Chapter 2
“What are you…!”
“Will the Emperor of the Empire come or not? That’s the question. What do you think, Your Majesty?”
“……”
“I had my doubts, but as expected, I was right. I truly believed he would come. That’s why I think you all might entertain me even more.”
As if expecting a specific answer, the man slowly walked forward, pressing the King of Ezan behind him. The princesses, fearing he might approach them, quickly backed away—but fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, his steps were aimed toward the Queen of Ezan. The heavy clinking of his armored boots made their legs tremble.
“Why the silence? Do I look like a joke because I’ve been holding back? But what can I say—I’m not such a generous man.”
Everything happened in an instant.
A sword, massive enough to be difficult for one hand to wield, was raised high in front of the queen. Unlike his treatment of the king, he showed no hesitation as he moved to swing the blade toward her.
“No!”
At that moment, the only voice in the hall cried out, and someone dashed forward to shield the queen in a protective embrace. Only then did the knights stop, holding their swords high in the air. The atmosphere grew colder still.
“P-Prie!”
“Are you insane?!”
The princesses, who had been quietly watching the situation unfold, scowled in disbelief as their youngest sister sprinted out. They had deliberately kept their mouths shut, hoping that by staying quiet, the savage’s attention wouldn’t fall on them.
But Prie, the third princess of the usually silent Ezan Kingdom, glared at the man with a voice full of resentment.
“Why are you threatening our innocent mother?!”
Only then did his gaze shift to Prie.
“I didn’t threaten her. My knights simply reacted when she made an unnecessary movement.”
“…You were really going to kill her!”
“Of course.”
His emotionless red eyes stared directly at Prie. The pressure from his crimson gaze made her feel as though she would collapse, but she squared her shoulders and pretended not to be shaken.
What should I do now?
She had rushed over because her mother was in danger. That was all. With no plan in mind, the current situation felt unbearably suffocating. What could she say to make him listen and let go of his threat?
He seemed oddly obsessed with the Empire. He asked Father whether the Empire would come to their rescue… but it felt like he was provoking himself more than Father.
Her eyes, clear as the sky, observed him carefully. There was something about him that seemed uncomfortable. Though he stood before them like a predator…
He doesn’t seem confident.
That was it—the source of her unease around him. And perhaps because of that, an odd sense of composure bloomed within Prie. She even felt a strange confidence—maybe she could persuade him.
“You don’t think the Empire will come, do you?”
The suffocating air that had settled like a heavy fog suddenly began to flow freely again with that one sentence.
“What?”
“If the Empire really comes to rescue us, then what will you do? No matter how brutal the barbarians are, you can’t underestimate the power of the Empire.”
“That’s an amusing thing to say. Are you suggesting I fear the Empire?”
“No. I’m asking you to give us a chance.”
As those sky-colored eyes looked up at him with disdain, the man chuckled and crouched down in front of her. Prie, holding the trembling queen tightly in her arms, didn’t flinch, only staring straight at him. Perhaps intrigued, the man gently lifted her chin.
But unlike his actions, his eyes held a hint of sadness.
“Fine. I’ll wait until tomorrow morning. But if the Empire does not come to save Ezan, what will you do then?”
Relief from his initial acceptance was short-lived—Prie flinched slightly at his next words.
She hadn’t thought that far. Her priority had simply been to protect her mother and escape this place.
“Well…”
When she couldn’t answer, the barbarian king chuckled.
“You take after your father in this regard—reckless. You make bold declarations without thinking things through.”
His eyes moved to the queen, who was trembling like a fragile bird in Prie’s arms. The sight seemed to annoy him.
Prie, displeased with his gaze, hugged the queen even tighter.
“Don’t touch my mother.”
“And why should I listen to a princess?”
It should have been a ridiculous question, but the barbarian king, Argente, was expressionless—and melancholic.
He had already withdrawn his gaze from the queen.
Why do I keep listening to your cruel words, again and again, and still can’t give up?
At that moment, the queen buried her face in her daughter’s shoulder, her dignity forgotten. Argente looked down at her with revulsion.
She’s not even your real mother.
She wasn’t Prie’s birth mother—so why did she go this far?
Even in this life, Prie remained the same—unreachable, unknowable. No matter what he did, he could never have her heart. And so, Argente’s mood soured.
“Such a slow answer, King of Ezan. What will you do? Every second of silence will lead to more regret.”
Argente raised his sword again, as if ready to strike down the queen at any moment.
“Why are you threatening my mother instead of my father?! He’s the one who should answer you!”
“Bold of you. Are you not afraid? I am the barbarian king you speak of. Are you not scared, shouting at me like this, Princess?”
“I’m more afraid of losing the people I care about.”
Her clear eyes met his without a trace of fear. In any other kingdom, Argente’s reputation preceded him. If he had followed the rumors, they all might’ve been killed in their sleep by now. Their heads might be displayed on stakes in the plaza.
But Argente had changed his mind.
Even his own knights, unfamiliar with this behavior, were puzzled—yet none dared question it. To do so meant death.
“So, Princess. You intend to continue standing in my way?”
Still, Prie didn’t move an inch. Argente, whose frame was massive and intimidating, didn’t scare her—she simply stared back at him.
“Absolutely.”
“But what now? Your proud father doesn’t seem inclined to answer, even after hearing such brave words from his daughter.”
Still holding the trembling queen, Prie looked up at the king—her father. An incompetent king… She couldn’t hide the resentment in her gaze.
“So, Princess. What do I have to do to get a response out of your defiant father?”
“…Don’t expect an answer. Just do what you want. You were going to anyway.”
“Oh?”
“Our opinions never mattered to you in the first place.”
For the first time, a smile appeared on Argente’s face. It was more of a bitter smirk than a genuine smile, but no one noticed that.
“I see. You’re right, Princess. What do you say, King of Ezan?”
Naturally, his gaze returned to the king. The King of Ezan had no intention of doing what Argente wanted. He had no desire to concede.
But when his usually quiet youngest daughter—who always did what she was told—acted on her own to protect the queen, the king’s face turned ashen, and he glared at her. Rational judgment had long abandoned him.
“That’s enough, Prie!”
“You know that if you don’t choose, we’ll all die here. Don’t let your pride cause more unnecessary sacrifice, Father.”
Her eyes were stronger than ever.
Prie of Ezan. The third princess of Ezan—quiet, unimpressive, nearly invisible. Her title as princess almost seemed like a formality.
“What do you say, King? Your daughter has spoken this much—will you still resist? Just as she said, with every second you refuse, one more will die.”
“You barbarian…!”
“Argente. That is my name.”
And then, he approached the king and beheaded one of his attendants.
Blood sprayed instantly, deep red. The suddenness left the room in stunned silence. No one could scream—they simply trembled, fear sealing their voices. The killing that once felt distant had become terrifyingly real.
After scanning the hall briefly, Argente raised his sword again and turned back to the King of Ezan.
“One person every few seconds. I’ll kill you all before the night is over.”
“……”
“But don’t worry. I’ll save the king for last.”
There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his voice. Argente’s sword slowly turned toward the princesses, and the king finally shouted.
“S-Stop…!”
At last, the king clenched his teeth and stared at Argente.
“Fine! I’ll do it!”
“What exactly will you do? Speak clearly. Otherwise, I might misunderstand and kill everyone.”
With a crooked smile, Argente watched the king rise and walk slowly toward him.
“I’ll take the bet—just as you want!”
“Good. But if they don’t come… then you’ll offer me something precious in return.”
