Chapter 17
“Suppose the one who fed Byron Evon information… was none other than Archduke Korend Widia?”
Lia’s eyes widened.
Korend Widia… wasn’t he the one who killed Zen in the original story?
Hanneman was saying that Byron and Korend were connected. And not just in some trivial way—the connection was big enough to revive a fallen house.
Then Byron isn’t just a mere secondary male lead?
Lia bit her lower lip, lost in thought. But unlike her shock, Zen—the one at the center of the discussion—remained expressionless. He slowly blinked and spoke in a languid tone.
“You are… the empire’s greatest knight, aren’t you? They say you’re called something grand.”
With a mix of embarrassment and pride on his face, Hanneman bowed his head deeply.
“By some accident, I ended up with a title far beyond my worth…”
“And such a man speaks of treason before the crown prince of the empire?”
“P-pardon? No! That’s not what I—”
Hanneman snapped his head up in alarm, then quickly lowered it again. Lia’s startled gaze also darted to Zen.
Treason? Could it be…
Lia quickly caught on to what Zen was implying.
Korend was the only royal who had the right to succeed the throne if Zen were gone. And yet this man had leaked information to Byron, helping him earn glory in the war. Then, not long after, Byron conveniently appeared at the royal academy with flimsy excuses.
What my brother is saying is…
Korend was using Byron to keep an eye on Zen. And the reason was probably…
“You seem to be saying that my uncle covets the throne. Am I wrong?”
The air turned heavy. To claim that Korend sought the throne was tantamount to dismissing Zen himself—proof that Zen’s position wasn’t unshakable.
“I only meant… To Byron, Archduke Korend is like a savior. He would do anything for him. And yet, despite being knighted, he attends the royal academy of all places. At the same time as Your Highness.”
Perhaps in an attempt to clear up the misunderstanding, Hanneman rattled off excuses. Zen cut him off coldly.
“You certainly have a talent for talking in circles.”
Lia instinctively stepped back and swallowed hard. The situation was far more dangerous than she had anticipated, and Zen’s presence was suffocating. Hanneman, too, seemed to sense the same, for he hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
“…I believe Archduke Korend planted Byron Evon in the academy. To keep a close watch on Your Highness.”
Despite Zen’s warning, Hanneman pressed on.
“I’ll commend your courage and boldness. Perhaps it’s the battlefield in you, or perhaps that bloodline of yours…”
Zen flicked his gaze briefly at Lia, who quickly averted her eyes. He gave a small shrug and continued.
“But your premise is mistaken.”
“Excuse me?”
“Korend Widia… my uncle—”
Zen rose from his seat and walked toward Hanneman. Leaning down to his ear, he declared firmly:
“He’s… an idiot.”
What?
Lia’s face twisted at the unexpected word. An idiot? From what she remembered of the original story, Korend was nothing of the sort. Hanneman’s eyes also betrayed surprise.
Straightening, Zen continued.
“He has no interest whatsoever in the throne.”
There was even the faintest smile on his lips. He truly looked like someone who harbored not a single doubt about Korend.
But why?
Lia narrowed her eyes, trying to read him. Zen wasn’t refusing to believe Hanneman. He wasn’t even angry at the suggestion that someone might covet his position. He simply seemed to think Korend wasn’t worth suspecting at all.
What happened? Korend had the blood and justification to kill Zen and seize the throne…
“One thing…”
Zen’s tone hardened.
“Let’s say I didn’t hear your words today.”
Hanneman opened his mouth as if to protest, but Zen swept past him so quickly there was no chance to stop him.
Hanneman pressed his lips shut. He knew this was mercy. He had uttered the name of a royal in the same breath as treason, but Zen’s silence was an offer to let it slide if he didn’t push further.
Lia stared after Zen’s retreating figure, now fading from view.
Why? Why is Zen so certain Korend would never try to kill him?
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall the original story.
But soon, an even bigger problem presented itself: Hanneman’s eyes were blazing.
“You… What on earth have you been up to behind my back?”
“H-huh?”
“Marriage? To the crown prince?”
Hanneman bore down on her, his voice like grinding stone. Lia rolled her eyes away, feigning ignorance.
“Lia Cablik!”
She could almost see a volcano erupting behind him. Lia forced a stiff smile. For now, this was the more urgent problem.
“Zen, His Highness… you’re marrying him…?”
At the table, Duke Cablik clutched his head in despair.
He’s not young anymore. He should stop pulling at his hair.
Lia clicked her tongue inwardly. Though he still had a thick head of hair for his age, at this rate there wouldn’t be much left.
After dragging Lia back home, Hanneman had summoned the duke, interrupting his work, and called an emergency meeting.
The topic, of course, was Lia’s marriage.
Is it really such a big deal?
Lia didn’t think marriage was trivial, but the atmosphere was far heavier than she expected. Perhaps it was because she had never once felt true familial love in her past life; everything about this felt awkward.
Finally, Duke Cablik let go of his hair and spoke.
“So… Lia, do you love His Highness Zen?”
“…Huh?”
Lia’s eyes went round. Hanneman slammed the table with a loud thud.
“If you don’t, then why on earth would you marry him?!”
Because I want to live…
She swallowed the words.
“I don’t know if I’d call it love… but I think I like him.”
She shamelessly lied, nodding as though convincing herself.
He’s handsome, tall, rich since he’s the crown prince… and did I mention handsome? Yes, very handsome.
“But you’re still so young. Why the rush? And to think you would keep something this important from us…”
“I heard most noble ladies marry within two years after coming of age—before they’re twenty.”
Drawing on information from the original, Lia began persuading.
“If that’s the case, I’d rather just get it over with early.”
The duke nearly fainted.
“And what if the engagement is broken? Do you think anyone would marry a woman who broke off with a royal?!”
“Then I just won’t marry anyone.”
“Lia!”
She squeezed her eyes shut. Between the duke’s and Hanneman’s yelling, she thought she might lose her mind.
Finally, the duke exhaled deeply, calming himself.
“Lia, this father doesn’t care what you choose, so long as it’s what you want. Whether your partner is the crown prince or some beggar from the street.”
…He almost made Zen sound like the beggar.
“But if this is something you don’t want… or if you’re doing it for our family’s sake, then you don’t need to.”
“…Huh?”
Lia blinked. She hadn’t expected him to think that way.
Just as she was about to deny it, the sound of heels echoed. All three turned sharply.
From the second-floor stairs, the duchess descended slowly.
“Mother!”
“My lady!”
Both men jumped up to escort her.
Why is she here?
Lia stiffened, watching. Her mother, with her brown hair tied back, was frail and sickly, rarely leaving her bed except for short walks with the help of maids. Since Lia’s possession, they had barely met face-to-face.
…This feels uncomfortable…
Not just awkward. Every time Lia looked at her, she was reminded of her mother in her past world—who had died of illness. She could no longer recall her face or voice clearly, but she could never forget those frail wrists, those heavy eyelids. Those memories also dragged with them the humiliation and scars she had endured until death. It was painful.
With help, the duchess sat beside Lia, wearing a warm smile.
“So, you’re marrying His Highness the crown prince?”
“…Yes.”
Lia averted her gaze. The duchess stared at the teacup, though her eyes seemed to be looking farther away.
“You know, I met your father when I was exactly your age.”
The duke flushed red.
“He was as charming back then as he is now. I fell for him instantly. We were engaged in a heartbeat. Far too young.”
A bit of Lia’s tension eased, and she teased, “Do you regret it?”
“Yes. I regret it.”
“My lady!”
The duke’s face turned ashen.
“But truly, Lia, I don’t think you need to marry at all.”
“My lady!”
He tried to stop her again, but the duchess waved him silent.
“Just do what you wish. If that’s marriage, then fine. But if not, can’t you wait a little longer? I believe you’ll find something you truly want to do. Something that makes your heart race.”
She gently patted Lia’s head. Lia turned away, feeling her nose sting.
Up until now, she had only ever lived to survive. In her original world, she worked to escape her hellish home. In this one, she struggled simply not to die.
And yet, what she most desired here… wasn’t it Cyklaen’s happiness, more than her own?
What do I want? What makes my heart race…?
Lia closed her eyes, then opened them again.
“…I’ll think about it. Thank you… Mom.”
The word felt strange after so many years, leaving her both awkward and happy.
The duchess pulled her into a gentle embrace. It was so warm, so comforting… it felt almost unnatural to Lia.
