episode_0017

It had been a long time since we brought Esutiel from the changes.

During the additional four years that passed, we were gradually becoming different from the past.

Esutiel no longer insisted on proving her usefulness through hard work. Instead, she showcased a liveliness befitting her age, while also growing the courage to express herself immediately when needed.

And I, while being with Esutiel, slowly learned the lost ordinariness. However, I firmly believe that Roderick’s role in mediating between us is significant.

The warmth of human presence was enchanting. In that sense, Esutiel was my second family. Although I didn’t have a younger sister, I speculate that if I did, she would have been like Esutiel.

Starting from a transaction, just being by each other’s side now was satisfying.

Esutiel was an alright kid.

Thus, since the short journey ended, I spent time with Esutiel by my side.

I also taught her various academic subjects, including language, as she hoped. At that time, I became a strict teacher who didn’t allow any slacking off. Even when Esutiel threw tantrums, I tried to ignore them.

Esutiel pouted and muttered resentfully, puffing up her cheeks.

“You’re strict.”

“I have to be strict. If you’re not good at speaking and writing, you won’t be able to go to the academy.”

“Ugh…”

“Of course, you don’t have to go to the academy if you give up.”

I casually listened to Esutiel’s reaction. Her desires had a great effect.

“That’s… harsh…”

“Yes. To fit in well at the academy, you need to focus on studying.”

“If you study, will you have more friends?”

“…”

I was momentarily taken aback by the piercing question.

Friends, friends. Since we had no connection and it wasn’t a regretful concept, I questioned what the necessary conditions were. Still, I believed the information Roderick had given me and straightforwardly conveyed it to Esutiel.

“Most people are attracted to smart people.”

“But not everyone, right?”

“If your strengths stand out, you might occasionally receive jealousy.”

“Jealousy…”

Esutiel quietly chewed on that word. Then, she smiled mischievously and revealed her ambitious side.

“But getting jealous is good, right? Umm, hehe…”

“Esutiel?”

“Didn’t they say that shadows always follow the queen? I will definitely become the queen of the shadows.”

“… Who told you that, Esutiel?”

“Tessa said so. I can be a queen who dominates even the boys with just my hands.”

‘I’m at a loss…’

While my attention had been elsewhere, she had grown into a quite dangerous child. Indeed, Roderick’s advice on raising children was spot on. From today onwards, I must keep Esutiel by my side no matter what.

As I strengthened my resolve internally, Roderick opened the study room door and walked in without hesitation.

Thud! Thud, thud.

However, his footsteps were unusually hurried. When I raised my gaze slightly, his confused face clearly showed a sense of embarrassment. I immediately asked the flustered Roderick.

“Roderick? Did something urgent happen?”

“Urgent… about that…”

Roderick rambled on as if possessed before clearing his throat.

“If it’s urgent, then it must be. I had considered the possibility of something like this happening, but… I never thought it would become a reality.”

“Tell me quickly.”

“Well… first, I need to show you this for the story to progress.”

In response to my urging, Roderick produced three envelopes. They were envelopes with a royal crest in the center, surrounded by a golden border.

Even without opening the contents, the intention was clear, and Roderick bluntly revealed the answer.

“It’s an invitation. For three people…”

“Is it an invitation to the palace?”

“Yes. Considering the circumstances, it’s reasonable to link it to the fact that we escorted the princess.”

“Selin…”

To meet her again. The woman with whom I had an inappropriate farewell…

“Hey?”

At that moment, Roderick widened his eyes and looked at me.

“Calling her Selin, have you two become close enough to use nicknames? You?”

“It’s just an alias.”

“Hmm.”

Roderick seemed to persistently doubt my answer. Since I had no reason to convince Roderick, I simply ignored his suspicions.

“Phew! Let’s discuss that later… First, one of the invitations is obviously for you, as the one who escorted the princess.”

“But it would be awkward to remove the mask.”

“Interestingly, it includes a clause allowing it even in front of the royal family. Frankly, it’s so considerate to the point of being suspicious…”

Roderick touched his chin as if he found it hard to believe, but I could easily guess the situation. Surely, Selin must have requested consideration first. Despite her unstable position…

“She’s an interesting person.”

While I usually sought to uncover the truth behind the mask, at a time like this, she showed selflessness. I was taken aback when I realized I was unconsciously drawing a smile on my face.

“If you accept the invitation, the other one would naturally be Roderick’s share. So, what should we do with the last one?”

“There’s no need to match the invitation exactly. Two people are enough.”

“But Roderick is a fool. Two people won’t be enough.”

“…”

“…”

Huh?

Our attention was suddenly drawn to a voice that interrupted us.

“Riheart, can I go too? Please?”

“Estiel…”

“I want to go. You always said to tell you everything.”

“That’s right.”

“I’m also a noble.”

“That’s why it’s even worse, little one.”

“Why?!”

This time, I found it difficult to take Estiel’s side. Being the daughter of the fallen noble, Count Elenotte, she would surely be the target of all kinds of suspicions. I was worried about the harm Estiel might face.

“Riheart, can I go too? Really?”

“Estiel, your voice is getting louder because you’re getting anxious.”

“I want to go. If it’s dangerous, Riheart will protect me. I trust you, brother.”

“…”

“Brother, take me too! Please?”

“Estiel…”

I took a deep breath. I realized that staying silent wouldn’t solve anything. So, I honestly expressed my concerns to Estiel.

“There may be many people who dislike Estiel there. You might hear hurtful words. It’s different from here.”

“It’s okay. I won’t be scared of the old ladies there.”

“That’s true.”

“Hey, Riheart?”

With a brief understanding, Roderick couldn’t help but feel perplexed. Even I shared the same sentiment, but unfortunately, it was hard to find a logical flaw.

“Indeed… Hmm.”

“Riheart, brother?”

Estiel was around the age when she would have been serving in the military. At such a young age, she endured hard labor and faced various persecutions among rough women. It was natural that she would have heard countless vulgarities.

The significance of Estiel chattering about the family’s affairs remained a mystery.

“Hey, think carefully. What would you do if there are people who physically harm the kid?”

“Then we’ll have to pay the price.”

“How?”

“You’re being naive. I may not know, but Roderick can do it, right?”

“…”

As soon as I asked for his opinion, Roderick, who had been silent, looked at us like a mute person who had just tasted honey. When his mind finally started working again, Roderick opened his tightly closed mouth with his eyes squinted.

“I don’t care even if the kid cries. I’m sick of childcare at this age.”

In other words, it was a declaration to delegate decision-making power.

“Great, Eshutiel.”

“Hehe… Thank you, Liheart oppa! I’m so happy!”

Eshutiel, who had received the final approval, hugged me tightly.

I gently pushed her away from my chest and sat her on my knees.

Eshutiel’s excited heart gradually calmed down as I started to stroke her head.

“Traveling with Liheart oppa…”

Finally, Eshutiel’s eyelids began to feel heavy. It seemed like the aftermath of the long study hours was coming with relief.

I laid Eshutiel on the soft sofa and started reading the invitation letter handed by Roderick.

◇

In the center of the capital stood the symbol of power. It was a representation of the curiosity and admiration of the common people, absorbing them indiscriminately. We called that place the Royal Palace.

While fairy tales described it as a mysterious place in a different world, in reality, it was not as dazzling as it seemed. Depending on the era and circumstances, places like the Pavilion of Blessings were considered part of the Royal Palace.

‘I haven’t told anyone, but this kidnapping incident is not a mere coincidence.’

My body, tainted with the blood of the man once known as the nightmare of the North, was immune to most poisons and my physical abilities were exceptional. To think that I, who could handle such toxicity, would be subdued by a deadly poison used to kidnap an ordinary person was absurd.

It was undoubtedly a crime committed with a precise understanding of my disguised appearance.

Although I was initially uncomfortable with sensing a threat to my life in this world, meeting the male lead I had been waiting for was a benefit. The faction behind the kidnapping would have to pay the price, and I would personally deal with them.

‘Let’s see… there are more candidates than I thought.’

Starting from my younger brother who was in the midst of a power struggle to the remnants of the fallen faction… especially the original female lead. It was not easy to pinpoint the targets.

Swish, swish.

I immersed myself in deep contemplation while tossing and catching the silver token handed by the male lead. At that moment, the personal maid who had been watching me closely saw the token and her eyes widened.

“Oh, Your Highness! If it’s okay with you, may I examine that item for a moment?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

I immediately handed the token to the maid. As soon as she saw it, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my… Your Highness, may I ask where you got this item from?”

“I didn’t say? It was given to me by the person who escorted me.”

“I see.”

“Why? What’s so special about it?”

The proof that I could receive help from someone once was already known to the person involved. However, now that I was back in the Royal Palace, I was unsure how to use it.

‘I wanted to keep it as a wish to be married when I become the emperor…’

I never expected the maid to recognize it. It was an unexpected coincidence.

She couldn’t contain her excitement and spoke up.

“Do you see the pattern here?”

“The pattern?”

“Yes, the swastika pattern.”

‘It wasn’t the Buddhist swastika…?!’

Whoever came up with it, it’s a remarkably unique aesthetic sense. I never would have guessed it was a weather vane…

“This is the emblem of the Windmill Mercenary Corps, the most eccentric group in the empire. And the material is pure silver, isn’t it? This represents the leader of the mercenary corps. In other words…”

Next, the maid leaned in so close that her face was almost touching mine, her eyes sparkling.

“Her Highness can command the Windmill Mercenary Corps itself just once, whenever she desires!”

“Uh, uh…”

“In other words, it’s a treasure that not even a fortune could buy. Perhaps… was the one who escorted Her Highness the leader of the Windmill Mercenary Corps?”

“Probably.”

“Wow…! Your Highness, you’re truly remarkable! How did you manage to turn a kidnapping into a gain…”

“Heh… hehe.”

The maid’s insight into the situation was impressive. While I was only consumed by the desire to marry the male lead, someone else was considering such grand schemes…

“The leader of the Windmill Mercenary Corps is probably named Rihart, right? What kind of person is he? The rumors about him are so widespread…”

“He’s the cutest person in the world.”

“What?”

“… No, nothing.”

I almost made the maid commit the offense of looking at Her Highness as a crazy woman.

I casually brushed off the maid and began to focus my thoughts on the empty air, rolling my head.

‘Where should I use this silver emblem on the male lead?’

Rihart, the leader of the Windmill Mercenary Corps.

Also known as…

[The Child of the Abandoned Empress, Rihart]

It is the identity of a man who still has a long way to go before being called by his true name. I combined three keywords related to him in my head.

‘Silver emblem, mercenary leader, child of the abandoned empress.’

…

……

Snick.

A smile formed as my lips curved subtly.

It was a smile born from the clear image that pleased my heart.

‘Soon, we’ll meet again, Rihart.’

This was a scene from the past.

It was about a fortnight before the invitation to the palace arrived at the headquarters of the Windmill Mercenary Corps.