CHAPTER 78……………………………….
An Unexpected Encounter
The Stone Count’s family of the Haron Empire had undergone a subtle but noticeable change over the past month. Nothing was outwardly different, yet a heavy, secretive atmosphere had begun to weigh over the mansion.
It all started when the young count, Robby, brought home a retired knight who was on the brink of death. Although the most renowned physicians from the capital visited almost daily, the patient showed no sign of improvement.
Compared to the stern Count Stone, the kind and gentle young count Robby had always been well-liked by the servants. But now, he locked himself away in the sickroom and never came out. The young maids, who used to live for even a brief glimpse of him, complained that life had lost all its joy.
Robby’s seclusion, however, frustrated more than just the servants.
“Hans! Is Robby still holed up in that room today?”
“Yes, my lord. He even sleeps there these days.”
“Damn it.”
After confirming the situation with the butler, Count Stone bit his lip anxiously.
It had been wise to pull out before the bankrupt Marquis of Uzkal dragged him down, but now he needed to find a new investment.
If only Robby would visit the imperial palace and bring back some useful information. But instead, he was wasting away in that room with a dying man.
“How long does he plan to shut himself up with that half-dead corpse…”
“Sir Robby relied greatly on Sir Pallet…”
“Who doesn’t know that? Still, there’s a limit! Does he not see his father dying of worry? Tch!”
After grumbling to himself, Count Stone hurried off to attend an investors’ gathering held at the finest restaurant in the Crossroads district of the capital.
Once he was gone, Butler Hans prepared a simple meal and went to see Robby himself.
When Hans entered, Robby was carefully wiping the unconscious Pallet’s body with a wet cloth, having already removed the knight’s clothes.
“Oh, young master, why do you insist on doing this yourself? You could have the servants do it.”
“I don’t want anyone else touching my master’s body.”
“Do you not trust the servants?”
“…This is my burden to bear.”
Hans didn’t understand what Robby meant, but the anguish on his face made his heart ache. He set down the tray of food on the table.
“Young master, you know the caretaker must keep their strength. I heard you skipped breakfast again. Please, at least have a bite.”
“I will. Thank you, Hans.”
“And, young master…”
Hans hesitated as if he had more to say. Robby finally turned toward him.
“As you ordered, I discreetly checked if anyone’s been watching the estate.”
“Mm-hm.”
“Since yesterday, I’ve noticed some unfamiliar men loitering nearby. I found out they’re mercenaries staying at the residence of Viscount Ulfra.”
“Viscount Ulfra…?”
“He serves under Duke Wilhelm.”
Duke Wilhelm — Hailey’s first love. His third son was now her lover. Could it really be coincidence that strange knights, serving the Wilhelm family, were staying so close to the Stone estate?
“Hans, keep monitoring their movements closely.”
“Yes, young master.”
Robby sensed that Hailey had begun to move. And if Hailey was moving, that could only mean one thing — Lea was on her way here.
He finished cleaning Pallet’s body, dressed him again, and pulled the blanket over him. Pallet’s face looked peaceful, as if in sleep.
Holding Pallet’s hand tightly, Robby whispered like a man possessed.
“Lea, please come quickly and heal my master. No… no, it’s too dangerous. Don’t come here.”
As he pressed his forehead to Pallet’s hand, tears began to pour from Robby’s eyes.
The carriage carrying Milly and me finally entered the capital of the Haron Empire.
Freddy had suggested that riding in the lead would draw too much attention, so once we reached the city gates, he fell back to follow at a discreet distance.
To avoid being recognized, we had kept the windows closed and the curtains drawn. But as we got closer to the city center, I couldn’t help feeling curious.
Milly peeked through a small gap in the curtains and narrated what she saw outside.
“Wow, Madame Gaudi’s boutique is still as crowded as ever! So many carriages lined up!”
“Oh, Your Majesty, you’d remember this smell — we just passed Rainbow Bakery, the best dessert shop in the capital!”
Milly’s cheerful commentary filled the carriage — until we neared the Marquis of Uzkal’s residence. Then she grew quiet, thoughtful. Finally, she turned to me.
“Your Majesty, we’ll pass the Marquis of Uzkal’s estate on the way to Count Stone’s. Would you like to stop by?”
“No. Treating Sir Pallet comes first.”
“Oh, right!”
Milly bonked herself lightly on the head for forgetting something so obvious.
Even so, as we neared the marquis’s mansion, I couldn’t resist my curiosity. I lifted the curtain slightly and told Milly to look outside.
“Huh?”
She leaned closer to the window, frowning.
“What is it?”
“There are several large wagons in front of the mansion. And people are loading them with furniture and goods.”
I was startled and signaled the driver to stop the carriage. We halted a short distance from the mansion gates, and I peeked out through the curtains.
The Marquis of Uzkal burst out of the house, disheveled, shouting angrily and swinging his cane — but the laborers ignored him and kept carrying things out.
Moments later, they loaded a massive mirror into a wagon — its frame encrusted with jewels. The marchioness followed, weeping bitterly.
“Oh dear, that’s the mirror she brought from her family when she married! She treasured it.”
I remembered that mirror vividly — at ten years old, I had sneaked into her room to look at it and got a severe beating for it.
“Shall I step out and ask what’s going on?” Milly offered.
I hesitated, then shook my head. “No. Let’s head to Count Stone’s first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
But before long, the carriage lurched to a sudden stop. The horses neighed loudly, and the driver shouted something.
Milly and I froze, listening. Soon, the driver knocked urgently on the window.
“My apologies, Your Majesty! A woman suddenly darted in front of the carriage. I hope we didn’t startle you too much?”
“I’m fine. Is she hurt?”
“No, just frightened, I think.”
Relieved, I handed Milly a small pouch of gold coins.
“Check on her, just in case. If she needs treatment, give her this.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Milly hurried out of the carriage.
A moment later, the door opened again — but instead of Milly, a red-haired stranger climbed inside. Her face was unfamiliar, yet strangely… familiar.
“You can’t just barge in like that!” Milly panted, rushing in after her.
“What happened?” I asked.
“She recognized me at once and asked if I was traveling with Queen Lea! Then she just climbed aboard without permission!”
Milly stepped protectively in front of me, glaring at the woman.
Then, in a blur, Freddy burst into the carriage, sword drawn, the blade pressed to the woman’s throat.
The red-haired stranger only chuckled, amused, her eyes on me.
“So, just because I changed my hair color and ears a little, you don’t recognize me?”
Puzzled, I studied her face closely — the confidence, the bold tone… could it be?
“Wait… Princess Shine?”
“Heh, finally.”
She closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath. Slowly, her red hair faded to its true silvery-blonde, and her pointed ears and sharp eyes returned to their natural form.
It was indeed Shine.
“Good heavens. Sir Freddy, put your sword away. This is Princess Shine of Malau.”
Freddy immediately lowered his weapon and bowed.
“My apologies, Princess. I acted only for the Queen’s safety.”
“Understandable. I did jump into the carriage uninvited.” She grinned lightly.
I clasped her hands warmly. “What brings you to the Haron Empire? Did you come alone? Where’s Sir Julmon?”
“I came to find that bastard, actually.”
After Mikrok and I returned to Pritan Castle, King Malau and Julmon had been constantly whispering together in secret.
No matter how many times Shine asked what was going on, neither her father nor her lover would tell her a thing.
It was obvious they were plotting something related to Queen Lea — and excluding her made her furious. Then one day, Julmon simply vanished.
“Father! Where did you send Julmon?”
“You need not know. He’ll report back soon enough.”
“Hmph. Let me guess — you sent him to the Haron Empire to investigate Queen Lea, didn’t you?”
At her words, King Malau flinched visibly and made a hasty retreat.
She was angrier at Julmon than at her father. Surely he had been forbidden to tell her, but to leave without a single word — that was unforgivable.
‘Did he really think I wouldn’t find out? He’s probably snooping around the Marquis of Uzkal’s estate right now.’
And so, Shine crossed into the Haron Empire on her own, determined to find him.
When she reached the Marquis’s residence, the place was in chaos.
At first, she thought they were moving out, but she soon realized debt collectors were stripping the mansion bare.
Watching the commotion closely, she grabbed a maid who looked distraught.
“Eek! Please don’t hurt me!”
“Quiet.”
Shine dropped a silver coin into the girl’s palm. Seeing the coin, the maid immediately hushed.
Shine showed her a portrait of Julmon — a man who couldn’t shapeshift or disguise himself. If he’d been anywhere nearby, surely someone would recognize him.
“Have you seen this man around here recently?”
The maid’s eyes widened as she stared hard at the portrait.
