He wore a thin armor emphasizing mobility, draped with a black cloak. On the left chest of the cloak was an embroidered eagle , symbolizing the Principality’s Second Knight Order.
As the deputy commander of the knight order, he had finished preparing to meet his lord. He had intended to read a book to Mano before leaving, but it took longer than expected.
“…Mano, are you really going to be okay?”
Victor looked at the sleeping Mano with concern.
Over the past ten days, Mano always sought Victor. Whether reading a book, taking a walk, or eating delicious food, Mano wanted to do it with Victor.
People concluded that Mano regarded Victor as her deceased first son.
Since Mano called Victor ‘baby.’
Though it was a bit strange to occasionally put ribbons or flowers in his hair. But, ribbons could be put on a son too.
During those ten days, Mano’s condition was at its peak. The doctor was surprised by her vitality.
After Dietrian left for the royal marriage, the castle atmosphere became quite chaotic.
Although not outwardly shown, everyone felt guilty for not being able to properly protect their lord.
During this time, the bright demeanor of Mano was a great comfort to everyone. It was as if a lost hope had been revived.
Therefore, Victor was very concerned about leaving. He worried that Mano might become depressed again.
“Julia, wouldn’t it be better if I stayed by Mano’s side?”
“Well, I’m worried too but…”
Julia continued.
“If Lady Mano said you must go, that you can’t stay here, that you must leave, then…”
“…That’s true.”
A bitter smile formed on Victor’s lips.
“Lord Julios must have wished to see His Majesty.”
Originally, Victor was supposed to look after Mano.
But today, Mano suddenly insisted that Victor must leave as well.
That’s why the departure, originally scheduled for the day, was delayed until the night.
Julia patted Victor’s shoulder and said.
“Right. So, we must do as Lady Mano wishes. As she desires, you have to show her that you’re returning with His Majesty.”
“…Let’s depart.”
“Yes.”
Julia closed the door to Mano’s bedroom. A knight who had gone down to the square came up the stairs. The two of them approached him side by side. The knight asked in surprise.
“Are you finished already?”
“Yeah. It seems she fell asleep quickly. Yesterday’s picnic must have been quite exhausting for her.”
Julia smirked.
“She spent all day playing tag with this guy. No wonder she’s tired.”
“Aah. I see.”
The knight nodded and then said to Julia.
“By the way… Commander, congratulations. You’ll soon be meeting your brother.”
“Congratulations for what, when I see his face every day.”
Julia spoke indifferently. Victor chuckled.
“Don’t say things you don’t mean. Just a few days ago, you cried wanting to see Enoch.”
“…Let’s not talk about when I was drunk?”
The knight chuckled and then bowed his head.
“Both of you, please return safely.”
“Yeah. Take care.”
Julia and Victor descended the stairs. The knight returned to his original position.
He checked the closed door once more and stood up straight again.
And a short while later.
Something moved in the deepest part of the corridor.
It slipped into the darkness.
* * *
“Huh? Why is this here?”
The knight who was checking the luggage in the carriage tilted his head in confusion. One of the crates inside was placed a bit askew.
“Who touched this? If you use it, you should put it back in its place.”
He grumbled as he straightened the crate again. After the knight left, the carriage was enveloped in darkness. Voices could be heard from outside.
“Check complete!”
“Over here too!”
“Good. Let’s depart!”
Julia’s clear voice rang out.
“Let’s go, to bring back our lord.”
The carriage began to move slowly.
A moment later, with a thud, the crate opened.
“It’s cramped.”
Mano wriggled out, then crawled into a corner.
At a glance, it was a spot that would never catch anyone’s eye. She curled up and closed her eyes.
“Sleepy…”
The floor of the carriage was very hard. She involuntarily thought of her soft bed.
But she had no intention of going back.
She had to meet Leticia.
‘The baby is sad.’
The thought of Leticia crying alone was so heartbreaking, she resolved to comfort her.
‘I’ll soothe the baby.’
A smile formed on Mano’s sniffling lips.
‘I’ll also tell her about the dream I had last night.’
In the dream, Dietrian and Leticia looked very happy.
Both of them were much older than they are now.
Knowing about Leticia’s curse, Mano felt overwhelmed.
Because it was Gilead’s dream.
Proof that Leticia’s curse would disappear, ensuring their happiness.
* * *
Leticia slowly blinked. Bluish light seeped through the curtain gaps.
‘It seems the sun hasn’t risen yet.’
She frowned slightly and sighed softly, then buried her face in the pillow.
‘My head hurts.’
Her head throbbed, and her stomach felt nauseous. A familiar sensation she had experienced before.
‘A hangover.’
Memories from the previous day slowly started to flood back. It was a whirlwind of events, both joyful and sad. Among them, what shook her heart the most was.
[This signifies the Principality’s welcome for you.]
And everything that followed.
Thinking about that moment made her feel like crying again.
It was just as Dietrian had said. The delegation had truly cared for her. It wasn’t just words; it was felt in every action.
At the party, Leticia felt like a princess from a fairy tale. A princess beloved by all.
That’s why it was even harder to bear. Leticia closed her eyes tightly.
‘Enough. I don’t have time to wallow in sorrow.’
Hadn’t she resolved yesterday? Especially since there wasn’t much time left, she had to do everything she could.
‘Get up. Move.’
Leticia busily moved around. After washing and changing her clothes, she opened the window to air out the room and then tidied up.
Perhaps because of her efforts, the sorrow dissipated while she was busy moving. But.
‘What should I do from now on…’
Her energy quickly drained.
Leticia sat down on the bed powerlessly. It felt like there was a gaping hole in her chest.
The situation that seemed like a dream where she was loved by everyone had truly unfolded. She should have been happy, but she couldn’t find joy in it.
“I want to live…”
Because she wanted to live.
“I don’t want to die…”
Letting go of her attachments felt as painful as tearing flesh from bone. Tears fell from Leticia’s eyes before they could even well up.
She forced a smile.
“I have to smile… Uh.”
She needed to smile, but she just couldn’t.
“Huh.”
Eventually, she sobbed quietly, clutching the front of her dress, careful not to make any sound, in case someone heard her.
She wanted to live.
She desperately wanted to live.
Like someone clinging to the edge of a cliff, she tightly grasped the elixir.
She wanted to ask. Whether there was hope or not.
Whether there was a way to break the curse.
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Because she was too afraid.
Afraid they would say there was no hope.
It was then, while she was silently shedding tears, that she heard the door creak open.
Leticia startled and stopped crying. Her heart sank. She couldn’t show anyone this side of her.
“Who is it?”
She waited, but no sound came.
“Did I hear it wrong?”
Leticia slowly turned her head. Then, she found herself looking into black eyes.
“…!”
Dietrian.
Of all people, the last person she wanted to see.
“Your Highness. That, this is.”
Leticia hurriedly wiped away the tear stains. She needed to find an excuse, but nothing came to mind.
Footsteps approached closer.
“I was crying because, that is.”
Her mouth went dry with anxiety.
She didn’t dare look at his expression.
And just then. Warm hands cupped her cheeks, gently wiping under her wet eyes.
Leticia’s breath quickened.
He leaned in close.
A kiss landed softly on her forehead without warning. A gentle voice followed.
“It seems you’ve had a nightmare.”
“Yes?”
“It must have been a very bad dream, for you to cry so painfully.”
“Ah…”
Leticia managed to nod. Finally, she found something to say.
“Yes. That’s right. It was… a very bad dream.”
She almost burst into tears again. She forced a quiver into her smile.
Her hands, clutching the bedsheet, turned white with the force. His gaze, observing this, darkened.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he smiled warmly. He sat beside her, continuing to wipe her tears.
“So it was. It must have been very hard for you. Are you okay now?”
“Yes. Now, uh, I’m okay.”
“I also often have nightmares. When I was young, I used to dream of my deceased family members and cry alone.”
“Even you, Your Highness?”
“Of course. Nightmares are tormenting for everyone.”
He whispered.
“Anyway, thanks to that, I’ve learned many ways to overcome bad dreams.”
“What, ugh, are those?”
“It’s the same as overcoming bad memories. Do you know how?”
“Not really, uh.”
“Bad memories can be covered up with good ones. Then, even the most painful memories eventually lose their power.”
“What do, uh, you mean?”
Leticia blinked. Tears that had formed on her long eyelashes fell with a drop.
“May I kiss you?”
“What?”
“We are a married couple. If the wife has had a nightmare, it’s only right for the husband to comfort her.”
He slowly tilted his head. They paused for a moment, close enough for their noses to touch.
Their breaths mingled, and their lips met. Softly drawn in.
Leticia finally came to her senses. Her eyes widened.
“Ah…!”
An exclamation like a moan.
Not missing the moment, his tender tongue delved in. The sensation of brushing against the soft mucous membrane sent shivers down her spine.
Leticia trembled.
This kiss was different from any other they had shared before.
A sense of vastness overwhelmed her.
He was right. It was like being swept away by waves. She had forgotten all her worries from just a moment ago.
“How is it?”
After a while, he asked in a slightly husky voice. Leticia gasped, half out of her mind.
“……What, what?”
“About our kiss. The day you said we should divorce in six months. We also kissed that day.”
“Ah.”
“I clearly remember you telling me it was good that day.”
He smiled playfully. Leticia couldn’t take her eyes off his gentle gaze.
“Did you enjoy it this time?”
Enjoy it? She wasn’t in a state to express likes or dislikes. She felt like melting. It was simply beyond words.
“That is, I mean.”
He then spoke as if reproaching himself.
“Oh dear, it seems it was not enough to forget the nightmare. It can’t be helped.”
Then something unimaginable happened. Once again, their lips met.
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