“You must live quietly to avoid bringing harm to both nations. Don’t try to do anything. You might make a mistake.”

“…”

She was so taken aback and hurt that she was speechless. She had expected at least a wish for her well-being, even if he couldn’t give her a warm hug.

‘How can Your Majesty be so heartless until the end?’

If he had added ‘my daughter’ as he did with Seilla, she wouldn’t have felt so bitter.

The sorrow that welled up choked her throat.

Not knowing what to say, she remained silent, and Marsily clicked her tongue openly.

“Hinael, lift your head.”

At the stern command, she released the inside of her cheek she had been biting and met Marsily’s gaze.

Marsily, wearing a benevolent smile like a mask, spoke harsh words.

“Don’t forget your role. From now on, we will not intervene in your safety. We have given you to Trycas as a peace offering, so you must take the lead in maintaining peace between the two countries. We hope you won’t cause any trouble for us.”

She dumped the responsibility of the peace treaty’s aftermath on a mere young princess.

“You must work hard to ensure that Prince Viant and the Trycas royal family do not become hostile to Sarr because of you.”

“I will do my best, though I am lacking.”

Thinking of her mother’s treatment, she answered obediently.

“Yes. As His Majesty said, do nothing. That is how you can help your country.”

Marsily’s cold words were delivered with unyielding dignity. Her firm stance seemed to demand that Hinael should acknowledge her powerlessness.

It was a humiliating day, paying war reparations and sending a princess as a peace offering, but the King and Queen seemed quite elated.

Despite losing a canal city, gold coins, and a princess, they seemed grateful to get it over with.

Varsel glanced at the envoy and his eyes twitched.

“By the way, in case you didn’t hear, the Prince left yesterday.”

“Yesterday… you say?”

“He seemed very upset because of the high priest. Try to soothe him well.”

Varsel, having finished his business, waved his hand dismissively.

“Off you go.”

With a cold expression, as if looking at a troublesome burden, Varsel immediately turned to smile broadly at the representative of the envoy in place of Lutz.

Waving at the envoy’s representative instead of Lutz, Varsel seemed pathetically servile.

Hinael bowed to Varsel and Marsily before going to her mother.

“Mother, stay well.”

“Sob… Hinael, write to me as soon as you arrive. Promise. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I’ll send a letter right away.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s see each other again, my child.”

The tears she had been holding back finally burst forth.

Hinael hugged her mother tightly, burying her tear-stained face in the comforting scent of her mother’s neck.

“Sniff… Mother, I will miss you. Sob…”

“I will miss you a lot too. Please stay healthy.”

“You too, Mother.”

“Take good care of His Highness the Prince.”

“Don’t worry, I will do my best so you won’t have to worry.”

“Oh dear… How will you endure in that faraway, unfamiliar place all by yourself…”

Her mother also hugged Hinael tightly and wept.

As the farewell dragged on, Marsily sighed irritably.

“Everyone is waiting. Hurry up and depart.”

Hinael reluctantly stepped away from her mother’s embrace.

* * *

The envoy procession left the royal palace.

They passed through the smoothly paved square, out of the capital, and through a nearby city, all in less than half a day.

As they entered the outskirts, the uneven ground stretched out, causing the carriage to jolt.

Dea, trying to steady herself by holding onto the wall, sighed deeply.

“Sigh… No matter how I think about it, His Highness was too much. What groom leaves his bride alone on their wedding night? Even if he postponed the consummation, he should have spent some time with you.”

“There were many things going on. He must have had a lot to wrap up with the envoy before leaving in a hurry.”

“But His Highness actively courted you to marry you. No matter how angry he was, how could he leave alone?”

“Shh! Someone might hear. Lower your voice.”

Hinael shot Dea a stern look, afraid her words might leak out.

As she silenced her, Dea pouted.

“I felt so upset for Your Highness last night, being left alone. And today, he’s nowhere to be seen… Even if it’s because of the high priest, it’s still too upsetting.”

Unable to express her own disappointment to anyone, Hinael found comfort in Dea’s anger on her behalf.

Hinael was already worried because the status of a Princess Consort wasn’t as secure as Dea thought. Dea believed that Lutz cherished Hinael.

‘If I’m going to be treated coldly in Trycas anyway, maybe it’s better for Dea to know in advance.’

Their marriage was only in form, and soon Lutz would drop the pretense.

She couldn’t expect him to be a caring husband.

“Given the timing, I can’t just think about myself. As His Majesty emphasized, I need to prioritize peace between the two countries. Whining about small things won’t do any good.”

“Oh my! Is this a small thing? If it were me, I’d be so furious I’d throw a fit.”

All Hinael could do was laugh.

She couldn’t explain the responsibility she bore, her plans to defy her fate, or the reckless adventures she intended to undertake.

“See? What would you have done if I hadn’t come with you? My feelings haven’t changed before, now, or in the future. No matter how many times you ask, I’ll always say I’m coming with you.”

“Dea…”

“If His Highness has had a change of heart, then I need to stay by your side even more. I’ll protect you.”

Dea was the one who stayed with Hinael until the end, even before Chetter killed her.

Someone who repaid loyalty with loyalty.

That’s why Hinael wanted to leave her in Sarr. Even now, it wasn’t too late to separate her from this life. But once again, Dea followed Hinael out of loyalty.

Hinael felt both frustrated and grateful, so she gently held Dea’s hand.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to protect you too.”

“Someone like me… Thank you.”

Dea, who had been angry moments ago, now had tears welling up in her eyes.

Just then, a voice called from outside.

“Your Highness the Princess Consort.”

Hinael opened the window.

“Sir…Renov?”

She had thought he had left earlier with Lutz, but it seemed he was part of the envoy. Seeing Evan’s face made her frown.

She was subtly angry that he hadn’t informed her of Lutz’s absence.

“I thought you had already gone to Trycas, Sir Renov.”

“My apologies.”

“Did something happen to His Highness?”

“No, it’s just that he had some matters related to the peace treaty that he needed to confirm personally.”

Evan glanced around cautiously. It seemed even the envoy was unaware.

Suppressing her frustration, Hinael asked,

“Why did you call me?”

“I wanted to inform you about the schedule. Today, we will cross the canal and enter Trycas territory. We will likely travel until late at night.”

“Understood. But where is His Highness now?”

“He is in Dwen, the border region. The envoy will also rest there for the night.”

Nodding, Hinael watched as Evan bowed and then spurred his horse forward.

After traveling a long distance, they finally arrived at Baisha, a canal city now part of the Trycas territory. The envoy boarded a sailing ship with their carriages and horses.

‘Wow… We’re traveling upstream by boat.’

Despite being a princess of Sarr, Hinael had little experience due to restricted movement. Everything about this journey felt unfamiliar.

The quaint buildings of Baisha, built in the style of Sarr, didn’t feel too foreign, but the journey to an unknown land made everything seem strange.

Dea, steadying herself against the rocking of the boat, supported Hinael.

“Are you alright?”

“I can manage.”

“I asked one of the envoy members about the journey. They said it doesn’t take long from Baisha to Dwen.”

The sky was already turning crimson with the setting sun. As the navy twilight swallowed the orange hues, the world would soon be enveloped in pitch-black darkness.

Though Evan said it wouldn’t be long, it seemed they would only reach Dwen late at night.

“The wind is cold. Please go inside. We still have days of travel to reach the capital of Trycas, so you must be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Thank you, Dea.”

Hinael patted Dea’s hand.

The sky quickly darkened.

* * *

At the same time,

Someone was sneaking into the Count’s estate. Chetter closed the study door and looked back at the man in the black robe.

“Did you find out?”

“Lutz Viant was indeed not with the envoy.”

“What about Hinael?”

“The Princess was there.”

“Hmm…”

Chetter stroked his sharp jawline as he pondered.

He had taken Hinael from him, yet now, due to the high priest’s actions, he had left for Trycas ahead of her. Chetter had hoped this meant the marriage would be annulled.

But seeing that he still took her along, it seemed he wanted to maintain the peace.

“So, where is he now? Is he at the Viscount’s estate in Dwen as per the previous information?”

“Yes.”

“Is the security tight?”

“Yes. It’s difficult to approach the Prince right now. But once the envoy joins, there will likely be some commotion, presenting an opportunity.”

Chetter twirled a paper knife in his hand as if playing with it.

If he successfully kidnaps Hinael, he would immediately lock her up in a villa. Then, he would build a house deep in the mountains where no one could find them and move there.

So that only he could see her.

“Haha! Isn’t it truly fortunate? Even though they were married, Lutz didn’t sleep with Hinael. I will be the first to have her.”

The goal was within reach.

If Hinael, who was practically a token of peace, disappeared midway, what would Lutz do?