45. Please Become the King
The capital they reached after several days was quiet.
The place where the carriage stopped was in front of the palace, the busiest area. However, it was strangely quiet for a densely populated area. There were no traces of people passing by.
They walked through empty streets. The sound of the utensils in the luggage carriage clashing against each other echoed louder in the silence.
The carriage was parked in front of the carriage storage.
“Welcome.”
The stablehand, who was stroking the mane of the horse, bowed respectfully.
Deon got off the carriage. The strong sunlight unique to the capital made his fine black hair stand out even more.
He had thought that his hair, which contrasted with the all-white surroundings of the North, would suit him well. Surprisingly, even in the warm capital, his hair didn’t look bad.
“I’ve brought the prepared carriage.”
His low voice was clear even amid the sounds of carriage wheels and hoofbeats. Deon took out a nameplate from his pocket and handed it over.
I got off the carriage too. The body that had spent a long time in the carriage felt stiff.
“Is this the prepared carriage?”
“Yes. You can take this carriage from here.”
Deon, who was examining the carriage silently, raised an eyebrow.
“There are ladies in the back. The ladies will ride in the carriage brought from the Duke’s residence.”
At his words, the stablehand looked awkward.
“Only pre-approved carriages are allowed in the capital. You must ride this one.”
“Is this the only option?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Deon silently mounted the carriage again, holding the reins.
“Aren’t you getting on the carriage?”
When Edan asked, he replied.
“I’ll ride a horse.”
So, he didn’t like the carriage. All this time, he had endured with courage, but he also had his preferences. It seemed that he didn’t like this carriage.
I could sense it even though I had been pretending not to notice.
It was a luxurious carriage with a golden lion emblem on the front.
It looked decent at first glance, but there were no patterns symbolizing aristocracy or high nobility on the carriage door or the front. A carriage suitable for newly rich nobles or wealthy commoners without a prestigious family.
There was also a lack of one horse in the front. Moreover, the person tending to the horse wasn’t someone recognizable, not a purebred steed from the imperial stables that soldiers usually rode. The quality of the groomed horse was not better than the horses ridden by the soldiers.
As expected, Victor frowned upon seeing the carriage.
No improvement ceremony either. Could a carriage arranged by the palace be of any quality?
Already, a tax on their heads; the future seemed dark.
The lady was pregnant, so there was no choice, but it wasn’t the same for me.
I approached him. The sun was directly overhead, dazzlingly bright.
I slowly closed and opened my eyes. When I opened them again, he was looking down at me.
“May I join you?”
“Why? Just get on the carriage comfortably.”
“Just.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
I nodded. He didn’t add any more words.
He got off the horse. His long cloak fluttered. He effortlessly lifted me with both hands, placing me on the horse. Then he mounted behind me. The horse took a leisurely trot.
This is the capital.
The wealthiest city in this world. Despite its appearance, which seemed as old as its long history, it was neat.
Small gardens adorned each window. In the narrow space, flowers blooming haphazardly and red roofs caught the eye.
The streets were still desolate. Occasionally, elderly people and children passing by on the road would glance at the long procession and move on.
“It’s quiet.”
Even though it was a village located in the heart of the city, it felt completely empty.
There were no people passing by in the street.
It was so silent that the sound of splashing fountains could be heard. The stream of water splashed into the water basin.
The fences and windows were all tightly locked.
“It’s empty. They’ve probably gone to see the parade in the neighboring village by now.”
“Today?”
Of all days. A sinister thought crossed my mind.
“Why do you ask?”
He chuckled.
“It means they won’t tolerate even this. They suddenly moved up the schedule three days before arrival. Originally, the festival was held in the summer…. Thanks to that, the citizens won’t even witness a long procession to the temple.”
I glanced at Deon, who remained expressionless. He must have had a hard time.
This was supposed to be his hometown. There was neither joy nor disappointment in his expression.
“I’m sorry if your first memory of the capital is a mess.”
He spoke as if he noticed my busy gaze around.
“Doesn’t it feel sad that the image of your beloved hometown is being distorted?”
Was he upset that even the image of a beloved hometown made of dust was deteriorating? It made sense; after all, he was going to be the ruler of a country. He pulled the reins. The horse’s pace slowed.
“Well, it’s not a place with particularly good memories for me either.”
Originally, when he set foot on this land, it should have been after settling everything and gaining victory. The procession would have been surrounded by the cheers of the imperial citizens, and it might have been a triumphant return. Even for him, returning to his hometown after a long time must have felt harsh.
Due to the hasty preparations, the procession was in disarray, and there were no welcoming crowds around, making it lonely.
“You must become a king. To remember the misfortunes of today.”
I whispered quietly. I felt him chuckle behind me.
“It’s the first time you’ve worried about my well-being.”
“I’m not particularly worried. You’re going to be fine anyway.”
He turned his head to the left without saying a word.
“Don’t you want to be an emperor?”
“Well, anyone would dream of that position if they were a prince. But for me, whether it’s emperor or not, what matters is taking responsibility for the people who believed in me.”
It was a conventional answer. A desire to protect one’s people. And the talents who recognized and gathered around him. These were the driving forces that made him an emperor.
“You don’t have to dream.”
“How do you know?”
“Sometimes I see the future. I’m good at it.”
He squinted his eyes.
“Really? What have you seen?”
What should I start with? After a moment of contemplation, I opened my mouth.
“Madam’s child. It will be a son.”
“… A valuable household, so the Count would like that.”
“Not only the Count, but wouldn’t the Duke also be pleased?”
He laughed.
“Why? Will he become my excellent servant?”
“Yes. He will be excellent. He will dedicate his body to serving the Duke.”
“Then I’ll have to wait at least 20 years. I’ll have to wait until he grows up.”
There wasn’t any particular trust in his eyes.
I didn’t correct him either. The vague-sounding words would soon become reality in a few months.
“And the Duke will become an emperor.”
He asked.
“Oh? When?”
Originally within five years, but… It might be a bit sooner.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m here.”
He laughed again.
“Is Young Lady such a reliable force?”
It wasn’t a wrong statement, considering that Deon and I, who were supposed to be in the North, had unexpectedly arrived in the capital.
He seemed to have misunderstood it deeply.
“Thanks to you, it seems the emperor will be ready sooner… Do I have to thank you?”
He playfully retorted.
“Well, it seems like I’ve helped you get a step closer to becoming an emperor. What about me? Should I prepare a crown for myself later?”
“Do as you please.”
He replied and asked again.
“Do you have any prophecies about yourself?”
“Me? I…”
I will die in four months. At your hands.
I grabbed onto his clothes tightly, only now remembering the fact that I am terminally ill. The elation I felt when I first saw the scenery began to sink low again.
A beautiful castle covered by leaves appeared beside us. It was old but grand.
Green vines climbed up one side of the wall, hiding the wall. It stood out even in the capital. Moonflowers blooming on the fence caught my attention.
“The castle is beautiful.”
I blurted out the words I had kept in my heart.
“Do you like that castle?”
Well, should I try to flatter him?
He got off the horse. Then he reached out his hand.
“I guess you didn’t foresee that. Get off.”
“Where are we?”
“Where I stayed when I was a prince. And your future home.”
***
I undressed. The coldness of the North seemed like a lie; the weather in the capital was sunny and warm. Even though I deliberately chose thin clothes since I was inside the carriage, I still sweated on my back.
“I plan to stay in Imperial Capital until the procedures are completed and then return to the Count’s residence.”
Elizabeth said. She, too, had changed into loose-fitting maternity clothes since there were no proper maternity clothes for Imperial Capital.
“It’s a shame that we have to part, my lady.”
I sighed. I wished she would go far away to a safer place. Even if I couldn’t see her forever. Unfortunately, the Count’s residence was on the outskirts of the capital.
Still, it might be fortunate. Just the fact that I couldn’t hear the pounding sound of my heart. Even though she was away, the heartbeat continued relentlessly. Occasionally, when the fetus kicked, it was more startling than her.
