Chapter 44

I hesitated, then carefully spoke to Evan.

 

“Hey… I think I’ll have to go far away for merchant business.”

 

“…Really? How long?”

 

It didn’t happen often, but there had been times when I’d left for merchant business before. So for now, he didn’t seem suspicious. But the moment I spoke the next line, the mood shifted.

 

“Mm… once it’s done? I think it’ll take over two weeks…”

 

Evan’s gaze instantly sharpened.

 

“Is it something you absolutely have to do?”

 

“Yeah. I have experiments to run too, so that’s why it’ll take longer.”

 

Since no one knows when I’ll find it.

 

“If I finish early, I might come back sooner…”

 

“Or not. That’s what you mean.”

 

But I had a good solution.

 

“I can send letters! I’ll reply regularly. It’ll take a while, but still…”

 

I planned to write the letters in advance before leaving. Simple greetings and vague notes about what I was doing should be enough.

 

Evan still looked suspicious, but the idea of keeping contact through letters seemed to convince him.

 

“What about your escort knight?”

 

“Huh? Fran?”

 

It was strange for him to suddenly bring up my escort knight, but I answered honestly.

 

“It’s a long trip, so of course the escort’s coming with me.”

 

“Good. Then I’m relieved. Be careful.”

 

“…Yeah! Of course!”

 

Just wait. It really won’t be long now.

 

 

***

 

 

I convinced my family, fooled Evan, and now all that was left was to leave.

 

To depart, there was one person I had to bring with me.

 

I headed to the Academy—to meet Pat, who had gotten a job there.

 

Humming a tune, I gazed out the window at the scenery passing by. Maybe I was getting excited too early, but this was the first step toward finding and harvesting the moonlit lily-of-the-valley. I couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

 

The Academy came into view in the distance.

 

“He’s probably still in the greenhouse.”

 

I got off the carriage and walked into the Academy. It hadn’t been that long since I’d last been here, but it felt oddly unfamiliar. Even though I’d wandered these halls for five tormenting years.

 

I didn’t stray and headed straight for the greenhouse—

 

“Lady Lepina?”

 

Someone called out to me.

 

It was Fedeshar. Maybe because I had recently seen his older brother Bastien, but it struck me again how much the two resembled each other.

 

‘Of all days to run into him… How awkward. Probably because the Emperor scolded me.’

 

Fedeshar greeted me warmly.

 

“As a graduate, you wouldn’t normally have business at the Academy. What brings you here?”

 

“I came to the greenhouse for something.”

 

He seemed to be on his way somewhere in a hurry; his arms were full of documents. Still busy as always. Because he had slightly lighter hair than Bastien, he looked even more gentle.

 

“May I ask what your business is?”

 

“Oh, I’m here to see Pat.”

 

“I see.”

 

Fedeshar smiled softly. I glanced at him.

 

Because I’d saved his life multiple times, Fedeshar trusted me deeply. But I had only helped because I hated letting someone die when I could save them. His trust-filled gaze felt burdensome.

 

‘No wonder the Empress hates me.’

 

I’d bet my life that most of the poison Fedeshar ingested came from the Empress’s schemes.

 

Eyeing the stack of papers in his arms, I asked: “Aren’t you busy?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

I wanted to tell him he should go if he was busy, but he shut that down immediately.

 

“…You’re holding that many documents.”

 

“I can finish them in an hour or two.”

 

He looked bewildered at the pile.

 

‘Yeah… student council president isn’t a job for just anyone…’

 

I had heard he was handling the entire student council workload by himself because he needed to surpass Bastien. By the Emperor’s orders, no less.

 

It was unfortunate—children forced into adult power struggles, growing enmity over things that weren’t even their fault. If the Emperor and Empress wanted to fight, they should fight each other—not drag innocent kids into it.

 

Nothing good could come from being near him. Since he didn’t seem like he’d step aside, I tried to walk around—

 

But he stopped me.

 

“I saw the newspaper. That you asked my brother to help suppress the pirates. The capital is buzzing about it.”

 

I froze.

 

‘That damn newspaper…’

 

But I suspected it wasn’t the newspaper—more likely the Emperor had told him.

 

“With His Highness’s help, you must feel relieved. And for Zeiran Empire’s diplomacy, it’s good to have connections with the imperial family.”

 

“I agree. And he’s been doing an amazing job. I’m very proud of my brother.”

 

Right. That was the problem. He pretended not to know, but in conversations like this, I always felt déjà vu.

 

Did Fedeshar truly feel proud of Bastien?

 

From his words and actions, it seemed like admiration. But one must not forget the Empress standing behind Bastien. Fedeshar knew she wanted him dead.

 

That was when I began keeping my distance. When I gave him antidotes, he had quietly said: “Her Majesty must want me gone forever. For her to warn me like this… is this my answer?”

 

I pretended not to hear.

 

He was not in the original story—I didn’t know his true feelings. He was not Bastien.

 

I could trust people like Piote or Evan because I’d known them for years, but Fedeshar was an unknown.

 

Watching him closely, I finally spoke.

 

“He’s someone to be proud of.”

 

“Everyone sings his praises. I always think that once I graduate, I must become someone like my brother. Though I worry whether I can keep up.”

 

“…You’ll be able to, Your Highness.”

 

Fedeshar smiled faintly. I walked away.

 

I felt his gaze on my back but ignored it and quickened my pace.

 

Then I heard him murmur behind me: “You shouldn’t be so trusting.”

 

Trust whom?

 

But I kept walking.

 

I threw open the greenhouse door. Pat, startled by the noise, shrieked.

 

“W-what—! Oh, it’s you, Miss. Please open the door gently… You scared me…”

 

Pat pressed a hand to his pounding chest. Seeing my tense expression, he cautiously asked: “What’s wrong? Who’d you bump into?”

 

“Oh. His Highness the Prince.”

 

I dropped into a chair. I felt like I’d wasted energy for no reason.

 

But contrary to my expectations, Pat didn’t seem surprised at all.

 

“The prince has always been interested in you.”

 

His sudden comment made me tilt my head. I knew Fedeshar was interested in me, but… from the beginning?

 

“…Fedeshar?”

 

Pat continued casually, as if it were obvious.

 

“He said he was interested in poisonous or medicinal plants and came to look around the greenhouse. But his eyes were always on you. He treated you differently.”

 

“He’s kind to everyone.”

 

“Uh… no, there’s a subtle difference.”

 

Pat rubbed his chin, unsure how to explain.

 

“He wants to look good to you… maybe because you saved him?”

 

“Elena saved him too, though.”

 

My face twisted instantly.

 

He wanted to look good to me… Now that Pat said it directly, I understood why I instinctively avoided Fedeshar. It was instinctual rejection.

 

And I had a feeling he had an agenda. His desire to look good was probably connected.

 

“I really don’t want to get involved in anything dangerous…”

 

I just wanted to treat Evan and live a peaceful life. I didn’t want to be tangled in imperial politics.

 

Seeing me mutter to myself, Pat looked puzzled. I told him it was nothing.

 

Fedeshar was an issue for later. Right now, it was Evan.

 

I remembered why I had come. Running into Fedeshar had temporarily derailed me, but I needed to tell Pat something.

 

“Did you hear from Ben?”

 

“…?”

 

It seemed Pat hadn’t heard yet.

 

“The silver lily-of-the-valley that blooms under a full moon.”

 

Pat’s ears instantly perked up. I smirked.

 

“I found its location.”

 

“R-really? Where?! Where is it?!”

 

He lunged at me like he’d devour me whole, shaking my shoulders vigorously. My head bobbed helplessly.

 

“Calm down.”

 

His eyes sparkled like a puppy discovering a precious toy.

 

“Why? Where is it? Hurry, tell me!!”

 

Except… he was too strong. For all his soft heart, he had a big frame and monstrous strength. My shoulders throbbed.

 

“That hurts.”

 

Pat recoiled in horror.

 

“Ah—! Don’t tell Young Master Evan!”

 

For some reason, he was terrified of Evan.

 

“Are you that scared of Evan?”

 

Pat nodded violently.

 

“He’s scary… He looks at me like he wants to kill me…”

 

“You exaggerate.”

 

“I’m serious!”

 

But knowing Pat’s timid nature, I let it slide.

 

Then I delivered the final message.

 

“Pack your things. We’re heading to the port city of Zeiran.”

 

“You’re coming too?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

He stared at me, stunned by the word we. Since searching for poisonous plants had always been his duty, my joining him must’ve been a surprise.