IHRM 31

IHRM

Chapter 31 Please Don’t Suffer Anymore.

Ellea couldn’t understand why tears were falling from her eyes in this moment.

She hadn’t cried when she died before Terban, nor when she awakened again as Ellea. And yet, just seeing Wontil brought tears to her eyes.

Afraid he might worry, she quickly wiped her tears and spoke.

“No, I’m really fine. It’s just…”

Even though she insisted she was okay, Wontil could tell she wasn’t.

Sensing that she was holding something in, he patiently waited for her to speak.

“It’s just… You remind me so, so much of someone I dearly missed.”

That was all she could say. She had to hold back from saying she missed him. For both herself and for Wontil.

“I’m sorry. I just came here and started crying like this.”

“It’s all right. Everyone has moments like that. When you long to see someone so badly, the tears just come. I know how that feels. There’s someone I miss too. So I understand Your Highness’s feelings.”

And so, Wontil completely understood the emotions Ellea was experiencing—the pain of not being able to see someone you miss dearly.

“So please, dry your tears. I’m sure that person would also want to see Your Highness smiling.”

When she smiled after hearing his words and stopped crying, he was relieved and handed her a box neatly filled with the items she needed.

“This should be enough.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s a bit heavy. I’ll have it sent to the palace for you later.”

Worried that she might carry it herself, he offered, but Ellea lifted the box effortlessly to show she was fine.

“This much is nothing. I’m really happy I got to meet you today, Wontil. May I come again sometime?”

Wontil smiled warmly at her, the same kind of gentle smile he always gave to Elle.

“Of course.”

Ellea smiled in return, gave her final thanks, and stepped out of his room.

She politely declined his offer to escort her. People like Kenly might come in needing his help.

She stood still for a moment, staring at the closed door, then finally began walking away when she heard a voice calling from behind.

“Your Highness.”

She turned around and saw Vandel approaching.

“Sir Vandel?”

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

His unexpected appearance left her puzzled. Kenly had said he was in training just a little while ago.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard from Kenly earlier. That you treated him yourself.”

“I did, but… don’t tell me you came here just because of that?”

“Yes. As the captain, I thought it appropriate to express my gratitude.”

He responded as if it were obvious, and Ellea hadn’t expected him to come all the way here just for that.

Judging by the sweat on his face and the dirt all over his training uniform, he must have come straight after training.

Seeing his condition reminded her of the handkerchief Jane had packed. She set down her belongings and approached him.

As Ellea suddenly came closer, Vandel instinctively stepped back in surprise. She reached out and held his arm to stop him from moving away.

“Hold still for a moment. You came straight from training, didn’t you?”

“Uh, yes.”

She reached up and carefully wiped the sweat from his face, while Vandel’s eyes focused on her face as she concentrated.

He had noticed it before—how she seemed to treat him without any hesitation or discomfort.

Honestly, he wasn’t someone people found easy to approach. His large frame and stern demeanor usually kept others at a distance.

So for someone to come up to him so naturally—it was still surprising.

“All done. You must have trained hard.”

Ellea tucked the handkerchief away and picked up her belongings again.

“It really wasn’t that hard to treat him, but thank you for your kind words.”

Noticing the box she was carrying, Vandel silently took it from her hands. Though she tried to stop him, his strength was far greater.

“I can carry it myself.”

“No. Allow me to carry it to the palace with you.”

Knowing he wouldn’t back down, Ellea had no choice but to let him.

‘Nothing I can do about it. Vandel’s stubbornness is something else.’

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

And so, Vandel carried her things as they walked together. Ellea glanced at his training outfit and asked,

“How is Sir Kenly doing? I treated him, but I still think he should see the palace physician.”

“Judging by his condition, he could start moving right away. He even skipped training and ran laps around the practice grounds, complaining the whole time.”

Ellea could easily imagine the scene and almost laughed.

As they walked, she casually asked about the knight order. She couldn’t help but worry about how things were going since she had left.

Her sudden absence must have confused her fellow knights. Some might even feel betrayed.

“How’s the order? The Imperial Guard must be different, right?”

“I wouldn’t say there’s much difference. Everyone’s surprisingly cheerful—except they don’t really listen to me.”

“That just makes me more curious. I’d like to see it for myself.”

Her genuine curiosity prompted an immediate response from Vandel. He wanted to repay her somehow for all the help she had given.

“If it’s you, Your Highness, you’re always welcome.”

“Really?”

Ellea hadn’t expected that kind of invitation. She couldn’t hide her delight.

“Really? I can visit the knight order?”

As she stepped closer and asked again, Vandel stepped back, flustered, and nodded.

He was used to spending time with fellow knights. Dealing with noble ladies—especially royal ones—was much harder. He’d rather train than talk to them.

Unaware of his discomfort, Ellea pressed again, wanting a firm promise before he could change his mind.

“You promised, okay? No backing out later.”

“Yes, of course. It’s not a difficult request.”

Seeing how genuinely happy she was, he couldn’t help but smile too. She was thrilled over something as simple as visiting the training grounds.

The two continued walking, chatting comfortably.

“How’s life in Lubein?”

“Better than I expected. I like the palace, and the people are nice.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“What? Did you think I’d be crying my eyes out because I was scared?”

That last part was clearly a joke, but Vandel took it more seriously than she’d intended.

Thinking of a princess who had only ever known the comfort of family suddenly stepping into the world alone… it worried him.

Now that they were closer, it worried him even more.

When Vandel didn’t respond for a while, Ellea asked with suspicion,

“Did you really think that? What kind of person do you take me for?”

“It’s not that… I just thought it must be different from home…”

“True. But people are people, no matter where you go. I’m not too worried.”

As they spoke, they reached the palace where Ellea was staying.

“Thanks to you, the walk was much easier. Thank you so much.”

She reached to take the box back, but he spoke first, his voice more subdued.

“I think family is an incredibly important thing. Something people can envy more than anything else in the world.”

When she saw the slightly wistful look in his eyes, she had a feeling she knew exactly what he was thinking about.

He was probably remembering her. The Elle she used to be—and the time they spent together.

‘Then and now, you’re still a child.’

Ellea understood Vandel’s feelings better than anyone.

He had never shown it outwardly, but he had always been there for her when she had no family. She should’ve told him how much that meant to her long ago.

‘If I had, maybe his heart wouldn’t be so heavy now.’

But all she could offer now were these words. Hoping they might bring him a little comfort and help him let go of his guilt.

“I’m jealous of the person who was close to you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Because the way you just comforted me must have brought great comfort to someone else, too. And family… it’s not just about blood. I believe that if you have someone to lean on, that’s already family.”

‘So don’t be sad for too long. I was happy because of you.’

Ever since that day, Vandel had never felt at peace—not once. He carried the guilt of failing to protect Elle as both a comrade and family. Even if he acted fine, he wasn’t.

Yet somehow, Ellea’s words—despite having no direct connection to Elle—touched something deep inside him.

The part of his heart no one had ever acknowledged. The part he himself had tried to ignore.

“Thank you… for saying that.”

Seeing the small smile on Vandel’s face, Ellea felt a little lighter inside.

Maybe this was why she had decided to return to Lubein—despite all the danger. Because nothing else mattered more than this.

As they smiled at each other, a cheerful voice broke through.

“Your Highness!”

“Jane? Why are you running like that?”

“I have something to give you. Oh, who is this gentleman?”

Jane had rushed over in excitement when she spotted Ellea, then paused when she saw the knight standing with her. Vandel greeted Jane politely.

“I am Vandel, Captain of His Majesty’s Royal Guard. I brought Her Highness’s belongings.”

“Ah, thank you! I’m Jane, Her Highness’s maid. May I take the box?”