Chapter: 7
Seeing Seria’s two fists—which were far from threatening—Elena let out an involuntary chuckle.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to reach Seria’s ears.
Patting Seria’s shoulder, Elena had her sit back down and continued speaking.
“Don’t worry. Nothing like that will happen. Sir Theodore only gave a light warning because Princess—because your identity must not leak.”
“But still…!”
How could a threat ever be considered a “light warning”?
As expected, Theodore was the worst kind of person.
Just looking at how casually he grabbed hold of someone’s weakness and shook it around said everything.
Seria’s expression darkened.
“That’s how deals usually work. You gain trust by handing over a weakness.”
“I still don’t think that justifies Theodore Belbart’s actions.”
“Haha, you’re right. Someone as upright and righteous as you, Princess, would naturally think that way.”
Elena was smiling, but there was an edge hidden in her words.
Did I say something wrong?
Startled, Seria hesitated and widened her eyes as she examined Elena.
Meeting Seria’s gaze, Elena still wore a gentle smile.
“Now then, we should rinse your hair. Do you think you can move?”
“Ah, yes.”
The medicine Elena had applied to her hair had dried and hardened.
It felt a bit uncomfortable, but there was no problem moving.
Seria went downstairs together with Elena.
When she had first entered the castle, she hadn’t noticed it, but the structure of this place was quite unusual.
Rooms connected directly to other rooms, and when you opened a door, an unexpected corridor would appear. It was almost like a maze—enough to make one click their tongue in amazement.
In a way, this place didn’t feel like a simple castle, but rather a fortress built for someone to hide themselves.
Seria stuck close behind Elena as she led the way.
After walking for some time, Elena stopped in front of a door at the very end of the corridor.
When she opened it, a fairly spacious kitchen came into view.
Half of it had collapsed from the passage of time, but the area around the hearth was relatively intact.
On top of the hearth, a large cast-iron cauldron was boiling vigorously, white steam billowing up.
“The place isn’t very nice, but… we needed warm water.”
“It’s fine! You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Thank you for understanding, Princess.”
“And you don’t have to call me Princess. I’m not one anymore anyway… Just call me Seria.”
Seria said this with a bitter smile.
In truth, every time Elena called her “Princess,” her chest ached.
It brought to mind the faces of everyone who used to call her that.
Elena watched Seria’s complicated expression quietly, then nodded without a word and skillfully washed her hair.
After applying another medicine to Seria’s damp hair and wrapping it in a towel, Elena smiled faintly, as if everything were finished.
“Now you just need to wait a little.”
“Thank you. Truly.”
Golden hair was considered the symbol and pride of Argentain, so its meaning was significant.
For Seria, it meant even more.
Yet Seria had chosen to give up her hair along with her name and go into hiding.
Having abandoned her pride and chosen her life, she had believed it could never be undone.
She had been certain of that.
And yet—
“You’re really looking forward to it, aren’t you? I can tell just by looking at your face. Haha.”
“Yes…”
Seria’s heart began to pound.
“Brother! Why is my hair the only one this bright? I don’t like it!”
When she was much younger, Seria had once barged into Serion’s class without warning.
Unable to send away his sulking little sister, Serion seated Seria on his lap.
“Why don’t you like it?”
“I’m the only one who’s different! Mother, Father, you, Brother, even Teacher Hamel are all the same! And wherever I go, people keep staring at me!”
“Kh—”
“Hmph.”
At Seria’s utterly aggrieved expression, Serion and Hamel turned their heads at the same time, holding back laughter.
“Ahem. Well, since the Princess has come, how about a special lesson? Princess, have you learned the founding history of the kingdom?”
Hamel closed the book on royal studies he had been holding. With Serion’s attention completely on Seria, there was no way to continue the lesson.
“Yes. I have.”
“Then you must also know why all the people of the Kingdom of Argenta have golden hair.”
“Because our founding ancestor shared the divine power they received with everyone. ‘And those who shared in the god’s power had their hair dyed gold.’ Founding History of Argenta, Volume 1, page 36.”
“To have memorized even the page number—truly impressive.”
When Hamel applauded, Seria puffed up with pride and looked at Serion smugly.
Seeing her act as if her sulking had vanished, Serion poked her cheek.
“But my hair isn’t gold. That’s strange!”
“Seria, you’re just more special.”
“More special?”
At Serion’s glance, Hamel nodded in understanding and stepped closer to Seria to explain.
“It’s said that the kingdom’s founding ancestor had bright golden hair—platinum hair exactly like yours, Princess. That’s something to be very proud of.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Moreover, it’s also said that royal family members born with platinum hair might be able to use the ‘authority’ the ancestor possessed.”
Seria let out a faint breath.
She wanted to unwrap the towel and check right away.
Honestly, it was hard to believe that applying a medicine a few times could restore her hair to its original state.
She was excited, but suspicion was unavoidable.
Seria unconsciously raised a hand toward her head, then quickly lowered it.
“Whether it’s you, Seria, or others… Argentain people really do seem to have a special attachment to their hair.”
Elena said softly as she organized the medicine bottles.
“I suppose that’s true.”
In Argenta, there were even people who never cut their hair their entire lives.
Seria nodded slowly, then suddenly paused.
“You said ‘others’ as well…?”
Murmuring quietly, Seria hurriedly asked Elena,
“Elena, have you ever met any other Argentain people besides me?”
“Yes. There aren’t many, but Argentain people do live in the capital. One of my shop’s customers is from Argenta.”
Up until now, Seria had believed that most Argentain people had been sent here to the north, and some to the southern region of Planto.
She had never imagined that Argentain people might be living in the capital.
If she could ask around among them, might it help her find Serion’s whereabouts?
“Shall we check how it turned out?”
After putting all the medicine bottles into the trunk, Elena removed the towel wrapped around Seria’s hair.
Then she handed Seria a mirror.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Seria looked into the mirror.
The bright golden hair reflected there shimmered softly in the moonlight.
“Ah…”
The hand holding the mirror trembled slightly.
She had thought she would never see this sight again—that she would have to live forever, hiding everything away.
Her hair color. Her true name. Everything.
Seria’s eyes slowly reddened, and tears welled up.
Overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotion, Seria set the mirror down and covered her face with both hands.
It felt as though the dam of regret and guilt that had built up over time had collapsed all at once.
When Seria hurriedly wiped away her tears, Elena was standing a step away, as if she hadn’t seen anything at all.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll tidy it up a bit more for you.”
Saying it was her first time working with such bright-colored hair, Elena happily fussed over Seria’s locks.
Thanks to that, Seria ended up with an unexpectedly elaborate hairstyle.
She used to wear styles like this when she was little.
Seria fiddled with her hair, braided into one and decorated with flower-shaped ornaments.
“It’s taking quite a while.”
Theodore, who had apparently come down at some point and was waiting in front of the kitchen, spoke up.
“What do you think, Sir Theodore? I happened to have some hair accessories in my bag, so I did those as well.”
Elena said proudly, and Theodore stared intently at Seria.
There didn’t seem to be any malice in his gaze, but Seria scowled anyway.
“It suits you. It’d be even better if you relaxed that expression.”
“Shut up.”
Ignoring Seria’s sharp glare, Theodore pulled out a piece of paper from his coat and handed it to Elena.
“Take it from the account under my name at Carbon Bank.”
“I can include travel expenses too, right?”
“Do as you like.”
Snatching up the promissory note Theodore had written, Elena grabbed the trunk she had set aside.
Seeing Elena look as though she might leave at any moment, Seria hurriedly grabbed her sleeve.
“You’re leaving just like this?”
“My work here is done. I have other things to attend to.”
“I thought you’d be staying with us…”
Since Elena had made a deal with Theodore, Seria had assumed she would continue moving with them.
Her sudden departure caught Seria off guard.
Had she been unconsciously relying on Elena, who was in a similar situation?
“I’d like to stay with you too, but Sir Theodore gave me a separate task, and I’ve left my shop closed for quite a while now. I should hurry back.”
Elena smiled sweetly while glancing at Theodore.
“I’ll be helping you two even from places you can’t see, so don’t worry. We’ll meet again.”
As Seria’s grip on her sleeve loosened, Elena calmly left the castle.
Now, only Theodore and Seria remained inside.
Staring blankly at Elena’s receding figure, Seria let out a small sigh.
“We’re leaving.”
Theodore motioned for Seria to follow and started walking.
