[Dief] "I’m done, Shellan." Back in the lounge adjacent to the study, Dief spoke in a voice so small it was barely a whisper. [Shellan] "What do you mean, you’re done?" [Dief] "I mean I don't need to go to Bellisa anymore." [Shellan] "What?" Her jaw dropped at this defeatist declaration. In truth, Dief played a significant role in Shellan’s ability to be so reckless. He was her constant companion; they shared every lesson except for a select few. No matter how nonsensical her

As expected, the children wouldn't stay still. [Randall] “Heavens, where are you off to, Your Highness?” It was Randall who caught the children trying to slip out of the Castle this time. Actually, it was more accurate to say he was on patrol. It was obvious that the children would find a way to get to Bellisa Castle. Princess Shellan was the spitting image of Black, from her looks to her personality, including her reckless and unrestrained nature when angry. People often s

For once, the morning was perfect. The distinct coastal air flowed quietly through the window which she had opened slightly because she felt hot overnight. The shadows created by the swaying summer curtains seemed to dance gently. The distant sound of crashing waves melded sweetly with it. It was absolute nonsense for him to say he’d never liked the sea in his life. The sea was the most perfect place. The previous night, as she wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing in

At first, Liene thought she was dreaming. It felt like a dream because Black was entering through the window as silently and skillfully as a seasoned thief. [Black] "Quietly, please. So we don't wake the children." He didn't make a sound, merely shaping the words with his lips. Liene nodded, still half-dazed. Black reached out his hand toward her. [Black] "Shall we go out?" Instead of taking his hand, Liene blinked and stared at him. [Liene] "Go out? Where?" [Black] "Well...

[Liene] “Do you two really have to act like this?” [Shellan] “Yes.” [Dief] “We have no choice.” Dief, whose face was hidden in the hem of Liene’s skirt, spoke with a muffled, congested voice. The reason she couldn't scold the children was the same as before: they had suddenly appeared in her room, and tears were welling up in their eyes again. Why are they so miserable? For her, this was an issue she had understood and moved past a long time ago, so she found it difficult to

[Dieren] "Please, can't you reconsider just once? Come on, we’re brothers, aren't we?" Even as he was being gripped by the arm and practically dragged along, Dieren refused to let go of his lingering hopes and pathetic pleading. [Black] "Shut your mouth and just move." Black was employing a sophisticated technique: while holding Dieren’s arm, he used the movement of his own thighs and knees to nudge him forward with every step. To an outside observer, it appeared as though th

[Dief] "I’m hungry, but... it’s hard to swallow. My throat hurts." He spoke in a weak, fading voice. Poor Dief had cried so much that his voice had gone completely hoarse. [Shellan] "That’s because you’re trying to eat solid food first. Try the soup for now." [Dief] "Oh, really?" Shellan’s voice was also raspy, but she was in much better shape than Dief. Moreover, the carrot soup was particularly delicious today; by the time she had diligently finished her bowl, the stinging

Fortunately, it was about time for the children to get hungry. After successfully luring them with cream pies and entrusting them to the care of the nannies, Liene immediately went in search of Dieren. [Black] "Walk slower." Black followed closely as Liene marched forward, clutching her skirts and huffing with indignation. She shot him a sidelong glance. [Liene] "Where were you?" [Black] "......I was in the same spot." [Liene] "Leaving me to face the children alone?" [Black]

[Dieren] "You utter fool! What do you think you’re doing!" Dieren barked at his daughter, Seira, who had injured her leg. He pointed a trembling finger at the floor in fury. Scattered across the rug were flowers that Prince Dief had personally picked for her, now half-withered and bruised. Seira had hurled them down in a fit of pique, and Dieren had burst in before anyone could clear the mess. [Seira] "I... I was just so angry... I’m sorry..." Her cheeks, which had been flush

[Klima] "Mmm... she did very, very wicked things." Klima was naturally compliant, yet even he possessed enough sense to realize that telling children with the sordid details of Blini’s life was ill-advised. [Shellan] "What sort of wicked things?" As expected, their eyes sparkled with curiosity. Shellan was prone to such displays, but Dief was no different. This was becoming dangerous territory. [Klima] "Every wicked thing in this world... uh, that is what she did." [Shellan]

[Seira] "Are you mocking my status right now?" Her expression turned icy. Startled by the sudden change in her demeanor, Dief flinched, his shoulders jerking back. The face that had made the word "beautiful" slip from his lips upon their first meeting now looked frightening. [Shellan] "Of course not. I’m simply curious." However, if one were to speak of being frightening, Shellan was no amateur. In fact, Dief occasionally wondered if Shellan might actually be more terrifying

[Dieren] "What...? No! That’s not it! I’m honestly telling the truth!" He practically jumped in shock. [Dieren] "She bears a bizarre resemblance to her, but she is undeniably my daughter! My sister didn't leave behind any children! She didn't! Gack!" His voice was so gratingly loud that Black yanked hard on his collar. [Black] "Lower your voice. Give me one good reason why I should believe a word you say." [Dieren] "I—I swear to the Gods! She is genuinely my daughter!" [Black

[Flambard] "The Prince is only eight years old this year, Your Majesty." She stared at Liene with an expression that suggested she was wondering if there had been something wrong with the apple juice she had just finished. [Liene] "I am well aware of that. But eight is an age where one can accomplish many things, is it not? It is even an age where one could join a mercenary group." That, of course, was not factual. Black had escaped the slave traders and joined a mercenary gr

[Dief] "I still don't understand, Shellan." He whispered with a wide, excited grin. [Dief] "How did you know? I only switched seats, so why did they decide not to go on their trip?" [Shellan] "Human psychology is perhaps too multifaceted and profound for an ordinary eight-year-old to understand." [Dief] "Mmm… sometimes I have no idea what you’re talking about." [Shellan] "It means you don't need to know. You just have to do exactly as I say." [Dief] "Do I have to switch seats

[Liene] "No! You cannot." She cried out, her voice laced with flustered urgency. [Black] "…May I not?" The reply came as a low, velvety whisper through the wood. [Liene] "Yes. Right now is… not a good time." [Black] "What is it that isn't good?" She meant that she was in no state to face him, but his mind went elsewhere. [Black] "Your mood?" [Liene] "No, it’s not that…" She shook her damp hair. [Liene] "I am sorry for breaking my promise. But I genuinely cannot go through wit

This is impossible. Shellan clutched her fork with her small hand. The ornate engravings on the handle dug into her palm, leaving crimson marks, but she was too preoccupied to notice. How could this be happening? Just a short while ago, the air between her parents had been thick with an unusual tension. Her mother had pointedly avoided eye contact, while her father had stared at her without so much as a blink. It was obvious that the fault lay with her father. One didn't even