Juliet Iris Kiellini
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“He is completely convinced, even if it is a false prophecy or a curse from a pseudo fortune teller.
If it were me, the Anais family's cousins are on his side anyway, so I would marry a woman from another family and expand my power.”
“It was the seer the Empress cared about.
He predicted many things, so that stupid prophecy could actually be right.
It’s not something to laugh about like that.”
Killian smiled humorlessly at Spencer's words.
“It was said that the fortune teller was spiritual and received much better treatment than he deserved for some small things.
But it is obvious that he was a pseudo seer, as he was unable to prevent the Empress's assassination.
If not, why couldn’t she have predicted such a big incident?”
Killian used to speak consciously and lightly when talking about things from the past.
However, his impression was firm now, unlike his casual tone.
While Spencer looked anxiously at him, Killian was thinking about the incident without realizing it.
The annual summer hunt was held every May to celebrate National Founding Day, which was for the independence of the Kingdom of Mycaeum following its contribution to the victory of the Great War four hundred years ago.
It was the most important festival in the Principality of Bertino.
Thirteen years ago, that year, the Empress and the second Queen decided to participate in Bertino's summer festival, as they attended every year.
The emperor was worried that they would have to move overland because of the unrepaired Magic Square.
Despite his repeated dissuasion, the Empress would not give up her chance to visit her hometown.
It was a perfect trip, except that Irene, the second queen who left with them, fell ill in the middle and returned.
The excitement of Killian's first long carriage ride was especially great.
It was a moment of crossing the final forest to pass the border connected to Bertino, enjoying the beautiful May weather with a light heart.
There was a sudden attack by bandits.
At first, everyone in the entourage laughed at the foolish bandits as they attacked the Empress of Austern's group.
But the bandits were more than twice the number of guards and were as capable as the imperial knights.
The escort knights began to be killed without help by those who could not be considered bandits.
Empress Cordelia opened the carriage curtain slightly and looked out, and said to Liana, the maid: “Liana, I feel something strange.
I need to hide Killian.”
The backs of the knights surrounding the Empress' carriage were visible, but the bandits with the black masks beyond them were quite powerful.
Seeing the Empress lowering the curtain again, Liana hurriedly lifted the lid of the chair on the side where she was sitting.
“Your Highness, I know you will feel uncomfortable, but you will have to go inside for a while.”
Killian looked back at the Empress uneasily.
Cordelia looked at the space under the chair for a moment and shook her head.
“No, Liana.
If they are the ones we think they are, they will search the place first.
They know that Killian is also going to Bertino with me.”
“Killian, do you know how much I love you?
I love you enough to do anything for you.” Cordelia looked deeply into Killian's silver eyes.
"I love you lots too!"
“From now on, what I am asking of you must be very difficult for you, who was born a noble Prince.
But Killian, whatever happens, you have to survive.
You don't need all your pride when your life is in danger.
The authority of the imperial family?
The nobility?
What's the point of all this if you die?
Therefore, no matter what happens, you must survive and do what you want.
I don't need revenge.
Don’t waste your life on such a thing.”*
Cordelia patted Killian's soft black hair affectionately.
“If you want to be Emperor, be Emperor.
But if you don't want to be, don't be.
But you need to make sure you know who your enemy is.
You will have to make sure that your life is never threatened by anyone again.
Can you promise me?”Contrary to the Empress's stern voice, Killian nodded silently at the sad, tearful gaze.
Cordelia hugged him tightly and released him with Killian's silent acceptance, then closed her eyes for a moment and prayed.
Outside the carriage, there was still a loud clash of swords and screams.
A moment later, Cordelia, who opened her eyes, stood up from her seat and locked the carriage door, then fell to the ground facing the door.
“Your Majesty!”
"Aunt!"
“Shh, quiet.
Killian, come here.
Can you tell me what I want to hear one last time?”
Killian hugged Cordelia's neck and whispered in her ear a word she wanted so badly to hear.
A torrent of tears fell from Cordelia's eyes at the whispered word.**
Sitting quietly for a while, savoring the words, she opened her eyes to the sound of swords beside the carriage.
Then she lifted her skirt, which was full of panier(1).
“Killian, come here.
From now on, no matter what you hear, never make a sound or leave.
Is everything okay?”
Cordelia looked hard at Killian, who shook his head when told to hide in her skirt.
“Killian, don’t forget what I said before.
And increase your strength so that no one forces you to do anything you don’t want to do after today.”
Killian, looking alternately at Cordelia's face and her uncovered dress, bit his lip hard and crawled along the bottom of the carriage to her skirt.
Cordelia took Killian, who remained silent under her dress, to lie down on her lap.
Liana approached, touched the dress so that the hidden Killian would not be seen and sat on the floor as if she were in the Empress's path.
“Liana, I’m so sorry.”
“No.
This is my destiny.”
“Fate… yes, I think fate can’t be changed anyway.”
“But if Prince Killian survives today, the Empress's efforts will shine and my death will be glorious.
So, Your Highness has to be safe.”
The locked carriage door began to rattle as the two women waited for death.
“Break it.”
The sound of a sword hitting the door was heard outside, and soon the luxurious carriage door was broken and fell.
Cordelia's eyes caught the disastrous scene of cruelty outside in a huge open space.
She smelled blood and had dry vomiting without knowing it.
Cordelia glared at a group of masked men, thinking about Killian hiding silently in her dress.
“Who sent you?
I know you are not just a group of bandits.”
“Either way, you will be dead.
What would you do if you knew who sent us?”
With a calm voice and cultivated tone, Cordelia felt somewhat relieved.
At least they didn't appear to be ruffian mercenaries.
She said, having a vague hope in his chivalry: “I will die, but I want to know at least who kills me.
But if I give up this and don’t ask who sent you, will my maid be spared?”
“No, we can't do that.
It’s an order not to let anyone live.”
“Then why don’t you tell me who’s going to kill me?”
At Cordelia's calm words, the man who seemed to be the leader hesitated for a moment.
Cordelia asked, as if to take advantage of his hesitation, “Did Duke Dudley send you?”
Cordelia nodded when she saw the brown eyes between the black masks giving a positive response.
“Thank you.
It's a relief not to die at the hands of a band of rapacious bandits.
At least you won’t touch my body.”
Upon hearing Cordelia's words, the boss replied: "That won't happen, so don't worry."
“That's good.
I will trust this promise and die without any resistance.” The boss raised his sword as Cordelia closed her eyes with determination.
“Wait, Sir Randolph.
I don't see the Prince and the second Queen.
Empress, where is Prince Killian?”
This is how it was discovered that the chief who had raised the sword against Cordelia was called Sir Randolph.
(1)N/T Panier:
item used under the dress to puff it up.
Sa-chan:
I think everyone understands T-T
Sa-chan:
Damn, because I've already read the story, I know what he whispered, how sad.
T-T
Sa-chan
Review
:Sa-chan
Thanks for reading.
^-^