Chapter 8 Part 7
The cold wind blew away the black mist. The man turned around. His short, tousled blonde hair framed violet eyes—a mark of the imperial family.
“…Brother?” Elia muttered involuntarily.
Crown Prince Varlan Amarantha. The boy from Elia’s long-ago memories had grown into a complete adult, just as he had been on the day Elia was offered as a sacrifice.
Varlan’s brow furrowed. Flicking the blood off his sword, he approached Elia.
“What did you just say?”
“I merely recognized Your Highness, the Crown Prince,” Elia said, bowing her head. Here, she was merely a commoner spiritist, not a princess.
Luckily, there were many things to divert Varlan’s attention, such as the injured and knights emerging as the black mist dissipated.
Varlan’s gaze swept over Elia. She bit her lower lip.
‘Why is the Crown Prince here?’
With the monster attack, the illusion had been dispelled. If he commanded her to remove her robe, her identity might be exposed.
Fortunately, the thing Elia feared did not come to pass.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince,” came a voice as Duke Tartan emerged through the crowd of knights. He, too, was stained with blood, evidence of battling the monsters.
The duke wore two swords. One of them was clean, without a single stain.
Varlan, who had been facing Mahar, sheathed his sword.
“It seems I have come at an inopportune time.”
Varlan’s gaze shifted back to Elia.
It was nearing dusk.
Mahar and the Crown Prince’s forces all returned to the castle. Awaiting them at the gate were Aksion and the Silver Knights, who had arrived earlier.
“…Isn’t that the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, no one in the empire wouldn’t recognize those violet eyes.”
As the Silver Knights whispered among themselves, Aksion’s eyes narrowed, focusing precisely on Elia.
‘It looks like I’ve caused some trouble.’
Elia felt a pang of guilt and gave an awkward smile.
Soon, Aksion approached the two, paying his respects.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“…You must be the young lord of Mahar. I heard you married my sister.”
Elia flinched, clenching her fists. It was fortunate her face was hidden by the hood. She never imagined the Crown Prince would mention her.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I should have attended the wedding, but I was at the far western end at that time. So…”
Varlan locked eyes with Aksion.
“Was it a marriage she desired?”
His expressionless face demanded the truth.
‘Why is he asking that?’
In Elia’s memories, the Crown Prince had always been indifferent to everyone.
When Elia was very young, she had yearned for his affection, wanting to be a true family, but he had always ignored her. The memory was still vivid.
Varlan stood, waiting for Aksion’s answer.
“Of course.”
Aksion’s gaze was unwavering. Even if he spoke the truth, it was clear Varlan wasn’t inclined to believe him.
“Then, where is she now?”
“She is within the castle.”
That was the truth. Everyone believed the young lady was in her bedroom.
“…I see.”
Knowing his words were not entirely accurate, Varlan nodded.
Duke Tartan interjected into their conversation.
“Your Highness, you were caught up in the subjugation. Let us escort you inside.”
Tartan led Varlan. As the knights moved, Elia quietly slipped out of the procession.
In a secluded part of the castle’s rear garden, Elia leaned against the wall. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, Aksion was standing before her.
“Are you alright here?”
“I just slipped away for a moment.”
She had managed to follow, leaving the Crown Prince and the duke behind.
Elia took off her robe, and her gleaming blonde hair was bathed in the setting sun’s glow.
“Was the subjugation successful?”
“Yes. I was worried when you didn’t return.”
“Indeed. I should have arrived before sunset. You’ve worked hard too, Aksion.”
At her words, Aksion lifted a strand of her hair and lightly kissed it, then spoke.
“What happened?”
“Well, there were some issues during the subjugation.”
The sudden black smoke. One of the monsters within the smoke was immune to illusions.
Elia, recalling the events, stopped speaking. The memory ended with Varlan.
“Perhaps the Crown Prince encountered the scene while coming here. The plains are the fastest route to Mahar.”
She couldn’t fathom why he had come this far.
Elia withheld further thoughts until Aksion asked.
“Is he your enemy?”
His question was reminiscent of the one he had asked at the ball.
At that time, she would have undoubtedly nodded affirmatively. However, Elia found it difficult to answer this time.
It was true Varlan had saved her.
But the reason for Elia’s wavering was not solely because of what had just happened.
“…I don’t know.”
Seeing Varlan after such a long time, he seemed younger than when Elia had turned back time.
He was just as unfamiliar and just as difficult to understand.
Elia forced a smile and stepped out of Aksion’s embrace.
“I need to get ready now. I must go as Aksion’s wife.”
There would be a banquet to welcome the Crown Prince.
“Shall we go, husband?”
With a playful voice, Aksion nodded.
After preparing, the two descended to the banquet hall.
There, Duke Tartan and Crown Prince Varlan were already seated. Alongside them were the captain of the Gold Knights and Jacob.
Elia knelt before Varlan to greet him.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Despite her greeting, Varlan remained silent.
It wasn’t the kind of greeting one would expect between siblings.
Nevertheless, he stared at his sister for a long while before finally speaking.
“…Yes.”
It was an awkward reply to call a greeting. Despite his dry tone, Elia maintained her smile.
‘I had been worried about how to greet him.’
It was a relief he responded with a blank expression. Duke Tartan then invited Elia to sit.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you, Duke. You must have had a hard time with the subjugation as well.”
Elia naturally mentioned the subjugation as she took her seat. Beside her, Aksion sat down. As Elia briefly engaged the duke, Aksion and Varlan exchanged glances.
The banquet began.
It started with a light salad and soup, and as the meal progressed, the duke expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for assisting with the subjugation, Your Highness.”
While Elia had been trapped in the mist, the duke and his knights were battling the monsters that had appeared in the forest.
It was the unexpected assistance of the Crown Prince that had turned the tide.
The subjugation was successfully completed. However,
‘I was the only one trapped.’
Within the black mist, Elia alone had her senses of sight and hearing stripped away.
Someone was targeting her. Elia’s eyes momentarily grew cold.
The prime suspect was, of course, the duke. But if the duke were the culprit, it meant he controlled the black mist.
‘I need more evidence.’
She needed definitive proof. Until then, Elia decided to keep this matter to herself.
“How long do you plan to stay in Mahar?”
The Crown Prince had spent several years traveling various parts of the empire. Few places remained unvisited by him.
Varlan took a sip of wine before responding.
“I hear the northern spring is rare. I would like to stay until the seasons change here.”
The northern spring lasted barely two months, blending with summer.
‘Does that mean he’ll stay here for a month?’
From Elia’s perspective, it was an uncomfortable prospect.
Regardless of Elia’s feelings, the duke and Varlan continued their conversation.
“In the north, we have a tradition of a major monster subjugation in spring. Even if our hospitality is lacking, I ask for your understanding.”
If the spring subjugation were not properly conducted, the winter that followed would be dreadful.
Even for the Crown Prince, they could not forgo the subjugation.
