More docile? Than whom? Surely not Sione?
For the first time, Daphne felt a surge of pure hatred, a burning impulse to truly kill Jeffrey. Her head throbbed as if splitting, and the world around her seemed distant and muffled. A fleeting thought passed through her mind—did she need to live like this?
Just as she felt she might truly do something reckless, Jeffrey abruptly stood up. He raised his goblet high and declared loudly, Equila has decided to represent Velarez in the duel!
The grand hall erupted into a celebratory uproar. The cheers and applause, echoing through the chamber, snapped Daphne back to her senses. She looked on, dazed, at the people cheering with unwavering confidence in Equila’s victory.
[…..]
Everything felt unbearably surreal. Overhead, Jeffrey’s resounding voice reached her ears.
Soon, you shall become the wife of the greatest warrior, Daphne.
The countless days she had risked her life trying to escape the fortress now seemed laughable.
So easily.
[The day Velarez wins will be your wedding day.]
And he added, as though sharing a joyous secret, that the day Equila returned to Razhan’s territory, he would take her with him. Jeffrey asked her, almost giddy with excitement, if she wasn’t delighted and honored by the prospect.
[Starting tomorrow, you’ll be quite busy.]
Daphne forgot how to smile.
***
The abrupt decision regarding the marriage left Daphne sleeping more than usual. She stayed curled up under her blankets the entire day, immobilized as if she had lost all strength. Her head pounded fiercely. Tisbene hovered near her sister, who refused to leave her bed.
The palace became a whirlwind of activity. Leah and the other attendants were too occupied to care for the princesses as they usually did. Unfamiliar people came and went through the palace in droves, stealing glances at the princess’s closed quarters and murmuring among themselves.
[So, who is representing Inacos as their chosen warrior?]
[What if they send out the ‘Black Beast’?]
[You mean the ‘Bloodied Killer’?]
[Oh, heavens. If he’s the chosen one, then…]
[What’s the worry? Equila is Equila. He’ll win, no matter who the opponent is!]
[It’s hard to believe the war will end tomorrow.]
Among the distant murmurs, Daphne caught snippets that gnawed at her.
[So how long will Princess Daphne stay away this time?]
Daphne noticed Tisbene flinch beside her, perched like a doll at the edge of her bed. Finally, after spending the entire day under the covers, Daphne poked her face out. Tisbene’s wide eyes, filled with a mixture of concern and relief, met hers.
A child as pretty as a flower, she thought. Such a beautiful child, yet after Sione’s death, she had hardly taken care of her. The time lost was regrettable now. Daphne smiled faintly and stretched her arms toward Tisbene, who instinctively leaned into her embrace.
Daphne loved the innocent, childlike side of Tisbene, so different from herself. She hugged the small frame tightly. Tisbene, often ill, was smaller than other children her age.
To distract her sister from the troubling noises outside, Daphne deliberately began telling her an old story. She didn’t know many stories and often repeated the same ones, but Tisbene seemed content, listening quietly to Daphne’s gentle voice.
After a long silence, Tisbene suddenly asked, [Do you really have to leave tomorrow?]
[…If Equila wins.]
Tisbene remained silent for a long while.
[But you said we’d never be apart.]
Her small voice carried a hint of reproach and sorrow. Daphne couldn’t bring herself to reply. She only ran her fingers through Tisbene’s long hair, combing it repeatedly. After a while, Tisbene asked again,
[What if Equila loses?]
Equila’s defeat. It wasn’t something she hadn’t considered.
[…Then, for the time being, I could stay by your side. But the war would continue.]
The truth was, deep down, Daphne had been wishing for his defeat.
[I hope he loses.]
[…]
Daphne’s hand, which had been moving automatically, stilled. She lowered her gaze to search for Tisbene’s expression, but her sister’s head was bowed, her face hidden. Daphne murmured, almost to herself,
[If the war continues, the same thing will happen again.]
[Still, I hope he loses.]
[…]
[So he can die and not take you away.]
Tisbene’s faint voice, barely audible, carried a sorrow that pierced Daphne’s heart. Tisbene buried her face deeper into Daphne’s chest, dampening her clothes with tears.
Me too. Daphne’s lips parted slightly.
Me too, I wish he would die.
No matter what happens to this city, I just wish Equila would die. Her lips moved silently, unable to form the words aloud.
Shortly after, Tisbene’s body went limp, her breathing evening out as she fell asleep. Daphne gently laid her down and watched her sleeping face for a long time. Seeing the redness around her eyes, Daphne felt her chest tighten.
[…]
After staring quietly, as if bewitched, Daphne suddenly stood. She left the bed and walked briskly down the hallway. The palace staff bustling about eyed the lone princess curiously but didn’t stop her. After all, it wasn’t uncommon for a bride-to-be to act erratically before her wedding.
Daphne stopped abruptly in front of a room. Inside, she could see several chests that Leah had brought in earlier with the attendants. They were items to be bestowed upon Equila before tomorrow’s duel. The surroundings were chaotic, as though more chests were yet to be brought in, and by coincidence, there were no prying eyes at the moment. She felt an uncanny sensation, as if everyone had vacated the area just for her.
Daphne approached one of the chests. Inside were a sword crafted by an artisan, a helmet, a shield, and various ornaments—items Leah had shown her one by one earlier. Among them, something caught Daphne’s eye: a bridle made of high-quality leather. Its intricate stitching was adorned with small gemstones, a luxurious piece.
Tomorrow’s duel was to be a mounted battle.
…If the bridle snapped, leading to a fall… How likely was death in such a case?
With the bridle in hand, Daphne entertained such thoughts. Her gaze instinctively searched for something hard and sharp enough to damage the stitching. She noticed a short blade that seemed just right for the job. Without hesitation, she picked it up.
If Equila loses, I won’t have to leave tomorrow. If he dies…
However, she couldn’t act further.
Was this truly the right thing to do?
“Now, it’s really just the two of you. You must protect Tis.”
All Sione had asked was one thing. If a single victory—her marriage—could finally end this dreadful war…
At least Tisbene wouldn’t have to marry Equila.
But then, Jeffrey’s voice whispered, egging her on.
In the end, we will save them, Daphne.
To hell with that.
It was as if the hesitation from a moment ago had never existed. Driven by an impulse to defy Jeffrey, she raised the dagger high.
[Princess? What brings you out here alone?]
Leah’s voice suddenly called out from behind her. Daphne flinched like a thief caught in the act and turned around with a start.
[Oh, just… I was bored.]
Tisbene’s startled voice followed shortly after. Daphne hastily put down the blade and stepped into the corridor where the voices came from. Leah and Tisbene turned to her in unison. Leah frowned as she alternated her gaze between Daphne and Tisbene.
[Good heavens, Princess Daphne. I told you today is an exceptionally busy day. Please stay in your room quietly.]
[Well, the things you showed me earlier… They were so beautiful I wanted to see them again, so…]
[For now, both of you, return to your rooms at once. We truly don’t have time to tend to you today.]
[Alright, I’m sorry.]
Her pounding heart was still racing. Daphne tried to smile as she usually did. Tisbene, who had been watching her intently, glanced back at the room Daphne had rushed out of.
***
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