Chapter 48
“Sir Tebet.”
Eslyn turned to Tebet with uncertain eyes. He looked calm, as if he hadn’t heard anything unusual.
“You got tea on your hand.”
“This isn’t the time to worry about that.”
She pulled her hand away, and only then did Tebet meet her gaze. His steady eyes looked directly at her.
“You should go back now, before it’s too late.”
“What about you?”
“…What?”
“Are you going to return with me?”
Tebet asked softly. Eslyn didn’t know what to say.
“I…”
She couldn’t bring herself to answer. After all, she hadn’t made any decisions about what she would do next.
Her goal was to regain her memories, but…
What then?
Tebet quietly poured tea into her cup. It was his way of saying he would wait for her answer.
“I’m a fugitive from the palace.”
Eslyn said what first came to mind.
“That’s not a reason, Eshi.”
“If you want to go somewhere, there’s no reason you can’t.”
He pushed the teacup toward her.
“I’ll help you, no matter what I have to do.”
Eslyn stared into the gently rippling tea. It looked like the waves inside her heart… or maybe the deep southern sea she kept thinking about.
“Leaving the continent is an exception, of course.”
“….”
She looked up. His gentle smile filled her view—but for some reason, it gave her chills.
Tebet sipped his tea and spoke again.
“Since the search party is coming, we should stay out of the village for a while. Let’s head back for today.”
“But, Sir—”
“Eshi.”
He said her name quietly, in his usual tone.
“Do you remember when I said I wouldn’t be Duke Ripherius to you anymore?”
“…”
Their eyes met.
For a moment, it felt like she was back in the cold, windy northern duchy.
How could she forget?
That was something she had once desperately wished for—as a princess. Even if she had only realized it later.
“So I won’t leave you behind and return alone.”
His red eyes were unwavering. He looked so firm, like no one could change his mind.
But still… that was just his will.
“No.”
Eslyn let out a quiet sigh.
“Please listen to me.”
Her calm voice continued.
“We can’t leave the Duke of Ripherius listed as ‘missing’ forever.”
“You should return, say you’re safe, then come back here.”
He was the head of one of the empire’s greatest noble families. If he was missing, it would be a national issue.
There would be a large-scale search. Resources, politics, power balance—it would all shift.
Tebet surely understood that too.
“I refuse.”
His firm answer made Eslyn sigh again.
Silence fell.
He was too stubborn. Eslyn had no choice but to play her last card.
“My memories are returning.”
Tebet’s eyes instantly changed.
“Only some of them, but still…”
“So… I need more time here.”
Her quiet words echoed like a fountain in midday before fading away.
Tebet said nothing for a long moment.
Eventually, he reached up and cupped his face with one hand.
There was clearly emotion there—but his hand hid what it was.
“Your memories are coming back… that’s truly…”
His slightly trembling voice slipped through his fingers.
“…That’s good news.”
He lowered his hand again, with the same smile as before.
But to Eslyn, it looked like a forced one.
“So please don’t worry, Sir Tebet.”
“If a search party comes here and finds Sir Jex’s cabin… I’ll be running for my life again.”
“Eshi.”
“You don’t need to go to the capital. Just go to a nearby city and let them know you’re safe. That way, the search won’t reach Rebiv.”
Her voice was clear and convincing. It had power.
But Tebet still shook his head—like a man clinging to his last bit of hope.
“Then I’ll just send a letter.”
“No. If it has the Rebiv seal, it’ll look suspicious. That’ll guarantee they come here.”
“…”
He couldn’t say anything more.
Eslyn smiled faintly, like she had predicted this.
“Sir Tebet, this is the most reasonable choice.”
Silence hung over the table.
After a long time, he finally let out a deep sigh.
“…Understood.”
His voice sounded like he was giving up.
“Going against you really is the hardest thing in the world.”
Eslyn smiled awkwardly.
“Four days should be enough.”
Tebet added. Eslyn nodded.
He was right—it wasn’t far, especially on horseback. But he still looked worried, which made her feel sorry for him.
But then… another emotion crept in.
He wasn’t doing this for her—but for the maid she was pretending to be.
So even though Eslyn felt bad for him…
…She also felt bitterly sad.
* * *
Tebet didn’t hesitate once he made his decision. That same day, he packed and left—promising to return in four days.
Today was the fourth day.
Was he really coming back today?
Eslyn found herself spacing out.
“My lady, I’ll go buy some vegetables over there.”
She and Jex had come to Rebiv to get more food. He stopped in front of the last vegetable stand.
“Okay. I’ll just stay nearby.”
The stand was too small for both of them to enter, so Eslyn wandered to look at a nearby stall.
“Welcome!”
“Is this… a magic stone?”
“You know it? Yup! I just opened today.”
The merchant grinned. Eslyn immediately thought of the Pelisus stone in her pocket.
Every time she visited, she checked the old woman’s stall—but it had never reappeared.
“Want a recommendation? Young people love this one!”
The merchant grabbed something excitedly.
“Here.”
“What is it?”
“A magic stone that helps with crushes.”
“Crushes…?”
It was a small, glowing pink stone. Eslyn took it, caught off guard. It was smooth and warm.
“Carry this and the one you like will fall for you!”
“…”
So many scammers in Rebiv.
Still… when he said “crush,” one face popped into her mind.
‘Ugh, I’m hopeless.’
Tebet’s face popped up like a reflex.
She laughed at herself and rolled the stone in her palm.
“If it were me, I wouldn’t buy that.”
A shadow stretched beside her.
“…!”
“It’s obviously fake. You weren’t seriously gonna buy that, right?”
A cranky, familiar voice.
Eslyn’s eyes widened.
He was wearing a robe with strange mage markings. His sleeves were still blackened by burns.
“What the—! You can’t just say stuff like that and ruin my business—”
“I’ll take this, and this, and that… oh, and that one.”
“Huh?”
“Give me all those. I’m buying.”
“Oh, you’re a customer? You should’ve said so!”
The merchant’s face lit up. The man paid coldly, ignoring the fuss.
“….”
Only after getting a pouch of teal-colored stones did he finally turn to Eslyn.
He handed her the pouch.
“Here. These are way more valuable. I’d be happy if you forgave me for leaving you at the palace with these.”
Eslyn threw her arms around his neck.
He staggered but held her tightly.
It was Dierian.
The mage she had longed to see.
The one who may have saved her life.
“…Can you let go now? I know the Duke isn’t here, but that scary guard is glaring daggers at me. Why are your people always like this?”
He muttered.
Jex had come out of the herb shop and was staring. He must’ve sensed Dierian trailing them from earlier.
Eslyn pulled back a little and looked at Dierian’s face. His green hair draped over a tired expression.
“Diel.”
“….”
His lips trembled at her voice.
“Did you take the potion? You said it was experimental.”
“Yeah. It was your potion, wasn’t it?”
Eslyn smiled faintly.
“Well, then.”
He took a step back, curling one side of his lips.
“I guess I can’t talk down to you anymore.”
His eyes gleamed playfully.
Then he dropped to one knee and gently took her hand.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness. Have you been well?”
He smiled brightly—a rare, refreshing expression.
