Chapter 21
He was quite a pleasing child.
All this time, Karla had taken Rishideon to every official event she could, proudly showing him off.
She wanted to show the nobles that even Arakrene had bowed to her—and thus, she secured their support.
“I have kept my promise, Rishideon.”
She had promised not to harm the heirs of Arakrene as long as its eldest grandson, Rishideon, stayed by her side.
Karla had gained him under that condition.
“Still, since the young duke has called for you, it wouldn’t be bad to pay him a short visit. Go on.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”
The young duke of Arakrene had surely called him back with the intent of having him return for good—but Karla had no intention of letting Rishideon go that easily.
‘It seems the young duke is in quite a hurry. If he plans to attend Adrian’s celebration banquet, that is.’
That wasn’t bad for her at all—whatever happened, it would bring Adrian more attention.
And Karla was willing to do anything necessary for the son who would one day ascend the throne.
Karla rose from her chair and slowly walked forward.
When she came to stand before Rishideon, her voice was gentle.
“I’ll give you ten days.”
“……”
“Don’t forget that I have protected your family’s safety for the past four years.”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace,” Rishideon answered, bowing his head.
Karla’s red lips curved upward into a graceful smile.
“Then go on. Adrian’s swordsmanship lesson will begin soon, won’t it?”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave now.”
After receiving the Empress’s permission, Rishideon left the palace. He finally felt like he could breathe again.
Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, he drew from his breast pocket a letter—written in a handwriting he had longed to see.
It was the letter he had been waiting for, telling him that he could finally come home.
Yet when he received it, his heart sank.
For the first time, he doubted whether he should return home.
It was the family he had longed for so desperately…
But now, entangled with the Empress, Rishideon was publicly regarded—whether he liked it or not—as one of Karla’s people.
Just imagining how his family might view him made his vision go dark.
“Rishideon, take care of your younger siblings until I return. You can do that, can’t you?”
Rishideon slowly closed his eyes.
Midnight.
Liersha tiptoed through the corridor.
A shiver ran down her body in the dim hallway.
‘Phew… I almost got caught for real, didn’t I?’
She had been dozing off, and before she knew it, midnight had arrived.
But now… how was she supposed to get out of here?
Liersha had no idea how to conceal her presence—she would definitely get caught within a few steps.
‘What should I do…?’
Her brother Ricador must be waiting outside.
Just as she was awkwardly turning back toward her room, someone suddenly grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.
“Over here.”
“Ah—Rica—!”
“Shh! Quiet.”
Ricador pressed a finger to his lips, warning her.
Liersha hastily clapped her hands over her mouth.
There were guards stationed all over the star tower; if anyone heard them, they’d be discovered.
When she gave him a questioning look—how had he gotten in here?—Ricador only shrugged, as if it were nothing.
Then he took her hand and started striding forward.
“Let’s get out of here first.”
“Ah—!”
Without hesitation, Ricador lifted Liersha into his arms and jumped out through the star tower window.
Though her face twisted as if she were about to cry, she fought down the nausea that welled up.
“Just hang on. At your pace, we wouldn’t even reach the forest before getting caught.”
“Okay.”
Liersha nodded obediently.
She wasn’t sure how long she managed to hold it in, but soon the entrance to the Forest of Monsters came into view.
She saw it every day, yet after only a few days apart, the forest felt strangely unfamiliar.
“No need to be scared. I clean this forest regularly.”
“……Okay.”
“Nothing like those monsters will show up this time.”
Liersha swallowed dryly.
The idea of stepping into the Forest of Monsters of her own accord made her feet refuse to move.
But then—
“I like eating things raw.”
“…What?”
Ricador blinked in confusion at her sudden comment.
Eating things raw? What was she talking about?
Did she even understand what that meant?
Liersha’s eyes sparkled in the darkness.
“You told me not to take things raw before, right? That means it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“……”
“I’m gonna take it raw.”
Ricador had no idea where to even begin correcting her.
Hearing her speak so earnestly while clinging to his side, he couldn’t help but feel oddly guilty.
Sighing, Ricador set her down and was just about to speak when—
As if she had been waiting for that moment, Liersha started walking straight into the forest.
“Hey—hey! Go with me!”
“Shh! What if someone hears us!”
“…Who’s going to come here?”
Ricador grumbled but still lowered his voice.
The two of them entered the forest together. Looking around nervously, Liersha muttered,
“It feels creepier than before.”
“It’s just your imagination. There are no monsters here.”
According to the ancient records of the Arakrene family, Ricador’s ability was Annihilation—
a power that burned all living things into ash until nothing remained.
Having never once been threatened by a monster, Ricador was confident.
If there had been any danger, he would never have brought Liersha here in the first place.
“So, there’s no danger at all?”
“Of course not. I’ll protect you—don’t worry.”
Ricador answered proudly.
Hearing that, Liersha relaxed a little.
“When you say things like that, you sound so strong that I feel like I won’t even need to use my powers.”
“…What are you even saying, kid?”
Ricador’s ears flushed red. Flustered, he ruffled his silver hair and cleared his throat awkwardly.
It was something any brother would say—but for some reason, her words made him feel strangely important.
Who just says things like that so easily? Liersha really was a peculiar child.
Ricador tried to change the subject, scolding her lightly.
“If you mess up this time, I’m not taking you again—so don’t get too comfortable.”
“……”
“Liersha?”
He expected her to sulk in reply.
But when she stayed silent, Ricador turned toward where she had been standing—
—and his mouth froze.
His crimson eyes darted around in alarm.
“…Liersha? Where are you?”
The spot where she’d been standing was empty.
He had only looked away for a moment—and she had vanished without a trace.
Ricador’s heart dropped.
He scanned the area, trying to sense her presence with magic—but nothing.
“Why… why can’t I feel anything?”
She had to be nearby. There was no way she could’ve gone far on those short legs.
He told himself that, but panic was already seeping in.
He couldn’t feel Liersha’s presence at all.
Then he remembered—there had been another time this happened.
It was when Liersha’s power had first manifested.
When his Annihilation touched the bubble that held the monster, it hadn’t worked at all.
If the bubble hadn’t broken on its own when her power faded, he would never have been able to burn the monster.
He hadn’t thought much of it back then.
He hadn’t realized what a huge variable it could become…
Ricador’s face turned pale.
“That kid… don’t tell me—”
Somewhere nearby, Liersha’s power was activating again.
“Huh? Ricador oppa?”
Liersha, who had been walking ahead, suddenly realized how quiet it was.
She had assumed Ricador was following her, but he was nowhere to be seen.
The moment she realized she was alone, panic flooded her eyes.
The forest in the early dawn was so dark she could barely make out her surroundings.
“Ricador oppa…?”
Liersha called his name nervously, her steps faltering.
“O-oppa, don’t play pranks like this. I don’t like it… You said you’d protect me…”
Her trembling voice echoed weakly through the dark woods.
