#79
“In any case, Princess, you should relocate as well. This is a harsh sight for such a young princess to witness.”
Who was he calling a young princess and talking about harsh sights?
I nearly stepped forward, momentarily forgetting the situation. I understood intellectually that I shouldn’t casually approach the 1st Prince, but I could hardly calm my surging emotions.
Rikin, who was learning for the first time that Iria was a princess from another country, glanced at her with wide eyes. Everyone else either had already guessed this or didn’t care that she was a foreign princess, as they showed no particular reaction.
Even if Iria hadn’t properly revealed her identity when entering the palace, Kuatrin’s words were outrageous, far beyond crossing a line. Though some would call her a hostage, Iria was still a princess of a nation. The very fact that he spoke to her like that was inconceivable.
Yet Iria’s expression didn’t change at all as she smiled pleasantly.
“I apologize. Given the situation, I rushed here without thinking. Thank you so much for your concern. You must have been so busy with palace duties that you had no time to attend to other matters, yet you came all the way here. You must have more free time today than I expected.”
Iria very smoothly rephrased what essentially meant, “You must have nothing to do, seeing as you’re here running your mouth.”
“With so many people gathered here in concern, I have no choice but to step in. Now that you understand the situation, please withdraw.”
Kuatrin didn’t even raise an eyebrow, as if he could easily handle this level of exchange. Not only that, but he maintained a relaxed demeanor while essentially ordering her to leave. There seemed to be sparks flying between Iria and Kuatrin as they looked at each other with smiling faces.
Just then, the Duke, who had been quietly observing the situation, intervened between the sparking Iria and Kuatrin.
“If this isn’t the work of demons, I’d like to know exactly how this incident just now occurred.”
“Duke, I would very much like to tell you. However, in this case, His Majesty has ordered that only the royal family and related parties be informed.”
Upon hearing Kuatrin’s words, I suddenly felt dizzy. I had expected something like this, but I hadn’t realized that even the Emperor of this country was involved. I wanted to rush inside recklessly. But in a situation where even the Duke couldn’t move, there was nothing I could do.
A burning heat emanated from the sword in my hand. It seemed to be responding to my emotions. I couldn’t understand why I felt this way when “he” was no longer in this sword. It even felt like it was urging me to abandon reason and take action.
The desire that flashed through my mind continued to tempt me. My heart, burning so intensely that my vision wavered, didn’t subside—instead, it transformed into something increasingly dangerous. It felt like everything around me was moving in slow motion. I gripped the overheated sword with all my might. My feelings for the people I cared about, my situation, my position—everything gradually disappeared.
All that remained was the single desire that had led me to this temple. I had to move for its sake. Just as I was about to step forward like someone entranced—
‘It’s okay.’
A faint voice stopped me in my tracks. Though it seemed like I was hearing it for the first time, it was incredibly familiar. The voice didn’t speak to me again. But I knew very well who it belonged to—the man in the tube, and someone I absolutely didn’t want to lose.
Perhaps he had used his last remaining strength to speak to me. He had steadied me when I was about to waver. Even in this situation, he was looking after me as always. How many times had this happened already? What am I to you? I’m nothing but an insignificant human to you. Why do you treat me this way?
As soon as I came to my senses, the world resumed its normal pace. I exhaled a slightly labored breath and suppressed the burning desire.
“Ana, are you alright?”
Persis whispered to me in a small voice. As I was about to nod that I was fine, Kuatrin, who had been talking with the Duke, called out to him.
“Persis.”
“Yes.”
“Did you enter the palace because you were curious about what’s happening inside the temple?”
“No. I have other reasons, but I rushed here after seeing this scene as soon as I entered the palace.”
Kuatrin nodded slightly, whispering that he understood. He stroked his chin with his finger as if contemplating an important matter, then seemed to make up his mind and addressed Persis.
“Very well. If you wish, I’ll tell you. It’s inappropriate to discuss it here, so let’s go inside together.”
With those words, Kuatrin pointed to the temple. The knights who had been blocking the way until just now moved to either side, creating a path for the two of them.
Persis, who had been quietly looking at Kuatrin, took a step toward him. At that moment, I firmly grasped Persis’s collar.
Persis turned to me, startled. In truth, I was equally surprised. If Persis went inside and heard the whole story, the situation might change. But something felt wrong. A strong premonition struck me that I shouldn’t let Persis go like this.
Kuatrin was a character who was only briefly mentioned in the original story. He would have inherited the Emperor’s position, but Persis, who demonstrated remarkable achievements by suppressing the Duke’s sudden rebellion, inherited the throne instead. As a result, there wasn’t a single scene in the original work where Kuatrin was active or where he and Persis competed for the throne.
Regarding palace intrigue, it was simply described that the assassination risk for Persis increased after he received the Crown Prince title. But was that really all there was to it? Perhaps there were many more events that were omitted from the original story. After all, the original game was from Iria’s perspective, so the inner workings of this country weren’t properly depicted.
“Persis?”
Kuatrin stood in place, calling out to Persis who wasn’t following. But Persis didn’t respond to him and quietly waited for me. I could see Kuatrin’s face gradually hardening. Perhaps that was his true face.
I slowly shook my head while looking at Persis. If I let Persis go now, I felt like I would regret this day forever. I absolutely couldn’t let go of this hand.
“Persis.”
Kuatrin called Persis’s name more forcefully. Persis, who had been looking at me, turned to face him. It seemed like Persis might slip away from my fingertips. Should I grip more tightly? Would I have to watch Persis’s retreating back as he moved away?
It might be nothing, but the ominous premonition that had arisen was gradually becoming a certainty. Just as Persis’s collar was slowly slipping from my hand, his resolute voice rang out.
“No. I’m fine. Thank you, but I’ll find out on my own.”
“…Oh? On your own? You’re saying you’ll find out by yourself what even the Duke doesn’t know?”
“Yes. So it’s fine.”
Kuatrin silently looked at Persis for a moment, then smiled brightly.
“Very well, do as you wish. I’m pleased to see my brother being so independent. Then, Duke, I’ll see you later.”
He greeted the Duke but didn’t even mention Iria—Kuatrin’s twisted nature was clearly visible. After a brief greeting, Kuatrin entered the temple. I saw the knight who had stopped Rikin earlier following behind him. He appeared to be Kuatrin’s henchman.
When Persis didn’t follow Kuatrin, a sigh of relief escaped me involuntarily. Seeing me like this, Persis smiled as if he couldn’t help it. Then, seemingly unconcerned about our surroundings, he tried to take my hand that was gripping his collar.
Was it because I was so accustomed to Persis firmly holding my hand when we were young? It didn’t feel awkward when Persis held my hand. Though not as warm as the heat I had felt from the sword moments ago, the moment I felt Persis’s body temperature, my unsettled feelings calmed somewhat.
Just then, the Duke smoothly inserted himself between Persis and me. Persis’s face contorted as he lost hold of my hand. Regardless, the Duke stood blocking me and didn’t move.
“Let’s leave this place for now. Please come to my office.”
Though Persis’s prince’s palace would have been preferable, the Duke mentioned his own office and walked ahead. Kara, who had been standing a little distance away, covered me with a blanket that she had brought from somewhere and guided me.
“Kara.”
“I’ll explain everything once we get there. So, let’s move for now.”
I nodded at her words and somehow managed to move my stiffened feet.
5.
Kuatrin’s face was frozen cold as he walked down the ornately decorated corridor. The smile he had shown earlier had long been discarded like a mask.
The knight who had served him for a long time knew that Kuatrin was in an extremely bad mood.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
