Chapter 3
“I had actually been thinking about it for some time. One option is to open our borders. The other is to become a vassal state of the Empire.”
Lea looked at Aren in surprise.
She had been wondering how she could persuade Aren to do exactly that.
The solution Aren had been considering was the same conclusion Lea had reached after debating with the King of Nortia.
“You’ve been thinking about this for a while?”
“Yes. But there was fierce opposition. If I brought it up publicly, public opinion would become so divided that I feared the country itself would split in two.”
Lea sighed. She had not known that Aren had been struggling with this issue at this point in time.
“But the people who opposed it were all swept away by what happened this time.”
The two looked at each other in silence.
The same thought crossed both their minds.
Had those who opposed it really been acting in the kingdom’s best interests?
“The current Emperor changed his strategy of conquest from outright annexation to the establishment of vassal states. Vassal states are at least guaranteed a certain degree of autonomy.”
“Our kingdom is small, and we don’t possess any special products the Empire would covet. The Empire’s pressure on us should be minimal.”
“Zephiros is a small desert kingdom, but it has something special. It traces its roots back to one of the four ancient kingdoms that ruled the continent long ago.”
“If we announce that we intend to become a vassal state, the Emperor will welcome us with open arms.”
The siblings went back and forth, exchanging their thoughts, before looking at each other and smiling.
“Brother. I’ll go to the Empire.”
There was someone Lea absolutely had to meet.
The Fourth Prince, Karion, Supreme Commander of the Northeast.
He was the son of Nella, the King of Nortia.
“Return to the past. Correct your regrets. Prevent the destruction of your kingdom and save the people precious to you. And then…”
Nella had stared into the distance with eyes filled with regret before saying,
“Save my son.”
Her expression had been calm when she said those words.
“That is all.”
Your Majesty. I will definitely save your son.
Preventing her son’s death was even more important than stopping First Prince Enoch from ascending the throne.
Six months later, Lea departed with her companions as the head of Zephiros’ diplomatic delegation.
“Fifteen people in total? We only have three large rooms left. What’ll you do? You can squeeze in and sleep, at least.”
“All the other inns are completely booked. Is something going on?”
“The arena is about to open. Isn’t that why you came?”
“Ah, the arena. We’re actually on our way to Elios.”
“So you’re just passing through. You picked a bad time.”
“Indeed. Give us the rooms for now. How much for a day’s meals and feed for the horses?”
“Fifteen silver coins.”
“I’ll pay in advance. Thirteen silver coins. We’ll be leaving early in the morning.”
The innkeeper scratched his head vigorously before clicking his tongue.
“All right. Let’s do that.”
As always, the others simply stood there blankly while Lea negotiated.
After unpacking their belongings in their rooms, Lea said to Kasim,
“I’m going to look around for a little while, so get some proper rest.”
“C-Chief, you’re going alone again…”
“Don’t worry. This city is fairly safe.”
Kasim reached out toward Lea’s retreating back, but he could not bring himself to say anything and lowered his hand.
He had come as her escort and protector, yet somehow, he felt as though he were the one being protected.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.
How did a princess who had barely ever left the royal castle know the geography of the continent so well? And why was she so comfortable dealing with the locals?
He remembered the conversation he had had with the king before their departure.
“That child has changed. You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“She used to be so frightened that she couldn’t even leave her bedroom after sunset. She was such a tender-hearted child that she cried until her eyes became swollen when she saw a baby bird that had fallen from its nest and died. You remember that too, don’t you?”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“When did the little sister I thought I had to protect begin looking at the world with such distant eyes? Did Lea grow up because I wasn’t good enough?”
“Your Majesty. The Princess has simply become an adult. She is at that age now.”
“And yet, at some point, I began relying on that child who had changed. As her older brother, it’s rather embarrassing for my dignity.”
“Your Majesty. I believe the Princess will sincerely be happy to be of help to you.”
“If Lea goes to the Empire, she might be taken hostage. Even knowing that, I have no choice but to send her. There is no one better suited for this mission. Please take good care of her.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will protect the Princess with my life.”
Kasim’s firm resolve was soon put to the test.
“She’s gone!”
The next morning, Penny came screaming into the room, clutching the letter Lea had left behind.
—I’ll head to Poema first. There’s something important I need to take care of there. I’ve roughly drawn the route to Poema below. Just follow it exactly, and you should arrive within ten days. See you later.
Princesssssss!
He clutched the letter with trembling hands and screamed inwardly.
After climbing a hill, Lea looked down at the endless plains stretching out before her.
For the first time since returning to the past, she was completely alone.
Memories of the days when she could never let her guard down for even a moment just to survive came rushing back.
Her previously relaxed heart tightened immediately.
The reason she was traveling alone was to save time.
She had obtained some important information at the market.
The Supreme Commander of the Northeast is in Poema right now?!
With the intelligence network of the Kingdom of Zephiros, they had been unable to determine his exact whereabouts.
So Lea had planned to go to Poema, the nearest territory under the Northeast Command, and search for him there.
But as luck would have it, he was already there.
She had never seen the Fourth Prince and Supreme Commander of the Northeast in person.
I don’t care what kind of person you are.
The only thing that mattered to Lea was that he was Nella’s son.
She was prepared to risk even her own life if it meant preventing his death.
If I can repay the debt I owe her with just my life, then that’s a cheap price to pay.
After traveling for five days, she arrived at the Poema garrison.
She sent her spirit ahead to scout the area, and the garrison’s security was extremely tight.
Lea wanted to meet the Fourth Prince unofficially.
There was no chance of meeting him simply by requesting an audience without revealing her identity.
I guess I have no choice but to sneak in. I’m counting on you.
She whispered to her spirit.
As if answering her, the wind tickled the back of her neck.
Lea smiled and took a step forward.
Her spirit would show her a path that allowed her to avoid the eyes of the guards.
Poema Garrison — Office
A man with jet-black hair was leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on the desk, reading the imperial decree delivered by the Emperor’s envoy.
—It seems the cold winds of the Northeast have frozen even your loyalty to your Emperor. I have reached the point where I can barely remember what your face looks like. Return to the capital before the full moon and let me see your complexion. I shall reward you with a cup of warm tea.
A faint trace of mockery appeared in his emotionless silver-gray eyes.
There was no way the Emperor had summoned him because he genuinely wanted to see his son.
To the Emperor, his five sons were nothing more than tools that demonstrated the strength of the imperial throne—and replaceable parts that could be discarded at any time.
Karion had been away for too long, so the Emperor merely wanted to keep him under control and prevent him from slipping outside his sphere of influence.
Karion snapped his fingers.
Whoosh—
The imperial decree flew through the air before falling to the floor.
Orbin, the intelligence officer, picked it up and said,
“Your Highness. You have already ignored two imperial summons. Next time, it won’t be an envoy they send. It’ll be hounds. You need to return to the capital this time.”
Karion, the Fourth Prince of the Terra Empire and Supreme Commander of the Northeast, spent the entire year traveling between garrisons to manage the annexed and vassal states in the northeastern region.
He had become Supreme Commander six years ago and left the capital.
For the past several years, whenever the Emperor summoned him, he had made up one excuse after another and sent the envoys back.
“It’s noisy outside.”
Karion turned his gaze toward his adjutant, Cedric.
“Go find out what’s happening.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Not long after Cedric left, the commotion outside grew louder.
It almost sounded as though someone shouted, “This way!”
Several sets of footsteps could be heard running down the corridor.
“Your Highness, you should cancel your next inspection tour and—”
Before Orbin could finish speaking, the door suddenly burst open.
Someone rushed inside and immediately closed the door.
Their face was hidden beneath a hood pulled deeply over their head.
Orbin drew his sword, his expression turning fierce.
“Who are you?”
“I have something urgent to tell His Highness the Prince.”
Orbin froze when he heard the beautiful voice coming from the uninvited guest.
The stranger grabbed the hood and pulled it back, revealing the face of a woman whose hair was tied behind her head.
Her abundant, sand-colored golden hair shimmered in the sunlight and fell over her shoulders despite being tied back.
Her fair skin seemed to glow on its own.
Her clear green eyes, like sunlight reflected on crystal-clear water, sparkled brightly.
Oh.
Orbin was genuinely impressed.
He had seen more than his fair share of beautiful women, but this beauty felt different.
Was it her healthy appearance? Or perhaps her freshness?
She immediately caught the eye, and it was difficult to look away.
Orbin subtly glanced at Karion.
Surely not… but just in case.
It could perhaps be some sort of romantic entanglement involving the prince and this woman, so he hesitated to interfere.
“I am Lea, Princess of Zephiros. I took the liberty of meeting Your Highness while avoiding the eyes of those around us.”
Karion examined her as though appraising an object before asking coldly,
“Princess of Zephiros?”
“Yes.”
Karion lowered his legs from the desk and stood up.
As he walked slowly toward Lea, she did not move an inch.
As the distance between them narrowed, Lea, who had been meeting his gaze, naturally had to tilt her head upward.
“An unexpected guest indeed. If you truly are the Princess of Zephiros.”
“Someone who can prove my identity is on the way. The official diplomatic delegation dispatched by the kingdom will arrive within a few days.”
“Why would Zephiros’ delegation come here instead of going to the capital?”
“I have something urgent to discuss with Your Highness.”
“If it’s something that can be said in one short sentence, then I’ll hear it.”
It was essentially the same as saying he had no desire to listen and that she should leave immediately.
Lea was not intimidated by his cold response.
Meeting his gaze head-on, she spoke with determination.
“Marry me.”
Oh.
It almost seemed as though someone had let out an involuntary gasp of admiration.
