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Chapter 15
Above Ground
“Sir Briven! Open the rope quickly and lower her—Killian’s alone down there!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She made it safely up. Killian focused on circulating his aura, relaxing tense muscles, and tuning into the voices above—even without the communication device.
“Even in this moment… she thought of me first.”
He was moved.
“She didn’t choose Adelaide—she chose me.”
He felt like bursting: air expanding in his ribs, as if he were flying free at last. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and calm. He hadn’t allowed himself to feel this safe in years.
“She said I’m precious… important.”
The thought that Celestia came all this way—draped in a torn dress—to save him from a dark cavern was overwhelming. A mix of fear and joy overwhelmed his seven-year-old understanding.
He decided then: I will stay by Celestia’s side forever, whether she wants it or not.
Because she always cared for him. She made him feel valued—so valued that it erased every trace of fear, shame, unworthiness inflicted by Markus’ abuse. The wounds faded completely.
“I’m… I’m really lucky,” Killian thought, and tied the rope to his waist. Then he pulled it gently.
When he stepped out into dusk—no longer darkness, but a world warmed by one person’s guiding light—he knew he was saved.
Back at the Villa
Our first day of the trip ended abruptly. Killian hastily left to attend urgent matters, Adelaide collapsed out of exhaustion, and I lay in bed gently turning over the chunk of salt I’d recovered.
Liz (concerned):
“Your Highness, shall I warm some milk for you? Oh my—what is that lump?”
She saw the fist-sized chunk of Deaark salt in my hand and almost gasped.
Despite my generous salary and the reward from the Lewendiff Marquis, Liz still looked at it with greedy eyes—innocently so, thankfully.
Me:
“I found this in a cave earlier—not gold, salt.”
Liz:
“But it looks just like gold. You weren’t keeping it from me, were you?”
Me:
“See that reaction? Yes, it is salt—and if you want to try, it’s really salty.”
Liz placed her teeth gently on the salt—instinctively biting it.
Liz (spitting):
“Ouch! My tooth!”
I laughed—earnest reactions like this were why I kept my plans discreet.
Me:
“Just kidding—we’ll share later.”
Liz (grinning):
“Our gracious Princess Celestia is the best!”
She flicked her thumbs up, then asked:
Liz:
“What are you going to do with the salt?”
Me:
“Use it? No—I just thought it was interesting. I thought it was gold at first, too.”
I couldn’t reveal the full plan yet, especially since others might flip at the idea of royalty owning salt wealth.
Me:
“Anyway, milk would be nice, yes. Thank you, Liz.”
Liz:
“Right away, Your Highness.”
With that, she left, and I reached under the pillow for my guidebook—still searching for someone reliable enough to process and market the Deaark salt properly.
Next Morning
I found Sir Briven and had him mark the cavern with warnings, keeping others away under the guise of safety—and also to protect our discovery. Everything in my territory.
Briven looked at me with steady respect; I ignored it gracefully—old guard behavior can only go so far.
At breakfast, served lovingly by the chef, we decided to spend the day on the beach.
“Killian! Adelaide! Come over and sit with me.”
They moved hesitantly—still shy. But I’d already seen the ending in my head: these two, later rabbit-like children burning with intimacy by the campfire. Cute is so much better.
I spread a large blanket. Adelaide sat by me; Killian across.
Me:
“Today we’ll relax here. How’s that?”
Killian:
“Sounds good, Princess.”
Adelaide:
“Me too. It’s a good idea.”
They were stiff. I flipped roles—time for the matchmaker move.
Me:
“So—did you make up already?”
Adelaide (eyeing Killian):
“Um?”
I reminded them of their fight yesterday.
Her face flushed: she alone had shoved him. Embarrassed.
Me (firm):
“If you two keep fighting, I won’t let either of you be baedong. I don’t want to be the cruel princess who leaves her baedong to fight.”
Her violet eyes widened; tears pooled fast.
Adelaide (loudly):
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, Killian!”
The sound echoed among the waves. Killian hesitated, then bowed quietly.
Killian (steady):
“I’m sorry too—for pushing you away because I didn’t want to share Celestia. I won’t do that again.”
His apology was calm—less dramatic, but genuine.
I took the moment.
Me:
“Alright. Now, face each other and hold hands.”
They looked confused, then slowly complied.
Me:
“Repeat after me.”
They watched me.
Me:
“Friend, I’m sorry I hurt you.”
They echoed:
“Friend, I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Me:
“From now on, let’s get along.”
Both:
“From now on, let’s get along.”
We repeated again.
This is what being a former taekwondo instructor trained you for.
They were doing well—so I pressed on:
Me:
“You’re a wonderful friend. I like you.”
Adelaide repeated with hesitation.
Then I turned to Killian:
Me:
“Why didn’t you say it?”
He squeezed his lips, then sighed gently.
Killian (carefully):
“You’re a wonderful friend.”
Me:
“You left out the rest!”
Killian:
“I don’t…”
Me (prompting):
“Say the rest!”
Killian:
“I… don’t mind…”
He looked embarrassed. I whispered forgiveness and let it go.
But then he looked directly at me and shouted:
Killian (loudly):
“I like you!”
I felt the sun in my heart even as the waves rolled around us.
