Chapter 18
It might become harder to meet him in the future.
“But I can always create a reason to meet him.”
More important than that—
was giving the future rebels a reason to support Arpessian.
If he was also treated unfairly, then their goals would be the same.
There was a chance they would accept him as the center of the rebellion.
At first, they would dislike him because he was the Emperor’s son.
But in the end, even rebels needed legitimacy and a reason.
If Arpessian stood against Emperor Pero and lived righteously—
then there would be hope for the future.
Helicia’s eyes sparkled as she stepped closer to him.
“Your Highness. You said you wanted to learn swordsmanship, right?”
The moment he heard that, something changed in his golden eyes.
He didn’t have a proper plan, but—
he clearly had the will to learn.
He had studied alone with books and kept a sword despite being neglected.
After thinking for a moment, he shook his head.
“There’s no one to teach me.”
“You don’t have any illness, right?”
“No… why?”
“Then let’s learn. I’ll teach you.”
“…You know how to use a sword?”
“I know the theory. I even read a book on the way here. It’s called How to Use a Sword Well. It was a bestseller.”
Arpessian’s face suddenly became stiff.
Helicia also became nervous.
The night was quiet. Only insects could be heard.
After staring at her, he spoke quietly,
“That book… I was reading it too.”
“Then the book you mentioned before—the one written by the greatest sword genius in the Empire…”
Arpessian nodded seriously.
Helicia realized something.
This is why geniuses are a problem.
She decided from now on—
that book was just a weapon with sharp edges.
Arpessian asked again,
“Then there’s still no one to teach me.”
“There is.”
“Don’t tell me… the Saintess?”
“Don’t worry. I prepared a proper person. A genius. Very amazing!”
Helicia thought of Lato.
If someone became a Holy Knight at such a young age, he was definitely talented.
Arpessian’s suspicious look slowly changed into expectation.
He tried to hide it, but the corner of his lips moved slightly.
“A genius? Don’t tell me it’s the person I’m thinking of?”
“You know him too!”
Of course he did. She even knew his full name.
But suddenly, his expression fell again.
“But Father won’t allow it.”
Helicia smiled.
“Then we just do it without getting caught.”
“Is there such a way?”
Helicia stretched her fingers—
then slowly clenched them into a fist.
Crack.
The sound made Arpessian’s face turn pale.
She pulled her fist back and smiled confidently.
“Don’t forget that I’m a Saintess.”
◆◆◆
Helicia left the prince’s palace and returned to the Great Hall.
As she climbed back up the terrace, Lato pulled her up like pulling a radish.
Dangling in the air, Helicia smiled and whispered,
“Thank you… but this is a bit embarrassing.”
“Is it that bad?”
Surprised, Lato quickly set her down.
Helicia dusted off her clothes and quietly took a place in the corner of the hall.
The hall was so big and crowded that no one noticed.
There are even more people than before.
While she was gone, Duke Lephon had also arrived.
From afar, Delas was looking at her with concern.
He seemed to want to greet her but couldn’t leave the people around him.
He kept glancing at Baron Potten, probably hearing what happened.
As Helicia looked around—
someone spoke to her.
“Please don’t worry too much. Baron Potten is known for his poor character.”
She looked up.
A gentle-looking older man was smiling at her.
Soft brown hair, calm green eyes—
and unlike the noisy hall, he had a quiet presence.
“I am Count Dade of the Heven family. I heard about you from Duke Lephon. You are quite charming.”
Count Heven—
one of the key families of the future rebellion.
If Duke Lephon was the sword,
then the Heven family was the brain.
They had long experience managing borders and leading people.
They would be very important in the future.
Helicia had seen many futures through repeated lives—
but leading an army was not something she could do.
A commander needed talent and experience.
Thinking she was upset, Count Heven bent his knees to meet her eyes.
He spoke kindly,
“I didn’t mean it because you are young. I said it because I look forward to the future of the Holy Nation.”
“Thank you! Please keep watching me!”
And please give me your vote later, she thought.
Helicia smiled brightly.
The Count’s hand twitched slightly.
It looked like he wanted to pat her head—
but stopped himself.
Helicia tilted her head and looked at his hand.
He awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
“Maybe it’s because I’m old. When I see children, my hand moves on its own. My son was once around your age.”
“Oh, is he the same age as me?”
“No… but there was a time when he was your age.”
His voice sounded a bit lonely.
Helicia didn’t ask further and just nodded.
Then the noise in the hall grew louder.
Count Heven looked behind her.
Helicia turned her head—
and saw Arzen.
He had come down from the platform.
“I should have greeted you earlier. I was busy.”
He placed a hand on his chest and greeted her politely.
Helicia smiled and bowed slightly.
“May the blessing of God Kashei be with you. Thank you for inviting me.”
“I heard you were busy after the coronation. I thought you wouldn’t come.”
“I even sent you letters regularly so you wouldn’t worry.”
She smiled innocently.
If I smile, he can’t complain.
But there was one thing bothering her.
Helicia glanced at Emperor Pero, who was drinking.
Even though Arzen was moving around, the Emperor didn’t care.
When he took the throne, he killed even distant relatives—
even babies.
He had no love for family.
Even when Arzen died in the future war—
he was more angry that no one saved the Crown Prince than the fact that he died.
Because of that, he didn’t care about noble families.
Only his mood mattered.
Even earlier—
when Helicia spoke, he sided with her instead of Baron Potten, who had long served the palace.
So—
family and blood meant nothing to him.
Helicia smiled slightly.
For someone like him… I prepared something.
