TYBMB 12

Chapter 12: I’m Changed Because of You

When Hernant said he came because he was worried about me, I asked in disgust.

“Were you that worried about me going into the rift alone with the commander? Did you really think he’d force himself on me… or that something like that would happen?”

“There’s no guarantee it wouldn’t.”

“……”

The commander was the kind of man who blushed and got flustered even seeing the outline of my undergarments.

He had lived his life swinging weapons in the rift, knowing nothing about women.

So, the idea that the commander might try to force himself on me was nothing but Hernant’s delusion.

Yet, Hernant seemed firmly convinced of that fantasy.

He stepped closer to me and gently tucked a stray lock of my hair behind my ear, whispering:

“You don’t know men very well, Yulia. That’s why you have to be careful. Avoid being alone with Martin whenever you can.”

“I might not know men well, but I know what kind of person the commander is. He is the most noble knight I know.”

“……”

“And that kind of concern… makes me uncomfortable. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from speaking in ways that damage the commander’s honor in front of me.”

Hernant’s hand, which had been brushing my hair, froze.

The hand that had been tickling my ear lingered in the air for a moment, then slowly pulled away from me.

He stared at me in silence for a long time.

“…Ha.”

A twisted laugh escaped Hernant’s lips.

The soft, kind smile he had worn for me had already vanished.

He now spoke in a tone of sheer disbelief.

“Now I’m really curious. What did Martin do to win you over so completely? Why has your attitude changed so drastically?”

‘Won over’…

If the commander had been cunning enough to do that, maybe things would’ve been better.

If he had tempted me and made me his, maybe I wouldn’t have been betrayed by Hernant.

So, I let out a dry laugh filled with irony.

“It wasn’t the commander who changed me.”

“…Then who?”

“Are you really curious?”

I stepped closer to the confused Hernant.

When we were nearly touching, I leaned in and whispered into his ear.

“Your Majesty, it was you. You’re the reason I changed.”

Then I slowly pulled away.

Hernant raised his hand as if to stop me, but I was already walking away too quickly for him to reach me.

By the time the distance between us grew again, as if nothing had happened, Hernant asked,

“Did I do something wrong to you? If I did, tell me now.”

“Even if I told you, I doubt you’d understand.”

How could I say that you killed me, and that’s why I returned to five years ago?

He’d just think I was crazy.

So, the disappointment and fury I felt toward Hernant—I had to bury it deep inside.

When I remained silent, Hernant let out a long sigh.

“Whatever you’re sulking about, let it go. I’ll pick you as my partner for the upcoming Foundation Day celebration.”

Ah, that’s right—the Foundation Day celebration was soon.

It was the most important event, commemorating the empire’s founding.

Young nobles attending the event always chose a partner to accompany them. Hernant was saying he’d pick me.

The old me would have considered it an honor to be chosen by him—but not anymore.

“I already have a man I’m going with. I don’t think I can be Your Majesty’s partner.”

“What? Who is it? Don’t tell me… it’s Martin?”

“……”

If I said I was going with the commander, Hernant would back off—but I couldn’t tell such a lie just to get out of this awkward moment.

The commander didn’t even like me much right now.

If he found out I had used his name to make up a lie, he’d definitely be bewildered.

So instead, I chose someone a little more familiar.

“I’m going with one of my subordinates. His name’s Karl.”

“Karl…? Oh… that guy?”

“You know Karl? I don’t think you’ve met him.”

“…Something like that. Anyway, you’re really going with a guy like him? I wonder if he even has a carriage to take you to the banquet. What, is he going to carry you there on his back?”

I had only borrowed Karl’s name to reject Hernant, but now Karl was being mocked because of it.

I couldn’t tolerate that.

I glared at Hernant and warned him firmly.

“Karl is an important subordinate to me. And he’s not so poor that he can’t afford a carriage. So please don’t speak about him that way.”

“Still, rejecting my offer for a guy like that… I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that joke.”

“Your Majesty! I wasn’t joking—!”

“Enough!!”

Just as my anger was about to explode, Hernant raised his voice first.

He strode toward me and, with a cold expression I’d never seen before, warned:

“I don’t know why you’re angry at me. Maybe I made some trivial mistake—something so small I wouldn’t even realize it. But regardless, you will attend the Foundation Day celebration with me.”

“……”

“That’s not a request. It’s an imperial command. There is no other choice.”

No matter how informal we were, Hernant was still the emperor.

In matters concerning the rift, the commander’s word took priority, but in everything else, Hernant’s orders were absolute.

And now that he had made it clear this was a command, I had no way to refuse.

“……”

Left with no choice, I shut my mouth.

Only then did Hernant smile in satisfaction.

“I’ll send you a dress soon, so wear that to the event. Honestly, your fashion sense isn’t exactly impressive, is it? I can’t let you show up in something weird and become the laughingstock—dragging me down with you.”

He spoke in a soft voice, but the content was hurtful enough.

I had remembered Hernant being at least somewhat kind around this time…

But even then, he must have already been cruel.

When I didn’t reply, Hernant eventually left the barracks.

The frustration was mine alone to bear.

Meanwhile…

Beneath the now-dark sky, Martin sat quietly, polishing his weapon.

He had already cleaned it for so long that his face clearly reflected off the halberd’s blade, but his hand didn’t stop.

It was because his mind was filled with thoughts of just one person.

“Yulia…”

So she really was his person after all?
Martin bit back the rest of his thoughts and recalled what had just happened.

Earlier, Yulia had accepted Hernant’s support, even knowing Martin was wary of him.

Because of that, Martin had no grounds to send Hernant back to the palace.

He had been about to tell him to leave when Yulia had stepped in, making it impossible to insist.

But it wasn’t like Yulia’s actions were all that surprising.

Everyone knew Yulia was Hernant’s person—and that she harbored feelings for him.

So of course, she would stand by Hernant rather than Martin.

Martin knew that—but still…

“…Ha.”

It didn’t feel good.

The image of Yulia leaning on Hernant as she walked away kept replaying in his mind.

Helplessly, Martin kept scrubbing the halberd blade, trying to erase the image from his thoughts.

That was when—

“So this is where you were hiding. I found you.”

A voice suddenly came from behind.

It was Hernant.

Snapped out of his thoughts, Martin finally sensed Hernant’s presence and turned around.

There was a sly smile on Hernant’s face for some reason.

Martin felt faint irritation and responded.

“You were looking for me? What an honor.”

“No need to be so dramatic. I just came to say I’m heading back to the palace.”

“A wise decision. You should return. This isn’t exactly a comfortable place for Your Majesty to stay.”

“You’re not even going to pretend to be sad? If I stayed another night, would you roll out a red carpet to get me out faster?”

Martin didn’t respond.

He truly did want Hernant gone.

But it seemed Hernant wasn’t finished just yet.

“Send Yulia back to the capital a week before the Foundation Day celebration.”