THSMW 49

chapter 49

“I-I’ll leave this place as soon as I can. Who knows what my brother will do next.”

“Don’t we still need His Majesty’s permission? The letter must’ve gone out today, so we should receive a reply sometime next week… Oh, be careful!”

Abishion quickly pulled Siegfried back. A large wooden beam was falling from the ceiling, and Siegfried hadn’t moved an inch.

“It might be better to leave for the capital right now. I hadn’t planned to return this soon, but I don’t want to burden you all any longer.”

Siegfried had narrowly avoided being hit by the beam, yet he showed no sign of surprise. He spoke calmly, as if nothing had happened.

“Right now, I can’t even do anything when I see this kind of chaos. When I was heading south, my companions were all killed by assassins sent by my brother. If I stay here, you might also…”

“We’re not that weak.”

“Ariel is right. What more could possibly happen at this point? Please stay here until we receive a response. Fortunately, the annex wasn’t damaged.”

Earlier in the day, Abishion seemed ready to push Siegfried into danger, but now he looked as if he wanted to protect him—just like I did.

And how could he think of leaving right now when he’s completely covered in soot?

Yes, I was afraid of Asa’s threats. But that didn’t mean we could just let Siegfried go like this.

While we were talking, the flames began to subside little by little. The servants who had gone down to the village returned and were helping the knights.

I had noticed Killian was nowhere to be seen—he must have gone to the village.

The servants, tearful over the state of the mansion, fetched water. Milyard was among them, helping as well. He sniffled, looked around, and spotted me and Abishion.

“Sis… H-huuu…”

“Don’t ever take anything from strangers again.”

I pinched Milyard’s side as he clung to my waist, crying. Though Siegfried was the target, Milyard was the one who started it all.

“Milyard, you’re grounded for now. No objections, right?”

Abishion rested a hand on Milyard’s head. His tone was gentle, but his eyes were terrifying. Milyard nodded furiously, saying nothing.

Abishion looked like he had something to say to Siegfried as well, but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Siegfried stared blankly at the ruins of the mansion, like someone who’d lost their soul. Perhaps the heavy, despondent atmosphere around him made it seem that way.

I peeled Milyard off me and passed him to Abishion, then walked over to Siegfried. Up close, I could see his shoulders trembling slightly.

“Your Highness.”

“…I’m sorry. I’m useless and powerless, and yet I went around making it obvious that I liked you… and now this has happened to you.”

“Then become strong enough to stop the Crown Prince from doing this kind of thing again.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t feel any resentment toward Siegfried.

If he had never come to Elifritz in the first place…

I couldn’t deny that the thought kept crossing my mind. Even though I said those words, I was still anxious and unsettled, worried that Asa might target the count’s family again.

But how could I possibly reveal my true feelings to a boy crying silently, his face twisted in pain?

I bent down and picked up a shawl from the rubble. It was full of holes, practically rags now, but it would serve its purpose.

“You’re covered in the blood of that hot monster. Be careful not to let your body temperature drop.”

I wrapped the shawl around Siegfried’s shoulders.

A breeze blew through the shattered wall, making our hair whip and tangle in the wind. Siegfried hesitated, his lips parting slowly.

“Why do you go this far for me…?”

“Oh my, weren’t you the one who followed me around because you liked me? Don’t tell me you’re trying to back out now by saying ‘I’m afraid my brother will hurt you.’”

“That’s not…”

“It’s not, right?”

I gave his shoulder a little nudge. I figured someone needed to lighten the mood a little.

Tears slid down Siegfried’s cheek. With trembling hands, he reached out and gently held mine.

Yes, what Siegfried needed now wasn’t blame or criticism. Someone had to be on his side, unconditionally.

Abishion and Milyard couldn’t fill that role. So I decided I would. Asa already hated me enough—what’s a little more?

“The sun’s rising. The morning breeze is refreshing.”

Blinded by the brightening sky, I leaned my face against Siegfried’s back. The monster’s blood still reeked, but I didn’t care. Siegfried turned around and embraced me, still crying.

Somehow, all the fatigue I’d been pushing away washed over me at once. Listening to his pounding heart, I closed my eyes.

I was so tired.

* * *

We decided to stay in the annex and repair the mansion for now. Sitting in the smaller annex and eating a late lunch, it felt like we were on a trip.

It was absurd to feel like that when half the mansion had been blown away. Maybe I was just too hopelessly optimistic and carefree.

Or maybe it was because Milyard, having forgotten all about his “reflection,” was happily munching on steak like it was a festival.

“Slow down. You’ll get indigestion.”

Abishion looked slightly horrified.

Siegfried still looked drained, and it felt like Milyard was overacting to lift the mood for his sake.

Siegfried barely touched his food, staring blankly into the air while holding his fork.

Well, every time he turned his head, he’d see the workers rebuilding the mansion. How could anyone recover easily under such conditions?

“Your Highness, shall we go for a walk after the meal?”

Milyard asked, gulping down water. Siegfried turned his eyes toward him and replied weakly.

“I’ll pass. You all enjoy yourselves.”

“Aw, don’t be like that. This isn’t all your fault, Your Highness. Honestly, like Ariel said, it was my fault for accepting that strange box without thinking.”

“Not something to brag about.”

I clicked my tongue and smacked Milyard on the head. Now wasn’t the time to assign blame. Saying things like that would only make Siegfried feel worse.

I hadn’t forgiven him either, but I was keeping it to myself. Milyard, though, always had to ruin the mood.

“Ow, stop hitting me! My brother already smacked me around like crazy.”

“And you were the one who, just this morning, asked if the going-out ban could be lifted already.”

Abishion, who had already finished eating, sipped his coffee and glared at him. Honestly, Milyard probably deserved the beating.

“Still no reply from His Majesty?”

“Didn’t we say it would take until next week, Your Highness?”

I answered Siegfried, who cleared his throat. He looked like he was itching to head back into battle.

I had wanted him to leave Elifritz with only happy memories, but Asa had ruined everything. That guy really was the root of all evil.

If a day ever came when Siegfried killed Asa, I hoped he wouldn’t make it quick. That cruel thought briefly crossed my mind.

“You can’t go in right now! The Count is still eating!”

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the dining hall. All eyes turned to the door, except for Siegfried, who remained seated. The servants were arguing with someone at the entrance.

As I tilted my head, wondering what was going on, Milyard stood up.

He flung the door open. Several maids were practically hanging off a large, unfamiliar knight.

“A knight of the Imperial Guard…?”

I immediately recognized the white uniform. Anyone in the empire would.

Hearing my voice, Siegfried looked up. His expression twisted slightly—he knew the man.

“Technically, he’s one of Asa’s subordinates.”

“I’m looking for Milyard Shetran of House Elifritz.”

The knight cut to the chase, ignoring formalities. Milyard blinked his peach-colored eyes in confusion. Pushing aside the maids, the knight entered and looked around. When he saw Siegfried, he bowed.

“Your Highness, I didn’t expect to find you here. It’s been a while.”

“Didn’t expect it? At least pretend you’re not lying. How dare you lie to royalty?”

If he was Asa’s man, there’s no way he didn’t know where Siegfried was. Asa never stopped sending assassins after him.

“I only came on the Crown Prince’s orders. A valuable collectible of his was stolen, and during the investigation, we heard that monsters were summoned at the Count’s mansion.”

“Then why are you looking for Milyard?”

Something felt off, so I interrupted. The knight glanced at me and replied.

“Because a servant from the Crown Prince’s palace confessed that he gave the summoning stone to the heir of House Elifritz. I’m here to retrieve it.”