Chapter 28
“If it ever becomes too much for you, I hope you’ll take my hand, flap your wings, and be free.”
“…Is that what he wants too?”
“Well, who knows. But that’s what I want. Especially lately, when I see you… I hope you can do that even more.”
“Ian. I don’t let go of what’s been given to me. That’s my belief. So please don’t expect anything. I won’t live up to your hopes… Let’s go inside. I can already tell Seth’s going to start worrying.”
As she rose from her seat, unlike before, Pri didn’t remove her shawl.
“I’ll escort you.”
“By the way, Ian. This doll…”
“Yes? You don’t like it?”
“No, I do like it. It’s just… you said it was a guardian doll, a worry doll, last time. So I thought it was a cultural thing unique to the Intelia Empire… but Cathy didn’t know about it.”
For a moment, Ian’s eyes wavered slightly.
It was just like when Pri had asked about the missing flowers last time—but as she alternated her gaze between the doll and Ian, she didn’t notice his subtle reaction.
“Ah… It’s not from here. It’s just something I heard about somewhere.”
“Oh, I see.”
“But it’s not strange or anything.”
“I know. I know you wouldn’t give me something strange. And when I hold this doll, just like you said, it feels like my worries lessen.”
She looked like a child, but she didn’t stop caressing the doll.
“Do you like it?”
“Much more than any fine clothes or jewels.”
“Would you like to try finding out what kind of bird it is?”
“This bird…?”
“I hope it gives you a bit of comfort.”
Looking at Ian, who was saying things she couldn’t understand, Pri opened her mouth to reply—but somehow, curiosity about the bird suddenly swelled inside her.
“A bird…”
Only then did she look closely. Blue feathers, a white crest atop its head, and eyes set with red rubies. It still looked clumsy, just like before—but somehow, it felt like that clumsiness was intentional, to make it harder to identify the species.
“Let’s go then.”
“Sure.”
It felt like she’d been given a small task, and Pri’s attention was completely absorbed.
Thanks to that, thoughts of Argent and her sister dulled slightly.
With a lighter heart, Pri returned to her room.
***
“His Majesty has ordered that, starting today, you’ll have breakfast together.”
It was news delivered to Pri just as she was planning to have a simple breakfast and head to the library.
“I thought it was just a one-time meal…”
“I heard the same was said to your sister, Princess Gaia.”
Pri’s face hardened. She’d planned to eat quickly and head out since she wasn’t feeling very uncomfortable anymore—but now Gaia was joining?
“With my sister?”
“Yes. If you’re uncomfortable, I could let them know—”
“It’s fine. Why would I be uncomfortable with my sister? It’s just… eating together as three feels awkward. And kind of strange.”
When the King of the barbarians, Argent, first came to the Kingdom of Ezan, she never could have imagined this. Sharing a meal with him was strange enough—but now her sister too?
‘It’s so weird. Why isn’t she saying anything? She’s supposed to become the empress, and yet she just came because Argent wanted her to? That can’t be right.’
Questions about Princess Gaia, the ones she’d tried to forget and ignore, rose up again.
She’d brushed it off in the chaos before, but none of it made sense.
‘I wonder if I’ll get answers today.’
But she didn’t want to see them.
She didn’t want to see Argent with her sister.
“Your Highness.”
“Let’s get ready and go. I need to eat anyway.”
“…I’m worried about you, Pri.”
“Seth. You don’t need to worry about me. By the way, where’s Cathy today?”
Cathy, who would normally barge in with noisy chatter, was nowhere to be seen.
“She was speaking nonsense and not pulling herself together, so I stripped her of her duties as your personal maid for a few days. Even if she’s my blood, I won’t overlook such behavior.”
“Seth.”
“Please allow me this much.”
“Alright, Seth. I always support your decisions. This time as well.”
Seth bowed slightly, a beat late.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“But don’t keep her out too long. I do want to see Cathy.”
She might be fickle and loose-lipped—but if she were kept away too long, she might start thinking bad thoughts.
Pri had a good idea of what Cathy was like, and that’s exactly why she needed her.
‘Then again… if he’s just going to cast me aside, maybe I don’t need her after all.’
A bitter expression crossed Pri’s face.
In the meantime, Seth carefully dressed Pri, even taking over Cathy’s duties. Perhaps because of that, Pri finished getting ready at her usual pace. Just as she was finishing up, Ian knocked on the door.
“May I escort you today?”
“Ian, you’re too much. I clearly remember saying I would be the one to escort her today.”
Pri watched the two men squabble—not quite fighting, but clearly competing for time with her—and she naturally took both of their hands at once.
“We can go together.”
“Pri…”
“Your Highness…”
She just wanted to do that. For these two, and only these two—people who had shown her nothing but sincerity—she wanted to do well.
Maybe that’s why she was acting so out of character. Maybe it was a small, selfish wish—not wanting to be the “bad person,” at least not to them. Even if it went against her decisions, Pri didn’t let go of their hands.
She was about to be kicked out anyway, so couldn’t she do as she pleased, just a little?
She kept Cathy nearby so she could play the part of the villain—so shouldn’t she be allowed this one indulgence?
With those thoughts, her steps felt lighter than ever.
“Come to think of it, Ian can come too.”
“From now on, let’s all go together. This is nice. Let’s go.”
“Every time I see you, Pri, you seem like a new person. Sometimes you’re the coldest person in the room, drawing sharp lines… and other times, like today, you’re completely different.”
“I’ve decided to take things a little easier.”
Even if she made up her mind and acted on it—nothing ever went the way she wanted.
Today would be no different.
What kind of attitude would her sister and Argent show today? Would they whisper behind her back, planning to get rid of her?
‘Does my sister really want to be the empress of this nation?’
If this were a land of barbarians, she would never agree. But Gaia must have seen it too—how glorious and beautiful the Intelia Empire was, just as much, if not more, than the Beheport Empire.
And before they knew it, they’d reached the corridor leading to the dining room.
“One day, the three of us should go to that hill in the afternoon.”
“Even me?”
It was Seth who was surprised by Pri’s unexpected suggestion.
Pri was surprised in return by Seth’s reaction. Of course she wanted to go with someone who cared for her so deeply.
“Spread out a mat that feels as warm as a spring breeze, bring my favorite books and some small, lovely snacks. Then let’s go up to the hill Ian and I visited, and spend time just the three of us.”
“I… I always thought Your Highness kept her distance from me. But… but now you want me to come too…”
Hands clasped, eyes sparkling—Seth looked overwhelmed with emotion.
He’d been made head maid to Pri under Argent’s orders, but Pri had always kept her distance. Whether she was treated well or not, Pri never said a word. Even when Cathy, a relative brought in from a collateral branch, acted rudely, it was the same.
As if she were deliberately painting herself as the bad guy.
That’s why Seth’s heart always ached when she saw her. She kept hiding and shrinking into herself, becoming more like a doll.
And now, Pri wanted to go to the hill with her. Even though Seth had never been there, her face already lit up as if she had.
“I must’ve neglected you more than I thought. I didn’t know it would make you this happy.”
“Not at all. You’ve already done more than enough for me.”
Just then—
“Were you planning to dine with her?”
Seth had been about to add something joyful when a sharp voice pierced through the air. All three turned their heads in unison toward the sound.
“…Sister Gaia.”
“I didn’t know you were joining her. But you seem happy. Did you think through what I said yesterday?”
Though her tone was lower—perhaps due to others being present—it was still tinged with irritation.
It was hard to believe she was speaking to her own sister.
Ian’s face hardened more than ever, just like the day before. How could she say that? He looked ready to draw his sword on the spot. Seth, too, wore a similarly tense expression.
Noticing this, Pri let go of their hands and took a step toward Gaia.
“I’ve thought it over. I even told him what you said.”
“Good. You’ve finally started acting like my sister.”
