Terdeo took me to the bedroom and then returned to work. He said that the hideout where the person who poisoned me was found had nothing in it. He also mentioned that it might have been a false report. Then he left the mansion.
“I’m so tired.”
As I complained and slumped onto the sofa, Rebecca hurried over and gently massaged my shoulders.
“Are you okay? You must have been very shocked.”
“Yeah, I was very shocked.”
After meeting Dodolea, I felt drained all over. I looked at the books on the table and waved my hand.
“Take these back to the library. I don’t have the energy to read them.”
“Yes, I’ll take them back.”
“Bring me a warm cup of cocoa when you return. I feel like I need something sweet to calm down.”
“Yes, shall I also bring you an apple pie?”
“No.”
Rebecca’s question made me shake my head immediately. Just mentioning the apple pie reminded me of Dodolea.
“I don’t even want to look at it.”
I shivered and clicked my tongue. Rebecca, seeing this, wiped her eyes and carefully spoke.
“Your Highness, may I make a suggestion?”
“What kind of suggestion?”
“My friend, Aduis Fortun.”
Aduis Fortun? I tilted my head, and Rebecca sat down on the sofa next to me and continued.
“Aduis knows a lot about the social scene. He’s a very discreet person, so he could be a good set of eyes and ears for you.”
Discreet? He seemed as light as a feather to me.
“Isn’t he someone who can’t show himself publicly? How does he get social information...”
“Aduis is always surrounded by alcohol and ladies, noblewomen. Good information often floats around in places where there’s a lot of alcohol and noblewomen.”
That’s true. He was a notorious playboy during his time studying abroad.
‘Certainly, good information often circulates in places with a lot of alcohol and noblewomen, but...’
I thought for a moment and shook my head.
“I don’t trust him. He doesn’t seem like someone I can rely on as my eyes and ears.”
Rebecca agreed. I had assigned her to watch over my family, but I didn’t trust her completely.
“But he could be very helpful.”
“We’ll see. If we really need help later, we’ll reconsider.”
With my firm answer, Rebecca couldn’t say anything more and tightly closed her lips.
***
It was now the last day of the festival, the day of the parade.
“You look tense.”
Terdeo, sitting opposite me in the carriage, asked casually. I pressed my stiff cheeks with my palms and took a deep breath.
“I’ve never stood in front of so many people before.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. Everyone should feel honored just to see the face of a family that has contributed so much to the empire.”
“You’re very confident.”
“You should be, too.”
The carriage we would ride in the parade was specially made with both sides open. It was clearly designed to display the two of us. I subtly stuck my head out. At the front of the parade was the military band, followed by the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Princes on their majestic horses. Then came the carriage with Princess Dodolea. Our turn was after them.
‘Reina is here too.’
Reina was sitting next to Dodolea as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Normally, a lady-in-waiting couldn’t sit next to a princess, but it was obvious she was placed there to show me. As proof, Reina laughed loudly when our eyes met.
‘Just wait and see.’
I was considering grabbing her by the hair at the end of the parade. Reina said something to Dodolea and then got up, approaching me without hesitation.
“Hi, sis.”
Reina waved and smiled.
“I had to tell you. As you just saw, I’ve become a lady-in-waiting to Princess Dodolea.”
“You’re perfect for it.”
It’s a perfect match, a gathering of madwomen.
“Sif will soon join the Royal Knights. The Princess decided to make it happen.”
“Sif? Now that I’m gone, you’re meeting openly?”
My sneer made Reina frown in realization. Stupid.
“It’s not my business... but it would be nice if he joined the Royal Knights quickly.”
“Huh, what? Are you regretting letting Sif go now?”
“Excuse me. Who would regret throwing away something useless, Reina?”
I glanced at Terdeo and smiled victoriously.
“My husband is the head of the Royal Knights. If Sif joins, he’ll undergo harsh training and be reborn as a human.”
“You’ll reform him.”
Reina’s face turned pale. Just as she was about to say something, a loud drumbeat signaled the start of the parade.
“What are you doing? The parade is starting. Go back to your place.”
I waved my hand, and Reina bit her lip, turned around, and hurried back to her spot. Then a loud trumpet sounded, and the parade began. As the carriage slowly moved, I forced a smile and looked around. People who had come to watch the parade cheered and waved at us.
“I understand why you said you hate being a spectacle.”
“Do you? Can you understand the feeling of a bird trapped in a cage, unable to fly? I can.”
Terdeo, with his arms crossed, leaned back and only looked at me with a scrunched-up face. It seemed he had no intention of looking at anyone else.
“Wave to the people. They’re greeting you.”
“It’s not necessary. I haven’t done anything to deserve their gratitude. The war wasn’t my choice.”
“Still, they are grateful for the results.”
Ignoring my words, Terdeo crossed his long legs and closed his eyes. His raised eyebrow showed that he was very unhappy with the situation. What can I do?
‘I have to wave too.’
I ignored my stiff facial muscles and waved enthusiastically. People cheered in response. Some even shed tears. The carriage moved very slowly, like a snail, and the parade continued as if we were animals on display.
‘I want this to end quickly so I can rest.’
If I had to do this parade two or three more times, I’d probably close my eyes like Terdeo. I was already tired halfway through. I sighed but still smiled and waved to the people gathered for us. When our carriage reached the middle, a man in a deep hood suddenly rushed onto the parade route, pushing through the crowd.
“Huh?”
Why did he suddenly come onto the parade route? It’s dangerous. I couldn’t figure out what the man was trying to do.
“Terdeo, there’s someone over there...”
At my call, Terdeo opened his eyes. Just as I was about to tell him about the man, things happened in an instant.
“Glory? What glory when so many people have died in the war!”
The man shouted and, in the blink of an eye, drew a sharp sword. He then charged at our carriage. Without hesitation, he cut the ropes connecting the carriage to the horses and kicked the horses’ hindquarters hard.
“Neigh!”
The horses, freed from the reins, galloped forward and into the crowd. The parade was immediately thrown into chaos, and screams filled the air. People were trampled by the horses’ hooves and kicked by their hind legs.
“Screams!”
Our carriage, losing its horses, tilted forward and almost toppled over. Caught off guard by the sudden situation, I almost fell with the tilting carriage.
“Fereshati!”
But Terdeo quickly grabbed my waist, pulling me into his arms. With one hand holding me and the other gripping the carriage, Terdeo turned his head. His eyes were filled with a murderous intent.
“You.”
Following Terdeo’s gaze, I saw the man in the hood standing still, looking at us. He slowly took off his hood, revealing his face. His eyes, filled with madness, were very familiar.
“...!”
It was the kitchen assistant who had poisoned me. Why did he come here on his own? The man’s eyes were fixed on Terdeo, ignoring my shocked expression.
“Because of you, my family died!”
Just as the man was about to raise his sword again, someone quickly ran out from the chaotic crowd. He then kneed the man’s back, pinning him to the ground.
“Ugh!”
The man was forcefully pinned to the ground.
“It’s an assassin! Protect His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Protect His Highness the Crown Prince! Protect Her Highness the Princess!”
The Royal Knights finally regained their senses. Urgent voices calling for the protection of the royal family echoed loudly. At the same time, the terrified screams of the crowd spread even wider.
‘What is this...’
The chaotic shouts and screams made my head spin. But among them, the voice of the person who had pinned the man with his knee was clear.
“This isn’t the place for such actions. This is a crime.”
It was a familiar, soft yet firm voice. He quickly restrained the man, preventing him from moving, and then smiled charmingly at us.
“Are you hurt? Your Excellency, Your Highness.”
The wind blew, and his golden hair, shining like gold, fluttered beautifully. Terdeo, frowning, hid me behind him.
“Lord Fortun.”
The man who had swiftly restrained the man smiled.