I Don’t Want to Be a Lady

It was at the emperor’s office. There were two men in a space that seemed simple for an emperor’s office, with a large desk, chair, table, and sofa in front of it.

“We have to keep an eye on their movements. So that Duke and Duchess Kaien can safely return to this empire. Please, Sir Silver.”

Emperor Beirut spoke to a middle-aged knight in front of him. There was a deep trust in the emperor’s eyes looking at him.

“I will even give my life to carry out this mission.” The knight sat on one knee before the emperor and paid his respects to him.

“Yes…”

Yes. You would save them even at the cost of your life. That’s why I’m sending you. You’re the only one I can trust…

At first glance, the emperor’s eyes looked at the knight filled with remorse.

Days passed by like a flashlight. During those days of intense struggle to claim the throne, he was the only person in the imperial family who properly saw the decline of the empire. No one listened to their voices even when petitions were lined up throughout the empire, and the resentment of the imperial people, who were at a loss for a living, rang out to the imperial palace. The imperial family was caught up in the complacent and false idea that being at the empire’s peak meant that you would unconditionally be respected, only watching the empire festering from below.

“Please, listen to the voice of the people!”

“Arrogant brat. The management of the empire has nothing to do with you, so mind your own business.”

Despite his earnest advice, none of his brothers, including the emperor at that time, listened to his concerns. So he decided to become emperor himself.

The emperor had to exist for the empire. The education of all the imperial families, including imperial studies, taught him so. But none of the imperial family’s blood did so.

In the end, he cut off his blood ties to save the empire. However, he couldn’t harm his family with his own hands. That’s why he chose Duke Krow to do that.

At that time, Krow was a cold-hearted and sensible marquis. He had a great strong resentment towards the imperial family, which indulged in luxury and pleasure even in the midst of the collapse of the empire. Beirut reached out to him, and after two days of deliberation, Krow held Beirut’s hand.

Krow’s slaughter time after holding his hand, who was only the third prince at that time, was cruel and ruthless. Emperor Beirut closed his eyes and ears. He never regretted that choice because he believed it was the way to save the empire. But,

“I didn’t know that it would create another disaster. I realized my foolishness just now…”

Reviving the dying empire was more difficult and slower than expected. In order to revive its former glory, Beirut devoted only to reviving the empire, not knowing what was going on inside the imperial palace. No, he couldn’t afford to care.

It was already irreversible when he realized that his family was festering from inside his house. The crown prince had become the scarecrow of Duke Krow while Luiden was building forces and sharpening his sword to live and avenge his mother. It was not far from the bloody battle between the brothers.

“Your Majesty has devoted your whole life to the empire.”

Sir Silver’s blunt yet sincere words slightly warmed the emperor’s empty heart.

Emperor Beirut smiled dejectedly and said, “But I didn’t notice the fall of the imperial family. Aren’t I really a bad emperor?”

Sir Silver did not reply. In response, Emperor Beirut asked mischievously. “You don’t deny it. Do you think I’m a bad emperor?”

Sir Silver chose his words for a moment, then opened his mouth, which was tightly closed in a straight line like his character. “There is no perfect person in the world. Your Majesty is a saint respected by people.”

“But I’m not a good parent.”

“…”

Sir Silver remained silent again this time. Emperor Beirut glanced slightly but kept to his unshakable attitude like a thousand-year-old old tree. An honest man who never spoke empty words, he was the emperor’s only friend and the empire’s sword he could trust with his life.

“The time has come for you and me to disappear into history. I had my eye on Duke Kaien as the next empire sword. What do you think about it?”

“I also believe that no one is more suitable than him to become the empire sword.”

Emperor Beirut smiled pleasantly and nodded. “In order to do that, we must bring him safely. I’ve decided to leave that matter to you, so I believe in you.”

Even though Sir Silver’s hair had turned gray, his eyes were still sharp. He nodded his head.

“Then, I will ask you one more question. Who do you think would be the next emperor? Oho, don’t stare at me like that~ Just talk without hesitation. Who else would I ask this other than you?”

Sir Silver, who was staring at the emperor, sighed low. “Your Majesty has a habit of making fun of your subordinates for things you have already decided on. As always, I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

At the end of Sir Silver’s gaze, after he had finished speaking, hung a piece of paper that the emperor was looking at. Emperor Beirut lifted the paper.

“Now, we old people should step down.”

* * *

“The water… has run out. How much further do we have to go?” I picked up the empty water bag and shook it down to the last drop, as I said it.

“…”

I was on the edge of thirst and hunger in the end.

“No way! You’re not dragging us around to starve us to death in this empty plain, are you?”

My shrill voice echoed across the empty plain. Nevertheless, Paku still drove his horse without answering. From time to time, he looked at the sun and turned his horse’s head as if to adjust the direction, but still, nothing came up.

I couldn’t resist and opened my mouth to say another word. But Paku’s words came first.

“It seems that our paths didn’t meet.”

My purple eyes sank coolly. “I will take those words as your last will. Now, surrender yourself, Prince Paku.” In the face of mild dehydration symptoms, my true nature emerged, overriding my rationality.

Paku smiled back at my harsh words. “Lady Kaien, I’m sorry, but if I die here, you’ll be less likely to return alive.”

“Hmph, I just need to go upstream along the river… Oh? Where did the river go?” I panicked and looked around.

Charter then approached me. “The river had been out of our sight since two days ago, Arianne. The capital of the Kelteman Empire is far from the river, so I think he led us on the right track.”

“Still, our paths didn’t meet. That’s too sloppy for an excuse.”

Paku added an explanation. “Because that person is such a person who lives according to their own mood, so there are times when we don’t cross paths like this. That person wouldn’t have gone that far, so please cheer up a little more. Well then, let’s take a break and get off the horse to replenish water.”

Paku got off his horse, took a small shovel from the saddle, looked at the surrounding land, and began digging.

“Why are you digging the ground when you said you would replenish water?”

To my question, Paku answered without even turning his head. “I’m looking for water.”

“Yes? You get water from the ground, not from the river?” I made a face that I couldn’t believe it.

Paku looked at me and smiled mischievously. “If you just drink the river water, you’ll be in trouble. The water I got a few days ago was also collected by digging the ground next to the river.”

My face was horribly crumpled. “The water I drank… No wonder it smelled like dirt…”

The digging was quite difficult, so Paku’s forehead quickly began to sweat. Charter, who saw this, said, “I will do it now.”

Paku raised his head, looked at Charter, and gladly passed over the shovel. Charter was clumsy, but he steadily dug into the ground and soon reached a depth enough to fit the human lower body.

“That’s enough. Now come out and wait a little bit. We have to wait until the soil settles.”

Water was slowly pooling at the bottom of the hole. I looked at the water with confused eyes. Paku laughed when he saw me like that.

“Why are you laughing? I’m being serious now, so don’t bother me.” I rolled my eyes.

Paku said, raising both his hands. “Ah, don’t get me wrong. Harpion always has plenty of water and food, so I know you’re surprised by this. Our nomadic tribes always lack water. At this time of year, it’s possible to do something like this, but sometimes you can’t stand your thirst in the dry season, so you moisten your throat with horse blood.”

“What? Horse’s blood?”

Paku shrugged his shoulders. “I clenched my throat with the blood flowing from the slight cut. Please don’t look at me like that. That’s how nomadic people live.”

I took my eyes off him. There were various environments in the world, and living a life that fits the environment was natural. But I couldn’t tolerate something that could be normal for others. It just came as a shock.

Just like that, Charter, Paku, and I were immersed in our own thoughts for a long time. It was only after a long time that Paku spoke.

“It seems that the soil has sunk. Let’s get some water in the water bag and move again.”

When I looked into the hole, there was quite clear water, unlike the first time. I would never have tolerated it before, but the water looks cool and sweet.

Right. That’s how humans are. Only when you’re lacking something that you realize how precious the thing you had before.

They came up with a way to continue their lives even in this barren environment. They’re great people in a way. But we Harpion people… I smiled as I stroked the jewel button on my cuffs.

A single jewel button would cost a commoner two months’ worth of living. Even though you already had a lot of things, you were anxious because others have more than you. It was only after I was in this environment that I realized. The most important things for people to live are very primitive and extremely simple things like water and food.

That night, our party arrived at the place Paku had spoken before. Seeing thousands of bonfires lighting up the night as brightly as the day, I asked. “Really, is that person over there?”

“Yes.”

I wasn’t sure because it was night, but no matter how I looked at it…

It’s the troops camp, right?

When I turned my head to say something as I was dumbfounded, Paku faced me with a bright smile as if saying, ‘How is it? I did well, right?’

Ha. Look at this.