“I heard a rumor as I was passing by… Is it true that His Highness the Crown Prince has feelings for you?”
Heufeln coughed softly and asked.
“What? No, how could you hear such a rumor just as you happened to pass by?”
“So it’s just a baseless rumor?”
“No, not exactly…”
In fact, it had become almost a well-established story in society that I was the reason why Raphir had not yet welcomed a Crown Princess.
So, it wasn’t too surprising that this story had reached Heufeln’s ears. It was just embarrassing to hear it from my older brother.
“…Is it because of me that you haven’t accepted the Crown Prince’s proposal?”
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
“What? No… why would you think that?”
“It seems like Nita and Aslan are also concerned that I’m still unmarried.”
“That’s not true; of course it does bother me, but it’s certainly not the reason I turned down their proposal.”
“Then it’s because of Father after all?”
Although he appeared expressionless on the surface, Heufeln’s eyes revealed a clear sense of worry.
“If it’s really because of that, I’ll talk to Father about it.”
I am now twenty-two years old. By the standards of this world, I was already of marriageable age.
From Heufeln’s perspective as the eldest, it was only natural to be concerned that his younger sister was still unmarried.
If my reserved and polite older brother had come to talk to me like this, it meant he had probably thought long and hard about it.
“No, brother Heufeln, there’s no need for that.”
“Eila.”
“It’s really okay. The reason I rejected the Crown Prince’s proposal… is simply because I don’t want to get married.”
“Why is that?”
Normally, when I received such a question, I would answer like my two older brothers under Heufeln, saying, “Because our big brother is still unmarried.” However, I couldn’t say that in front of my concerned brother.
“I don’t know. I just don’t feel like it. I’m happy just the way I am, living here with Father and my big brothers.”
I said with a bright smile. But Heufeln’s expression remained slightly furrowed.
“There is no need to lie or hold back. If there’s something you’re keeping in your heart, be honest about it. Whatever you want, I will support you. I promise.”
“…….”
I felt a slight stirring in my chest at Heufeln’s words.
However, despite that, I couldn’t honestly express my feelings.
The reason I didn’t accept Raphir’s proposal wasn’t just because of my reluctance to become a Crown Princess or the fact that I’m being kept by our father.
Above all, it was the guilt and debt I felt toward Clyde.
I had promised him that I would never marry another man and that I would stay by his side for the rest of my life.
But in the end, I couldn’t even keep that promise.
Now, Clyde would undoubtedly not want me anymore, and it would likely be difficult to meet him again.
Still, I didn’t want to leave him alone and marry another man.
“Really. Why don’t you believe me?”
I said with a slightly exasperated expression.
“…Eila.”
“Now that the war is over and Heufeln, our big brother, is back home with us, we finally have a chance to spend time together. Do you hate having me at home, big brother?”
“What are you talking about, Eila? Of course not.”
Heufeln replied with a slightly perplexed look.
“Then please stop saying things like that. I prefer being with my brothers at home more than getting married. Oh, by the way, it doesn’t mean I don’t want brother Heufeln to get married too, okay? You should find a good bride and get married soon. That way, the Rojasis family can continue, and my other big brothers can get married too.”
“…Okay, I understand.”
I smiled again at Heufeln’s hesitant words.
At that moment, someone urgently knocked on the door.
“Young master, are you inside?”
“Come in.”
Soon the butler entered the room.
“What’s the matter?”
“A messenger from the palace has arrived. His Majesty the Emperor urgently requests your presence at the palace.”
“I see.”
Despite the sudden news, Heufeln calmly responded without showing any signs of surprise.
“Let’s talk again later tonight, Eila.”
“Oh, yes. Big brother, please be careful.”
I had an ominous feeling. Heufeln was the commander of the Palma Empire’s Magic Corps. There was only one reason the Emperor would summon him from his vacation at such short notice.
And soon, that foreboding turned into reality.
~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~
“The forces of the demon have broken through the western front and have already occupied Hendo. They have likely reached Ilasaka by now. It’s an unprecedented crisis. At this rate, it won’t take them more than a week to reach the capital, Trachen.”
The atmosphere in the conference room became grim at the words of Count Hendeta, the commander of the White Lion Knights.
The emperor summoned the crown prince and the heads of all departments for an emergency meeting.
Seventy percent of the Palma Empire’s forces were concentrated on the western front, guarding against the demon realm. The fact that the invaders had breached that front in just one day meant that even gathering the remaining imperial forces would be nearly impossible to stop the invasion.
“How did it happen? A year and a half ago, it was clearly fine. Even if we were caught off guard, the impenetrable fortifications that haven’t been breached for centuries shouldn’t have fallen so easily.”
Emperor Thanius narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
“According to the soldier who reported it, there is a single demon with immense magical power who single-handedly toppled the walls and overpowered all the defending troops.”
“This is unbelievable! Do you mean to tell me that nearly 100,000 troops on the western front were defeated by a single demon?”
“I’m just conveying the information I received.”
Another head protested loudly, and Count Hendeta frowned in response.
At that moment, the commander of the Magic Corps, Heufeln, raised his hand. The emperor nodded, allowing him to speak.
“It’s possible that the newly crowned Demon King is leading the invasion himself. As commonly known, the position of Demon King cannot be inherited but is determined through a duel with those challenging the throne. If the reports are true, the new Demon King must possess exceptionally powerful magical abilities.”
“What about any descriptions of this demon?”
The head of the magic department, Julion, who had remained silent, suddenly asked.
“The description… you mean appearance? No, there isn’t one.”
“Any other characteristics? For example, the type of magic it uses.”
“They said he created crimson magical power like a massive storm, sweeping away our troops entirely. Even the Grand Magic Barrier had no effect.”
“…….”
At those words, Julion’s eyes flashed with a heavy light.
“Do you have any suspicions about who this might be?”
“No. None at all.”
While Count Hendeta and a few others looked at Julion with puzzled expressions, he remained silent.
“What should we do, Chief Rojasis?”
The emperor inquired. Julion Rojasis had a distinguished record as the former commander of the Magic Corps and decades of research on demonkind, making him an expert on the subject.
“If the reports are true, then mobilizing all our forces nationwide to defend the capital is the best course of action. At the same time, we should request reinforcements from other countries as soon as possible. If the Palma empire falls, it means that the entire continent will soon be threatened, so we will need everyone’s cooperation.”
“Are there any other opinions?”
In response to the emperor’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.
“Then let’s proceed as chief Rojasis suggests. Issue evacuation orders to all cities and towns in the path of the demon horde, and have the commanders of each brigade formulate the capital’s defense plan by tonight.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~
“What? Is that really true?”
I couldn’t close my mouth in shock at Aslan’s words.
“Yeah. Father ordered you to flee immediately. He has already sent a letter to our uncle in the Yechen Kingdom, so we’re leaving tonight. I’ll accompany you to the border.”
“What’s that…. You want me to run away by myself, leaving my father and brothers behind?”
“You’re the youngest and only girl in our family. Father’s decision is reasonable. I would do the same.”
Aslan spoke with an emotionless face.
“This is outrageous! No! What if the capital falls? Then the Yechen Kingdom won’t be safe either!”
“In that case, flee with our uncle to another country. If Yechen falls, run as far as you can, whether it’s the easternmost Neriyuma or the northern Andela, so that you can survive until the end.”
“What’s the point of surviving alone after abandoning my family?!”
“Because we’re fighting to protect you.”
“…….”
Aslan’s quiet words left me speechless for a moment.
“Father, our brothers, and I, we’re all staying here to protect you. So you must survive, no matter what.”
