(52) I don't know the reason for that feeling. (6)
Ariana heard from Cyrus about the importance of sleep, but on days like this, she couldn't sleep properly. She thought it was because of the still-uncomfortable soft bed, so she tried lying on the floor, but her mind only grew clearer.
Finally, she gave up on sleep, got up, put on a robe, and left the room. The knight guarding the door straightened. The knight, who looked a little over twenty, was named Lanster. Russell had appointed him as Ariana's personal escort after the kidnapping. He was a cautious young man with jet-black hair and gray eyes.
"I can't sleep, so I'm going for a walk in the garden. You don't have to follow me."
"That can't be."
Lanster insisted on following Ariana.
Watching Lanster follow silently, Ariana thought of the people of the North. Cyrus, Louis, and Noah didn't make a sound when they moved.
'The White Knights of the East are strong enough to be compared to the Black Knights of the North.'
Ariana wondered who would win if Lanster and Louis dueled.
'How are they all doing?'
She'd been so tense adjusting to the East that she hadn't thought of them.
Suddenly, Cyrus, who always appeared out of nowhere, came to mind, and she suspected he might be hiding nearby. But she quickly dismissed the thought.
'He's busy, so he wouldn't be wasting time in the East, where he had nothing to do.'
Ariana heard from Cyrus about the importance of sleep, but on days like this, she couldn't sleep properly. She thought it was because of the still-uncomfortable soft bed, so she tried lying on the floor, but her mind only grew clearer.
Finally, she gave up on sleep, got up, put on a robe, and left the room. The knight guarding the door straightened. The knight, who looked a little over twenty, was named Lanster. Russell had appointed him as Ariana's personal escort after the kidnapping. He was a cautious young man with jet-black hair and gray eyes.
"I can't sleep, so I'm going for a walk in the garden. You don't have to follow me."
"That can't be."
Lanster insisted on following Ariana.
Watching Lanster follow silently, Ariana thought of the people of the North. Cyrus, Louis, and Noah didn't make a sound when they moved.
'The White Knights of the East are strong enough to be compared to the Black Knights of the North.'
Ariana wondered who would win if Lanster and Louis dueled.
'How are they all doing?'
She'd been so tense adjusting to the East that she hadn't thought of them.
Suddenly, Cyrus, who always appeared out of nowhere, came to mind, and she suspected he might be hiding nearby. But she quickly dismissed the thought.
'He's busy, so he wouldn't be wasting time in the East, where he had nothing to do.'
She wondered if she'd see Cyrus again in the next few years, or even for the rest of her life. It's not like Cyrus was interested in society, but from what Ariana remembered, he rarely showed up at social gatherings.
For some reason, she felt gloomy, and to shake it off, she spoke to Lanster.
"If I were the Princess of the East, I would, but I'm still Ariana Bronte."
“Since His Excellency the Duke considers you a Princess, so do we. If you don’t treat me comfortably, I won’t dare raise my head.”
Since Lanster insisted, Ariana had no choice but to say,
“Understood, Lanster. If that’s what you want, then I will.”
“Yes. Some of the White Knights can use stealth.”
“So much so that you wouldn’t even notice if someone passed right in front of you?”
“Are you referring to the stealth of the Northern Territory, Princess?”
“Yes.”
“No one can imitate the stealth of the Northern Territory. The ones who passed down the stealth techniques of the Northern Territory are the natives, and I understand that the magical power they still possess has a significant influence.”
“Ah, so that’s also a type of magic.”
“I understand it’s a mixture of magic and technique. Would you understand if I said it was similar to how strong knights train to create sword energy?”
“Yes. I understand. So if the Northern Territory people were to use stealth and sneak in here, wouldn’t you be able to detect it?”
"Detecting the Northern Territory's hiding place isn't easy, but it's possible."
Lanster looked around.
"There's no one hiding here."
"I see."
Lanster's gray eyes were filled with concern.
"Is there anyone from the Northern Territory targeting the Princess?"
If she were to say that there was no one targeting her, but that someone occasionally watched from afar, and that person was the Northern Duke, what kind of expression would Lanster make?
Curious, Ariana smiled faintly and continued walking.
"There's no way the Northern Duke would target me."
Chase Castle was larger than Rosen Castle, where the Western Duke resided. Ariana walked for a long time before reaching the central garden.
The neatly trimmed shrubs were densely packed, creating a maze-like structure. She walked slowly, brushing her fingertips against the shrubs, until she reached the center of the garden.
Passing through the archway, she arrived at a large fountain, surrounded by several statues. While beautiful in the light, it felt eerie in the darkness of the night.
“Can’t sleep?”
She was about to sit down on the bench by the fountain when a voice came from between the bushes. It was Geor.
He strode over to her.
“You’d better get a good night’s sleep if you’re leaving early tomorrow.”
For some reason, she felt gloomy, and to shake it off, she spoke to Lanster.
“Can the knights of the East also use stealth?”
“Please speak freely, Princess.”
“Since His Excellency the Duke considers you a Princess, so do we. If you don’t treat me comfortably, I won’t dare raise my head.”
Since Lanster insisted, Ariana had no choice but to say,
“Understood, Lanster. If that’s what you want, then I will.”
“Yes. Some of the White Knights can use stealth.”
“So much so that you wouldn’t even notice if someone passed right in front of you?”
“Are you referring to the stealth of the Northern Territory, Princess?”
“Yes.”
“No one can imitate the stealth of the Northern Territory. The ones who passed down the stealth techniques of the Northern Territory are the natives, and I understand that the magical power they still possess has a significant influence.”
“Ah, so that’s also a type of magic.”
“I understand it’s a mixture of magic and technique. Would you understand if I said it was similar to how strong knights train to create sword energy?”
“Yes. I understand. So if the Northern Territory people were to use stealth and sneak in here, wouldn’t you be able to detect it?”
"Detecting the Northern Territory's hiding place isn't easy, but it's possible."
Lanster looked around.
"There's no one hiding here."
"I see."
Lanster's gray eyes were filled with concern.
"Is there anyone from the Northern Territory targeting the Princess?"
If she were to say that there was no one targeting her, but that someone occasionally watched from afar, and that person was the Northern Duke, what kind of expression would Lanster make?
Curious, Ariana smiled faintly and continued walking.
"There's no way the Northern Duke would target me."
Chase Castle was larger than Rosen Castle, where the Western Duke resided. Ariana walked for a long time before reaching the central garden.
The neatly trimmed shrubs were densely packed, creating a maze-like structure. She walked slowly, brushing her fingertips against the shrubs, until she reached the center of the garden.
Passing through the archway, she arrived at a large fountain, surrounded by several statues. While beautiful in the light, it felt eerie in the darkness of the night.
“Can’t sleep?”
She was about to sit down on the bench by the fountain when a voice came from between the bushes. It was Geor.
He strode over to her.
“You’d better get a good night’s sleep if you’re leaving early tomorrow.”
“I think I’ll feel sleepy after a short walk.”
“Well, I’m not going to the Empire on good business, so it’s understandable why you can’t sleep. Lanster, I’ll escort her from here.”
Lanster didn’t answer, but turned to Ariana. Ariana was secretly surprised by his behavior.
It was natural for a personal knight to follow his master’s orders, but Ariana, not Lanster’s master or Princess, assumed he would naturally listen to Geor.
But Lanster waited for Ariana's order.
When Ariana nodded slightly, Lanster stepped back.
Geor held out his hand to Ariana and said,
"He's a loyal boy. He's a bit old-fashioned, though."
"I can walk alone, Your Grace. If you go first, I'll follow. And I like old-fashioned people."
When Ariana refused his hand, Geor shrugged and continued walking.
"With your eyes like ice, I thought you wouldn't like anything."
"If it's good enough, I like it."
"What about me? Am I good enough?"
"Who in this kingdom would dislike you, Your Grace?"
"And you're not from the kingdom yet."
Ariana and Geor walked together under the beautiful, deep blue night sky, shimmering with stars. Geor led the way, and Ariana followed a step behind.
Ariana took in Geor's shoulders, his sturdy back, and his flowing, navy hair.
'This man died for the Duke, even though he wasn't his biological father.'
It was fascinating how some women would kill their own daughters, while others would give their lives for someone other than their own parents. It was also fascinating how she didn't dislike Geor, who sacrificed his life for his brother-in-law.
The two walked in silence for quite a while. Eventually, they arrived at the top of a tower attached to the walls of Chase Castle. Standing there, the entire city of Elles came into view.
"This is my favorite place. The entire city is visible."
"It's beautiful."
The city of Elles, enveloped in the deep night, was truly beautiful. The pale-colored buildings glowed softly in the moonlight, and the lights from the streetlights dotting the streets resembled stars in the night sky.
"Starting May 6th, the city holds a three-day festival of abundance. It's a festival to pray for a good harvest, and it's incredibly extravagant. During that time, many vendors visit, and there are even circuses and other attractions. It would be wonderful if you could enjoy the festival, but, unfortunately, the trial is being held at that time."
“Yes. I wonder what it’s like. I’ve never been to a festival.”
“I heard there are many festivals in the West? Isn’t there a festival similar to the Bountiful Festival around this time?”
“There is. But I’m not allowed to.”
Geor glanced at Ariana, who was standing next to him.
“How about next year? Do you think you can join us in the Bountiful Festival next year?”
“That depends on the outcome of the trial.”
“Even if you lose the trial and return to the West, Father won’t abandon you like before.”
“Well, I’m not going to the Empire on good business, so it’s understandable why you can’t sleep. Lanster, I’ll escort her from here.”
Lanster didn’t answer, but turned to Ariana. Ariana was secretly surprised by his behavior.
It was natural for a personal knight to follow his master’s orders, but Ariana, not Lanster’s master or Princess, assumed he would naturally listen to Geor.
But Lanster waited for Ariana's order.
When Ariana nodded slightly, Lanster stepped back.
Geor held out his hand to Ariana and said,
"He's a loyal boy. He's a bit old-fashioned, though."
"I can walk alone, Your Grace. If you go first, I'll follow. And I like old-fashioned people."
When Ariana refused his hand, Geor shrugged and continued walking.
"With your eyes like ice, I thought you wouldn't like anything."
"If it's good enough, I like it."
"What about me? Am I good enough?"
"Who in this kingdom would dislike you, Your Grace?"
"And you're not from the kingdom yet."
Ariana and Geor walked together under the beautiful, deep blue night sky, shimmering with stars. Geor led the way, and Ariana followed a step behind.
Ariana took in Geor's shoulders, his sturdy back, and his flowing, navy hair.
'This man died for the Duke, even though he wasn't his biological father.'
It was fascinating how some women would kill their own daughters, while others would give their lives for someone other than their own parents. It was also fascinating how she didn't dislike Geor, who sacrificed his life for his brother-in-law.
The two walked in silence for quite a while. Eventually, they arrived at the top of a tower attached to the walls of Chase Castle. Standing there, the entire city of Elles came into view.
"This is my favorite place. The entire city is visible."
"It's beautiful."
The city of Elles, enveloped in the deep night, was truly beautiful. The pale-colored buildings glowed softly in the moonlight, and the lights from the streetlights dotting the streets resembled stars in the night sky.
"Starting May 6th, the city holds a three-day festival of abundance. It's a festival to pray for a good harvest, and it's incredibly extravagant. During that time, many vendors visit, and there are even circuses and other attractions. It would be wonderful if you could enjoy the festival, but, unfortunately, the trial is being held at that time."
“Yes. I wonder what it’s like. I’ve never been to a festival.”
“I heard there are many festivals in the West? Isn’t there a festival similar to the Bountiful Festival around this time?”
“There is. But I’m not allowed to.”
Geor glanced at Ariana, who was standing next to him.
“How about next year? Do you think you can join us in the Bountiful Festival next year?”
“That depends on the outcome of the trial.”
“Even if you lose the trial and return to the West, Father won’t abandon you like before.”
Shecouldn’t answer that. Could that really be true?
Ariana had married a man sixteen years her senior when she was sixteen. The Eastern Duke she’d met at the imperial party hadn’t offered a single word of comfort to her daughter, who had been sold into marriage at the age of sixteen.
‘If I return to the West this time, I’ll marry that man like last time. Or, I’ll die.’
It seemed unlikely that the Western Duke would spare Ariana, who was trying to escape the West and find her own way. He was the kind of person who would think it would be easier to kill her before she could start another fire.
'If I lose in court, it's over.'
Even though she had anticipated and prepared for what the Western Duke might do in this trial, her anxiety hadn't completely dissipated. This was Ariana's first custody trial, so she wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
Suppressing the rising emotion in her chest, she calmly looked down at the city of Elles, when Geor said,
"The East is a beautiful place. It's quiet and peaceful, except for the borders where Paganus occasionally invades. That's why the people have naturally developed easygoing personalities."
"I think so."
Ariana had married a man sixteen years her senior when she was sixteen. The Eastern Duke she’d met at the imperial party hadn’t offered a single word of comfort to her daughter, who had been sold into marriage at the age of sixteen.
‘If I return to the West this time, I’ll marry that man like last time. Or, I’ll die.’
It seemed unlikely that the Western Duke would spare Ariana, who was trying to escape the West and find her own way. He was the kind of person who would think it would be easier to kill her before she could start another fire.
'If I lose in court, it's over.'
Even though she had anticipated and prepared for what the Western Duke might do in this trial, her anxiety hadn't completely dissipated. This was Ariana's first custody trial, so she wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
Suppressing the rising emotion in her chest, she calmly looked down at the city of Elles, when Geor said,
"The East is a beautiful place. It's quiet and peaceful, except for the borders where Paganus occasionally invades. That's why the people have naturally developed easygoing personalities."
"I think so."
"The White family is the same. They're all unsuspecting and kind."
"Yes, they're all good people."
Geor turned to Ariana. His violet eyes pierced her.
"But I'm not like that, Ariana. I suspect you harbor some secret."
Ariana raised her head and met Geor's gaze. Her blue eyes quietly accepted his piercing gaze.
"Because of your custody trial, your father and grandfather, the two pillars of the East, have gone to the Empire. During that time, the East will be empty. If the Western Duke moves at that moment, the East could be in turmoil."
"Will the Western Duke's forces compare to the East's?"
"Of course, if it were just the Western Duke's forces, there would be no worries. But is it really true that the Western Duke's forces are made up of only the West?"
Ariana was secretly impressed.
Geor had already suspected collusion between the Western Duke and Paganus, even though he was only 21 years old.
“The Emperor, too, was swayed by the Western Duke’s tongue and turned his back on your father. The Emperor is greedy, suspicious, and gullible. What if the Western Duke uses that same tongue to influence the Emperor? My father and grandfather, who took a mere unit of knights, may never set foot on the East again.”
It was a legitimate suspicion.
It was so strange that no one had this suspicion.
No, perhaps everyone suspected it, but simply didn’t express it.
The Eastern Duke or the previous Duke could have manipulated Geor into this situation. It’s also possible they’d shifted suspicions they felt bad about revealing to their own blood onto Geor, who wasn’t their blood relative. Ariana wasn’t angry, nor was she disappointed. She's never expected trust without question.
It was ridiculous to ask someone to trust a daughter who had suddenly arrived from the West, a daughter he's only briefly seen at birth.
“I.”
Geor leaned closer to Ariana.
His right hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist. His amethyst eyes shone coldly, and a heavy, murderous intent obscured the starlight. The aura of a warrior who had never lost a battle in the frontier pressed down on Ariana's thin shoulders.
But Ariana neither flinched nor avoided his gaze. She had expected that someone like this would reveal his true nature someday.
A family welcoming their daughter back with open arms after a long absence. Such good things had never existed in Ariana's life, nor could they possibly exist.
Glaring at Ariana, who had raised her head and looked up calmly as before, Geor said,
"I'm considering whether it wouldn't be better to kill you here for the sake of the East."
"Yes, they're all good people."
Geor turned to Ariana. His violet eyes pierced her.
"But I'm not like that, Ariana. I suspect you harbor some secret."
Ariana raised her head and met Geor's gaze. Her blue eyes quietly accepted his piercing gaze.
"Because of your custody trial, your father and grandfather, the two pillars of the East, have gone to the Empire. During that time, the East will be empty. If the Western Duke moves at that moment, the East could be in turmoil."
"Will the Western Duke's forces compare to the East's?"
"Of course, if it were just the Western Duke's forces, there would be no worries. But is it really true that the Western Duke's forces are made up of only the West?"
Ariana was secretly impressed.
Geor had already suspected collusion between the Western Duke and Paganus, even though he was only 21 years old.
“The Emperor, too, was swayed by the Western Duke’s tongue and turned his back on your father. The Emperor is greedy, suspicious, and gullible. What if the Western Duke uses that same tongue to influence the Emperor? My father and grandfather, who took a mere unit of knights, may never set foot on the East again.”
It was a legitimate suspicion.
It was so strange that no one had this suspicion.
No, perhaps everyone suspected it, but simply didn’t express it.
The Eastern Duke or the previous Duke could have manipulated Geor into this situation. It’s also possible they’d shifted suspicions they felt bad about revealing to their own blood onto Geor, who wasn’t their blood relative. Ariana wasn’t angry, nor was she disappointed. She's never expected trust without question.
It was ridiculous to ask someone to trust a daughter who had suddenly arrived from the West, a daughter he's only briefly seen at birth.
“I.”
Geor leaned closer to Ariana.
His right hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist. His amethyst eyes shone coldly, and a heavy, murderous intent obscured the starlight. The aura of a warrior who had never lost a battle in the frontier pressed down on Ariana's thin shoulders.
But Ariana neither flinched nor avoided his gaze. She had expected that someone like this would reveal his true nature someday.
A family welcoming their daughter back with open arms after a long absence. Such good things had never existed in Ariana's life, nor could they possibly exist.
Glaring at Ariana, who had raised her head and looked up calmly as before, Geor said,
"I'm considering whether it wouldn't be better to kill you here for the sake of the East."
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