Chapter 20

“Even if only occasionally, it is enough if someone remembers that there have been noble sacrifices for this world. You have grieved enough for the Saint’s death, so from now on, I hope you live for your own life. Ian… All of us living on this earth, every bird in flight, every blade of grass, are precious children of Lord Tyr and Goddess Vanir. Your precious life will also be warmly protected by both gods from now on.”

After meeting with the Vanir High Priest, Elcia fell into deep self-reproach.

Listening to the wise priest’s advice, she found herself unbearably ashamed. What had she been thinking all this time? Was it the dream of living comfortably thanks to her luck as a dollmaker, avoiding hardship? The foolish wish to linger around Ian and receive even a single glance from him? Jealousy of the deceased Saint, and the desperate desire to somehow stay by Ian’s side in her place?

‘How pathetic, truly pathetic!

Elcia Bennett!

You’re a miserable woman who can’t even reach the toes of Kayla, the Saint loved by Ian and the whole world!

And yet you dare to desire Ian?’

She couldn’t even shed tears for her own tragic feelings. Glancing sideways, she saw Ian also seemed subdued by the meeting with the High Priest. At last, she realized what she truly wanted.

“Ian.”

“Hm?”

“…You know, I… I want to be your strength.”

“What?”

Elcia spoke again, her voice clear and certain.

“To be honest, I haven’t decided what to do after coming to the capital. It’s still too early to develop a new doll, right? Usually, a dollmaker has two or three dolls. Until I decide on the theme for my third doll and make it, I want to help with your work. If I do that, I think I’ll find motivation for creating a new doll!”

“Elcia.”

Ian’s expression turned serious.

“This is a secret, but Udis is made of wood yet doesn’t burn easily! I wanted it that way. So it won’t be a weakness for you. White Bunny, you know? I…!”

“No.”

“Ian!”

Ian gently touched Elcia’s sore wrist and cautioned her.

“Elcia, I’m a knight and will face dangerous tasks. You’re physically fragile even for daily life, so how can you follow me around? Forget such ideas and stay somewhere safe. That’s my wish.”

“But I…!”

Seeing Elcia stomp her feet, Ian decided to soothe her first.

“If you haven’t decided what to do yet, take your time to think. I’ll formally invite you to our family. Hmm… If staying at the mansion feels burdensome, you’re welcome to come and go at Ceylon House. Would a promise of three chocolate dishes a week do?”

He slyly tried to tempt Elcia with sweets.

“Ian, I’m not a child! I’m speaking seriously, you know!”

Even as Elcia rarely got angry, Ian remained unmoved.

“For now, let’s go back.”

Elcia was a little sulky as Ian tried to keep her away. It wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid of a knight’s rough missions. But, because it was Ian. She wanted to be by the side of the one she loved, to walk his path, believing in his firm convictions. Yet he didn’t understand her feelings to the end!

The carriage they rode headed not for Ceylon House, but for the Kypris marquisate.

The Marchioness welcomed Ian and Elcia warmly upon their safe return from their mission. Even though Ian unilaterally told her to look after Elcia, who would be staying at the mansion for a while, the lady of the house accepted it graciously.

“Oh, of course. It’s only right. She’s the young lady who healed you perfectly, so she deserves to be treated well.”

“I didn’t do much. The Count was naturally healthy, so the surgery went well. It was my doll that did the healing, not me.”

Elcia, embarrassed, tried to shift the credit, but the Marchioness smiled warmly.

“As a dollmaker, you healed him with your doll, then it’s certainly your merit! Oh, and I’ve already prepared a comfortable room for you, Miss Elcia Bennett, so you must see it. Come, let’s show her.”

She was led to a grand, splendid room. Even lying in bed, Elcia’s eyes stayed wide open; she couldn’t sleep at all. Her body rested on soft sheets, but her mind was tangled with thoughts—thoughts only of Ian.

What was he thinking now?

If she didn’t say it, if she didn’t confess that she liked him, would Ian never understand her feelings?

Even if she confessed, it wouldn’t resolve everything.

That would be the true beginning……

The Kypris couple were warm parents to Ian, but Elcia, a commoner and not their son’s savior, sensed they wouldn’t treat her just the same. Timid and cautious like a rabbit, Elcia knew this instinctively.

All of a sudden—

She realized that to fulfill her desire to be by Ian’s side, she’d have to bear many burdens.

Ian was a high-ranking noble by birth and had served as the Holy Knight Order’s leader for the Saint.

Could she overcome that enormous gap?

With what?

She was just a dollmaker, living far from her parents.

Suddenly feeling lonely, Elcia hugged her cold shoulders and summoned White Bunny.

“Hello, Bunny.”

「Hmph, you laugh and cry by yourself, but now that it’s time to sleep you’re thinking of me? Oh, wow, this place is amazing! There’s even a tapestry! I’ll have to ask for a rabbit design next time, two of them!」

White Bunny, grumbling as she appeared, was captivated by the spacious room and exclaimed in awe.

“Quiet, okay?”

「As expected of a noble family in the capital, everything is so different! Even the air smells fancy. If the guest room is this nice, my playroom will be easy to set up.」

White Bunny drummed and danced, then returned to Elcia’s side. Elcia playfully pretended to flick the cute and cheeky rabbit doll’s head.

“Please watch your mouth, okay? Everyone here except me and Ian are strangers. If you make a fuss, they’ll be shocked.”

「Why hit me? Did I say something wrong? More importantly, Elcia, please use your words properly, okay? Don’t just chew when you eat. How nice would it be if you acted cute and whined in front of the Ice Count?」

“Bunny!”

「Honestly. You miss all the good moments, hole up in your room, and just regret, wishing you’d done this or that? That’s just foolish, you know? The person involved won’t even guess, so just speak up and regret later.」

White Bunny’s advice hit the mark every time, so Elcia couldn’t really argue.

Strangely—Elcia could never cross the strict boundary of ‘friend’ that Ian wanted. If she could take just one more step, say she wanted to be his eternal light, maybe everything would change. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She often thought she was like a chained beast, unable to break free of her limits.

White Bunny, seeing Elcia lower her head, gave advice.

「Silly Elcia, all the good chances are passing by. You know how sharp my instincts are, right?」

“I know.”

Would she be able to muster the courage tomorrow?

Elcia was afraid to look at her own weakened heart.

Inferiority over the dead lover, the great Saint, kept gnawing at her.

Whatever she thought, she began spending idle days at the Kypris mansion. Ian had already gone alone to the imperial capital to report his mission’s completion to the Crown Prince. The two remained polite but kept a slight cold distance. How this looked to the Kypris couple and Alteon was unknown.

* * *

About ten days after Elcia entered the mansion, Ian returned early one morning from the imperial capital and called Elcia out to a quiet terrace.

“…Is something wrong?”

Elcia asked, her face awkward. But Ian’s expression was even gloomier.

“Elcia, it’s sudden, but tomorrow you and I must go to the imperial capital. His Highness the Crown Prince has decided to officially announce my return to the capital.”

“What?”

“And tomorrow, there’s a high chance Sir Nersian will be at the event… It’s uncomfortable, right?”

Elcia’s eyelids blinked slowly at Ian’s words. Nersian had left a bad first impression, and having used violence against her when they met again, he was someone she never wanted to see. She feared he’d try to drag her deep into the temple again if they met.

Ian stepped closer to comfort her.

“Don’t worry too much, Elcia. There’ll be lots of people, and not just me—my father and Alteon will be there too, so he can’t approach you recklessly. I’ve explained things in advance, and you’re an official guest of the ducal family, so no one can touch you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If you get scared, just stick close to Alteon when I’m not around. He’s bigger than me, after all.”

He meant to reassure her, but Elcia felt a little frustrated. Was she always just a fragile orchid swaying in the breeze to Ian?

‘Ian, I don’t want perfect protection—I want to stand beside you.

Even if it’s a battlefield with arrows flying.

Is that too big a dream?

Can’t I just watch over you quietly?’

Elcia looked at him with desperate eyes.

Then, Ian finally gave her a gentle smile and met her gaze.

That wasn’t because he liked her, but just a common gesture to comfort her—she knew it well, but Elcia’s heart still fluttered at his small, deliberate smile. Elcia Bennett could only ever be a weakling before the one she loved, Ian Kypris.

.

She barely remembered how she slept that night, or when she woke up to wash. Whenever Ian smiled, Elcia would often forget the feel of reality. Even on the way to the imperial capital, her mood ran wild. It was only seeing the Crown Prince’s impressive presence with her own eyes that calmed her.

In the Nives Hall of the imperial capital, Conrad stood before the nobles with his personal knights, sweeping his golden hair as he declared,

“Today, a great star has returned to our empire. Rejoice, everyone.”

“A star has returned?”

“What’s going on…?”

The puzzled nobles glanced at each other, and the Crown Prince gestured toward the door on his right.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Ian entered in armor. As Ian had advised, Elcia hid behind Alteon, her breath stopping. His blue cloak without a single medal, his elegant face suited to silver armor, and his perfect stride toward Conrad mesmerized her once again.

Ian knelt before Conrad.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, thank you for accepting this humble one.”

“I…an? Is that really Ian?”

“The Count of Kypris has returned?”

“My goodness! What about his hand?”