Chapter 37

The bait that was always dangled before her eyes was the same thing every time.

Freedom.

“……”

It was never quite given—only shown, always just out of reach—while commands were issued instead.

Like training a dog, placing food in front of it and repeating wait.

“Do you no longer desire freedom?”

“…Of course not. That is the only thing I want.”

“Good. That’s how it should be. I don’t want you involving yourself in troublesome conflicts either.”

After all, the end of such a conflict would only be death.

That was something neither of them needed to say aloud. Everyone knew that the fate of a prince who lost a struggle for the throne was never peaceful.

“I will not act beyond my station.”

“Do you truly believe you aren’t already doing so?”

“……”

“If you had found the young lady, you should have brought her to me immediately.”

“I don’t know which young lady you’re referring to.”

“Hah, until the very end….”

The Crown Prince let out a hollow laugh, crossing his arms as he leaned back against his chair.

“You were the one who went to Theron, weren’t you? The woman who used the imperial crest—she must have been the Duke’s daughter.”

“There is no imperial princess in the Lichten Empire. The only women who could use the imperial crest would be Her Highness the Crown Princess or Lady Rubien. And as you know, I have no fiancée.”

Arzeo’s gaze, fixed on empty air, did not waver. The Crown Prince watched him quietly for a moment before sighing softly.

“…I’ll let this one go. You may leave.”

“Thank you for your mercy.”

Arzeo bowed slightly and turned cleanly toward the door. Just as his hand reached for the doorknob, Lawrence spoke again.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot. Keep a close eye on Louis.”

“……”

“If he makes any suspicious moves, report them immediately. Until something happens, keep watching him and make him remain in the imperial palace.”

“…Yes, understood.”

With that low reply, Arzeo left the Crown Prince’s office.

Letting out a shallow sigh, he quickly departed the area.

Eugene, who had been waiting nearby, approached at once, but Arzeo did not say a word until they returned to the prince’s residence.

As soon as they left the capital, the carriage headed straight for the border.

There was no pursuit following them, and they didn’t encounter any nobles along the way, making the journey a comfortable one.

The merchants introduced by Phil were free folk from a distant continent, people who handled trade between countries that did not get along well.

Just because the leaders of two nations were at odds didn’t mean the goods themselves had to be.

Each side, wary of the other, grew curious about what the other possessed. That curiosity gave birth to the trade caravan, which gradually expanded over time.

They traveled by carriage, walking and resting whenever they grew tired. Along the way, Leira slowly began exchanging words with the merchants.

“We’ll rest briefly in Forestia territory after crossing the border. What do you think, Ms. Leira?”

“Ah, I was planning to go straight home first…. But is it really fine not to head directly to the capital?”

“The capital’s exhausting. If I could, I’d put it off as long as possible.”

“Dean, if you keep bouncing around, the caravan master said he’ll send you to the capital first.”

“Huh? I didn’t hear that?”

“That’s why you should behave.”

Leira let out a small laugh as she watched Dean complain. Despite his appearance, he was an energetic young man.

And the one who always looked after him from behind was Jerome.

The two had taken good care of Leira since they left the capital, and that was how they grew close.

Dean felt like a younger brother—different in nature from Herais, but a younger brother nonetheless.

“Hey, Ms. Leira. When we reach Forestia, can we go see the ducal festival together?”

“Ah, it’s already harvest season. Around this time, people usually hold festivals.”

“That’s why we’re heading to Valois now! So? What do you say? Huh? Huh?”

“If you’re tired, you don’t have to force yourself. This one can have fun on his own.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll make time.”

Leira replied with a gentle smile.

If I’m not going straight back to the place of exile, then I should have at least that much time.

She didn’t voice the rest of her thoughts.

“Really? Then I’ll wait!”

To the caravan, Leira was introduced simply as a resident of the Forestia duchy.

Even so, she didn’t look like an ordinary commoner, so Jerome treated her with great respect.

Noticing that she had grown close to the two, the caravan master had her ride together with them, hoping to make her journey as comfortable as possible.

Though she was introduced as a commoner, she had been recommended by Phil—surely there was something more to her.

“But will they even hold a festival?”

Jerome, who had been quietly gazing out the window, suddenly spoke.

“Huh? Why? They won’t?”

Dean, seemingly unaware of anything, asked back, and Jerome sighed lightly.

Leira, looking genuinely unaware, cautiously joined in.

“The Emperor of Valois took a new Empress.”

“What? He did?”

“What do you even know?”

“So? And then?”

As Dean urged him on, Jerome frowned.

“Why do you think? The deposed Empress was said to be the Duke’s daughter of Forestia. With her deposed and another woman becoming Empress, do you really think they’d hold a festival?”

“That’s true.”

Leira pressed her lips together and quietly listened.

“Then did the Emperor ban the festival?”

“That part I don’t know. But the atmosphere in the duchy might not be very good.”

“Then who’s the new Empress?”

“Who knows? Probably some noble lady.”

“I guess it doesn’t really matter who the Empress is.”

At the thought that the festival might be canceled, Dean sighed heavily. Beside him, Leira smiled faintly.

It doesn’t matter who the Empress is.

Those words struck her strangely deeply.

Would the new Empress also be prevented from doing anything, as Leira herself had been? Prevented from acting as an Empress at all?

Or was that treatment reserved only for her?

Lloyd had wanted to suppress the power of House Forestia. So perhaps it wasn’t because she was Empress, but because she was Leira.

“…Still, the Empress should be a proper person.”

“Well… yeah.”

“Dean, if the festival does happen, let’s go see it together.”

“I’m in! Jerome, you’ll come too, right?”

At Dean’s excited question, Jerome sighed lightly.

“I’ll have to keep an eye on you so you don’t trouble the young lady.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t do that!”

The small talk they shared was pleasant. Thanks to it, Leira had no time to sink into emptiness as they headed toward the border.

What is he doing now…?

Was he traveling within the empire again to observe the lives of its people? Or had he returned to the imperial palace? Had helping her hide caused him trouble?

Even when the emptiness faded, thoughts of Arzeo continued to surface. Still, she decided to set them aside for now.

Quite some time had passed since she had been swept away to the Lichten Empire by the storm.

Supplies were delivered to the island every fifteen days, so there was no way her disappearance could have remained hidden.

If I explain the situation properly and return to the place of exile, everything should be fine.

She didn’t know who the “new Empress” Dean and Jerome spoke of, but there was someone she could guess.

So if she quietly returned to exile, perhaps this incident would pass without causing a stir.

As they drew closer to the border, Leira felt her heart begin to race.

The expectation of seeing her family again after so long—and, at the same time, an unidentifiable sense of unease.

The border between Lichten and Valois was covered by a vast forest.

Without a guide, entering it meant you would never escape on your own.

Only Forestia knew the paths through it, which was why Lichten could not wage war.

Even aside from that, the difference in military strength made initiating conflict impossible.

At the same time, it also meant Valois could not wage war without Forestia’s help.

To avoid passing through the forest, one would have to haul ships around by sea to reach the Lichten Empire.

House Forestia was content with guarding the border.

The forest guides and border defense gave them immense military power, strengthening the duchy’s influence.

In exchange, they had long withdrawn from the politics of the capital, remaining within their territory.

As the caravan approached the forest at the border, the caravan master led them along the established path into the woods.

From that point onward, Forestia’s knights guarded the area.

Once the caravan showed the merchant token recognized by Valois, the knights would guide them.

Upon entering the forest, by the caravan master’s orders, Dean and Jerome separated from Leira.

This was to secretly remove her from the caravan midway through the forest—just as had been promised to Phil from the beginning.

The caravan atmosphere was entirely different from before.

Conversation was kept to a minimum, and everyone remained tense, carefully watching their surroundings.

When they reached the middle of the forest, other ducal knights were waiting.

They inspected the goods the caravan was bringing in.

“Milady.”

Amid the commotion, the caravan master called out to Leira, who was alone in the carriage.

“You may disembark here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

While the knights were busy unloading and inspecting cargo, the caravan master led Leira away from them.

“If you hide here for a while, another knight will come.”

“Thank you. Truly.”

“I only helped because I owe Phil a great deal. Please take care.”

After bowing respectfully to Leira, the caravan master quickly rejoined the caravan.

Once the inspection was complete, they departed with two knights.

Hidden behind a tree, Leira quietly watched their retreating figures.

Then one of the knights who had remained rushed toward her.

“Milady…!”

At the call, Leira carefully stepped out from behind the tree.

The other knights clenched their fists.

“It’s been a while.”

“You’re safe… You’re safe…. Thank goodness—truly, thank goodness…!”

“Please, return to the ducal residence at once. The young master has been desperately searching for you.”

Concern and relief were clear on their faces, and it soothed the anxiety that had weighed on her heart.

Nodding, Leira followed one of the knights along another forest path toward the ducal estate.

“When we heard you disappeared from Citadel Island, everyone was so worried….”

The knight walking ahead spoke tearfully.

“And earlier, when the caravan master suddenly mentioned you—we were all so shocked….”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m fine, so don’t cry, Sir Ronin.”

“M-Milady….”

Leira let out a small laugh at the sight of the knight turning back with tears brimming in his eyes.

Such a youthful face, and such a tender heart—how had he become a knight?

Still, his skill was unquestionable, a true knight of House Forestia.

“Let’s hurry back. Everyone will be shocked when they see you.”

Watching the sniffling knight, Leira smiled gently.

“Yes. I can’t wait to see them.”