Chapter 19
And then—
“Where are you going?”
An unexpected person stepped in front of her.
“Why are you—”
“Arthur, why are you still here?”
“And where is Your Highness going at this hour?”
“To the kitchen. More importantly, Arthur, you still haven’t answered my question.”
“……”
Arthur pressed his lips tightly together, and Siena had no intention of letting it slide.
“If you’re not going to answer, then go back, Arthur.”
Arthur took the cloak from her hand instead.
It was his way of saying he wasn’t going anywhere.
“…I should have died back there.”
‘So that’s what’s been weighing on him.’
She hadn’t realized he would take it this seriously.
Siena was about to tell him that it was fine, but he spoke first.
“Arthur, that’s—”
“I should have stopped Lord Pierre. Even if it meant harming him, I should have saved you—and then died. Protecting you is my duty.”
“……”
“But I couldn’t do it. I was afraid of dying. If I had taken even one more step forward, His Highness would have swung his sword without hesitation. He might not have spared my family either.”
“……”
“I dared to weigh your life on a scale.”
In that moment earlier, Arthur’s body had frozen against his will.
The person standing before him hadn’t been just some high-ranking noble, but the future king of Stern.
He knew in his head that he had to step in, yet he couldn’t move a single step.
Even while watching Siena suffer, there was nothing he could do.
Helplessly, he had simply prayed that the moment would pass quickly and safely.
As the memory resurfaced, his hands began to tremble.
Siena looked at those trembling hands, then slowly drew his sword.
“Your Highness?”
“This is heavier than I expected.”
He had been carrying something this heavy every day to protect her.
And yet—
“Are you apologizing to me?”
“……”
“Is that why you’re staying up all night to guard me?”
“……”
“I told you to protect me. I never told you to die in my place.”
“But I failed to protect you.”
“Could you stop deciding to die on your own? I’m still alive, you know.”
“……”
“Arthur, value your life.”
“……”
“Your life weighs no less than mine.”
After saying that, Siena grunted softly as she awkwardly slid the sword back into its sheath.
Her clumsy movements made Arthur’s expression soften just a little.
“And if you die, I’ll be in danger too. If you’re gone, who’s going to protect me? So do your best to live. Survive.”
“……”
“Answer me.”
“…Yes.”
“Good. And stop this ridiculous overtime. I know a thing or two—when people don’t sleep properly, their minds go strange. Not to mention what it does to the body.”
“Your Highness…”
“Just for tonight. Leave the night watch to Sir Brown.”
Siena glanced toward Winter Brown, who had been leaning against the wall and silently observing the situation.
When their eyes met, he simply bowed his head lightly.
Taking the lead, Siena walked down the empty corridor devoid of paintings and descended the central staircase.
She turned to check if Arthur was following—and caught him hurriedly wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Don’t tell me you’re crying?”
“Me?”
“Yes. You.”
“That can’t be.”
“Crying isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
The kitchen was located at the far left end of the first floor of the princess’s palace.
She knew it was there, of course—but this was her first time actually going.
Well, that was normal.
“But what are you going to the kitchen for?”
“Because I’m hungry.”
“Without calling for anyone?”
She hated overtime work more than anything.
“Everyone deserves their rest.”
She couldn’t make people who woke up earlier than her and went to bed later than her work even longer hours.
Besides, what she wanted to eat right now wasn’t something they could make anyway.
Thud.
Clack.
