Chapter – 08
(2023.04.08)
Escort?
Renev’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“…If you mean escort, is it by the order of the Emperor of Bashker?”
“Of course it is.”
It seemed he had no intention of revealing his identity as emperor. Renev decided to play along and opened her mouth.
“Then that is quite rude. For someone entrusted with escort duties by His Majesty, you’re speaking very casually to me.”
When Renev pointed it out, Ikar replied indifferently.
“Then you can speak casually too.”
…Is that really okay?
Renev quickly considered several possible scenarios.
For example, what if the emperor before her wasn’t someone whose actions matched his words?
If he turned out to be authoritarian like Lucius, she might not be able to handle the aftermath once his identity became known.
“By the way, your master must have originally chosen the First Princess.”
“He did.”
“But suddenly I volunteered to go instead. Does the Emperor of Bashker know about this?”
Seeing Ikar’s expression, which seemed to say what’s the problem, Renev’s eyes widened.
“…So he already knows everything.”
“Of course. It was quite interesting too. That day, it seemed the Empress’s side was trying to bring up a marriage proposal between you and the Third Prince.”
That meant he knew the internal affairs of the Paradium imperial family very well.
Slowly stroking his chin, Ikar continued:
“You must have really hated the Third Prince. You were biting your lip that hard.”
Could it be…
“Then were you here earlier today too?”
Ikar nodded, and Renev’s eyes widened even more.
“You saw everything?”
“My apologies for that part. It wasn’t intentional.”
Ikar gave a short apology.
With too many things she wanted to say at once, Renev found herself speechless.
Things are different now… why?
Ikar had officially visited Paradium only twice.
The first time was to demand a peace treaty using the First Princess as collateral. The second was during the founding festival when Renev was still empress.
And yet that same man had secretly infiltrated a marquis estate?
“It seems the Emperor of Bashker takes great interest in the Paradium imperial family.”
When Renev hit the mark, Ikar took a step closer.
His slightly loosened black shirt and black trousers made him look more like a mercenary than an emperor.
Even so, the unique aura surrounding him made Renev’s shoulders stiffen and her toes curl unconsciously.
“Of course. Shouldn’t we know each other well to prevent major conflicts?”
Ikar spoke like a pacifist, but Renev knew the future.
She knew he was a war fanatic and a butcher who would gradually devour neighboring countries.
“But tell me… are you always like this?”
Ikar crossed his arms and stared at her.
“…?”
“I’m curious if you treat even a mere escort with this much respect.”
Renev pressed her lips together.
Since he introduced himself as just an escort, treating him accordingly was proper. But knowing he was actually the emperor, how could she treat him carelessly?
“I cannot treat someone personally appointed by His Majesty poorly.”
“Well, once you cross the border, I’ll be the only one you can rely on.”
Rely on him? The emperor of an enemy nation?
Renev’s expression turned slightly strange, and Ikar asked:
“…My lady? Why that face?”
Her mind raced for an excuse.
After the promised three years, he had returned the princess safely, so she had assumed he might not be as tyrannical as expected.
It seemed that assumption had been a mistake.
“It’s getting late. I should return to the estate now.”
Renev decided to leave and turned around.
“Judging by the atmosphere, it seems you’re leaving tomorrow.”
At Ikar’s words, she suddenly stopped.
“Did you… enter the estate too?”
Ikar silently shrugged. That alone was answer enough.
Meanwhile, Renev was shocked inside.
He trespassed and he’s this shameless about it?
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud.
This was a man who had infiltrated the estate without anyone noticing. If she angered him and got killed quietly?
She would be the only one to lose.
Hadn’t she just died a few days ago?
Now was the time to be cautious.
“We plan to leave before sunrise.”
“I see.”
Ikar nodded.
As Renev walked toward the estate, she stopped and asked:
“Where have you been all this time?”
Ikar raised a finger and pointed upward.
Don’t tell me he stayed in a tree the whole time? The emperor of an empire?
Renev concluded that despite his noble status, Ikar was surprisingly down-to-earth and very action-oriented.
As soon as Renev entered the estate, the Marquis of Seiren asked:
“Where have you been alone this late at night, Renev?”
He seemed to have just returned from the palace, still wearing his uniform.
“I heard the prince visited the estate today?”
Patrick, standing beside him, also raised his voice. Renev let out a small sigh and said:
“Let’s… talk.”
Even while explaining what happened and while moving to the reception room, Patrick kept fuming.
“He tried to force a kiss on you?!”
When Patrick added some rather crude curses, the Marquis frowned and signaled him to watch his language.
It seemed Patrick’s time on the battlefield had roughened his speech.
“To think he almost became my son-in-law… it’s horrifying just to imagine.”
“I told you from the start he seemed rotten, Father.”
Only after they vented their anger for quite some time could Renev bring up the important matter.
“I’m worried the imperial family might try to pick a fight with the Seiren family over this.”
“Don’t worry about that. They found nothing but the stone thrown at him.”
“Right. They came unannounced in the first place. And he wasn’t even injured.”
Patrick pouted slightly in disappointment.
“That’s a relief then. I’ll go rest now. I’m… quite tired today.”
As Renev rubbed her eyes, both men looked at her.
“Oh… alright.”
“Yes, you must be tired. Go get some rest.”
“Yes. Good night.”
Renev memorized their appearances before turning away.
I’ll be careful and come back safely.
Before sunrise.
After leaving a short letter on her desk, Renev pulled her robe hood low.
She briefly considered taking one of the maids who had served her before she married Lucius in her previous life.
But she soon shook her head.
One had to care for her sick widowed mother and younger sibling.
Another was about to receive a proposal from a blacksmith.
She didn’t want to separate them from their lives for her own circumstances.
At the same time, she didn’t want just anyone by her side.
So she decided to leave alone.
After confirming the carriage waiting at the back gate through the window, she picked up her luggage.
On the day Lucius came to the estate, the Marquis had gone to the palace trying to stop her departure for Bashker.
Worried things might go wrong, the Empress had sent someone late at night.
“If your mind hasn’t changed, prepare to depart immediately.”
Renev threw the Empress’s letter into the fireplace and left her bedroom.
Creak.
She carefully opened the door, suppressing even her footsteps.
“…?”
Just as she sensed someone and was about to turn—
“Shh.”
A large hand covered her mouth from behind.
From the familiar refreshing scent, she immediately knew who it was.
Did he think she would regret her decision and try to run away?
The thought that she wasn’t trusted made her slightly irritated, but Renev calmly tapped his hand. Only then did he release her.
“It seems the escort chosen by the Emperor of Bashker has a hobby of breaking into homes.”
When she glanced at him, Ikar’s eyes widened slightly.
“You weren’t surprised?”
“If I got surprised twice, I might end up in the afterlife.”
As she walked ahead, Renev secretly pressed her chest.
That startled me.
She had no children, but it felt like she almost miscarried one.
“But is it alright to leave without telling your family? It’ll be three years before you step on Paradium soil again.”
Renev stopped and looked back at the estate.
“If… I can step on Paradium soil alive again… I’ll apologize then.”
“What a cold young lady.”
Ikar said as he opened the carriage door.
“I guarantee it. In three years, you’ll safely step on Paradium soil again.”
Says the one who demanded a hostage from Paradium?
Renev was about to mock him but changed her mind.
“That promise… please keep it.”
Your Majesty of the enemy empire.
She swallowed the last words.
When Renev opened her eyes again, she was still inside the swaying carriage.
“The ride isn’t exactly comfortable, yet you slept well.”
Ikar said without even looking at her, staring out the window.
Renev checked her clothes that had become slightly disheveled during sleep, reflecting on her carelessness in front of an enemy emperor.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”
“You’re Renev, the treasured daughter of the Marquis Seiren. Correct?”
Ikar gestured toward her as if he already knew.
“Thank you for the introduction.”
Now your turn, Renev gestured back the same way.
Since he introduced himself as an escort, she had enough excuse to act a bit informally.
“Hah… you can call me Dehan.”
Ikar introduced himself with a quiet laugh.
Renev stared at him with dull eyes. She was certain she had heard that name before.
For example, the name of the man known as the right hand of the enemy emperor.
“Ah, Dehan. But I heard the Emperor of Bashker is currently in Paradium. Won’t he be returning together with Sir Dehan?”
Ikar replied smoothly:
“His Majesty still has some business left in Paradium.”
“Ah…”
Renev nodded without much reaction. Ikar turned slightly toward her and asked:
“What? Are you interested in the emperor of a foreign land too?”
