‘Should I call this efficient or fearless?’

“So, is Leon planning to return to the Principality of Pontos soon?”

“Yes. Just last night, His Highness expressed his intention to return.”

If it was last night, it means he gave the order right after visiting our house.

Now I understood why Iscallion was acting so strangely. How could he remain calm when a rebellion had broken out in his territory?

Suddenly, I recalled what he had said yesterday.

‘Sister. I think I have to go back now.’

The place he mentioned returning to wasn’t the townhouse but the Pontos territory.

“When is he planning to return?”

“Early tomorrow morning.”

‘That’s just a few hours away?’

It was a much quicker and more sudden farewell than I had expected. I felt both bewildered and disappointed.

There was no need to explain the country’s situation in detail, but at least he could have said goodbye.

Even though Lou and Iscallion might have a close personal relationship, it felt like they couldn’t escape their statuses as the Lady of Dronay and the Grand Duke of Pontos.

The younger brother who always seemed so cute now felt suddenly distant.

“Alright. I’ve got all the information I need.”

As I nodded, Janet arrogantly extended her hand toward the man. The man, trembling all over, reverently took her hand. Not wanting to see what happened next, I quickly left the place.

My mind was in turmoil.

While Iscallion was strong enough not to worry about, this development significantly disrupted my plans. More than that, the fact that he intended to leave without even a final goodbye was a huge shock.

‘Was I nothing to him? Then why did he keep talking about marriage!’

Feeling like a clingy ex-girlfriend, I ran to the townhouse where Iscallion was staying. However, it was already empty, which means he had already left.

My heart felt just as empty.

‘This is really too much….’

For the first time, I resented Iscallion. But when I asked myself if I had the right to, the answer was no.

In hindsight, all the plans and dreams about our future were just my own foolish expectations. More importantly, I knew from the beginning that he couldn’t stay long.

Despite knowing all that, I had grown so attached. I needed to leave, but my feet wouldn’t move.

“Enough, stop being pathetic. The train has already left.”

As I turned away in defeat, I heard the sound of horse hooves rapidly approaching.

Without looking back, I stepped aside.

“Sister?”

When I turned my head, I saw Iscallion on a black horse. He was dressed in a black cloak from head to toe. Except for our first meeting, he had always worn bright clothes, so his current appearance made it feel real that he was leaving.

“I was on my way to see you. I have to leave for Pontos urgently. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier… Oh? Sister, are you crying?”

“Who are you? Do I know you?”

Iscallion hurriedly dismounted and grabbed me.

“You already knew. Don’t cry, Sister. I’ll be back soon. Just wait a little.”

“Why should I wait for Your Highness? Whether you return or not, what does it have to do with me?”

I wanted to see him off maturely as an older sister, but all that came out was childish whining.

“If you hate me, you don’t have to wait. But I’ll come back anyway.”

Iscallion comforted me maturely instead.

He wiped my tears with his large hand. His touch melted my stubborn heart.

“W-When will you come back?”

“I’ll be back before your birthday. So, when I become an adult, make sure to kiss me. Got it?”

Seeing his calm smile made my suppressed emotions surge.

“I thought… you were going to leave without saying anything…!”

“I would never do that.”

“Don’t get hurt, eat well… sniff… and come back healthy. Got it?”

Having been an only child in both my past and present lives, I didn’t know for sure, but I thought this must be what it felt like to send a cherished younger brother off to the military.

Iscallion hugged me tightly as I cried pitifully, saying all sorts of nonsense.

“Waaah…!”

“It’s time to go, Your Highness.”

Suddenly, someone emerged from the darkness. He was also dressed in black like Iscallion, so I hadn’t noticed him earlier, but it seemed he had been there all along.

‘What? There’s more than one.’

Realizing that others had witnessed this scene made me feel so embarrassed I wanted to disappear. My tears and snot stopped instantly.

I awkwardly pushed Iscallion away.

“Uh, you should go now.”

Despite my sudden cold reaction, he just smiled as if he understood everything.

“Take care, Sister. Don’t forget me while I’m gone.”

When I looked up to respond, Iscallion had already moved far away. Even after he completely disappeared from view, I stood there for a long time.

My heart felt unbearably empty.

***

After Iscallion left, I completely lost my motivation. Eating didn’t feel like eating, and sleeping didn’t feel like sleeping.

Was this what people called lovesickness?

But more than the aching longing or sadness, I just felt a deep sense of despair.

“Damn it! Why are they so handsome if they don’t even love me…! If this was going to happen, they shouldn’t have been so nice to me….”

It was 2 PM, the hottest time of the day.

I was sitting alone in a pub, downing bitter alcohol.

I filled a small glass with brandy until it overflowed and drank it in one gulp. The strong brandy burned as it went down my throat.

I had been through so much hardship without even enjoying the drinks I liked.

“It’s all over, anyway….”

I was sick of cleaning up other people’s messes and watching out for the male leads.

Damn this world, it could just go to hell.

“I only need my coal.”

Sure, if I could face the end with my precious coal, that wouldn’t be so bad.

‘Yeah, that’s enough.’

I habitually reached for the coal but then remembered I had left it at home.

“Ugh….”

Upset by this, I drank another glass of brandy. And then another.

Before I knew it, my reason was completely drowned in alcohol. But my mood was getting better.

“Damn it… let everything go to hell. As long as I’m happy right now, that’s all that matters.”

I raised my brandy glass and toasted to the empty air.

It was a pleasant afternoon.

***

Gined liked the temple on weekday afternoons. It was the time when there were the fewest people praying. So perhaps, the gods might listen to his prayers a bit more attentively.

After offering his prayers to the ever-silent deity, he stepped out into the street.

As the largest city on the continent, Arcadia’s streets were bustling with a variety of people.

Noble ladies in elegant dresses, poor boys selling flowers, old men basking in the sun on benches, and affectionate couples holding hands.

There were even drunkards staggering around at this hour. One such drunkard, with an unsteady gait, caught his attention.

‘Lady Dronay?’

Gined blinked in surprise as he recognized the drunkard’s face.

The person drunkenly humming a song with a silly smile was none other than Lou Dronay. Her cheeks were brightly flushed from the alcohol, visible even from a distance.

She’s going to fall. Unable to watch any longer, Gined quickly approached Lou.

“May the blessing of light be upon you, Lady Dronay.”

Her mint-colored eyes, hazy with alcohol, slowly focused on Gined.

It took her a moment to recognize him.

“Huh…? Sir Roengreen?”

“You seem to have had a bit too much to drink.”

“Ah. I’ve been having some troubles… Life is just too hard. Ugh….”

Her usually sharp tone was now sluggish and drawling.

Gined couldn’t help but smile.

“What, are you laughing?”

“No, I’m not.”

Feeling embarrassed, he immediately straightened his face.

“Oh, I don’t know….”

Lou sighed deeply and squatted down on the spot.

Gined carefully tried to console her.

“Lady. I will escort you to the mansion.”

“If I go now, my parents will scold me…?”

“In that case, it would be better to rest a bit before returning.”

“Huh? Rest before going…? Oh my, Sir Roengreen! You’re more cunning than I thought?”

“Pardon?”

Instead of explaining, Lou covered her face with both hands and chuckled. Then she suddenly lifted her head.

“But if you want to… No, no. You are a priest.”

Gined couldn’t understand a word of what Lou was babbling about.

For now, he sat Lou down on a bench. Meanwhile, her mood dipped again.

“Do you think I’m pathetic too? Drinking like this from noon….”

“No, I do not.”

“Or what. You don’t have any particular feelings about it, do you? You’re leaving this city soon, right? Well, there’s no reason for you to stay. You came here to track down Janet in the first place….”

Janet. The vampire contracted with the Crown Prince.

Knowing even that name, it seemed she still maintained a close relationship with the Crown Prince.

Though they always bickered on the surface, they hadn’t spent ten years together for nothing. In fact, their breakup was also due to a prophecy.

Strangely, he didn’t feel very good.