Chapter 37
“Hey! Are you okay?”
“Ugh…!”
Clayton was pinned beneath me, his face twisted in pain. I tried to get up right away, but his arm wrapped around me.
“Clayton!”
“I think I’m gonna die from the pain…”
He wouldn’t let go, so I couldn’t even check if he was really hurt.
“Let go so I can see what’s wrong!”
People around us were glancing our way, but he only tightened his grip as if nothing was wrong. Then, half-sitting up, he smiled.
“I think I’ll feel better if you hug me.”
“Hey! I was worried about you!”
“You were worried about me?”
“Of course I was! You got hit by a horse because of me!”
When he leaned in and hugged me tighter, my heart, which had been pounding with panic, slowly calmed down. I had been terrified he was seriously hurt—but he looked perfectly fine.
“Are you really okay?”
“Yeah. But I was really scared, so… can you stay like this for a little longer?”
I sighed and gave in, letting him hug me.
“Pat my back.”
“Why do you ask for so much?”
“When I’m with you, I just keep wanting more.”
He took a deep breath and held it. My heart trembled.
So, I patted his back. On my hand hung the clover ring he had made for me—a tiny green four-leaf clover tied into a loop. It was still there, snug as ever.
“Still wearing it?”
“Yeah.”
“Stop lying and get off me.”
He hugged me even tighter for a second, then finally let go. And grinned from ear to ear.
“You look like a sunflower.”
“That’s something you said to me once.”
“I’m not the sun.”
“You are to me. You’ll be the Empire’s sun someday.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I stood up. Naturally, he reached for my hand again. When I looked at him to say, “Let go,” he just kept holding on and started walking. Ugh… this guy… whatever!
[Quest Complete! “The Princess Wants to See Beyond Her Cage!”]
Reward: Penalty Cancellation Ticket (1x)
“You should put your hood back on,” he said, draping the black robe over my head again before leading me toward a group of people.
[New Quest! “Dailid Kingdom Citizen Favor Quest!”]
Choose the spy among the four suspects below!
Failure Penalty: Your right arm will feel like it weighs 50kg! ▼
Are you kidding me? Fifty kilos on one arm?! That’s like hanging a whole person off it! Do they think I’m some kind of rag doll?
Still, I have to clear the quest. Even if it’s unfair and ridiculous—hold it in and deal with it.
“Let me introduce you. This is Robert, the commander of the 12th Division of the Imperial Knights.”
“Ah… from the Empire…”
“Shh.”
Robert, looking nervous, gave a small bow.
“This is Bellerophon, head of the levee reconstruction project.”
“Ah, greetings, sir. And the person beside you—oh!”
Clayton frowned and gestured for him to quiet down. The man whispered with a grin, “It’s an honor to meet the Empire’s little sun.”
“This is Azelia, a commander from the Dailid Kingdom. I handpicked her.”
She smiled politely, but I noticed she was watching Clayton’s reactions closely.
He looked at me expectantly, as if waiting for praise, which made me laugh a little.
“You should’ve chosen her for her skills.”
“I did. She’s talented—and I happen to like where she’s from.”
When he reached for my hand again, I let him take it. It’s just holding hands—no big deal.
“And this is Mentros, in charge of rations.”
“Oh, so that’s why your hours are so long?”
“Yeah. The de Lebois territory’s a grain region. We bring in the surplus wheat from there.”
This time, he looked at my hand again—probably wanting me to pat him.
“Good job.”
When I reached out and patted his hand, he broke into that same bright smile again. Honestly, maybe he’s the real sun. Though with that silvery hair, maybe he’s more like the moon.
“If we go over there, you can see the logs I’ve kept. Want to take a look?”
“Sure.”
▼ Choose:
- Robert
- Bellerophon
- Azelia
- Mentros
I didn’t even know what the spy’s goal was supposed to be. Clayton was clearly trying to help me. If that’s the case, the mission must be about winning over the Dailid people.
Since I’ll need their support to become Emperor, exposing the spy is necessary.
Azelia’s the least likely suspect—why would she betray her own people? Still, I can’t rule anyone out without proof.
The documents Clayton gave me detailed the project’s progress, finances, and incidents. They also listed all the assigned personnel and their origins.
“Did accidents increase because you added more workers?”
“Usually, yeah—more people, more accidents.”
That ruled out Bellerophon. The so-called ‘supervisor’ barely showed up—only twice in a month. No spy worth anything would be that lazy.
“Why’s he the project head, then?”
“He owes me money. I shoved him into the role to pay it off.”
So—just a money man.
“The knights—are they stationed here just in case?”
“Yeah. Since the Ber River levee collapse, Dailid citizens have been under scrutiny. I used them for reconstruction on purpose. If there’s backlash, you wouldn’t like it.”
Clayton once said it was pointless to win over slaves or outsiders. Yet here he was, helping me do exactly that. He really does act entirely for my sake.
“Can we trust Robert?”
“His mother was a princess of the Dailid Kingdom.”
“Oh… so that’s why he’s here.”
“Yeah.”
He’d thought things through more than I expected. Just how far ahead does he plan?
“You’re making that thinking face again.”
“Do I look like it?”
“Yeah. I tried so hard to make sure you wouldn’t have to worry, but I guess I’m still not enough.”
“….”
“So teach me more, okay?”
Instead of sulking, he suddenly said that, catching me off guard. I didn’t know what to say, but when he smiled shyly, I couldn’t help smiling back.
“You’re really weird.”
“In a good way?”
“Yeah.”
His neck flushed red again. Maybe he just runs hot… or maybe he’s sick—his face turns red so easily. I should have the palace physician check him someday. Still, I’m grateful for everything he’s done.
“Did Azelia agree to take this job willingly?”
“No. I had a hard time convincing her. She used to be a royal tax officer in Dailid. She defected to the Empire long before the war, but after it ended, people called her a traitor.”
“I see…”
“So she didn’t want to take on any visible role, but she’s just too capable to waste.”
That left only Mentros. But as a ration officer, he’d hardly have access to important information—maybe just food logistics.
“Not like critical intel would pass through someone like him.”
“Exactly. The only sensitive info here involves the de Lebois duchy. Most of these people have never even met before—except Robert.”
Robert’s name had come up during the victory ceremony. So, he’d been on campaign with Clayton.
Exclude him.
Bellerophon’s useless—exclude.
Azelia’s loyal—exclude.
Mentros… still doesn’t fit.
Then who the hell am I supposed to choose?!
“Ugh, my head hurts.”
“Maybe you’re just hungry.”
“Pfft… How does that make sense?”
“It just does. I’ve gone hungry for days before, so I know the feeling.”
He said it so casually that it made my chest twist uncomfortably.
He’s too sincere for his own good.
“I am hungry, though.”
“Instead of the rations, want to eat at my estate—”
“Let’s eat here. I think I’d like it better with you here.”
Even if the ration guy’s role is small, I still needed to check.
“If I stay away from the palace too long, my father will notice.”
“Oh, right.”
“Francis is probably struggling right now too.”
At the mention of Francis, Clayton’s smile faltered slightly, then returned.
“He says I ruined his life.”
“…I’m sure you had your reasons.”
There it was again—his blind faith.
But strangely, it didn’t annoy me like before. Still, I wouldn’t let myself get attached. There’s no point clinging to something that’ll disappear.
“I’ll give Francis back his marquis title—and everything he lost because of me.”
“…Even release him from being your guard?”
“Yeah. I’ll sort things out and let him go.”
He looked absolutely delighted and squeezed my hand.
Honestly, they’ve fought side by side so many times—why are they so awkward?
“Francis likes you, you know.”
“I don’t care.”
“Hey, why’re you getting all prickly again?”
“…Not interested, okay?”
“Okay.”
Then, hesitantly, he added,
“Um… hey…”
“What? Spit it out, not like a nervous puppy.”
“…Will you feed me too?”
If he’s going to blush that hard, why even ask?
“Huh? I want to eat the food you feed me.”
