Chapter 14

It wasn't the thick chocolate from before, but a soft milk chocolate mixed with milk. Each sip warmed her insides. Her tense nerves began to relax.

Breen asked,

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Uh-huh..."

Lirika nodded slightly and then asked,

"Her Highness?"

"Her Highness will be taken care of by Bran. Shall I check on her once?"

"Uh-huh."

Lirika nodded. Breen signaled to another maid, who quickly left the room.

Breen said,

"At least you're not hurt. You said your hair was caught, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm fine now. I really felt that I shouldn't go out alone. Breen was right."

"I didn't wish for you to learn this way. And actually, it's the Emperor's fault."

For sending two young children on a picnic alone. Altears dislikes having people around, so he always leaves after dropping Lirika off at his office, which was the problem. Breen frowned.

At that moment, the door burst open.

"Lirika!"

"Mother."

Just as Lirika was about to be hugged by Rudia, Breen narrowly managed to take the cup from her hand.

"Scared? I don't know how scared I was. Oh my. Of all days, this had to happen today."

Sighing deeply,

"People should live kindly, I guess," Rudia said to Lirika. She had known that Attil would be attacked by a guard knight but did nothing about it.

Because he had hurt Lirika, she wanted him to experience the same. But it all came back to her.

"If only Mother could be as affectionate as Lirika."

Lirika's face turned red and she stammered,

"I'm not affectionate. I shouted loudly to the Emperor today, and, um. I like Mother even if she's not affectionate. Um, I don't dislike being affectionate."

"Hmm? Altears deserves to hear such things. Really."

With a snicker, she mercilessly belittled her contractual husband and smiled.

"Still, it gives me strength to hear you say that."

The gentle touch on her hair felt good. As her tension eased, drowsiness began to set in.

The murmurs of the two people reached her ears as she drifted off to sleep.

"Her Highness is sleeping."

"She must be relaxed. Poor thing, how scared she must have been."

She felt a gentle touch on her forehead.

"Let her sleep soundly. Cancel all her appointments after this."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Though I'd like to stay, I have a meeting after this—"

His voice grew distant, and Lirika fell completely asleep.

* * *

"—!"

Lirika kicked her legs in the air and opened her eyes wide. She was drenched in cold sweat, and her heart was pounding loudly.

"Her Highness, did you have a nightmare? Are you okay?"

The lights immediately turned on, and Breen quietly asked. Lirika nodded and sat up.

"What time is it?"

"It's past midnight. Go back to sleep. I'll stay with you."

Lirika stared blankly at the air for a moment. Breen tilted her head and asked,

"Would you like some cookies and warm milk? Or a bit of fresh air?"

"Breen."

"Yes, Her Highness."

"Can I go see His Highness?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Uh-huh. Can I?"

Breen smiled.

"There's no reason you can't. I'll ask."

"Uh-huh. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Breen smiled and left the bedroom. Lirika folded her legs and hugged them.

Mother must be with the Emperor, so I shouldn't disturb her.

And now that I'm grown up, I can't go to her just because I had a nightmare.

'What a very, very bad person.'

The name Rowin wouldn't leave her mind. The shoe-shining uncle had said,

"The worst kind of person is one who does bad things without thinking they're bad."

—Everything they say is poison.

That's what he had said.

Click

The sound of the door opening made Lirika lift her head sharply.

"What? Are you okay... Your Highness...?"

Standing there was Attil. He strode over and placed the lamp on the bedside table. He pushed Lirika back down as she tried to sit up and perched on the edge of the bed.

"Can't sleep?"

His tone was casual, and Lirika, after staring blankly at him, nodded slightly.

"If you can't sleep this much—no, you might not be able to sleep. So?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you here then?"

She was flustered by his sudden appearance.

"What for?"

He pressed, and Lirika spoke softly.

"Together..."

She glanced at him.

"To sleep together..."

Attil raised an eyebrow at her shrinking voice. Despite the softening tone, her gaze remained fixed on him.

Lirika remembered that Attil hadn't let go of her hand. In that situation, he hadn't run away and left her.

So.

So.

Finally, Attil sighed deeply under her steady gaze.

"Alright, let's sleep."

"!!"

Delighted, Lirika scooted over and patted the spot next to her.

Attil looked at the spot. Lirika patted it again.

Attil slowly climbed onto the bed. He leaned against the large pillow at the head of the bed and asked,

"Is this better?"

"Yes."

Smiling, Lirika nodded. Attil pushed her head into the pillow and said,

"Go to sleep."

"Yes."

Burying her face in the pillow, Lirika giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Sleeping together like this. I always wanted to try it with a brother."

Brother

Attil slowly mulled over the word. He had never thought about it so deeply before.

Because it hurt to think about it.

Though he had Uncle Altears, he couldn't shake the feeling of always being alone.

He slowly extended his hand. Seeing his hand hover in the air, Lirika lifted her head and placed it under his palm.

Pet pet

Gently stroking her round head, Attil felt his nerves relax. Lirika smiled.

Seeing her smile, it felt like all his worries would disappear. How could this girl be so defenseless?

Even weak.

"Your Highness."

Lirika called out to him.

"What?"

"Aren't you scared?"

Attil pressed her head into the pillow.

"Kyaa?"

"I'm used to it. This is the fourth assassination attempt."

"Fourth?!"

Surprised, she tried to sit up, but Attil nodded, still pressing her head. He muttered to himself,

"I thought the Emperor knew everything and was just letting it happen."

He thought he was being used like a pawn.

Someone who didn't matter if they died.

Or rather, someone who only needed to be alive to maintain the Emperor's position.

But today's conversation proved otherwise.

'Otherwise.'

Aunt—this word made Attil feel awkward—and the sight of Uncle talking to her gave him a fresh shock.

"Still, I would be scared even if it were the fourth time."

Sighing deeply, Lirika said. Hearing her voice, Attil felt awkward.

What should he say?

The closest people to him were Pai and Bran. But they had families and relatives.

If the world were to end tomorrow, they would leave him and run to their families.

Or if he were to die, they would mourn and then find another lord to serve.

Attil was replaceable.

But a family, once gone, leaves an empty space that can never be filled.

Something irreplaceable.

He had nothing like that.

Until now, he was sure he didn't.

But now, a weak, reckless, and defenseless person had appeared.

It was confusing. It was awkward.

What should he do?

'The only thing I can do is protect her.'

Attil thought this way and said,

"Betrayal is more painful than fear."

Lirika, who was being stroked on the head, gripped his hand and turned to him.

Attil chuckled.

"You don't have to look so serious. You must have felt better after shouting like that."

He looked into her eyes. Her eyes, which seemed to lead him to a distant foreign land, shone brightly even in the dim candlelight.

'I feel like I'm in a foreign land.'

Nothing had changed from yesterday, or even a moment ago, yet everything felt different.

But he had no intention of telling Lirika this.

It was a matter of a twelve-year-old boy's pride.

"So don't worry and go to sleep."

As he pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, Lirika closed her eyes. She held onto his hand, which he hadn't let go of.

At that moment, she had been so scared, but Attil's hand gave her reassurance. Holding his hand tightly, Lirika fell asleep.

Attil, feeling her breathing become steady, blew out the candle.

'Why now?'

He closed his eyes.

Why did Rowin try to kill him 'now'?

He could have done it at any time, but he waited. He must have been waiting for the right moment and orders from above.

And now, it was clear that 'now' was the time.

'The change must be due to the presence of the Empress and...'

He glanced at Lirika.

'Is it because of this girl?'

He didn't know where Rowin got his orders, but it was clear that he had been with Attil for this purpose from the beginning.

Thinking that their entire relationship was a lie made him feel suffocated, as if his lungs were filled with water, painful.

Humans, all of them—

"Mm..."

He must have unconsciously tightened his grip, as Lirika made a small sound. Attil was startled and released his grip. Fortunately, she didn't wake up. Her small hand was still tightly holding his.

"..."

Family.

A sister with no blood relation.

But because of that, an unbreakable bond.

Attil slid down from the headboard, rested his head on the pillow, and faced her.

It was the first time he had slept next to someone. So many firsts made him feel disoriented.

But Lirika's breathing didn't bother him, and he soon fell asleep.

'This is the first time I've fallen asleep so easily.'

This thought was his last before he drifted off to sleep.