Chapter 49
“Being able to smile anywhere. Being able to be happy anywhere. That’s all I wish for. That is what it means to be a mother. My only prayer is for my son, who sits blankly like a fool because of someone else’s thoughts. And I, who am an even greater fool than my foolish son, asked him to bring me here so I could do something I probably shouldn’t.”
What words could possibly be said? Looking at Irina, who was so deeply worried about her son, I couldn’t find anything to offer in return. Pri kept silent.
“If Ian finds out I said this, he won’t let me be.”
“…I’m sorry. Because of me.”
“No, not at all. If anything, I feel sorry for burdening you. But, Lady Pri… compared to the first time we met, you seem lonelier now. Am I imagining it?”
“That’s…”
“I know the story, more or less. That your sister is here as well. So let me say this. If it becomes too hard, take my son’s hand, abandon the title of Empress, and run away. That’s always an option.”
Her words made Pri’s eyes tremble.
“I—”
“So please look into your own heart. At your eyes, lonelier than before. At your face, which looks so empty. I hope you can realize what it is you truly desire.”
Pri could only look at her quietly, unable to give any reply.
“Even worries that feel like they could kill you right now… with time, they become nothing. So please, let yourself breathe, even just a little.”
Irina poured tea into Pri’s empty cup.
Somehow, listening to her heart laid bare like this, Pri felt something indescribable stir inside her.
It was enough to be upsetting. After she had rejected Ian’s feelings so thoroughly, his mother came to her with such words.
And yet, what was strange was that Pri found herself oddly moved. Irina’s honesty, her open affection for her son, the way she worried so deeply—it all felt unfamiliar, like something Pri had never received herself. A family’s sincere concern.
“Thank you… for your advice.”
“I only hope that whatever choice you make, you make it freely. And even if that choice isn’t my son, I still wish for you to be happy. Of course, until then, please take good care of him.”
“And I of you…”
“To be honest, the whole reason I came was just to ask you to look after my son. I ended up saying too much nonsense.”
With a bright smile, Irina scratched her head and downed her tea. Then she reached for a cookie and crunched it cheerfully between her teeth.
The two of them continued to spend time together like that for quite a while.
In the end, it was only when the sun began to set that they finally parted.
No matter how long they spoke, the conversation didn’t run dry. In the end, Ian had to forcibly separate the two of them before it was over, with Irina leaving only after promising they would talk again.
After Irina left, Pri—perhaps weighed down by the rare burden of someone else’s concern—fell asleep early for the first time in a very long while, sinking into deep slumber.
The Next Morning
Argent, who had briefly met Ian’s guest the day before and spoken with him, now headed somewhere else.
Not to Pri’s palace. Instead, he went to the place where Gaia was kept.
There was no need to ask permission before entering—after all, this was still Argent’s palace. Only Pri was shown such courtesy from him.
Just then, the door to Gaia’s room opened, as if she had just finished her meal. Argent entered without hesitation.
Expecting dessert, Gaia turned toward the door eagerly, only for her face to harden when she saw who it was.
“Ha. I didn’t expect you to come see me. What is this, some cozy little meal together?”
Since Pri had left the other day, Gaia had at least been spared from breakfasting with him. Now that he appeared, the very food she had eaten felt like it was rising unpleasantly in her stomach.
“Unfortunately, the meal’s already over.”
So that was why he had wanted to eat early today. Gaia dabbed her lips with a napkin and rose from her seat.
“How ridiculous. What sort of relationship do we have, that we should dine together?”
“Then why are you asking why I’m here? I did what you wanted.”
“Who knows? Maybe I just wanted to see you.”
His voice, so different from the one he used with Pri, was sharp as a blade. Sweet words laced with a killing intent that suggested he could snuff out a life without hesitation.
“Don’t be absurd.”
“That’s cold of you.”
“Enough already. So when are you going to let me go home?”
“Oh? You mean you finally want to go back now? That, I did not expect.”
Gaia’s expression stiffened.
“You’ve cut me off from any means of contact. I have no choice but to go myself.”
Communication with the outside world was cut off.
Watched day and night, Gaia’s nerves had been frayed to the edge. Only fear of death kept her playing it safe.
She wanted nothing more than to return to her kingdom of Ezran, to vent her temper and smash everything to pieces.
To go before Emperor Alton of the Behfort Empire and tell him everything, demand he annihilate this barbaric nation at once.
But first, I need to gather as much information here as I can.
So she had tried to feign politeness, but her temper at the start had poisoned everything. The maids, the attendants, even the knights—they all looked at her with hostility.
I can’t even leave these walls!
Her movements restricted to this fortress, with nothing left to learn, she judged that returning was the best choice. She had already observed enough on the way here: the land, the troops, their numbers.
I’ve got the general strength and situation memorized.
And the knight who had abandoned her here surely had reported her location to her kingdom. But she couldn’t simply wait until her fiancé, Emperor Alton, came to fetch her.
Not while being treated this way.
I’ll kill them all—the ones who dared look down on me.
Her face grew even more rigid at the thought.
“You say you want to go back because you can’t contact anyone. But I’m afraid it’s not time to send you back yet.”
Her eyebrows shot up.
“When exactly do you plan to send me back?”
“Hmm. Maybe when my brother marches in with an army to start a war? Did your precious emperor even grant you permission to return?”
“You—! That’s impossible! You’re the one who cut off every means of communication!”
Shouting, Gaia glared at him. Argent’s lips curled.
If Pri ever leaves this place… then. That is what I truly want.
Revenge on Alton, vengeance against Behfort—that was one thing. But more than that, he wanted Pri to leave, to be free.
“But I am kinder than you think. I won’t send you home—but I’ll let you write a letter.”
“What?”
“Don’t want to?”
“No—I’ll do it!”
That was enough.
She would write: Come for me, hurry. No matter what it takes.
There had once been carrier pigeons, but for some reason they had all disappeared.
“Well. Most would refuse, fearing the risk. But you accept without hesitation.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Aren’t you worried? That I’ll read it and never send it?”
“Are you toying with me now?”
Her sharp voice cut at him.
“Toying? I just thought it was foolish of a so-called princess, sent here as part of a delegation, to be so careless. Did you imagine that because I care for Pri, I might also care for you?”
“…”
“In any case, you should be more cautious. Keep acting so naively, and it’s only your own life you’ll be shortening.”
How foolish she looked, rushing eagerly to the desk to take out parchment.
“…You really are the worst.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Then, trembling, Gaia began to write as he spread the parchment before her.
“Write whatever you like. I’ll send it.”
“You’ll read it first anyway, won’t you?”
“We’ll see. Depending on your behavior.”
He laughed as if amused, while Gaia scribbled frantically.
Argent sat down on a nearby sofa, watching with faint interest.
Whatever she writes, it doesn’t matter.
No matter what she did, it didn’t matter.
For this letter would mark the beginning of his revenge.
Everyone who had escorted Princess Gaia here was already dead. Even the last knight who had fled had been slain. The carrier pigeons she relied on were all captured.
This one letter, though—this he would let through.
After all… it seems my brother has set his eyes not on Princess Gaia, but on Pri.
Even if he freed Pri from his side, he would never send her to that man.
He vowed it again and again.
Never. She does not belong in such a place. She belongs in a wider world, not one bound in chains.
Biting his lip, Argent rose to his feet.
Meanwhile, Gaia scribbled like a madwoman:
*To my beloved brother, Itar,
Tell His Majesty the Emperor of my plight at once. These people are mad. The barbarian king tried to kill me—he tried to strangle me. I am trapped here, robbed of even my freedom. Please, come save me. I cannot escape.
And that woman, Pri, she’s no different. Somehow she’s fallen under the barbarian king’s sway. She refuses to help me. Do you know what she said? She asked if I was “comfortable” here! She’s insane, just like them. That smile she gave me—it was mocking me! I want to kill her first. Who does she think she is? She’s truly mad!
You must tell His Majesty everything. Come rescue me at once. Punish these insolent barbarians and that wretch Pri!
Tell him I will wait only as long as the time we first spent together. And tell him… that I love him.
—Gaia of Ezran*
At last, having poured out all her rage onto the page, Gaia leaned back with a satisfied smile.
