HSTLB Chapter 31

Kasion still briskly walked through the imperial garden, cold wind swirling around him. Behind him, Serhen was diligently following.

 

“Kasion, do you really have to do this?”

 

“What did I do?”

 

“The tea wasn’t poisoned. Ariel was just diagnosed with a stomachache from being tense.”

 

Kasion stopped walking, furrowing his brows deeply. He looked a bit angry. “So you’re saying we should just let it go when that woman deliberately gave Ariel strange tea and harassed her?” His voice was more than just a little angry. It was the kind of voice that wouldn’t be calmed until someone was held accountable.

 

“I’m also angry about what was done to my sister, but there’s no real justification. It was just some bitter tea, after all.”

 

“Thanks to that, Ariel had a stomachache. She’s already a sickly child, so it could have been much worse.”

 

“Sorry, but she was just feigning illness.”

 

Kasion’s eyebrows twitched at Serhen’s firm words, his expression one of disbelief.

 

“Are you sure? Her face was so pale, and she was even staggering.”

 

“You must not have recognized it since you’re not Ariel’s brother, but I’m sure. Ariel has gotten used to enduring pain, so she doesn’t cry. She doesn’t even say she’s in pain.”

 

She’s the kind of child who knows that crying would worry Serhen. Even when her finger ligaments were so strained that she couldn’t bend them, and when she cut her hand on a sword and bled profusely, she didn’t cry. Not even when she woke up all night with a high fever.

 

“Even if it was a feigned illness, it doesn’t change the fact that the tea was tampered with. It’s a good thing she only added something bitter; if it had been worse, we can’t imagine what might have happened.”

 

“Yes, but if you report this to His Majesty and punish the princess, she’ll definitely retaliate later. That woman has a reputation for being ruthless, taking years to crush anyone who gets in her way. And she’s a princess loved by the emperor.”

 

Serhen continued speaking calmly. Although he could have lost his composure over his sister’s situation, he remained level-headed.

 

“So, it’s better to find another solution. No matter how much pressure your family exerts, if you’re not around, Mellin can’t stand against the imperial family. You shouldn’t act rashly without safety measures.”

 

As Serhen finished speaking, Kasion suddenly smirked. It wasn’t a sneer directed at Serhen; it was more like he was in reminiscence.

 

The way Serhen and Kasion had protected Ariel had always been extreme, just like now. Their relationship could have easily become strained due to the gap. However, strangely, they still trusted each other, except when it came to Ariel’s future.

 

“Yeah, you always do things your way, and I do things in my way.”

 

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

 

Kasion’s expression turned serious at Serhen’s words. “That’s why I pushed back against the princess. I used the duchy’s alliance with the imperial family to protect Ariel.”

 

That was just an excuse. To Serhen’s ears, it seemed like Kasion was just spouting sophistry. That alliance only applied to the duke’s direct lineage and spouse. It was a cowardly means to keep Ariel close to Kasion.

 

“What if Ariel eventually refuses to marry you?”

 

“Didn’t you hear earlier? Ariel said she’s thinking positively about my confession.”

 

Kasion shrugged nonchalantly, which only infuriated Serhen. He couldn’t understand why Ariel would respond like that to the princess. But Ariel had expressed her wish to him. She wanted to die bearing the name ‘Mellin’. The child who had vowed never to lose her status as his sister couldn’t have changed her mind overnight.

 

“Even if that’s not the case, I’ll protect Ariel from that woman with all my might. No, I’ll make sure no one, not even the emperor, can touch her.”

 

That was why Kasion was heading to the emperor now. So, Serhen felt he had to stop him even more.

 

“In the name of Pertelian?”

 

“Yes, if necessary, I’ll even give Ariel the title of temporary fiancée.”

 

It was a word full of contradictions. The beautiful name ‘Ariel’ didn’t fit with the title of the fiancée of the vile wolf, Kasion. No matter how many times Serhen thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

 

“That’s exactly why I’m against you. Because of that pact.”

 

“…”

 

Kasion stopped walking when Serhen finally expressed his true feelings. The fact that he didn’t argue back suggested that he agreed. So, even though it was cruel, Serhen had to push his friend. He couldn’t allow his precious sister to become a pawn for the imperial family.

 

“That pact might protect Ariel, but what about you? My sister’s husband could be driven to his death because of that pact at any time.”

 

“I won’t die.”

 

“But you could be turned into the imperial hunting dog again and dragged to the battlefield. And the previous generation….”

 

Serhen stopped himself mid-sentence. Feeling guilty, he glanced at Kasion, but his face was as indifferent as ever. It was as if he didn’t care about old wounds that had already healed.

 

“Yes, but I still won’t die. As long as Ariel is alive in this world, I won’t die either.”

 

Serhen shivered at Kasion’s firm and resolute tone. This was different from the murderous intent he had shown earlier. It was a powerful will, an unbreakable resolve.

 

“You know, right? That day, my life was already tied to Ariel’s.” Kasion’s yellow eyes blazed with intensity.

 

Remembering that day, Serhen closed his eyes tightly, realizing that this might be an inescapable fate. Perhaps his attempt to protect his sister by using his friend had backfired.

 

* * *

Lireania and I waited for Serhen and Kasion in the immaculate palace garden. Knights of the duke, who had been granted permission to enter the palace, were guarding us.

 

“Is this the second prince’s palace?” I asked the attendant who had brought me a hot water bottle.

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

I recalled the gentle man’s face I had met briefly last night. He seemed the most normal out of all the emperor’s children I had encountered.

 

“Shouldn’t we greet the prince?”

 

I looked at Lireania as I spoke. After all, we were indebted to him, both yesterday and today.

 

“The prince is reading in the library of the main palace,” the attendant interjected, sensing the need.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, he probably won’t return until evening.”

 

Even his hobbies seemed different from those of his siblings. Crown Prince Aenix was said to enjoy teasing maids. He didn’t seem to fit in with his family at all. It was as if he were a pure, transparent drop of water on a greasy substance.

 

“So, please rest easy. When such commotions occur in the princess’s palace, noble ladies often come here to rest.”

 

Given that, there seemed to be very few eyewitness accounts.

 

“Ah… really?”

 

“Yes, the prince always gives up his space for them.”

 

The thought that I wasn’t the first to be in this situation left a bitter taste in my mouth. What a terrible woman she was. I even felt sorry for Dertis. Surely he wasn’t just cleaning up after the princess?

 

“Then I’ll rest comfortably.”

 

“Yes, please let me know if you need anything else.”

 

After the attendant left, I glanced at Lireania, who was still looking at me with concern.

 

“Lady Ariel,” she said, her voice not very loud, yet there was something piercing about it. “Do you have anything to say to me?”

 

“I-I’m sorry.”

 

That was amazing. How did she figure out I was pretending to be sick so quickly? Serhen always seemed to not notice…

 

“It’s alright. It’s good that you weren’t really sick. Thanks to you, we avoided a crisis.”

 

“I’m sorry about that too. Because of me… Your dressmaking business might be affected in the future.”

 

“That doesn’t matter. I’ve already talked with Lord Serhen, and I’m planning to take a break from the business after we get married.”

 

“Why?”

 

My eyes widened in surprise. I didn’t understand why Serhen would say that. In high society, nobles working directly in a business are often looked down upon, but the Mellin family is different. They’ve been so successful in commerce and invented so many useful items for noble life that they aren’t subjected to that kind of scorn.

 

“Because… I want to have a child as soon as possible.”

 

Lireania’s cheeks flushed pink, and I couldn’t help but blush along with her.

 

“Ah… in that case, I fully support it.”

 

“Yes, once the child is raised, I’ll return to the dressmaking business. In the meantime, I’ll focus on designing ready-to-wear clothing for commoners. The Mellin Merchant Guild will manage the operations.”

 

Not even Diana will be able to touch the Mellin company. That means Lireania should be safe for the time being.

 

“By the way, do you think the prince won’t come?” Suddenly, Lireania smiled brightly.

 

“He’s busy.”

 

“Oh, what a pity. I wanted to see the duke and the prince face each other…”

 

Could Lireania be a pied piper? Just then, the prince arrived. Not the second prince, but the first, the unruly crown prince.

 

“There are two beautiful ladies.” …He spoke as if he was some oily middle-aged man.

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