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Chapter 10
With a cold shout, Matari left the sobbing Ezra behind. Perhaps it was fear of the punishment for the maid whose tongue had been cut out… or perhaps it was misplaced guilt. Either way, it was nothing more than the crocodile tears of a hypocrite.
Yet, the woman who had once stood alone before an unbreachable door briefly surfaced in her mind. The awkward smile that had crossed their eyes at that moment made Matari faintly narrow her brow.
An irritating woman. If not for the gold coins she had received, she would have left her to starve without a second thought.
“More importantly, His Highness is waiting, Princess.”
But her purpose here was clear.
“I ask that you come with me.”
Matari’s voice was firm. The chill that emanated from her was almost inhuman. And yet, the hand that pulled Ezra by the arm was warm, and that contrast made tears well up again in her eyes.
“You… you did something so cruel. Things like that… might one day hurt you too, Matari.”
Even as she was dragged forward, Ezra spoke in a trembling voice. A faint, helpless concern for Matari slipped through her fear and guilt.
Matari did not answer. She only tightened her grip and continued walking.
* * *
Under a clear sky stood a weeping willow that had lived for centuries. Its long branches swayed gently, and the sound of unknown insects filled the air.
Beyond the shade of the massive tree lay a wide, open lake shimmering under the sun. Ducks drifted lazily across the water. Everything felt calm, almost dreamlike.
Hippolytes stepped back slightly from the scene.
The rough wooden dock, the old boat tied to it, even the worn oars stained with years of use—none of it suited him.
And yet, exceptions existed.
He sensed someone approaching from behind and reacted instantly.
“Princess.”
A cold breeze swept beneath the drifting clouds. Hippolytes’ voice carried on it as he turned.
Ezra, being led reluctantly by Matari, froze at the sight before her.
He stood with his back against the tree, watching her.
Even from afar, his gaze was unmistakably fixed on her.
Everything looked too vivid, too bright. She couldn’t even blink, afraid that if she did, she would wake up and find herself back in her dull stone ceiling.
“Princess Ezra.”
“Why do you keep…?”
Why do you keep giving me things like this? Things I’ll start to want… things I can’t ignore.
Her fists tightened, nails biting into old scars. Pain she had long grown used to suddenly felt sharper—enough to make her throat sting.
Hippolytes walked toward her.
“You weren’t moving at all. I thought you’d turned into a tree.”
“T-that’s… you’re too beautiful.”
Hippolytes tilted his head.
“Which is it? The lake, or me?”
“…Both.”
For the first time, Ezra took a small step toward him.
Satisfied, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the lakeside.
“Ah—!”
“Just trust me.”
“I’ve never… done anything like this before!”
“I won’t let a single drop of water touch you.”
She hesitated… then finally let herself be guided.
He helped her onto the boat, lifting her as easily as if she weighed nothing.
“Eek!”
“Surprised?”
Of course she was.
Before she knew it, she was sitting on the gently rocking boat, floating on water.
Birds glided past. The breeze felt fresh. Even the smell of the lake was strangely pleasant.
“They’re so many birds…”
Ezra looked around in wonder. Hippolytes began rowing smoothly.
“I’ll take us closer.”
“Won’t they fly away?”
“Maybe.”
She was too distracted to notice everything—the wind, the birds, even the muscles in his arms moving as he rowed.
Soon, they reached the center of the lake.
“Hmm… you’ve been staring at my arm for a while now, Ezra.”
“W-what? No, you’re mistaken!”
“Should I show you my thighs too? You’d be more surprised.”
“W-what are you saying?!”
Panicking, Ezra jumped up—and the small boat began to rock violently.
“Wait, calm down—Ezra!”
Too late.
With a sudden splash, the boat flipped.
Both of them plunged into the water.
Cold. Heavy. Suffocating.
Water filled her lungs and ears. Panic swallowed everything.
Then—an arm wrapped around her waist.
A firm grip pulled her upward.
They broke the surface together.
“Gah—!”
Ezra coughed violently, crying as she clung to him.
“It’s okay, Princess. It’s okay…”
Hippolytes held her steadily, swimming calmly as if nothing had happened.
Soon, they reached shore.
“Here we go.”
He lifted her out of the water first.
Ezra wiped her tears furiously, glaring at him.
“That was awful! I thought I was going to die!”
“Did you?”
“Don’t joke like that!”
But he only laughed softly, brushing wet hair back from his face.
“You fall for it every time. It’s kind of cute.”
At that word, her face flushed red again.
Her heartbeat wouldn’t settle.
