episode_0035

It was an evening when the lights of the palace shone brightly.

A party welcoming Serin and her entourage was held amidst the kindness of the people. Even the nobles of the Karnar Kingdom marveled at how grand this gathering was.

It was too extravagant to be dismissed as a simple friendly gesture. But there was a plausible motive behind it.

The King of Karnar Kingdom was a fellow alumnus of the Imperial Academy, just like the Emperor of the Empire. In other words, the rulers of both countries were personally close. So, it was inevitable that the relationship between the two countries rapidly improved after the former Emperor’s abdication.

From Karnar King’s perspective, Serin was like a niece. A grand welcoming ceremony was only natural.

“Are you really okay with me?”

“I’ve never even imagined you as anyone other than Lian.”

It was a conversation about choosing a partner for the party.

I tried to dissuade Serin. Even if she was the Imperial Princess, bringing along a suspicious man in a mask would surely lead to gossip. But Serin stubbornly linked her arm with mine.

“When will you fix that low self-esteem of yours? You’re so worried about causing trouble for me.”

“I can see right through you. But now, even if you pretend, Lian’s thoughts are written all over your face.”

“…”

“Wait, are you closing your eyes because of that? Do you know how each of Lian’s small and precious actions makes my heart race?”

How naive can a person be…

That was Serin’s quietly murmured remark.

Unable to find the right words, I averted my gaze and subtly reminded her of the time.

“… We’ll be late at this rate. Let’s go, Serin.”

“You should’ve done that sooner. Honestly…”

Playfully teasing, Serin leaned her weight towards me. And then, the scent of wildflowers emanated from her silky hair. Despite spending a long time bathing and dressing up for the party, her scent remained unchanged.

Indeed, Serin was a wolf.

Roaming freely in the fields, with the scent of grass clinging to her body.

Feeling embarrassed as such thoughts crossed my mind, I wondered how contemptuous Serin would be if my true nature, indulging in fantasies while smelling her scent, were exposed.

‘What is Serin thinking?’

I sneakily rolled my eyes towards her side. But the outcome was too dismal to even mention.

Serin’s gaze resembled that of a hungry beast. Not only far from reality but also a rude breach of etiquette.

“Lian? Why are you suddenly shaking your head?”

“I wanted to shake off my pathetic self.”

“Can I pick up that pathetic self you’ve shaken off? Even that is small and precious to me.”

“I’m… filthy.”

“Me?!”

“No, no. I meant I’m filthy.”

“Did you not bathe?”

“Of course, I did…!”

“Alright then, that’s enough.”

I see. Is this how it’s supposed to be?

Something felt off, but it was difficult to trace where things went wrong. At the end of my dizzying journey, a scene exuding a sense of foreboding awaited me.

The unfortunate space that had turned into a battlefield due to an attack.

It was the banquet hall.

The gatekeeper, after confirming our identities, opened the large door with a loud creak.

“The Ambassador of the Verona Empire, Her Highness Princess Seriniel, and Knight Commander Lihart are entering!”

The eyes of the attendants were immediately drawn to us. Since Serin was the star of this party, it was no surprise that all eyes were on us. However, the inevitable gossip that followed was a predestined outcome.

“The Imperial Princess is truly beautiful.”

“But the man escorting her is a bit…”

“Honestly, it’s a bit intimidating, isn’t it?”

“If it’s a choice made to distance yourself from others, then I can understand…”

I didn’t care about the criticisms they had of me. Having never heard kind words in my life, I didn’t pay it any mind. I felt relieved that there were no harsh words directed at Serin.

On the other hand, Serin expressed her displeasure towards me in a voice that seemed to only reach my ears.

“They act so ignorant. What’s the point of not recognizing Lian, the official pretty boy approved by T.E?”

“Could you please not bring that up? It’s very embarrassing…”

“Just, you know, those people who flock around like bees once they see someone attractive.”

“How do you know that, Serin?”

“Heh, trust me. You can even bet on it. Someday, Lian will become a man loved by everyone.”

“Love…”

A concept that seemed impossible for me. Even Serin would find it difficult to give a definite answer.

But when I pondered over the word ‘love,’ my mind felt blocked, as if constantly searching for something forgotten.

It was at that moment that Serin interrupted my strange uneasiness.

“But I’ll be the first among them. Just watch. I’ll be Lian’s number one.”

“Haha…”

Serin was good at joking.

Could it be that being in the category of ‘my person’ could make someone so possessive?

I was in the midst of self-blame when she suddenly asked, “Lian, did you just laugh out loud?”

“What?”

“You laughed. Out loud. Right?”

“Did I…?”

“I may not know about other things, but I don’t talk nonsense about you, Lian.”

“Is that so…”

Did she just make a wild guess? I couldn’t easily believe it, but Serin’s words were mostly correct. She wasn’t the type to embarrass me with lies.

If it was the truth, then it would be solely her virtue.

“Thank you.”

“Out of the blue?”

“When I’m with Serin, even the same experiences feel new. If I laughed out loud, it must be thanks to Serin. So… I wanted to express my gratitude.”

At my words of thanks, Serin’s eyes narrowed suddenly. It seemed as if she was doubting my sincerity.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then.”

“I can’t let go of the mask.”

“You’ve really become a master, a master!”

How could she always catch me off guard?

Serin had a habit of lightly biting her lower lip when making unreasonable demands. Slightly mischievous, but I decided not to teach her that habit.

In reality, Serin made various expressions depending on her mood and thoughts. Broadly speaking, there were three. The wolf-like eyes, the rosy lips, and the slightly dimpled cheeks. Even when looked at separately, these features were beautiful and harmoniously changed like a melody.

If I were to reveal one of those harmonies, I might never see them again. Therefore, I vowed to keep Serin’s secretive harmonies to myself. It was quite a selfish and self-centered thought.

“Still, Ri-an’s appearance might be favorable right now. There aren’t many people easily approaching around.”

“It doesn’t seem favorable.”

“It is favorable. I quite enjoy talking like this with just the two of us.”

“Serin always makes it difficult for me to find the right words to say.”

“Because it’s fun in its own way. Trying to squeeze out a polite response somehow is especially amusing right now.”

“…”

Fortunately, Serin’s intentions soon lost their effect.

Approaching us from a distance away from the table of honored guests were a noble couple.

A distinguished couple.

The first impression I felt as I gazed at them approaching.

In addition, the quality of their attire and their impeccable demeanor further enhanced their elegance.

Without even needing to deduce the man’s identity, he confidently approached and revealed his status.

“Nice to meet you, Princess Seriniel. I am Luca Ioren, the second prince of the Karnan Kingdom, who sent you a letter before.”

Luca Ioren, the second prince of the Karnan Kingdom. It had long been known that he had sent a letter to Serin. Serin’s attitude, which seemed almost like a confession, was still difficult to understand.

In any case, the reason she was chosen as an ambassador to the Karnan Kingdom was because of the second prince’s letter.

He wrote that she was necessary to advance the kingdom’s future.

Since she was not someone who could be threatened or manipulated, the emperor sent Serin without any worries.

Luca, stepping aside, introduced the lady he was escorting.

“This is Lady Kanarin Lupenter, daughter of the Duke of Lupenter.”

“Nice to meet you, Princess Seriniel. I am Kanarin Lupenter.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Lupenter.”

Serin greeted them with a kind smile.

Serin at times like this was unfamiliar.

It was common for her eyes to flow with desires akin to a beast. However, when Serin occasionally turned the tables on the elegant ladies at social gatherings, my cheeks would inexplicably tingle.

It would be accurate to describe it as a feeling of being enchanted.

“Ahem, there is something I must tell you.”

The second prince interjected with a cough.

“It’s about the letter… I merely lent my name, but it was Lady Lupenter who truly wanted to meet you, Princess.”

“Lady Lupenter? There didn’t seem to be any reason for us to have contact.”

“Well, I suddenly read a newspaper article that said we had to call her…”

“Luca.”

“Alright, alright.”

When the lady called him out sharply, the second prince raised his hands in surrender. It seemed like a situation they had experienced more than once. Their intimacy was quite apparent.

“As the fool mentioned, I wanted to meet you, Princess Seriniel.”

“I’m curious. As someone who is becoming a lady of the kingdom, why did you want to see me, even appointing me as an ambassador?”

“I just wanted to have a private conversation…”

Lady Lupenter glanced at Serin and then briefly glanced at me. It seemed like she wanted us to step back while they had their conversation.

I was only here as a guard, so it was appropriate for me to step back when Serin engaged in diplomatic activities.

Therefore, I sought Serin’s permission and was about to step back for a moment.

That’s when the unexpected happened.

The moment Lady Lupenter and my eyes met.

She writhed in agony, clutching her head as if she wanted to tear it apart with both hands.

At first, I thought she was trying to curse at me. However, the beads of sweat trickling down her face and her lips turning pale yellow revealed the truth.

For reasons unknown, the condition of the princess had deteriorated rapidly.

The princess, who had been suffering, screamed as if she was pulling out her own hair.

“You…! What in the world have you brought here!?”

The hysterical woman’s cry echoed in all directions.

“Why, how, is this person here…!!! Ugh…?!”

The princess of Lufentel’s convulsions soon came to an end.

Suddenly, she staggered as if she had been hit with dizziness, then collapsed unconscious on the floor of the banquet hall.

“The world… is ending…”

Seren and I, who were standing nearby, listened intently.

The ominous final words of Princess Lufentel.

The end of the world.

More empty than a deserted street, and at the same time heavier than a mountain, the words weighed heavily on us.

As we followed the two princes desperately carrying the princess out, it felt as if we were fulfilling a promise, tracing her footsteps.