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chapter 18
What Do You Expect Me to Give You When I Don’t Have It?
It was said that Crown Prince Cesare had announced he would soon hold a wedding with the young lady of Nord Hill. When Ringo brought her the news, Adeline only scoffed.
“On whose authority?”
“Uh… the Crown Prince himself said so. Who would dare oppose him?”
“What nonsense. The young lady doesn’t want it. Can you hold a wedding alone?”
Adeline flatly declared that such a marriage was impossible.
Ringo couldn’t understand her words. If Crown Prince Cesare wanted it, what use was it if Lady Beatrice cried and begged?
“Princess, really?”
“Cesare must be underestimating Beatrice badly… but let’s say they do manage to hold the ceremony. What happens if the bride runs away? If she tears the dress to shreds? If she shows up at the altar sobbing at the top of her lungs? What if she spits right on the marriage contract?”
“Whoa… spitting on His Highness the Crown Prince’s sacred marriage contract? I don’t even want to imagine it.”
“Beatrice might actually do it.”
Adeline, picturing the young lady’s face glowing with love, nodded. Yes, Beatrice could do that. Standing before Cesare, arrogantly presenting the contract, only for Beatrice to spit on it with her pretty face.
“Hm.”
Just imagining the scene was delightful. How much would that wound Cesare’s pride? He might flush red like a boiled yam and collapse right on the spot. Still, when Adeline thought of the young lady’s future, she felt it mustn’t come to that.
“Ringo, stop laughing.”
“What do you mean! I just laughed because you were smiling, Princess.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Of course you were! Your mouth went all the way up to here!”
Ringo pressed his cheek with a finger. Adeline ignored him with a solemn face.
“You brat.”
“I swear I wasn’t!”
“Next is the Duke of Nord Hill.”
“When did I laugh… Princess, are you going to fight the Duke now?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Ringo’s eyes curved into crescents with delight, far happier than when they’d spoken of Beatrice. He pranced toward Adeline, perched on the edge of her enormous desk, only to be harshly scolded by Nabi.
“If you don’t move that filthy backside…”
“I surrender!”
Ringo jumped down and plopped on the floor. Adeline noticed Nabi glaring at him, still gripping a fire poker as though ready to swing. She sighed, as was her habit.
“The fight already started a while ago. I meant the Duke will now seriously target me. Anyway… Ringo.”
“Yes?”
“Bring me what I entrusted to you.”
His shoulders drooped.
“Which dress?”
Adeline whispered with a smile.
“Not a dress.”
“Not… a dress? Then what?”
Their voices were low, mischievous, as if children whispering secrets, just enough to keep Nabi from overhearing.
Soon after, Ringo skipped out, thrilled by her order. Adeline stayed by the fireplace with Nabi when Colin arrived and knocked.
“Princess… you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes. I asked if she had an audience request, but she was too insistent.”
“Who?”
“She said her name is Beatrice Bior Hill.”
Damn. Adeline muttered under her breath. Nabi rose uneasily. Colin looked nervous, wondering if this was a guest to be thrown out.
“What should we do? Shall I tell her to make an appointment and return?”
Adeline thought. The reason Beatrice had come was obvious: either to ask her to give up the Lion King, or to help her annul the engagement.
“Maybe both.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Bring her to the parlor.”
When Adeline permitted it, Colin hurried out. Nabi asked, puzzled:
“Why see her?”
“I don’t know.”
Adeline truly didn’t. Just thinking of Beatrice’s peach-like face made it impossible to say, Get lost. She could have said, Your father is my enemy, so don’t appear before me. But Adeline knew she wouldn’t.
“Your Highness softens whenever you see small, weak, pure things.”
“No.”
“But you love cats, puppies, rabbits, sparrows…”
“Who doesn’t?”
“The Crown Prince probably.”
True enough. Adeline conceded just as Colin returned, bowing.
“Your Highness, the guest.”
“Princess Adeline!”
Where had this girl learned manners? Adeline nearly gasped at Beatrice rushing in, ignoring all etiquette, like the Lion King himself.
“Princess, Princess… Princess.”
“Yes, I know I’m a princess. Why don’t you sit?”
Her once lovely face, like a ripe peach, was a mess. Her eyes were hollow, her delicate body frail and fluttering. Adeline had heard of her hunger strike, but assumed she was secretly eating well. Didn’t noble ladies usually replace bread with cake during such protests? How honestly had this girl starved?
Adeline reluctantly offered her a seat. Even Nabi, who had questioned why meet her at all, moved quickly to serve warm tea.
As soon as Beatrice sat, she spoke tearfully.
“Princess, I know.”
“Know what?”
“That this can’t be solved just because I throw a tantrum. There are political reasons.”
“Oh… right.”
Adeline nodded. Smart enough. But why tell her? She decided to listen further.
“But Princess…”
Trouble.
“I really, really, really hate the Crown Prince!”
“Nabi, Colin. Close the doors.”
They rushed to bolt doors and windows. Adeline held her head while letting the girl rant.
“I can’t stand the sight of him! I hate his voice! Being near him makes my skin crawl. I didn’t mind holding his hand for a dance before, but now just thinking of it annoys me. How could I marry such a man?”
Indeed. Adeline nodded.
“He’s domineering, selfish! How terrifying that such a man is the heir to the Emperor!”
Exactly what she expected. That’s why she told them to close the doors. If Cesare heard, Beatrice would already be in prison. This young lady had lost all fear. Adeline asked quietly:
“So why did you come to me?”
“Please help me.”
Beatrice had agonized over how to break the engagement. She couldn’t appeal directly to the Emperor. For a mere duke’s daughter, it was near impossible. One had to apply formally in the family’s name and wait, then appear with the family head.
Then she thought of Adeline.
“I heard Your Highness is dearly loved by His Majesty. The savior who prevented war. He even held a banquet to show his affection.”
It was the story Adeline herself had seeded, but hearing it from Beatrice felt strange.
“Please ask His Majesty so I can annul my engagement to the Crown Prince.”
“Beatrice.”
“Then I’ll do whatever you want. Anything I can, I’ll give.”
“Beatrice Hill.”
“My father said I’ll be cast out anyway.”
“Young lady. Listen to me.”
Adeline could see her trembling hands gripping the teacup. Brave words, but she was terrified she’d be refused.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Do you know I’m the Lion King’s lover?”
The blunt question froze her. Her gaze wandered, then dropped.
“…I know.”
Of course. Every noble in Sol-Marma knew. Their scandal had filled the papers.
“Then you know he won’t return your feelings.”
“…Yes.”
That was unexpected—she admitted it so readily.
“I’m dreaming,” Beatrice whispered, voice wet with tears. “I know it’s a dream, but I don’t want to wake. Reality is too lonely, too frightening.”
“Young lady.”
“I won’t demand you give him up, or hand him to me. I can’t bless you, but I won’t hate you out of jealousy.”
Adeline felt envy. How loved, bright, and happy must Beatrice’s upbringing have been, to leave her so innocent? Had she been in Beatrice’s place, she would have schemed and committed every vile deed. Or maybe innocence, too, was something one was simply born with. Was she born a villain, then?
“Princess.”
Beatrice’s voice brought Adeline back.
“Please. Once I return home, I may never escape again. My grandfather left early this morning to see His Majesty. I slipped out when the guards were changing. So please.”
“The Duke went to His Majesty?”
Adeline’s ears perked. Beatrice nodded, startled. So it begins, Adeline thought, sinking into the sofa, tapping the cushion idly.
“Young lady.”
“You can call me Beatrice.”
“I can’t grant your request.”
Beatrice’s eyes pleaded, but Adeline spoke coldly.
“Even I can’t bring such a thing before His Majesty. What would I say? That you want to break an engagement desired by the Crown Prince and your grandfather? Do you think he’d agree?”
“Princess…”
“Go home and decide. Will you lose everything by breaking it, or survive by enduring?”
There were other paths, but she wouldn’t tell her. She was cute, yes, but still of the enemy’s blood.
Adeline rose and gestured at the door.
“Forget hunger strikes. Nothing in this world comes from starving. If you’re going to fight, eat well first.”
Beatrice stood, wrapped in her fur coat. The elegant parlor, warm with the scent of tea, was the most graceful place she’d ever seen. Truly, the western palace was said to be the most beautiful of the Emperor’s residences, and its mistress was just as beautiful, just as bewitching.
But the princess was cold. Heartless. Remembering Adeline’s eyes, Beatrice shivered as though she’d stepped on frost.
It wasn’t that he was in a bad mood—he was enduring it.
Things that hadn’t bothered him before now felt unbearably stimulating because he had become aware of them.
Adeline had never hesitated with him.
Whenever they met, she would rush up and link arms with him.
Sometimes she would rest her head on his shoulder.
When sitting, she would scoot close to his side.
And when whispering a secret, she would press her lips near his ear.
Until now, he too had taken all that in stride.
But now—it was different.
When Adeline’s hand wrapped around his arm, his vision went dark.
When her head touched his shoulder, a sharp thrill ran down his back.
When her damp breath brushed against his ear, his heart raced so violently that only tightening every muscle in his body could hide it.
After calming his expression for a moment, the Lion King asked in his usual tone,
“So now, are you planning to move against the Duke?”
Adeline straightened herself, perhaps not expecting him to shift the subject like that. Folding her arms, she answered,
“You’ve made it so I can’t use the Royal Guard. In return, I’m going to take away what the Duke of Nord Hill treasures most.”
“And what’s that?”
Anyone else would have answered like this: the Duke’s noble family, the vassals under his command, or the honor built up over generations.
But Adeline pulled out something entirely different.
“His private army.”
“He’s been raising soldiers?” the Lion King asked.
She nodded decisively.
She had heard from Ordo that the Duke had been building a private force for a long time. Recently, after sending some of the gold bars she’d received from the Emperor, Ringo had returned with that valuable information.
The Emperor, who was extremely wary of anything threatening his power, had long since restricted the number of private troops nobles were allowed by law.
Adeline twisted her lips into a smile.
“The Duke crossed the line.”
“How far?”
“Too far.”
Adeline sat beside the Lion King, picked up a small mandarin, peeled it, popped half into her own mouth, and brought the other half up to his lips.
But he didn’t open his mouth.
“You don’t want it? It’s good.”
“Give it here.”
He held out his hand, and she placed the fruit in it.
“Want me to peel more for you?”
“No. I’ll do it myself.”
“What’s with you? Acting all strange.”
Again, he gave no reply, simply peeling with his large hands. Colin had brought a dozen mandarins, but after Adeline ate one, the remaining eleven vanished quickly into the Lion King’s stomach.
“So, are you going to tattle to the Emperor that the Duke is raising a private army?”
He asked, his speech muffled because his mouth was full.
Adeline laughed, reached out, and threaded her fingers through his hair.
It was something she often did.
But this time, he suddenly leapt up from his chair.
Her hand caught in his hair, a few strands pulled free, but he didn’t even flinch. He just bit his lip.
“Lachie?”
“This won’t do.”
“Huh?”
“Stop calling me by my name. Just call me ‘Lion King’ like usual.”
“What? Why?”
“And stop with the tattling. The Emperor might trust you now, but if this keeps happening, he’ll eventually grow suspicious. Leave this matter to me.”
“And what will you do? And why can’t I call your name?”
“All we need is for the Emperor to learn that the Duke is secretly building an army, right?”
“Right.”
Adeline tilted her head, then rose to her feet as well. Usually he would linger, eat until evening, and enjoy himself before leaving, but today he had barely exchanged a few words before trying to leave.
No matter what she asked, his answers were vague and evasive.
It was strange.
Adeline grabbed his arm, lifted her chin, and locked eyes with him.
“What’s wrong with you today?”
“Adeline.”
“If something’s going on, you need to tell me.”
“Adeline.”
“Where are you rushing off to?”
He could only answer.
“……It’s time for meditation.”
Zakarian had been waiting expectantly. The king he admired was finally visiting Adeline’s west palace again—perhaps he would even confess today. He had prepared meat and drink to celebrate.
But as soon as his king returned, the first words out of his mouth were—
“Arm yourselves.”
“Why!”
Zakarian, just biting into the browned pork leg, shouted. His voice spilled frustration and complaint without him even realizing.
“Why, why! What went wrong this time, huh?”
“Zakarian.”
“No matter if you’re the king, you can’t vent your failed love life by grinding down your men like this—”
“We’re going to hunt down the remnants of Tamiren and the assassins, alongside the Emperor’s Royal Guard. The Duke of Nord Hill is even sending his private army to assist. During that process, we’ll make sure the Guard begins to suspect the Duke’s forces.”
“Suspect them of what?”
“Of secretly raising an army to oppose the Emperor’s power.”
Zakarian stood up, still chewing meat. He strapped on armor, took another bite, tied his boots, another bite, fastened his cloak, and finally just carried the entire pork leg in one hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Today, we’re hitting the arena. Bring free citizens with us—if any familiar faces show up, they can rescue them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Remember. It’s not us who will suspect the Duke—it’s the Guard.”
“Understood.”
The battle was fierce.
The plan looked complicated but was simple: allow the Royal Guard and the Duke’s men to take the glory. The Lion King and his soldiers would focus on freeing the enslaved captives, leaving the rest to the Guard and the Duke’s private army.
Both forces fought savagely, driven by rivalry. And when Tamiren’s remnants fled, the chase led everyone—unknowingly—straight into the Duke’s estate deep in the forest.
There, hidden military facilities and barracks far beyond the legal limit came into full view.
The Emperor’s Royal Guard’s 5th Division had stumbled upon decisive evidence. The Duke’s illegal army was exposed.
News raced to the Emperor.
The Guard exaggerated, painting the Duke as if he were already preparing rebellion.
The Emperor, obsessed with preserving his power, flew into a rage.
The Lion King wondered what reward the 5th Division had received for this.
“What did the Emperor grant them this time?”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
It was unbelievable. They had handed him the perfect chance to weaken the Duke, yet the Emperor gave them nothing?
Adeline smiled faintly.
“He gave them something else, instead of gold.”
“What?”
“He promised to admit their children into the Royal Guard.”
The Lion King’s expression darkened.
“What?”
“You didn’t hear? Their children are to be made Guards.”
It was a reward he could hardly imagine.
The Guard was supposed to be the Emperor’s most elite knights—honored, respected, burdened with duty and responsibility.
“Even if those children don’t know the sword?”
“Surely they won’t be that incompetent. A month’s training, learn to sit a horse, hold a sword, stand in formation—that should be enough, no?”
“That’s what you call a Guard?”
“Plenty of them exist already. They’re called ‘honorary knights.’”
The Lion King’s face hardened further.
“A dangerous thought just crossed my mind.”
“What kind of thought?” Adeline asked.
“That conquering the southern plains may be hard… but taking that imperial palace might be easier than I thought.”
Adeline later came to his estate to thank him.
She had brought carts of gold from the Emperor’s allowances.
“You keep saying you don’t want anything. Then what am I supposed to give? Don’t look at me like that—I already ordered new armor for your men, and bought horses from the auction house.”
When she praised him, the Lion King turned away, gazing out the window.
“Thanks to you, my father doesn’t doubt me in the slightest. How can I possibly repay that?”
“We’re comrades. You don’t owe me.”
“I only ever take from you.”
But he had never once thought that way.
“What have I ever taken from you?” he asked.
“Well…”
She laughed at his genuinely puzzled face.
Her laughter softened her sharp eyes, brightened her pale face, and made her long lashes flutter.
He looked at her. Her lashes trembled, her long eyes folding slightly, her violet irises shimmering like an oasis.
He was enchanted. Even realizing it was useless. His large hand rose, cupping her cheek.
“Lachie?”
As she spoke his name, her lips parted, tongue brushing the syllables, corners curving into a smile.
“Adeline.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to repay me?”
“Of course.” She nodded without hesitation.
“Don’t promise so easily.”
“What are you going to ask for? I told you before—I could have built a statue of you in the south. A gold-gilded bust, a full figure, anything.”
“Adeline.”
“Then just say it.”
She grasped his hand on her cheek. Even the coolness of his skin was destructive to her composure.
And without thinking, words burst out.
“After your revenge is done—”
“Yes?”
“Give me the time after that.”
Adeline started to reply, but closed her mouth again. She gazed up at him.
When her smile vanished, her eyes turned to frost, weighing on his heart.
She said,
“You should have asked me for the South itself instead.”
“Adeline—”
“Then I would have staked my life to promise it.”
But you’re asking me for something I don’t have to give.
The Lion King could not answer.
