IPM 13

Chapter 13

Heidi, who had been blinking her large, round eyes like ripe grapes, suddenly sprang up.

“Sleep…? You mean me? Here?”

Her head whipped toward the enormous bed beside her.

It was twice as large and tall as the one in her room. Solid bedposts, pristine white bedding without a single wrinkle, and deep navy cushions resting on top.

Feeling awkward, Heidi lightly bit her lower lip.

To be told to sleep in someone else’s bed—and not just anyone’s, but her master’s bed.

Unaware of what was troubling her, Desion tilted his head.

“Is there a problem?”

A problem…

Now that he put it that way, perhaps it wasn’t exactly a problem.

Slowly, Heidi shook her head.

Desion nodded.

“Then that’s settled. I’ll stand guard by the door, just in case. Please rest comfortably.”

* * *

But sleep was the last thing that would come.

Rustle. Rustle.

Hearing Heidi tossing and turning, Desion suddenly spoke.

“Can’t sleep?”

“…No. Not really.”

“I can’t exactly leave the room for you, but if you’d like, I can at least keep you company.”

Heidi gave a small nod.

Remembering the questions she had not managed to ask earlier, she finally voiced one.

“Seeing how suddenly they showed up today… do you think the palace might have figured something out?”

Desion dragged a chair closer and sat down a short distance from the bed before shaking his head.

“They may have sensed something. But if they had truly figured it out, they wouldn’t have moved so carelessly.”

“Then…”

“I suppose it’s best viewed as a warning.”

“A warning?”

“That they’re watching.”

Heidi hesitated.

“Master… no, Teacher.”

Desion looked at her.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

He shrugged.

“I always expected this day would come. Though I didn’t realize Anastasia’s patience was quite this limited. In truth, this works very much in our favor.”

“How?”

“Because it buys us time.”

The corner of Desion’s mouth lifted slightly.

“After today, Anastasia will feel reassured for a while. Her suspicions will loosen somewhat. For the time being, she’ll be busy placing her people throughout the capital.”

His eyes met hers.

“And while she does that, we’ll finish the preparations we need.”

We.

Only now was Heidi beginning to understand the weight of that word.

And how dangerous it was for Desion and herself to be bound together as we.

So this is the kind of thing he’s been risking his life for every single day.

Heidi had lived her entire life without ever setting foot near the royal palace.

Talks of royal bloodlines, political conspiracies, and power struggles felt distant and unreal to her.

The only thing she knew for certain was that a path had appeared—one that might save her mother.

That alone had been enough.

Of course, it wasn’t as though she had no way out.

The only thing she had promised Desion was to take these lessons.

If things get too dangerous, I can always run away…

Her fists slowly tightened.

But I want to know.

Why did he bring me here? Why take all these risks for me?

Meeting Desion’s gaze, Heidi spoke.

“Teacher.”

Desion tilted his head lazily, inviting her to continue.

“You told me before that proving I’m the king’s biological daughter is important to you.”

“…”

“I want to know why.”

Her voice grew firmer.

“Why did you bring me here? Why spend so much money and take so many risks?”

For the briefest moment, Desion’s eyes trembled.

Heidi didn’t miss it.

“You could have simply closed your eyes and ignored the truth. Why are you trying to reveal it? Is it loyalty to His Majesty? Patriotism? Something like that?”

Desion shook his head.

“Patriotism… no.”

“Then do you want power?”

“Are you asking whether I intend to put you on the throne as a puppet and rule from behind it?”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“No, Heidi. I swear to heaven, I have no such desire.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well…”

Uncharacteristically, Desion let the words trail off.

An unusually long silence followed.

Finally, he spoke.

“Perhaps it’s for the same reason you chose to take my hand.”

“The same reason as me?”

Heidi frowned inwardly.

She had accepted his offer because she needed money.

A great deal of money.

Enough to pay for her mother’s medicine.

It’s not as though he needs money.

If someone asked who the wealthiest family in the kingdom was, almost everyone would answer without hesitation:

The House of Heizen.

There was no reason for him to covet royal wealth.

Then maybe… it’s about family?

Just as Heidi wanted to protect Dalton and his wife, perhaps Desion was trying to protect someone too.

And if that’s the case, it’s probably Miss Eloise.

She’s the only blood relative he has left.

At that moment, Desion slowly rose from his seat.

Walking over to the bedside, he picked up the candlestick from the nightstand and offered his usual polite smile.

“I’ll move this.”

He lifted the candle.

“It’s harder to fall asleep when the room is bright.”

“Oh… right.”

It was his way of saying it was time to sleep.

And, perhaps, a polite way of saying he didn’t wish to continue the conversation any further.

I still want to know more…

Heidi silently watched his retreating figure.

Standing far from the bed, Desion set the candlestick down and braced both hands against the table.

For some reason, he looked tired.

Not today.

Next time.

* * *

Haa…

Haa…

The steady breathing of the deeply sleeping Heidi was the only sound in the quiet bedroom.

From a distance, Desion watched her sleeping peacefully, without so much as a single toss or turn.

She looked like she wanted to ask more questions.

It was only natural.

Anyone in Heidi’s position would want to know the truth.

And Desion fully intended to tell her everything.

No.

Even if she didn’t want to hear it, one day he would have to reveal it all.

Having boarded the same ship and wagered everything together, there could be no secrets between them.

But not yet.

Slowly, Desion turned his gaze away from Heidi.

It’s not a story she can bear yet.

His eyes settled on the flickering candle before him.

His clasped hands tightened.

The flame burned red, like his eyes.

It danced with the movement of the air, then dimmed again.

Desion stared into that tiny motion.

His gaze darkened.

Within the flame, he found himself reaching back to a day from the past—a day that remained painfully vivid.

The violent tremors shaking the ground beneath his feet.

The screams that seemed to tear the world apart.

The scorching heat stabbing at his skin.

And amidst that inferno—

A small figure.

A voice begging him not to save them.

A voice pleading to be left there to die.

“…”

Desion’s fingernails dug into his palms.

Tiny droplets of blood began to well up beneath them.

Only then did the strength suddenly leave his hands.

Ah.

At last, he managed to tear his eyes away from the flame.

He realized his breathing had become ragged.

Perhaps it was because of what had happened during the day.

Memories he had not revisited for a long time had resurfaced.

Another sleepless night.

And Desion’s nightmare was only growing deeper.