Chapter 10: 10

Chapter 10 | I’ll Help You

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A short breath of air passed through Olivia’s lips for just a moment at the feeling of his rough finger touching against her mouth. Her eyelashes fluttered faster than a butterfly braving a storm.

But that was only for a second.

She roughly wiped her mouth, answering with a deceptively calm voice.

[Olivia] “It’s sweet because that’s how it was made to be. And now that you’ve had something sweet, tell me.”

Olivia paused for a moment, picking up another snack.

[Olivia] “What were you thinking back then? What I heard before I died can’t have been a lie.”

[Cryer] “I must have gotten stronger.”

But Cryer caught the end of her words. Staring at him like he was far away from her, Olivia watched him with her mouth agape, stuttering out again.

[Olivia] “You…….got stronger? You?”

Stronger than he already was?

Cryer gave a dry looking smile, seeming to know the answer without even hearing the full backstory.

[Cryer] “I don’t know exactly what happened to you during your four deaths, but…..”

A loud shout coming from Olivia cut Cryer off.

[Olivia] “The palace! The entire palace was destroyed! With just your sword, you managed to smash down the walls of the Imperial Palace!”

Her voice contained so much sincerity, her cry sounding so very passionate, but Cryer just shook his head.

[Cryer] “With my current strength, there’s no way I could destroy one of the palace walls with a single blow. Maybe a room wall, but that’s it.”

[Olivia] “What? That’s it?”

Honestly, whether it was one of the palace walls or a room wall, destroying it with only a blade was something that was far from the norm. There was not a knight in the Empire who was capable of either feat.

But seeing Cryer nod, Olivia decided to ask.

[Olivia] “How did you get so strong?”

Unlike other knights she had come across, never once had she seen him train, or even wield a sword outside of battle.

[Cryer] “Well, to be blunt…”

Cryer gave a ferocious grin—once that showed his canines.

[Cryer] “It feels like my original strength was sealed away, and is slowly being released—little by little.”

Olivia didn’t know what to say.

Original strength? What he used to have?

Whatever it was, it was a force that gave him the capability to start a war all on his own, then wipe out the Imperial Knights alone, and then end the world. All on his own.

[Olivia] “You……..What on earth were you up to in the past?”

[Cryer] “If I knew that, then I’d probably already have a clue as to how to break this damned slave contract.”

Just as Olivia was about to speak again—

Knock, knock—

Following after the second knock, one that sounded out in the middle of the night, was the calm voice of Sebastian, the Emperor’s closest aide. It echoed in the room along with his knocks.

[Sebastian] “Your Highness. His Majesty, the Emperor is looking for you.”

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This was a few hours after the corpse of the knight in the Princess’ Palace was discovered and dragged away. Such was the price he paid for playing with fire.

The sky at night was full of dark clouds, and yet somehow, around noontime, the sun was shining brightly as if all that dreariness was nonexistent.

Several young noble ladies were gathered together around a tea table, decorated with an assortment of cute snacks, all carefully laid out upon their plates.

[Lady] “This one is new…..”

[Lady] “This was recommended to me by one of the northern knights…..”

The conversations flowing between the ladies changed at a moment’s notice. Occasionally they would burst into laughter as they talked. They chatted for what felt like hours, exchanging trivial stories with one another.

But in the middle, one of the ladies of a small Count family lowered her voice, speaking in a hushed whisper.

[Lady] “That knight…”

Although she didn’t mention exactly which knight she was speaking of, none of the ladies present questioned the knight’s identity. They knew exactly who she was talking about.

After all, if someone was talking about that knight within the Empire, there was only one knight they could possibly be talking about.

An unknown knight from the Kingdom of Nordian, who entered the Imperial Palace after capturing the Princess’ attention at first sight. The young lady who brought him up fell silent for a long time, but the other girls didn’t push her. They merely perked up their ears and held their breath.

[Lady] “Apparently he was seen around the Princess’ bedroom in the middle of the night.”

[Lady] “Oh my.”

[Lady] “Oh goodness.”

As soon as the young lady’s lowered voice came out, varied gasps erupted from around the tea table.

Yes, it was true that Cryer was around Olivia’s bedroom in the middle of the night, but it was just like the gossiping young ladies to imagine things that did not happen, their ideas pounding in their heads.

But the truth of what happened that night was never revealed, so everyone’s thoughts grew increasingly pink and embarrassing.

[???] “Ah, how wonderful.”

Sitting near the center of the table, a pink-haired young lady spoke with a dreamy look in her eyes.

[???] “It was love at first sight—an Imperial Princess and an unknown knight. A love that transcends borders and status!”

It was like an epic story, one filled with love and drama. Like one right out of a play.

Though truthfully, Olivia and Cryer’s relationship was far from love. In fact, if one were to place their feelings upon a scale, the weight would definitely lean more towards Cryer.

But in the eyes of those who had no way of knowing the truth between the two, they seemed like a pair of lovers who were fighting against the insurmountable wall of status for the sake of their love.

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[Lady] “But the difference in status is too much. He’s not even a Prince of Nordian, but a mere knight…..”

But before she could finish talking, the pink-haired girl, Amber, still had such dreams echoing from her eyes. She joyfully clapped her hands together, shouting out.

[Amber] “But isn’t that true love?”

The young ladies were about to speak up, but in the face of Amber’s joy, they quietly closed their mouths one by one until only Amber’s perky voice filled the table.

[Amber] “………It has to be. Hah.”

After she barely managed to quiet down with a sigh, one of the noble ladies picked up her teacup, awkwardly covering her face with it without realizing it.

Like they’d planned it, all the other ladies followed suit, remaining silent as they all picked up their teacups and blocked their expressions. Meanwhile, Amber spoke without taking a breath, recounting from beginning to end the fateful meeting of Olivia and Cryer, and their illicit love affair.

The effect a love scandal between a princess and knight had on politics and diplomacy was no small thing, but she continually rambled on with ease, surprisingly not turning into dust in the process.

[Amber] “And then…..”

Amber stopped for a second to take a sip of her tea, but the moment the other ladies heard the brief silence, they spoke quickly as someone approached.

[Lady] “Oh my!”

[Lady] “How long has it been?”

[Lady] “Oh, it’s been too long!”

Another young miss joined the table after a long absence, and everyone welcomed her with a single heart. However, not one asked what the cause of her long absence was. Most of those gathered here knew of her family’s difficult circumstances, teetering on the edge of collapse.

The young miss that was hosting the tea party quickly prepared another seat, and the new girl was soon seated near the middle of the table.

[Lady] “It’s very good to see you.”

The hosting lady was quite close to this girl. Sitting next to her, she tightly held her hand underneath the table, but the girl could only smile bitterly at the sensation of warmth.

[Amber] “Congratulations!”

Ringing out in her thoughts were a casual and light greeting. Amber smiled brightly.

[Amber] “I heard everything worked out, yes?”

Amber was so confident and bright that she reluctantly answered her question.

[Girl] “Yes….it worked out…..fine.”

Her voice was weak and muffled, while her smile was subdued, but her words meant that everything had indeed been resolved. However, she didn’t look too happy about it. The others wanted to congratulate her as well, but her displeased expression gave them pause.

But not everyone was as hesitant as they were. Amber just gave a wide smile, taking the girl’s hand and shaking it.

[Amber] “It went well. That’s so fortunate!”

[Girl] “Yes…..”

With a clumsy smile, she pulled her hand away from Amber’s as naturally as possible—her insides feeling indescribably complicated. She wanted to wipe clean the part of her hand that Amber had touched, and yet she wanted to hold her hand tightly again at the same time.

Yes. Their relationship had been like this from the beginning.

Her involvement with Amber Taryn had been a chaotic series of coincidences from then until now.

[Amber] —’I will help you.’

Hearing about her difficult circumstances by chance, Amber gave her everything she needed to get both her and her family out of the swamp. After all, problems that started with money could be ended with money as well.

House Taryn was one of the richest families in the entire Empire, perhaps even the continent. Had they not helped, this girl’s family would’ve become destitute long ago.

But there was no end to human greed. Her parents had been living in luxury and pleasure since just before their family’s collapse, and they were hoping she could squeeze more money from House Taryn. 

She wanted to run away from them, but she didn’t know she would run into Amber at the very social gathering she was meant to attend….

[Amber] “I’ve made sure you’re alright, so I will be taking my leave first.”

Amber stood up from her seat, waving to her with a genuinely bright smile right until she turned around, and the girl awkwardly waved back. Before long, the bright locks of Amber’s pink hair disappeared as she left.

[Lady] “Hah……”

One of the ladies sighed, and that was just the start. Long sighs rippled out, each of them laced with exhaustion. Then, another one of them spoke with a tired voice.

[Lady] “She’s very sincere when it comes to love.”

Someone spoke quietly.

It was a bit of gossip, saying that the heiress to the massive House Taryn was sincere only in love. But perhaps the sentiment of this one person reflected the truth they were all afraid to say.

With a vague smile, another uttered a remark.

[Lady] “Yes……A very pure-hearted young miss.”

A young lady turned to the girl, who was still staring blankly in the direction where Amber left.

[Lady] “Are you really alright?”

This lady was quite close to her in comparison to the others, but looking at her deceptively calm face, it was hard to say for certain that she was okay. Silence fell upon the ladies again as the girl failed to respond.

Usually silence could be taken as affirmation, but seeing her darkened expression, it was like she couldn’t even nod to head to let them know she was alright.

[Girl] “Well…..I don’t know. The urgent problem was solved very quickly.”

She paused for a moment like she was choking on her words, then took a breath.

[Girl] “But I’m afraid another problem will arise soon……because I took the easy way out.”

Perhaps she was vaguely aware of it.

Even if her current problem was solved like this, it was only a matter of time before the problem repeated itself—round and round like that. And the next time it came, it wouldn’t go away so easily.

Another’s kindness could not last forever. Especially not the pure kind that did not ask for anything in return. Even if she managed to persuade Miss Taryn to give them more money like her parents asked her, what would happen then?

What would come next?

With dry eyes, she looked at the empty seat that Amber had left behind.

What would have happened if Amber hadn’t reached out to help her when she needed it most? Far from sitting here at this table now, she would be floundering like a fish on the beach, suffering from an incredible pain she couldn’t even begin to imagine.

Knowing this, she also held Amber’s hand without letting go.

She smiled bitterly, pushing back the refreshments she was afforded because of Amber.

[Girl] “Miss Taryn’s goodwill is truly a wonderful part of her, and I cannot fully express my gratitude, but……”

She was afraid that what started with good intentions could quickly twist and lead to ruin instead. She bowed her head, shakily holding her teacup.

[Girl] “How long will Miss Taryn’s goodwill last?”

It was a question spoken so quietly, it could not be heard by anyone—merely scattering into the air without reaching anyone’s ear.

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