Huh? What’s this? Blaming Jax? Sending Brody to enemy lines was Jax’s unilateral decision, and the princess herself didn’t agree?

Brody felt puzzled.

Regardless of how the novel’s content was not to her liking, Jax and the princess were genuinely in love. Yet, here was the princess, speaking ill of Jax to Brody.

“Do you suggest I should resent Lord Jax?”

“No, how could I? I know he did it for me, and for the empire. But it really wasn’t my intention.”

Ah, is that so? At her words, Brody changed her expression and offered a mischievous smile.

Her face turned emotional, as if thinking, ‘My sincerity has finally gotten through.’

But the next words that dryly burst from Brody’s mouth were incredibly sharp.

“Then who intended to control my will and kidnap me in the South?”

The power was the princess’s, to begin with. Could she also deny this?

Despite the sharp rebuke, the princess seemed genuinely surprised, astonishing Brody even more.

“Oh my, I knew you’d be concerned about that. You probably won’t believe me, but I really didn’t know that would happen. I reluctantly shared my power with Lord Jax as a last, last resort. Were you inconvenienced? If so, I apologize. I’m sorry.”

“……”

Brody was at a loss for words.

What sort of… personality is this…? Is she acting?

The princess really did seem naive.

‘No, a naive person wouldn’t threaten someone with a crossbow.’

Brody regained her composure, jolted by the princess’s words.

The cruel and passionate figure who had pursued her in front of the fortress, and the image of a beautifully ideal young lady.

These incompatible facets were mixed in her.

‘I only saw her bright side in the novel.’

Had the story twisted because of Brody’s interference? She felt a strange sense of disconnect with the novel.

Brody asked,

“If you’re sorry, does that mean you won’t target me anymore?”

“Hmm, can’t promise that. I’m still very tempted by you. I really regret letting you slip through my foolish mistake.”

The princess cheerfully responded, gracefully pointing at the jewel that had fallen on Brody’s skirt.

“So, I’m trying to persuade you now. The empire would welcome you at any time. Please consider it as a gesture of goodwill. If you return, I promise you the highest level of treatment. I hope you would live in the palace and be friends with me.”

Without changing her expression, Brody took a handkerchief from her pocket and picked up the jewel.

She then threw it back toward the princess.

“I won’t consider it. I am already the Grand Duchess of the North.”

However, the princess didn’t catch the jewel Brody had thrown. The jewel pierced through the hologram-like figure of the princess, hitting the carriage wall before rolling down to the floor.

Smiling charmingly, the princess did not even look at the jewel.

“Brody. You must trust Lord Aiden. I understand.”

“……”

Brody looked indifferent, as if saying, ‘Why state the obvious?’ Milea’s eyes filled with pity as she spoke.

“But don’t fully trust him. He probably hasn’t told you everything. Absolutely not.”

“……”

What nonsense is this? Who is she saying not to trust? Brody was exasperated but maintained a neutral expression. She didn’t want to show any weakness before her right now.

The princess’s eyes deepened. She lowered her gaze, and along with it, she lowered the crossbow she was aiming with.

Is she saying she trusts Brody? Or that it’s okay if she’s found out?

Brody hastily evaluated the situation, tempted to shout even at this moment.
The princess spoke slowly, showing no sign of urgency.

“Truth is a harsh law. The North will be a dangerous land for you, more than you think.”

A moment of silence.

Just when it seemed like the sound of falling snow might be audible, the princess lifted her gaze once more.

With a slightly grimaced expression, she looked at Brody, her face a mixture of gloom and regret.

“The day you realize this, you will need it.”

As she spoke, her apparition began to flicker and wobble.

“If you need help, come to me. Don’t forget.”

With those final words, her apparition faded away.

Brody stared blankly at the spot where she had vanished.

‘Could it really not be a dream?’

To regain her sense of reality, Brody looked out the window again.

When she pushed aside the curtain and looked out the right window, Ian appeared in his usual form.

Had the princess only been visible to Brody, or had no one else seen her?

The view outside was as desolate as ever.

‘Is it really not a dream?’

Watching as the horse’s hooves made imprints in the snow, she turned her head back.

But on the carriage floor, an orange magic stone had fallen, proving that what had just happened was real.

Perhaps the princess’s disappearance had some sort of limitation, like distance or time.

‘No, it must be the distance.’

Before she went farther north, the only time to make contact was now. That’s why she appeared hastily. So, this meant that she wouldn’t appear like this again.

Brody organized her thoughts while staring at the magic stone.

“Sigh…”

An involuntary sigh escaped her lips.