TDSFE 51

chapter 51

The two kidnapping incidents had ultimately caused a huge stir in the Estonian Empire. In the case of Kroyll, it had been manageable—Rowenhart himself, who was kidnapped, did not want the matter to escalate, so it was quietly resolved. But this time, the situation was different: the person causing trouble was a candidate fiancé for Thesia. The positions of victim and perpetrator had reversed. Moreover, the identity of Viktor Erkin—effectively notarized by the Kingdom of Tiranavan—had been forged. When Thesia and the Valkyrie Knights initially purged their base, Emperor Helios promptly announced the matter to the public.

“This is an act that insults the great Estonian Empire! I, Emperor Helios, will not forgive anyone who threatens the people of the Empire!”

The Estonian nobles worried that this incident might once again bring bloodshed to the continent. Any noble of the Estonian Empire knew just how much Emperor Helios adored Princess Thesia. To think that an impure element had infiltrated the search for his beloved younger sister’s fiancé was infuriating. It wouldn’t have been surprising if the angered blade of the Empire had immediately pointed toward Tiranavan. Over ten years had passed since the war that had soaked the Empire in blood, and everyone had grown accustomed to the peace it brought. All they could hope was that the Emperor would not use this incident as an excuse to start another war.

The decree filled with Emperor Helios’s fury was sent to Tiranavan along with the envoy procession. At the same time, the Emperor ordered all the candidates visiting Estonia as potential fiancé for Princess Thesia to return to their home countries. Since a candidate had been found with a forged identity, the candidates had no choice but to comply. Among them, however, there was one who was not expelled from the Empire.

“Your Majesty.”

In early summer, as the days were getting warmer, Prince Rowenhart was invited to the Emperor’s audience chamber. It had been a week since the incident. Emperor Helios, who had summoned Rowenhart to his private chamber, looked extremely displeased. In truth, he was indeed very irritated. The young prince sitting before him had only his handsome face and charm, yet he had managed to sway Thesia. Even though Helios had promised not to send Rowenhart away, Thesia had repeatedly confirmed with the Emperor afterward. Was it that his cousin was not trustworthy, or had he fallen too deeply for this prince? Either way, it left him in a foul mood. Honestly, the first person Helios wanted to expel was Prince Rowenhart.

“Hmph.”

But a promise was a promise. Helios could not lose Thesia’s trust, so he had to keep it. Besides, he still had use for Rowenhart.

“A response has come from your home country.”

Rowenhart’s eyes widened. Since Tiranavan had become involved in the kidnapping incident, he had been on edge about their reply.

“They claim that the knight’s identity was swapped after arriving in the Estonian Empire.”

“Claim, you say.” The Emperor’s tone made it clear he did not agree.

“They also claim that the portrait was swapped in the same manner. What does Prince Rowenhart think of that?”

“…Difficult, but not impossible.”

Rowenhart gave his honest opinion. Swapping identities was no simple feat. But after seeing the various materials stored at the guild and the intricate network they had on the walls, he changed his mind. The criminal organization was far larger than he had anticipated. They dared to challenge even the Emperor of the Empire. The enemies had probably been scheming since Helios had begun investigating potential fiancé candidates for Princess Thesia. Rowenhart assumed that Viktor Erkin had been dealt with upon arriving in the Estonian Empire, according to Tiranavan’s reply. But this was evidence of just how incompetent his own country was—people had been swapped without them even noticing. Ultimately, Tiranavan would not let Estonia escape responsibility. This, in turn, burdened Rowenhart himself.

“The remaining culprits haven’t been caught yet. You’ll have to help until the matter is resolved.”

Emperor Helios placed a hand on Rowenhart’s shoulder. The prince felt a strange pain.

‘Perhaps he intends to use me as a hostage.’

Rowenhart interpreted the Emperor’s words as a warning to leverage him. Though not a crown prince, Rowenhart was Tiranavan’s first prince. His value as a hostage was enough. All the foreign candidates for Thesia’s fiancé had already returned home. Rowenhart was the only one left in Estonia. It was a plausible hypothesis, given that he had never imagined Thesia would personally keep him there. Thesia, who promised to give him an answer once the incident concluded, had been avoiding him under the pretense of being busy. Seeing how things were unfolding, Rowenhart felt that Thesia was indirectly expressing her opinions while he could not openly acknowledge them.

‘I must go to Thesia.’

It did not matter if it seemed foolish. While he could have avoided the start, he could not stop the flow of his feelings. Even if it ended in heartbreak, he would see it through. Rowenhart firmly resolved this within himself.

While Rowenhart endured hardships, Thesia too was facing her own trials.

“Thesia, try this. It’s a seafood stew that will restore your energy.”

Duke Cloris personally brought the food to Thesia with a spoon, his eyes full of worry, urging her to eat and regain her strength. Thesia’s green eyes rolled.

“I can eat by myself, Father.”

“I want to feed you myself.”

“I’m not a child… and I’m not sick… this is a bit…”

All of this began when Thesia returned to the Cloris estate after a long time. Having handled the confiscations and investigations at the guild, and after passing the major matters to Emperor Helios, she had returned home to sleep in a soft bed. But waiting for her were Duke and Duchess Cloris, full of concern. They were appalled that the man who might have been Thesia’s fiancé had been a kidnapper. They wanted to comfort the emotionally wounded Thesia themselves. In reality, Thesia had no interest in Viktor, so she had no wounds. However, she was preoccupied with the answer she needed to give Rowenhart, and her family mistakenly thought she was upset.

‘Hah.’

Thesia sighed after sending her family out. She had promised to respond to Rowenhart’s confession once the kidnapping incident ended. At the time, she had thought she could delay it a little, but the moment of decision quickly approached as if by mischief. Avoiding it was no longer right. If the other party had shown sincerity, she too had to respond in kind.

‘I like you, Thesia.’

Rowenhart, confessing his feelings along with the guilt he felt toward her, seemed sincere. Thesia felt a sense of obligation to return his sincerity. Seeing how much he liked her, she felt that not reciprocating equally would be a wrongdoing. Thesia paced the spacious room. She liked Rowenhart; she wanted him to remain with the Valkyrie Knights, by her side. But if asked whether she liked him as much as he liked her, the answer was “no.”

‘I don’t even know if this is a human preference or romantic feeling.’

What if she was mistaken, simply liking him because he was a good person? That would trample on Rowenhart’s sincerity twice over.

“Milady, visitors have arrived.”

Two visitors appeared for the troubled Thesia.

Eldora raised her lips behind her elegantly spread fan.

‘What am I to do…’

She had come after hearing that Thesia had been through a rough time. But Eldora was surprised to find someone she did not expect at the Cloris estate—Prince Rowenhart of Tiranavan, whom she had only heard of through rumors. Sitting across a small table, he radiated an aura of elegance and grace. His actions were flawless, and his face needed no comment.

‘He’s better than I expected.’

It was Eldora’s first close encounter with Prince Rowenhart. She had only seen him fleetingly at a ball.

‘He lives up to the hype.’

Rumor had it he had made a name for himself in his home country. Despite having been in Estonia for only a short time, his popularity was immense. Elegant, dignified, and charming, women admired him from afar. With all other candidates sent home, Rowenhart remained in Estonia. Some said he stayed to study at the Estonian Magic Academy. But Eldora felt that the true reason was different.

‘Thesia must have kept him here.’

From Eldora’s perspective, Thesia had already given in. Indeed, it seemed natural for her feelings to change with such a handsome man by her side. Like a small spring breeze melting winter, spring had come for Thesia.

‘Poor Redford.’

Eldora had long supported Redford as Thesia’s partner. She knew how long Redford had loved Thesia from afar. Yet, in his absence, Prince Rowenhart had unexpectedly taken a deep place in Thesia’s heart.