Chapter 45
Even though I’d promised Khan I wouldn’t talk to my father or brother for a few days, I wasn’t sure I could keep that promise.
Because they’re family, after all.
But it turned out to be an unnecessary worry.
Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—neither my father nor my brother came to find me first.
And I didn’t go looking for them either.
For two days, I sorted out my thoughts alone. I even practiced archery diligently—something I hadn’t done much of before.
[I was actually scared… because of the assassin.]
[You should have told me earlier, my lady.]
Sarina had been surprised but prepared everything I needed.
I still couldn’t forget the day the assassin appeared, when my brother was in class.
I was afraid of going outside. So Sarina brought a small target and a pink bow so I could practice safely in my room.
I focused hard on practice, shooting from the space near my bed.
But then, suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over me.
When I said I wanted to beat my brother in archery at the hunting tournament someday… When I told Father I wanted to wait a year before we started sleeping in the same room…
Those were the desperate wishes of a child who was afraid of being abandoned.
And yet, neither Father nor my brother reached out to me first.
No, I shouldn’t think like that.
Why am I still such a child?
Khan had explained things to me so clearly that I thought I understood.
But even after we talked, a quiet sadness remained in my heart.
Still, everyone really did plan to send me away in a month, didn’t they?
Not just my family—the knights, the teachers… they all knew and didn’t tell me.
I just wanted a family.
I didn’t hate the prophecy.
The more I thought about it, the less I resented it. I was even grateful that I was “the prophesied child.”
If I hadn’t been, maybe no one would’ve cared about me at all.
But I didn’t want to twist my heart into thinking that way, either.
Because I’d already been chosen by the spirits. I could hear their voices.
Even if I couldn’t understand how a prophecy from hundreds of years ago could dictate my fate—
Still, I was thankful.
That it had made the Duke my father, the Count’s son my brother, and let me meet Khan.
That I could know people like Sarina and Michael and so many others.
I was truly grateful.
But still… I was sad.
It hurt that the “family life” I dreamed of had an expiration date.
Father said it was just paperwork… but once I become royalty, everything will change.
Was the family I dreamed of nothing but luxury?
Too much of a dream for an orphan like me?
I understood that becoming part of the royal family would carry a different kind of weight, but it still didn’t feel real.
I just felt… sad.
The heaviness pressed down on my chest until it was almost unbearable.
Is it strange for me to be sad?
I usually tried to forget, but when we first met, Father had pointed a sword at my neck.
I thought I was over it, but maybe that wound had never healed.
Even though Father had broken his promise with the Emperor and extended our time together from one year to five—
That initial reluctance, that sense of being a burden to him—had been real.
But now, Father is kind to me.
Khan had said the reason they hadn’t explained things to me yet was “for my own good.”
I kind of understood that now.
But still, a small part of me felt hurt.
Yes, that was it. I was hurt.
“Lady Adel, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
At Ehin’s voice, I came out of my thoughts.
Time had passed quickly—it had already been three days since I first met the Emperor.
It was lesson time. Today’s class wasn’t outdoors.
I was sitting across from the teacher I had, in a way, “saved.”
“I was thinking about His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Hmm…”
Ehin set down his quill on the table with a slightly troubled expression.
It looked like he was thinking, Ah, here it comes.
“I heard there was an official introduction a few days ago.”
“Yes… but I cried.”
“You cried?”
I nodded, my cheeks heating in embarrassment.
“I’m supposed to be introduced to His Majesty again later. Father said so…”
I carefully called the Duke Father.
“He said he’ll send me to the Imperial Family in five years.”
“…Five years?”
“But I’m going to tell him I want to go in two.”
If I got the chance, I planned to speak to the Crown Prince directly.
I would propose first, get his consent, and then tell Father. That was the proper order.
I’ll say it because it’s what I want.
I’d asked Khan everything I could think of.
[If we get married, do I have to love you?]
[No. Your heart is always your own. Especially in the case of the “prophesied child,” only the legal contract matters. No one can force your will.]
It was complicated, but I was relieved.
I thought of Khan as a friend.
Honestly, my affection for Madeleine was greater than what I felt for Khan.
I didn’t really know what love was yet—but I knew it wasn’t the same as what I felt for my friends.
[If I finish the prophecy, do we still have to stay married?]
[If you’re asking about divorce—yes. Once you’re an adult, if you want to leave, I’ll agree. You’d have been too young to make a true decision anyway.]
Khan always answered my questions earnestly. That was something I liked about him.
My last question had been—
[If I propose, will you reject me?]
[Try it. Let’s see.]
He’d smiled when he said it, but I still didn’t know why.
I didn’t know the right timing for a proposal, either.
Khan didn’t like the idea of an early marriage, and before I knew he was the Crown Prince, I’d even wished him luck in avoiding marriage—several times!
And honestly, I didn’t want to marry either.
As a noble, as the “prophesied child,” it felt like something I should do—but I wanted to delay it as long as possible.
For now, I just wanted to stay “Father’s daughter” and “Brother’s little sister.”
“…”
Ehin seemed to understand what I was thinking.
He looked at me quietly, then said softly,
“The Duke must love you very much, Lady Adel. And you’re very mature.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I looked away.
Crying children aren’t mature.
I shook my head faintly.
“I… it’s hard.”
“You’re doing well,” he said kindly.
But it was true—it was hard. Meeting and understanding people… that’s the hardest thing of all.
After hesitating, I asked,
“Teacher, I have a question.”
My voice was small.
Even after meeting the Emperor, there was still so much I didn’t understand.
I was afraid he’d tell me again, You’re not ready to know that yet.
So I asked carefully,
“Who are they?”
The spirits hadn’t told me either.
Ehin paused.
How dangerous were “they,” really? Who could they possibly be?
He didn’t have to answer, and I would’ve understood—but he averted his gaze for a moment.
I saw his palm wipe nervous sweat off his thigh before he straightened up.
“They are not human. They’re very dangerous beings.”
“Not human…?”
“They were human once, but no longer. They look horrific. Honestly, I didn’t want to tell you at your age.”
His tone was calm but troubled.
I flinched, but stayed silent, urging him to continue.
He hesitated, then said,
“Still, as your teacher, I suppose I have the right to tell you at least this much. Please remember this.”
“Yes.”
“If you ever encounter them… survive, no matter what. And sometimes, the best defense is offense.”
“Offense?”
“I’ve heard you’re learning archery. They’re not human, but they have eyes like humans. Aim for their eyes—that’s how you can kill them.”
It felt like I’d just learned a massive secret.
Even without any drawings, the way Ehin spoke made my imagination run wild—and I felt a chill.
‘Horrific in appearance’…
That phrase alone painted enough of a picture.
“Then, Teacher… what do divine beasts look like?”
Ehin rubbed the bridge of his nose and swallowed, as though he’d expected that question.
This time, it seemed he would actually answer.
“As of now, they resemble lions.”
“As of now? So they can look different?”
“Yes. When the ‘prophesied child’ forms a ‘covenant’ with the divine beast, its form changes.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means the divine beast’s form reflects the personality of its contractor. For instance, if someone has a gentle heart and loves blue trees, the divine beast might take on a blue, tree-like form.”
It was such a mysterious idea that I blinked in surprise.
A tree-like shape—I could kind of imagine that, since I’d seen the spirits.
“And if the contractor is greedy and fond of cats, then the divine beast might have a jingling tail made of gold coins, like a cat’s.”
How fascinating.
“Then what about me?”
“It would take the shape that reflects your heart—and what you imagine.”
“Wow.”
My heart began to race.
Now I understood why everyone had been vague when describing the divine beast to me.
What would mine look like?
I hope it’s beautiful. Maybe purple.
“Anyway, you’ll learn how to form the covenant, how to care for the newborn divine beast, and how to induce its third transformation as it grows.”
“Wow…”
“Of course, before that, you must deepen your understanding of the spirits, debut into society, learn royal etiquette, and study the international common language.”
It felt like an endless list of daunting tasks.
Ehin smiled gently at my stunned expression.
He seemed different now.
Before I’d met the Emperor, he used to dodge questions or give only fragments of answers—but now he was teaching me so much.
“I heard you’ll be entering the Academy’s special class right after the Founding Festival, Lady Adel.”
At that, I straightened and nodded.
I didn’t think I could wait until the festival ended.
I’d need Father’s permission first, of course—but before entering the Academy, I planned to visit the orphanage.
Madeleine had written that she’d wait for me to come.
“Yes! And His Highness the Crown Prince said he’d let Madeleine attend the special class with me!”
Just saying her name made me happy.
I grinned from ear to ear.
Ehin blinked in surprise but smiled softly at my excitement.
“…That’s wonderful. She’s a dear friend to you.”
“Madeleine will be so happy! Just thinking about going to class together makes me so excited.”
I chattered on, too happy to notice the look on Ehin’s face—like he wanted to tell me something more.
“…Yes. I’m sure you’ll do well, whatever happens.”
“I’ll study hard, Teacher!”
“I believe you. Even though I was only your temporary teacher, it was an honor to teach the ‘prophesied child.’ Adel, call me senior when we meet at the Academy.”
I nodded.
Blake would always be “Brother,” but I could call Ehin “Senior.”
It still felt amazing, so I kept murmuring “Wow… wow…” under my breath in wonder.
“Well then, shall we continue the lesson?”
Ehin picked up his quill again, and I nodded brightly.
