“Anyway.” Vallentin, sitting slouched with his chin propped up, muttered. “It was odd from the start, seeing how she had all the paperwork prepared behind the scenes.” His posture and appearance didn’t match that of a young ruler who had just beheaded his older brother yesterday.
“I knew it was too quiet.”
Upon hearing the news that Siani had disappeared, Vallentin stirred up several small surrounding kingdoms for clues.
“As expected, she had to pull a move like this to live up to her reputation as our princess.”
Siani Felicite was a well-known figure, not only in the vast Meteora but also in the Kingdom of Decilio. Thus, his reasoning that she would only go to a small, obscure kingdom on the outskirts seemed rational.
“But why on earth did she ask you, of all people, a pawn of Redian?” Vallentin’s gaze shifted to Inein. “If she wanted to run away, she could’ve come to me.”
It was after receiving a message from Inein.
[Stop it. Princess has gone to Pronaea.]
He halted his senseless search of innocent kingdoms and came to Meteora.
It was surprising that Siani had gone to Pronaea and that Inein had helped her, but the most surprising thing was…
Unexpected.
That Inein had revealed this information. Inein who was so tight-lipped that even a blade to his throat wouldn’t make him flinch.
“Also, I was curious about one more thing.” Half-lounging on the sofa, Vallentin tilted his head back and asked, “Why did she go to Pronaea of all places?”
“She said it was for our sake.”
Inein replied as he stood by the window, watching the soldiers train.
“…What?”
A strange silence followed. But it was only for a moment.
“Pfft.” Vallentin covered his mouth, bursting into laughter.
“See? I told you he’d laugh.” Francis shrugged as if he had expected this reaction.
“I understand why she chose you now. You don’t argue against even the most half-hearted lies.” Vallentin clicked his tongue as if he finally understood.
“Exactly. Do you really think our princess would give up anything for our sake?”
The Siani they knew wasn’t that kind of woman. She was the one who opened the doors to the underground castle, choosing the most vicious of prisoners to leash. And that Siani Felicite left everything behind for some reason other than herself? It was the most amusing and ridiculous thing they had heard all year.
“There must be another reason she went to Pronaea.” Vallentin made a short sound, rubbing his chin.
“Everyone knows Pronaea isn’t a place just anyone can enter.”
Although little was known about that land, everyone understood what it meant. Pronaea was a place for those closest to the gods. In other words, it wasn’t a place you could just visit because you wanted to, nor could you stay there simply by wishing to.
“Why overcomplicate it? She was just bored.” Francis grinned. “Do you really think princess had some grand dream when she dragged us out of the underground castle? No way. She was just bored.” His face looked entirely different from the innocent smile he wore in front of Siani.
“Princess herself said she never thought of us as knights, even once.”
Francis, despite his innocent appearance, was the type to hold grudges for a long time.
“Maybe we should’ve entertained her better. We were too busy working and studying to satisfy her whims.” Vallentin sat up, popping a grape into his mouth as if in agreement.
“Ah, Inein. The fact that you told us this means Redian already knows, right?” Vallentin’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
“Anyway, I’m surprised you’re still walking around with all your limbs intact…” He genuinely seemed amazed that Inein, who had helped Siani escape, was still alive.
“Given the bond we built in the underground castle, I thought at least two or three of your fingers would be gone by now.” Vallentin’s face was devoid of any humor as he made the remark.
“His Royal Highness knew before I told him.” Inein’s response, however, was as flat as ever. “If His Royal Highness hadn’t known that she went to Pronaea, I wouldn’t have revealed it. That was part of the agreement between the princess and me.”
“Agreement?”
“Yes, an agreement.”
But his expression was somewhat odd, unlike his usual self.
“When princess headed to Pronaea, I would be the one who would open the magic circle for her.”
Even Inein was faintly smiling.
“The part agreement between the princess and me was to help her get there…”
At that moment, Vallentin and Francis had the same thought.
“But the matter of not bringing her back wasn’t part of the promise.”
Maybe Inein was the most ruthless one, second only to Redian.
“Well, that tiny land certainly doesn’t suit our princess.” Vallentin let out a small laugh, staring into space.
A land without any suffering, conflict, or pain. Such a place didn’t suit Siani at all. She was a woman more suited to rising from hell than leading angels in heaven.
“Your Royal Highness.”
At that moment, Redian, dressed in a black robe, approached.
“I’ve inscribed the magic circle leading to Pronaea in the forest path beyond the Crown Prince’s Palace garden.”
“Good job, Inein.”
The red lips visible beneath the veiled eyes curved into a smile. It was a smile perfectly matched to the torrential rain pouring down.
“I’ll bring master back myself…” Redian tightened the black gloves Siani had once given him. “Until then, prepare to welcome her back.”
They knew exactly what that command meant. The once obedient little dogs had grown into wolves, and now…
“Yes, we will.”
It was already destined that they would devour their master.
* * *
After hearing Redian’s voice through the communication tool, I headed to Raphiel’s annex for the time being.
I knew better than anyone that Redian wouldn’t actually threaten me or do anything drastic… But his voice sounded completely unhinged.
If his temper from the original story flared up in this peaceful land, what a disaster and embarrassment that would be! Besides, it wasn’t that Redian was upset about me running away—he was more disturbed by the fact that I had broken my promise to him. I had been the one who made the promise not to betray him first, so I needed to come up with some excuse or explanation.
“My, how beautifully the olive tree is blooming.”
I stared at Raphiel standing under a large tree. This was definitely my ‘mom’s chance.’
“It’s been so long. Look at those flowers and fruit. It’s as if the goddess’s grace has fully blossomed.”
After settling my things in the annex, Raphiel had taken me out to the central square, and I glanced around. The lush trees, the sweet sunlight, the peaceful streets. How is he planning to come and get me? Can he even get into this place? Even the barrier that stretched across the blue sky like a freshly bloomed rainbow.
Whether Redian could even enter this place was still uncertain.
“My goodness, they finally have fresh Renet.”
At that moment, Raphiel called out to me as she noticed something on a stall. “Look at this. Do you remember?”
I followed her gesture, turning my gaze. Huh? That’s the candy I made. It was the same candy I had made for Redian when we first met at the underground castle.
“It’s candy modeled after the fruit of the celestial realm. Since there wasn’t enough fruit to share among all the angels, the goddess made this herself.”
“…Ah, so it’s called Renet here.” I looked at the round, apple-shaped candy.
“You smiled just now. Did it bring back any memories?” Raphiel asked in a soft, subtle voice.
“Hmm, yes. Very…”
“I brought these for you, so make sure to eat them. I’ll give you three next time.”
The memory of Redian’s hardened gaze that day made me smile unconsciously. “What a cute little brat.”
I’m really hopeless, aren’t I? Here I was, worried about running into Redian, but also thinking maybe I should buy a few of those candies just in case…
What am I even feeling right now? I questioned myself about these strange emotions.
Wait a second. No matter how I look at it, this is definitely something I invented.
Suddenly, I felt a pang of confusion. I had developed this candy during my time as an imperial pharmacist when I was experimenting with helping the youngest prince who refused to take his medicine. But now, here it was, being called ‘Renet,’ supposedly created by the goddess to mimic the celestial fruit?
“Hello! I’ve been itching to talk. You have no idea how long I’ve waited! Only Seraphiel understands me!”
Suddenly, a blue bird flew to the stall and started speaking.
“You said you were going for a spin because your wings were itchy. So why did you come back so soon? Do you have any interesting news?”
“Interesting? No way! The rain outside is so heavy I almost got swept away!”
The bird and Madam Raphiel began chatting naturally. They seemed to be talking about events happening outside of Pronaea.
“The borders between continents are closed, and there’s a stench of blood everywhere! Ugh! Things are getting really chaotic. I picked the wrong day to leave.”
“Oh dear, why are the borders suddenly closed? And where’s that smell of blood coming from?”
“I don’t know! Hmm, it’s bad vibes all around.”
As I listened to the mention of closed borders, the words pricked at my ears.
Uh. I looked up, feeling something cold brush against my cheek. That was definitely a raindrop.
It wasn’t raining inside Pronaea since the more it rained outside, the sunnier it became within the barrier. So, where did that raindrop come from?
“…What is this?”
My gaze lingered on the sky, woven tightly with the barrier. Beyond it, dark clouds resembling a black shadow seemed to be gathering.
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