~Chapter 3~
Even the magpies and Japanese white-eyes perched on nearby branches joined in the attack.
The birds of Ruby Palace had suddenly transformed into fierce raptors, lunging at the princes.
The princes flailed their arms wildly, trying to resist the birds’ fierce assault.
“Ugh, damn! What’s with these birds?! Shoo! Get lost!”
“Argh! These crazy birds! Won’t they go away?”
“Eek! It hurts! I said it hurts!”
Before long, the crown prince and his group fled in panic.
Once I confirmed they were out of sight, I ran toward the lakeside.
I threw the book tucked under my arm onto the grassy field and jumped straight into the lake.
Ugh, it’s cold. Even in midsummer, the water was so chilly it stung my fingers.
I paddled frantically toward the man in the middle of the lake. Fortunately, I knew at least how to dog-paddle.
I quickly wrapped my arm around his neck and swam powerfully toward the willow’s shade.
The ducks in the lake dove underwater to support me from below.
We were almost there. As the water became shallow enough for my feet to touch the bottom, the ducks gradually returned to their places.
That’s when it happened. The man’s neck slipped from my arm.
“Wah!”
Suddenly, my body was lifted up into the air.
Blinking in confusion, I turned my head and locked eyes with the man—it was him who had pulled me up from the water.
He supported my back and the backs of my knees, gently laying me down on the grass beneath the willow shade. Then he flopped down beside me.
What the…? For someone who had just nearly drowned, he looked suspiciously fine. I was surprised he even had the strength to lift someone.
“Um, are you okay?” I asked cautiously.
“……”
The man just stared at me without responding.
Maybe he was from another country and didn’t understand the imperial language.
Still, I was relieved. I caught my breath and brushed my bangs from my face.
“I’ve never seen an initiation like this before.”
“Initiation?” he asked blankly.
Ah, he must not have been warned about the ritual.
“It’s something they do to every new prince. I thought they only beat people up, but now they’re tossing them into lakes and throwing rocks… Those worthless bastards… They’ve officially given up being human.”
The more I thought about the crown prince and his crew, the angrier I got. My jaw clenched without realizing it.
I thought of Tilla staggering in the corridor, and I felt even more upset.
“Uh, let me check if you’re hurt.”
I crawled over on my knees and closely examined the man’s face. His skin was clean—no bruises or wounds.
Then our eyes met. Without thinking, I reached out—but quickly pulled my hand back. His deep black hair and piercing golden eyes gave off an intimidating aura.
I looked down to examine his body next. He might have injuries on his neck or wrists.
His white shirt was soaked and clung tightly to his body. The sun revealed his tanned skin underneath, but I didn’t see any wounds.
Still, this guy looked seriously strong. His shoulders were twice as wide as mine, and his muscles were tightly packed.
‘He doesn’t look like someone who’d get beaten up easily.’
It made me wonder how those puny princes managed to throw him in. Did the three of them grunt and groan just to drag him to the lake?
Then I realized I was staring at his body a little too obviously. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat.
“You don’t seem injured. Can you stand?”
I stood up and held out my hand.
The man looked at it for a moment before grasping it firmly and standing. His palms were rough—probably from wielding a sword.
“You—what were you thinking, jumping in like that?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
“You were about to drown! Of course I had to—”
“Drown? Who? I was just cooling off.”
His sharp tone cut off my explanation.
“What?”
“I’ve lived in a cold country all my life. I can’t stand this crazy heat.”
I stared at him.
Just how cold is his homeland…? Was he from the Arctic or something?
“You’re the one who almost died. You swim terribly,” he said, giving me a once-over.
“…Dog-paddling is a legitimate survival technique,” I muttered, embarrassed. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have made it without the ducks supporting me from below.
There was a brief silence.
Since we’d talked a bit, I figured I should introduce myself out of courtesy.
“I’m Josephine from the Kingdom of Iote. Which country are you from?”
“…Saragoth,” he replied after a moment of hesitation.
Saragoth Kingdom—was it the one I knew? It should be across the ocean, on the northeast side of the Mage Continent. It would take over a month by ship to reach there.
In that continent, Saragoth was known as the birthplace of magic. It even had a mage tower for training sorcerers.
Even a country like that was sending hostages across the sea? The Tristum Empire’s power truly stretched far.
“That’s really far,” I said.
“The journey was long,” he replied.
His imperial accent was flawless. He could easily pass as a native of the Tristum Empire.
But something bothered me—he’d been casually speaking to me informally this whole time.
He looked about my age, yet…
“That thing earlier—was it you?” he asked.
“What thing?”
I dropped the formal speech as well. There was no need to be polite to someone who didn’t even say thanks after I helped him.
“The birds.”
He pointed to the pigeons fluttering fussily around me.
“…Ahaha, birds are just kind-hearted. I guess they wanted to help someone who fell in.”
I laughed awkwardly and trailed off.
Oh no. How did he know it was me?
Cold sweat ran down my neck. I had to make sure he didn’t realize I was the one who ordered the birds to attack the princes.
“My clothes are soaked and I’m getting cold. I’d better head in and change. Well then, may God be with the rest of your day.”
I hastily said goodbye. The water had left me shivering.
I ran quickly back toward Ruby Palace.
Then I remembered something I had forgotten.
‘Oh no! The book the priest lent me!’
I stopped and turned around. Heaven and Hell lay open and face-down on the grass—right next to where the man was standing.
I rushed back, bent down, and snatched it up.
Then, without looking back, I bolted.
When I returned to my room, I bathed and changed into dry clothes.
As I dried my hair with a towel, I tried to read Heaven and Hell again…
Around dusk, I heard flapping at the window—and a large bird arrived.
This time, it was Luna the owl.
[Hi, Josephine! I’ve got special news today!]
Chatty Luna always brought palace gossip without being asked. They say “walls have ears,” but honestly, birds hear everything—day and night.
[The youngest prince is back.]
“The youngest prince? There’s another prince in this country?”
[Yeah! Prince Antonio, the fourth prince. He got sick when he was young and went abroad for treatment, but now he’s back after finishing his studies. I forget the name of the country… but it’s really far.]
I replied with a simple “Oh.”
My heart felt heavy. One more person to torment the hostages of Ruby Palace.
The book wouldn’t hold my attention. The page was white, the letters black—nothing more.
I closed the book and rested my chin on it.
Would a monastery even accept someone like me from Ruby Palace?
I’ve read a lot of religious texts and the Bible, but honestly, I don’t have strong faith.
Still, it’s the only path to escape Ruby Palace with my body and mind intact.
My parents, who abandoned me here, would never take me back. And no one expects a hostage princess to marry properly.
Ah, right—I just thought of something to tell the birds.
“Luna.”
[Yes?]
“Tell the other birds in the palace to hide somewhere else for a while. The princes are probably going to hunt birds with guns soon.”
[Oh no! I’ll warn them right away. Bye!]
With a strong flap of her wings, Luna disappeared into the deepening night.
