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Chapter 46
I’ll Miss You!
“Wait, Arsène!”
Rose ran after Arsène as he left the conference room. He was talking with Gawain in the corridor. When he glanced briefly at her in response to her call, he immediately continued the conversation. Rose awkwardly stood in the middle of the hall, waiting until he finished speaking. Once Gawain gave a short bow and stepped back, the man approached her.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
Rose hesitated for a moment at his dry tone. Then, forcing a smile, she tried to speak warmly.
“It’s been so long. How have you been?”
“Nothing special.”
“How does it feel to be the captain of the Imperial Knights?”
“I plan to devote myself to the upcoming campaign.”
Despite the fact that becoming the captain of the Empire’s knights should have been exciting, his answer carried only a strong sense of responsibility, with no trace of joy.
“You became the captain and haven’t even had time to watch my sword training.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Still… couldn’t you have taken a little time to see me? At this rate, I won’t even be able to handle a sword properly.”
She pouted theatrically, but he silently extended his hand.
“Oh! How do you have this, Arsène?”
In his hand was the bracelet she had lost before. She had ordered her guards to find it, but it was never recovered. With deliberate care, he fastened it around her wrist.
“Don’t lose it again.”
“Thank you. I’ll be careful.”
Arsène stared at it for a moment before slowly turning away. Rose hurriedly grabbed his coat.
“Do you still have something to say?”
He tilted his head slightly and asked coldly, as if she had returned to the moment they first met.
‘Why did he suddenly become so distant?’
While she was flustered, Arsène gently withdrew his arm. The faint touch disappeared, and Rose’s heart sank. Perhaps he had concluded that siding with Thanasis would be more advantageous. Rose fell into thought.
“I won’t be able to join this expedition.”
“I heard.”
“…Aren’t you worried?”
“What do you mean?”
She looked up at him with tearful eyes. For a moment, his eyebrows twitched.
“At the very least, a year, maybe even several years, we might not see each other. That’s how long we’ll be apart. Aren’t you at all concerned?”
Rose felt foolish. She was anxious because she couldn’t participate, yet he seemed completely calm.
‘And here I am, begging and pleading because of him!’
Arsène fully turned to face her, brushing his hair back roughly.
“Some of the knight troops will remain in the capital, so you need not worry too much.”
“That’s not what I mean…”
“Gawain will assist Your Highness while I’m away. He will be a great help at the Kataros River front.”
Those facts mattered little. Frustrated, Rose raised her voice.
“No! I mean—are you really okay being apart from me for so long?”
“I will be fine.”
“Fine? You say you’ll be fine?”
Rose repeated his words in disbelief.
“The knights are prepared to handle monsters. We will return safely after the campaign. Your Highness should also take care of yourself.”
With that professional statement, Arsène strode away. Rose tightly grasped her chest, where her heart throbbed wildly. His attitude, as if it didn’t matter at all that they’d be apart for so long, was heartbreaking. His cold gaze and clearly defined boundaries pierced her heart like a dagger.
She had forgotten for a moment because he had always been so attentive—he had no lingering feelings for her.
‘You promised to protect me! You even swore it…’
Tears welled up with her frustration. She stayed frozen in place for a few minutes. From the window behind, Herya peeked in. After quickly scanning the corridor, he lightly jumped through the window. He walked over, hands clasped behind his head, nonchalantly.
“What are you still doing here? I was worried since you didn’t come out.”
“…”
“Oh, and don’t say anything about sneaking in this time. It wasn’t my fault, the princess was late. Even so, I’m your guard… Your Highness?”
Seeing no response, he tilted his head in puzzlement. Then his smile disappeared.
“…”
Rose hurriedly wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks, hiding her disheveled face. Like a young girl heartbroken by unrequited love, the tears were likely due to her youth.
‘Was I frustrated because I couldn’t have my favorite all to myself?’
She was confused about why she was crying. Perhaps she was worried that Arsène might side with Thanasis. Or maybe she felt despair at realizing she couldn’t change the original story no matter how hard she tried. One thing was certain: his change had made her deeply upset and angry.
“Why are you crying? Are you okay?”
Herya awkwardly tried to comfort her. Once he confirmed that Rose had stopped crying, he continued.
“I thought about it, and assassination seems more suited to me than guarding. Do you want me to teach him a lesson?”
“Don’t joke. I’m not in the mood for fun right now.”
Herya suddenly reached out and wiped the moisture from her pale cheek.
“Young lady, he hurt my master. Just say the word.”
“Tch, you speak as if you won. But still…”
“That was during a fair duel.”
He smiled coldly. A shiver ran down Rose’s spine. Somehow, she sensed that his skill in swordsmanship was far beyond what she had seen in the tournament.
“Stop it. He already has enough on his mind with the campaign.”
“Humph. You’re worried about the one who made you cry.”
Rose felt embarrassed that Herya had caught her tears.
“So… I don’t even know why I cried?”
“You don’t?”
He looked at her in disbelief.
“Yes. I just got heated in the moment and tears welled up.”
“Do you really think I don’t know?”
“Do you know why I cried?”
Herya sighed quietly. It was almost as if he thought, “Princess, you’re so silly.” After a pause, he finally spoke under her persistent gaze.
“You like Sir Lafayette, right? That’s why you cried.”
The dawn campaign had begun. Rose exhaled into the dim sky, seeing her breath form white clouds. The weather was cold enough that she clutched her robe. Horses and knights filled the drawbridge tightly, ready to ride for the next fifteen days.
Passing the northern borders and heading into the cold continent, they would soon reach the barren Red Forest. The red-tinted trees emitted a dangerous miasma, the black grass covered the harsh ground, and monsters roamed freely. That was where Arsène was going. Her hand gripping her robe trembled. She spent a restless night, worrying and thinking about him.
‘I like Arsène?’
A few days ago, Herya’s words had caused a ripple in her heart. She had thought her feelings were just for her favorite character, but it was love. She quickly admitted her emotions. Her racing heart clearly marked her feelings for him.
‘When did my feelings grow so strong?’
The pounding of her heart impressed the truth of her emotions. At that moment, Lance, armed and mounted, came out from the castle gates to greet her.
“You’re early, Your Highness.”
“The Remigis Knights are departing, so I had to come.”
“Having the princess personally see us off, we’re bound to win this battle.”
There was no tension on Lance’s face, only faint excitement.
“And the Remigis Imperial Knights, of course.”
Raising his index finger, Lance emphasized that they were part of the Empire’s first knight regiment. Rose smiled at the boy’s pride.
“Yes. Sir Lance of the Remigis Imperial Knights, don’t overdo it. Be careful not to get hurt.”
“Yes, I will remember.”
After saluting, Lance cheerfully mounted his horse. Gawain patted the boy’s shoulder and adjusted his cloak.
“Be cautious of miasma in the Red Forest. Do not act alone or leave formation.”
“Yes, Sir Gawain.”
“Otherwise, ask Sir Hagen for help.”
“Wouldn’t asking for help trap me forever?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’ll manage.”
Gawain chuckled and retracted his earlier comment. Lance gave a final salute to Rose and quickly rode forward. Rose scanned the knights’ formation. Gawain easily noticed that she was looking for Arsène.
“The commander will lead the army from the front,” he said.
Following his gesture, she spotted a man on horseback far ahead. She recognized him immediately. Arsène’s black hair gleamed under the early dawn.
He had already completed all preparations, as if he had no intention of saying goodbye. Soon, the army would charge toward the Kingdom of Kishiu, kicking up enormous clouds of dust.
‘If this continues, we really won’t see each other for a long time.’
Rose lowered her gaze in gloom.
‘I don’t want to part like this.’
She hadn’t seen Arsène properly since their last conversation. She wanted at least a trace of his lingering feelings when he returned.
“I want to at least say goodbye…”
As Rose murmured hopelessly, the urgent sound of hooves echoed across the fortress. A horse suddenly stopped right in front of her. Herya clicked his tongue and jumped down, handing her the reins.
“It’s not too late.”
He placed the reins in her hands and pushed her onto the saddle.
“Don’t you have something you want to say?”
“I do, but…”
“Then go say it.”
He even helped her onto the saddle.
“What are you doing? Hurry up!”
Rose hesitated, her eyes darting nervously.
“There are so many people watching…”
“Does that matter?”
“….”
“Isn’t it more important to convey your feelings?”
Biting her lower lip, Rose obeyed. The determined gaze of her guard made her realize she would have parted awkwardly with Arsène otherwise. She leaned forward and whispered softly.
“Thank you.”
“I always act for Your Highness’s sake.”
With a playful courtly bow, he replied. Resolute, Rose urged her horse forward. She dashed through the long line of knights, focusing entirely on racing ahead. Arsène drew closer.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
With every gallop, her heart seemed to leap out of her chest. The horse slowed slightly, and she took a deep breath.
“Arsène!”
The man turned toward her, narrowing his brow slightly. Even his faint frown looked radiant. It was natural—he was her choice in this world, both then and now. Somehow, a full-hearted smile spread across her face, breaking through like sunlight.
“I’ll miss you!”
