Chapter 42

Evan didn’t seem pleased with Bastien’s attempt to link the ducal house with the emperor, and he objected.

 

“Even if you send a message, the distance is far.”

 

“I know that well. That’s why my mother hasn’t said much. She only tells me to grow closer to you two.”

 

“In that case, the pirate matter—!”

 

“No. Even so, I can’t accept this. I don’t want to take someone else’s accomplishment. The young lady is remarkable. I’m sure she can resolve it well. I’ll speak to my mother myself.”

 

“But…”

 

“I was planning to bring it up at the ball, but Evan whisked the young lady away before I had the chance. I apologize for making you come such a long distance for nothing.”

 

He said it in such a way that I had no rebuttal. I couldn’t force someone who was so firmly against it. After a brief moment of thought, I decided to correct his misunderstanding.

 

“Your Highness, you are mistaken about something.”

 

Bastien tilted his head.

 

“With the ducal house’s aid, I could indeed have resolved it. But that is the ducal house’s strength, not my own.”

 

“That is…”

 

“I don’t want to be indebted to Evan. Nor to the ducal family.”

 

“Lep, if you ask me, I—”

 

“Evan, I’ve already received so much. Who do you think gave me the entire merchant group? I can’t impose on you anymore.”

 

I cut him off with a quiet gesture. I couldn’t let him ruin everything now.

 

Hearing me, Bastien’s eyes wavered. I spoke with an apologetic look.

 

“Dealing with pirates is too much for me. But Your Highness can exert great power at sea.”

 

“I am a water spirit wielder, yes, but…”

 

That was right. Bastien was a water spirit sorcerer. It made him especially effective against pirates—one of the reasons he alone had managed to subdue pirates others couldn’t handle.

 

He looked from Evan to me.

 

“…Are you truly alright with this? If it’s because you’re concerned about my mother, please just tell me.”

 

I shook my head at his mention of the empress.

 

“Of course not. I would actually be very grateful if Your Highness helped.”

 

Because only then could I find the moon-blooming lily-of-the-valley sooner. With his help, the time needed would drop drastically.

 

“It wasn’t the empress who made me ask you.”

 

Perhaps my sincerity reached him. After a moment of thought, Bastien nodded.

 

“Very well. Then I will do my utmost to assist you.”

 

“It’s settled!”

 

I clapped brightly. Then I explained all the information I had gathered on the pirates—their movements and their scale. Bastien listened intently.

 

Bored of a conversation he couldn’t join, Evan toyed with my hand. Bastien seemed to glance at him in disbelief.

 

“You’ll probably need several large ships and knights. The infamous pirate group supposedly owns multiple vessels. They plunder with force and even sell people as slaves. The Zeiran Empire is having a hard time with them.”

 

“Slaves…?”

 

Bastien’s face twisted. Slavery was illegal in the empire. Even the Alterun Empire had once invested great effort to capture the slave traders who lurked underground.

 

“Zeiran also forbids it by law, but nobles everywhere like flaunting their power. And this is a region where pirates frequently appear.”

 

I spread a large map across the table.

 

“What are these drawings on the map?”

 

“Pirate insignias. Well-known pirate crews have their own marks. They each control their own territory. These areas must be avoided.”

 

I pointed to one such place. It showed a large sea lion.

 

“Almost all trade ships pass through here. Because of ocean currents, everything around this area is filled with whirlpools—except here. Everyone must pass through. It’s convenient for pirates: all they do is wait, and merchant ships with no hired mercenaries become prey. They say even bounty notices haven’t helped.”

 

“Since they know the geography, they can easily escape through the whirlpools.”

 

“That’s when Your Highness’s power becomes necessary. It’s a real headache.”

 

Those pirates were the ones who had taken the herb I needed. My teeth ground together. Apparently Bastien heard it.

 

“…Seems you bear a grudge.”

 

He said with a smile. Embarrassed, I covered my mouth.

 

“Well… our merchant group suffered losses.”

 

“I understand. But gathering all this information—there is much even I didn’t know. As expected of the ducal house’s network.”

 

“Lep investigated most of it herself.”

 

Evan corrected him, and Bastien looked at me with impressed eyes.

 

“I simply have many helpful people around me.”

 

Feeling a little proud, I rubbed the back of my neck. It was nice to have capable allies.

 

Then Evan softly stroked my head.

 

“They help because it’s you, Lep.”

 

I smiled at the praise.

 

As we continued talking, time slipped by. Outside the window, the sky blushed with sunset.

 

“It’s already this late…”

 

“Oh dear, I’ve kept you far too long.”

 

“Not at all.”

 

At some point, Evan had fallen asleep leaning on my shoulder. I gently shook him, and his eyelids fluttered open.

 

“Mm…? Are we done?”

 

“Yes. Let’s go.”

 

I massaged his shoulder as he rubbed his sleepy eyes. I had explained everything necessary—now the rest was for Bastien to handle.

 

“Young Lady, thank you for today.”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

“In that case, allow me to give one piece of advice. Evan is not weak.”

 

I blinked at the sudden comment. Bastien wore a slightly playful smile.

 

“Bastien…”

 

“Yes, Evan is strong. That’s why he can endure for so long.”

 

“…Is that so? Then he’s acknowledged.”

 

Bastien’s eyes widened slightly, then he murmured quietly, sounding a little lonely.

 

“Well, of course he is.”

 

Evan pulled me closer by the neck. Bastien gave a faint, amused laugh.

 

“Your Highness…? Did something happen?”

 

“N-no. I was just thinking that it’s admirable how firmly the young lady believes in Evan. That’s all. Come, I’ll see you out.”

 

Evan and I followed behind him. He wore a smiling face, but something about him lingered in my mind—his earlier objections to the pirate hunt, and the way he seemed shackled by the empress.

 

“Lep, if you need help, you can always ask. Me, or Father, or Mother—we all want to help you. You don’t need to feel burdened.”

 

Evan brought up what I’d said earlier as we walked.

 

“It’ll make me rely on you too much!”

 

“I prefer it that way. I worry you’ll become too incredible for me.”

 

“Evan is the incredible one. I know that very well.”

 

“You two really are close.”

 

There it was again—Bastien’s soft, slightly bitter murmur. I instinctively turned away.

 

He escorted us all the way to the carriage. After bidding us a polite farewell, he turned to leave.

 

Just before boarding the carriage, I called out to him.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Yes, young lady?”

 

I did love Evan the most, but I held affection for all the capture targets. His earlier comments had shown glimpses of an old wound. Not being acknowledged—those words felt personal to him.

 

And I knew that feeling well. Working so hard only to go unrecognized—nothing is sadder. It means your efforts are invisible to those who matter.

 

‘Is it alright to say this…?’

 

I hesitated, then decided it didn’t really matter. I stopped and spoke.

 

“Aren’t you curious why I asked for your help?”

 

Earlier, he had wondered aloud why I asked him instead of relying on the ducal family. Evan called my name in surprise.

 

“Lep?”

 

“…Because I’m a water spirit wielder, right?”

 

Bastien answered sincerely, though unsure why I brought it up.

 

I nodded.

 

“That’s true. But if I may be so bold… I believe you tend to underestimate yourself.”

 

There had been hints whenever he spoke—less confidence, more “why me?” It felt like the story of someone constantly compared to others.

 

“I thought Your Highness could do this well. Perhaps even better than the duke. Don’t dismiss the assessments of others. Many people around you can attest to your worth. Denying that only eats away at yourself.”

 

This might have sounded random, but in the original story, these were the words that soothed him—the words he needed after being wounded again and again by the emperor and empress.

 

They didn’t acknowledge him. But he was remarkable. He simply refused to listen to anyone else’s praise.

 

Anyone would want to comfort a child struggling beneath such weight.

 

“I’m looking forward to your success.”

 

“I will do my utmost.”

 

“Lep, let’s go.”

 

Evan tugged my hand, and I climbed into the carriage. Bastien stood still, as if lost in thought. As the carriage began to roll, I heard him murmur faintly through the window gap: “I understand now… why Evan is so attached to the young lady.”

 

I turned toward him. Did I hear that right?

 

“Are you that concerned about Bastien?”

 

At Evan’s sulky tone, I quickly looked forward again. He was crossing his arms with a thoroughly displeased expression.