Chapter 44

‘Could it be that he’s offering to let me ride because I said I’ve never been on a horse before?’

It seemed that was the case.

The grandfather, who was almost cradling me in his arms, started walking around the riding arena next to the stable.

“Wow.”

One lap, two laps… Perhaps to give me time to get used to riding, the grandfather gradually increased the speed.

‘My butt doesn’t hurt at all? It’s not bouncing around either!’

According to Cheshire, your butt gets really sore.

But for some reason, I felt as comfortable as sitting on a soft mattress and didn’t feel any jolts.

‘Am I more talented at riding than I thought?’

“The saddle has a bit of magic on it to make it easier to ride. When you ride alone, you’ll have to get used to the fatigue that comes with the posture.”

…Hmm, that makes sense.

Could I be a riding genius?! As if reading my mind, my grandfather sternly said,

“That’s how it is. Thank you. Hehe….”

I felt elated. Riding was more fun than I thought.

After riding around the arena for a while, my grandfather turned the reins and headed toward the back of the mansion.

The back of the mansion connected to a low hill. The horse gradually increased its speed as it entered a gently sloping path.

“Whoa.”

With the refreshing morning breeze, the beautiful mansion came into view as the altitude gradually increased.

My heart was pounding.

“Grandpa! I can see the whole village from here!”

Before I knew it, the view had risen high enough to see the entire island.

The magnificent palace standing proudly in the center.

The sacred and grand white temple.

The beautifully crafted townhouses of the nobles, and the commercial district with large and small buildings packed together….

“It’s so beautiful!”

My grandfather stopped the horse to let me take in the beautiful scenery.

I stood there for a while, enjoying the cool breeze, and then asked,

“Grandpa, weren’t you supposed to come back with Dad tomorrow?”

“The banquet for the nobles was yesterday. Today is the official day for the return ceremony. But what’s the point of staying there until today?”

My grandfather clicked his tongue and added,

“The thought of seeing that annoying face of my son, whom I see every day at home, for more than half a day is a real torment. I came back quickly.”

“I see.”

I turned around and chuckled, peeking at my grandfather.

Despite his words, affection was evident on his face.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Your expression looks good, so I’m happy too.”

“My expression looks good?”

“Yes. Aren’t you happy that Dad is back? You must have missed him.”

“…Not at all. I was just more at ease without that troublemaker around.”

“Really? When Dad was in Zeon, he often said he missed you.”

“……”

“Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye and for causing you worry… Dad was really worried about you.”

I remembered what Dad said when I asked, “Dad has a dad too, right?”

“I get sad even when I’m just a little separated from Dad…. But Dad was separated from Grandpa for a long time…. I thought he must have been really sad and missed you a lot.”

I looked up at my grandfather again as I spoke.

“So, I begged Dad to come back to the island. I know why he kept hiding, but… If we go to the island, we can meet Grandpa and Aunt….”

“Is that so.”

My grandfather smiled and patted my head.

“I know it’s because of me that Dad and Grandpa were separated for so long. I’m sorry….”

“You say sorry a lot. The one who caused trouble is your father, so why do you always say sorry?”

“But it’s all because of me…. Dad left this place, and now… now… because of me, he has to go back to the battlefield.”

I lowered my gaze, feeling my grandfather stiffen.

“Dad doesn’t want to fight in a bad war that hurts people from other countries…. But because of me, he might have to.”

“Lilith, listen.”

“Grandpa, I’m really okay. Please tell Dad not to go to a bad war. Okay?”

My grandfather looked at me for a long time with an unreadable expression and then sighed deeply.

“It might be a difficult thing to say, but life is never as we wish. When you gain something, you lose something; when you want to protect something, you have to give up something.”

“……”

“Your father never hesitated to lose or give up. When he was young, I stopped him several times from making unreasonable demands to the emperor, like abolishing the class system.”

That sounds like Dad. I smiled despite feeling down.

“But in the end, he conformed and suppressed his nature. It was because of me. He believed that going against his parents’ wishes was wrong.”

“……”

“This time will be no different. At the moment of choice, he always abandoned his beliefs. He endured for me, and now for you… He will make the choice that makes you happiest.”

Grandpa knew.

To let me live as a normal noble lady rather than a soldier….

Dad was prepared to take up arms and fight against his own beliefs.

“I’m truly sorry for making you live in such a world. I can’t grant your request.”

My grandfather placed his hand on my head and added,

“I, too, can’t bear to see you risking your life every day. Your father must feel even worse.”

“……”

“All we can do is hope that the world will change someday.”

My grandfather fell silent after that.

The morning breeze felt colder than before.

* * *

Pavilion Empire Palace.

Enoch stood solemnly, taking in the grand hall.

At the end of the hall, a red carpet led to a dazzling golden throne.

Seated on that throne, the emperor looked as young and healthy as ever, despite the seven years that had passed.

Enoch began to walk slowly toward the throne.

On the day of the quietly prepared return ceremony, only a few familiar faces were present.

The emperor, Nicholas von Pavilion.

And the kneeling members of the Holy Knight Order in front of him.

Enoch stood in the middle of them, looking up at the emperor.

“Sun of Pavilion, great Primera, I, Enoch Rubinstein, pay my respects.”

“Welcome back. Great sword of the empire, my loyal vassal.”

The emperor, with a handsome face and a gentle smile, descended from his throne.

“It’s a joy to see my vassal, who has returned to dedicate himself to the empire after a long wandering.”

“I apologize for causing you concern.”

“What good would it do to hold my loyal vassal accountable for past mistakes? I only wish for you to take up your sword again for the sake of peace, the true duty of a Holy Knight.”

Peace.

Enoch swallowed his contempt and knelt before the emperor.

“Everything will be as the great Primera wishes.”

* * *

The emperor’s room.

The emperor, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the map on the wall, turned around.

“You should have brought your daughter. I was looking forward to seeing her today.”

A slight crack appeared on Enoch’s face, which had been like a statue.

The emperor suppressed a smile at this small change.

“Being of the Rubinstein bloodline, her abilities need no verification. I am delighted to have one more person willing to shed blood for the empire.”

Enoch clenched his fists. To talk about conscripting his daughter as soon as he saw him….

The emperor just smiled, reading the anger behind the expressionless face.

“Would you come here?”

Enoch slowly got up and approached the emperor, looking at the same thing.

A map of the empire, which had almost swallowed the continent.

The emperor lifted the cloth covering something next to it.

“……!”

Enoch’s eyes widened.

Portraits of fallen comrades.

“Many familiar faces, aren’t there? How could I not honor those who willingly sacrificed themselves for the empire?”

A deep shock enveloped Enoch.

The many moments of gathering the bodies of comrades he had laughed and cried with.

The terrifying memories that remained vivid even after so much time.

“I, too, am sad. Though it’s for the empire’s peace, sending my vassals to their deaths is a difficult task.”

“……”

“War is cruel. In the abyss, no one can guarantee their survival.”

Enoch’s breathing grew heavy as he looked at the portraits of his comrades.

“Yet, we cannot stop for the sake of this country, for my people.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Enoch.”

The emperor replied affectionately.

“Is there something you want to say?”

The voice, tinged with the suspicion of a despicable intention, was sharp.

The reason the emperor brought up the horrific memories of war from Enoch’s past was obvious.

“Wouldn’t it be a waste to let such a daughter, who could either be extinguished by a spark or explode at a touch, go to war?”

“……”

“How could you send such a daughter to the battlefield?”

Enoch closed his eyes tightly.

The emperor, watching him, placed a hand on his shoulder affectionately.

“I wish for your daughter to grow up peacefully. I would like to provide her with conveniences through my power. But, you know.”

“……”

“You are not the only parent. Many parents on this land will complain about the unfairness. Who would want to send their child to war?”

The emperor’s children were no exception.

Lilith was no exception.

Being of the Rubinstein bloodline and with parents in the highest class, Dos, her high-level abilities were a given.

But she had an obligation she could not avoid.

“However, you have the power. The power to protect your daughter. If you are willing to take on the duty of your child, no one can complain.”

The snake-like voice seeped into Enoch’s ear.

“There have always been wars that you and I have disagreed on.”

Wars of conquest, driven by nothing but the beastly desire to expand territory.

“You’ve always said that ruling the continent is futile, but…”

“……”

“Everything is for my precious people. I will make this empire stronger, invincible.”

“Are you preparing for an invasion?”

Enoch asked, feeling a tightening in his throat.

He had anticipated what the emperor would demand, using his daughter as leverage.

He had even resolved to hand over his own leash to the emperor for his daughter’s sake.

But even so.

The moment of facing the cliff and abandoning his own beliefs was excruciatingly painful.

“Yes. Though you have always been consistent, I hope for a different answer this time. Just as the empire has changed from seven years ago….”

“……”

“You have changed too.”

The emperor whispered despicably into Enoch’s ear.

“Now that you are a father.”