room, Wyatt knocked lightly.
"Princess Kelita!"
He waited for a response from inside, but there was no sound.
"Hmm. "
Wyatt was about to turn when a small voice called from within.
"Come in. "
Wyatt took a deep breath and opened the door.
"...?"
Kelita stood in the middle of the room, which was in disarray, as if a thief had broken into it.
Startled, Wyatt took a step toward her.
"Princess! What on earth is going on? Are you alright?"
As he rummaged through the items and arrived before her, Kelita, who had been staring intently at Wyatt, suddenly screamed.
"Whoa!"
Wyatt's small eyes widened in surprise, and his cicada eyebrows twitched.
"How dare you attack the Princess!"
An incomprehensible voice burst from Kelita's mouth.
As everyone’s eyes focused on him, Lacrahan narrowed his eyes and nodded.
“Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you just say you weren’t getting married?”
Wyatt and Timothy, hearing the news, looked even more bewildered than the parties involved.
Wyatt, who was particularly hot-tempered, was furious.
“Grand Duke. I’m really dumbfounded, but do you remember me stopping you from marrying the weather goddess a while ago?”
“Me.”
“And now I’m stopping Princess Kelita from marrying the Grand Duke?”
“Uh.”
“Well, don’t you want to make excuses?”
Lacrahan shook his head wearily.
“Hmm. Well. It wasn’t like excuses worked in the first place.”
Wyatt looked at Lacrahan with a genuinely annoyed expression.
“What are you planning to do this time?”
Lacrahan leaned back deeply in his chair.
“We need to handle this carefully. This isn’t something started by one or two people.”
Timothy, who had been silent the entire time, nodded and sat down in front of Lacrahan.
“So that’s why you didn’t say anything. If we act rashly, we could end up in even more trouble.”
A smile spread across Lacrahan’s lips.
“Because this isn’t the North.”
"Yes, this is their territory now."
Lacrahan tapped his long fingers on the table.
"It bothers me that Gerard is a mean person. I can't predict what he'll do."
"About that..."
Timothy and Lacrahan continued their conversation quietly.
Timothy, who had been by his side for a long time, was exceptionally good at listening to conversations, and Lacrahan often talked with Timothy and resolved difficult issues even in the North.
While the two were conversing,
Wyatt, who had been quietly observing, quietly opened the door and stepped outside.
"Princess Kelita wouldn't do that."
Wyatt took a nervous step forward.
He knew the royal family's structure better than the back of his hand.
It had been his workplace until just before the war broke out.
Spending so much time with her had naturally led him to learn things about Kelita.
Kelita wasn't one to stand out, preferring to be alone most of the time.
Thinking back to her back then, he'd often find her smiling brightly.
But when he followed her back to the palace, it was hard to find a smile on Kelita.
He'd observed her repeatedly throughout the party, and even the occasional smile she managed to force felt forced.
"Even so, Princess Kelita isn't the type of person to insist on marriage."
Wyatt believed that human nature wasn't something that easily changed.
He walked briskly toward Princess Kelita's room.
But as he passed the castle where guests stayed and reached the south corridor where the Emperor's family resided, something felt off.
"Why is there no one here?"
He remembered the Imperial Palace, especially the south castle where the Emperor resided, always bustling with servants.
But that was before the war.
Ten years later, things might have changed.
As soon as he reached Princess Kelita's room, Wyatt knocked lightly.
"Princess Kelita!"
He waited for a response from inside, but there was no sound.
"Hmm. "
Wyatt was about to turn when a small voice called from within.
"Come in. "
Wyatt took a deep breath and opened the door.
"...?"
Kelita stood in the middle of the room, which was in disarray, as if a thief had broken into it.
Startled, Wyatt took a step toward her.
"Princess! What on earth is going on? Are you alright?"
As he rummaged through the items and arrived before her, Kelita, who had been staring intently at Wyatt, suddenly screamed.
"Whoa!"
Wyatt's small eyes widened in surprise, and his cicada eyebrows twitched.
"How dare you attack the Princess!"
An incomprehensible voice burst from Kelita's mouth.
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