Do you recognize me?

However.

‘No, Esther. Not now. Not yet.’

I have to return to the North. To stop Medeia’s unknown gift and prevent Julia Nugent’s evil deeds, I must go.

I vowed to hide myself and make you, Duke Sion Belfast of the North, the Emperor’s successor in this life.

Unknowingly, I looked at the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke was looking at me. With a face that was so indifferent it was resentful, no, looking much more tense than usual.

As I couldn’t answer with our eyes meeting, the Grand Duke opened his mouth while staring at me.

“Esther says she has no memories before the age of five. Does she remember her parents.”

“I don’t remember. However, what I can vaguely recall… is that my mother had silver hair.”

“!”

The Grand Duke’s eyes widened greatly.

I lied.

My father, Crown Prince Michael, has silver hair, and my mother has green hair.

The Empress asked.

“Your mother had silver hair?”

“Yes.”

“…Then your sky-blue eyes…”

“It seems to have been the color of my father’s eyes.”

After a long while, the Empress let out a slow breath.

“Is that so…”

“…Yes.”

I clenched my fists so hard that my short nails dug into my palms.

A long silence passed.

The Empress spoke.

“You. I don’t believe people’s words. But I believe their actions. Because actions are that person’s true heart. I hope you will continue to prove through your actions that you are on the Grand Duke Belfast’s side. Just as the Grand Duke called you his ‘precious one’, prove that you are worthy of receiving that heart. Do you understand what I mean?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

I think I understand well enough. You are telling me not to betray the Grand Duke, but to protect him.

“In this life, I have decided to protect Your Highness the Grand Duke. I will prove that resolution through my actions, Your Majesty the Empress.”

I bowed my head deeply.

“In this life… What an interesting thing to say.”

There was a sad smile in the Empress’s reply.

“Grand Duke, have you heard His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”

“Yes. Right before coming to see you, I received a messenger.”

“…You will have to return to the North.”

“Yes. I plan to depart tomorrow, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t forget the promise you made with me, Grand Duke. I will keep my agreement with you as well.”

The Grand Duke knelt on one knee.

“Sion Belfast. I will keep my promise, Your Majesty the Empress. Before the budget is passed, I will return to the capital again.”

At the time of the budget voting, we must uncover the Laherts’ tax embezzlement corruption.

“I will wait.”

“I will leave some outstanding knights behind. So they can protect you.”

“…Thank you.”

I felt deep gratitude towards the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke is considering the possibility that the South, that Medeia, could cast evil sorcery on the Empress.

I also knelt on one knee before the Empress.

The Empress said.

“Go well. Esther.”

“Your Majesty. Please stay safe and sound.”

Unknowingly, my eyes grew hot.

The Empress said.

“Thank you for saying it so earnestly.”

Even as I left the separate palace, I kept looking back.

‘Empress, please fare well. Please protect His Majesty the Emperor so he does not worsen. Forgive me for leaving like this.’

[This is the timeline separator]

That night, I took the real ‘Sword of the North’ I received as a squire candidate and went to the training grounds.

Because if I didn’t swing something, my chest felt so stuffed I couldn’t breathe.

The setting moon revealed itself from the clouds. The crescent moon was smiling at me like someone’s gracefully curved lips.

That smile seemed to be mocking me, crushed under countless fears.

I took the sword out of its sheath and held it up to the moonlight. The silver blade is crying.

The assassin princess.

Unknowingly, I infused sword energy into the blade.

-Wooong.

The sword trembled slightly as it wept.

In the sword’s cry, it was as if the cries of the many I had killed were contained, making me shudder despite myself.

That’s when it happened.

“Esther.”

The Grand Duke’s calmly settled voice.

I turned around in surprise.

The Grand Duke stood in front of the trees where darkness had descended, wearing a white shirt and black pants for sparring.

Even in the darkness, I could clearly see the Grand Duke’s blue eyes looking at me.

“Your Highness?”

“Will you accept my request to spar? I hope you won’t refuse.”

Unlike usual, the Grand Duke’s tone was imposing.

What could it be.

I deliberately took a step back and bowed my head.

“Your Highness. I am not yet a match for you. I will lose without being able to receive even a few blows.”

“There is something I must confirm.”

‘?’

“What do you mean.”

“I also believe actions, not words. I want to verify. Even if your words can deceive me, the sword you point at me will not be able to deceive me.”

Deceive? Do you think I am still deceiving you?

“…Your Highness. Do you still suspect me?”

“I want to know everything about you, Esther. It may be absurd. What are you hiding from me.”

[This is the timeline separator]

What am I hiding?

You want to know everything about me?

I was confused.

‘Why are you doing this, Your Highness.’

What is the reason for suddenly doubting me. Am I still lacking to earn your trust?

I tried so hard.

Unable to understand the Grand Duke’s true intentions, I stared at him blankly.

“What am I hiding from you, Your Highness.”

“You clearly said you lost all memories of your childhood. But in front of Her Majesty the Empress, you remember your parents’ hair color and eye color?”

‘!’

I was angry.

All this just for that?

Your trust in me wavers because of that?

You who can’t even know that the lie about regaining memories is a lie?

Even if I lied about my parents’ hair and eye colors, there’s no way for you to know.

But why are you getting angry.

‘Is it your Northern eyes telling you? That I am lying?’

It felt futile.

‘Was that the extent of your trust. The trust I ceaselessly tried to earn from you was still only that much.’

How can I tell you everything. How can I tell you who I was.

Should I say the assassin who destroyed your everything traveled through time to come to you? Then could you believe it?

Just how much more sincerity do I have to show to gain your trust.

Sharp words spilled out before I knew it.

“Yes, what if I remember?”

His gaze wavered.

“What?”

“Like the blind fortune teller said last time, my memories seem to be returning bit by bit. Is it not allowed, for my memories to return?”

I wanted to lash out at someone, anyone.

To think it would be you in front of me right now, I never dreamed of it. It shouldn’t be you in front of me.

The hurtful feelings overwhelmed the guilt. I, who have no right to be angry, open my mouth to you. Like a struggling child throwing a tantrum.

“How much more sincerity do I have to show for you to believe me?”

“I believe you.”

‘?’

You believe me?

While acting like you don’t.

“Your Highness, then why.”

“Raise your sword.”

“Your Highness.”

“If you refuse to spar, I will think you are hiding something.”

“!”

I was truly angry.

I don’t want to cross swords with you, with these feelings, in this situation.

What do you want me to do.

“If you insist, I understand, Your Highness.”

I stretched out my right arm holding the sword to the side.

A stance ready to parry an attack at any moment.

“I have no choice but to do as you say. I am in no position not to.”

The Grand Duke’s expression contorted.

He raised the hilt of his long sword in front of his eyes like holding a dagger, then lowered it to the side.

“Don’t think to deceive like with Arcadia. If you hide your skill and go easy on me, I will charge you with a crime.”

Each and every word was heartbreaking.

‘Do you think I deceived on purpose, with ill intent?’

“…I understand.”

I won’t go easy on you. I won’t hide my skill either. As my skill is the only truth I can show you right now.

Because I’m having a hard time today too.

In an instant, the Grand Duke approached me like the wind. At the same time, his sword rushed towards my face as if to singe it.

I blocked his sword and turned my body to block his next flying attack.

With my left hand braced on the ground and my waist bent back, I received the sword he thrust down with only the sword in my right hand.

We confronted each other in that state.

The Grand Duke spoke.

“You, have you ever killed anyone?”

“!”

“…Have you?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

It was resentful. Why do you only throw such heart-wrenching questions at me.

Calling me a liar.

At least in this life, I haven’t killed anyone.

‘How wretched, Esther.’

I rose up while grinding his sword down with my own, bending my waist back. Then I raised my blade vertically and swung it down.

He easily avoided the attack that could have split his body in two lengthwise.

The moment my sword touched the ground, his sword flew towards my shoulder again. I raised my sword above my head to block his attack.

He pushed my sword with force. I looked into his eyes as I was pushed back.

Rough breaths filled the space between us.

“Is this your best?”

“No.”

“Try your hardest.”

I jumped up, kicking off the ground, and moved far away from him.

Should I really attack you with my utmost?

Do you have the confidence to handle it?

I lowered my body and took an attacking stance.

His blue eyes shone.

“Just like an assassin’s movements.”

Those words became a stake that pierced my heart.

For a moment, I couldn’t make any movement. The pain in my chest can’t be expressed by just saying it hurts.

‘You’re cruel.’

What did I expect from you.

Because the you I reunited with in this life was so warm, I briefly forgot my place.

Your gaze and touch that sometimes reached me were so warm that I just wanted to stay in them, I mistakenly thought I had gained your complete trust.

“You will regret those words.”

I approached him. Silently, like flowing air.

And from a distance his sword couldn’t reach even if extended, I leaped towards him.

The tip of his sword aimed at me momentarily lost its target. Because I twisted my body in the air for an instant, aiming for his side.

In my past life, no one could avoid this attack of mine. However.

He instantly raised his sword and blocked my long horizontal attack. His sword and mine intertwined in midair.

‘He blocked it?!’