Chapter 14
The last oracle of Arsed had been given to Nina and Lilien. And because it was the last, it held even greater power.
Nina’s life until now had been built upon cruel, absolute devotion.
All because of that oracle that declared she must exist solely for Arsed.
And now—that oracle was a lie.
Thud.
Nina let her shoulders slump and leaned back against the stone wall.
With an arm that felt strangely weak, she lifted her hand and clutched at the fabric of her shirt over her chest.
Her breathing came unevenly, ragged.
Yet her mind spun coldly, like recalculating strategy on a battlefield.
“An immortal body without a heart.”
She had confirmed with her own eyes many times that her body truly had no heart—and that she could not die.
Then what her mother had called a “lie” must mean—
The story of the princess destined to become emperor and the princess destined to devote her body to the empire… that part was false.
Everything else had been proven true.
Why?
Why had her father and mother fabricated even the oracle to decide Lilien’s life—and hers—like that?
Nina slowly retraced her childhood.
Her father, who relentlessly drilled into her that sacrificing herself for Arsed was her only reason for existence.
Her mother, who used her like a tool to ensure Lilien’s safety.
Lowering her head, Nina buried her face in her hands. Short blond hair fell forward as a thin groan laced with pain escaped her.
“Even when I first nursed her, it gave me chills. It felt like holding a corpse. Well, how could something without a heart even be called human?”
Was that why she had never been acknowledged as a daughter?
Whatever the reason, the truth that it was her own parents who had given her this cruel life made it even more unbearable.
Rage, misery, sorrow, grief—all tangled together and spilled down as thick tears.
When Nina felt the warmth of tears tracing down her cold cheeks, she clenched her fists.
The guilt she had felt—thinking that forming an alliance with Cassian was betraying her parents and sister, that she was defying the oracle—now seemed laughable.
Grinding her teeth, she spoke as if chewing the words out.
“I need to know too.”
What the real final oracle had been.
She roughly untied the handkerchief wrapped around her arm and looked at Cassian.
The blue eyes that had seemed lost in darkness moments ago now shimmered with a sharp, piercing light.
It was as if a cornerstone had finally been laid in a world that had once been ruins.
For a moment, Cassian felt as though he were being swallowed by that clear, unwavering gaze.
“Cassian Montreger.”
When Nina called his name in a low voice, he answered a beat slower, as if returning from somewhere far away.
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
“Heal me.”
Compared to the wounds she had suffered on the battlefield, this was nothing.
She knew it would close in a few days.
Yet she demanded it of him like a command.
Cassian slowly lowered himself while looking into her blue eyes.
One knee touched the ground.
Taking her fingertips gently in his hand, he spoke.
“Cassian Montreger, Your Highness’s dedicated healer. I receive your command.”
The first time they had met in the imperial palace, he had greeted her in the same way—kneeling.
This was already the second time.
It was not a wound that required such solemn reverence, yet Nina did not tell him to rise.
And he looked up at her as though he had no intention of standing without her order.
Soon, warmth flowed from him into Nina’s hand.
Perhaps because the injury was minor, the sensation of her arm healing was faint.
Instead, it was the turmoil and fury boiling within her that gradually calmed.
“Ha…”
Lowering her lashes, Nina closed her eyes and let the emotions threatening to burst spill out in a soft breath.
Cassian’s gaze traced slowly over her face.
It paused at her slightly parted lips.
Pale, almost colorless.
Softly curved.
Moist with a faint sheen.
Once his eyes landed there, he could not look away.
Her eyelashes trembled, and Nina opened her eyes. Her gaze had returned to its usual steadiness.
Turning her head to confirm her arm was healed, she looked down at Cassian, who still held her hand.
“When I attend upon His Majesty tomorrow morning, you will enter with me. As my dedicated healer.”
The Next Morning
As maids finished dressing her, Lilien recalled what had happened the previous day.
Collapsing into Cassian’s arms had been the perfect move.
I can’t let that prince heal Nina twice.
She had even performed a weak, exhausted act when he carried her to her chambers.
“I was just so startled… Nina sometimes makes me terribly angry… I only meant to frighten her, but she rushed at me…”
She did not know how much he had seen or heard—but twisting the story to her advantage was easy.
“My heart is pounding so much it won’t calm down, Lord Montreger…”
When she extended her hand as though asking to be healed, Cassian glanced at the maids and attendants waiting nearby.
Then, as if he had no choice, he merely placed a single finger lightly against the back of her hand.
It was entirely different from the contact she had expected, and her eyes blinked rapidly in surprise.
As if he understood her unspoken question, he smiled gently.
“How could I dare touch the princess who will one day become Emperor of Arsed so freely? Please understand that this is the proper boundary for someone in my position—as a hostage.”
“Then Nina—”
She had clearly seen him cradle Nina’s cheek and run his hands over her body to heal her after Vargaz attacked her.
But her pride would not allow her to say it outright, and her words trailed off.
Cassian gave her a smile so tender it was almost enchanting.
“How could I not recognize the difference in one’s existence? There is always a distinction between what must be protected as noble… and what merely exists.”
Her heart pounded violently.
Of all moments, that was the most thrilling.
What merely exists—surely he meant Nina, who threw her life away on battlefields.
And what must be protected as noble—that was herself.
Lilien burst into laughter at her own interpretation.
“Puhaha!”
The maids tending her nails on both sides looked up in surprise.
Ivana, daughter of Count Heidrick, tilted her head.
“Did something amusing cross your mind, Your Highness?”
“You saw it yesterday, didn’t you? How highly Prince Cassian regards me.”
“Of course. All the men in the world must regard Your Highness as noble.”
At the words of another maid, Michelle, Lilien abruptly shook off the right hand Michelle had been holding.
“I don’t need other men! Cassian is enough.”
“O-Of course, Your Highness.”
Startled by her sharp tone, Michelle forced a smile and carefully took her hand again.
“When I go to see Father today, I’ll go with him. I’ll ask to cancel that nonsense about being Nina’s dedicated healer—and request that Father grant him an important position instead.”
“Shall I send an attendant to Lord Montreger?”
“Banir already went to the Western Palace. He’ll escort me soon.”
Knock knock.
“Your Highness, it is Banir.”
“Enter.”
Through the mirror, Lilien watched the attendant step inside.
He stood with both hands clasped before him, wearing an uneasy expression.
She turned sharply.
“What is it?”
“I… I have just returned from the Western Palace to see Lord Montreger…”
“And?”
“He says he already has a morning engagement.”
“What? A hostage prince has a morning engagement?”
Just moments ago she had declared he was enough for her. Now, irritated, she reduced him to “a hostage.”
“It is… he is scheduled to attend upon His Majesty as Princess Nina’s dedicated healer.”
“What—what did you say?!”
