Chapter 14

A brilliant light, so dazzling it was hard to keep one’s eyes open, flooded the hall. As the light gradually faded, the villagers were struck with horror by what was revealed.

 

“Two… Two Crown Princesses?!”

 

At the epicenter of the light stood Alice. Her mind was hazy, overwhelmed by the mana that had suddenly surged through her body.

 

Edwin’s face froze as he took in the scene, his gaze icy as he glared at Stella.

 

“What is this trickery?”

 

Sensing the chill in Edwin’s voice, the Spirit also began to grasp the situation. With a stunned expression, it muttered, “Why is this human here…?”

 

Hadn’t she left Millen Village as soon as she realized the villagers’ plan? She wasn’t supposed to be here.

 

Stella spoke up. “There’s something I wanted to test, so I brought her along specially.”

 

Stella had been waiting for and anticipating this very day. It had taken 300 years for an heir born with demon blood to emerge in the Esteban family. In the ancient scriptures she had seen back when she possessed holy power, it was written:

 

[When one with black blood emerges into the world, he shall lead it to its end.]

 

Stella didn’t doubt for a second that this person was Edwin Esteban. However, he had no reason to act. So, Stella provided him with a pretext—a catalyst to shake his emotions.

 

Alice. She was that catalyst. She had played her part perfectly, exactly as Stella intended.

 

“If you lay so much as a finger on Alice, I will kill you.”

 

At his words, tossed out so casually, the villagers and the Spirit shrunk back in fear. To an outsider, it might have sounded like a simple threat, but the atmosphere around him was so ominous and unsettling that it felt like much more.

 

“Oh, my head…”

 

Alice, finally coming to her senses, muttered as she held her forehead. Her mind was foggy. She felt muffled, like seaweed newly pulled from the water. Just a moment ago, she had been meeting and talking with Evan and Michael on the street…

 

“This is… the town hall?”

 

The first thing Alice saw was Edwin’s rigid face. But something was different. It was her first time seeing him look so tense and frozen.

 

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

 

At the sound of the voice calling her, Alice’s body went stiff. It was right next to her. At first, it sounded unfamiliar, but the more she dwelled on it, the more it felt hauntingly recognizable.

 

“Why are you…”

 

Alice slowly turned her head. There was Dalia, looking at her with a radiant smile. It was Dalia’s face, but in reality, it wasn’t her. The voice, the tone, and that smile…

 

Stella.

 

The moment Alice realized the truth, another fact dawned on her. The Daisy she had met at first hadn’t been herself either—it was Stella.

 

“Are you the one who brought me here?”

 

Stella’s presence alone explained everything clearly.

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

“What did you do with Dalia and the knights?”

 

Alice asked about their whereabouts immediately, her head spinning as she tried to think through her dizziness.

 

“I’m not sure… what happened to them? Maybe they died?”

 

Stella gave a vague answer, a captivating smile on her face. As she spoke, she stroked Alice’s neck. Alice felt a chill run down her spine. The touch seemed like a display, showing that Alice’s life was now in her hands.

 

Edwin spoke, his words like a low growl. “Take your hand off her. Now.”

 

Stella laughed and pulled her hand away.

 

“I have no intention of harming Her Highness. I’m simply following the majority opinion. If these people want to save Alice, I won’t touch a hair on her head. But if they want her dead…”

 

Stella’s smile took on a sinister glint. Her gaze secretly scanned Edwin’s face as she licked her lips. She didn’t bother hiding her delight at the future she was imagining.

 

“Her life is now in the hands of the Millen villagers.”

 

Stella’s blue eyes turned toward the villagers.

 

“And the lives of their families, of course.”

 

Alice, realizing what she meant, spoke to the villagers. “Stella won’t keep her promise so easily.”

 

Of course, even if Stella didn’t touch their families, there was no way Edwin would stay still. Alice flinched just from a brief glance at him. He seemed calm on the surface, but a frost-like gale was blowing in his eyes. It felt like the calm before a storm, making her legs weak and her body tremble. Looking at his state, she had the feeling that something terrible was bound to happen.

 

Seeing Alice trembling with fear, Edwin misunderstood her reaction. A cruel, faint smile appeared on his lips.

 

“Interesting.”

 

Reason had already vanished from his eyes. He looked ready to tear everything apart if he could.

 

‘If this continues, all of you will die…’

 

Alice wanted to make the villagers realize exactly what they were about to do, but in this situation, it would likely be dismissed as nothing more than a desperate struggle to survive. And she wasn’t the only one who saw through the situation.

 

“You idiots! If you harm that human now, you’re the ones who will die!”

 

The Spirit shouted, pounding its chest in frustration. But the villagers only whispered among themselves. With their families’ lives on the line, it seemed they couldn’t hear anyone else. No one even tried to find out the Spirit’s identity; the outcome of this situation was already decided.

 

“If we truly make the decision… will you release our families?”

 

“Of course. I promise,” Stella said, her eyes curving into a gentle smile. The villagers seemed hesitant, as if her smile felt off-putting.

 

But Alice could sense it—where their choice was heading. And so did Edwin. Black smoke-like mist began to rise from his hand as he held his sword. Alice squeezed her eyes shut. This was no longer a situation she could control.

 

“Hehe, to think I’d finally get to see that power…!”

 

Watching with an oddly excited air, Stella moved quickly. Approaching Edwin, she grabbed his arm.

 

“Are you insane?”

 

Edwin muttered coldly, looking at her as she held his arm. The black mist began to seep into her hand.

 

“…She really is crazy!” the Spirit screamed. To think she would take that mana into her own body.

 

Even Stella couldn’t seem to handle the mana; her hand, which was holding him, began to rot away slowly.

 

“What exquisite mana.”

 

Stella was genuinely impressed. This was her first time seeing such unrefined evil.

 

Alice hesitated, wanting to run but worried about Edwin, who seemed caught by her—even though there was nothing she could do.

 

“What are you doing! We have to escape while we have the chance!”

 

The Spirit grabbed her arm and tried to lead her away. But the villagers, having made up their minds, were already blocking the entrance.

 

Meanwhile, Edwin, still held by Stella, used his other hand to draw a dagger and thrust it into her.

 

“Did you think a human tool like this would work on me?”

 

She spoke, still smiling. Just as she said, there wasn’t even a scratch on her body. A moment later, tree-root-like vines began to emerge from her body. They tightly bound his body.

 

The roots coming out of her were absorbing his mana like food. They were constantly rotting and snapping off, unable to withstand the mana, but new roots were incessantly regenerating.

 

“Get Alice out of here immediately, by any means necessary!” Edwin shouted to the Spirit.

 

The villagers were approaching Alice, each holding a weapon. The Spirit stood in front of her with its arms spread wide. Despite its brave stance, its expression was grim. It had exhausted much of its mana while taking on human form.

 

“What do you need to do to replenish your mana?”

 

Noticing its state, Alice asked urgently. The Spirit replied, “I… I need holy power…” Its voice trailed off, as if knowing how absurd that sounded.

 

“How are we supposed to get holy power here…”

 

For a moment, Alice thought of Michael and Evan, whom she had met earlier. But unlike Alice, who had been summoned here by Stella, it would take them an hour to arrive.

 

“Argh! I don’t know! Just come at me!”

 

After shouting this, the Spirit began swinging pieces of wood around. The villagers faltered at its aggressive movements. In the meantime, Alice looked for an exit. But as expected, villagers were also standing outside, blocking the way.

 

“Human! There’s someone unusually strong among them…!”

 

The Spirit, struggling with the villagers, shouted with a serious face. Alice turned her head at those words, but someone else’s movement was faster.

 

“Alice!”

 

Someone lunged at her, and Alice collapsed, unable even to scream from the sudden, intense pain.

 

 

***

 

 

A cold sweat ran down her spine. Alice frowned and coughed, feeling a pain she had never experienced before.

 

“Cough!”

 

Just in case, she looked at her hand, but no blood came out.

 

‘I guess coughing up blood when you’re stabbed is something that only happens in dramas. Still, it hurts like hell.’

 

“Ugh…”

 

Alice leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, unable to stand.

 

Watching the scene, Edwin’s eyelashes trembled, and a murderous intent flickered in his eyes. As he released his mana to its limit, Stella, unable to withstand the massive surge, was left in a wretched state.

 

“Ugh…!”

 

Stella, collapsed in a form that hardly looked human anymore, began to chuckle.

 

“Hehe.”

 

The eerie sight of her sent a chilling fear through everyone. The villagers watched the scene with pale faces. Duke, the villager who had wounded Alice, rushed to the fallen witch.

 

“I kept my promise! Now, hurry and release my son!”

 

“…Pfft.”

 

Stella burst into laughter. Before long, she was laughing hysterically as if the whole situation were hilarious.

 

“You believed that promise? You foolish human.”

 

Only then did the villagers realize the truth. The witch had never intended to release their families from the start. Deep down, they had anticipated such a future, but they had tried to deny it, clinging to a shred of hope.

 

But Duke, who had already carried out the witch’s scheme, still couldn’t grasp the situation. Or perhaps, he too already knew it in his heart.

 

“What are you talking about! Release our families this instant!!”

 

He pleaded even more desperately for his son’s release, trying to justify his actions. The witch didn’t even glance at him. Her gaze was fixed solely on Alice and Edwin.

 

“This monster…!”

 

Guilt and regret toward the Crown Princess, and rage toward the witch, filled their faces. Overcome with fury, they picked up their weapons and approached Stella.

 

Meanwhile, having shaken off the witch, Edwin rushed straight to Alice.

 

“Ugh… Ed.”

 

Alice looked at him, her vision blurred by pain. She couldn’t see Edwin’s face clearly.

 

“I’m sorry… Alice.”

 

“…Why are you the one saying sorry?”

 

“I should have protected you better…”

 

Alice couldn’t understand Edwin’s apology. It was her choice to come here. If anything, she was the one who should apologize. She was the one who hadn’t listened to him, and in doing so, she had made him sad.

 

“What’s wrong? I’m not going to die…”

 

Seeing that beautiful face look so sad made a wave of guilt wash over her.

 

“Don’t talk… Alice.”

 

He was worried that even opening her mouth would deepen the wound. He fought to focus his fading vision and looked at her injury. The person who had wounded her must have been strong, for the wound was deep, but fortunately, it had missed any vital organs.

 

The problem was that Alice wasn’t as healthy as an ordinary person. Thus, even a wound of this size could potentially be life-threatening. The Spirit, looking down at her, had a face covered in tears.

 

“Waaaaah. Human, are you dying? Don’t die. At least feed me some dew before you go!”

 

Alice didn’t even give it a glance. While Edwin and the Spirit were looking at her wound, Stella’s body was almost completely destroyed. Yet, a joy bordering on madness flickered in her eyes as she took in the scene.

 

The fate has changed!

 

Originally, Michael was supposed to be the first step in awakening Edwin Esteban’s power, but with the holy power flowing in his body, he was too much for an ordinary human to kill.

 

But Alice, who was just a human without holy power, was different. An ordinary human could die from even a small wound. In fact, the best way to provoke Edwin Esteban, who had a strong attachment to the first person who had reached out to him, was to make him lose the object of that attachment.

 

“Hehe…”

 

Stella, with her goal in sight, let out a sinister chuckle. A man who inherited demon blood couldn’t possibly have the power to heal the wounded. So, she only had to wait leisurely for his rampage.

 

However, time was not on Stella’s side.

 

“…It’s such a shame. I should have stayed to see this place get destroyed.”

 

Taking Edwin Esteban’s power directly into her body was too much even for Stella. She let out a regretful groan as the spark of her life began to fade. Her children would come to resurrect her later, so it wouldn’t be an eternal death. Stella was truly disappointed to lose her source of entertainment rather than her own life.

 

Seeing Stella like that, Alice felt a surge of anger.

 

‘Do you think I’ll just sit back and let that happen?’

 

She would never let things go the way Stella wanted. Alice fought to stay conscious and racked her brain.

 

“Ed… I have something to say.”

 

Alice called out to Edwin. He looked even more wretched than she did.

 

‘I’m the one who’s hurt, but he looks like he’s the one dying…’

 

The irony of it almost made her laugh despite the pain. But as her abdominal muscles tightened, the pain worsened.

 

“Ugh…”

 

Seeing her face contorted in pain, Edwin’s gaze wavered.

 

“Alice, wait. I’ll bring a doctor right away.”

 

Edwin spoke as if he were ready to seize any human he could find. He quickly regained his composure and said with a determined face, “Just wait a moment.”

 

Alice tried to say something, but he was faster to stand up.

 

“I’ll be right back with one.”

 

Edwin didn’t even realize that there was no doctor in the vicinity. It was proof that he was more out of his mind than she was.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

But Alice knew that since she had met Evan and Michael just before, they would soon arrive at the village and could treat her. So, she couldn’t let Edwin leave like this. If she let him go in this irrational state, there was no telling what kind of disaster would occur.

 

She quickly looked to the Spirit for help, but the Spirit was in an even worse state than Edwin. Covered in tears, the Spirit was still in her form, wailing for her not to die.

 

Just then, an effective phrase to stop Edwin crossed her mind.

 

‘I didn’t want to say something like this.’

 

She parted her heavy lips. “It’s my last wish, so please listen.”

 

He looked at her, his face filled with shock. Seeing his face made her feel guilty, but Alice weakly beckoned him closer. He obediently approached her. Alice briefly checked on Stella. This was not something Stella would benefit from hearing.

 

Alice whispered to Edwin, “Stay by my side, Ed.”

 

“…You want me to just stay here and watch you die?”

 

That wasn’t it… Alice had no intention of dying. But Edwin, misunderstanding her words, only looked more despondent.

 

“I’d rather die here too.”

 

Hearing that, Stella burst into laughter. Then, she vanished without a trace, like a flickering spark going out. She already knew that as a descendant of a demon, he couldn’t die as he wished anyway.

 

Alice beckoned the Spirit. The Spirit, truly thinking she was giving her last words, was crying and sniffling. She frowned and said to the Spirit, “It hurts like crazy, so hurry over here…”

 

“Waaaaah.”

 

The Spirit wiped away its tears and approached. Alice whispered so that only it could hear.

 

“Michael and Evan are on the way to Mountain Demesh… Phew, bring them here quickly.”

 

Talking for so long made her wound sting even more. Having stopped crying, the Spirit looked at Alice with a puzzled face.

 

“Those humans are here?”

 

The Spirit’s eyes widened at the familiar names. It had originally been a holy relic in the Papacy. Thus, it likely knew who Evan and Michael were. Alice nodded.

 

 

***

 

 

Immediately after Alice disappeared. On Mountain Demesh, Evan and Michael looked around with panicked faces.

 

“Alice! Where are you?”

 

“Hey! Where did you go?!”

 

“Could it be…”

 

Evan’s face turned pale. He had felt a strong mana in that light just now. Seeing his face and sensing danger, Michael pressed his brother.

 

“Brother, do you have an idea?”

 

“Al… remember our conversation from earlier.”

 

At Evan’s words, Michael’s expression instantly froze. He recalled the story about the monsters and the villagers targeting her.

 

“Those crazy bastards.”

 

Having grasped the situation, Michael cursed under his breath and immediately mounted his horse, heading toward Millen Village. Evan followed closely behind. Behind them, beyond the horizon, the sun was faintly rising.

 

 

***

 

 

‘What’s with this atmosphere?’

 

Even in pain, Alice felt at a loss because of the funeral-like atmosphere around Edwin. She was more concerned about Edwin’s reaction than her own wound. But she didn’t have the strength to say anything to comfort him.

 

Alice quietly closed her eyes and waited for Michael and Evan to arrive. Edwin was currently away from the entrance of the hall, staying with Alice. However, no one in the hall could move even a single step. They didn’t even dare to go toward the entrance, only watching the situation. Those cruelly shining red eyes were saying that he would kill anyone who took a step.

 

Some of the Millen villagers, their faces filled with guilt, watched them and then brought over some bandages.

 

“What do you think you’re doing now?”

 

Seeing their actions, Edwin’s lips curled into a cold line. For him, just not killing them right now required immense patience. Their hypocritical behavior was straining that patience to the breaking point.

 

“First you strike her, and now you bring medicine?”

 

“W-we’re sorry…”

 

Seeing them apologize, Edwin let out a cold laugh. The Millen villagers who saw that smile trembled as if they had been dropped into the middle of a harsh winter. They sensed that it wouldn’t be strange if their heads were cut off at any moment.

 

“If Alice dies… even if your families are alive, I’ll make them wish they were dead.”

 

No one took his words as an empty threat. The villagers trembled, their faces filled with terror. A sense of murderous intent and crisis, even more vivid than when they were kidnapped by the monsters, was suffocating them.

 

“Ed… let’s do it by the law…”

 

Sensing that the situation was worsening, Alice spoke weakly.

 

“If we do it by the law, I have to kill everyone.”

 

It was a sense of déjà vu. He had said the same thing before when she suggested doing things by the law. Alice, no longer having the strength to stop him, could only pray in her heart. She hoped Michael or Evan would return soon.

 

As if heaven had heard her prayer, the sound of someone running could be heard from outside. Hearing the sound, Edwin drew his sword, prepared for another potential intruder. Then, he threw the door open. Two people burst through the door. It was the Spirit and Michael.

 

“Huff, huff! What—what is this! She isn’t dead already, is she?!”

 

Alice was certain that the foul mouth could only belong to Michael. Relieved, she drifted out of consciousness.

 

Meanwhile, Michael, the first to arrive at the hall, looked around. He was so hurried that he felt lightheaded and dizzy.

 

“Michael Elga.”

 

As soon as Edwin saw him, he whispered his name. A strange light flickered in his red eyes. Recalling that Michael possessed holy power due to the ritual incident the former Emperor had carried out at the sanctuary, he grabbed Michael’s arm without hesitation. Then, he almost forcibly dragged him over to Alice.

 

“Ack! Let go! You crazy…! Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

 

Michael finally noticed Alice. But her eyes were closed and wouldn’t open. Seeing that, Edwin’s face turned deathly pale.

 

“Alice, Alice!”

 

Michael hurriedly stopped Edwin from shaking Alice’s body.

 

“Are you trying to make the wound worse? She… she isn’t dead…”

 

Watching them, the Spirit also burst into a fit of childish crying.

 

“No! Don’t die! Waaaaah!”

 

No one was listening to Michael. Michael was about to snap, but he was speechless when he saw Edwin’s face. Edwin was crying. Michael stared at him, his mouth agape. It was hard to believe that someone who didn’t look like they’d bleed even if stabbed was shedding tears.

 

But now was not the time for sentiment. Michael placed his hand on her wound. A white light began to emanate from his hand. The wound healed at an incredible speed.

 

“Hey, wake up.”

 

Though the wound was healed, Michael tried to wake Alice just in case. With her eyes still closed, she frowned deeply and flailed her arms.

 

“Ugh… go away! I want to sleep more!”

 

“Well… I guess we weren’t too late.”

 

Michael let out a hollow laugh as he watched Alice grumble in her sleep. But seeing the pool of blood on the floor, his laughter quickly faded. He finally took in the surrounding situation.

 

“Sigh…”

 

The villagers had finally gone and done it.

 

 

***

 

 

The urgent crisis had finally been settled.

 

Because the villagers had committed high treason, they were bound with ropes by the Imperial knights and dragged away to the capital. Duke, the man who had nearly killed her, was executed on the spot.

 

Now, a different task lay before them.

 

“We must still rescue the captured people,” Evan insisted firmly. A cold sneer played on Edwin’s lips.

 

“They’ve likely become monster fodder by now. Is there any point?”

 

“How can you be so disrespectful to His Holiness—!”

 

The Holy Knights flared up at Edwin’s tone, but Evan raised a hand to stop them.

 

“It is fine. That is not what is important right now. Duke Esteban, I heard that the villagers of Millen aren’t the only ones captured by the monsters.”

 

Evan attempted to persuade him by mentioning that Imperial knights were among those kidnapped.

 

“Alice would not want the knights who followed her to be left behind. She values loyalty above all else.”

 

Edwin’s eyebrows twitched. He didn’t like the Pope’s attitude, acting as if he knew everything about Alice. However, the Pope wasn’t wrong. That was why it rankled—even though Edwin knew his feelings were childish.

 

Edwin’s gaze shifted to the soundly sleeping Alice. Her small body rose and fell with every breath. As he looked at her, his eyes softened, and the sharp atmosphere around him instantly mellowed.

 

“…Very well,” Edwin replied.

 

 

***

 

 

For the first time in a long while, Alice woke from a deep sleep without dreaming. Scratching her messy hair, she sat up and blinked in wonder at the absence of pain.

 

‘Did Michael treat me?’

 

Unless it was treated with holy power, there was no way such a wound would heal so cleanly overnight.

 

“My, what a miraculous power… Ack!”

 

Alice was marvelling at her abdomen, where the wound had vanished without a trace, when she looked up and screamed.

 

“E-Edwin!”

 

She thought she was alone, but she wasn’t. Alice’s heart sank as she spotted the eerily glowing red eyes in the dark room. Ah, you scared me.

 

“S-since when were you here?”

 

Edwin had been watching her so silently that she hadn’t even realized he was there.

 

“Since three days ago.”

 

“I see… Wait, three days ago…?”

 

Alice felt something strange about his answer. If he had been here since three days ago… that sounded as if she had been asleep for three days.

 

‘No way.’

 

How could a person sleep for three consecutive days? It made no sense. Just in case, she asked Edwin if her understanding was correct. As she listened to the account of what had happened, Alice’s jaw dropped further and further.

 

Was it true she had slept for three days straight? She had slept for two days before, but three was a first. If Ena found out, she would definitely call her a sleepyhead for a long time.

 

“Then, what happened to the search?”

 

Alice’s face brightened when she heard that the search party had been reinforced. She didn’t have high expectations; the monsters, who hadn’t even kept their promise to the villagers, wouldn’t have just left the captives alone. Her face grew somber as she processed the situation.

 

“As expected… they couldn’t save anyone…”

 

At that moment, the door burst open, and a man entered with a boisterous laugh.

 

“Haha! I heard voices from outside and couldn’t contain my curiosity! You’re finally awake! I was worried you might never wake up. You should have seen our Commander’s face; it was so grim—”

 

“S-Sir Douglas?!”

 

Alice was startled out of her wits. It felt like someone she thought was in a grave had suddenly stood up and claimed to be alive.

 

“Uh… what’s with that expression? Ah! I was being tactless, wasn’t I? Haha. My apologies, excuse me!”

 

Chester winked and quickly shut the door to leave again. Alice stared at the door in a daze. What just happened?

 

“Sir Douglas… was alive?”

 

She was happy, but she couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

 

“He has the life force of a weed,” Edwin said dryly. It was a harsh assessment for a subordinate who had survived monsters, but Alice had to admit it was true.

 

“Then, were the others rescued too?”

 

Edwin nodded and briefly explained the events. The search throughout the Ainar Forest had yielded results faster than expected. Though it was unclear how they escaped the monsters, the villagers and knights were found wandering the woods. Thus, everyone was safely rescued.

 

Because that problem had been weighing heavily on her heart, she felt a massive sense of relief.

 

“Who led the operation?”

 

“I did.”

 

“You must have worked hard, Ed.”

 

Alice swallowed her surprise and tried to act natural. She hadn’t expected him to personally step up and plan a rescue.

 

‘I thought he wouldn’t care what happened to others.’

 

Did Edwin have some affection for his subordinates left? Did he have a humane side that looked after his own people? Regardless, she was glad things had turned out well.

 

“Then, Stella—”

 

BAM!

 

The door suddenly flew open again. The “intimate(?)” time Chester spoke of didn’t last long. Someone who heard that Alice had woken up burst into the room in a flood of tears.

 

“My Lady! Waaaaah!”

 

A brown-haired woman rushed in without knocking and hugged Alice tightly. Since Alice hadn’t expected to see her here, her eyes widened.

 

“Ena! How did you get all the way here?”

 

“I rushed here the moment I heard you were in a coma! What on earth happened, My Lady!”

 

Ena, checking Alice over to see if she was hurt anywhere, put her hands on her hips. She began to scold her, saying she should never have come to such a dangerous place in the first place.

 

“As I thought, it’s dangerous outside the Imperial Palace! I told you to stay inside!”

 

Alice tilted her head and retorted to the red-faced, huffing woman.

 

“Didn’t you once say the palace was the most dangerous place… and suggested we run away together?”

 

“When did I say that? I have no such memory.”

 

Alice fell silent at Ena’s brazen answer. Finding herself speechless, she turned her gaze and saw someone peeking through the crack in the door.

 

“Why are you peeking, Sir Douglas?”

 

“Haha, you caught me?”

 

Chester, who had been watching through the crack, gave a natural laugh while scratching his head. This confirmed it for Alice: he must have been standing right in front of the door since he left to give them “intimate time.”

 

Since he was already there, Alice asked a question she had been curious about.

 

“Sir Douglas, how did you survive there?”

 

Alice’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. Even if Edwin could cut down monsters like radishes, Chester wouldn’t have been able to do that. Chester was just an ordinary human, after all.

 

‘And he was tied up with rope.’

 

Alice recalled when she first found the kidnapped Millen villagers in the cave. Their arms and legs had been bound tightly with rope. Considering that, Chester and the others must have been the same. Escaping would have been nothing short of a miracle.

 

Noticing the reason for her surprise, Chester spoke with a cheerful smile.

 

“Well, it’s not like there’s only one way to die. I just used my wits a little.”

 

Alice replied immediately. “I want to know what those ‘wits’ were.”

 

“The monsters were targeting Her Highness. So I speculated on the reason and used that to confuse the monsters. After that, everything went smoothly.”

 

‘What does that mean?’

 

Alice waited for him to continue, intrigued by the unpredictable flow of the conversation. Chester was an exceptional storyteller when it came to piquing curiosity. Hearing Alice’s interest, Chester was about to speak but then caught Edwin’s eye and scratched his head.

 

“It’s a bit much to say here… but could I tell you later when the Commander isn’t around, when it’s just the two of us?”

 

Edwin’s brow furrowed at those words.

 

‘Just the two of them? And what was with that wink? Is he hitting on Alice? Should I kill him?’

 

Meanwhile, unaware of someone’s darkening gaze, Alice nodded. It was a shame, but she didn’t press further, assuming he had a reason for wanting to speak privately. However, Edwin’s sharp gaze was fixed on Chester.

 

“Say it here.”

 

“You might find it unpleasant to hear?”

 

“I don’t care, just say it.”

 

Alice hadn’t expected Edwin to be so eager to hear Chester’s tale of heroism.

 

‘Oh dear, this is awkward.’

 

Chester glanced at his superior’s face. The Commander’s gaze said that if he didn’t speak right now, he would die by his hand, not a monster’s. Flinching, Chester looked at Alice for help.

 

But she didn’t notice his signal and was looking at Edwin with a puzzled gaze.

 

“Your Highness, please promise me first that you’ll stop the Commander if it looks like I’m going to die by his hand.”

 

“What are you going to say…”

 

“I can’t say it without that promise.”

 

“…Fine, I understand, so just tell us.”

 

Alice nodded dismissively, wondering what kind of story required such groundwork. Chester opened his mouth with a solemn face.

 

“The first thing I did was figure out why the monsters wanted to kill Her Highness.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Alice was impressed that Chester had used his head rather than brute force. Seeing the sparkle in her blue eyes, Chester spoke with an excited face.

 

“I easily deduced that it was a plan to eliminate someone precious to the Commander. I concluded that it was likely meant to provoke the Commander and plunge the world into chaos.”

 

Chester Douglas had quite the deductive skill. Alice acknowledged this.

 

‘He’d be perfect as the protagonist of a mystery novel.’

 

Though, he lacked the seriousness and was a bit too lighthearted for that role.

 

“So I persuaded them. I told them that the person precious to the Commander wasn’t actually the Crown Princess, but someone else…”

 

Chester carefully raised his pinky finger and gave it a little wiggle.

 

Ah.

 

Alice and Ena, realizing what he meant, clapped in admiration of Chester’s idea. To think he could come up with such a plan while facing death. His quick thinking was truly remarkable.

 

“…”

 

Meanwhile, Chester pointedly avoided Edwin’s gaze. For some reason, a chill was running down his spine. Alice’s eyes shone brightly.

 

“And the monsters believed that?”

 

“Well, I’m the Commander’s closest aide, so I managed to get them to at least listen.”

 

So the monsters, surprised by his story, went to find Stella to report the news. In the meantime, Chester cut the ropes and escaped with the villagers.

 

“Hmm, is that all?”

 

It was a good plan, but it felt a bit lackluster. Chester shrugged and said, “The plot where I’m actually a hidden expert with power like the Commander only happens in novels, doesn’t it?”

 

True. Being kidnapped by monsters with that kind of power wouldn’t have made sense in the first place. Alice turned her gaze to Edwin. He had been staring at Chester with an expressionless face throughout the story.

 

However, Chester was keenly aware of his superior’s mood. That look meant he was clearly displeased.

 

‘Well… it was an expected reaction from the Commander.’

 

His superior wasn’t the type to sit by and let someone talk about his relationship with the Crown Princess in such a way. Chester felt lucky to be alive and not dead at his hands right now.

 

“So, who did you say was the precious person?”

 

Alice asked the question that suddenly occurred to her. She didn’t realize it was like throwing a large stone into a calm pond. Chester looked flustered and gazed into the air. He had tried to be vague to avoid saying it, but the conversation had ended up here.

 

“…Well, that is. Do you really need to know?”

 

“Yes, I’m curious,” Alice nodded immediately. Chester’s gaze slowly moved to Ena. Ena’s expression twisted oddly.

 

“…I couldn’t really think of anyone else. Hahaha.”

 

At that moment, a loud thud was followed by Chester’s scream. Edwin was glaring down coldly at the fallen Chester.

 

“…”

 

‘You should have just died, why are you alive?’

 

At Edwin’s icy gaze, which strongly carried that meaning, Chester quickly scrambled up and hid behind Alice. Seeing his plea for help, Alice suppressed a laugh and said, “Ed, surviving is what matters.”

 

“Alice is the most precious person to me.”

 

Alice looked bewildered by his non-sequitur, then quickly realized what he meant.

 

“Pwahaha!”

 

Once she understood, she couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore.

 

A little while later, the Imperial physician entered Alice’s room. He had come along when Ena left the palace for Millen Village. Following the prescription to rest for two days and then return to the capital, Alice decided to enjoy a long-awaited rest in bed.

 

Peaceful and tranquil time flowed by. It was a very comfortable time for both her body and mind. But separately, her attention was entirely focused elsewhere. Her blue eyes wouldn’t leave the man who wouldn’t budge from her room.

 

‘When is he going to leave?’

 

Edwin hadn’t moved a single step from her room even after she woke up. Seeing him not engage in the basic biological functions a human typically needs made her doubt. Finally unable to hide her concern, she spoke up.

 

“Ed, aren’t you going to sleep?”

 

“No.”

 

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

 

“No.”

 

“…Then, isn’t your body tired?”

 

“No.”

 

Edwin answered without so much as a blink, as if it were obvious. Alice studied his face with a speechless expression. As he said, he looked fine. But her common sense couldn’t accept it. How could a person live perfectly fine for days without sleeping or eating?

 

“That’s not human…” Alice muttered.

 

Edwin must have heard her, but he didn’t argue. Come to think of it, Alice was right. He was the only one in the history of the Esteban family to have inherited such a strong concentration of demon blood and the only one who could freely wield that power. In that sense, calling him more of a demon than a human wouldn’t be wrong.

 

“Still…”

 

‘I hope he isn’t just pretending to be fine in front of me.’

 

Edwin was the type not to show it even when things were tough. Recalling this, Alice couldn’t shake her worry for him.

 

Knock, knock.

 

Just then, a knock echoed through the room. It was time for the physician’s house call. She happily told him to come in.

 

‘This time, I’ll have him examine Edwin first instead of me.’

 

But to her disappointment, the person who entered was Michael. With his long hair lazily braided to one side, he looked at them with a half-lidded, knowing gaze.

 

‘What’s with that ‘I know everything’ look?’

 

“Michael, are you—ugh…”

 

Alice was about to greet him with a bright smile when she caught a whiff of something bitter and scowled. She then noticed the small wooden mortar in his hand.

 

“What is that…?”

 

“What else? It’s medicine for you to take.”

 

Pardon? Alice looked at Michael again with an incredulous face.

 

“I feel like I’m going to faint just from the smell, and you want me to eat that…? Please tell me I heard wrong.”

 

“You heard perfectly fine.”

 

Michael remained cold despite her desperate expression. She spoke quickly.

 

“I’m not the problem today. Please examine Ed.”

 

“What? Him?”

 

Michael looked as if he had heard something preposterous. Alice only then remembered the relationship between Edwin and Michael. But she couldn’t back down this time.

 

“Ed hasn’t eaten or slept for two days. I’m worried about his condition.”

 

“Hmm, he probably isn’t in a normal state. If you count the time before you woke up, it’s been nearly a week.”

 

Michael added that it was surprising he was even able to keep his eyes open.

 

“A week?!” Alice was horrified.

 

Did that mean he hadn’t eaten or slept while she was asleep for three days either? It was a ridiculous story—he should have collapsed by now.

 

“You’re… joking, right?”

 

Alice looked at Edwin, hoping he would deny Michael’s words.

 

“It’s not a joke.”

 

The answer came from Michael. He sighed and looked at Edwin. “He looks fine on the outside, though…”

 

“Please take a closer look anyway,” Alice pleaded.

 

Michael nodded. He also thought it was a serious matter to go without sleep and food for a week.

 

“Pardon me for a moment,” Michael said.

 

Edwin hesitated for a moment but then nodded. He disliked having anyone touch his body, but he didn’t want to dismiss Alice’s concern. Michael placed the stethoscope that was around his neck on Edwin’s chest. Then he immediately took it off.

 

“He’s incredibly healthy, so don’t worry.”

 

“Wasn’t that a bit too quick for a check-up?”

 

Alice was suspicious of Michael’s immediate declaration. Michael looked at her in disbelief. “Then call the Imperial physician.”

 

At first, Michael had doubted his ears at the heartbeat he heard through the stethoscope. It wasn’t the condition of someone who hadn’t slept or eaten for a week. In fact, seeing someone so healthy was a rare occurrence even for Michael.

 

“If Michael says so, then I guess it’s true…”

 

Alice recalled that Michael was the most renowned physician in the Empire and finally accepted his words. On the other hand, she was inwardly surprised that Edwin had so readily accepted Michael’s examination.

 

‘Did something happen while I was asleep?’

 

Alice thought, looking back and forth between Michael and Edwin. Edwin’s gaze toward Michael was much softer than before.

 

‘Did they make up?’

 

That wasn’t the case. It was just that for Edwin, Michael Elga was the savior who had saved Alice’s life, so he was merely complying with the examination. Michael also didn’t have any good feelings toward Edwin yet. He was just fascinated by him, as if he were looking at an alien.

 

Moreover, every time Michael saw Edwin, he was reminded of the sight of him crying when Alice lost consciousness. That memory was as hard to believe as a claim that the world would end tomorrow—even though he had seen it with his own eyes. The current Edwin Esteban had returned to his usual expressionless face as if he had never cried. Though his gaze toward Alice seemed to have grown even more obsessive.

 

‘Does she know?’

 

From Michael’s perspective, it was clear that Alice had no idea. Michael’s mouth itched to tell her, but he decided not to meddle in a romantic affair and kept his mouth shut.

 

“It’s time for your medicine.”

 

“R-really…? I have to eat this?”

 

“Of course. Did you think I brought it just for you to look at?”

 

Michael put a spoon into the wooden mortar and scraped it all the way to the bottom. He then held out the spoon for her to eat. Alice was horrified by the spoon in front of her face. The pile of mashed herbs on it reeked with bitterness.

 

“I won’t die if I eat this, right…?”

 

She quickly glanced at Edwin, pleading for him to save her. But contrary to Alice’s expectations, Edwin took a small bite of the herbs and said, “It’s not poison, so don’t worry and eat it.”

 

Edwin was actually encouraging Alice to take the medicine. He was an unexpected obstacle.

 

“I-I see…”

 

Under the prodding of the two, Alice had no choice but to put the medicine Michael held out into her mouth.

 

“Ugh… it’s so bitter.”

 

For Alice, who was sensitive to taste, such bitterness was nothing short of torture. She quickly rolled the candy Michael handed her in her mouth, trying to get rid of the bitter taste.

 

“You’re not a child, how can you not eat that? I’m truly worried about the future…”

 

Michael sighed with a worried face, like an old man who had lived for a hundred years. Alice scowled at his reaction. Since it was true, she couldn’t really argue.

 

“Actually, I’m worried too… With someone like me as a leader, the fate of this country doesn’t look very bright.”

 

Alice knew all too well that she wasn’t perfect enough to be an Empress yet. That thought had been solidified after going through this incident.

 

“What do you mean…”

 

Michael was flustered by her serious tone. He quickly added more words to fix the situation.

 

“I didn’t mean it like that… I just meant I’m worried about your health. Don’t misunderstand.”

 

Edwin, who was watching her, also spoke up. “Alice, there is no one more suited for that position than you.”

 

“…Isn’t that just what you think, Ed?” Alice said, pouting. She thought others would think differently. She looked at Michael.

 

Meeting her gaze, he avoided it and then, feeling the sharp gaze on the back of his head, spoke up reluctantly. “Well… I guess you’re okay.”

 

“You haven’t even seen me work. How can you be so sure?”

 

“I think you’ll do well.”

 

Alice couldn’t tell if Michael’s words were sincere or just for comfort. She sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the fact that she had to return to the Imperial Palace for her coronation.

 

“Don’t worry, Alice. I’ll be there,” Edwin said, reading her thoughts and slowly locking eyes with her. Alice’s face turned as red as a peach, feeling shy under his gaze.

 

‘…Well, there’s no turning back now.’

 

Alice gave an awkward smile and rolled the candy in her mouth with her tongue. Her mouth felt sweet.

 

 

***

 

 

A month had passed since then.

 

The cleanup of the monsters that had been emerging from the Ainar Forest proceeded at a rapid pace following the death of the witch Stella. The monsters she had summoned lost their drive significantly without her, making them easy to eliminate. Under Edwin’s command, the monster threat was swiftly ended, and the plan to build the protective wall was deemed unnecessary.

 

The coronation, which was originally scheduled for the Crown Princess’ immediate return, had been postponed by a month on the pretext of her “health recovery.” This was an unprecedented event in the history of the Empire.

 

The aristocratic faction, of course, was not about to let this slide. They constantly attacked the Crown Princess’ sense of duty.

 

“Postponing a coronation by an entire month for personal reasons? Does that make any sense?”

 

Three nobles, who wielded considerable influence within the aristocratic faction, walked through the palace grounds, deep in conversation.

 

“She clearly treats the throne with too much levity.”

 

“Watching things crumble even before the coronation makes me worry for the future of the Empire. Tsk, tsk.”

 

“I quite agree. We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t stain the legacy built by the former Emperor.”

 

Among those speaking with disgruntled faces, not a single one actually worried about the country. They were simply anxious that their influence in the capital would wane as the new ruler’s absolute monarchy became more likely.

 

“If you’re so dissatisfied, why not tell her directly?”

 

A stranger cut into their conversation. The intrusion was so natural that no one felt any sense of discord.

 

“What are you saying! If that reaches Duke Esteban’s ears, my funeral will be held tomorrow!”

 

Another noble chimed in.

 

“Some say the real power doesn’t lie with the Crown Princess, but with Duke Esteban.”

 

“He truly is a loathsome man.”

 

The conversation eventually shifted toward slandering Duke Esteban. The man who had joined them added a few words of his own, making the discussion even more lively.

 

“It’s true he is a terrifying man. But—”

 

The man who had slipped in so naturally, Chester, continued.

 

“From what I’ve felt, the real power isn’t with the Commander, but elsewhere. For instance, the Crown Princess.”

 

“Aha, what nonsense!”

 

The nobles snorted in derision, but they stopped in their tracks as a strange realization hit them.

 

‘Commander?’

 

Few nobles referred to Duke Esteban as “Commander”—unless they were under his direct command.

 

The nobles turned around with pale faces. Simultaneously, a handsome man with blue hair grinned and put his arms around their shoulders.

 

“We wouldn’t want the road to the coronation to become a road to the afterlife, would we?”

 

“S-Sir Douglas—no, Count Douglas… W-we were talking about another empire.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Exactly, exactly!”

 

The nobles burst into hollow, jovial laughter. Chester watched them, amused. The nobles realized they had been reduced to a mere spectacle for a knight, but they shut their mouths and kept laughing. It was the only way to stay alive.

 

 

***

 

 

“Give me some cocoa.”

 

In the dressing room of the Second Palace, Alice was being prepared for the coronation. As the star of the ceremony, the grooming process took a massive amount of time. She sipped her sweet cocoa while gazing out the window at the First Palace in the distance.

 

The coronation was to be held at the First Imperial Palace.

 

‘Sugar is the best thing for nerves,’ she thought, sipping her cocoa with a satisfied face.

 

“I’m amazed by how composed you are. If it were me, I’d be shaking so much I’d turn into a mollusk,” Ena said, bringing over more desserts and admiring Alice’s stoicism. The maids looked momentarily bewildered by Ena’s unique way of speaking but quickly returned to their work with practiced focus.

 

Soon, the preparations were complete. Alice checked her appearance in the mirror. Since she was the first woman to ascend the throne in the history of the Empire, her coronation robes had to be custom-made. It was said that thirty royal tailors had gathered just to create this single outfit.

 

The blue silk embroidered stitch-by-stitch with gold thread was the most extravagant garment she had ever seen.

 

‘I could probably conquer the world in this outfit.’

 

She truly felt for the first time how important clothing could be; one could grasp both beauty and power through it. Checking the clock, she saw the ceremony was fast approaching.

 

Alice moved to step forward—or rather, she tried to. She quickly realized a major flaw in the masterpiece.

 

“How… how am I supposed to walk?”

 

The robe, a work of art, was severely lacking in mobility. Its length far exceeded a normal dress, and the multiple layers made it difficult to even lift her arms. Alice looked at Ena helplessly.

 

“Wait a moment, Your Highness.”

 

Ena nodded and left the dressing room. Alice tilted her head in confusion. Where is she going?

 

Alice waited, blinking in bewilderment. Soon, Ena returned with Edwin.

 

“Ed!”

 

Alice’s eyes widened at his appearance, as she hadn’t expected to see him until the ceremony itself. Dressed in a black three-piece suit, he was the definition of perfection.

 

Alice, who found herself admiring him involuntarily, was startled when he suddenly approached her. His face seemed slightly flushed, and his red eyes betrayed a sense of extreme anxiety.

 

Worried, Alice asked, “Ed, is something wrong?”

 

“Alice, are your legs okay?”

 

Usually, he used formal language in front of the maids, but now he was speaking casually. It meant he was too flustered to mind his speech. But…

 

‘Are my legs okay? What a bizarre question.’

 

“Alice.”

 

At his urging, Alice nodded reflexively. “Yes, my legs are perfectly fine.”

 

He only seemed relieved after personally confirming that her legs were indeed functional. Then, Edwin’s gaze snapped to Ena, demanding an explanation for the situation.

 

“Well, it wasn’t exactly a lie…” Ena shot Alice a look, begging her to go along with it. Alice just shrugged.

 

‘I need to know what’s going on to go along with it…’

 

Ena spoke up while cautiously gauging Edwin’s mood. “I mean, it’s true that she’s in a state where she can’t walk…”

 

Even at that excuse, Edwin’s gaze remained icy. Alice, finally understanding the context, gasped in disbelief before shaking her head.

 

‘Oh boy.’

 

“Ed, could you help me? The robe is so long I can’t walk.”

 

“Leave it to me.” He nodded, a faint smile spreading across his lips. “I’ll go punish the tailors for making the robe like this later.”

 

“Just supporting me is enough…”

 

Alice swallowed a sigh, realizing she was becoming far too used to Edwin’s way of speaking.

 

‘I shouldn’t get used to this…’

 

Practically carried in his arms, she made her way comfortably toward the First Imperial Palace without needing to take a single step.

 

 

***

 

 

The coronation, prepared over the course of a month, was more grand and magnificent than any before it. From the second floor, the entire central hall was visible. Standing there, Alice looked down at the crowd gathered to witness the event. There were at least several hundred people.

 

If one included the knights standing guard, the number surely exceeded a thousand. Looking at them, the reality of the situation felt surreal.

 

Finally, the start of the ceremony arrived.

 

“Her Imperial Highness, Princess Elizabeth Lede Elgorth Van, enters!”

 

At the cry of the new Chamberlain, she slowly descended from the second floor, supported by Edwin. Her heart thrashed in her chest. The subtle scent of lemongrass coming from him as he held her hand strangely calmed her nerves. By the time they reached the first floor, her heart had settled.

 

She began to walk slowly. The path was covered in a carpet the same color as the blue banners symbolizing the Empire. At the end of the aisle, at the altar, stood Evan.

 

Dressed neatly in his papal robes, he was also visibly nervous. Entrusted with the coronation at her request, he held the Imperial Crown. Alice gave him a regretful smile, feeling as though she had burdened him with too much responsibility. Evan read her expression and gave a reassuring smile in return.

 

However, unlike his confident smile, his trembling hands suggested he was anything but fine.

 

‘Still a scaredy-cat, aren’t you, Evan…’

 

She suddenly remembered how Evan had fainted the first time he saw Edwin. Compared to then, not fainting in this situation was a massive improvement.

 

As Alice reached the altar and knelt, Evan began to speak. A long prayer for the coronation followed.

 

“—Finally, the Empress shall grant mercy and devotion to all subjects with a heart that has become one with the heavens.”

 

As the words ended, the crown was carefully placed upon her head. The end of the coronation was near. Feeling the heavy weight transfer from her head to her shoulders, she tightly gripped Edwin’s hand. Feeling the warmth from his palm, she slowly stood up.

 

Everyone in the hall burst into applause, celebrating her ascension. Alice, with a shy smile, suddenly raised her hand—the one still holding Edwin’s—and waved it toward the crowd.

 

Her face flushed red at her own bashfulness. Seeing the meaning behind her gesture, Edwin’s eyes widened in surprise. Beneath the brilliant lights, a happy smile appeared on Edwin’s face.

 

[End of Main Story]