Chapter 42
The next day, I woke up at the crack of dawn, finished my preparations, and stepped outside.
It seemed that everyone except for Asha and me knew that we were heading to the capital the next day. The path to the oath ceremony was surprisingly calm.
It almost felt as if the events that should have happened long ago were finally taking place.
But a small incident occurred.
“Um… Russell, please get into the carriage first.”
“No, you go first. What would become of my dignity?”
“I’m fine, so Russell…”
“You first…”
“Cough, cough!”
It wasn’t until Prater gave us a subtle nudge that we stopped our trivial bickering. There were too many eyes around us, and we understood the signal to stop.
“As expected, you two really get along well.”
“I wonder why Princess Rena even came… sigh!”
“See? I told you. She came out of jealousy over the Duke and the Princess.”
“It was just a brief love quarrel, nothing more.”
It seemed I was the only one hearing such comments.
Clop, clop.
Outside, the sound of many horse hooves echoed.
The road to the capital felt strangely serene.
‘Maybe it doesn’t feel real yet.’
What worried me more was Russell. Sitting across from me, he had been silent the entire way out of the castle.
‘Why did I offer to go first just now…?’
But what could I do? It had already happened. I slumped against the bench seat, lost in thought.
Where did Russell grow up, anyway? He said he had lost precious people, so his family life probably wasn’t smooth.
‘Power struggles… could it be something like that? No. If he was part of the royal family, he would have been under strict protection. Besides, he said he realized it late himself.’
The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed. I closed my eyes for a moment, leaning against the bench.
The carriage’s steady rocking stirred memories.
Childhood tragedies. The resulting emotional gaps. Irrational ways of loving. The puppet-like Duchess.
Desires for status. Excessive defense mechanisms. Murder. Guilt. Secrets of birth unknown even to himself.
Overprotective tendencies. Magic said to be the strongest. The shadows of a hidden childhood behind his calm exterior…
‘No way…?’
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning ran down my spine. Every hair on my body stood on end in a shiver.
“Piana. You—”
“Ah!”
His sudden voice startled me so much that the moment froze.
Russell seemed embarrassed and said nothing further.
“Ah… huff…”
I took shallow, pale breaths. The carriage felt like a space isolated from the outside world.
Russell was the first to speak. He tried, but failed, to hide his agitation.
“Are you okay? You were sleeping, but your face went pale, so I thought I’d wake you.”
I see. I wiped my damp forehead with one hand and replied.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I just had a nightmare.”
“…May I borrow your hand for a moment?”
“Eh? Y-yes.”
His much larger hand enveloped mine. Though gloved and only faintly warm, it was comforting.
Snap!
He flicked his other hand, and through the space between our palms, a soft, gentle fragrance rose.
“Russell… what is this?”
“It’s a flower called frangipani. They say in the south it’s good for calming the body and mind… I hope it helps soothe your fright.”
The warmth transmitted through his palm made my heart pound.
Right. Russell’s power is a magic that can save people.
I had only seen a frangipani once in my previous life. Its small, pinwheel-shaped petals were white with yellow centers surrounding the stamen. It wasn’t common even in the capital, so I had only seen it once at the market.
“Um, Russell, I have a question.”
“Hm? Go ahead.”
A faint possibility occurred to me.
If he had been born and raised there, it would make sense that he wasn’t protected in childhood and lost those dear to him.
“Were you perhaps—”
“We’ve arrived! The Imperial Palace.”
Thud!
Suddenly, the carriage door opened. Outside, a lukewarm breeze blew, signaling evening.
Silence followed.
Prater spoke first.
“I arrived at an inconvenient time. My apologies.”
“It’s fine. We’re about to get out anyway.”
I’m the one it matters to…
A blush of embarrassment rose to my neck, making me feel flushed. Russell, on the other hand, alighted from the carriage as if nothing had happened.
Following him awkwardly, my hand naturally brushed against his.
‘It feels ticklish.’
My neck tingled as if bitten by a bug. I kept my mouth shut to hide it, and in my other hand, I felt the stick.
‘So this is the Imperial Palace.’
I had never seen it even in my previous life, and now it was close. A mix of tension and excitement enveloped me.
Russell held my hand as we walked.
“We’ll greet His Majesty, then stay at the Barerian residence for guests.”
The oath ceremony was tomorrow. I finally asked what had been on my mind.
“Um… is it okay if I scan with the stick?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it. The entire palace is protected by defensive magic. The moment you scan, the alarm will sound.”
“I see.”
I was glad I asked. Using the scan carelessly could have caused a serious problem.
“Then, can you describe what the palace looks like?”
Russell began explaining smoothly, as if waiting for the question.
“It’s so vast that even if you crane your neck, you can’t take it all in. The outer walls are granite, the color of ash, and the slate resembles the sea’s turquoise. Flags symbolizing the royal family fly atop the spires.”
He compared the colors to mice and the sea because he assumed I wouldn’t know them. Thanks to his explanation, I could picture the palace.
“Have you arrived? We’ll guide you to His Majesty’s audience hall.”
“Understood.”
We followed the palace maid. The scenery kept changing, and I could clearly tell we were now inside the palace rather than outside.
‘The atmosphere and the flooring are completely different.’
Clack, clack.
The sound of our heels striking the floor mixed with the pounding of my heart. At this moment, I was thankful I couldn’t see—if I could, I might have panicked.
“We’ve arrived. Beyond this door, His Majesty and others await.”
“Thank you for guiding us. You may step back.”
The maid bowed politely. Before opening the door, Russell spoke to me.
“There will be many nobles beyond this point. If you feel nervous, you may follow my hand.”
“I’m fine.”
“…What?”
“I said I’m fine.”
I forced a smile toward him.
“You weren’t intimidated in front of His Majesty, were you? I can handle this too.”
“Piana…”
Perhaps my forced courage had an effect. He seemed surprised by me.
Thud.
I pressed the stick to the floor.
“Announce us.”
The spearmen guarding the door slammed their spears onto the floor.
“His Grace, Duke Russell Glacies, and Princess Piana Lucianos are arriving!”
Creak.
Finally, the door opened.
Step by step, countless eyes and voices seemed to scrutinize me.
‘That must be what the Lucianos Duke kept hidden…’
‘Are they really blind? They seem perfectly fine…’
‘Come to think of it, why didn’t the Lucianos family send notice?’
‘Ah, I know that. Princess Rena actually…’
I focused on my sister. Though my attention drifted there, I wasn’t afraid.
‘Whatever happens to my sister now, it’s none of my concern.’
Up to twenty-four steps, the crown prince, and suddenly Russell stopped walking.
“Welcome, Russell.”
The emperor’s voice from the throne was chilling.
“And you, the beacon that will light the northern darkness.”
