WCMT 10

<Episode 10> 

“Lia!”

Something heavy wrapped tightly around my waist. My feet soon dangled in the air, but I flailed my arms regardless.

“Scared, huh? What, you scared?”

“Y-you, do you even know who I am?! I’m the prince of Paradon!”

“So what? Princes don’t bleed when they’re bitten? Wanna fight? No? Should I come to you then?”

“If His Majesty hears about this, do you think your pathetic little kingdom will survive?”

The arms around my waist tightened. My ribs ached, and I turned my head.

Kinesia’s face was pale and frozen in fear.

Seeing her expression, Prince Paradon regained his confidence and sneered.

“Now you understand your place, huh? You do know how these diplomatic exchanges work, don’t you?”

Epiphanes would send an heir to Paradon or Letunia.

After three years, Paradon and Letunia would each send one royal to Epiphanes for another six-year stay.

Unlike the Epiphanes royals, who had to stay for three full years, the princes from Paradon or Letunia could return home whenever they pleased.

In other words, that bastard Prince Paradon could torment us for six years straight if he wanted.

The prince chuckled and flicked my cheek.

“If I want, I can make your dear father kneel before me. Got that?”

“Father? Did you just call the King of Epiphanes my father?”

I reached for him, but Kinesia grabbed me tightly.

“Lia, please.”

Her trembling voice sounded pitiful.

I looked down at her hands. Were those swollen knuckles from holding back her anger for a better day—or from the shame of surrendering now?

I relaxed my body.

Prince Paradon’s smirk deepened.

Seeing me go still, he swaggered closer.

“Let’s be honest, Epiphanes is practically our vassal. Shouldn’t you show proper respect to your rulers?”

A ruler? This idiot doesn’t even know the ‘r’ in ruler.

“I’ll teach you what happens to brats who talk back to their betters. Make sure you remember it.”

God, what a drama queen. Even his threats are long-winded and lame.

While I was mentally rating his performance, Kinesia stepped in front of me.

“I’ll do whatever you want. Just let my sister go.”

Oh, wow. Look who’s trying to act like a big sister—when she’s already beaten to a pulp.

Unfortunately for her, I don’t need protection.

Because I’m a master of street fights.

Beating up Pellion and Lembros since childhood tends to teach you things.

If anyone asked whether it was proper for an emperor to brawl like that, I’d say, “Of course.” Though really, that’s just an excuse for my own convenience.

And back then, I wasn’t an emperor anyway.

As I tried to pull Kinesia behind me, Prince Paradon thrust out a hand dripping with blood.

“You see this?!”

Too bad—it wasn’t even a deep wound. But if you’re looking for an excuse to whine, anything’ll do.

His cronies snickered.

“Yeah, gotta teach them a lesson early.”

“Remember? You used to crawl to us for mercy when you were her age.”

The three big oafs started closing in on Kinesia.

Kinesia kept pushing me back, reaching behind her as if telling me to run. I debated whether to humor her—then Prince Paradon reached for me.

I ducked immediately, grabbed a handful of dirt, and flung it at his face.

“Aaagh! You coward!”

Cowardice is a virtue for emperors at times.

And they’re calling me a coward? When three grown men gang up on a single girl?

Please.

I kicked his shin hard and tackled him to the ground.

He scratched and punched wildly, but I didn’t loosen my grip. I bit down harder.

“Let go! Let go!!”

“Get her off!” someone shouted behind him.

“She’s insane!”

“Lia!”

Someone—probably Kinesia—was yelling my name frantically.

There were thuds, screams, and the sound of bodies tumbling. I think she joined the fight, but I didn’t care.

I only had one target.

Soon, Paradon managed to shove me off.

He grabbed my hair and punched me in the face.

My vision rang and my lungs seized up, but I glared right back and charged again.

He hesitated when our eyes met.

I didn’t. I kicked straight between his legs.

“Urk!”

A very dignified little squeal escaped him.

The great prince of Paradon collapsed again.

The whole area fell eerily silent.

Not that it mattered—I raised my foot again for the finishing blow.

“Stop! Lia, no, not there!”

Kinesia dashed in, practically hauling me off him.

Paradon’s lackeys scrambled to help their prince retreat. Groaning and gasping, Paradon’s eyes glinted with hatred.

Oh?

“Still daring to glare at me, are you?”

I started toward him, but he suddenly turned his gaze on Kinesia.

“You think I’ll let this go?”

Kinesia pressed her lips together. She looked like she was holding back anger again—but not cowering this time.

Protecting a child is an adult’s duty, so I stepped in front of her.

“And if you don’t let it go, what then?”

“I’ll tell His Majesty—”

“Sure, go ahead. Tell him you got beaten up by a ten-year-old girl and cried. I’m sure your father will be so proud—‘Ah yes, truly my son!’”

“You—!”

“And if you do, I’ll tell everyone what you did to Kinesia.”

“You think that’ll change anything? You’re nothing but insects! You’re nobody!”

He scoffed, but I sneered right back and walked toward him slowly.

“Even if it’s just for diplomacy’s sake, this exchange is supposed to be friendly. If word gets out about what you did, Paradon will be the one to suffer. Letunia would pounce at the chance to use it against you. Would your father want that?”

His face twisted with rage.

Unable to refute me, he just clenched his trembling fists.

I yanked him closer by the collar.

“If this blows up, it won’t end in your favor. You’ll be cast out of the emperor’s sight for good.”

“What do you know!”

He shoved my hand away, but I could tell he believed me. Grinding his teeth, he stepped back.

“Just wait. I’ll never forget this humiliation. I’ll pay you back someday!”

A perfect villain line if I’ve ever heard one.

And honestly, no one who says that ever actually does it.

Especially not with that shaky, tear-choked voice.

“Sure, whatever.”

I shrugged. His men helped him limp away, staggering pitifully.

The way they kept tripping and sniffling was so pathetic, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ahh, that’s a century’s worth of stress gone in one go!”

I laughed for a while, took a deep breath, and turned around—only to meet Kinesia’s eyes.

She looked from me to her own ragged self, then straightened her hair and clothes.
Didn’t help—she still looked like a mess.

When I kept staring, she lowered her head.

Her swollen lips trembled as she bit them, clearly fighting back tears.

And for a moment, I saw my son’s face overlapping hers.

‘Ugh, don’t make me soft, will you?’

I sighed inwardly, walked over, and gently brushed the dirt off her palm.

“If you’re gonna cry, go somewhere else. I’d like some peace and quiet.”

Kinesia’s head snapped up, disbelief written all over her face.

“You—!”

“What?”

“…”

“What? Spit it out.”

“You’re not going to ask?”

“Ask what?”

“What happened to me in Paradon for the last three years.”

Her voice was barely more than a sob.

I smoothed down my dusty skirt and replied casually,

“Do I really need to? Royals from ruined nations all get treated the same. Humiliation, injustice, beatings—it’s all part of the package.”

I knew that too well, since my mother came from one of those fallen countries.

I thought once I became emperor, I’d never have to see things like this again.
Yet even after dying and coming back, here I am—watching it all over.

The irony made me laugh hollowly.

Then Kinesia’s voice pulled me back.

“Why… did you step in?”

What should I say?

Because those bastards pissed me off?

I didn’t think too hard and just blurted out the most believable answer.

“What, should I have sat there eating snacks while my sister got beaten?”

“…That’s not it.”

Her voice was so quiet I almost missed it.

When I leaned closer, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and lifted her head.

Her golden eyes—just like Yulsian’s—locked onto mine.

“You’re not my sister.”

Kinesia stood tall, shoulders squared, conviction blazing in her gaze.

“Who are you?”

“…”

“Where is my sister, Iraine Ria?”