(138) Your relationship with me
Ariana's carriage was waiting in front of the palace. It was a large carriage, but it didn't bear the family crest.
Lancer, who had been waiting beside the carriage, saw Cyrus, his eyes widened, and he hurried over. He gave Cyrus a wary look and gave him a brief greeting.
“Your Excellency, the Northern Lord. It’s been a long time.”
"Yes."
“Princess, is everything okay inside?”
Ariana nodded.
“No. Then the Northern Lord...”
"The Easterners are so cruel. It's been so long since we last met, and you didn't even give us time to say hello?"
Cyrus cut Ariana off. Lancer glared at him with even more wariness.
Ariana sighed softly and said to Lancer.
“Let me say hello for a moment.”
“I’ll be nearby.”
After Lancer retreated towards the carriage, Ariana looked up at Cyrus.
“What are you going to talk about?”
“I wonder what you are planning to do.”
"I don't ask what the Northern Lord does, so why would the Northern Lord be curious about what I do? Is it because you're afraid that what I do will harm you?"
Cyrus was speechless at the sharp question. No, more than that, the pain of her cold gaze left him speechless.
"Then, let's put those worries aside, Northern Lord. My actions will not obstruct your path."
Ariana firmly drew a line between herself and him. It was so thick that no matter how hard he tried, he felt he couldn't cross it.
The cold tone, the cold gaze, the firm lips—all caught his eye. Ariana, who used to give Cyrus her radiant smile, was gone. No matter what Cyrus said, she wouldn't return a genuine smile.
-“You will regret it.”
-“You’ll regret sending her away like this.”
Isaac and Andrei's voices rang in his ears. The cool breeze that had swept his heart the day Ariana left the North.
Only then did Cyrus realize what he had lost three years ago.
'Because I doubted you.'
He couldn't catch Ariana as she turned around.
A few strands of hair fell from her elegantly tied hair and fluttered in the wind.
'I've lost my sky.'
Cyrus desperately wanted Ariana to look back, but she didn't look back once and got into the carriage.
The world had become black and white again. The once brilliant blue sky had lost its luster, and the buildings on the street appeared black.
People coming and going were not visible, and even though he was running on flat ground, his stomach was rumbling.
Louis, who was riding beside Cyrus, spoke to him several times with a worried expression, but even that went unheard.
-“Then let’s put those worries aside.”
Only the sharp voice stuck in his ears, and he had no intention of leaving.
Cyrus had a lot to think about. The North, the Black Knights, Paganus, the Western Lord... There was so much to worry about, so much to be responsible for.
But now he couldn't think of anything else. He wanted to get back what he lost, even if it meant giving up everything.
A clear blue sky. A sky shining brightly in the brilliant sunlight.
My sky.
He arrived at the gate where he had agreed to join the group, enveloped in a black-and-white atmosphere. Several knights, including Andrei, Isaac, and Noah, were waiting for Cyrus, but he couldn't even see them.
All he can see is her back, which he can't catch.
Those waiting for Cyrus exchanged glances with each other as he stood motionless at the gate. Noah approached Louis and asked in a low voice.
“Captain, why is our lord acting like that? Did something happen at the palace?”
Louis recalled the sight she had seen in the palace.
Ariana, who was with the Third Prince, was always cold to Cyrus.
Louis was at a loss for how to explain all of this, then answered in a small voice.
“He was rejected by the Princess Consort.”
"What?"
Noah raised his voice without realizing it, then realized Cyrus was there and covered his mouth with both hands. But Cyrus didn't even pay him any attention. It was as if Cyrus were alone in another world.
Isaac and Andrei approached.
"What are you talking about, Louis? To the Princess Consort? Was the Princess Consort in the palace? What happened?"
Louis pondered for a long time how to answer Isaac's endless barrage of questions, then simply summarized her answer.
“It’s ruined.”
“No, don’t just say that. Tell me in detail.”
“That is... My lord asked the Princess Consort what she was going to do from now on, but the Princess Consort told him not to worry about it.”
“...Haven’t she said that often?”
“It’s different now. The Princess Consort’s gaze was so cold... I froze.”
“Oh my...”
Isaac and Andrei looked at Cyrus.
Cyrus, sitting blankly on his horse, had a look in his eyes they had seen long ago, a look they never wanted to see again. The look in his eyes when he'd lost his parents and nearly been killed by his family before escaping.
Isaac swallowed hard. He thought, "This is a big deal."
When Cyrus didn't acknowledge his feelings and used Ariana, or didn't trust me, Isaac had a little thought that he should regret it a little.
But looking into Cyrus's eyes, he knew he couldn't let this go. As a friend, as a subject, he had to do something.
So he cleared his throat and approached Cyrus, who suddenly dismounted. His eyes, which had been empty just moments before, were now shining as clear as ever.
Cyrus, who had worried everyone, looked around as if nothing had happened, then brushed his hair back and said something nonsensical.
“It’s cold.”
It's cold. Even in this freezing cold, you're wearing only a single layer of clothing.
Everyone looked at Cyrus in shock, but he said that he didn't mind the looks.
“If we leave today, there’s a good chance we’ll freeze to death.”
Noah, who had guessed Cyrus's intention, quickly stepped forward.
"That's right, my lord. I was frozen just a moment ago and barely recovered. Shall we find lodging immediately?"
Cyrus turned his gaze toward the inner gate. He watched it for a moment before speaking.
"Instead of a lodging, find a mansion. The closest one to the palace. Stay there until the weather clears and the danger of freezing to death is over, then return."
Inside the carriage heading to the mansion, Ariana gazed quietly out the window. A myriad of thoughts and emotions swirled through her mind, but not a single wave of emotion showed on her face.
The sky, which had been clear just moments before, suddenly darkened, and snowflakes began to flutter. Ariana opened the window and reached out. A cold snowflake landed on her hand, then quickly melted.
'It's like my relationship with the Northern Lords.'
When they meet, they act as if they're sharing a slightly intense feeling, but the moment they turn around, they're worse than anyone else. It seems like there's something there, but in reality, there's nothing. Like snowflakes that melt and disappear the moment they land.
She thinks she wasn't being herself earlier.
The moment Cyrus asked what her plans were for the future, she burst into tears and let her emotions flow freely. That shouldn't happen. She needs to be able to control her emotions in any situation.
Just a few dozen minutes before that incident, she had been laughing at the Third Prince for losing his composure and becoming emotional, and now she was doing the same thing.
'How insignificant I must have seemed to the Northern Lord.'
The thought that he must have laughed inwardly made her feel a pang of emotion again. It wasn't a feeling of hatred or resentment. She was just a little annoyed.
“It’s snowing, Princess.”
Lancer, riding his horse, came up beside the carriage and said.
“Yeah, it’s snowing.”
“It reminds me of when I was in the West. It was much colder there than here.”
“Yeah, that’s right. It was really cold.”
“Are you okay now? It’s cold out there.”
“Yeah, it’s a little cold.”
Ariana quickly clenched her fists before another snowflake could land on her palm.
She never wanted to be swayed by vain emotions again.
Ariana, who had returned from the palace, was busy.
News of the arrival of the Princess of the East spread far and wide. Ariana received countless invitations to tea parties, and several noble ladies requested a visit.
Ariana was busy meeting with the ladies who came to visit her on purpose and giving instructions to each person to prepare for the party.
Then, she heard that Cyrus had rented the house next door to the one Ariana was renting. She was overcome with emotion again, but the feeling quickly subsided amidst the busy schedule.
While Ariana was selecting the nobles to invite to the grand party, news of Ariana reached the royal palace.
In anticipation of her debutante, the Western Lord was giving Victoria various instructions: how to conduct herself in the palace, which families she should be friendly with, and who could help her in times of need...
When the Western Lord finished his story, Victoria lifted her teacup and said indifferently.
“I heard that Ariana is already doing something in the Empire.”
The Western Lord stared intently at his granddaughter.
Victoria had grown a lot over the years, but not enough. She still had a childlike side.
Even though she spoke of Ariana as if she had no emotion when she spoke of her now, the Western Lord noticed his granddaughter's impatience.
“Victoria, the Princess of the East, is none of your concern.”
For a moment, a wave of emotion surged across Victoria's face, then vanished. The Western Lord thought that perhaps Victoria had been consistently using the power of blood.
Those addicted to the power of blood fail to mature emotionally. This is a side effect that appears in those who use power that is not theirs as if it were their own.
But that was fine. If the Third Prince became the Crown Prince and Victoria married him, and thus provided a solid foundation for the West, then that was enough.
Victoria said with a calm expression.
"I'm not worried. I'm just curious. If Ariana were to meet the nobles first and start a relationship, wouldn't that be detrimental to me?"
“What else could be wrong with that? What could that little girl possibly do?”
"There's a lot she can do. When the continent was in an uproar over perfume, Ariana took advantage of it and was even treated as a saint."
The Western Lord's eyes turned cold at Victoria's remark.
Who caused that perfume problem?
Victoria's misinformation had caused a painful loss. The West, which had been reeling from the incident, was finally beginning to recover.
The Western Lord said, hiding his irritation.
"You seem to be overestimating her. Do you really think she did it herself? The Eastern Lord must have shared his credit for his daughter's honor."
Victoria stared at the Western Lord for a moment, then smiled and put down her teacup.
"That's right. I reacted a little emotionally, perhaps because of what happened to her. What's important right now isn't Ariana, but me becoming a royal member safely."
"Yes, I'm glad you don't know what's more important. Late-blooming flowers are always more beautiful. There's no need for you to rush to the Empire. You're anxious about your debutante, trying to win people over in advance. How shallow you seem."
“That’s what I mean.”
Afterwards, Victoria returned to Bronte Manor after a long conversation with the Western Lord without mentioning Ariana's name.
Victoria's eyes gleamed coldly as she headed towards the Bronte mansion.
Ariana's carriage was waiting in front of the palace. It was a large carriage, but it didn't bear the family crest.
Lancer, who had been waiting beside the carriage, saw Cyrus, his eyes widened, and he hurried over. He gave Cyrus a wary look and gave him a brief greeting.
“Your Excellency, the Northern Lord. It’s been a long time.”
"Yes."
“Princess, is everything okay inside?”
Ariana nodded.
“No. Then the Northern Lord...”
"The Easterners are so cruel. It's been so long since we last met, and you didn't even give us time to say hello?"
Cyrus cut Ariana off. Lancer glared at him with even more wariness.
Ariana sighed softly and said to Lancer.
“Let me say hello for a moment.”
“I’ll be nearby.”
After Lancer retreated towards the carriage, Ariana looked up at Cyrus.
“What are you going to talk about?”
“I wonder what you are planning to do.”
"I don't ask what the Northern Lord does, so why would the Northern Lord be curious about what I do? Is it because you're afraid that what I do will harm you?"
Cyrus was speechless at the sharp question. No, more than that, the pain of her cold gaze left him speechless.
"Then, let's put those worries aside, Northern Lord. My actions will not obstruct your path."
Ariana firmly drew a line between herself and him. It was so thick that no matter how hard he tried, he felt he couldn't cross it.
The cold tone, the cold gaze, the firm lips—all caught his eye. Ariana, who used to give Cyrus her radiant smile, was gone. No matter what Cyrus said, she wouldn't return a genuine smile.
-“You will regret it.”
-“You’ll regret sending her away like this.”
Isaac and Andrei's voices rang in his ears. The cool breeze that had swept his heart the day Ariana left the North.
Only then did Cyrus realize what he had lost three years ago.
'Because I doubted you.'
He couldn't catch Ariana as she turned around.
A few strands of hair fell from her elegantly tied hair and fluttered in the wind.
'I've lost my sky.'
Cyrus desperately wanted Ariana to look back, but she didn't look back once and got into the carriage.
***
The world had become black and white again. The once brilliant blue sky had lost its luster, and the buildings on the street appeared black.
People coming and going were not visible, and even though he was running on flat ground, his stomach was rumbling.
Louis, who was riding beside Cyrus, spoke to him several times with a worried expression, but even that went unheard.
-“Then let’s put those worries aside.”
Only the sharp voice stuck in his ears, and he had no intention of leaving.
Cyrus had a lot to think about. The North, the Black Knights, Paganus, the Western Lord... There was so much to worry about, so much to be responsible for.
But now he couldn't think of anything else. He wanted to get back what he lost, even if it meant giving up everything.
A clear blue sky. A sky shining brightly in the brilliant sunlight.
My sky.
He arrived at the gate where he had agreed to join the group, enveloped in a black-and-white atmosphere. Several knights, including Andrei, Isaac, and Noah, were waiting for Cyrus, but he couldn't even see them.
All he can see is her back, which he can't catch.
Those waiting for Cyrus exchanged glances with each other as he stood motionless at the gate. Noah approached Louis and asked in a low voice.
“Captain, why is our lord acting like that? Did something happen at the palace?”
Louis recalled the sight she had seen in the palace.
Ariana, who was with the Third Prince, was always cold to Cyrus.
Louis was at a loss for how to explain all of this, then answered in a small voice.
“He was rejected by the Princess Consort.”
"What?"
Noah raised his voice without realizing it, then realized Cyrus was there and covered his mouth with both hands. But Cyrus didn't even pay him any attention. It was as if Cyrus were alone in another world.
Isaac and Andrei approached.
"What are you talking about, Louis? To the Princess Consort? Was the Princess Consort in the palace? What happened?"
Louis pondered for a long time how to answer Isaac's endless barrage of questions, then simply summarized her answer.
“It’s ruined.”
“No, don’t just say that. Tell me in detail.”
“That is... My lord asked the Princess Consort what she was going to do from now on, but the Princess Consort told him not to worry about it.”
“...Haven’t she said that often?”
“It’s different now. The Princess Consort’s gaze was so cold... I froze.”
“Oh my...”
Isaac and Andrei looked at Cyrus.
Cyrus, sitting blankly on his horse, had a look in his eyes they had seen long ago, a look they never wanted to see again. The look in his eyes when he'd lost his parents and nearly been killed by his family before escaping.
Isaac swallowed hard. He thought, "This is a big deal."
When Cyrus didn't acknowledge his feelings and used Ariana, or didn't trust me, Isaac had a little thought that he should regret it a little.
But looking into Cyrus's eyes, he knew he couldn't let this go. As a friend, as a subject, he had to do something.
So he cleared his throat and approached Cyrus, who suddenly dismounted. His eyes, which had been empty just moments before, were now shining as clear as ever.
Cyrus, who had worried everyone, looked around as if nothing had happened, then brushed his hair back and said something nonsensical.
“It’s cold.”
It's cold. Even in this freezing cold, you're wearing only a single layer of clothing.
Everyone looked at Cyrus in shock, but he said that he didn't mind the looks.
“If we leave today, there’s a good chance we’ll freeze to death.”
Noah, who had guessed Cyrus's intention, quickly stepped forward.
"That's right, my lord. I was frozen just a moment ago and barely recovered. Shall we find lodging immediately?"
Cyrus turned his gaze toward the inner gate. He watched it for a moment before speaking.
"Instead of a lodging, find a mansion. The closest one to the palace. Stay there until the weather clears and the danger of freezing to death is over, then return."
***
Inside the carriage heading to the mansion, Ariana gazed quietly out the window. A myriad of thoughts and emotions swirled through her mind, but not a single wave of emotion showed on her face.
The sky, which had been clear just moments before, suddenly darkened, and snowflakes began to flutter. Ariana opened the window and reached out. A cold snowflake landed on her hand, then quickly melted.
'It's like my relationship with the Northern Lords.'
When they meet, they act as if they're sharing a slightly intense feeling, but the moment they turn around, they're worse than anyone else. It seems like there's something there, but in reality, there's nothing. Like snowflakes that melt and disappear the moment they land.
She thinks she wasn't being herself earlier.
The moment Cyrus asked what her plans were for the future, she burst into tears and let her emotions flow freely. That shouldn't happen. She needs to be able to control her emotions in any situation.
Just a few dozen minutes before that incident, she had been laughing at the Third Prince for losing his composure and becoming emotional, and now she was doing the same thing.
'How insignificant I must have seemed to the Northern Lord.'
The thought that he must have laughed inwardly made her feel a pang of emotion again. It wasn't a feeling of hatred or resentment. She was just a little annoyed.
“It’s snowing, Princess.”
Lancer, riding his horse, came up beside the carriage and said.
“Yeah, it’s snowing.”
“It reminds me of when I was in the West. It was much colder there than here.”
“Yeah, that’s right. It was really cold.”
“Are you okay now? It’s cold out there.”
“Yeah, it’s a little cold.”
Ariana quickly clenched her fists before another snowflake could land on her palm.
She never wanted to be swayed by vain emotions again.
***
Ariana, who had returned from the palace, was busy.
News of the arrival of the Princess of the East spread far and wide. Ariana received countless invitations to tea parties, and several noble ladies requested a visit.
Ariana was busy meeting with the ladies who came to visit her on purpose and giving instructions to each person to prepare for the party.
Then, she heard that Cyrus had rented the house next door to the one Ariana was renting. She was overcome with emotion again, but the feeling quickly subsided amidst the busy schedule.
While Ariana was selecting the nobles to invite to the grand party, news of Ariana reached the royal palace.
In anticipation of her debutante, the Western Lord was giving Victoria various instructions: how to conduct herself in the palace, which families she should be friendly with, and who could help her in times of need...
When the Western Lord finished his story, Victoria lifted her teacup and said indifferently.
“I heard that Ariana is already doing something in the Empire.”
The Western Lord stared intently at his granddaughter.
Victoria had grown a lot over the years, but not enough. She still had a childlike side.
Even though she spoke of Ariana as if she had no emotion when she spoke of her now, the Western Lord noticed his granddaughter's impatience.
“Victoria, the Princess of the East, is none of your concern.”
For a moment, a wave of emotion surged across Victoria's face, then vanished. The Western Lord thought that perhaps Victoria had been consistently using the power of blood.
Those addicted to the power of blood fail to mature emotionally. This is a side effect that appears in those who use power that is not theirs as if it were their own.
But that was fine. If the Third Prince became the Crown Prince and Victoria married him, and thus provided a solid foundation for the West, then that was enough.
Victoria said with a calm expression.
"I'm not worried. I'm just curious. If Ariana were to meet the nobles first and start a relationship, wouldn't that be detrimental to me?"
“What else could be wrong with that? What could that little girl possibly do?”
"There's a lot she can do. When the continent was in an uproar over perfume, Ariana took advantage of it and was even treated as a saint."
The Western Lord's eyes turned cold at Victoria's remark.
Who caused that perfume problem?
Victoria's misinformation had caused a painful loss. The West, which had been reeling from the incident, was finally beginning to recover.
The Western Lord said, hiding his irritation.
"You seem to be overestimating her. Do you really think she did it herself? The Eastern Lord must have shared his credit for his daughter's honor."
Victoria stared at the Western Lord for a moment, then smiled and put down her teacup.
"That's right. I reacted a little emotionally, perhaps because of what happened to her. What's important right now isn't Ariana, but me becoming a royal member safely."
"Yes, I'm glad you don't know what's more important. Late-blooming flowers are always more beautiful. There's no need for you to rush to the Empire. You're anxious about your debutante, trying to win people over in advance. How shallow you seem."
“That’s what I mean.”
Afterwards, Victoria returned to Bronte Manor after a long conversation with the Western Lord without mentioning Ariana's name.
Victoria's eyes gleamed coldly as she headed towards the Bronte mansion.
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