Chapter 26
Chapter 26
After stopping by the library as usual, I arrived at the Princess’s Palace just as the sun began to set.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Please take care.”
Perhaps because I had gone there alone several times before, my nanny no longer insisted on accompanying me. I told her I was heading out, then entered the palace with the flowers cradled in my arms.
I followed the now all-too-familiar path at a leisurely pace, arriving alone at the princess’s chamber. There, I removed the slightly wilted flowers from the vase and carefully arranged the ten fresh blooms I’d brought in their place.
Having seen Isabella at the temple earlier, the atmosphere in her room felt lighter than before; my heart, too, felt unexpectedly at ease.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the crimson glow of dusk poured through the windows and bathed the room in a warm light. I paused to admire the way the violet hue unique to smeronia mingled with the red, creating a strange and beautiful color.
‘I should go now.’
Reminding myself of my promise to Isabella, I turned to leave the room. Unlike when I arrived, I picked up my pace a little, and just as I was about to pass through the doorway, someone suddenly blocked my path.
I quickly looked up to see who it was.
‘Huh?’
Why is he here?
Puzzled, I looked at him, and he bowed his head in greeting. It was Allen, whom I had assumed would be back in the capital by now.
“Captain…”
“Your Imperial Highness.”
“Oh, yes. It’s been a while.”
I tried my best to mask my surprise as I opened my mouth to speak.
“You’re back rather quickly. I heard you’d only just departed from the south.”
“There was work I had to attend to, so I returned ahead of the others.”
“I see. I’m glad you made it back safely.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.”
When Allen raised his head, our eyes met. In the next moment, I saw his gaze drift past me to the vase of smeronias behind.
“Oh… those flowers, I’ve been changing them out in your absence.”
“You have, Your Imperial Highess?”
“Yes. I knew the princess was fond of smeronias. And… she was like a savior to me. That’s why I wanted to keep fresh flowers here, in her memory, every day.”
Worried he might find it strange, I rushed to explain, even though he hadn’t asked.
“I see. Thank you.”
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to think much of it and accepted my words easily.
“No need to thank me. Now that you’ve returned, you can resume taking care of it.”
“Yes, I will.”
With Allen’s response, the conversation reached a natural end, and a quiet stillness settled between us.
“Well, I should get going…”
Just as I was about to take my leave, a conversation from yesterday with Isabella suddenly resurfaced in my mind.
‘Should I ask?’
I hesitated for a moment, but if I was to keep my promise to Isabella to save Allen, I needed some information. So I asked, cautiously.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you something?”
“Of course. Feel free.”
Encouraged by his reply, I went ahead and asked.
“Have you ever gone to the temple to see the princess?”
Allen seemed slightly unsettled, likely taken off guard by the unexpected question. But he quickly composed himself and replied.
“…Once. But I was told she didn’t want to see anyone, so I never returned.”
Just as I thought.
He was one of the people who had gone to see her. But only once…
“I tried, too. But no matter how many times I requested to see her, I was never granted an audience.”
I deliberately didn’t mention that I had seen Isabella just the day before. Since she didn’t want it known, I wanted to protect that trust.
“…So even Your Imperial Highness was turned away.”
“Yes. Once she makes up her mind, no one can sway her.”
Allen nodded slightly, as if in agreement.
“If the princess knew what you’ve done for her, I’m sure she’d be grateful.”
“It doesn’t matter whether she knows.”
“Pardon?”
“I just didn’t want this place, where she spent so much time, to fall into cold desolation without its master. I respect her wishes. As long as she is safe and happy, wherever she is, that’s enough for me.”
His response was completely unexpected.
I had always assumed Allen kept bringing flowers because he hoped Isabella would one day return to the palace. But that wasn’t it.
The realization was quietly shocking.
And whether or not they saw each other as more than friends, one thing was certain: they both cherished one another deeply.
“I truly wish for her happiness as well. And I’m sure she wishes the same for you, that you find happiness for a long, long time.”
For a long, long time.
Though I couldn’t tell him what the future held for him, I said those words with the hope that he would understand their meaning, and offered a soft smile.
“It’s getting late. I should go.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“Oh no, that’s all right. There are people outside the palace, so it’s fine.”
As always, I politely declined his offer.
“Then allow me to escort you at least to the palace entrance.”
I was about to decline again but felt it would be rude to refuse twice, so I simply nodded.
We walked side by side out of the princess’s chambers, down the hallway, and descended the stairs. Since everything we needed to say had already been said, we walked in silence.
After reaching the first floor and passing through the large hall, Allen pushed open the grand front doors leading outside. He held the door for me to step through first, and I began to walk forward.
But the moment I tried to cross the threshold, I froze. I couldn’t take another step.
Standing right in front of the door was the last person I ever wanted to encounter.
“…Your Majesty?”
As I murmured Calix’s name, Allen quickly stepped outside, dropping to one knee before him.
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“What… what are you doing here…?”
My words faltered as I took in his appearance.
There was something dangerously off about him. His gaze was freezing cold. His eyes were glazed over, as if detached from reality. And the chilling aura that surrounded him made it clear; he had completely misunderstood something.
“…What is going on here?”
His voice, though quiet, was heavy with suppressed fury.
“I asked what the two of you were doing here.”
“Your Majesty, this is a misunderstanding.”
It was obvious what he was thinking, so I tried to calm him first.
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes. You know I often come here. I happened to run into the Captain of the Royal Guard by chance.”
“Her Imperial Highness speaks the truth,” Allen added, still kneeling. “We met here by coincidence.”
“A coincidence…”
Calix’s eyes bored into both of us. I had never seen such fury in his gaze before.
“Your Majesty…”
A dangerous tension filled the air between the three of us. Something could erupt at any moment.
I cautiously called to him again, but he raised a hand to stop me. His gesture was clear: Do not speak.
I immediately shut my mouth. A heavy silence fell.
At Calix’s command, neither of us dared utter a word. The quiet dragged on. I was beginning to feel anxious, but I did my best to appear composed.
Finally, after what felt like ages, Calix spoke in a voice even lower than usual.
“…Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Allen stood, having remained on his knees the entire time.
Calix’s gaze then turned back to me. I braced myself, uncertain what he would say, but I didn’t look away. If I avoided his eyes now, it would only confirm whatever suspicion he harbored.
So I held his gaze. And then, unexpectedly, he turned away from me.
Stunned, I called out to him.
“Your Majesty…?”
“Go back.”
“…Pardon?”
But he said nothing more. He was already walking away, leaving me behind, ignoring my confusion.
As Calix moved off, I saw Allen begin to follow him. But I remained where I was, rooted to the spot.
“Your Majesty…”
I had never experienced anything like this before. I had no idea what to do. So I could only stand there, staring after his retreating figure, and call out softly.
But whether he couldn’t hear me or was simply ignoring me, I received no response.
……
T/N: Possessive much, Calix?
