Chapter 130
Hertian, who looked as if he might draw his sword and rush straight to the prince’s palace at any moment, simply stroked my cheek silently.
“Does it hurt?”
I nodded slightly, and he bit his lip and smiled. Then he unclenched his fists and extended his hand toward me.
“Let’s go.”
His tone had calmed, as if he had swallowed the boiling emotions within him.
“We promised we’d go to the West Tower.”
The anger in his eyes quickly shifted to affection for me.
It was so unfamiliar and intriguing that my mouth opened slightly in surprise. He seemed more mature after our brief separation.
“Let’s go.”
I took his large hand and smiled. I no longer felt anxious.
Hertian called Osan, who had dealt with all the guards, to approach.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Osan, who had finished handling the guards, came over. Only then did the surroundings catch my eye: several guards and knights, about half a dozen, were sprawled on the ground. It seemed that while I was meeting Havel, the guards had called the knights.
“We’ll go to the West Tower first. You take care of things here.”
Osan bowed his head slightly and greeted me as well.
“Have a safe trip.”
Hertian placed a hand on his shoulder and added a word.
“Carry out that matter too.”
Osan’s eyes flickered momentarily at that.
“…Understood.”
Hertian turned with a resolute expression after Osan replied. Judging by Osan’s face, something dangerous seemed likely, but I didn’t ask. Even the fact that Hertian wasn’t rushing to Serdis immediately was a relief.
I climbed up beside him as he spoke.
Finally, the tiresome imperial palace faded behind us.
The night, with a crescent moon faintly illuminating the forest.
Crackling sounds.
The dry branches burned with a melody-like rhythm.
We might have to camp for several nights to reach the West Tower.
Yet, I liked this cold, insect-filled ground far more than the luxurious palace.
“I feel like I can survive as long as I’m next to Hertian.”
Because I wasn’t alone.
With Hertian by my side, it felt like I could face anything.
“How are you feeling?”
He asked about my condition in real time. He had seen the fully bloomed belladonna mark on my body through the dress that had slipped while riding. Moreover, away from Serdis’s territory, my body had been sweating continuously.
‘Maybe because I feel at ease. I actually feel fine.’
Hertian, unaware of this, kept his gaze on me, watching attentively.
“If I’d known, I would have brought the carriage so you could rest comfortably.”
“If we’d brought a carriage, we wouldn’t move as quickly. Plus, we’d be too noticeable in these mountains.”
He carefully draped the robe he brought over me. Then, he picked up a necklace that had fallen from my lap.
“Whose is this?”
It was the necklace I had stolen from Violet.
“Violet’s. I took all the jewels, thinking I’d travel alone.”
“Anette, you did this?”
He asked, slightly surprised.
“Are you disappointed?”
“Disappointed? No, I’m proud of you.”
“You call stealing ‘proud’? That’s a bit much.”
When I scolded him, Hertian spoke with a serious face.
“You’re the one orchestrating all of this, my lady. This small necklace can’t excuse the things you’ve done.”
As the firewood crackled, I recounted the events so far. Hertian, who had said little, seemed to finally digest the story and form a judgment.
Watching him lost in thought, I cautiously spoke.
“Even Prince Serdis was being controlled. I’m not sure what kind of magic it was, but his memory didn’t seem intact.”
Snap.
The branch in his hand split in two. Without a word, he tossed the broken piece into the fire. The dry wood quickly burned in the growing flames.
‘No matter what I say, it would be hard for him to forgive Serdis.’
Even if it was brainwashing, it didn’t erase what Serdis had done. I understood Hertian’s feelings.
“I know that even if I forgive him, you wouldn’t be able to forgive him easily. I would have felt the same if I were you.”
If Hertian had been treated this way, I, too, would not have restrained myself and would have sought revenge. He was far too precious.
“Anette.”
He smiled faintly and touched my face. I had longed for this gentle touch so much.
And that handsome face.
Cheeks and jaw so sculpted that even the royal court sculptor would be envious.
Just looking at him washed away my anger and sorrow.
I nestled into his arms, overwhelmed with happiness.
“I should’ve had a photo of you.”
If I had bought a magic stone, I could have taken one.
Then, I could have looked at it whenever I felt lonely. When we returned north, I would do so. I promised myself.
Hertian hugged me and whispered.
“You won’t need such a photo now. I’ll be by your side so much you’ll get tired of me.”
I touched his now slimmer jaw and replied softly.
“Do that.”
Even if I could never tire of this face.
I never wanted to be apart from him again. Even if Hertian found it tiresome, I would cling to him desperately.
I tugged the lapel of his coat closer. Our high noses and heated breaths touched, and I felt an impulse to devour him.
“Shall we kiss?”
I asked, unable to resist the urge.
Hertian’s gaze, moist and intense, fell on my lips.
“I was going to do that without you asking.”
As if my question was pointless, he pressed his lips to mine. The warmth and vivid sensation that passed through our parted lips made my heart pound and my body tremble. I felt truly alive for the first time.
His fingers traced my back and rested on my waist. His provocative, thrilling touch made me respond, caressing his strong chest. Hertian exhaled sharply and pulled away.
“We’re outside.”
“It’s just the two of us, though.”
My cheeky answer made him respond not with words but with the breadth and warmth of his embrace. I felt his heartbeat against my face.
I laughed softly, teasing him.
“Shall I make you some arrhythmia medicine?”
“No. It’s a lifelong condition.”
He answered wittily.
I wished this happiness would last a little longer.
I gazed into the blazing fire, silently praying.
By the time Anette and Hertian had been away from the capital for a full day,
both awoke from the deep sleep induced by Anette’s herbs.
Among them, Serdis opened his eyes with a terrified expression, as if he had had a nightmare.
“Anette!”
Inside the prince’s palace, Serdis called out from the large bed prepared for someone.
However, contrary to his expectation, the first person he saw was his mother, the Empress.
“Serdis, are you awake?”
The Empress, with a worried expression, looked over her son’s face and gestured. Three court doctors who had been waiting in the prince’s bedroom rushed to examine him.
But Serdis seemed not to hear his mother, frantically looking for someone with his eyes. Although many had gathered, waiting for the prince to awaken, the one he sought was not there.
“Mother, where’s Anette?”
Serdis asked hoarsely. His question caused the Empress to frown slightly—her son had been calling that name even in sleep.
Concerned about the eyes of those around her, the Empress dismissed the others in the room. Only the mother and son remained.
Then she spoke.
“The Grand Princess isn’t here.”
“She’s gone?”
The Empress closed her eyes briefly, then opened them.
Serdis was stunned.
“When did she leave? Where to? Ha. What were the knights doing? They just let her go?”
“It seems herbs were added to your tea that made you sleep. It wasn’t poison, so we had to wait until you woke up.”
“Herbs?”
Serdis recalled his last memory: he had only met Violet and had been given tea. The clever young lady had put herbs in it.
Serdis muttered bitterly, then asked, tilting his head.
“How long has it been since Anette left?”
“Exactly one day.”
One day?
“You didn’t track her all this time? You let her go like that?”
There was irritation in his tone. He had personally brought Anette from the North, and yet, she had run away? Even a bird raised in a cage could not fly away so easily.
Serdis left the Empress behind and went outside. She hurried to block her son, but his sharp gaze twisted dangerously.
“Mother?”
“Serdis, calm down and listen to me.”
“You’re not telling me to stay, are you?”
Swallowing dryly, the Empress said:
“The situation outside isn’t good. Noble movements are suspicious, and Kursia is preparing for war. So stay in the palace for now and handle what you can.”
Early morning.
A bombshell letter had arrived at the Empress’s palace.
Apparently, young nobles were restless, and Kursia was readying for war.
‘What on earth is happening?’
If Serdis were to chase after a girl now, his already weakened reputation after the military loss could be further damaged. Protecting his position was the priority.
The Empress planned to bring her awakened son to a meeting hosted by the Emperor, but he refused.
“So?”
Serdis asked coldly.
“So? It concerns the future of your country.”
“That’s a problem my father should solve. Why should I bear the burden my father postponed—because of Hertian?”
He showed a face that implied such matters weren’t his concern.
“So once this matter is resolved, we’ll proceed with your coronation immediately.”
The Empress tried to soothe him.
“That’s for you to handle, Mother. I’m going to bring Anette back.”
“Serdis! You’re needed now!”
Seeing her son leave, the Empress shouted in frustration.
“The Emperor’s seat also needs you.”
But the reply was chilling:
“Mother, you do what you want. I’ll get what I want.”
Serdis left coldly, leaving the Empress alone, staring helplessly at the closed door.
Meanwhile, Serdis, desperate to find Anette, headed to the room where Violet stayed.
He opened the door without knocking.
A dark, gloomy room, thick curtains blocking all light.
The scent of incense, as if for a funeral, made Serdis grimace instantly.
“Violet!”
His irritated voice echoed through the room. Again, the person he sought was nowhere to be seen. The messy room suggested someone had anticipated his visit.
Serdis, observing the chaos, muttered lowly:
“Even the dog I raised ran away.”
It was clear she had fled knowing he would come. Since he had lost Anette, he would have tormented her like this upon waking.
“Even though there’s nowhere to run.”
Serdis left the unpleasant room quickly.
Once more, darkness fell. In a corner, Anette’s photograph slowly burned away.
