(98) Reason for coming to the North (3)
That's exactly what made Ariana's heart weak.
Although Geor was constantly suspicious and wary of Ariana, his loyalty to her father, Russell, was genuine.
'So that's why you can't kill me. Because you know how much Father loves me.'
Killing Ariana was the easiest option for Geor. She'd only recently arrived in the East Realm, so eliminating a Princess with little influence would be the only way to maintain peace in the East Realm and Chase Castle.
Despite having several chances, Geor did not kill Ariana.
“Little Lord will not put the East in danger.”
“It would put the Princess in danger.”
“That may be true, but...”
“You believe him.”
“I believe him.”
A faint wrinkle formed between Cyrus's eyebrows.
“That’s strange. I thought the Princess didn’t trust anyone.”
“No one I wanted to believe, but I’m human, so I ended up believing those who wanted to believe me. Isn’t that the case with the Northern Lords?”
“...”
"The Little Lord's loyalty to my father is not false. The little Lord may not protect me, but he will definitely protect my father. Therefore, if the Duke of Obelius were to draw his sword against my father, the little Lord would actively move to stop the Duke of Obelius."
“Is there a way to reveal the sword?”
“I have a few things in mind.”
“I want to know too.”
“Will you help me if you know?”
Watching Ariana ask provocatively, Cyrus thought she was dazzling. Even though the northern sunlight wasn't particularly strong, she shone with such brilliance as if she had drawn in all the sunlight.
The discomfort that had been building in his chest when Ariana said she believed in little Lord disappeared.
“I will do my best to help you, as I always have.”
As always.
Ariana thought that was really nice to hear.
If she thinks about it, Cyrus has always helped Ariana. He said he would use her, but he's never done anything to her.
Ariana suddenly became curious.
Does this man really intend to exploit me? Is that really why he's treating me so well? Am I worth moving everyone in Maho Castle to welcome me as I am now?
But she didn't ask.
Because she was afraid of getting a cold answer.
"It would be a great help if the Northern Lord could help. I'll soon find a suitable way to ask for help. If possible, let's consider a way that will also benefit the Northern Lord."
“That’s sturdy.”
The long walk through the cold wind had left her coughing. Cyrus spoke as Ariana coughed softly.
“Are you still weak? You seem a little taller.”
“The wind from the north is really cold.”
“Then let’s go in.”
“I want to walk a little more.”
Ariana couldn't tell if she wanted to talk to Cyrus more or just admire the garden, which was beautifully kept even in the cold.
“I think it would be better to go in.”
“Wasn’t it the Northern Lord who asked me to take a walk?”
"I didn't know the Princess was still so weak. Are you sleeping well?"
She felt like she had hit the nail on the head.
Ariana couldn't sleep well because of the nightmares.
The same old days of being treated harshly every night recurred. She gasped in pain from the strangling pain, only to open her eyes to see a clear ceiling. Every time, she doubted herself.
What I thought was a nightmare is now a reality, and what if this place is a dream? Could it be that the moment of strangulation has dragged on, and I'm wandering through an eternal dream?
She couldn't say that to Cyrus.
She didn't want to show her weakness to anyone.
“I’m sleeping well. I’m getting sick less often, too.”
“You still have that habit of lying every time you open your mouth.”
“There’s a saying that you only see what you want to see.”
“Does that mean that because you're a liar, I suspect that everything an honest Princess says is a lie?”
Ariana chuckled slightly as she remembered the time she had had a pointless conversation with Cyrus.
“Even though you know, you still have the habit of asking questions.”
The two looked at each other and smiled a little.
A strong wind blew in, ruffling Cyrus's silver hair. He swept his hand away, as if annoyed by the hair poking his eyes.
The sight was so breathtakingly beautiful that Ariana couldn't take her eyes off it.
“Is there a place in particular you would like to visit in the North?”
Only when Cyrus asked whether Ariana realized she had been staring blankly at his face. Her face flushed.
She was glad it was cold. If her cheeks hadn't turned red from the cold weather, she would have looked flushed.
“I don’t have any particular place in mind. Do you have any recommendations?”
Cyrus pointed with his index finger to the distant Graten Mountains.
"If you climb to the top of Mount Graten, there's a place called Ruam Pond. It's a pink pond, and even in the middle of winter, the water is warm."
“A pink pond, how beautiful.”
"It's a spectacular sight to visit on a full moon night. However, the path is arduous, and many people freeze to death trying to see Ruam Pond. It's quite eerie because not all the bodies were recovered. We call that place 'Morian's Resting Place.'"
Morian was the god of water and ice.
He was also the god who protected the ice magic of the Northern people. Therefore, the Northern people believed in Morian more deeply than in Arphen, the creator god.
“Will the day ever come when I go to the Ruam Pond?”
It was pleasant to hear his voice as he answered, “When the Princess becomes healthier than she is now.”
"A place worth visiting right now... Well, since you're in Laker City, why don't you take a look around the downtown area? I might be able to introduce you to a member of the Merchant Guild who might be useful to the Princess."
The Merchant Guild was a huge guild that extended its influence to the empire, the East, West, South, and North regions, and other small countries.
As they were a gathering of merchants who traveled across the continent, they were quick to gather information, and Ariana also had plans to connect with them someday.
However, the merchant guild members were wary and territorial, making it difficult to initiate business with them. So, once she had acquired enough power and funds to recruit them, she tried to approach them.
“Can you really introduce me to the Merchant Guild?”
"I happen to know a guild member who's been staying in the North. The Princess needs someone who's tight-lipped but willing to do anything for money."
Ariana doesn't have the funds to mobilize even one member of the merchant guild right now, but with an introduction from the Northern Lord, she could plan for the future.
Ariana looked up at him blankly, not knowing how to express her gratitude for the unexpected kindness.
It's always been like this.
He always gave Ariana his unwavering support.
When she was weak, she was burdened by not knowing his intentions, but now that she's a Princess, she understands how much he cares.
It was an excessive grace to say that it was just for use.
She guessed that's why.
The reason why she felt at home the moment she arrived in the North is because of this.
Because Ariana trusted this man without even realizing it, because she knew that with him, no danger or threat would reach her.
“I am so overwhelmed with grace that I don’t know how to handle it.”
"The Princess thinks a lot with your small head. If you think about it, you'll figure out how to handle it."
As Cyrus whistled, Louis, who had been hiding, emerged. Ariana raised her voice involuntarily, delighted to see her again after such a long time.
“Louis!”
“Hello, Princess Consort. I am glad to see you in good health.”
“Louis, too. I was wondering how you were doing...”
“I've been doing well.”
Cyrus narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Somehow, the Princess seems to be happier to see Louis than me.”
Only Louis noticed the tone of voice that seemed to have been strained. She barely managed to suppress a pleased smile as she spoke.
“I’ll tell you to get ready to go out to the city. This girl...”
“Her name is Shini.”
“Princess Consort, do you intend to use this girl in a great way?”
Ariana didn't want to deceive Cyrus and Louis. They weren't the kind of people who would fall for a lie, so she told them honestly.
“Yes.”
"Then, her red hair, golden eyes, and brown skin are striking. Would it be all right if I took charge of Shini while you were in the North?"
“I would appreciate it if you could do that, but wasn’t Louis the Knight Commander? You must be very busy.”
“The time spent by the Princess Consort is the time spent for the northern region.”
Ariana glanced at Cyrus. She worried that his knight commander, Louis, would act so selfishly for Ariana.
Cyrus, as always, had an inscrutable expression on his face. Ariana asked in a small voice.
“Are you okay?”
“I tend to guarantee freedom to my subordinates.”
“Is that so? Then I guess I didn’t have an eye for it.”
“Does that mean that in the Princess’s eyes, I looked like a petty monarch who didn’t let his subordinates do what they wanted?”
“If the Northern Lord heard that, then so be it.”
This time, Louis couldn't hide her pleased smile and quickly turned her head to the side to control her expression.
Then, Shini, who had been quiet like a background until then, spoke.
“I want to become friends with Knight Langster. I also want to become friends with Lady Catherine.”
Louis stared at Shini, finding her speaking so clearly and eloquently cute. She realized that Shini had received instructions from Ariana.
"Yes, then let's go together to see Sir Langster Leon and Viscountess Catherine Ruel. That way, it'll be easier for you to become friends with them."
Langster thought as he watched Ariana leave with only Shini.
'I should teach Shini how to use the sword.'
This kind of thing would happen often in the future.
'I guess the Princess still doesn't completely trust me.'
It was disappointing, but he understood. Having lived for over a decade without a place to put her heart, it was only natural that she would find it difficult to open up to him, a mere escort knight.
But Shini, whom she had personally rescued with Ariana's own hands, seemed different. If that were the case, there was only one thing Langster could do.
'Rather than forcing the Princess to open her heart, it would be better for Shini to become strong enough to protect the Princess.'
The incident that occurred on the way to the North was undoubtedly suspicious.
Suddenly, Geor appeared, and the house Ariana and Shini were in caught fire, and Shini emerged, badly injured, carried by Geor. There were more than a few suspicious things, but since the little Lord and the Princess didn't want to talk, there was no way to ask.
But he couldn't relax.
'Maybe someone is after the Princess's life.'
Despite her delicate appearance, Ariana possessed a certain courage. While that wasn't a bad thing, he was concerned that she felt uncomfortable traveling with a knight escort.
‘Since Shini is showing curiosity towards me..."
As he thought about that, he noticed two women walking down the hallway. One was a knight, and the other had short red hair and downturned eyes, giving her an innocent look.
Shini and she both have red hair, so at first glance they looked like sisters.
They finally arrived in front of Langster and said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Langster Leon. My name is Louisana Cheveni.”
That's exactly what made Ariana's heart weak.
Although Geor was constantly suspicious and wary of Ariana, his loyalty to her father, Russell, was genuine.
'So that's why you can't kill me. Because you know how much Father loves me.'
Killing Ariana was the easiest option for Geor. She'd only recently arrived in the East Realm, so eliminating a Princess with little influence would be the only way to maintain peace in the East Realm and Chase Castle.
Despite having several chances, Geor did not kill Ariana.
“Little Lord will not put the East in danger.”
“It would put the Princess in danger.”
“That may be true, but...”
“You believe him.”
“I believe him.”
A faint wrinkle formed between Cyrus's eyebrows.
“That’s strange. I thought the Princess didn’t trust anyone.”
“No one I wanted to believe, but I’m human, so I ended up believing those who wanted to believe me. Isn’t that the case with the Northern Lords?”
“...”
"The Little Lord's loyalty to my father is not false. The little Lord may not protect me, but he will definitely protect my father. Therefore, if the Duke of Obelius were to draw his sword against my father, the little Lord would actively move to stop the Duke of Obelius."
“Is there a way to reveal the sword?”
“I have a few things in mind.”
“I want to know too.”
“Will you help me if you know?”
Watching Ariana ask provocatively, Cyrus thought she was dazzling. Even though the northern sunlight wasn't particularly strong, she shone with such brilliance as if she had drawn in all the sunlight.
The discomfort that had been building in his chest when Ariana said she believed in little Lord disappeared.
“I will do my best to help you, as I always have.”
As always.
Ariana thought that was really nice to hear.
If she thinks about it, Cyrus has always helped Ariana. He said he would use her, but he's never done anything to her.
Ariana suddenly became curious.
Does this man really intend to exploit me? Is that really why he's treating me so well? Am I worth moving everyone in Maho Castle to welcome me as I am now?
But she didn't ask.
Because she was afraid of getting a cold answer.
"It would be a great help if the Northern Lord could help. I'll soon find a suitable way to ask for help. If possible, let's consider a way that will also benefit the Northern Lord."
“That’s sturdy.”
The long walk through the cold wind had left her coughing. Cyrus spoke as Ariana coughed softly.
“Are you still weak? You seem a little taller.”
“The wind from the north is really cold.”
“Then let’s go in.”
“I want to walk a little more.”
Ariana couldn't tell if she wanted to talk to Cyrus more or just admire the garden, which was beautifully kept even in the cold.
“I think it would be better to go in.”
“Wasn’t it the Northern Lord who asked me to take a walk?”
"I didn't know the Princess was still so weak. Are you sleeping well?"
She felt like she had hit the nail on the head.
Ariana couldn't sleep well because of the nightmares.
The same old days of being treated harshly every night recurred. She gasped in pain from the strangling pain, only to open her eyes to see a clear ceiling. Every time, she doubted herself.
What I thought was a nightmare is now a reality, and what if this place is a dream? Could it be that the moment of strangulation has dragged on, and I'm wandering through an eternal dream?
She couldn't say that to Cyrus.
She didn't want to show her weakness to anyone.
“I’m sleeping well. I’m getting sick less often, too.”
“You still have that habit of lying every time you open your mouth.”
“There’s a saying that you only see what you want to see.”
“Does that mean that because you're a liar, I suspect that everything an honest Princess says is a lie?”
Ariana chuckled slightly as she remembered the time she had had a pointless conversation with Cyrus.
“Even though you know, you still have the habit of asking questions.”
The two looked at each other and smiled a little.
A strong wind blew in, ruffling Cyrus's silver hair. He swept his hand away, as if annoyed by the hair poking his eyes.
The sight was so breathtakingly beautiful that Ariana couldn't take her eyes off it.
“Is there a place in particular you would like to visit in the North?”
Only when Cyrus asked whether Ariana realized she had been staring blankly at his face. Her face flushed.
She was glad it was cold. If her cheeks hadn't turned red from the cold weather, she would have looked flushed.
“I don’t have any particular place in mind. Do you have any recommendations?”
Cyrus pointed with his index finger to the distant Graten Mountains.
"If you climb to the top of Mount Graten, there's a place called Ruam Pond. It's a pink pond, and even in the middle of winter, the water is warm."
“A pink pond, how beautiful.”
"It's a spectacular sight to visit on a full moon night. However, the path is arduous, and many people freeze to death trying to see Ruam Pond. It's quite eerie because not all the bodies were recovered. We call that place 'Morian's Resting Place.'"
Morian was the god of water and ice.
He was also the god who protected the ice magic of the Northern people. Therefore, the Northern people believed in Morian more deeply than in Arphen, the creator god.
“Will the day ever come when I go to the Ruam Pond?”
It was pleasant to hear his voice as he answered, “When the Princess becomes healthier than she is now.”
"A place worth visiting right now... Well, since you're in Laker City, why don't you take a look around the downtown area? I might be able to introduce you to a member of the Merchant Guild who might be useful to the Princess."
The Merchant Guild was a huge guild that extended its influence to the empire, the East, West, South, and North regions, and other small countries.
As they were a gathering of merchants who traveled across the continent, they were quick to gather information, and Ariana also had plans to connect with them someday.
However, the merchant guild members were wary and territorial, making it difficult to initiate business with them. So, once she had acquired enough power and funds to recruit them, she tried to approach them.
“Can you really introduce me to the Merchant Guild?”
"I happen to know a guild member who's been staying in the North. The Princess needs someone who's tight-lipped but willing to do anything for money."
Ariana doesn't have the funds to mobilize even one member of the merchant guild right now, but with an introduction from the Northern Lord, she could plan for the future.
Ariana looked up at him blankly, not knowing how to express her gratitude for the unexpected kindness.
It's always been like this.
He always gave Ariana his unwavering support.
When she was weak, she was burdened by not knowing his intentions, but now that she's a Princess, she understands how much he cares.
It was an excessive grace to say that it was just for use.
She guessed that's why.
The reason why she felt at home the moment she arrived in the North is because of this.
Because Ariana trusted this man without even realizing it, because she knew that with him, no danger or threat would reach her.
“I am so overwhelmed with grace that I don’t know how to handle it.”
"The Princess thinks a lot with your small head. If you think about it, you'll figure out how to handle it."
As Cyrus whistled, Louis, who had been hiding, emerged. Ariana raised her voice involuntarily, delighted to see her again after such a long time.
“Louis!”
“Hello, Princess Consort. I am glad to see you in good health.”
“Louis, too. I was wondering how you were doing...”
“I've been doing well.”
Cyrus narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Somehow, the Princess seems to be happier to see Louis than me.”
Only Louis noticed the tone of voice that seemed to have been strained. She barely managed to suppress a pleased smile as she spoke.
“I’ll tell you to get ready to go out to the city. This girl...”
“Her name is Shini.”
“Princess Consort, do you intend to use this girl in a great way?”
Ariana didn't want to deceive Cyrus and Louis. They weren't the kind of people who would fall for a lie, so she told them honestly.
“Yes.”
"Then, her red hair, golden eyes, and brown skin are striking. Would it be all right if I took charge of Shini while you were in the North?"
“I would appreciate it if you could do that, but wasn’t Louis the Knight Commander? You must be very busy.”
“The time spent by the Princess Consort is the time spent for the northern region.”
Ariana glanced at Cyrus. She worried that his knight commander, Louis, would act so selfishly for Ariana.
Cyrus, as always, had an inscrutable expression on his face. Ariana asked in a small voice.
“Are you okay?”
“I tend to guarantee freedom to my subordinates.”
“Is that so? Then I guess I didn’t have an eye for it.”
“Does that mean that in the Princess’s eyes, I looked like a petty monarch who didn’t let his subordinates do what they wanted?”
“If the Northern Lord heard that, then so be it.”
This time, Louis couldn't hide her pleased smile and quickly turned her head to the side to control her expression.
Then, Shini, who had been quiet like a background until then, spoke.
“I want to become friends with Knight Langster. I also want to become friends with Lady Catherine.”
Louis stared at Shini, finding her speaking so clearly and eloquently cute. She realized that Shini had received instructions from Ariana.
"Yes, then let's go together to see Sir Langster Leon and Viscountess Catherine Ruel. That way, it'll be easier for you to become friends with them."
***
Langster thought as he watched Ariana leave with only Shini.
'I should teach Shini how to use the sword.'
This kind of thing would happen often in the future.
'I guess the Princess still doesn't completely trust me.'
It was disappointing, but he understood. Having lived for over a decade without a place to put her heart, it was only natural that she would find it difficult to open up to him, a mere escort knight.
But Shini, whom she had personally rescued with Ariana's own hands, seemed different. If that were the case, there was only one thing Langster could do.
'Rather than forcing the Princess to open her heart, it would be better for Shini to become strong enough to protect the Princess.'
The incident that occurred on the way to the North was undoubtedly suspicious.
Suddenly, Geor appeared, and the house Ariana and Shini were in caught fire, and Shini emerged, badly injured, carried by Geor. There were more than a few suspicious things, but since the little Lord and the Princess didn't want to talk, there was no way to ask.
But he couldn't relax.
'Maybe someone is after the Princess's life.'
Despite her delicate appearance, Ariana possessed a certain courage. While that wasn't a bad thing, he was concerned that she felt uncomfortable traveling with a knight escort.
‘Since Shini is showing curiosity towards me..."
As he thought about that, he noticed two women walking down the hallway. One was a knight, and the other had short red hair and downturned eyes, giving her an innocent look.
Shini and she both have red hair, so at first glance they looked like sisters.
They finally arrived in front of Langster and said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Langster Leon. My name is Louisana Cheveni.”
Comments
Post a Comment