Chapter 27: Compared to Dying

Princess Jasmin and Bliss sat facing each other in the now more comfortable room, both silent as they contemplated a single object. On the table lay a lumpy item that resembled a stone at first glance but was reportedly an unidentified metal. Princess Jasmin let out a frustrated sigh as she stared at the metal of unknown origin.

“I’ve acquired it, but I’m at a loss about what to do with this metal.”

Had it been a finished item, she could have tested it by submerging it in water or experimenting with it in various ways. But since it was raw metal, there was nothing she could do.

“Perhaps I should avoid collecting such things from now on?”

Princess Jasmin mused to herself before glancing at Bliss. Upon seeing Bliss’s expression grow as serious as her own while examining the metal, Princess Jasmin burst into laughter.

“What’s so amusing?”

“Oh, it’s just that your serious expression made me laugh.”

“Hmm… I didn’t realize I’d become so intense.”

Their relationship had grown noticeably warmer since Bliss had passed the princess’s sudden test. Now Bliss found herself deep in thought, facing a second challenge.

They couldn’t simply entrust it to a blacksmith without knowing its proper use.

“Have you collected similar items before?”

“Yes.”

“What did you do with those?”

“I either had them forged into swords or kept them as is. The ones that sparkled or had unusual red tints I left alone, assuming they wouldn’t be suitable for swords.”

Princess Jasmin sighed.

“These days, I find myself wondering if even ordinary stones might harbor some secret.”

Princess Jasmin’s words had shifted from mere concern to something approaching lamentation.

“I collect items that meet certain criteria, but now I can’t even remember everything I’ve acquired.”

She mentioned keeping a registry of her collected items.

“My collection has grown so large that occasional inspections aren’t enough anymore. I can’t dispose of them, but having them accumulate sometimes feels suffocating.”

Mindful of why she had brought Bliss in, Princess Jasmin openly shared her thoughts. When a maid brought in several metals and arranged them, she gestured toward them, saying “Look at these.”

As Bliss leaned forward to examine each piece, Princess Jasmin continued her concerns.

“It’s clearly not ordinary iron, but I’m uncertain about converting them into swords. This one, in particular, seems like it would only yield a dagger at most.”

“You’re right about that.”

While Bliss carefully studied each piece, Princess Jasmin explained her previous experimental methods. Though her expression would fall when mentioning failures, she quickly recovered and continued. During this conversation, a maid quietly approached the princess.

“Your Highness, shall I prepare lunch?”

“Has it gotten that late already?”

Princess Jasmin checked the time with surprise. Then she smiled at Bliss, who had been listening attentively. She alone had lost track of time.

“Let’s continue this after lunch.”

At Princess Jasmin’s suggestion, Bliss rose from her seat with a smile. As they headed to the dining room, Princess Jasmin suddenly stopped and half-turned toward Bliss, who was following behind.

“By the way, how is that dagger faring?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

Bliss, who had shown surprise without meaning to, quickly composed herself before answering.

“After you left that day, Marquis Adrian’s knight visited. He requested that I temporarily keep quiet about receiving the dagger.”

Princess Jasmin narrowed her eyes as she recalled the incident.

“I wonder about his reasons for such a request. I considered asking but decided against it. You must have your circumstances. Your discretion suggests there’s good reason for it.”

Princess Jasmin straightened her posture.

“Since it’s temporary, do what you must. I hope someone from the Adrian family proves to be the dagger’s rightful owner.”

Unable to reveal that the dagger had spoken to her, Bliss simply bowed her head.

“Do you know the dagger’s name?”

As Princess Jasmin began walking, Bliss followed.

“It’s called the Demon King’s Echo. Quite a grand name for such an ordinary-looking thing, isn’t it? I don’t even know who named it.”

Princess Jasmin concluded with a smile, saying that was all the information she had received. Following behind her, Bliss made a mental note to check on the dagger – no, the Demon King’s Echo – when she returned home.

***

Bliss spent considerable time in conversation with Princess Jasmin. Their dialogue continued through lunch, garden walks, and tea time. Princess Jasmin did most of the talking, while Bliss primarily listened, offering occasional responses.

She learned that listening to someone continuously wasn’t as simple as it appeared. One had to be careful not to interrupt and provide appropriate responses to maintain the flow of conversation. At times, it even required interpreting unclear statements.

Although Bliss hadn’t moved much throughout the day, by sunset she felt a hint of fatigue. While waiting for the carriage, Bliss gently patted her shoulders. Yet the experience wasn’t without its benefits.

‘Simply listening to the princess has taught me so much.’

Even discussions about a single item provided insights into this world’s common sense and scientific knowledge.

“And I can get out like this too.”

This aspect appealed to her more than just gathering information. The strain of constant confrontations with Caelan had also decreased.

“Perhaps if things continue to change like this, I’ll find my way through?”

She muttered to herself, trying to alleviate the frustration of being confined to the Marquis’s household.

“Find your way through?”

“Oh!”

Startled by the voice behind her, Bliss whirled around. The sudden movement caused her head to jerk back, sending a sharp pain through her scalp and drawing out a brief cry.

As she lifted her dazed gaze, she found Caelan standing uncomfortably close. He had wrapped an arm around her waist to prevent her from falling.

Bliss clutched at her chest, her heart thundering.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. I saw you standing here and was about to say something.”

Caelan had simply approached and responded to her soliloquy. The problem lay in speaking thoughts that weren’t meant to be heard, believing she was alone. She wished he hadn’t heard, but Caelan had clearly caught every word.

“It was just meaningless mumbling to myself. Really, completely meaningless… Ah!”

While waving her hands in denial, Bliss let out another small cry. She had discovered her hair caught in Caelan’s button.

“Should we address this before continuing?”

“I’ll handle it. I will… Why won’t it come loose?”

Bliss attempted to free her trapped hair, her flustered state evident. Instead of untangling, her hair became more ensnared, causing her to grip it anxiously. She wished she had scissors to simply cut it free.

“Don’t move.”

Caelan tightened his hold, warning her to stay still. Though this prevented the painful tugging on her hair, Bliss found herself pressed even closer to him, holding her breath.

“Let me do it.”

He lowered his arm from her waist and used both hands to carefully work her hair free from his button. The strands that had only tangled further at her touch gradually came loose under his careful handling.

Bliss kept her mouth firmly shut, regretting her earlier lack of composure.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

‘He heard everything – he must think I’m peculiar.’

She should have been more cautious. Despite knowing he had business at the palace, why hadn’t she considered the possibility of running into him?

Though the palace was vast and they hadn’t discussed their schedules, she somehow felt responsible for everything.

“It looked beautiful before.”

Caelan spoke as the last strands came free. When Bliss instinctively glanced up, she immediately regretted it, finding his face even closer than before.

“I’ve made quite a mess of it.”

Caelan held her hair in his hand, examining it. The locks that had flowed so gracefully that morning were now thoroughly tangled.

“It’s fine. I’m heading home anyway.”

“True enough – compared to dying, a bit of tangled hair is nothing.”

At Caelan’s words, delivered with a smile, Bliss’s eyes darted about uncertainly, unable to settle anywhere.