While the Principality’s knights prepared to depart, Ahwin explained the upcoming journey to Leticia. Leticia, who had traveled this path several times before and thought nothing of it, was startled by what Ahwin handed her.
“We’re using scrolls to travel to the Empire?”
“Yes. I also used scrolls to get here.”
What Ahwin handed her was a teleportation magic scroll made by Calisto. Using one scroll per day, they would arrive in the Empire in a week.
“I heard each scroll can transport ten people at once.”
“Ten people?”
Teleportation magic was one of the most advanced forms of magic. Moreover, they had seven scrolls that could each transport ten people at once. Leticia was amazed by Calisto’s abilities but also felt a sense of concern.
“I’m worried that His Highness might be overexerting himself.”
“For His Highness, it would have been a given.”
Ahwin smiled faintly.
“As you know, Leticia, you don’t have much time. It was better to create the scrolls even if it meant exhausting his magical power. Every day must feel like an eternity, just as it did for me.”
Leticia flinched at Ahwin’s soft but pointed words. She had nothing to say about the curse. She quickly changed the subject.
“We’re leaving tomorrow. Have you said your goodbyes to Banessa?”
“I’m about to. I should congratulate him now that he’s part of the same wing. There are also some news to share.”
“What news?”
“Since I’ll be accompanying you, I plan to inform Banessa about Josephina’s curse.”
Despite changing the subject, the conversation returned to the curse.
“You plan to tell Banessa about my curse?”
“Yes. Not just Banessa, but any other wing members that appear. I intend to share everything with them.”
Ahwin responded as if it was the most natural thing. Leticia felt somewhat unfairly treated.
“It’s my curse, so why are you the one to talk about it?”
“Will you hide it then?”
“What?”
“Will you hide it as you did from Noel and me? Just like you tried to become my child’s godmother without telling us you had only a few months left to live.”
Ahwin’s tone was gentle yet firm. Leticia, at a loss for words, lowered her head.
“…I’m really sorry about that, Ahwin.”
“Lady Leticia, I didn’t bring this up to hear an apology.”
“I only ask that you share everything with us from now on, no matter how small it may seem.”
“I will.”
“Promise me.”
“I will.”
Ahwin made Leticia promise several times. Leticia felt strange. She wondered if this is what it felt like to have an older brother.
“I understand why Dietrian entrusted me to you, Ahwin.”
Originally, Dietrian planned to accompany them on this journey. However, his ministers protested. The king’s seat had already been vacant for nearly two months. Everyone argued that the longer the absence, the more dangerous it became, and they persuaded Dietrian to stay.
Leticia was caught in a dilemma. She wanted to be with him as much as she understood the importance of his role as king. At that moment, Ahwin requested a private audience with Dietrian. Surprisingly, Ahwin succeeded in convincing him.
[Following the will of my ministers, I will remain in Xenos. Your safety will be entrusted to your wings, and the affairs of the Empire will be left to you. I will focus on national matters.]
Upon hearing the news, Leticia felt relieved. It was only then that she realized she had hoped to travel to the Empire alone. It was selfish of her to want Dietrian to stay in the safe Principality.
“It seems Dietrian found you very trustworthy, Ahwin.”
“That’s fortunate, but I didn’t have a long conversation with His Highness.”
“Building trust doesn’t always require a long time. You were trustworthy even before becoming part of the wing.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Ahwin smiled faintly. In fact, there was a secret related to Ahwin earning Dietrian’s trust that Leticia didn’t know.
Ahwin originally brought not seven but ten scrolls from the Empire. Additionally, he didn’t only bring scrolls.
There was a communication stone. An incredible item that allowed people in the Principality and the Empire to communicate with each other. Calisto, continuously pushing beyond human limits, had finally created something truly extraordinary.
As an extraordinary item, only one pair of such communication stones existed in the world. Ahwin gave one of them to Dietrian. It was to protect Leticia, who, even while bearing the curse, continued to worry about others.
Though Leticia promised to change, Ahwin knew that her innate nature would surely hold her back in dangerous moments. Just as she had always done, she would likely sacrifice herself to protect her people. Ahwin was determined never to let Leticia be in such a situation again.
—
The scroll’s effect was tremendous. As Ahwin said, a journey that normally took a month was completed in a week. As soon as they tore the last scroll in the middle of the desert, their vision turned white.
The unique nausea of teleportation magic surged over them, and after a moment, their feet touched the ground. Leticia slowly opened her eyes. With the unfamiliar cityscape, snow was pouring down from the sky.
It was the second capital, where the Holy Empire’s palace was located.
“It still snows a lot here.”
“It’s a full-fledged winter.”
Ahwin said as he supported Leticia.
“Is the headache bearable?”
“It’s a bit tough, but I can manage.”
“I’ll use holy power.”
There was another side effect of the scroll. Those unaccustomed to it suffered severe headaches.
“Uweagh!”
Someone who particularly suffered from the scroll’s side effect was Banessa. While Ahwin was anxious about Leticia, he clicked his tongue at the sight of Banessa slumped against a wall.
“How can someone who can use holy power be so weak? Collapsing from mere scroll nausea. It’s embarrassing as a fellow wing. Reflect and train harder.”
“Please… stop… nagging…”
“Speak respectfully. You’re the third, I’m the second.”
“Feel like dying, respect my foot…”
“Good grief.”
Ahwin shook his head in exasperation but still infused Banessa with holy power. Once all the Principality’s knights had regained their condition, Ahwin supported Leticia and they started walking. They walked for quite a while through the snow-covered alley.
“There are hardly any people.”
“I arranged for us to stay in a secluded place. We need to avoid attention.”
Ahwin said.
“By now, His Highness must have sensed the teleportation magic scroll’s waves. In that case, Noel would surely…”
“Lady Leticia!”
Before Ahwin could finish speaking, a small figure rushed up and hugged Leticia tightly.
“Noel!”
“I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. How are you feeling? The curse… You haven’t been coughing up blood again, have you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Ah, I was so worried for the past two weeks.”
Noel cupped Leticia’s hands and blew on them to warm them.
“Aren’t you cold? Follow me. The house is just a little further.”
Leticia held Noel’s hand and walked a bit more. The weather was cold, but her heart felt warm.
“His Highness is away from the house for a while. It seems something came up with Her Highness the Princess.”
“Her Highness the Princess?”
“Yes, but it should be fine. You know how thorough the fourth wing is.”
The house Noel led her to was well-maintained. It was small but had everything they needed.
“Come this way and warm yourself up.”
A cozy fire was burning in the fireplace. The warmth could be felt even from outside.
“I’ll bring you some hot tea.”
“Thank you.”
While Noel went to get the tea, Leticia leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
‘Why am I so tired?’
She had been feeling increasingly sleepy for the past few days. Trying to shake off the drowsiness, she smiled softly as she smelled the sweet aroma of the cocoa Noel handed her.
“Thank you, Noel.”
Noel waited until Leticia finished drinking her cocoa. Then, with a serious expression, she asked,
“How are you feeling? Are you in pain anywhere? Do you have a headache?”
Seeing Noel’s concern, Leticia couldn’t help but laugh.
“Oh, Noel. You’re just like Ahwin! I appreciate your worry, but this is overprotective. I’m not a child.”
“Oh… right.”
Noel was silent for a moment. Then, as if making a decision, she looked at Leticia and carefully took her hand.
“Leticia, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Something to tell me?”
“We found a way to break your curse. His Highness deciphered part of the curse’s inscription.”
“What?”
“You need to kill Prince Dietrian.”
Leticia’s eyes widened. Noel bit her lip.
“Do you love him?”
“Noel…”
“You haven’t fallen for him yet, right? You haven’t been with him that long.”
“I can’t sacrifice His Highness for my sake.”
“I know you don’t want to harm an innocent person, Leticia. But think about it differently. The Principality is free from Josephina’s threat thanks to you. You could consider repaying that debt with the prince’s life.”
Leticia pressed her lips together. Noel desperately pleaded with her.
“Please, just this once, allow it. I can’t lose you, Leticia. So please, just say it’s okay to kill him. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t need to give the order. Just say you want to live. Just say you want to survive, and I’ll handle everything. Please, Leticia.”
“Noel, stop.”
“Leticia!”
“Ha.”
Leticia let out a low sigh. She had always known that a moment would come when the wings would learn the whole truth, especially since Calisto had been working on deciphering the curse. She just hadn’t expected it to come so suddenly.
“I love Dietrian.”
“Leticia!”
“If he dies, I die too.”
“Please, Leticia!”
Noel burst into tears.
“I can’t lose you like this. Please reconsider. Please!”
Leticia looked at Noel with pity. Despite expecting this reaction, it still pained her.
“I’m sorry, but my answer won’t change. A world without him is a hell. I know this well because I’ve already lived through it once.”
“…What?”
“Long ago, Dietrian died in my place. So I know how horrific his death would be.”
“Leticia, what on earth are you talking about?”
“Noel.”
Leticia whispered.
“I have a confession to make as well. The truth is, I returned from the past. I came back to save him.”
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