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100th Chapter

“But would Serenon be happy to receive that power?”

Even for just a moment, the Serenon I’ve seen was not that kind of person. I wanted to add something but ended up just closing my mouth.

“What an impressive person, in many ways.”

The firmness that filled her eyes was the conviction of someone who had gone through life’s trials and emerged with a sense of justice. It was not something I could even dare to touch. Even though our paths might differ, I nodded steadily, acknowledging her as truly remarkable.

One should not casually speak about another’s beliefs. Most importantly, Tina was not someone who would listen to what I had to say.

“What kind of ending did Tina Cypros meet in the original work?”

I momentarily shifted my eyes, trying to recall. Perhaps it was because I had thoroughly read the notes I made about “The Night of the Fairies” yesterday, though it was a bit foggy, memories began to surface.

In the original work, Diego ascends to the throne in haste after the Emperor’s sudden death. After which, Serenon becomes a duke due to Diego’s strong backing amidst the noble faction calling for her execution, while Tina ends up imprisoned.

“The final fate of the unprecedented villainess, the Empress, who would do anything to make her son Emperor, was just that.”

I recalled a line written in the original. For some reason, it lingered deep in my memory and still seemed vivid. With a sinking feeling, I rubbed my chin slowly.

“Could Tina Cypros be defined merely as the ‘unprecedented villainess Empress’?”

I didn’t feel inclined to defend Tina’s villainy. What she had done to Diego was truly unforgivable to me as his friend.

However, from my perspective, now faced with reality pulled from the novel, I couldn’t help but wonder.

Humans are not such simple creatures; was Tina Cypros really simply evil to the core?

I gazed intently at her.

In fact, there was a reason for such questions.

Among the monsters, my instincts were exceptionally sharp. Even the stronger sword master, Caesar, could not match my keen sense.

“Yet, in front of Tina, my instincts don’t ring.”

No matter how pleasant the impression or how kind the actions, if there was even a slight danger, my instincts would sound the alarm. However, it was peculiar that they didn’t with someone like Tina Cypros, who appeared dangerous.

“Either my instincts are dulled… or Tina is not a dangerous person.”

It had to be one of the two. Yet both seemed unlikely, and I couldn’t help but fall into thought.

“First, let’s organize the situation.”

I didn’t have the time to dwell on these worries. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and met Tina’s gaze directly.

“I think I should answer your proposal first. To put it simply, I have no intention of becoming a princess.”

I cut it off without leaving any room for doubt. For a brief moment, ripples passed over Tina’s previously calm face. She narrowed her eyes coldly and clicked her tongue.

“You’re my sister, so I thought you’d be wise.”

“I’m sorry, but I wish to be remembered as an Empress, not a princess.”

“– What?”

Tina’s eyebrows twitched.

“The Empress is the highest position a woman can attain. Don’t you covet that glory?”

“I understand the significance of being an Empress. However, I don’t wish to be remembered as someone’s wife in the future.”

I faced her without wavering.

“I am Kashmir Crisis. I am also Mir, and a swordsman.”

This is my unchanging identity. I didn’t want to be remembered in another way; I didn’t want to be remembered as an Empress.

“The highest position a woman can reach in the Empire is indeed as Empress.”

So far, there had never been a female Emperor in the Empire. It wasn’t forbidden by law, but it was an unspoken ban. Hence, the highest point a woman could reach in the Empire was indeed as an Empress.

“But I do not wish to be an Empress.”

However, I, Kashmir Crisis, did not want to be one. I did not want to live like Tina, becoming an Empress.

In the first place, I lacked the capability to become one. I was not fit to be a ruler, nor did I want to carry such a heavy title.

“I will be remembered as a swordsman. The swordsman who protected precious things.”

That was my conclusion. I glanced slightly at Tina’s eyes, which reflected faint emotions, and let out a shallow breath.

“I won’t be getting married.”

I said it softly but clearly. Tina, who had been biting her lip, looked at me with cold eyes.

“A worthy husband is the honor of a noblewoman. How can someone as intelligent as you say you won’t marry?”

I stared at Tina for a moment. Her foggy, blue eyes seemed to hold only coldness, barely flickering.

“She doesn’t truly think that.”

I could read from her eyes that she was not speaking in line with her actual thoughts.

“I’m sorry, but I will create my own honor.”

I spoke firmly to her, who looked as if she wanted a different answer.

Beneath her white teeth, Tina’s red lips pressed together tightly. She roughly brushed her hair back, her once perfect lavender locks now disheveled.

“I see your feelings. Since I have made you the Prince’s teacher, I cannot revoke that, so I trust you to take good care of Serenon for a while. Now, I shall take my leave.”

It was a firm farewell. Reading faint traces of turmoil in Tina’s eyes, I stood up without any further words.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. It was enjoyable.”

I bowed promptly and turned away, walking confidently, feeling the gaze on my back persist.

“It’s exhausting.”

Having met three challenging people in one day, I felt drained. I tried to pull my weary mind together as I stepped forward.

By the time I finished my talk with Tina, the sky had already darkened. Walking the road lit by street lamps using magic stones, I spoke to the attendant guiding me to the carriage.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Is it alright for you to go alone?”

“It’s fine. Go back quickly.”

The attendant, who hesitated for a moment, obediently returned to my orders. Once I felt the attendant’s presence fade away, I looked up at the sky. The star-studded night sky was majestic.

“Come out; I can see you there.”

Then came a soft laugh from behind a tree. The grass rustled underneath moving heels.

“I didn’t think you would be aware, but I didn’t expect you to create this opportunity for a conversation.”

“Since you came here personally, I couldn’t not make a space for you.”

I realized how much I had been tense all day long, feeling quite pleased to see a long lost friend. Smiling gently at the shadowy figure that emerged from the darkness, I addressed him.

“Have you been well, Diego?”

Beneath the moonlight, the one smiling gracefully was Prince Diego.

“How could I find peace in the palace like a frozen lake? I’ve just been barely surviving.”

“… Were there assassination attempts again?”

I furrowed my brows. I had learned while growing closer to Diego that he faced daily threats of assassination. I felt slightly uncomfortable realizing that I had just encountered the culprit a moment ago. Diego chuckled nonchalantly.

“Don’t you know? It’s just a part of my routine. I’m used to it by now.”

What kind of feeling is it to become accustomed to constant attempts on one’s life? I felt a little distant. Seeing Diego, who appeared calm as he spoke such words, made my heart ache. I swallowed my sadness.

“Getting used to it isn’t alright.”

“Getting used to it” and “being okay” are not synonyms. I had lived convincing myself those two words were the same, but truly, just because one becomes used to something doesn’t mean it’s alright. Diego blinked a few times before slowly lowering his gaze, obscured by his long eyelashes.

“We’re friends, yet I can’t help you.”

Though I am Diego’s friend and a sword master, I couldn’t assist him against those who threatened him. The chaos of the throne struggle was beyond the Emperor’s control. That left me feeling upset, and I bit my lips.

“This is why I like you.”

Whispered Diego as he took a gentle step closer. Raising his chin slightly under the heightened night, he added,

“Being with you makes me feel like I’m truly alive, not just scraping by.”

Diego smiled with his eyes crinkling at the corners. Watching that soft and beautiful smile after so long warmed my heart.

“How irresponsible of you to come out alone.”

Diego flinched. He averted his gaze to examine my expression as he fiddled with his hair.

“After all, I was briefly out in front of the palace. The likelihood of anything happening in this short time is low…”

“That’s how you get killed. You know that.”

I replied firmly to Diego, who was trying to evade the conversation. I remembered when I first met him. He had faced real danger coming out without guards.

“But why does Diego hate having guards…”

Sighing at Diego, who was awkwardly smiling, it was clear he had an understandable reason for avoiding the guards, even though he was the crown prince.

“I once had a friend when I was younger. He was a commoner and a knight, but I thought of him as a friend. We lived like brothers for several years, but one day, he poisoned my cup. I asked him why he’d do that when I could give him more money than anyone else. His answer was simply that he had disliked me from the start. Everything about me… he was just envious and hated it. He claimed that all he showed me was a façade. After that, I became wary of having bodyguards around. I couldn’t help but feel they were all after me.”

As Diego calmly recounted his past, the pain lodged in his eyes was too big and deep for me to add anything. I often thought that it was a miracle Diego had not lost his sanity until now.

“… Please walk with bodyguards.”

I mumbled, slightly upset. He smiled brightly.

“Honestly, I came here to see you, not worried about anything. If something happens, you’ll protect me, right?”

His nonchalant words made me burst into laughter despite myself. Diego, who looked pleased, extended his hand toward me.

“Let’s stop with all this talk. How about we go watch the stars? I’ve wanted to show you whenever you came to the palace, but you always left before night passed. Let me share my secret spot with you.”

Well, it was because when I entered at dusk, Aria and the sword would hold me back. Staring at his outstretched hand, I looked up at him.

“Ah.”

I felt like there was no need to see the stars. Because Diego already had stars in his eyes. His deep blue gaze sparkled like it had stars embedded within.

“… Specially, I’ll make an effort to watch them with you just once.”

Having already seen the stars, I held his hand, hoping the starlight in his eyes wouldn’t fade because of my rejection.

 

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