GMHYS 26

Chapter 26

I met Lucian after the sea had already darkened into pitch-black night. Stars and the moon had risen above the water. I was standing on the deck, looking out at the sea. The waves, carrying faint traces of a siren’s song, glimmered softly.

That was where I encountered Lucian.

“Grand Duke Lucian.”

Lucian had his arms resting on the railing, staring out at the sea.

“We’ve been on the same ship for quite some time, yet this is the first time we’re meeting face-to-face. How was the wedding today?”

Lucian turned toward me. His blue-green eyes reflected the sea. His slow blink made time itself feel sluggish—though maybe it was just me. It felt like time flowed more slowly around me.

His silver hair fluttered in the sea breeze. The briny scent of the ocean filled my lungs. I reached up to hold down the strands that kept blowing across my face.

Lucian let out a small laugh. Leaning against the railing, he parted his red lips.

“It was rather entertaining. I almost wished the princess had seen it too.”

Lucian sighed—like a ripe pomegranate bursting open. Strange, but alluring. He lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Frederick seemed quite humiliated. It was… a sight worth seeing.”
“I’m a little sorry I missed that.”

Lucian reached his hand toward me. I took it, and he helped me climb to a higher part of the deck. The wind was much stronger up here. When he held me firmly, his strength felt as vast as the sky.

“You’re smaller than I thought.”
“…Sorry?”
“Nothing. Just be careful. If you’re not, you might fall off the railing.”

I nodded. Something about that comment felt ticklish.

I let him guide me and tucked myself into his arms. I’d known he was tall, but being held like this made me realize just how large he truly was—large enough to hide me completely.

I held my breath, worried he could hear even the sound of it.

Thanks to Lucian, I couldn’t feel the wind at all. Instead, the firm warmth of his body pressed against my back. Even the sea, which I usually thought was beautiful, faded from sight. My head felt strangely light and spinning.

Only then did I realize one thing.

Frederick had never held me like this. He had never protected me from anything.

My fingers trembled as I gripped the railing tightly.

So this is what it feels like to be protected, I thought.
And at the same time, it made me feel a little pathetic—pathetic that something so simple moved me so deeply.

Feeling foolish, I bit my lip. Then I slowly exhaled and inhaled. Once I steadied myself, the night sea finally came back into view.

Only five warships floated upon the vast ocean. Our only witnesses were the gods, the moon, and the stars. The sirens’ song drifted softly again—a sound that always accompanied those who drew close to the sea.

“…I’ve been thinking about what I should do.”
“…”
“I wondered if King Creyf is truly fit to be King of Medice. No… honestly, I just want to find any excuse possible to topple him.”

I corrected myself, deciding I could be more honest.

“So I want to meet the queen.”
“You mean you want to go to Medice?”
“Is that possible?”
“There’s nothing impossible.”

Lucian chuckled quietly.

“But warships can’t enter Medice.”
“I can go anywhere, more quietly than anyone. In a far cooler way than the princess imagines.”

I had no idea what he meant.

Larinno had chosen Lucian, but the truth was I knew far less about him than I thought. His quiet laughter scattered above my head.

“And what else do you want to do?”
“That’s all for now. After I meet the queen, I can decide the next step. That’s where everything begins.”
“Very well. Tomorrow, we’ll turn course toward Medice.”
“…Thank you. Truly.”

Lucian laughed softly.

“I should be the one thanking you. Seeing Frederick make that face today? It was delightful. He’s been pissing me off, but I had no quick method to piss him off in return.”

One thing I’d learned about Lucian:
despite his refined appearance, his language could be surprisingly rough. Maybe because the navy wasn’t composed solely of nobles—there were many commoners as well.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt amused. Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad.”

His soft laugh tickled my ear.

“…Amelie seems to like you quite a lot.”
“I think so too. I didn’t think I had a face kids would like… but maybe I do?”
“I don’t know Amelie’s taste either. I just… wanted to say thank you. Things have been a little difficult with her lately.”

Lucian’s voice was perfect for late-night listening. Low and gentle, it soothed my heart like the perfectly still ocean.

“Difficult? With Amelie?”
“Her nanny says it’s part of growing up. She’s developing her own will. I barely understand half the things she says these days.”

I knew exactly what he meant and laughed. At that moment, Lucian shifted, and his leg slid between mine. I froze, holding my breath. He didn’t seem to notice—he looked perfectly calm.

“The nanny says she’s learning a lot lately. Anyway, she also told me that little girls tend to be more delicate than boys.”
“Amelie’s mother… I’m sorry—may I ask?”
“You may ask anything. You are my wife, after all.”

Wife.

Had anyone ever called me that?
Frederick never referred to me that way. I had been the Crown Princess, then the Empress.
Somehow, being called someone’s wife felt more real than any of those titles.

“My daughter… she’s the child of a comrade who saved my life.”

Lucian began speaking quietly.

“He saved me in a moment where I nearly died, and he lost his life instead. The child’s mother was a military nurse, and she died giving birth. I… had to do everything I could for Bryner.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Bryner. I’ll remember that name.”
“Bryner and Susan. Amelie is their daughter, but she will grow up as my daughter— as a child of the Grand Duchy. That is…”
“You already told me before the marriage. I accept Amelie.”

Lucian let out a soft laugh.
Maybe because we weren’t looking at each other, the words came more freely. It was easier to speak honestly.

“I have no interest in the succession of the Grand Duchy. Really, I mean that, Lucian.”
“…Then, could you place Amelie on your family registry?”
“Of course. Ah—there’s something else. I’ve been thinking: instead of entering Medice openly as myself, wouldn’t it be better to enter under a different identity?
If you don’t particularly need the glory of presenting your wife as the Princess of Medice…”
“That’s a good idea. In that case, we’ll need to adjust the marriage oath as well. It won’t be difficult. What name would you like to use?”

People would call me the Grand Duchess anyway. But I would still need a name to introduce myself with.

“…Leira Lorelei. I’ll use that. It’s the name my mother used before marriage.”
“Leira Lorelei. Very well. Then we’ll go with that.
There will be people who recognize the princess’s face. Even if you’ve been living in Florence—”
“I’ll wear a veil most of the time.”
“Wouldn’t that be uncomfortable?”
“If it’s necessary, I can endure it.”
“Good. Then I must change how I address the princess as well.”

Titles, huh.

Before, I had only been the Empress. And even now, I knew I couldn’t be called by my real name.

“Call me Lucian. It will feel more like a married couple than using ‘Grand Duke.’”
“Then please… call me ‘wife.’ Just wife.”

Of all the titles Lucian had used for me,
that one resonated with me the most.