(72) I wanted to live. (8)
Lanster came out of the warehouse carrying Sini.
It was Sini's first time seeing the sky or sunlight. The strong light stung her eyes, causing pain, but she still refused to close them.
It was hard to see because of the bright light, but she felt like she saw something blue.
“Close your eyes. The unfamiliar light burns your eyes.”
At Lanster's words, Sini closed her eyes obediently.
“It's... nice...”
“Yeah, it’s nice weather.”
"Sky..."
“It’s the sky.”
Sini thought the sky in Ariana's eyes was more beautiful than the sky she had just seen. Even though Ariana wiped it away, hot water kept flowing from her eyes.
The moment she thought about looking into Ariana's eyes one more time, the world turned black.
Sini's body sagged.
As Ariana approached in surprise, Lanster said,
"I think she fainted. I guess it was because she was so nervous about the sudden situation."
“She's so skinny. She won’t die, right?”
“She's held on so far, so it’ll be okay.”
Lanster took Sini on a wagon. The large wagon he had rented for Sini had a soft sleeping area.
The journey was long, and they needed to reach the East before word spread that Ariana had purchased Paganus slaves. The Empire might take issue with bringing Paganus into the country.
So, they decided to leave right away without even having time to treat Sini.
Ariana boarded the wagon and moved outside the city gate, where the Eastern Duke and his party were waiting.
'The condition is really bad.'
Compared to Sini, Ariana was relatively healthy when she was in the Bronte household. Born confined in a cramped cage, Sini's bones were bent and hardened, and even with treatment, it was uncertain whether they would improve.
'You've had a truly pitiful life.'
Ariana wiped the sweat that had formed on Sini's forehead.
Sini, who hadn't washed in a long time, was covered in dirt and smelled bad, but she didn't feel bad. Rather, her plight, having never seen sunlight, made her heart ache.
Ariana stroked Sini's red hair, recalling the first time she had stood before the Eastern Duke.
'I wonder if my father felt the same way when he saw me back then?'
It breaks her heart to see the miserable state of Sini, who has no relation to her, so how much more so would it be if your own blood relatives showed up in such a state?
The moment he saw Ariana, Russell's face contorted.
'Resentment, hatred, and distrust prevent me from enjoying what I deserve.'
She now realizes that the White family's warm welcome to Ariana was genuine.
'It's not too late, though.'
Russell allowed Paganus to join the East for Ariana's sake, meaning Ariana would have plenty to do as the East's Princess.
'If the Third Prince makes a move, he'll target the East first, just like before. But before that, we need to strengthen the East inside and out.'
Just as Ariana was deep in thought, the carriage stopped. Lanster, who was following her on horseback outside, spoke.
“Princess, we have arrived. I will lift the covers.”
Russell, Theodore, and Carradine, who had been waiting outside the gates, peered through the wagon canopy to check on Sini, who lay inside. Carradine clicked his tongue at the sight of the girl, but Theodore frowned, seemingly displeased.
Russell said as he climbed onto the wagon and checked on Sini's condition.
“Her skin tone is lighter than that of other Pagans.”
Lanster answered.
“It seems like it would be okay to make it look like she's from a tribe that lives in the southeastern region.”
"Yeah, that would be better. It might actually be true."
“I will instruct you to prepare the relevant documents as soon as you arrive at the East.”
"The bone is very twisted. What do you think? Do you think it can be healed?"
"It's serious, but I think it's possible if you have the will. My attending physician, Dr. Uriel, is very skilled, so I think it would be best to see him quickly."
"Yes. Straightening bent bones depends on stamina, so restoring stamina should be the priority. I should send a telegram to Isaac on the way asking for some stamina restoratives."
Russell quickly resolved Sini's problem, even though Ariana hadn't asked him to. Ariana watched with deep emotion.
Theodore, who had been wearing a displeased expression the whole time, spoke in a small voice.
"Ariana, this old man is worried that that child might harm you. All the masters who enslaved that child are dead."
Carradine poked Theodore in the ribs, but Theodore did not stop.
"I don't believe in superstitions, but this ominous thing is true. Perhaps those who targeted that child killed its owner, or perhaps the child killed its owner herself. Given that all nine owners are dead, it's a reasonable suspicion."
"Grandpa's right. Perhaps that child is a source of misfortune for his master."
“And yet you still want to keep her by your side?”
Ariana stared at the skinny girl lying on the cart.
“If it is true that golden eyes bring misfortune, then the legend that they bring good luck after the age of 20 must also be true.”
“But so far, there has been no story of anyone being lucky enough to have golden eyes by their side.”
“Then I guess I can be first.”
Ariana said with a sunny smile.
"I'll break that child's curse and bring her good luck. Grandpa, will you help me?"
When his pitiful and beautiful granddaughter asked for help with a beautiful smile, Theodore's expression instantly crumbled. He smiled, as if he hadn't even thought of those cursed golden eyes.
"Yes, yes. With this old man, the curse is nothing. Ariana, you have nothing to worry about. You have nothing to worry about."
Carradine gave her husband a bewildered look as he quickly changed his attitude, but Theodore nodded repeatedly and stroked Ariana's head.
For Ariana, this whole moment felt like a splendid dream.
Cyrus's eyes sank coldly as he passed through the narrow canyon.
“Isaac.”
Isaac stopped talking at the soft call.
Kukwaaaaaaa-!
Huge boulders rolled down the ridge of the canyon. There wasn't just one or two.
“There was an ambush.”
Cyrus raised both hands. A white frost formed on the tips of his long fingers, and then a thick, cold mist emanated from them.
The cold air froze the rolling boulders white as they touched it. As the chill emanating from Cyrus's hand intensified, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Soon, the boulders, frozen to the core, began to crumble under the force of their impact. Only then did Cyrus cease his magic, draw his sword, and run ahead.
Isaac followed him.
Cyrus's sword pierced the rock, which hadn't yet completely shattered. The sword, moving with a dazzling dance, gleamed in the sunlight.
Tsk-tsk!
The broken rock and the rock that was following it collided with each other and shattered into pieces.
Large and small boulders rained down like rain. Cyrus and Isaac didn't slow down, even as they were hit by falling rocks.
An arrow flew through the churning rocks and pierced the thigh of Cyrus' horse.
“Heeeeeeeeeee!”
The horse fell down with a scream.
“Cyrus!”
Isaac screamed and reached out. Cyrus grabbed his hand, leaped forward, and landed on Isaac's horse. Cyrus, sitting behind Isaac, spoke.
“Bow down.”
As Isaac bent his upper body forward, Cyrus extended his left hand forward.
The cold coalesced on Cyrus' palm, creating dozens of sharp ice balls. Arrowhead-sized chunks of ice shot out in the direction the arrow had just come from.
“Ugh!”
A small scream rang out.
Again, several arrows flew simultaneously. Cyrus kicked his horse's flank and raised his left hand above his head. A circular ice shield formed from his palm, covering their heads.
Thump- thud-
Arrows rained down on the hastily constructed ice shield. Several of them nicked it. White cracks appeared in the once transparent shield, then shattered into pieces.
Meanwhile, the horse Isaac and Cyrus were riding was running fast.
Cyrus was about to create another ice shield when he suddenly turned his upper body backwards, quickly extending his hand. The ice sword he'd created in an instant flew backward.
The ice sword that had been flying through the air soon came down the ridge and pierced the chest of the enemy who had been secretly chasing the two.
“Ugh!”
The body of the enemy, who was riding a horse, fell backward.
At that moment, another rain of arrows fell.
This time, he created an ice shield, but it was too late. Before the arrow could penetrate Cyrus' shoulder, Isaac's outstretched forearm caught it instead.
"It hurts!"
Isaac screamed and asked.
“What should I do?”
“Keep running. We have to get out of the canyon.”
The exit to the canyon was drawing nearer. After being hit by two more arrows, they finally reached the end, only to find over thirty enemies waiting there.
They had brown skin and didn't even try to cover their faces.
'Paganus.'
Cyrus's eyes burned red.
The enemies, each holding a sword or spear, glared at Cyrus with menacing eyes. Cyrus stopped his horse before them.
Cyrus kept his gaze straight ahead, but he was alert to the sounds behind him. He could hear the ambush sprinting down the ridge.
'Arrow.'
Cyrus turned his hand back and created a shield of ice behind him.
Ss ...
A few arrows flew in and hit the ice shield and fell.
“Stop talking, Isaac.”
Cyrus whispered softly. Isaac jumped off his horse without hesitation, and Cyrus followed suit. As soon as they dismounted, they each took their positions.
As Cyrus stretched out both arms, a cold storm swept through. Enemies rushing from behind were caught in it and frozen, but it wasn't enough.
It was because he had already used magic several times and was lacking strength.
'I can't use magic anymore.'
But the enemies were unaware of this. Fearful of their comrades frozen like shards of ice, they slowed. The enemies waiting ahead were also unable to approach, emitting only a murderous venom.
Isaac, who had been quietly observing the enemies, said.
“Cyrus, hold your breath.”
Although his breathing was labored from the relentless use of magic, Cyrus did as Isaac instructed. Isaac pulled something from his bosom and hurled it at the enemies before him.
It was a medicine bottle.
Chaeng-grang-!
A green mist poured out from the broken vial with a sharp sound.
The enemies shouted something, and several in the front ranks fell. Their expressions contorted. They hurled curses and curses as they charged at Cyrus and Isaac. The enemies behind them did the same.
Enemies rushing in from the front and back, lack of magical power.
Even though the situation was darkening, the Northern Monarch's red eyes did not lose their light.
'It's okay. I'm used to it.'
Lanster came out of the warehouse carrying Sini.
It was Sini's first time seeing the sky or sunlight. The strong light stung her eyes, causing pain, but she still refused to close them.
It was hard to see because of the bright light, but she felt like she saw something blue.
“Close your eyes. The unfamiliar light burns your eyes.”
At Lanster's words, Sini closed her eyes obediently.
“It's... nice...”
“Yeah, it’s nice weather.”
"Sky..."
“It’s the sky.”
Sini thought the sky in Ariana's eyes was more beautiful than the sky she had just seen. Even though Ariana wiped it away, hot water kept flowing from her eyes.
The moment she thought about looking into Ariana's eyes one more time, the world turned black.
***
Sini's body sagged.
As Ariana approached in surprise, Lanster said,
"I think she fainted. I guess it was because she was so nervous about the sudden situation."
“She's so skinny. She won’t die, right?”
“She's held on so far, so it’ll be okay.”
Lanster took Sini on a wagon. The large wagon he had rented for Sini had a soft sleeping area.
The journey was long, and they needed to reach the East before word spread that Ariana had purchased Paganus slaves. The Empire might take issue with bringing Paganus into the country.
So, they decided to leave right away without even having time to treat Sini.
Ariana boarded the wagon and moved outside the city gate, where the Eastern Duke and his party were waiting.
'The condition is really bad.'
Compared to Sini, Ariana was relatively healthy when she was in the Bronte household. Born confined in a cramped cage, Sini's bones were bent and hardened, and even with treatment, it was uncertain whether they would improve.
'You've had a truly pitiful life.'
Ariana wiped the sweat that had formed on Sini's forehead.
Sini, who hadn't washed in a long time, was covered in dirt and smelled bad, but she didn't feel bad. Rather, her plight, having never seen sunlight, made her heart ache.
Ariana stroked Sini's red hair, recalling the first time she had stood before the Eastern Duke.
'I wonder if my father felt the same way when he saw me back then?'
It breaks her heart to see the miserable state of Sini, who has no relation to her, so how much more so would it be if your own blood relatives showed up in such a state?
The moment he saw Ariana, Russell's face contorted.
'Resentment, hatred, and distrust prevent me from enjoying what I deserve.'
She now realizes that the White family's warm welcome to Ariana was genuine.
'It's not too late, though.'
Russell allowed Paganus to join the East for Ariana's sake, meaning Ariana would have plenty to do as the East's Princess.
'If the Third Prince makes a move, he'll target the East first, just like before. But before that, we need to strengthen the East inside and out.'
Just as Ariana was deep in thought, the carriage stopped. Lanster, who was following her on horseback outside, spoke.
“Princess, we have arrived. I will lift the covers.”
Russell, Theodore, and Carradine, who had been waiting outside the gates, peered through the wagon canopy to check on Sini, who lay inside. Carradine clicked his tongue at the sight of the girl, but Theodore frowned, seemingly displeased.
Russell said as he climbed onto the wagon and checked on Sini's condition.
“Her skin tone is lighter than that of other Pagans.”
Lanster answered.
“It seems like it would be okay to make it look like she's from a tribe that lives in the southeastern region.”
"Yeah, that would be better. It might actually be true."
“I will instruct you to prepare the relevant documents as soon as you arrive at the East.”
"The bone is very twisted. What do you think? Do you think it can be healed?"
"It's serious, but I think it's possible if you have the will. My attending physician, Dr. Uriel, is very skilled, so I think it would be best to see him quickly."
"Yes. Straightening bent bones depends on stamina, so restoring stamina should be the priority. I should send a telegram to Isaac on the way asking for some stamina restoratives."
Russell quickly resolved Sini's problem, even though Ariana hadn't asked him to. Ariana watched with deep emotion.
Theodore, who had been wearing a displeased expression the whole time, spoke in a small voice.
"Ariana, this old man is worried that that child might harm you. All the masters who enslaved that child are dead."
Carradine poked Theodore in the ribs, but Theodore did not stop.
"I don't believe in superstitions, but this ominous thing is true. Perhaps those who targeted that child killed its owner, or perhaps the child killed its owner herself. Given that all nine owners are dead, it's a reasonable suspicion."
"Grandpa's right. Perhaps that child is a source of misfortune for his master."
“And yet you still want to keep her by your side?”
Ariana stared at the skinny girl lying on the cart.
“If it is true that golden eyes bring misfortune, then the legend that they bring good luck after the age of 20 must also be true.”
“But so far, there has been no story of anyone being lucky enough to have golden eyes by their side.”
“Then I guess I can be first.”
Ariana said with a sunny smile.
"I'll break that child's curse and bring her good luck. Grandpa, will you help me?"
When his pitiful and beautiful granddaughter asked for help with a beautiful smile, Theodore's expression instantly crumbled. He smiled, as if he hadn't even thought of those cursed golden eyes.
"Yes, yes. With this old man, the curse is nothing. Ariana, you have nothing to worry about. You have nothing to worry about."
Carradine gave her husband a bewildered look as he quickly changed his attitude, but Theodore nodded repeatedly and stroked Ariana's head.
For Ariana, this whole moment felt like a splendid dream.
***
Cyrus's eyes sank coldly as he passed through the narrow canyon.
“Isaac.”
Isaac stopped talking at the soft call.
Kukwaaaaaaa-!
Huge boulders rolled down the ridge of the canyon. There wasn't just one or two.
“There was an ambush.”
Cyrus raised both hands. A white frost formed on the tips of his long fingers, and then a thick, cold mist emanated from them.
The cold air froze the rolling boulders white as they touched it. As the chill emanating from Cyrus's hand intensified, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Soon, the boulders, frozen to the core, began to crumble under the force of their impact. Only then did Cyrus cease his magic, draw his sword, and run ahead.
Isaac followed him.
Cyrus's sword pierced the rock, which hadn't yet completely shattered. The sword, moving with a dazzling dance, gleamed in the sunlight.
Tsk-tsk!
The broken rock and the rock that was following it collided with each other and shattered into pieces.
Large and small boulders rained down like rain. Cyrus and Isaac didn't slow down, even as they were hit by falling rocks.
An arrow flew through the churning rocks and pierced the thigh of Cyrus' horse.
“Heeeeeeeeeee!”
The horse fell down with a scream.
“Cyrus!”
Isaac screamed and reached out. Cyrus grabbed his hand, leaped forward, and landed on Isaac's horse. Cyrus, sitting behind Isaac, spoke.
“Bow down.”
As Isaac bent his upper body forward, Cyrus extended his left hand forward.
The cold coalesced on Cyrus' palm, creating dozens of sharp ice balls. Arrowhead-sized chunks of ice shot out in the direction the arrow had just come from.
“Ugh!”
A small scream rang out.
Again, several arrows flew simultaneously. Cyrus kicked his horse's flank and raised his left hand above his head. A circular ice shield formed from his palm, covering their heads.
Thump- thud-
Arrows rained down on the hastily constructed ice shield. Several of them nicked it. White cracks appeared in the once transparent shield, then shattered into pieces.
Meanwhile, the horse Isaac and Cyrus were riding was running fast.
Cyrus was about to create another ice shield when he suddenly turned his upper body backwards, quickly extending his hand. The ice sword he'd created in an instant flew backward.
The ice sword that had been flying through the air soon came down the ridge and pierced the chest of the enemy who had been secretly chasing the two.
“Ugh!”
The body of the enemy, who was riding a horse, fell backward.
At that moment, another rain of arrows fell.
This time, he created an ice shield, but it was too late. Before the arrow could penetrate Cyrus' shoulder, Isaac's outstretched forearm caught it instead.
"It hurts!"
Isaac screamed and asked.
“What should I do?”
“Keep running. We have to get out of the canyon.”
The exit to the canyon was drawing nearer. After being hit by two more arrows, they finally reached the end, only to find over thirty enemies waiting there.
They had brown skin and didn't even try to cover their faces.
'Paganus.'
Cyrus's eyes burned red.
The enemies, each holding a sword or spear, glared at Cyrus with menacing eyes. Cyrus stopped his horse before them.
Cyrus kept his gaze straight ahead, but he was alert to the sounds behind him. He could hear the ambush sprinting down the ridge.
'Arrow.'
Cyrus turned his hand back and created a shield of ice behind him.
Ss ...
A few arrows flew in and hit the ice shield and fell.
“Stop talking, Isaac.”
Cyrus whispered softly. Isaac jumped off his horse without hesitation, and Cyrus followed suit. As soon as they dismounted, they each took their positions.
As Cyrus stretched out both arms, a cold storm swept through. Enemies rushing from behind were caught in it and frozen, but it wasn't enough.
It was because he had already used magic several times and was lacking strength.
'I can't use magic anymore.'
But the enemies were unaware of this. Fearful of their comrades frozen like shards of ice, they slowed. The enemies waiting ahead were also unable to approach, emitting only a murderous venom.
Isaac, who had been quietly observing the enemies, said.
“Cyrus, hold your breath.”
Although his breathing was labored from the relentless use of magic, Cyrus did as Isaac instructed. Isaac pulled something from his bosom and hurled it at the enemies before him.
It was a medicine bottle.
Chaeng-grang-!
A green mist poured out from the broken vial with a sharp sound.
The enemies shouted something, and several in the front ranks fell. Their expressions contorted. They hurled curses and curses as they charged at Cyrus and Isaac. The enemies behind them did the same.
Enemies rushing in from the front and back, lack of magical power.
Even though the situation was darkening, the Northern Monarch's red eyes did not lose their light.
'It's okay. I'm used to it.'
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