Lilica had fun riding the pony. She walked and ran in harmony with Saebyeol.
Brynn smiled happily as she watched from a distance.
âIâll have to order a few more horseback riding suits, too. If she gets used to it, she should also learn how to ride sidesaddle.â
Lauv was a little confused on whether she was talking to him or not.
His gray eyes glanced at Brynn before turning back towards Lilica.
âIsnât she so cute?â
Lauv agreed to the words that were spoken ecstatically with hands clasped tightly together.
âYouâre right.â
âGosh, that scared me. What, you know how to speak?â
ââŚâŚâ
In an instant, Lauv wondered what he should say and responded flusteredly.
âI know how to.â
âAhh, me too. Iâm quite good at mumbling to myself, so you donât have to reply.â
Then, she smiled broadly and waved at Lilica, who was waving in this direction.
When Lauv waved with her, Brynn said.
âDonât be mistaken, will you? Sheâs waving at me.â
âIâm soliloquizing, âAlright.ââ
Lauv replied. Brynnâs eyes narrowed. Lilica came over in an instant and asked.
âHow was it? Doesnât it seem like Iâm pretty decent at riding now?â
âYes, your back was also straight, and you rode so well.â
âI think I can gallop at full speed now.â
âIâm looking forward to it.â
As she answered with a bright smile, she spotted a servant running from a distance.
She could see it clearly as she was seated at a high spot.
The servant that rushed over hurriedly stopped and said.
âApparently, the grand theatre is on fire, Princess.â
âThe grand theatre?â
The moment she thought, âThatâs bad,â Lilica soon remembered that her mother went to the grand theatre earlier.
âNo!â
Lilica couldnât help but spur the horse on. Saebyeol immediately responded and began running.
âPrincess!â
Brynn exclaimed in astonishment, and Lauv shot out like a flash of lightning.
In an instant, he ran faster than the horse and blocked its path.
Lilica yanked on the reins in surprise. Fortunately, she wasnât running at full speed, so Saebyeol stopped immediately.
Sheâd almost hit Lauv, and Lilica thought her heart was about to rise out of her throat.
âLauv!â
Lauv shouted.
âWhere are you going?â
âWhere else, obviouslyââ
âYouâre going to the Grand theatre, arenât you? Iâll call for a carriage.â
Brynn quickly caught up with them and said. Only then did Lilica realise that she didnât even know where the grand theatre was.
Thereâs no way she could have gotten there on Saebyeolâs back.
âIâm sorry, I⌠I mean.â
Her hands trembled as she tried to stay calm.
âExcuse me.â
Lauv hugged her off the horse. Brynn squeezed Lilicaâs hands tightly.
âThe Empress also has a talisman, doesnât she? Iâm sure that sheâll be fine. Come on, letâs go.â
Lilica thought that she was good at taking care of herself, but that wasnât the truth.
While Brynn arranged for everything, Atil, whoâd heard the news, ran over.
âLilica!â
Lilica suddenly felt like crying.
âAtilâŚâŚâ
âAre you okay? Youâre going over now, right?â
âY, yes.â
âLetâs go together. Horses are faster than a carriage. You can sit in front of me.â
âYou canât.â
Lauv objected. He continued as Atil glared at him.
âHorses are too exposed. Besides, itâs all the more so if two people are riding on a horse at the same time.â
Atilâs expression hardened.
âDonât tell me. The fire in the grand theatre? On purpose?â
Lilica came to her senses at that. She wanted to dash over there immediately.
If she knew the way there, she wouldâve rode on Saebyeol and headed there, even if she was all by herself.
But you shouldnât do that.
An outstanding princess would,
An outstanding princess would.
Lilica looked up.
âThen please prepare the carriage quickly.â
âItâs ready.â
When a servant rushed over and delivered those words, Brynn spoke in a voice that wasnât loud but sounded very clear.
âLetâs go.â
Atil pulled Lilica along by the wrist.
The carriage was one that could travel swiftly, and there werenât any emblems.
But it seemed rather sturdy.
The carriage ride was rather rough, but Lilica only found it to be too slow. Atil held her hand tightly.
âItâll be fine.â
âYes.â
âAh.â
At that time, the sensitive Atil noticed the signs and said.
âItâs raining.â
â!!â
Lilica opened the carriageâs small window with a snap. Raindrops were falling.
Tap, tap, tap.
âA little more, a little more, quicklyââ
As soon as Lilica made a wish, it began to rain.
The carriage slowed down. It was a great downpour.
The sound of thunder could be heard very closely. The sound of the rain was loud.
âItâs Uncle.â
Atil said lowly. Lilica looked back at him in surprise. Atil grinned crookedly.
âWho else is capable of making it suddenly rain like this? At this time, just like that.â
He looked back at Lilica.
âEverything will be fine now.â
* * *
It stopped raining when she got out of the carriage. Nevertheless, the acrid smell was everywhere.
More than half of the grand theatre, which was boasted as the empireâs most majestic place, was burned down.
Rescuers and spectators crowded the area surrounding the theatre.
However, it wasnât difficult to locate Ludia, as there was a place where the knights formed a circle and kept guard.
âMother!â
Lilica ran over with a loud cry. Ludia, who was seated in a portable chair, looked up.
âLily!â
âMother!â
She burst into tears at the sight of her motherâs face, who was safe and sound.
Soot was all over her motherâs damp face and body, indicating the urgency of the situation.
Lilica threw herself into her lap.
âYou, youâre alright. Youâre safe, hic.â
âMother is alright. Iâm alright. Itâs all because of the talisman that Lily gave me.â
Ludia patted Lilicaâs head. Then, she looked up, found Atil and smiled.
âI didnât expect the both of you to appear here like this.â
Ludia patted the approaching Atilâs arm lightly, and sighed.
âThe flames were really huge.â
âBut thanks to Her Majesty the Empress, the casualties have been greatly reduced. Do you know how worried I was that you didnât come out until the last second because you were directing people to escape?â
The head lady-in-waiting sighed and spoke like she was airing her grievances. Ludia smiled.
âBut itâs fortunate that it rained like this.â
âYou must be fortunate to have a husband like me.â
âOh my. Altheos.â
Ludia looked surprised.
âWhat are you doing here?â
Altheos strode over, grabbed her chin and tilted it around.
âDid you get hurt?â
âIâm fine.â
Altheos let go and folded his arms.
âThen get up.â
Startled by those words, Lilica immediately jumped out of her motherâs lap.
âAre you hurt? Are you not feeling well?â
âA little on my ankle, Altheos, Iâll make you regret it if you try to lift my skirt up right now.â
Altheos, who had an outstretched hand, stopped. He looked at her quietly and spoke to Lilica.
âYour mother is such a reckless person.â
âAltheos!â
What are you talking about in front of a child? Then, Ludia raised her voice suddenly.
The people in their surroundings craned their necks and listened in on their conversation.
âIs His Majesty here?â
âDid Her Majesty the Empress get hurt?â
âI heard that it happened while she was saving people. My goodnessâŚâŚâ
Tears started falling from Lilicaâs eyes again. It was scary. She was scared, really scared.
She only had her mother.
If even her mother disappeared.
If even her mother disappeared.
Ludia rose from her seat and scooped up Lilica. Astonished, Lilica said.
âY, your leg.â
âItâs really just a slight injury. Here, isnât Mom standing properly? Hmm? Momâs fine. Itâs alright.â
As she stroked her head and patted her back, Lilica burst into tears in her arms again.
Altheos said to the sniffling Lilica.
âYou donât have to worry. Now, Iâm protecting your mother.â
At those words, Ludia made a pathetic expression for a moment and she quickly told her daughter.
âThatâs right, His Majesty is the strongest man in the Empire. Lilica doesnât have to worry so much. You were really shocked, right? So you were frightened.â
âBring the children to this place,â although there were many things Ludia wanted to say, she held them back. Altheos spoke.
âLetâs go back to the palace for now. Itâs too chaotic here.â
âIn any case, that would be nice.â
When Ludia said those words, Lilica squeezed her mother tightly once and dropped onto the ground.
Atil clicked his tongue and handed her a handkerchief.
âThenââ
As Ludia turned her head to look for a carriage, Altheos lifted her up.
âAltheos!â
âI heard you hurt your ankle.â
âHonestly.â
Ludia sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
The appearance of the emperor and empress getting on the carriage left a strong impression on the people.
âLong live the Empress!â
âLong live the Emperor!â
For some reason, Lilica couldnât follow behind them. She twisted her handkerchief and stood there quietly, watching the retreating silhouettes of her mother and His Majesty.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Atil asked, causing Lilica to startle and shake her head. Atil looked around.
âI think Iâll have to roughly settle things here before going back. Go back first.â
âWhat?â
âNo matter what, thereâs nothing you can do right now. Since youâve shown your face. Since His Majesty left like that, I should handle the matters here.â
âIâll help you, too, is there anything I can help you with?â
âNever mind. Itâs too dangerous, so go back.â
âStill, stillâŚâ
Lilica wanted to do something. Atil spoke firmly.
âIâve already told you that itâs fine.â
ââŚâŚYes.â
Lilica answered softly and stepped back. Brynn said next to him.
âWith all due respect, Your Highness, I would like to say something. Now that the princess making an appearance here is known, it doesnât seem appropriate for her to leave immediately.â
âWhat?â
Atilâs brows furrowed. Lilica raised her head up in a flash and raised her voice.
âI can also do it.â
âWhat?â
âPlease?â
âWhat can you do? Donât get in the wayââ
âAhem.â
Brann, who was standing behind him, cleared his throat. Atil held back what he was about to say.
âYou arenât trying to hurt her, are you?â
He recalled Piâs words and took a deep breath.
Yes.
He wasnât trying to hurt her.
âLilica, the things that have to be done here are things that you canât do yet. And there are so many people outside. Lauv, a single escort, canât handle that. Iâm really worried for you, so go back.â
Lilicaâs shoulders drooped. She nodded.
âAlright.â
Brynn placed a hand on Lilicaâs shoulder as a comforting motion.
Lilica climbed into the carriage and took a backwards glance.
The figure of Atil, who was skillfully giving instructions to the gathered crowd, entered her eyes.
âAh.â
A rainbow appeared over the collapsed grand theatre. Puddles of water glimmered.
For some reason, it was devastating, and yet stunning.
The carriage door closed. The carriage now moved in a much smoother manner than before.
Brynn, who was riding in the carriage with her, asked carefully.
âAre you alright, Princess?â
âYes, Iâm fine. Mother is safe too. Itâs a relief.â
Brynn smiled as she watched Lilica smile and speak bravely.
âIf you grow up a little more, youâll be able to work with His Highness.â
âYes.â
Lilica nodded.
When she returned to the palace, Lilica stood beside her mother, who was being examined.
His Majesty nagged the doctor about this and that.
There was a terrible look on Lilicaâs face, so Ludia comforted her several times.
Ludia had sprained her ankle slightly, and there was a small burn, so she applied ointment.
âYou could have just watched the fire burn there blankly.â
âWho would have just watched it burn? They would have evacuated the people. The damage would have been greater if I hadnât stepped up.â
âThatâs right.â
The head lady-in-waiting beside her agreed.
âHer Majesty the Empress brought the situation under control with her status and evacuated the crowd. When women dressed in crinoline fell to the floor, they were trampled on without being able to get up. Thereâs nothing they could do even if they were on fire.â
It was a terrible thing to think about again, and the maid shuddered.
Those wearing crinoline were helpless once they were caught on fire as it was an outfit that couldnât be worn or taken off by themselves.
As the crinoline would obstruct each other, other women couldnât help them, and the fire quickly spread from one wide skirt to another wide skirt.
Just one person was enough to block a passageway.
Fortunately, following the trends, more than half of the women who were dressed in bustle-style clothes. Their movements were much faster.
âIf the Empress hadnât popularised bustle dressesâŚâ
The head lady-in-waitingâs body trembled.
If all the women present were dressed in crinoline, it would have resulted in a huge sacrifice, no matter how hard they tried.
Ludia clenched and unclenched her trembling hand.
âI knew about it and let my guard down.â
The fire blazed so strongly and spreaded everywhere in an instant.
Her body stiffened at the sight of people choking on the smoke and the fluttering flames.
The blazing fire
The flames at the stake
The moment when fear set in,
Cling!
Lilicaâs talisman fell onto the floor, making an absurdly loud sound amidst the chaos and screams.
Startled, she was able to come to her senses.
The moment she spotted the talisman, the strong thought, âTo live and return to Lilyâs side,â appeared in her mind.
Since then, she shouted and waved hurriedly.
The imperial familyâs seat was structured so that could be clearly seen from every direction, so everyone saw her standing there.
â I will stay here until the last person escapes!
That cry captured the hearts of the people.
A section in the middle of the grand theatre had collapsed, which obstructed the flames and bought them some time. But if it didnât rain thenâŚâŚ
Goosebumps rose all over her, and Ludia rubbed her arms.
âAnyways, Mom is really fine. Itâs all thanks to Lilyâs talisman. And thank you, Altheos. I would have been in trouble if it hadnât rained.â
âIt would have become a larger problem if my wife had burned to death there.â
âAltheos.â
When Ludia signalled at Lilica with her eyes, Altheos shut his mouth.
Lilica smiled.
âThen Iâll take my leave now. Mother, please rest well.â
âShall we sleep together tonight? Hmm?â
Ludia suggested with a smile. Lilica glanced at Altheos and shook her head.
âNo, Iâm fine.â
Lilica spoke bravely and left, âIâll be back tomorrow morning.â
Ludia looked anxiously at her daughterâs small back.