Chapter 17
Helicia ran across the garden full of white flowers and climbed the wall of the building.
Using the momentum from running, she barely reached the broken window.
“Ah! My arms are a bit short!”
Because she was small, she struggled for a moment, moving her arms and legs.
Still, she managed to climb up with her grip strength.
“See? People need strength.”
When she finally reached the third floor, Arpessian slowly peeked out from the window.
His cautious eyes widened when he saw her.
“…H-Helicia?”
He quickly reached out his hand.
“How did you get here… no, it’s dangerous!”
“Then why didn’t you come to the banquet?”
He stretched his arm, but he couldn’t reach her.
“Reaching or not reaching—it’s the same!”
Seeing her hanging with one hand, Arpessian became nervous.
“Hold the window! What if you fall?!”
“I won’t fall.”
Helicia swung her body like a pendulum and pushed off the wall.
As she rose higher, Arpessian grabbed her hand.
He tried to pull her up, but she climbed up with her own strength more than his help.
As soon as she got inside, Helicia looked around quickly.
“Where is your nanny or the maids?”
“No one is here right now, so it’s safe.”
…Was that really something to feel safe about?
Helicia brushed off her hands and looked at him.
He wasn’t even dressed for the banquet.
And the room was too simple for a prince of the Estar Empire.
As she fixed her messy hair, Arpessian quickly grabbed her hands and checked them.
“Are you hurt? Did the glass cut you?”
His expression looked fierce, even though his actions were careful.
Helicia blinked.
Were they close enough to check each other like this?
Noticing her stare, he added awkwardly,
“You suddenly appeared… so I can at least check.”
“I’m fine. I expected this much. That’s why I came myself!”
Helicia spread her arms proudly.
But Arpessian’s face became stiff.
“How did you come here?”
“You saw it. Through the window!”
She pointed proudly at the window.
He let out a breath, still confused.
Only then did she notice the sword in his hand.
She looked at it and asked,
“Why are you holding a sword? You’re not hitting chestnuts… right? Or is your dream to be a street boss?”
As soon as she said that, Arpessian flinched and quickly looked around.
Then he rushed to close all the curtains.
Even so, wind still came through the broken window.
Helicia smiled.
“I wanted to have a long, deep talk with you anyway!”
But Arpessian quickly raised a finger to his lips.
“Shh. Everyone is at the banquet, so it’s fine. Otherwise, this would be dangerous.”
“For who? Me?”
“Both of us.”
Helicia frowned slightly and asked seriously,
“Who is bothering you? Can you give me a list?”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll check if their heads can properly greet their feet.”
She clapped her hands lightly.
Arpessian looked confused.
“Wouldn’t their bodies fold in half?”
“Exactly.”
He quickly cleaned up the broken glass on the floor.
Then he pulled her robe hood down to cover her face.
“Good. Now no one will recognize you.”
…Even though the temple symbol was clearly on her back.
Something felt off.
This wasn’t what she wanted.
Helicia immediately pulled off the hood.
Arpessian sighed softly.
“I just hid you well…”
Seeing her annoyed face, he ran his hand through his hair.
“I’ll handle the window somehow. Leave carefully. I’m sorry, but I can’t escort you.”
“Why do you keep telling me to leave?”
“Then why do you keep coming? Do you know what could happen?”
“If I don’t hear things to the end, I get seizures in my sleep. So I must—absolutely must—see you today!”
“You get seizures…?”
That’s what you’re focusing on…?
He looked shocked.
After thinking for a moment, he spoke seriously,
“Then… I guess it can’t be helped. But it’s still dangerous. Do you really need to go this far?”
“Hmm… I’m from the Estar Empire too. As a great Saintess, it’s my duty…?”
Well, even if she grew up in the slums, she was still from the Empire.
But Arpessian still looked doubtful.
Helicia smiled brightly and placed a hand on her chest.
“Even if I live in a neutral place now, I want to watch over you warmly with the heart of God Kashei.”
He looked at her seriously.
“…Do you like me?”
Helicia’s expression immediately turned serious.
“My ideal type is someone stronger than me.”
He looked slightly disappointed.
“…A strong person…”
Then he said coldly,
“Then it’s better if you don’t come near me anymore.”
Helicia clenched her fists.
Should I just punch him and drag him out…?
He must not die in the future war—for her own survival too.
She slowly raised her fist and asked,
“Your Highness, can I hit you just once? Sometimes people change after a shock.”
Arpessian flinched.
“Are you really a Saintess? Does healing start by almost killing someone?”
“I’m changing careers starting today.”
Helicia planned to drag him out no matter what.
All the nobles were gathered in the Great Hall.
If he wanted to become Emperor, he needed connections.
And Arpessian wasn’t just any noble—
he needed to win over future rebels.
Helicia thought carefully.
I can’t just tell him I’ll make him Emperor…
She stepped closer.
Arpessian stepped back.
“If this is about me not attending the banquet, I’ll apologize. I didn’t have time to explain before.”
When she kept staring at him, he looked away shyly.
Then he spoke calmly,
“I can’t leave this palace. Father will punish me.”
Helicia tilted her head.
“Why?”
“Because I’m the Third Prince.”
At that moment, she understood.
The Emperor feared his own children, just like he took the throne by force.
That’s why Arpessian was restricted.
But Helicia didn’t mind.
The more the Emperor treated him badly, the better it was for her.
