Chapter 25
“There’s no reason for me to be afraid of rumors. The kind of people who think like that will spread nasty rumors about me no matter what I do. I wouldn’t distance myself from my knight just because I’m afraid of people like them.”
“B-but…”
Pri’s face hardened for the first time as she looked at the hesitant Cassie.
“Cassie, I really like you, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t cross the line when it comes to the people I care about. Ian and Seth were the first people I opened my heart to after coming here, so even if it’s you, please be careful with your words.”
“…I apologize.”
Cassie mumbled like a scolded puppy and lowered her head.
“As long as you understand. Now then, Seth, I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, understood.”
“But… Lady Pri.”
“…What is it now?”
Cassie spoke again, as if unwilling to give up.
“Among the people you care about… doesn’t His Majesty the Emperor count? His Majesty seems to…”
“I’m not sure.”
Pri forced a smile at the needless question and pressed her lips tightly together as she stepped outside.
She could hear Seth scolding Cassie from behind, but Pri didn’t feel like stopping him. She moved on swiftly.
“Are you going out alone today?”
“I wanted to go with just Ian.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To my sister. Do you… know about the guest who arrived a few days ago?”
Seth had said he knew, but Pri hesitated just in case.
“If it has anything to do with you, I know everything.”
A strong yet gentle hand reached out to her.
“Shall we go then?”
“You seem to be in a good mood today.”
“Me? That’s right. I’m happy because I can have you all to myself. There was always Seth or a new handmaiden around, so I didn’t have a place to be.”
A faint blush bloomed on Pri’s cheeks at Ian’s words.
Click clack. A soft breeze drifted in through the open windows.
Perhaps because she was with Ian, the heavy unease Pri had felt about seeing her sister started to lift a little.
“I feel good today.”
“Then please see me more often. Lately, it felt like you were avoiding me, and it made me sad.”
Ian’s pace slowed slightly, and his gaze fell. A melancholy glow lingered on his face.
As if to avoid it, Pri began walking faster.
“Let’s go quickly.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Ian, you’re so kind. Your kindness feels like the wind—warm and endlessly soft. If I let myself go, I feel like I’d lose myself and be swept away by it. Sometimes I think about letting go and just riding that wind… but I stop myself. It’s not your fault, Ian.”
“Lady Pri…”
“I just… want to live as myself.”
What more could be said?
Ian looked as though he wanted to argue but ended up lowering his head in silence.
“Even so, I won’t give up. So that you can always find freedom in the breeze that is me.”
“…Thank you.”
The distance to where Princess Gaia was staying was quite far from the palace Pri lived in.
Only upon arrival did Pri find herself slightly surprised.
“This is a nice place.”
While her own palace mirrored the architecture of the Kingdom of Ezan, this one followed the style of the Intellia Empire. The white limestone buildings, blending beautifully with the blue sky, gave the illusion of stepping into a painting.
“It’s just a suitable place.”
“Suitable, huh…”
Pri’s eyes turned to the building again.
“It’s quite different from my palace. When he said he had arranged a place for Gaia, I expected it to be like mine. But it’s nothing like I imagined.”
“Do you like this one better?”
“Not necessarily… but it seems he put quite a bit of thought into this place.”
Though she had vowed not to think of Argent anymore, Pri couldn’t help the heavy feeling pressing down on her chest.
‘Why am I even upset? Whatever he did or gave my sister has nothing to do with me.’
Not wanting Ian to see how much her chest ached, she pressed down on her wrist.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Let’s go in. I… want to see my sister.”
I don’t want to.
I just want to stay still.
She’s not going to say anything nice anyway.
But she’s my sister. I have to do the bare minimum. Otherwise, I’ll get scolded worse later. If I don’t do even this, I’ll be useless. I’m scared. Of being hated.
Honestly… I’m really scared.
Pri’s face went pale.
Ian, noticing this, gently took her hand.
“Lady Pri, if it’s too much, you don’t have to go in. Don’t force yourself…”
“No. Is my sister inside?”
“Yes. I heard she’s been staying in her room due to poor health.”
Just then—
As Pri debated whether or not to enter, a servant came rushing over.
“Your Majesty the Empress, what brings you all the way here?”
“I came to see my sister.”
“Ah! Yes, of course. Right this way.”
She had worried that her sister might be causing trouble even here, making the servants’ lives difficult. But that didn’t seem to be the case. The bright faces of the staff and the courteous manner of the servant leading her down the corridor said it all.
“The guest hasn’t been feeling well, so she’s currently being examined by a physician.”
“Did she say what was wrong?”
“It didn’t seem to be anything specific… but I’m just a servant, so I’m not entirely sure, Your Majesty.”
“I see. But it’s not something serious, right?”
“No, she’s eating well and sometimes takes walks in the garden, so there’s no need to worry. Also, His Majesty instructed us to serve her with the utmost care, and we’ve been doing our best.”
With the utmost care. Why did those words pierce her heart so much?
Without realizing it, Pri pressed a hand to her chest. It felt like a sharp ache.
‘Don’t be petty. It’s a good thing he’s treating your sister well.’
As if she were someone who wanted Argent to be kind only to her. She couldn’t even understand her own emotions. Like musty old feelings, they still haunted her.
“This is the room.”
The servant ahead of them stopped.
Most of the best rooms in palaces were the central ones on the second floor where sunlight was abundant.
Naturally, the room they were led to—Gaia’s—was one of them.
Almost as if to emphasize how well Gaia was being treated, numerous maids and attendants were stationed outside the door. Even knights were present.
Pri’s face darkened at the sight.
“I will open the door.”
She gave a small nod, and the servant opened the door without hesitation—without knocking or announcing their presence.
That struck Pri as odd, but she had no time to dwell on it. The moment she saw her sister inside, she rushed in.
“Gaia!”
Just as she’d heard on the way there, Gaia was receiving treatment from a physician. The moment she saw her younger sister, her expression hardened.
Like someone drawing a very clear line.
“That’s enough for today. Rather than this pointless examination, just give me the medicine I asked for.”
“His Majesty said that is not permitted.”
“But I said I’m uncomfortable! How dare you—do you even know who I am?”
“…Sigh. Let me say it again, then.”
The physician, gathering his bag, let out a deep sigh and placed a small medicine bottle next to Gaia.
“There were strict orders to make sure you take this.”
As if it were a routine occurrence, he didn’t respond to her tantrum. He simply turned, gave a small bow to Pri, and exited.
Silence fell.
Pri had hoped Gaia might at least acknowledge her once the physician left.
But even as time dragged on, Gaia stared only at her nails and didn’t so much as glance at her sister.
Left with no choice, Pri spoke first.
“Sister.”
“Oh. I thought you left already. It was so quiet, I assumed no one was here.”
At that moment, Ian’s expression hardened even more than Pri’s. It was obvious he was angry on her behalf. The man who always stood half a step behind her had stepped forward.
But Pri had no intention of criticizing her sister. She grabbed Ian’s arm to stop him.
“I want to talk with her alone. Ian, and everyone else in the room—can you step out, please? Sister, is that alright?”
“What kind of great conversation are you planning that you have to kick everyone out?”
“Please leave.”
Gaia wrinkled her nose but didn’t stop the others from leaving. She must have had things to say as well.
Those who’d been watching awkwardly disappeared quickly. Once the door closed, Pri sat down in front of Gaia.
“Sister, have you been well? Has anything happened?”
But her sister’s expression, greeting her, was different from usual.
She looked outright displeased.
Even back in Ezan, Gaia had never been warm toward Pri. But she had never expressed her disgust so openly either.
And this time, she didn’t bother to hide her feelings.
“I really hate you.”
“…What?”
“I’ve hated you since we were kids. Even when you did nothing, everything just came to you. I’ve always hated how you got everything.”
