IGMHTMYS Chapter 06

Episode 6

Lucian reached the door first and waited for Belisa.

His eyes fell on her as she walked with her back straight. Soldiers nearby stared at the Princess as if bewitched. It wasn’t only because women rarely entered this place—Belisa herself carried a strange power that drew people in.

Her wavy hair framed a small, sorrowful face. Her eyes glistened with emotion, her lips flushed red, and her pale skin glowed above her elegant royal dress.

Lucian’s lips curled. The Princess was undeniably beautiful.

Soon, they stepped into the deepest part of the Navy headquarters. The cold stone walls were bare, the beds neatly arranged, and only patients and doctors filled the space. Behind a white curtain, isolated figures could be seen.

Lucian bent close to Belisa’s shoulder and whispered in a low voice.

“If you want to run, now is your chance, Princess. If you catch the disease here, no one can save you. This is your choice.”

Belisa realized—this was his test.

The disease killed swiftly, like flies crushed by a swatter.

“I’m not afraid,” she replied.

And she wasn’t.

She stepped forward first. Lucian followed behind.

From behind the curtain came frantic voices of the doctors.

“Last night, he coughed up blood. Thomas won’t last long.”

“Three died just yesterday! We need something to report to the General—anything at all.”

“At least we managed to extend their lives a little.”

“That’s hardly a comfort… This situation is hopeless. We may have to quarantine all of Florence.”

Lucian reached past Belisa’s shoulder and pulled the curtain aside.

The doctors flinched. Their white masks trembled as they bowed deeply. Their eyes were filled with fear.

Lucian’s smile was sharp.

“So, Thomas will die soon? And you’re talking about sealing Florence?”

“General Commander!” the doctors gasped.

Lucian sneered softly.

“Such brilliant doctors I gathered, yet no progress at all. Truly impressive.”

No one dared answer. Their lips moved soundlessly.

“Leave,” Lucian ordered coldly.

“But, General Commander—”

His icy glare silenced them. With pale faces, they stepped back.

Now it was Belisa’s turn.

“Show me the usefulness you promised, Princess,” Lucian said, his eyes cold as steel.

Her breath caught. Was this the right path?

“I hate men who only move their lips,” he continued. “I hope you’re different.”

His sharp gaze was like that of a beast in the dark, ready to swallow her whole.

Belisa slowly approached the man named Thomas. He was burning with fever, unable to eat, barely conscious. Any medicine he swallowed, he vomited out again.

Yes—it matched the symptoms she knew.

She gripped his chart tightly.

Lucian’s voice was low and dangerous.

“These so-called experts have failed for weeks. My men died on the ship, too. If you’re lying, Princess… you’ll pay.”

The warning struck like a blade.

Belisa steadied herself.

“This disease spreads when someone comes into contact with a Siren. The powder on their wings is poisonous.”

In her homeland, Medice, Sirens were common. Many had once died from this same sickness. But her people had learned. They had driven the Sirens into certain regions, and seven years ago, they had developed a cure.

Boswell, untouched by Sirens, had no such knowledge.

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

“We’ve heard warnings about Sirens from Medice, but we never passed through their territory.”

“I thought that was strange too,” Belisa admitted.

His piercing gaze swept over her, playful and cruel like a mischievous boy. Belisa nearly stumbled under it. She held onto the bed to keep her strength.

He studied her like a buyer choosing a horse, measuring her worth. Then, Lucian smiled coldly.

“I know Medice holds the cure,” he said.

“I can help. I know the treatment myself,” Belisa replied firmly.

“One more question,” Lucian leaned closer. “Can the powder from a Siren’s wings be harvested as poison?”

She hesitated. Sirens were wild and violent. Few survived close encounters. Still, she had heard rumors—pirates sometimes hunted lone Sirens and sold the powder in secret.

“It’s possible. In fact, it’s already traded in the black market. In my homeland, it’s strictly forbidden, but that doesn’t stop everyone.”

Lucian’s cool hand brushed her cheek. Though gentle in touch, it felt as if he were testing her like an object.

Then his lips curved.

“You’re wrong, Princess.”

Her stomach dropped. Had she made a mistake?

But surely she had given him a vital clue. Surely he saw her value.

Lucian’s blue eyes glittered dangerously as he leaned closer. His voice dripped like poison.

“Your greatest use isn’t this. Your greatest use is that you can help me spit in the face of that damned royal family.”

His eyes were like a snake’s.

Belisa froze. He wasn’t just cold—he burned with a fury that could set the world aflame.

Lucian bit out the words harshly.

“If Thomas lives, fine. We’ll marry.”

Her knees nearly buckled. Relief washed over her.

Later, Belisa paced her room endlessly. She hadn’t slept a wink. Dixie stomped in frustration, but how could she rest?

Everything—her life, her future—hung on this moment. Would she fall into ruin, or spread her wings?

Lucian had said she was useful. That her greatest worth was in helping him defy the royal family. Their goals aligned more than she had ever expected.

“Then why hasn’t he sent word yet?” she snapped.

Tomorrow, Frederick would arrive. Everything had to be resolved before then. No scheme of his could be allowed to undo her plans.

“What if he’s just using me, then throws me away?” she muttered.

Her lips trembled. No. I won’t let that happen.

Her red, swollen eyes and cracked lips showed the strain of her determination.

Larino laughed.

“You look like a ghost. You’ll scare people away.”

Belisa glared at him and sighed. Was her gamble nothing more than a game to Lucian?

Then—

“Princess! A messenger has arrived!!”