Chapter 10 – It’s a Serious Problem (Leo’s Point of View)
For the past week, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Sibel—but the more I observe her, the more I’m convinced she’s not the kind of woman the reports described.
“Mirko, what do you think?”
“She doesn’t seem to be acting,” he replied.
“That’s what I thought too.”
This morning, Mirko and I had gone to meet with the local lord of this frontier region. When we returned to the dormitory, we immediately spotted her.
In the courtyard, she was standing on tiptoe, stretching her small body as she hung the laundry—all by herself.
There was no one around.
If she were pretending just to gain sympathy or praise, there would have been no reason to act when no one was watching. Her reaction when we called out to her had also been natural.
…Well, maybe a bit strange—but probably not related to that.
“Elga’s reports say the same thing,” I continued. “That Sibel’s been working hard, always humble, never arrogant or bossy. She’s been nothing but diligent.”
“In that case,” Mirko said, crossing his arms, “it seems more likely the reports we got from the capital were false.”
I nodded in agreement.
The Sibel we saw with our own eyes—and the Sibel described by Elga—were nothing like the woman depicted in the official report.
So then… why was such a report sent?
The name matched, and it’s true she has a stepsister.
After her real father passed away five years ago, her family adopted a relative to inherit the title of count.
Most likely, her relationship with her stepmother wasn’t good.
Even though she was once the prince’s fiancée and a candidate for sainthood, it’s possible she was forced to do household chores herself.
That would explain why she’s so capable with domestic work now.
“…This could be bad.”
It wasn’t confirmed yet, but I’d need to investigate further.
If her stepmother had been scheming—
If she wanted to make her own daughter the saint, to marry her to the prince—
And if she framed Sibel with lies…
Then Prince Marx banished her without checking the facts.
If that’s true, it’s a serious matter.
And if Sibel really was the true saint all along—
“This needs to be investigated quietly,” I said. “If it turns out to be true, it could even affect Prince Marx’s future.”
“You’re right,” Mirko agreed. “And if that happens… it’ll affect you, too, won’t it, Leo?”
“…”
He said it half-jokingly, but I couldn’t laugh.
For me, this was a very serious problem.
***
Until now, she must have suffered greatly—
first as the supposed saint, then as the crown prince’s fiancée.
Then she was branded a false saint, her engagement broken, and she was exiled to this harsh frontier.
I could only imagine what kind of treatment she endured from her stepmother.
And yet… somehow, I could understand how she must feel.
I might not be able to grasp everything she’s been through, but I could still sympathize with her—and maybe even stand by her side.
But despite it all, she’s always so cheerful.
Bright, hardworking, never showing a hint of exhaustion or sadness.
To come all the way to a dangerous land like this—
a place full of monsters and hardship—
alone, without anyone she knows…
It must have been terrifying.
And yet, not once has she shown weakness in front of us.
What keeps her going?
What gives her such strength and positivity?
When I think about that innocent smile of hers—
what might lie behind it—
I feel my chest tighten painfully.
Just how much has she endured in that small body of hers?
Was there ever anyone who stood by her side?
Anyone who offered her warmth, or comfort, or encouragement?
Even now, she’s surrounded by strangers in this remote land.
That’s why I’ll continue to watch over her—
to make sure she’s alright.
If anything troubles her, I want to be the one to help.
If she’s suffered so much in the past,
then she deserves to find happiness here—
even if it’s just a little.
***
“Don’t worry! Sibel will be happy as long as there are knights around!!”
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