Chapter 33
When Pri was that firm, Ian reluctantly resumed his steps toward the hill.
“You seem like a different person at times like this, Lady Pri.”
How many times in her life had she ever truly wanted something?
Having lived a life where giving up came naturally, Pri flinched slightly at Ian’s voice.
“Because I want this. Is that not allowed?”
“Not at all. Let’s go.”
Pri, who had been sitting stiffly upright, leaned toward Ian. Like a child, she gently wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck so as not to make it difficult for him to carry her.
It was no surprise that Ian was startled to suddenly feel her arms around him as he held her up using only the strength of his arms. He tensed momentarily.
“Lady Pri…”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought it’d be more comfortable this way, but I must have made you uncomfortable.”
“Not at all. Please lean on me.”
Unaware that Ian’s cheeks had turned red, Pri buried her face into his broad back.
‘That fairy tale. And the emotions I felt after reading it. What were those?’
A cascade of emotions she couldn’t make sense of. Even the dream she had—it all felt like events placed carefully in her life, as if to unlock some hidden door. Unexpected things had begun to appear in Pri’s life, one by one.
‘It was a dream, but it didn’t feel like one.’
She thought of Gaia, who had been standing there when the lightning struck—as if telling her to go ask her.
Should she ask?
She didn’t want to. The more the people here treated her kindly, the more the emotions inside her pulled her in, stronger and deeper. She didn’t want to talk to her sister. She didn’t want to feel those buried emotions that always came surging up every time they spoke.
“Sigh…”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Ian paused in his steps and turned his head slightly. Even Seth was staring at Pri with worried eyes, startled by her deep sigh.
“Oh, no. We can keep going. I was just thinking about something… But Ian. This is the first time I’ve ever been carried on someone’s back.”
“Is that so? Then it’s an honor.”
Even her nanny hadn’t carried her. She said it would spoil her.
From a very young age, Pri had always lain in a cradle. The only world she’d seen was the ceiling of her room. She didn’t remember much from earlier than that, but even without memories, she could guess what it must have been like. Her childhood was probably no different.
She had wondered at least once—was it possible to be hated this much, even as an illegitimate child? Her family despised and cursed her as if even getting close to her was dangerous. Sometimes she thought, maybe she had been picked up from the street.
Maybe she was the daughter of a mortal enemy they took in. That explanation actually made more sense.
‘They never hit me, but…’
They did everything else.
And being around them made her feel more insignificant than a stone kicked around on the ground. That’s how little she had been treated like a princess in Ezan—let alone ever feeling familial warmth. But now… Seth, who looked at her with concern every time she seemed faint… Ian, walking so cautiously while carrying her…
‘Here… I’ve felt the warmth of a family. Strangely enough, even Argent is part of that “family.”’
Before long, they reached the hill.
The same spot as before.
It was just as they had left it—clear evidence of how quickly they had run off when Pri lost consciousness.
“Are you really sure about this?”
As soon as they arrived, Pri straightened up. Ian couldn’t stop her from getting off his back of her own will.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry, Seth. Ian, either.”
“But… Lady Pri. I’m still worried. I can’t get the image out of my head—your body, light as a feather, suddenly collapsing. I keep worrying.”
Just remembering that moment made Ian grimace, as though it were traumatic. Seeing his expression, Pri responded with a more mature voice.
“Then I should come up here every day. I’ll eat well and live well and build up my strength.”
Pri stretched her arms and sat back down in the spot she’d been before.
Still full of concern, Ian and Seth exchanged glances before reluctantly taking their seats again.
“It’s chilly…”
“Let’s just stay a little longer. But talk to me. Any story will do. I just want the three of us to spend time like this.”
Looking into Pri’s sparkling eyes, Ian hesitated for a moment, then began to speak. It was a story from his childhood.
From before this land became the Empire of Intellia. Back when it was still just a small country. Ian, who had been born and raised in the palace, had lived there longer than even Argent. He remembered the first time he met Argent when they were very young.
Argent, who acted like he’d lived through centuries despite being only ten—it piqued Pri’s curiosity.
She listened with more interest than ever as Ian recounted the past. Time flew by, and by the time they stood to leave, the sun was already setting.
“You really must go back now, My Lady.”
Seth finally spoke, his face full of worry.
“All right.”
“And please, do have a proper examination once you’re back.”
“Tell him it’s for health reasons. I don’t want to see him overreact again…”
She remembered that day.
The way he had panicked, as if someone precious had collapsed. And then walked away, wounded and silent.
“Understood. But in exchange, will you promise to call the physician as soon as you return?”
Only after hearing that promise for the third time did Seth begin packing up the mat, finally satisfied.
“Fine. I’ll do as you say, Seth.”
“What about this book?”
Already standing and holding Ian’s hand, Pri took the book Seth handed her as she tidied up. The Rabbit and the Bear.
“I’ll keep it.”
“By the way, where did you find this book? I’ve never seen it before.”
Ian, who had always gone to the library with her, looked puzzled.
“I got it from the library. It’s just a fairy tale, nothing special, so I brought it out.”
“It does look like that, but…”
Ian took the book from her hands. His eyes stayed on it for a while—he didn’t seem to recognize it either.
“But this book… doesn’t exist in the library’s catalog.”
“Really?”
“It has no basic information, no author listed. And books in the library don’t have such flimsy covers, not even short children’s stories.”
“Which means…”
“Someone must have placed it there. But access to that section is strictly limited…”
She had heard this before.
Only the emperor and the official librarian could enter that part of the library. Even the knights guarding the entrance weren’t allowed inside.
“Then who could have placed it there?”
“I’m not sure. But perhaps fate guided it to you, Lady Pri.”
With a soft smile, Ian handed the book back to her.
“You’re giving it back?”
“Of course. It’s your book. You found it. And since it wasn’t formally checked out, there’s no need to return it.”
“…Aren’t you going to check what’s inside? Make sure it’s not something dangerous?”
It was Pri who asked.
“Should I?”
“Most people would check, just in case it’s something strange…”
“Even if it were, you’re allowed to see strange things, Lady Pri.”
At that moment, Seth—who had just finished cleaning up—added,
“As I’ve always said, Lady Pri’s path is the path, and what she says becomes law. Don’t worry.”
Looking at the two of them, Pri hugged the book tightly to her chest.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank us. Now let’s go. You still need to be examined and eat dinner—it’s going to be a busy evening.”
Seth walked even faster than before.
Worried about her more than anyone else, Pri had no choice but to hurry back to her room without a moment’s rest.
As soon as they arrived, Seth went personally to call a physician.
He knew exactly what Pri was afraid of, so he moved quietly and discreetly. And soon, a physician arrived in her room.
“I greet Your Highness the Empress. I am Jeren, physician of the palace.”
“You’re not the same one I saw before.”
She had expected it to be the one from Gaia’s room, but the man who entered was an older gentleman with a kind face.
“Hoho. Indeed. His Majesty the Emperor summoned me, saying he couldn’t trust anyone else when it comes to the Empress. He told me to see to you personally.”
“Is that so…?”
“Well, I had been rather bored lately. Since I wasn’t being called, I was enjoying some peaceful time off.”
Stroking his beard like a kindly grandfather, he chuckled warmly.
“Should I call you more often…?”
“Oh no. That wouldn’t be good. If Your Highness starts summoning me frequently, His Majesty will hear of it for sure. He worries far too much.”
“…So he’s that concerned about me…”
Pri gave a faint, lonely smile as she looked at the physician and tried to smile politely.
“Anyway, please examine me. It’s not that I’m sick. Really…”
“Sigh. Please don’t try to hide anything just because you’re afraid I might report to His Majesty. Lady Pri, if you collapse again…”
“Seth, but…”
As Pri tried to speak, Jeren, who had been silently listening to their exchange, interrupted and began to speak.
