I Refuse This Life, Your Highness! - Chapter 78

It was Riseon.

He was undoubtedly an exceptional knight, recognized even by the Duke.

The journey to the capital, where I was to testify, would be fraught with danger. The best outcome my parents could hope for from their accusations was my quiet disappearance on the way to the capital.

And the most effective way for someone to disappear from this world was death—or being declared dead while secretly imprisoned in some corner of the imperial palace.

While Countess Chiara was known for her martial arts and swordsmanship, it would be unreasonable for her to guard me alone. Moreover, I couldn’t recklessly involve knights who didn’t understand the situation. Taking a large number of troops would also be problematic—it might provoke suspicion and retaliation from the Emperor, drawing unwanted attention.

In this sense, Riseon was the most suitable knight for the task.

“Sir Riseon, are you saying you’ll go?”

“Yes, please allow me this opportunity to repay even a small portion of my debt.”

“What debt?”

“I want to finally act as an older brother—something I failed to do when we were younger.”

Riseon’s gaze was calm and serious. Acting as an older brother? I smiled bitterly. It was a touching sentiment now, but it also reminded me that, back then, he hadn’t considered me a sibling or family.

“Bi.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think?”

“…”

Riseon looked at me briefly but didn’t plead or urge for my approval. Instead, he quietly bowed his head. At that moment, Leia suddenly spoke up.

“If I may, I object.”

“Leia?”

“I object as well. If there’s one thing you can’t trust in this world, it’s a sibling,” Ryoal added, joining the conversation.

I looked at the two of them in silence. Leia was aware of Milen’s situation, and it seemed Ryoal also had unpleasant memories with his siblings. Riseon looked like he wanted to protest but held back. I called his name to calm him down.

“Sir Riseon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you truly wish to protect me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“As an older brother?”

“Yes.”

After a brief pause, Riseon spoke again.

“You’ve always been my sibling from the beginning.”

It was a repetition of what he’d said in the forest that day. I turned my gaze to the Countess.

“What’s your opinion, Countess?”

“I believe it is a reasonable choice.”

I nodded in agreement.

“I think so too, Your Majesty.”

“Very well then, Sir Riseon.”

“Thank you.”

Riseon bowed his head again, his expression complicated. This subdued, quiet Riseon was a side of him I had never seen before. Oddly, it felt as though he had aged significantly overnight. Witnessing the actions of our parents and Revian must have deeply shaken him.

“Then it’s decided. We depart tomorrow.”

Everyone gave their responses and rose from their seats, starting with the Duke. I also stood to head to the office, but a large hand lightly tapped my shoulder from behind. When I turned around, it was Ryoal.

“Do you really trust your sibling that much, Your Majesty?”

“At the very least, Riseon wouldn’t stoop to deceit—not after saying something like that.”

“Well, if you say so, Your Majesty.”

He shrugged. Had he suffered much at the hands of his own siblings?

“You don’t seem to have a good relationship with the other princes.”

“Hmm, it’s passable. My mother wasn’t on good terms with her own family, though.”

“Really?”

He must mean his Lamia mother. I wanted to ask for details, but Ryoal changed the subject.

“No need to look far. Even if you compare with your own eldest brother, wouldn’t it be the same? Regardless of whether you get along, would you trust your eldest brother in a similar situation?”

I stayed silent. Revian… Ryoal had a point. Revian and Riseon had different personalities from the start. Revian was a strict adherent to principles, prioritizing the family above all else. Riseon, on the other hand, was more rebellious, valuing himself and his immediate family over the family’s interests. In hindsight, his defection might have been inevitable, given his nature.

“Revian, maybe not. But Riseon… I think he’ll be fine. Or so I hope. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking.”

Realistically, there wasn’t much choice aside from Riseon. Ryoal, while skilled in escape tactics, would be better off staying in the duchy. As long as the Emperor knew that the third prince of Hasein was in the duchy, his actions toward it would remain cautious.

“Your Majesty has a peculiar way of making people worry.”

“Are you saying I’m unreliable?”

“To put it bluntly, yes.”

“…Apologies.”

“I’m joking. It’s just a feeling. Leia seems to share similar concerns.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Leia? I’ve been meaning to ask, Prince—are you particularly close to Leia?”

“No, just as close as I am to Your Majesty.”

“…”

Which meant hardly at all. It seemed Leia had a closer bond with Sir Reon. Or perhaps I, too, was worrying about Leia—trying to find someone who could be by her side. Shaking off the thought, I nodded briefly to Ryoal and headed to the office.

“…Your Majesty?”

By the crackling fireplace stood the Duke. The moment he saw me, he strode over and pulled me into an embrace.

“Your Majesty!”

“Yuraine.”

“Isis…”

“I’m worried about you. Honestly, I’d rather escort you to the capital myself.”

I shook my head firmly.

“That won’t do. If Your Majesty leaves the castle as well…”

“I know.”

I thought I heard him mutter a curse under his breath—too quiet to be sure. Given his surprisingly coarse language at times, it might indeed have been a curse. He kissed me, his large hand supporting one of my thighs as he lifted me and wrapped my legs around his waist. My legs tangled with his, and my skirt rode up in the process.

A sharp tearing sound followed as the delicate silk stockings covering my thighs ripped. Then, every string and tie holding my clothes together came undone. He carried me to the sofa in front of the fireplace and laid me down. I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist.

Soon, even the sound of the crackling fire was drowned out. It felt as if sticky honey had been poured over us, binding us together. My mind wandered absurdly to whether the sofa legs might break or the chandelier overhead might come crashing down. It was hot—both my body and my head. I was oddly relieved that he was still clothed; otherwise, my nails might have dug into bare skin.

Much later, he rose and brought me water. The cool liquid soothed my dry throat—it was sweet, like everything else I had consumed earlier.

“I’ll bring you something to change into.”

“….”

Only then did I realize what we had done in his office. But the Duke, unbothered, removed his cloak and draped it over me before leaving the room. After some time, he returned with a basin of steaming water and a fresh set of clothes.

“I—I can do it myself.”

“Stay still.”

The warm, damp cloth gently and meticulously cleaned every part of my body. Once finished, he held out the new clothes. They were similar to what I had worn before, complete with all the necessary items—even long stockings that reached my thighs.

“The ones you had were too thin. They won’t keep you warm.”

“The castle is usually warm enough… Did you personally prepare these?”

“No, Resili did.”

“….”

…What must Resili think of all this…?

I wanted to bury my face in my hands but refrained and put on the clothes instead. The Duke personally discarded the ruined garments. Though my hair was completely disheveled, he—or perhaps Resili—had thoughtfully brought a comb.

As I untangled my hair and began combing it slowly, I spoke.

“Please don’t worry too much.”

“How can I not?”

“You said everything would be fine. You even said you saw me smile.”

“….”

Though he had repeated those words several times before, he now looked uncertain.

“I didn’t anticipate you being kidnapped. This life… has been full of unexpected events.”

“That’s true. Things that have never happened before are happening now.”

“Yes…”

I put down the comb and stood. The Duke was seated on the sofa opposite me. I straddled his lap and leaned in to kiss him.

“I believe it’ll all work out.”

In truth, I was scared too. I had no way of knowing if things would truly be okay. But I wanted to reassure him, to say it aloud. Because maybe if we said it often enough, it might become true.

Fortunately, he looked at me for a moment before nodding.

“It’ll be okay.”

“Yes.”

And so, we kissed again for a long time, warmed by the fire.

* * *

The last of our luggage was loaded onto the carriage, and we prepared to depart. Riseon and the three knights traveling with us had already mounted their horses. The Duke came forward, looking deeply worried, and wrapped his arms around the back of my head.

“Be safe, Yuraine.”

“You be safe too, Your Majesty.”

It was hard to part, knowing how much he worried for me. Reluctantly, I climbed into the carriage and took a seat opposite the Countess. Her expression was calm. Had she looked as tense as I felt, I might have completely lost my nerve.

The driver snapped the reins, and the carriage lurched forward. To reach the capital as quickly as possible, we planned to minimize rest stops. By our calculations, it would take two and a half days to reach the imperial palace.

It was going to be a grueling and monotonous journey. The Countess and I alternated sleeping in the carriage, knowing the knights outside had it far worse—especially Riseon. Since yesterday, we hadn’t spoken much.

We traveled all day, and as dusk approached, the carriage turned toward a village.

“Are you feeling tired, Your Majesty?” the Countess asked.

“I’m fine. What about you?”

“I’m all right as well.”

The prospect of entering a village eased my unease slightly. But just as we turned fully toward it—

“…!”

The sound of swords being drawn rang out outside. The Countess and I exchanged alarmed glances.

“Who goes there?”
“Identify yourselves!”

Suddenly, chaos erupted outside. The Countess swiftly drew her sword and positioned herself beside me. Though I had trained in swordsmanship, I was still a novice—utterly useless in this situation. All I could do was curl up to give her more room to move.

“Yuraine!”

Riseon’s voice called from outside. He knocked once on the carriage window before whispering urgently.

“Listen to me carefully. Do not leave the carriage until everything is completely quiet. Do you understand?”

“Until it’s quiet…?”

“Answer me! Do you understand?”

“I—yes, I understand.”

Riseon’s presence faded, and the sounds of clashing swords and tearing flesh filled the air, accompanied by screams. It was horrific. After what felt like an eternity, the chaos subsided.

As Riseon had instructed, I waited until everything was utterly silent.

Support