Chapter 4
Argent quickly changed the subject in response to the unexpected counter-question.
“That night, when this place was attacked. Was the courage you showed to protect the queen actually just recklessness? From what I hear, she isn’t even your real mother…”
“Recklessness, huh. And how do you know whether or not she’s my real mother?”
The sharp question threw him off. Argent hesitated, unsure of what to say, and in that moment, Pri spoke again.
“You pretend not to care, but you seem quite interested in the Ezan Kingdom.”
“Yes, that’s it. I’m interested. This is the land chosen by my younger brother—the Emperor of the Empire.”
As if she understood, Pri nodded.
“Ah.”
“But aren’t you afraid of me? Acting that way is like shortening your own lifespan.”
“If you were really planning to kill us, you would’ve done it the moment you arrived, just like the rumors said.”
Though she couldn’t explain why, Pri smiled with a sense of confidence.
“You’re interesting. But you’d better prepare yourself. One of the princesses will leave with me soon.”
“And if that happens, who will you take?”
“Definitely not you, so don’t worry.”
“…Not me?”
For a moment, Pri’s face hardened. The way he dismissed her, declaring he wouldn’t take her, filled her with an unexpected sense of exclusion. That strange feeling churned her previously calm chest. The unease made her stomach turn.
Argent’s expression also darkened as he looked at her. He saw in her the woman he once loved. Her appearance, voice, even her mannerisms were exactly like Pri’s from his previous life. But this Pri had no interest in him whatsoever.
‘So I won’t do anything this time. This time… I just want you to live.’
Argent lowered his hands, which had been about to move on their own, and turned away, walking out of the maze. Pri silently watched him go, her own face hardening. Having such words said to her face—there was no way it wouldn’t sting.
It took a long while for her to calm herself. Only after quite some time did she leave the maze to follow after him.
“P-Princess…!”
The moment she emerged from the maze, Jel greeted her with startled eyes.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“That barba—uh, I mean, that man came out first. I was worried something might’ve happened to you. I was thinking of going in to find you! How did he even know how to get in there?”
“Let’s just go. It’s time to meet my sisters.”
“A-Are you sure you’re alright?”
Despite Jel’s anxious question, Pri gave no response.
She only walked faster than usual toward her sisters.
Her changed demeanor made it clear just how hurt she was inside.
Standing in front of her second sister Itar’s office, Pri let out a deep sigh and opened the door.
“Why are you always so out of it? I told you to come early and help me pick an outfit.”
“I… came on time.”
“Hah. Might as well say nothing!”
As expected, the eldest sister Gaia immediately started scolding the moment she saw Pri.
Pri quietly looked at her sister. Gaia, with her golden hair and eyes, truly matched the image of the golden Empire of Ezan. Even Pri had to admit she was beautiful. Her shimmering hair looked like strands of silk, her nose was high, her jawline elegant. It would be easy to believe she was sculpted by the gods.
It was no wonder the Emperor fell in love with her at first sight.
And Itar was no different. Though she tied up her blonde hair in a simple bun out of convenience, her looks were no less striking. Even with her round glasses, her eyes sparkled behind them.
Just then—
While Pri was quietly observing her sisters, Gaia grabbed her by the arm.
“Hurry up and look! Which dress looks better? His Majesty the Emperor will come rescue me any day now!”
Eyes sparkling, Gaia waved the dresses in front of her.
‘The castle is surrounded by barbarians, and you’re picking out dresses?’
Worse, they were all newly bought from famous shops near the capital. Even if Gaia only cared about appearances, this was too much—Pri couldn’t help but click her tongue.
But she didn’t say it aloud. Pri had never once expressed opposition to her sisters.
Instead, she forced a smile and looked at the dresses.
“You’d look beautiful in anything, sister.”
“Ugh, so insincere. Why were you even born if you’re such a dunce?”
With a snort, Gaia threw one of the dresses at Pri. She was used to this kind of treatment, so she calmly picked it up and handed it to a maid.
“I think the one you’re holding suits you best. A pearl necklace and earrings would match your fair skin perfectly.”
“Now you say that?”
“…”
“But Gaia, what if no one comes from the Empire?”
Itar, who had been busy reviewing documents between the two of them, finally put her pen down and looked at Gaia with exasperation.
“Do either of you really believe that barbarian? That they’ll just leave when someone from the Empire comes? How naïve.”
Itar got up from her seat and looked out the window. She was more frustrated than anyone. The king of Ezan had been imprisoned, so Itar had to manage everything in his place. It was no surprise she was irritated.
Her childish sister picking out dresses, her unreadable younger sister…
“There’s no one helpful around.”
“What are you so worried about? I’m here. Why wouldn’t he come? He fell for my beauty at first sight. The man who said he loved me will come running as soon as he hears.”
Gaia lifted her hand high, showing off a ring with a large pearl.
“So Itar, all we can do now is wait. I know you’re always a worrier, but ease up. You’ll only get more wrinkles.”
“You’re so immature. Fine. Then if something goes wrong, you can be the barbarian’s bride.”
“What? Are you crazy?”
“What’s so crazy about it? Makes sense. If he had to choose, he’d go for the most beautiful one—you.”
Gaia’s face went pale.
“No way! How do we even know what that barbarian looks like? He wears a mask! He must have horrible scars. Ugh, disgusting. I’m going to be Empress!”
“Then get it together. If we make the wrong move, we could all be sold off. Even if he said what he did, who knows—he might take all of us and make us his playthings.”
For the first time, Itar felt she was making progress. She sighed heavily and slammed the open window shut.
“No! There’s no way he won’t come!”
“…Still, just in case, shouldn’t we decide this ourselves?”
“Decide what?”
“If… if His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t come to save us, we need to decide which of us will become the barbarian’s bride.”
Itar’s gaze fell on Pri.
And now Gaia, who had just been yelling, turned her eyes toward her too.
“Right. We need to decide. You’re right, Itar.”
“Since we’re all here, let’s decide. If you think about it, this is all Pri’s fault, isn’t it?”
“You’re saying it’s my fault?”
Pri couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
“Of course it is. If you hadn’t saved the queen, none of this would’ve happened. Like always, everything is your fault.”
“Gaia! Are you saying I should’ve let Mother die?”
“She’s not your mother. If you hadn’t done something so foolish, none of this would’ve happened.”
“But…!”
“Don’t you get it? Father had a plan!”
That was a stretch.
Pri opened her mouth, but both princesses had already joined forces.
“That’s right. It’s all your fault.”
“…Ha.”
“Well, I can understand, actually. You’ve always been thoughtless. Never good at anything, always messing things up.”
Itar paused her reading and sipped her tea.
“Sisters! That’s—!”
“Still, we love you. Even though you’re lacking. But you have to admit your fault, right? You know you acted on your own?”
Gaia, now standing close, gently patted Pri’s head—but there was no warmth in the gesture.
“And you know how much your sister loves you, right?”
“…”
“Good. So don’t worry and just do as we say. You’ve always done that, haven’t you?”
“…”
“You understand, right? Say it.”
“…Yes, Sister.”
“Good. You’re always wrong, and your sisters are here to show you the right path. Because you’re foolish and unfit to be a princess.”
Pri stood there staring at the floor, expressionless. More powerless than ever. And for the first time, she realized—she had never been able to do what she wanted because of her sisters.
Her eyes lost all light.
The promised day came sooner than expected.
Two weeks had passed—enough time for a messenger to ride to the Empire and return. Yet of the five knights who had gone, not one had returned.
Even on the morning of the appointed day.
