Episode 103

“I’d rather not.”

Yvonne could tell Yurian was trembling as he spoke, but she had no intention of indulging him. She knew how much courage it had taken for him to say those words, yet she couldn’t bring herself to oblige.

“I understand.”

“You’re not going to press further?”

“I don’t want to do anything you dislike.”

Yvonne felt an odd sense of unease at how much more compliant Yurian had become. The Yurian she had read about in the original story had been nothing like this. He had been deeply entangled in a toxic relationship of love and hatred with Hildebrandt, always acting unpredictably as he clashed with the Emperor.

Or perhaps Yurian had only gone along with Hildebrandt’s wishes because he truly wanted to die?

That thought unsettled Yvonne.

“Is this how you’ve always been?”

“No.”

“Then why are you like this now?”

“Because I want to change.”

“….”

“I want to be the kind of person Yvonne wants.”

Yurian felt both embarrassed and happy as he said this. Despite her earlier warning not to confess, she always looked directly at him whenever he said such things.

Every time he saw her violet eyes, so beautiful like violets in bloom, he couldn’t ignore the depth of his feelings.

“And what kind of person is that?”

“Someone you can trust. Someone who doesn’t make you feel afraid.”

She thought about his words but realized she didn’t really know what kind of person she wanted.

“That’s the kind of person anyone would want—someone trustworthy and comforting.”

“Does ‘anyone’ include you, Yvonne?”

“I suppose so. It’s a universally desirable trait, isn’t it?”

“I see. I’ll do my best.”

Yurian answered while unconsciously watching her every move, unaware that he was once again using his abilities.

“Yurian.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to hit me?”

“I’d rather die than hurt you.”

“Then why are you using your powers on me?”

“Ah….”

As she spoke, Yvonne’s lips moved slightly, a telltale sign that she was raising her guard again. Yurian noticed immediately and felt a pang of guilt.

“I just want to understand how you feel. I do it without meaning to.”

“Why do you care how I feel?”

“Because I’m curious about everything when it comes to you. Every little thing.”

“Lie to me sometimes, will you? You answer so honestly I don’t even know what to ask anymore.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Yurian smiled, watching Yvonne’s expression relax slightly. He even noticed how the corners of her eyes softened when she smiled, despite her wariness toward his crimson gaze.

So, Yurian resolved to keep smiling. He’d smile when their eyes met, when they talked—no matter how awkward it felt, he’d keep smiling every time he saw her.

“Let’s get out now. I can’t take it anymore; it’s too cold.”

“Alright.”

Yurian considered carrying her out but thought better of it, suspecting she wouldn’t want that. He decided to respect her wishes. He stepped out first, then offered her his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Yvonne took it and stepped out of the fountain.

Her acceptance of his hand made him smile again, and this time Yvonne chuckled faintly, finding his constant smiling a little foolish.

As they walked, leaving wet footprints behind them, Yvonne spoke.

“Where are we going now?”

“To my estate.”

“I see.”

Yvonne assessed her options. Escaping from this holy nation, an island, would be difficult. It would be easier to flee from his estate, which was on the mainland and far from the capital. As long as she could open a gate to her destination, escaping wouldn’t be a problem.

“I feel strange every time you make that face.”

“What face?”

“The one where you’re plotting your escape.”

“….”

“I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t feel the need to run away.”

“Can you read minds?”

“Only yours.”

Yurian’s innocent smile made Yvonne feel as though she couldn’t even think freely. Yet, at the same time, his efforts to accommodate her made her feel oddly sympathetic toward him.

How had this obsessive character turned into someone so observant and considerate? Where had the psychotic villain from the original story gone?

Perhaps this divergence from the original plotline was why he had changed so drastically.

“It’s a pity your abilities don’t extend to real mind-reading.”

“You say the strangest things, Yurian.”

“Do I?”

Though he smiled slyly like a fox, Yvonne knew he was closer to a black panther in nature, and she swallowed her thoughts.

The Bricesys Empire had once been home to many mind-readers. That was, until the Emperor turned them all into his playthings and eventually killed them, leaving not a single one alive.

At least, that was how Yvonne remembered it. In truth, the Emperor had eliminated them to conceal the hypnosis he had placed on her and the self-hypnosis he had used on himself.

“Come to think of it, there aren’t any psychometry users in the Bricesys Empire either.”

“You mean the ones who can read the memories of objects?”

“Yes, it just crossed my mind.”

Psychometry users had been eradicated for the same reason. If they could read the happenings within the imperial palace, it would have caused problems.

“Are your memories starting to return?”

“No. It hasn’t helped at all.”

“I see.”

He noticed her unconsciously licking her lips, a tell she couldn’t hide, and smiled knowingly.

* * *

Francis and his men crossed into the Holy Nation through the gate.

“Your Eminence, Cardinal.”

“Yes, Sir Francis Jevenel, Captain of the Knights. You’ve come from the Bricesys Empire.”

“Why is the gate closed?”

Francis carried a black scarf with him at all times. He feared it might become a problem if he saw Yvonne. That’s why he had to wear a scarf that didn’t match his knight’s armor—he never knew when he might need to cover his eyes.

Closing them temporarily wasn’t a reliable solution, as he couldn’t predict when his reflexes might betray him.

“The Goddess Festival begins tomorrow. It’s difficult to allow outsiders in during this time.”

“….”

“The other knights should return as well.”

Francis hesitated. Pressing further could lead to diplomatic complications. But what if Yvonne slipped away?

I love you, Yvonne.

Even in his compromised state, Francis remembered those words from Emperor Hildebrandt. Yvonne was indispensable to the Emperor. Francis was certain that Hildebrandt would be willing to risk war to bring her back.

With that thought, Francis drew his sword.

“If the Cardinal’s head were offered on the altar, wouldn’t the Goddess be pleased?”

“How rude, Sir Francis Jevenel.”

“The rude one here is you, Your Eminence. Do you think we lack ability users on our side?”

The Cardinal needed to buy time. He also had to find a way to warn Yurian and Yvonne that Francis and his knights had arrived. But his subordinates had already been surrounded, leaving him with no options. They had no telepaths among them either.

The Cardinal’s best bet was to deceive them and send them away, though he knew they wouldn’t leave so easily.

“May I ask the reason for your visit?”

“I’ve received a report that the runaway princess is here.”

“Princess…?”

“Princess Yvonne Ferrite Bricesys.”

“If you could describe her appearance, our priests would be glad to assist.”

At the Cardinal’s words, the other priests nodded in agreement, though in reality, they couldn’t say a word due to a pact they had made with the Cardinal.

The Holy Nation was strictly hierarchical. With no Pope currently in power, the Cardinal was the highest authority. Though he appeared to be a child of no more than ten years old, his authority was absolute.

“She has silver hair and violet eyes.”

“Anything else?”

“Her beauty is unforgettable once seen.”

“Is that a subjective opinion?”

“It’s an objective fact.”

The Cardinal felt irritated by Francis’ disrespectful tone and informal speech. Even though the Holy Nation was weaker than the Bricesys Empire in terms of power, it had always survived through the strength of the Goddess’ blessings.

Of course, Francis was being intentionally provocative. Agitating someone was the first step to extracting information.

If he could find Princess Yvonne and return with her, he was willing to do whatever it took. He also needed to return before nightfall—before the Emperor awoke.

“Ah, perhaps…”

“Yes, speak, Sir Knight Captain.”

“She may have changed her appearance—platinum blonde with violet eyes, perhaps. She could be in disguise.”

“Understood.”

Francis felt a growing urgency. If he failed to bring her back, he needed to return before Hildebrandt awakened. Only then could he ensure the Emperor wouldn’t have him executed.

The idea of returning to the Emperor’s chambers, where chaos would surely ensue, was terrifying. But not as terrifying as the sight of Hildebrandt calmly polishing a blade.

Or perhaps…

Would he even live long enough to hear the words Yvonne is dead?

“Does anyone know anything?”

“…Well…”

Francis deliberately addressed a priest of the lowest rank, ignoring the Cardinal entirely.

“If you lie and our knights find even the smallest trace of the princess here, all priests of the Holy Nation will be executed.”

“Pardon?”

“Speak. Have you seen Princess Yvonne?”

Terrified, the low-ranking priest glanced at the Cardinal, who avoided his gaze. The priest, growing increasingly anxious, finally stammered out a response.

“Yes, I have seen her!”

 

 

 

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