Chapter 54
The First Wish
“Milady, you’re back now? Hoho. You must have enjoyed yourself today, staying out so late.”
Sophia, who had come back to the hotel and was about to put her things away, was startled and called out joyfully when she saw the two return — then quickly shut her mouth when she noticed Himena’s disheveled clothes and darkened face.
“Um, then I’ll be going now.”
“Himena, since it’s late, at least stay for dinner—”
“No. My feet hurt, and it’d be better if I left.”
“W-well, there’s a carriage waiting, so you can leave right away, milady.”
“All right. Let’s hurry, Sophia.”
Himena gave a brief nod to Kailian and hurried toward the carriage with Sophia.
“Himena!”
Even after he called, she pretended not to hear and quickly climbed into the carriage.
“Depart!”
“Yes. Giddy-up!”
Watching Himena vanish like she was fleeing without giving him even a glance, Kailian stood there stunned and muttered her name over and over.
“Himena….”
“Welcome back, Captain?”
“Yeah.”
Whale, who had been leisurely reading in the hotel room, stood up as Kailian came in.
‘Hm? Why does his face look so gloomy? Did something bad happen?’
“Captain, dinner—”
“No appetite. Don’t worry about me; go down and eat.”
He shrugged off his jacket, tossed it on the sofa, then sat at the table by the window and fell silent, lost in thought.
“…Okay. I’ll go then.”
Whale, sensing that he wanted to be alone, didn’t press him and left the room.
‘A loveless marriage…’
Kailian repeated that phrase and pressed his forehead, closing his eyes as if in pain.
He needed the wealth and troops of the Duke Sylvester family. Himena had been interested in him, so that would have been a great chance to gain those resources — yet the duke’s being a close confidant of Emperor Zenos posed a huge problem. Even while hesitating over that, the emotion called ‘love’ was never part of his calculations.
But Himena, even when offered becoming royalty — potentially empress of the empire — had put love first and refused.
And now Kailian himself was confused by the sudden feelings he had developed for her.
‘Himena… What should I even do? My feelings for her have grown beyond what I can control. Is it right to force my changed feelings on her — someone who always draws a clear line in front of me? If I, after coldly rejecting her advances, confess my love now, will she truly believe me?’
Whether she was Hermes’ guise or Himena herself, he had come to cherish the moments he spent with her so much that they felt too short.
Watching her, so unpredictable and whimsical, was thrilling and made him smile despite the danger of not knowing what she’d do next.
So in every moment, if he saw even a tiny hope — a straw to grasp that could improve their relationship — he wanted to catch it and cling.
He wanted her near him, wanted to always protect that bright smile on her face so it would never fade.
‘Wait… protect her… want to?’
A thought flickered through Kailian’s mind.
He suddenly grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the hotel room.
“Huh? Captain! Where are you going?”
“Just going out for a bit!”
He borrowed a horse through the hotel manager and hurried after Himena’s carriage.
“Giddy-up!”
Clip-clop, clip-clop…
“But… I must protect the marquis…”
“This is ridiculous. You keep saying you’ll protect me — why are you protecting me?”
“Because the marquis is the hope of Granelfis!”
“…What?”
“The marquis is the last hope of the Granelfis continent. So I must protect him!”
[But anyway, Hermes and Kailian can never be together. I came here to protect him, not to seduce him.]
‘Himena…’
Even though he had rejected her so coldly, she came to Acticos disguised and concealed her identity to protect him from some danger or someone’s threat.
He didn’t know exactly what that danger was, but although she drew a clear line about their relationship, she would at least stay by his side until her safety was guaranteed.
Besides, she had asked for his help in a contract romance because of reputation and a prince’s proposal, hadn’t she?
She may have closed her heart, but she probably didn’t lock the door with a key.
She might draw a line, but she hadn’t built a wall.
So until she opens that door, this time he must knock.
He didn’t know when that would be, but this time, he would wait.
“Giddy-up!”
Clip-clop, clip-clop…
“Milady, we’ve arrived.”
The coachman stopped the carriage in front of the Sylvester mansion and opened the door.
“Thank you. Good job.”
“Himena!!!”
“Hmm?”
Hihihing…
Himena, just getting out of the carriage with Sophia, turned around in surprise at her name being called.
“Hah… hah…”
“Kail!”
Kailian, having hurriedly ridden his horse and now winded and disheveled, suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Uh, what’s this? Why did you come back…?”
“I have something to ask.”
“Pardon?”
Kailian dismounted and walked toward the puzzled Himena.
“I want to use one of the wishes you promised me.”
“A wish…?”
“Yes.”
“Huh? Now… here… all of a sudden?”
He nodded solemnly.
‘What’s going on? Right after an awkward farewell he chased after her and now wants a wish granted?’
“What is it?”
Himena blinked nervously.
“Himena, your hand.”
“Hand…?”
Growing more puzzled, she awkwardly extended her right hand toward him.
Kailian took that hand, dropped to one knee on the street, kissed the back of it, and said,
“Will you become engaged to me?”
“Wha—?”
“Empress, the prince has arrived.”
“Very well, bring him in.”
Late in the evening, Diego was summoned to the empress’s reception room.
“Your Majesty, you called? Hm? You aren’t alone?”
“Yes, come in, Diego. Also meet Miss Morientes.”
“Your Highness the Prince, I am Alicia Morientes from the House of Morientes. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
A young and pretty lady, who had been drinking tea with the empress, curtsied politely to Diego.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Morientes. I don’t believe we’ve met in society yet….”
“Hoho, yes, Diego. Miss Morientes just turned eighteen this year and has just debuted in society. That’s why you wouldn’t have seen her yet.”
“Oh, I see. Excuse me if I interrupted your pleasant conversation….”
“No, Diego. I asked you to come to introduce her. Because of the sponsorship of the Beast Slayer Tournament, the marquis brought his daughter to the palace for dinner today, and after speaking with her I found her clever and well-mannered despite her youth. I wanted you to meet her as well.”
“Ah, I see. Thank you, Your Majesty, for introducing such a beautiful lady.”
“Your Highness.”
Alicia quickly blushed and shyly bowed.
“Then, Diego, will you stay and have tea with Miss Morientes for a moment? I must go to the Emperor’s office for a bit. It’s not proper to leave a young lady alone in the reception room, so keep her company while I’m away. I’ll be back shortly.”
“All right. Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the empress left, only Diego and Alicia remained in the reception room.
‘Oh my… he’s even more handsome than the rumors. What should I do.’
Alicia’s heart fluttered at Diego’s splendid appearance, while Diego examined her features openly.
‘Tsk. As soon as the proposal fell through, Mother moves first. Morientes family, huh… Compared to the Sylvester dukes their wealth and troops are significantly less. Still, the daughter is reasonably presentable.’
“So, Miss Morientes, what are your hobbies? Is there anything particular you enjoy doing, day or night?”
“Oh, yes. The Empress praised my intelligence, but I still have much to learn. I take various classical education classes, and when I have free time I do embroidery or read to polish my manners.”
“I see. Embroidery and reading… Such refined pastimes befit the daughter of a reputable family.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
A brief silence fell between them.
‘…Oh dear. Am I answering properly? If I’d known I’d meet His Highness today, I would have paid more attention to my makeup and dress.’
Alicia, trying to pique Diego’s interest, grew embarrassed and flushed, while Diego tapped his finger idly on the chair, his mind elsewhere.
‘Himena… What would she have said?’
“Hobbies? Well, by day I practice martial arts vigorously with my household soldiers, and by night… I enjoy playing dagger-throwing against the wall. Sometimes I stick a doll resembling Your Highness to the wall and practice shuriken throwing. It’s so thrilling! Swish! Thwack!”
‘What? No way!’
Fwoi! Fwoi!
Diego suddenly waved his hands in the air nervously at some image he imagined.
“E-excuse me, Your Highness? Why are you—?”
“Ah, no. A, a bug suddenly flew by… ahem.”
“Oh my. Even bugs fell in love with Your Highness’s outstanding looks. Hohoho.”
“A bug? That sounds like you fell for me at a glance. Is that so?”
“O-oh, Your Highness. Saying that… I’m so embarrassed.”
Caught off guard, Alicia covered her burning cheeks with both hands, unsure what to do, and Diego quickly lost interest.
‘Yes, that figures… Her rosy face betrays her inner feelings. Himena, what would she have done—’
“Did you fall in love at first sight? Your Highness, are you unwell? The symptoms sound severe. Should I call the court physician? No, for your prince-illness, it might be more effective to give you a good smack! Come here! Hi-yah!”
‘Oh no! Please don’t do that!’
This time, imagining something else, Diego flinched, clutching his head with both arms and curling up.
