Chapter 24
Ariadne quickly left the palace. It seemed Diego had taken care of things properly. She planned to take a carriage to the port first.
She had packed lightly for the journey. Pulling her robe tightly, she made sure no one could recognize her.
She recalled her last conversation with Diego.
[You’re going to the banquet, right?]
[Yes. Father insists I attend, so I need to show my face at least.]
Diego’s expression clearly showed he did not want to go.
[Then, while you’re there, please do one last favor for me.]
[Are you shameless? Treating me like your servant?]
Ariadne smiled awkwardly. But Diego softened at the words “one last favor.” Ariadne had never asked him for anything like this before, which made it harder for him to refuse.
[What is it? Tell me.]
Ariadne knew how minstrels sensed healing energy. And she guessed Ashley probably knew that much too.
[Please let the minstrel at the banquet touch Ashley.]
[Touch? How exactly?]
[Just touching each other is enough.]
Diego looked puzzled at the strange request.
[You’ll understand why soon.]
[Alright. I know you don’t make pointless requests.]
Diego agreed to her request with a nod.
Ariadne imagined how the banquet was going and remembered Ashley’s creased face. With those happy thoughts, she reviewed her plan.
She intended to cross the sea. At the Hesseria port, heading to the Northern Empire, there was a ship that sailed once a day. She planned to take the route passing one island, which would let her reach the border area within a few hours.
She had learned that wealthy people lived in towns there, and sick people often came to recover.
‘No central nobles to deal with, and it’s perfect for using my healing power. Good. I’ll settle there.’
With that thought, she moved quickly. She lied to Diego, saying she was going to the Northern Empire’s Iliad, to avoid him stopping her. The border area was technically part of Iliad, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
Still, Ariadne felt guilty for lying and muttered an apology to herself.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
She spoke those words once and started running.
Then, she felt as if someone was following her.
She tightened her robe and quickened her pace.
Most attention was on Ashley and the minstrel, so the palace felt almost empty. That’s why Ariadne had chosen this time.
Who could be following me? She panicked and began running full speed.
“Ah!”
Had she moved too fast?
Ariadne tripped over her own feet and cried out.
“Ah…?”
She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting to fall. But suddenly, her body froze in midair.
Someone had grabbed her strongly from behind. Instantly, her tilted body was pulled upright.
Ariadne turned her head in surprise. A familiar face held her—it was Canin.
She widened her eyes at the unexpected person, stepping back quickly to stand on her own.
“Where are you rushing off to?”
“….”
It was a familiar voice.
They were in the long corridor leading from the palace’s east gate, and his figure slowly appeared from behind a shadowed pillar. He seemed to have followed her in haste.
“Why… Your Highness, why are you here…?”
This part of the palace was rarely used, even by the maids. How did he know she would pass through here? Ariadne cursed inwardly. Why meet him now, when there was no time?
“You don’t need to know.”
“Where are you going?”
Canin ignored her answer and asked again.
“….”
“You are the Saint. I know it. So I need to know where you’re going.”
He now seemed fully convinced that Ariadne was the Saint. She realized she could not argue here.
“Why are you following me?”
Before she could continue, Canin, as if sensing her frustration, took a tiny brooch-like device from his sleeve and handed it to her.
“What is this for…?”
He mimed putting it in her ear.
“Put this in your ear?”
Still impatient, he suddenly closed the gap, took the device from her hand, and inserted it into her ear. Being so close, his scent reached her—leather mixed with a hint of gunpowder. Ariadne’s face burned from the proximity.
“W-What are you doing!”
At the same time, a cold object pressed into her ear. She felt his breath brush against her as he stepped back slightly.
“Now we can talk properly.”
“Hm? Iliad language?”
“Yes. With this, you can naturally understand Iliad.”
“Ah…”
Ariadne fanned her flushed face with her hands. Canin stepped back and continued speaking.
“I formally propose this: how about seeking refuge in the Northern Empire, my country, Iliad?”
“Eh?”
The suggestion was so unexpected that Ariadne laughed incredulously.
“You have healing power, don’t you? I know that.”
Seeing no need to lie, Ariadne smiled and replied.
“How can you be so sure…?”
“You healed me in the Vischen Forest, didn’t you?”
Canin shot back confidently. Then quickly added,
“Here, in Rensha, people don’t seem to recognize your value. You seem to want to leave anyway. Come to the Northern Empire. I will be your guardian and keep all your secrets.”
“….”
Ariadne stared at him silently.
“You just want to use me, don’t you? Whose illness do you want to cure?”
“That… I cannot tell you now.”
Ariadne was incredulous. He invited her to Iliad but wouldn’t even say whom she would heal.
She had seen Ashley being used by the emperor firsthand. Ashley did have benefits from curing him, but Ariadne saw the Saint merely as a healer for the emperor. She did not want that kind of treatment.
“The Northern Empire is a land of machines, isn’t it?”
“….”
“I have no intention of becoming a healing machine.”
“I only want to help you.”
Canin’s face was serious. Ariadne laughed.
“I don’t need help. That help might tie me down later.”
“….”
Canin looked troubled.
“I can help you use your healing power in complete secrecy, so you can live safely in Iliad.”
Ariadne laughed again.
“No. I’d rather people know I have healing power.”
I wonder what expressions they’ll make, she thought.
“What do you mean…?”
“You’ll know soon enough. It’s only a matter of time before they find out you disguised yourself to heal the emperor.”
“….”
Of course, if the emperor wanted to know, he could easily learn she had healing power.
But she had no intention of being captured easily. In fact, it would be frustrating for them if they knew she had healing power but still couldn’t find her. Ariadne imagined the distorted faces of the emperor, the count, and Ashley—and laughed.
Amused, she suddenly asked Canin—since they had met like this anyway—knowing he wouldn’t give in easily.
“Do you want to make a deal with me?”
“A deal?”
She smiled and stepped closer to Canin.
“Go to the emperor and tell him I have healing power. In exchange…”
