CHAPTER 166…………………………………………
#166. The Fall of the Northern Kingdom (2)
Have I ever cried since becoming “Elysion”?
“I don’t know. I don’t remember that.”
Maybe when I was a newborn, crying to survive, I might have—but other than that?
I think I only cried when I was tricked by Talos and dragged off by the paladins, screaming.
“But really, what’s there to be embarrassed about now?”
If that idiot could just think straight, he could have cried even more miserably.
“You know, your family’s retainers could go first.”
Of course, it would be most proper for the duke’s immediate line to step forward.
But there are certainly experienced people among the subordinate families.
“What’s the difference between being seventeen or eighteen anyway?”
No matter what, we’d see something awful there—what are they thinking?
“Huh? So, just… don’t go this time. It’s ridiculous—”
But Ares shook his head firmly.
“I cannot.”
“…!”
The calmness in his refusal felt like a blade piercing my heart.
In all the time we’ve been together, how many times has Ares ever “refused” me?
“None… because he always followed what I wanted.”
But isn’t this too much?
We’ve only just begun to understand each other’s hearts.
And we had planted the hope that there would be happier days ahead.
“And you leave like this?”
I slowly lifted my head and looked at Ares.
No, I glared at him.
“Fine. Do as you please.”
“…”
“I don’t know what you expect to see there, but if you need your honor that badly, then go ahead and see for yourself.”
I had always loved Ares just as he was.
Rough yet kind—that alone was enough.
But he always tried to prove himself, and he never listened when I said he didn’t need to.
“Anyway, you always make decisions alone in critical moments and cut off contact.”
“…”
“You did the same when entering the academy, and now again? You’re just going to inform the princess?”
As I smirked, Ares frowned, clearly provoked.
“So, do I have to show you my pathetic side one by one?”
“Then what’s the problem with that?!”
“Why… what is it because of…!”
“Why, what! What is it because of!”
We screamed at each other until we were exhausted, both of us panting.
Ares’ expression became more and more twisted as he looked at me.
“…How am I supposed to… like this…”
“…”
“How am I supposed to… be with you…”
Facing those red eyes filled with frustration and pain, I felt my breath catch.
Before me stood a young man whose pride had been wounded.
But that crumbled expression vanished immediately, and Ares straightened his back and pressed his teeth together in a formal bow.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”
“Ares.”
“I will take my leave now.”
And he brushed past me.
My legs felt nailed to the floor—I couldn’t move at all.
Then, coming to my senses, I shouted at his back.
“You! If you leave, don’t you ever think about seeing me again!”
“…”
“Do you understand? I mean it!”
My voice trembled as I shouted, nearly on the verge of tears.
But I couldn’t cling to him whining—my pride wouldn’t allow it.
Ares hesitated for a few seconds…
Then he left the cabin.
“…Ha!”
This is impossible. What is this?
“Is he really leaving…?”
Even though I yelled at him not to go, cried, and told him not to think about seeing me again?
I felt like my throat was tightening with anger.
“That terrible bastard.”
That liar, that betrayer.
“Always saying he’ll stay by my side, and then leaving me like this!”
My vision blurred with tears while my face burned.
“Sniff…”
“How am I supposed to… be with you like this.”
What did he want to say after that?
I already knew the answer.
I, too, had wished for Ares’ success as much as for my own.
And I had assumed it would naturally come true…
“Kyuu, mku.”
From the corner, Eos, who had been hiding, quietly appeared, startled by our shouting.
Even as a dragon, his wings trembled timidly.
“Kyuuk…”
“It’s, it’s okay.”
“Muu…”
“Yeah… sniff, yes… I need to go.”
Rubbing my eyes, my hands were streaked with tears.
I couldn’t go downstairs like this.
What if I ran into someone from Persen Palace, or even Dad?
But after raising my voice at Ares, I started to get scared myself.
“Did he really take ‘don’t ever see me again’ literally?”
He usually notices things quickly, so he must understand how I feel.
I’m angry because he made such a scary decision without consulting me.
“So he’ll come back, right? Or… should I contact him first?”
By now, he should have cooled down, so I could use the video stone…
But as my shaking began to subside, my stubbornness rose again.
“…Why me?”
This really isn’t my fault, Ares.
No matter how important family and honor are, he shouldn’t have informed me like that.
Even though we grew up together and the lines got blurred, I’m still the princess, and…
“We’re lovers, aren’t we?”
So this time, I won’t contact him first.
“He’s not dumb—he’ll cool down quickly, right?”
Then he’ll surely contact me first.
When he does, I’ll have to forgive him right away.
And I’ll make him reconsider going as reinforcement.
“Yes, that’s the right thing to do.”
Placing Eos back on my shoulder, I nodded firmly.
This is definitely the right thing.
There’s still time before the reinforcements arrive, so it’ll be fine.
But as I opened the cabin door, a thought struck me.
I probably won’t have reason to come here again.
Whether alone, or with three people.
Three days after deciding not to contact Ares.
I glared fiercely at the video stone I used to communicate.
“Has this guy really lost it?”
Contrary to what I expected… there was no message.
I’ve been too busy at the academy to meet before, too.
But that time was different—I had warned him in advance.
“Is your pride really that important?”
More important than my worry for him?
More than my worry about what he might see there?
“Damn it. If only I had just a little more power.”
The horns of Duke Phobos and the soul of Kallion.
With the power I received from Choon, I could only save one of them right now.
“But if I want to prevent Ares from going as reinforcement, then…”
My thoughts grew more and more tangled.
At that moment, unlike usual, Lethe rushed into the room, losing his composure.
“Princess!”
“Lethe? What’s wrong?”
“Princess, right now…! Sir Icarus has come to Hyde Palace.”
“Huh?”
At those unexpected words, I snapped my head up.
Hearing the name of the person I had been worrying about all along, guilt surged.
But why would Kallion be heading toward Dad in this situation?
“Is Kallion also going as reinforcement? No, there hasn’t been any news about the Eastern front—”
“It’s not that.”
Lethe grabbed my shoulder with trembling hands.
“Actually, Minte has been investigating the people who recently joined Sir Icarus…”
“Investigating? Since when—?”
“It seems one of them was connected to the old Belled incident.”
“…!”
