Chapter 29 : Was this a Romance Novel? (1)
by fnovelpia
Although the gathering was ostensibly to exterminate monsters, armies are not casual acquaintances who can simply meet and part ways with ease.
Especially when the two nations involved harbor animosity toward each other.
Who could guarantee the other side wouldn’t stab them in the back?
It was unlikely such a betrayal would occur unless the situation was utterly desperate, but the fact that such suspicions arose at all was telling.
It revealed just how deeply the Empire and the Kingdom distrusted each other.
Thus, even the withdrawal of their respective armies required considerable time.
And it was this gap that Theodore sought to exploit.
He pondered, again and again.
Was it right to share the truth with her?
Would it be better to let it remain buried?
Yet Theodore’s deliberation didn’t last long.
No matter who she had become, she had chosen truth.
And if she had chosen to face the truth, then as her elder brother, his duty was to respect that choice.
Theodore already knew. Even if he chose not to tell her, she wouldn’t simply let it go.
She was as stubborn now as she had been in the past.
Perhaps some things never change, even with memory loss, he mused, stepping out of his tent.
But just as he prepared himself, an unexpected obstacle awaited him.
Under the soft moonlight, golden hair gleamed like a radiant halo, paired with piercing cold blue eyes.
It was Jaiha Bakleon von Mines—the former crown prince of the Kingdom.
His visit wasn’t for personal reasons. After all, Theodore had despised Jaiha since the broken engagement, while Jaiha treated the Frost Ducal House with cold indifference.
“Good evening, Your Highness.”
“Indeed. At least there were few casualties.”
“…Do you have something to say to me?”
Despite his disdain, Theodore bowed his head. He wasn’t one to confuse personal matters with public duty.
Especially not when the Frost Ducal House had already lost much of its political standing after the engagement scandal.
Rumors of Lana Frost’s wickedness had spread far and wide, and Jeanne, her successor, was praised as the “true saint.” This only further diminished the Frost family’s influence.
Though the Duke of Frost scrambled desperately to recover their position, Theodore couldn’t care less.
He only considered Lana—his sole source of warmth in the coldest of winters—to be his true family.
And now, there was no room for hesitation.
“Are you headed to Leonhardt?”
“Yes, I am.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“Because I have nothing to hide.”
Theodore’s unwavering stance caused Jaiha to sigh. He could understand the sentiment.
No matter the past sins, reuniting with a cherished sister would naturally stir emotions.
Jaiha felt no hatred toward Theodore.
Yet he had no intention of jeopardizing the Kingdom for personal feelings.
If Lana Frost had truly lost her memories and become Wolfgang Leonhardt, she now wielded immense power that could sway the Empire.
And if her memories returned?
Where would her blade point?
Even though Jaiha was no longer the crown prince, his responsibility to the Kingdom remained. He couldn’t allow her to become a threat.
Jaiha raised his hand, a silent signal.
Knights emerged from the shadows, surrounding Theodore in perfect formation.
“Are you trying to stop me?”
“For the Kingdom’s sake. She’s too dangerous right now.”
“You’re the one who made her dangerous in the first place.”
“Are you still blaming me?”
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
Theodore admitted the truth without hesitation, his hand moving to the longsword at his waist.
Seeing this, Jaiha sighed and spoke.
“If you draw your sword, there’s no turning back. I won’t be able to protect you any longer.”
“…”
“You could even be executed for treason, and the Frost Ducal House would bear the consequences. Are you prepared for that?”
Theodore von Frost was a double-edged sword for the Kingdom.
As the strongest knight in the realm and a scion of the Frost family, his influence was undeniable.
In a time when conflict with the Empire seemed imminent, losing Theodore’s power would be catastrophic.
His martial prowess, derived from the legendary Frost Swordsmanship, was unparalleled.
Even Wolfgang herself had acknowledged that Theodore was on par with the warriors of the Vendetta Legion.
But Jaiha wasn’t without leverage.
“Do you think your actions will benefit Zaide?”
“…!!”
“Theodore, wasn’t it Zaide who supported you when you were at your lowest? Am I wrong?”
The mention of Zaide struck a nerve.
Ten years ago, after losing his sister, Theodore had fallen into despair.
Zaide, with his unwavering resolve, had pulled him back from the brink.
Even now, Theodore couldn’t dismiss those words.
Loyalty or blood?
Jaiha forced him to choose.
Theodore hesitated only briefly before drawing his sword.
The sound of steel echoed in the moonlit silence.
Jaiha’s expression stiffened, as if he hadn’t expected Theodore to take such drastic action.
But Theodore stood firm, unyielding.
“If I desired power, I wouldn’t have abandoned my position as heir to the Frost family.”
“If I feared death, I would have allied with you and the saint instead of Zaide.”
“Watch your tongue. They are the Kingdom’s only hope.”
“At first, I hated you deeply.”
“But now, I pity you.”
“Why?”
“Because you only see what you want to see. How pitiful.”
“This insult will be overlooked just this once. Sheathe your sword and return to your tent. No further charges will be pressed.”
“I appreciate your mercy, Your Highness. But I have a reason to go.”
Theodore had discarded hatred and resentment to move forward.
His remaining life belonged to her.
“I’ll gladly face the consequences upon my return.”
Even if the price was his life.
“Wait for me. I’ll come to you soon.”
The moonlight could barely keep up with the speed of his blade.
With a single strike, the swords of the knights attempting to restrain him were shattered.
Jaiha clenched his fists in frustration, watching the man who bore the power he himself longed for.
“How can you live like that, wielding such strength?”
Theodore turned to him, calm and resolute.
“Because I resolved to live this way.”
With those words, Theodore strode forward.
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