Chapter 70
What Happened Because of Drinking
Terban, who had been listening to Ellea and Cheilen’s conversation, coldly pointed out the reality of the situation.
He wanted to remind them that their wish might just be an ideal without substance.
“If the two of you are there, there will be no problem. But what happens after that? Even just in the capital, there are many orphanages—what about those? And if the number of children increases further, will you still be able to care for each one like now? Until they are fully independent?”
Ellea was at a loss for words under his sharp questioning. She knew all too well that what he said was true.
It was something she herself always worried about. She had long realized that with this method, there would inevitably come a limit.
“And the princess is someone who will soon be leaving. Even so, can you take responsibility for the children until the very end?”
Even so, Ellea had no intention of giving up.
“Still, I want to do everything I can. If I give up from the start, saying it’s impossible, then those children will lose even the hope of dreaming of a future.”
Her firm resolve was something Terban could feel as well. At that moment, Cheilen, who had been listening in, joined the conversation.
“I think the same. It might not be a fundamental solution, but at the very least, it will be a small seed. We can find the proper method from now on.”
With Cheilen also supporting Ellea’s opinion, Terban was able to make a firm decision on something he had only been considering until now.
“First, we need to investigate the current conditions of the orphanages in the capital.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Ellea and Cheilen were both taken aback by the sudden statement.
“I’ve been thinking about this since my first visit. It’s impossible with individual strength alone, but if the Empire steps forward, we can create a systematic way to help.”
“Is that… true?”
Ellea’s face lit up at the thought of Terban taking the lead.
“Yes. Not only financial support, but also providing proper living spaces, sending teachers for education, and assigning officials to conduct regular inspections. That’s as far as I’ve thought.”
From Ellea’s perspective, she could only feel grateful. If the Emperor himself moved, the impact would be immense.
It might take a long time, but that time would eventually change many things.
“Thank you. I never imagined you would go this far.”
“They are the people of Lubaine. Of course it is my duty to act.”
“And with me as well, you don’t need to worry about the opposition of the nobles.”
With Cheilen’s words of support, Ellea felt her heart swell with emotion.
Here, what she could do was limited, and it always left her with a sense of frustration.
I never expected anyone would help like this…
Perhaps because she was so excited, she ended up doing something she normally wouldn’t.
“Well then, here’s to hoping everything goes well from here on!”
Ellea raised her glass for a toast.
The two men shook their heads at her overly excited state but still clinked their glasses with hers.
Overjoyed that the problem she had worried about for so long was finally being solved, Ellea downed several drinks in succession.
Before long, her face flushed red as she grew quite tipsy.
Noticing the change, the two men stopped her from drinking more.
“You’d better stop drinking now.”
“You’re drunk.”
“Me? I’m not drunk…”
But her softened expression and slurred words were proof enough that they didn’t believe her.
While the two were still wondering what to do, Ellea, already drunk, hardly even registered that they were there anymore.
Looking into her cup, one person’s face suddenly came to mind.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never even had a drink with him.”
“Him?”
Even as the two exchanged puzzled glances, Ellea downed another drink, her gaze faintly clouded.
That look carried longing—but neither of them noticed.
Still, they were both extremely curious about who “he” was.
“There is someone… someone I really want to see.”
“And who exactly is that?”
Growing anxious at her words, Cheilen pressed further.
But by now Ellea was completely drunk, and with her head resting on the table, she muttered only one phrase.
“I miss him…”
All that followed was the sound of her quiet, steady breathing—she had fallen asleep.
Cheilen panicked, shaking her to wake her, but she showed no sign of stirring.
She only repeated that she missed someone.
“Who on earth is it?”
But just as Cheilen grew frustrated, Terban stopped his hand.
“Enough. She’s in no state to answer anymore.”
Seeing Ellea’s flushed face as she slept peacefully, even Cheilen couldn’t bring himself to wake her, and withdrew his hand.
Since things had come to this, it was time to end the gathering.
Both men were deeply unsettled by Ellea’s last words, but for now they needed to get her back to the palace.
“I’ll fetch a carriage.”
While Cheilen went out to call for one, Terban stayed, watching Ellea’s sleeping form.
To see her sleeping so defenselessly beside him—was it a sign of her trust in him? His feelings grew complicated.
In truth, his visit to the orphanage today had been a rather impulsive decision.
After finishing his scheduled work, he had suddenly remembered that Ellea was planning to go to the orphanage that day.
He hadn’t been sure if she would really be there, but his feet had already carried him in that direction.
Sure enough, Ellea was there. But Cheilen’s presence was an unexpected surprise.
The sight of them speaking so comfortably together made his fleeting hope vanish instantly.
Why am I even like this…
Ever since Ellea had appeared, he felt constantly unsettled—as if even his daily life was being shaken.
Now, as he looked at the sleeping Ellea, his gaze softened unconsciously.
And just as he instinctively reached out to her, she stirred with a sleepy murmur and turned her head.
Startled, Terban quickly withdrew his hand, shocked at his own action.
“Am I drunk too…?”
He paid the bill and moved to take Ellea outside. Fortunately, she opened her eyes just then.
“Your Majesty?”
“Get up. You’re already very drunk.”
“What? I’m not drunk. Look, I’m perfectly fine!”
She jumped to her feet as if to prove it—but her staggering steps betrayed her words.
As Terban quickly followed her out, Cheilen approached, looking troubled.
“It seems there are no carriages at this hour.”
“That’s troublesome.”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave here.”
Despite the two men’s awkward concern, Ellea, oblivious, cheerfully declared,
“Then I’ll just walk home!”
She started off unsteadily, and the two men immediately rushed to stop her.
There was no way they could let her go alone in that state.
“Then let us use my family’s carriage—”
But Ellea cut off Cheilen at once.
“No, that won’t do. If anyone sees me in the Duke of Kaischeir’s carriage, it’ll only cause more trouble.”
Even in her muddled state, she worried that Hisben and Shenil might learn of her closeness with Cheilen.
Left with no choice, Terban offered an alternative.
“Then, Princess, ride with me. Our path is the same anyway.”
Cheilen didn’t like it, but he couldn’t object.
“Yes, that would be best.”
Terban brought his horse, and to his surprise Ellea mounted without complaint.
Little did she know that riding with him would be something she’d regret the next day.
Terban climbed up behind her.
“Then, I’ll be off.”
“Yes. Please take good care of Ellea.”
At Cheilen’s words, their eyes briefly met. Without responding, Terban simply rode off.
Cheilen stood watching silently until the two figures disappeared from sight.
As they rode, Terban noticed Ellea swaying unsteadily, likely from the alcohol.
She still kept some distance between them, as if she still had a bit of awareness left.
But seeing her about to lose balance, he spoke up.
“It’s fine—lean on me.”
“I can endure this much.”
Ellea silently blamed her body, unaccustomed to drink. Normally she could handle far more, but now she was already drunk after so little.
Seeing her stubbornness, Terban, holding the reins with one hand, wrapped his other arm firmly around her waist, forcing her to lean against him.
Startled, Ellea tried to move away, but he stopped her quickly.
“Stay still. You haven’t forgotten we’re on horseback, have you?”
Not wanting to risk danger, Ellea reluctantly stayed in his arms.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, her head felt hazy, and she had no energy to think further.
Still, Terban’s arm around her waist tightened, as if determined not to let her fall.
“…Thank you.”
“Really, why did you drink when you can’t even handle it?”
“For the record, I’m not drunk.”
“Sure, let’s say that.”
“You clearly don’t believe me.”
When Terban gave no reply, Ellea gave up and stayed quiet.
Like this, memories of their first meeting surfaced in her mind.
That time they had also ended up riding together, unwillingly. She had thought it would be the first and last time.
But now, she found the experience unexpectedly comfortable, and confessed honestly.
“I was so nervous that time.”
“That time?”
“When we rode together at the border. I was afraid you’d hear my heartbeat. That’s why I deliberately kept my distance.”
At her words, Terban glanced down at her, but her eyes were closed.
Because of her position, his heartbeat was all too clear in her ears.
“Just like now. Thump. Thump. Thump.”
As she said that, Terban suddenly became conscious of it himself.
And, in sync with her words, his heart began to beat faster.
Faster, and faster—so much that Ellea could feel it too.
“Huh? It sounds faster than before.”
Opening her eyes, she looked up at him. Their gazes met.
But it was Terban who turned away first, forcing a calm expression.
“…Who knows.”
At his nonchalant response, Ellea closed her eyes again. His heartbeat was still racing, but instead of unsettling her, it felt soothing—like a lullaby to a child.
For some reason… this makes me feel at peace.
Before long, she fell asleep, completely missing the flushed expression on his face.
The horse sped on and finally reached the Imperial Palace.
When Terban stopped, he intended to help her down—only to find her fast asleep.
Even on horseback, she looked perfectly at ease, as though nothing could disturb her.
Perhaps she was the only one who could sleep so peacefully even while pressed against him like this.
So instead of waking her, Terban simply gazed quietly at her sleeping face, resting in his arms.
