“But Your Highness’ position is also heavy and difficult enough, isn’t it?”

Jonathan said, his face stiffening. He had been by Bernard’s side for quite some time. He knows what kind of rumors are spreading around. However, those rumors did not properly express who Bernard really was.

“I’ve said it many times, but if Your Highness puts your mind to it, definitely.”

“Aahh. Here we go again. Such a pain.”

Bernard waved his hand in annoyance and cut off Jonathan’s words. Then, showing he didn’t want to discuss it any further, he put his head back and closed his eyes.

Denial. Evasion. Disconnection. The meaning of Bernard’s actions was clear.

Jonathan was frustrated. It’s always been like this. Even if he’s good at telling pointless stories, when he wants the atmosphere of the conversation to get even a little more serious, Bernard shuts his mouth. Of course, he wasn’t completely clueless.

“Your Highness. Why do you want to break your own wings?”

Jonathan asked.

“If it’s because of Crown Prince Sjorn.”

“No. You got it wrong, Sir Jonathan.”

Bernard denied it.

“It’s just because I can’t find any reason why I should.”

Because he was born that way. Because it’s his duty.

These were stories that Bernard had heard countless times since he was a child. And at the same time, it was all the things he struggled to get out of.

“Will Sir say that’s not enough?”

There was no great reason. Just so simple, plain. But it was also hard to believe.

Bernard smiled bitterly.

* * *

Time has passed.

Herietta was slowly but clearly recovering. The long cut on her back also healed a lot.

The maid, who applied medicine, said it would leave a big scar later, and she was very sorry, but Herietta didn’t care. It’s a good thing her neck didn’t get cut off, so a scar is nothing. Besides, it was in a place that would not be visible unless she took off her clothes anyway.

Herrietta glanced down at her legs first. A thick bandage was rolled up around one of her ankles, which had been padded with a splint. When she first opened her eyes, she thought she had just sprained her ankle. But soon she realized that her injuries were more serious than that.

The time it took for her broken bones to reattach and recover was much longer than she had thought. She was glad that the broken parts didn’t cross over. Had she had to align her bones or if there was a crack, the recovery period would have taken twice as long as it is now.

Herietta gently moved her ankle up and down. The tingling pain ran up her leg, but not as much as it used to be. It was too much for her to move freely alone, but it was not long before she could stand on her own two feet.

“Are you sitting there alone and fussing?”

A man’s voice came from behind her. There was one figure who would always visit Herietta’s room around this time. That’s why she didn’t have to look behind to see who the guest was.

“You’re here?”

“The weather is still chilly, so why are the windows wide open?”

Bernard asked as he strode into the room. He seems to be coming and going to her room so casually now, that he didn’t even ask for a knock or a word of permission.

“Can I close it?”

“No. It’s okay. I had a bit of a headache, so I left it open on purpose to get myself together.”

“Rather than getting yourself together, you would get yourself a cold.”

Bernard clicked his tongue and threw a sneer at Herietta’s words. Still, he respected her will and did not close the window.

“But what map is this?”

He sat down and frowned as he looked at the large map spread out on the floor. It was as tall as an adult male, and the geography and topography of the western continent were recorded in detail. Besides, there were several thick books lying next to it. All were books on the history and geography of the continent.

“Are you suddenly studying geography?”

“I have to prepare.”

“Prepare?”

“I can’t live here for the rest of my life. So I have to find a place to live in the future.”

Herietta answered indifferently.

No matter how much she wanted, she could not live in her homeland, Brimdel. She was prepared to do so from the moment she spit out the name Janice Dolmorran instead of Herietta Mackenzie. Having spent most of her life in Philioche, it took courage to just accept that fact.

But she wasn’t afraid. Everything would be fine. She had such an easy thought. It didn’t matter where she lived. Who she was with was the most important thing.

Although many parts of her future were still uncertain, she must be brave. She would lift her chin up and step forward.

With Edwin.

* * *

“Are you going to leave this place?”

Bernard asked, puzzled. Herietta nodded her head.

“Yes, I think so. In fact, I sensed that it is uncomfortable for me to stay here for such a long time.”

“Sense? Who is telling you that?”

Listening to Herietta’s words, Bernard frowned.

“Tell me. I’ll deal with it right away.”

“It’s not that someone hinted that at me, it’s just that I sensed it myself. The truth is, Sir Knight. I haven’t even greeted the owner of this castle properly yet.”

The owner of the castle must have been referring to the royal family of Velicia. That’s Bernard, him.

Bernard’s rough, crumpled expression softened. He looked at her slowly, folding his arms. Was she one to care about things like that?

“You care about useless things. You don’t have to worry about that. There are so many people here, and there are so many vacant rooms, so even if you stay here, people won’t even notice.”

“Thank you for your concern. But still, my opinion remains the same.”

Herietta said.

“I will leave this place as soon as I recover enough to ride a horse.”

“Horse? Do you know how to ride?”

Bernard’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Horseback riding was a sport where speed and balance were important. Although women could sit somewhat on the side and ride the horse, they still had to sit with their legs wide apart in order to speed up properly and gain complete control over the horse. Therefore, unless there is a special reason, most women are not even given the opportunity to learn horseback riding.

Oh, of course, Herietta was a bit unusual in many ways. Bernard thought, narrowing his eyes.

Herietta, who had not yet read Bernard’s thoughts, felt proud. He was surprised in another sense, but she mistakenly thought he was admiring her hidden talent.

She chuckled as if she was a courting peacock.

“Sure. I have been the best rider in my hometown since then.”

“Really?”

“Right. Besides, that’s not all. I was also good at shooting bows and made a name for myself as a great archer.”

“A great archer? That’s great.”

“Whatever I say with my mouth, I had a knack for it. I didn’t learn it formally, but that’s about it. If you take me and go hunting, we will catch a lot of expensive prey such as rabbits and marten with soft fur.”

As Bernard responded appropriately, Herietta, unknowingly, began to chatter with more and more excitement.

From the little things in everyday life to the brave saga where she surprised everyone in the village. It’s been a long time since he’d seen her face come to life as she spreads exaggerated tales for fun.

Bernard leaned his chin and listened to Herietta’s story. He then laughed at her absurd remarks. From time to time in the room, the cheerful and cool sound of his laughter resounded. Even though it was the middle of winter, the atmosphere in the room was as if early spring had arrived.

Herietta, who had been immersed in the story for a long time, suddenly felt a strange feeling. She stopped what she was doing and looked at Bernard sitting in front of her.

He was always the kind of person who was cynical. Yet at this moment, he was looking at her quietly with a very soft smile on his face.

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