Chapter 7
Baron Bart was no easy opponent. The moment he heard an absurd answer, he would undoubtedly turn his back. This was a transaction with only one correct response. Only by offering exactly what the Baron wanted could one succeed.
The weight of everyone’s lives depending on a single word left Edith breathless.
If it were Ian, would he have made a wiser choice?
Regretting that she should have sent him first, or that her judgment was wrong, changed nothing—Edith was the one standing here now. She had to squeeze her thoughts dry and find the right course of action.
The Baron had anticipated their arrival. Surely, there had been some oversight somewhere. Edith slowly revisited the events up to this point.
As soon as we entered the castle, we were brought here… and the Baron came down alone only after all the knights had vanished.
Edith realized the source of the unease she had felt earlier.
The Baron was alone. From the beginning until now, not a single retainer had accompanied him.
And this wasn’t even a prison, was it? If he had already sided with the Second Prince, he would have had no reason to go through such trouble. His methods were merely a bit forceful. Edith was convinced that the Baron was on their side.
Then the proper action was clear. Hoping she was not mistaken, Edith made her decision.
“I understand your words clearly.”
She gripped the pendant tightly in her hand. Her palm against the pendant felt warm.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Edith took a deep breath and slowly raised her arm. Then, she let the pendant fall to the floor.
Crack—
A small fracture sound was followed by a blinding light that swept through the chamber. The brilliance was more intense than the midday sun, making it impossible to open her eyes immediately. A mysterious breeze seemed to brush past her.
Edith closed her eyes, feeling herself drawn into the radiant light.
When she opened them again, all was calm. The pendant lay on the cold stone floor, its glow extinguished. Only shards of broken crystal remained to remind her that what had just occurred was no dream.
Carl’s face was a mask of shock. Edith turned to Baron Bart, speaking directly while Carl hurriedly collected the fragments of the shattered pendant behind her.
“Baron Bart, this is the best I can offer at this moment.”
“I have neither released His Highness nor promised my assistance. What would you do if I turned my back right now?”
“Then I must have misjudged you. But I know you have not the slightest intention to harm me.”
Had the Baron intended any malice, he would not have bothered coming alone into this dark, filthy prison.
Before anyone could even suspect, the Baron had facilitated their entry into the castle undetected—a route that avoided raising suspicion.
“I commend your efforts instead.”
Please let this be the correct choice. Edith forced herself to hide her trembling lips as she spoke.
“Haha…!”
Baron Bart laughed heartily, as if the walls themselves might shatter.
Bound by a pledge made long ago by an unknown ancestor, he was destined to serve the royal family until his death. Yet even so, the Baron was unwilling to take risks without reason. At the very least, he wanted to confirm that Edith was worth it.
Truthfully, his expectations had been modest. At best, he assumed he might receive an answer promising to transfer a territory under the princess’s name.
But it had exceeded expectations. The Bart family would no longer have to live with their heirs’ lives held hostage by the crown—a lifelong wish finally realized.
“I see now that I was the one who misjudged. I ask forgiveness for my previous rudeness.”
Baron Bart opened the prison door and knelt, pressing his lips to the hem of Edith’s dress.
“I swear in the name of Luhanan: from this moment, I pledge my loyalty to Her Highness the Princess until my last breath.”
Relief washed over Edith. Her legs shook as if they might give way at any second.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is in critical condition. We must bring him immediately.”
“I will prepare at once. Let us move to a safer location.”
Edith stepped confidently out of the cell and ascended the dark staircase.
“This tower is off-limits. No one ever comes here. It should be relatively safe.”
In the room prepared by the Baron were a soft-looking futon, clean clothes, and water for basic washing.
It had been so long since she had a proper place to rest. Yet Edith could not allow herself to show joy so freely, fearing it might seem selfish.
“I have sent knights and the personal physician who have served the family for generations,” the Baron said.
He pressed a panel near the fireplace with his foot, lifting it to reveal a narrow passage barely wide enough for one person.
“They will enter through this concealed channel so as not to attract attention. It connects to the passage beneath this room. In emergencies, you can exit this way as well.”
“Why weren’t they sent from the start?”
“To be sure of removing any tails. Had there been spies or traitors among them, it would have been difficult to manage.”
Edith understood. Entering through this channel earlier would have spared them yesterday’s ordeal, but risking all resources in an uncertain situation would have been foolish.
Sometimes time must be traded for safety. It was entirely necessary. In other circumstances, she might have been more lenient in her judgment, but now, two lives hung in the balance.
“Please make haste.”
“Understood. Though humble, I hope you find comfort here.”
“Thank you.”
No sooner had the Baron left than Carl asked,
“Why did you break the pendant?”
He placed the fragments of the shattered pendant on the table. Devoid of its magical energy, it looked utterly ordinary.
“The heart of a person cannot be forced by objects alone. Trust cannot be bought. How long can a relationship without it last?”
Had she hesitated, perhaps negotiation could have succeeded without destruction. But Edith preferred to secure the Baron’s trust definitively rather than rely on mere words.
“Besides, he wasn’t afraid of curses anyway. It would have been useless regardless.”
Carl reluctantly nodded.
“…Then why did its power disappear?”
The question suddenly arose in his mind. Half-doubtful, he recognized the pendant as genuine—no human trickery could replicate it. Though the urgency had blinded them, it felt like facing a page of living legend.
“The pendant is real, and records show there were inheritors. Yet now, not even the high priests can wield its power.”
“I never thought about that. I only learned that it gradually faded over time,” Carl admitted.
Edith pondered deeply. A divine blessing and gift for humanity—its existence proved there had once been someone capable of using it. She stared intently at the pendant, as though its lingering warmth remained in her hand.
“What could the reason have been?”
“We mortals cannot know the goddess’s deepest intentions. It’s best you rest for now.”
Carl drew a basin of water, its surface rippling as he set it down.
“I never thought I’d personally experience your incompetence.”
“Forgive us, Your Majesty. We have deployed soldiers to continue the search, but there are no witnesses among the people.”
“Then did it rise to the heavens or sink to the earth? How long must I wait?”
Richard slammed the throne in frustration. He still had neither the seal nor Edith. His lips were dry with anxiety.
The knights kept their heads low, fearing any outburst. Though unworthy, he had killed the previous king to claim the throne. They feared for their own lives.
“Your Majesty, everything requires time. Please calm your anger, if only for my sake,” Alexander said from the guest seat, putting on a friendly demeanor.
And all this because of whom? Richard thought. The sight of Alexander smiling brazenly despite the chaos irritated him.
Alexander had lent knights to Richard for the political marriage with Edith. Since the princess was still missing, he added his voice to Richard’s orders. Though it seemed minor, he knew that meddling now could shape the future of Luhaim.
Though Alexander’s aid had helped Richard ascend, involving foreign powers was a clear mistake. Soon, he might become a puppet emperor in Tascgar’s hands.
“Your Majesty, one of the knights has a report.”
Richard, fatigued, initially waved him away but then reconsidered, hoping for news.
The knight began his formalities, but Richard interrupted.
“Just the essentials.”
“Bandits have appeared in the Tourne Forest.”
“Brazen fools. Any damage?”
“They were detected early, so the food and weapons were untouched. Some horses were lost when they fled.”
“…Horses?”
Given the long winter, bandits appearing was unsurprising, but the timing of leaving supplies intact was remarkable.
“Where did they flee?”
“South. They were likely wounded by arrows and could not have gone far.”
“Send swift riders to each territory. Use force if necessary.”
The knights bowed deeply and left.
“Then I shall take my leave as well.”
Richard waved without a word. Despite the rapid dismissal, Alexander smiled and exited, followed closely by Pavel.
“We should prepare to depart as well.”
“Finally considering returning to Tascgar? We can return once the news of the princess reaches us. You’ve been away too long.”
“No, select a few elite knights. We head south ourselves.”
Pavel jumped.
“What do you mean? This is Luhaim, not Tascgar. Will Your Majesty allow it?”
“Any fool would go quietly. Prepare some clothes for the people of Luhaim as well.”
Pavel clutched his head. His lord could not shake old habits from Tascgar and was plotting another reckless plan.
“I doubt those thieves came just to steal. Our knights are elite. That they broke through indicates they were skilled. If we dig deeper, we’ll uncover something.”
“Must you go in person?”
“Richard won’t simply send me the princess. We must find her first.”
Ignoring Pavel’s despair, Alexander’s eyes gleamed.
