“Yes, Your Highness. Her name is Sini. The princess personally gave it to her.”

“You’re lucky, Sini. If you had caught my eye first, your life wouldn’t be yours anymore.”

“…….”

“Meeting a generous princess who saved your life, it would be better to live for the princess. If you harbor any hesitation, I’ll show you what pain wishing for death is like.”

“I… will… dedicate… my life… for my master…”

Sini stammered in response.

“Yes, engrave that determination deep into your heart and live by it. The princess who decided to take the life with golden eyes that brings misfortune has more determination for your life than you do.”
After finishing his words, Cyrus turned to Lanster.

“Will you step aside?”

“Sorry, Your Highness. The princess is alone.”

“So?”

“In the Northern Crown, we don’t allow unrelated males to enter a room where a lady is alone.”

“Then, will you inform the princess that I’ve come?”

Lanster grimaced uncomfortably but couldn’t refuse the request of the owner of Maho Castle, the Northern Crown’s lord. Ariana was just a guest visiting the Northern Crown.

“Princess, His Highness, the Northern Crown, requests the honor of meeting you.”

As Lanster spoke, a small voice came from inside.

“I’m not feeling well. Please tell him I want to rest for a while.”

Lanster looked at Cyrus with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Did you hear that?’

“Your Highness, the princess is extremely tired from a long journey.”

“Oh, I see. If she’s unwell, I’ll send for a physician.”

“Lanster, tell him not to show me to the physician.”

At Ariana’s response from inside, Cyrus suppressed a laugh.

“It wouldn’t be fitting to have any shortcomings in treating the princess who has graciously walked all the way to the Northern Crown. I’ll send the most skilled physician in the palace.”

“Lanster, tell him I just want to get some rest because I’m tired.”

“Princess.”

“…….”

“Are we going to keep talking like this with a door in between?”

“…….”

“Are you angry with me?”

Dash[——]

The door opened, revealing a small face. Just that was enough for Cyrus to feel relieved.

“I’m not angry, Northern Crown. Why would I have a reason to be angry with the Northern Crown?”

“Then you won’t refuse the invitation from the owner of Maho Castle who has come as a guest?”

“What kind of invitation is it?”

Not having thought that far, Cyrus pondered for a moment before saying.

“A walk.”

+++

Ariana couldn’t understand Cyrus’s actions.

When did he come to suggest a walk suddenly, especially after saying harsh words?

Being with Cyrus made her feel uneasy, and she wanted to be alone. There were many issues to think about.

However, as a guest who came to the Northern Crown, she couldn’t refuse the proposal of the Northern Crown.

Reluctantly putting on her coat, Cyrus said.

“You don’t need an escort. No one would dare harm the princess in Maho Castle.”

“I want Sini to come with me.”

“Sure.”

Lanster wore a displeased expression but didn’t object. For a guest to bring escorts everywhere was considered rude, implying a lack of trust in the owner of Maho Castle.

Inside Maho Castle was warm, but as soon as they stepped outside, a cold wind greeted them. Seeing Ariana’s hair getting tousled, Cyrus spoke.

“It’s windy around this time.”

“Is there a storm coming?”

“Not a storm, but the wind coming down from the Graten Mountain is quite brisk.”

Despite Ariana wearing a thick fox fur coat, her body still shivered because of the wind sneaking in through her neck and sleeves.
Seeing that, Cyrus took off the black coat he was wearing and draped it over Ariana’s shoulders.

The coat, now sagging down, emitted a pleasant fragrance.

“The Northern Crown might be cold too.”

“I don’t feel cold.”

“Is it because your body is cold?”

“In the Karha family, occasionally people with low body temperatures like mine are born. It might be a punishment for a lineage that fully utilizes the magic taken by the gods.”

“Still, you won’t catch a cold.”

Cyrus chuckled softly.

“Yeah, that’s a relief.”

Indeed, Ariana thought it was strange.

Just a while ago, her stomach was churning when she left the reception room, but as she talked with Cyrus, the tension seemed to dissipate as if nothing had happened.

It happened before. When Cyrus told her to firmly establish her position in the Northern Crown, saying that she could only benefit from it. Back then, she knew Cyrus had some ulterior motive for treating her well, but her heart froze.

Even though I decided to use you, as time passed, it became dull.

It was strange to attribute it to not seeing it, as the hatred and revenge towards the Bronthe family and the Third Prince did not diminish at all.

However, the unpleasant feelings toward Cyrus flared up like a fire but quickly subsided. What remained in the ashes was something Ariana couldn’t easily label, a strange emotion she had never felt before.

It was somewhat sweet and a bit bitter, an indescribable feeling that Ariana had never experienced before.

“I heard you had a difficult time on your way to the Northern Crown.”

Cyrus’s voice brought her back from reverie.

“I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t get used to it. Was it very dangerous?”

“It was more dangerous for Sini than for me. She got hit hard on the head.”

Cyrus seemed uninterested in Sini’s condition.

“Donghoja is strong and diligent, and the people of the Northern Crown like him. He’ll be a great asset to the Ovelier Duchy.”

Ariana thought of Jeore.

His desperate gaze and voice.

It looked like he was begging, pleading, clinging, even though he was much bigger than Ariana, he seemed small and weak.

Ariana also recalled his last moments.

Jeore spared no effort to protect Donghoja, and indeed, he died for Donghoja.