I lay back on the bed. Humans are creatures of adaptation, and now the soft bed didn’t feel awkward at all.

However, if I were to lie on a military makeshift bed again, it would probably feel familiar. I spent quite a long time lying there.

Lying on the bed, I chattered while looking at the mural on the ceiling.

“When on the battlefield, everyone talks about what they’ll do when they go back, right? While hoping the war won’t end because they’re afraid their hometown might change simultaneously.”

Even if I wished it would end because I was so fed up, when I thought about my hometown, the time I had spent alone felt palpable.

“I worried a lot about what would happen if everyone returned, but I had no place to go. I felt the same way.”

“You felt that way too?”

“Of course.”

Since I was walking a path that no one else had taken, it was even more so for me. There’s almost never a princess wielding a sword on the battlefield.

At that moment, Hadel asked with a strangely serious tone.

“Didn’t you ever think about revenge?”

“Revenge?”

“Other families spent their time in the royal palace, and you suffered alone for several years. Weren’t you angry?”

“Especially after hearing Esben’s story.”

Hearing Esben’s story did make me a little angry. I really went through a lot. But if you asked if I was very resentful…

“If it wasn’t me, someone else would have stood on the battlefield. Since my younger sibling had the flame attribute, maybe that child would have come.”

Someone had to do what needed to be done.

“In that case, I’ll do it.”

To my reply, Hadel chuckled softly.

“…I thought you would say that.”

“Why? Was that an important question just now?”

Instead of answering, he just smiled. As I tilted my head, I let out a sigh through my nose.

Well, it’s fine.

‘But it still feels strange. I’m alone in a world where there’s no one, talking about the past.’

Maybe it’s because it’s night. I kept feeling uneasy. As I absentmindedly stared, Hadel asked.

“What did you want to do?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve returned to your hometown after a long time. So, what did you want to do when you came back from the battlefield?”

“I didn’t particularly want to do anything…”

It was as Hadel said. I was at the home I longed to return to for a long time. It just took a very long time.

If only I had returned safely.

“If I hadn’t died, wouldn’t I have married as soon as I got back? Since my fiancé must have waited for a long time.”

“…Fiancé?”

As if Hadel didn’t expect such an answer, he stiffened his face. I laughed lightly, clapping my hands.

“I don’t even know his face. I only remember that it was awkward when we first met.”

I felt almost guilty calling him my fiancé. Since I couldn’t return, he probably married someone else.

“In the end, he and I had a time discrepancy.”

Turning my body, I hugged Hadel. And, reassuring Hadel, who was anxious about me going to the southern region, I patted him.

“So, I’ll finish it quickly and come back this time. Don’t worry.”
After a moment of silence, Hadel tightened his arms around me.

“I realize once again. Being with you like this is an incredible miracle.”

I nodded emphatically.

“That’s right. It’s a miracle.”

Since the moment I met Hadel, who was resting alone in that cold forest.

Cliché, but I don’t know if it’s fate.

In fact, despite not showing emotions, Hadel had deep-seated anger since entering the palace. It was natural since nothing was left to his own will.

“In the end, Marian even proposed.”

I couldn’t help but laugh when I thought of the spirited Marian. But looking at the people he was facing, his lips stiffened as if it were a lie.

Hadel stared at Duke Hart, who was sitting in front of him, drinking tea with cold eyes.

Duke Hart spoke, pretending to be nonchalant.

“This country is blocked by mountains, and the only trade route with other countries is the sea. Why would a princess from another country be welcomed here, and even the princess be married off there?”

Beyond the mountains, there are different races that Marian drove away at the cost of her life. Humans, who had no confidence in defeating them, dared not cross the mountains.

Ultimately, the road connecting to other countries is the southern sea. Maintaining friendly relations with other nations was crucial for the kingdom suffering from a lack of new resources and trade.

“It’s because it helps politically.”

And the most useful way to solidify such relationships is undoubtedly through marriage.

“His Highness has no other kin. But do you think marrying Lady Marian and strengthening the identity of the royal family through marriage will be helpful in the future?”

In a long speech, the message for Marian, one of the few royals, was to be sent to another country for marriage to strengthen ties, and for me to find a queen among the noble ladies to secure your throne.

‘Tiresome.’

Hadel’s red eyes glowed darkly.

‘In the north, he wandered around as if everyone was infected with the plague, and now he’s unabashedly putting words into my mouth.’