The Princess's Doll Shop

After spewing out determined words, her heartbeat was neither fast nor slow.

Gazing at her as if they were the only people in the world, as if time had stopped, Deon quietly moved his hand.

Moving away from her hand on her chest, to her neck…

As if plucking the strings of a harp, he grazed the space next to her.

His hand, calloused from constantly practicing his sword, curled up, looking as if it wanted to strangle her thin neck, hesitated, then smoothed over her wound, cut by Jean’s sword, before finally, carefully wiping the blood.

It was then.

It was almost funny to impose on Deon’s trust, but from the corner of Kathia’s mind arose a small but solid trust.

It was the trust in him treating her preciously from now on.

Even if she would be a tool that is used and discarded.

[Third Scene. The Place Where the Setting Sun Remained and Left]

In the short time when fall transitioned to winter, many hot issues circulated within the Brezina Empire.

Whether the emperor, who gave up on his favorite consort after being pushed by the First Consort and the Duke of Tanium, became quite sick.

Whether the people, who supported the former Imperial Crown Prince, had acted quickly to align themselves with the Second and Third Prince.

Whether the high-ranked aristocrats argued to select the new Imperial Crown Prince.

Whether they created a group of diplomats headed for the barbaric Forune Kingdom, on the other hand.

The head of the diplomats was the youngest prince. Such stories kept circling around the aristocrats and servants.

In any case, the contenders for the new Crown Prince were the Second and Third Prince.

Because of that, people thought that the youngest prince was already fulfilling his imperial duties on the side as ‘the prince who cannot become emperor’.

Anyhow, in reality, it was completely different.

Knock knock.

Hearing the gentle knock, Kathia turned her head to where the noise came from. The visiting ‘thief’ who had black hair was entering through the window again today.

“Come on in.”

In front of the fireplace, Kathia smiled while knitting as she welcomed Deon.

It’s so true calling humans animals of adaptation.

Initially, she was often startled, to the point of fainting, but now, she was always ready to welcome him whenever the window suddenly opened.

“Oh my, is it raining outside?”

“A little bit.”

Deon answered while brushing off his wet hair and shoulders. Kathia immediately stood up from her seat, found, and then grasped the fire iron.

“You must’ve been cold. I’ll put more wood in the fireplace.”

“Leave it. I’ll do that.”

Deon rushed over and was handed the fire iron. Ignoring Kathia’s shivering hands, he handled the fire in the fireplace.

“Thanks.” Following the barely-audible whisper, Kathia pulled the bell-pull twice, which was directly connected to Madam Murphy. It meant for her to bring warm tea because the visiting ‘crooks’ were here.

It’s been about two weeks since the secret rendezvous, which’s not really a secret rendezvous, had taken place.

In those times, Kathia and Deon shared many conversations, sometimes quietly, other times, having tea while sitting across from each other.

The interesting thing was, even after a long silence between the two, awkwardness and peculiarity could not be found at all.

Instead, it felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

After remembering the contents of the book, Deon was often scary but wasn’t unfamiliar. Deon acknowledged Kathia’s value so he treated her kindly and preciously, like a real sister.

Kathia summed up her relationship with Deon as a ‘hammock-like relationship.’

They were both lying down on a hammock, solely relying on a long, old rope; if one of them were to slip, then it would quickly flip over— a dangerously balanced hammock.

If a strong wind were to blow, it would shake violently, and one day, we’d be high-strung about the old rope snapping and fraying…

Even then, right now at this moment, it’s very comfortable and cozy. Oddly enough.

How should I put it? Escaping the unnerving present, and looking at a pleasant dream instead?

If you look at it from a different perspective, to them, the other could be the one fulfilling their dream.

Even so, it’s not like they’re forgetting the current state they’re in.

“You mentioned that the Second Prince’s revolt will not be after the summer of next year.”

After finishing up his job at the fireplace, he hung the fire iron and stated such. The fire inside the fireplace was deliciously dining on the new log.

It felt warm. After slightly dozing off out of fatigue, Kathia acknowledged what Deon said late.

“Mm.”

“Is there a reason?”

“On the last day of August, there’s a celebration for the Empire’s Foundation Day. So that’s the peak time of interest and attention on Spírĭtus, as it automatically increases. The Master of the Arcane Tower wishes to throne the Second Prince in accordance to that date.”

Specifically, he hoped for the synergy effect.

Deon nodded as if he understood Kathia’s added comment.

If the Foundation Day on August 31st were to be called the Day of Spírĭtus instead, it wouldn’t be inappropriate.

Commemorating the dragon that protected the First Emperor with admiration, it’s why they celebrated him throughout the entire empire.

The emperor taking the imperial throne using magic as if in the past, and to exaggerate the existence of the Arcane Tower who helped him along the way, they definitely needed to carry out the coronation on Foundation Day.

“Ah, but the date may change. The goal is clear, so I don’t think the date will change. But I am not certain.”

Deon quickly nodded, agreeing with Kathia’s words that reflected her fluid thoughts.

Even before she started to be concerned, Deon had already ordered the Barkley Unit to observe the Arcane Tower.

The speed at which the variable could happen at any time and anywhere was felt time after time.

But they didn’t find anything strange so far; it seemed plausible to happen next year as Kathia mentioned.

“I’ll pay attention to that.”

“Mm. It’s a must. You can’t make any mistakes.”

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While mumbling, Kathia finished up her tightly woven knitting.

She made an important note for him that her information could change by some small details at any time.

It appeared that the big flow of events wouldn’t change, but what caused it could change at any time, so she added that out of concern.

“Please excuse me.”

The conversation naturally ended as Madam Murphy pushed in the serving tray. As to not bother them, she quickly set the tray down and swiftly left.