It would have been a lie to say Liene wasn't terrified of the resentment festering in Madam Henton’s heart. [Liene] "I am worried, Madam. But then again, I suppose I have no right to be." [Henton] "What... what is that supposed to mean?" [Liene] "I know what the late King... what my father did. I know the blood in my veins is tainted by his choices. I was so afraid that I couldn't even bring myself to confess the truth to Lord Tiwakan—to ask for his forgiveness. But I know th

Thanks to Madam Flambard’s frantic fussing, Liene managed to reclaim her usual composure. Her eyes remained slightly heavy, but the swelling had faded enough that no one would notice without a keen, prying look. [Liene] "Do I look presentable?" [Flambard] "I’ve told you three times already, Your Highness. You look lovely." [Liene] "Right. Of course." Liene finally forced herself to turn away from the mirror. It was likely the first time in her life she had stared at her own

A wave of raw, aching sorrow washed over her. As Liene sobbed against him, his expression faltered into a look of sheer helplessness—yet a ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. [Black] "I was... a bit desperate, I suppose." [Liene] "Desperate? How?" She sniffled, looking up at him through tear-blurred eyes. To her, he had been cold. Indifferent. Black gently lowered her onto the bed. He settled her against the oversized pillows and sat between her legs, caging

Her heart nearly stopped in her chest. [Liene] "You... you weren't sleeping?" [Black] "No." In the heavy darkness, his pale eyes seemed to glow with an unnerving clarity. He was watching her with the stillness of a predator that had already cornered its prey. [Black] "You’re awake as well, Princess." [Liene] "I... I couldn't sleep." [Black] "That much is obvious." Clearly. A flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck. Why else would she be standing in a man’s bedroom at thi

It had just dawned on Black that this was the first time Madam Flambard had ever spoken to him alone. The experience was far different from what he would have expected in the past, when Madam Flambard would have simply viewed him as a scary, barbaric mercenary for no clear reason. The way Black gave orders to his men was very clear and concise. He didn’t sound polite, but he didn’t yell or speak rudely. Strangely enough, the aura he emitted was similar to that of a high noble

Madam Flambard was the person who had the most trouble if Liene's clothes were damaged. But every time Liene tried to help, she would always refuse, saying she would never stop performing her duties for the Princess as long as her eyes could still see, including washing her clothes. [Liene] "It's just fruit juice, so a little rinse should be enough." But Madam Flambard shook her head quickly, her eyes full of emotion. [Madam Flambard] "I don't know. If it's fruit juice, it's

The last King of the Gainers line had been overjoyed when a daughter was finally born to the House of Arsak. The moment the news reached the King, he had practically sprinted to the Arsak estate, exhausting the newborn’s weary parents with his insistence on an immediate betrothal. While the Arsak daughter was the picture of health, the Gainers prince was a sickly child, plagued by one ailment after another. Because of his fragile body, the official ceremony was postponed ind

[Liene] “...I don't hate the idea of getting married.” Her heart wasn't divided on this matter. That was a conclusion she had reached a long time ago. Even if she didn't deserve to love the last prince of the Gainers royal family, Liene had decided she would do it. And because of that, she would keep that truth for the rest of her life. [Liene] “So don't push me away. I don't like it.” [Black] “Two.” [Liene] “You don’t need to count.” [Black] “I already told you to think care

The connection was undeniable. Klima had told her the truth: the Kleinfelters had held his mother hostage, a leverage they used to force his hand in their dark deeds. [Liene] "Then you should still be afraid. If you lose your life now, your son will never recover. You were the only thing anchoring him. Think of what will happen to him if his anchor is cut loose." [Henton] "H-how... how do you know? How could you possibly...?" The woman was indeed the wife

Elaroyden let out a strangled yelp and threw his weight against the gate, desperate to slam it shut. CRASH! It was a futile effort. The heavy wood didn't just stop; it recoiled with enough force to nearly take Elaroyden’s shoulder off. [Black] "You have a remarkably loud voice." The Tiwakan Commander let the words spill out in a slow, lethal drawl. [Black] "I heard every word. Even from the street." [Elaroyden] "Wha—what...? You... how?" Black didn't bother with an explanati

[Liene] "What is the problem?" [Fermos] "As you know, the Treaty of Risebury is the primary obstacle to your marriage. You mentioned the Temple was the only power capable of overturning it. However, the position of Cardinal is currently vacant, and the only people authorized to appoint a successor are the very wretches who signed the Treaty in the first place. That is why the young brother, Klima, was our solution." The strategy was clear. By exposing the fact that the Kleinf

[Madam Flambard] “Are you sure you’re alright?” Liene had never woken up so late. It was an unprecedented occurrence that caught Madam Flambard by surprise. When Liene declared that she wanted to simply be lazy all morning and not leave her bed, the woman could hardly believe her ears. [Madam Flambard] “Are you sure you’re not sick? You’re not hiding something so as not to worry anyone, are you?” [Liene] “No. I slept very well and now I feel much better. In fact, I think I ha

Black tilted his head, his gaze searching her as if trying to decipher a map of a territory he had never visited. [Liene] "It’s alright if you aren't... 'alright'." She whispered. [Liene] "I’m the one who deceived you." [Black] "At first, it truly didn't matter. Even if you were carrying another man’s child." His voice dropped to a low, gravelly rasp. [Black] "I was the one who decided to take you, and I viewed it as the price proposing to you so late. It didn't matter whos

There were too many things she needed to say, and the weight of them made it impossible to choose where to begin. In the hazy borderland of her dreams, time had felt desperately short. Liene had focused on the one truth she needed him to hear most: I never carried a child. You haven't lost anything to me. Take back what is yours, completely. She couldn't remember his response. She had assumed it was merely a fever dream, but the fact that he was here, by her side, suggested

Black pressed Madam Henton, his voice a low, emotionless rasp. To any outsider, he sounded cold, but the Tiwakan mercenaries standing guard felt the serrated edge of desperation hidden in his tone. [Black] "Speak quickly. Your son’s life—and the life of the Princess he took—depends on how fast you find your tongue." [Henton] "P-Princess... Liene...?" [Black] "If the Princess lives, I will spare him." [Henton] "But why... why go so far...?" [Black] "I don't have time for your

[Klima] "It’s a labyrinth down there. Torches are useless; the air will swallow the flames before they can light your way. You must count your steps. Since your sense of direction will mean nothing in the dark, you have to trust your stride completely." He gave her meticulous directions toward the castle. Liene had never imagined the foundations of Nauk Castle ran so deep, nor that such a subterranean network existed beneath her feet. [Liene] "Even the Kleinfelters are blind