Episode 18
The room, which the Magic Tower Lord had personally inspected for security, was spacious and cozy.
Yet, there was no way I could sleep.
‘Finally, I’m going to meet the female lead.’
Once I just met Helena, freeing Rulick from the demonic sword’s influence would be instantaneous.
‘He hasn’t gone on a rampage like in the novel yet, so even an inexperienced Helena should find it much easier to control him.’
After that, I would finally be able to leave the imperial capital, leaving Rulick behind.
‘And seriously start looking for the baby’s father…’
After all sorts of worries, I finally managed to fall asleep near dawn, but morning came as scheduled.
We bid an early farewell to the Lord of Heim.
“Have a comfortable stay.”
After my brief greeting, the Lord knelt on one knee with a warm smile.
“I pray for your safe journey for the remainder of your travels.”
As he kissed the back of my hand, Ren stepped forward and spoke bluntly.
“We’ll use the open field.”
We were soon guided to the training grounds.
Ren scattered black powder liberally in the middle of the sandy area.
“Anyone who hasn’t traveled with me before?”
He asked offhandedly, and about half the guards raised their hands.
Ren spoke with unfriendly bluntness.
“Unlike a gate, it can cause nausea at first. Endure it.”
Was that the entire explanation?
Actually, it was my first time too, so I was feeling flustered and looked up at Ren just then.
“I’ll take care of Lu.”
Rulick said, placing his arm over my shoulders.
Ren seemed displeased, but he wasn’t foolish enough to clash with the Crown Prince over every little thing.
He soon acquiesced and grabbed Phoebe’s arm.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
Callisteon bid me farewell with a fond look in his eyes.
“Have a safe journey, Lu.”
Black flames bloomed like hellfire, and I closed my eyes.
“Welcome to Caesarea.”
Upon arriving at the monastery, the famous Prior Didio himself greeted us.
“The honor is mine.”
I was determined enough to bow even to the stones of this monastery if it meant finding Helena, so I greeted the Prior with extreme courtesy.
The Prior welcomed me warmly but seemed more interested in Rulick.
“For you to visit Caesarea, so far away, in such difficult times… I am merely moved by Your Highness’s faith.”
Then again, the news of the victory had spread widely across the continent.
‘Actually, Rulick was just forcibly dragged here because of me…’
Sure enough, his face stiffened uncomfortably.
But the Prior persistently added.
“Healing the physical and mental pain caused by war is nothing to be ashamed of. We will assist you in every way possible during your stay.”
Before meeting Rulick, Helena was a maid doing odd jobs at this monastery.
‘So, the youngest princess can’t just suddenly appear shouting ‘Helena Garnier!”
That’s why we had sent a letter ahead with the excuse that we would be resting leisurely at the monastery as if for convalescence.
“The matter in Heim concluded easily, so it seems we can spare about ten days to stay.”
I answered gently on behalf of Rulick, who stood stock-still.
“We thank you for your words, Prior, but we siblings are merely here to rest. Please do not go to any special trouble on our account.”
Fortunately, the Prior retreated at that.
“Let me show you to your rooms first. After you’ve settled in, please join us for the morning service if you wish.”
“This way, please.”
In the monastery, even the guest quarters strictly separated the women’s and men’s lodgings.
Phoebe and I followed an elderly-looking female monk towards the women’s quarters.
‘Wheat-colored hair, green eyes…’
I recalled the description of Helena’s appearance.
I planned to check the faces of any maids we encountered along the way, but the hallways were empty, and we couldn’t meet anyone.
The room we arrived at was simple but tidy.
“The room is very clean.”
Just as Phoebe murmured in admiration, a young page boy dragged our bags in, straining.
“Thank you.”
After the page withdrew, the monk who guided us bowed her head again in a formal greeting.
“You may call me Mellots.”
She continued.
“I apologize, but there are few female monastics here, and we also lack skilled maids. It would be best if I attended to you personally, but unfortunately, I am scheduled to leave on a pilgrimage in a few days for the Sabbath.”
This… this motherly monk almost attended to me personally?
‘I almost witnessed something unacceptable to someone from a Confucian country…!’
Thinking it was extremely fortunate she had a pilgrimage coming up, I quickly replied.
“My brother has come to the monastery to heal wounds received in war. We cannot possibly inconvenience a monastic. Anyone will do; just assign us one maid who can run errands back and forth.”
The monk who introduced herself as Mellots explained, seeming embarrassed.
“This is a remote countryside, so few girls know palace etiquette. I’m worried they might cause offense…”
No, this situation was actually an opportunity.
‘Maybe Helena could be assigned as my maid.’
I approached her and quietly took her hand.
“Sister Mellots.”
“Speak, Your Highness the Princess.”
Her wrinkled hand felt rough against my soft fingertips.
I racked my brains for an answer.
“If my luck had been slightly worse, I might have entrusted myself to a monastery as well.”
In the history I studied, and in the romance novels I read, many noblewomen entered monasteries or were deposited there like luggage.
“If it’s acceptable, I would like to hear about monastery life from a maid around my age. Strictly, of course, only if it is not an inconvenience.”
Sister Mellots let out a small sigh.
“If you insist to that extent, I have no choice. I will send you a bright girl, though she may be lacking. Still, if you need help, please come find me. I will assist you wholeheartedly until I depart.”
While Phoebe unpacked our luggage, albeit simply, I waited anxiously for the maid.
‘Helena should come…’
According to Sister Mellots, there probably weren’t many maids my age here.
But that didn’t necessarily mean Helena would come.
The greater the expectation, the longer the wait felt.
Knock, knock.
Finally, a knocking sound was heard, and the door opened.
‘Wheat-colored hair, wheat-colored hair…’
I stared intently at the slowly moving door.
I had been so persistently fixated that I thought I was seeing things.
‘Wheat-colored hair, green eyes…’
In the open doorway stood the female lead I had so longed for, looking impeccably pure and elegant even in her shabby maid’s uniform.
‘No doubt about it.’
As a creator, I could be sure.
It was definitely Helena.
Her wheat-colored hair looked a bit dry because it wasn’t well cared for, but in the future, Rurik would cherish and love it, saying it was like an autumn field.
Her pale emerald eyes were undoubtedly those of the only saint on this land who could calm Rurik when he went berserk.
“I-I greet Your Highness the Princess.”
Although I had been waiting to meet her ever since becoming Louise, it seemed I had subconsciously prepared myself for the possibility of missing her and having to search for her.
Helena bowed her head before me, who was staring blankly.
“My name is Helena Garnier.”
In the novel, Helena was younger than me.
With an innocent and somewhat clumsy attitude, the female lead introduced herself.
“I will do my utmost to assist you during your stay. Please take care of m…”
Before Helena could even finish speaking, I pulled her into a tight hug.
“It’s nice to meet you, Helena.”
Really, really, really nice to meet you.
“I am the third princess of the Brentani Imperial Family, Louise.”
Helena, caught off guard and hugged by me, gasped for breath, and Phoebe, standing beside us, did the same.
“Your Highness, please, your dignity…!”
Dignity?!
‘Helena is the precious female lead who will make my brother Emperor and ascend to the position of Empress…!’
But I couldn’t say that, so I reluctantly released Helena and introduced myself again, clearly and distinctly.
“My name is Louise Amelie Kaya Brentania. I came here for my brother, His Highness Crown Prince Rurik, to convalesce.”
Rurik Silderic Frisland Brentania, you know.
‘You know our brother, right?’
