Chapter 3

Three days later, the messenger returned to Platina.

Wiping his sweat with a handkerchief as usual, the messenger said that a travel companion had been decided and that he wanted to meet Platina, leading her out of the tower.

Upon stepping outside, she found that imposing soldiers had surrounded the area, with Medea, Tsin, and the prime minister standing at the forefront. Medea was still wearing a luxurious and beautiful dress, and Tsin’s attire was adorned with lavish decorations to match.

(For a holy maiden and a priest, they’re dressed quite extravagantly.)

The holy maiden’s role should be to pray. In such a dress, she wouldn’t be able to pray properly. If a priest were to dress like that, the believers would surely be bewildered. Although it was no longer her responsibility, Platina couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at the sight of the two of them.

Misinterpreting her reaction, Medea puffed out her chest proudly and shot Platina a mocking glance. Tsin seemed to be praising her, whispering something in her ear, and they were completely in their own world.

(They really are quite close, aren’t they?)

The first time she was shown their relationship, her heart hadn’t moved due to the shock of her impending death. But seeing them so openly display their relationship now made her chest feel heavy.

It would be a lie to say she had romantic feelings for Tsin, but she had been prepared to marry him. And even if they hadn’t gotten along, Medea was still her blood sister. The two of them were trampling on Platina and trying to be happy together.

(I was just in the way, wasn’t I?)

Unable to bear the pain of losing her place, Platina averted her gaze from them, only to meet the eyes of the prime minister standing beside them. Verdi, the prime minister who had been the right-hand man of Queen Rega and had managed the country’s politics since the previous king’s era, was staring at Platina with his gray eyes. Despite being well over fifty, Verdi looked quite youthful. His tall, sturdy build made him look more like a soldier than a politician when he stood silently. His black robe only added to his imposing presence.

(He still looks so intimidating.)

Platina had almost no memory of ever speaking directly to Verdi. She had seen him standing beside the king when he was alive, but even then, he had only stared at her without ever saying a kind word. This pilgrimage was probably Verdi’s plan. Platina smiled wryly, thinking it was just like him to be so cold.

"Princess Platina, this person will be your companion."

"…Oh."

Her voice sounded rather foolish, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

A young man with black hair and black eyes stood there. He was probably a decade older than Medea. His weathered appearance and sharp gaze made him seem like a large carnivorous beast, and staring at him for too long gave the illusion that his gaze was stealing her body heat. Though he was kneeling, his lean but well-built physique was evident even through his clothes.

However, there was one big problem. His wrists were restrained by large chains, each link larger than Platina’s fist and looking very heavy.

"Um… he’s my companion?"

"Yes. His name is Eisen. He’s a wandering knight who was recently part of the Royal Guard, so he’s skilled."

"Oh, I see."

The messenger’s casual demeanor made Platina forget to ask about the chains. No one around them seemed to care about the chains either. As she hesitated, her eyes met Eisen’s.

(What should I do…)

After a few seconds of hesitation, Platina swallowed hard and forced a smile.

"Hello, Eisen. You’ll be my companion, right? Thank you for taking on such a difficult task."

Despite her concerns, she thought it was important to greet him properly and bowed slightly.

"Hello."

The response was so indifferent that the atmosphere around them froze for a moment. Even if she was no longer a holy maiden, Platina was still a princess, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to be so rude.

"You! Show some respect!!"

Naturally, the messenger, with a red face, scolded Eisen, but he seemed unfazed. His expression made Platina feel suffocated.

(…Ah, he must have been assigned to watch over me.)

For some reason, this task must have been forced upon Eisen. He had been part of the Royal Guard, but now he wasn’t. He must have been dismissed or transferred to accompany Platina. Feeling guilty, she lowered her head.

"I’m sorry, Princess Platina. He may be rude, but he’s skilled. As a wanderer, he’s well-traveled and will surely be helpful on the journey."

The messenger’s tone was like a salesman’s, and Platina frowned. Eisen had his own will, yet the messenger was deciding for him.

(Should I say I don’t want him?)

If she did, maybe Eisen would be free. Perhaps, facing death, she could indulge in one selfish request.

(But…)

Platina slowly raised her head and met Eisen’s gaze again. Though his expression was stern, his eyes didn’t seem to hold anger or hatred.

"I understand."

Nodding quietly, Platina saw the messenger breathe a sigh of relief. The soldiers and Medea, who had been watching, also seemed satisfied with her agreement.

"Eisen, I’m an inadequate princess, but please take care of me."

"…Yes."

Eisen, who she thought would resist, nodded quietly. Feeling relieved that he didn’t hate her, Platina’s relief was short-lived as the sound of heels clicking on the ground approached.

"It seems you’ve come to an agreement, sister."

"Medea…"

Medea, inserting herself between Platina and Eisen, placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.

"Good things come to those who act quickly. Everything is ready, so please set off on your pilgrimage."

"…!"

Platina’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait, Medea, right now?"

"Oh, it’s fine. There’s no one for you to say goodbye to, is there? You should be grateful that I’m seeing you off."

"Such a thing…"

Soldiers surrounded Platina, making it clear that objections were not allowed. Eisen, too, was lifted to his feet by the soldiers, the chains on his wrists clinking heavily.

"Could you at least remove his chains…?"

"Chains? What are you talking about?"

Medea looked at Platina with a puzzled expression, then turned to Eisen. Eisen, who was being stared at rudely, looked surprised and met Platina’s gaze with a clearly emotional look.

(Could it be that he can’t see the chains?)

Is there such a thing as invisible chains? Confused, Platina saw Medea pout.

"Are you starting to see hallucinations? You should leave on your journey quickly."

"Wait, Medea!"

"Take Princess Platina away!"

At Medea’s command, the soldiers moved in unison.

"Goodbye, sister. Don’t worry, I’ll oversee the creation of a beautiful memorial for you."

With a sweet face and voice, Medea said cruel things and waved gracefully. Platina, unable to resist, was half-forced to leave the scene.