Chapter 12 – The Queen of the Eastern Country and the Prince of the Western Country

Tap, tap…

Small feet in adult shoes moved awkwardly.

“This isn’t right…”

A little girl wearing her mother’s shoes frowned in dissatisfaction. She stepped harder.

Thud! Tap!

The thick heels struck the floor with a lively sound. The girl’s face brightened.

“Yes, this was the sound!”

Finding the sound she wanted, the girl stomped harder. The random tapping grew rhythmic.

She waved her hands and tilted her head, just like her mother in memory.

Thud! Tap! Thud!

She spun in place. She wobbled but didn’t fall. Joy filled her eyes.

Though clumsy and about to fall, she didn’t stop.

She hummed a tune. It was her mother’s song.

It wasn’t exactly the same.

But she could repeat it again and again.

She could dance too.

But…

“Ah…!”

Immersed in her dance, the girl bumped into someone and fell. Her bottom hurt, but she couldn’t cry.

“Ah… Father…”

A dignified man in a splendid uniform. His blue eyes, similar but somehow different from hers, glared.

He wore the scariest expression she’d ever seen.

The girl realized she’d made a big mistake.

“Who are you?”

“Ah…?”

“Who taught you that vulgar dance?”

A grave mistake…

***

Irien felt warmth gently brushing her eyes.

The hand that kindly wiped her tears now stroked her hair. The touch was very warm.

A deep, low voice sounded above her head.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

Yes, it was a nightmare.

But it was also real. That day was the start of all tragedy.

Opening and closing her eyes, Irien absently agreed. She felt the hand fiddling with her palm and drew a sharp breath.

She pushed his hand away and clutched her hands to her chest, relieved to feel the familiar tough fabric.

Looking down at her reaction, he spoke calmly.

“I didn’t touch your gloves. You seemed to dislike it.”

“…Yes. I do dislike it.”

“I see. That’s fine.”

It was strange, but he didn’t pry further. Instead, he pulled her close and hugged her tightly. Irien pressed her cheek to his strong, bare chest and lowered her eyes.

‘Ah, warm… No, this isn’t the time.’

It was good her secret wasn’t discovered, but she couldn’t stay in bed with him forever.

‘I can’t escape like this.’

She should have pushed him away as soon as she woke, but after a nightmare, her judgment was slow.

Sweat trickled under her hair as he gently stroked her head.

‘Should I push now? Kick him? Uh…?’

Queen Irien, and stage queen Camellia.

She’d mastered both roles, but ‘how to escape after unexpectedly spending the night’ was not a skill she’d learned.

‘Why are the memories so vivid…!’

Irien bit her lips and bowed her head, unable to look at his face.

She’d realized long ago that meeting Usher wasn’t a dream. Even the fever that ate at her reason faded as she joined bodies with him.

So after that… all the moments she accepted him through the night were clear.

“Ahh, ha! Hnn, Usher…!”

‘Ugh.’

Irien screamed silently. She was mortified.

Especially considering the mysterious persona she’d built before Usher…

“Camellia.”

“Haa…”

“Camellia?”

“Wait. Let me think…”

“Mm, thinking is good but…”

Usher lifted his head and whispered in her ear.

“If you keep provoking me, I’ll start thinking bad thoughts.”

“…Ah?”

Irien finally realized they were both still n*ked under the blanket.

And the thing tapping her lower belly was clearly…

Whoosh!

Her face flushed as she quickly pushed him away.

“Get off! Just get off!”

“Ah, right. That’s how it should be.”

Usher muttered but moved away obediently.

Irien sat up, wrapping herself in the blanket, and winced at a dull pain between her legs.

“Ugh…!”

“Oh dear.”

He quickly scooped her up, blanket and all, before she could fall off the bed.

“There’s still pain. Stay still.”

“No, just get off…”

As his hand touched her belly, the pain vanished instantly, like an electric current. Irien was surprised.

‘Now that I think about it, last night too…’

The mysterious energy from him soothed her heat and pain.

What was this man? Is he not just a merchant?

“What are you, really… Ah.”

Irien turned her head to look at him, and paused. He smiled at her.

“Finally looking at me, huh.”

“Ah…”

His eyes shone gold in the morning sunlight through the window.

His slightly tousled silver hair, bronzed skin, and relaxed eyes were clearer than ever.

Seeing him in daylight, not just at night, was unfamiliar. She could see and feel him better.

While she was speechless, Usher kissed her forehead lightly.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, yes. Good…”

Good looks… not that.

Irien, stunned by the impact of her beloved, turned pale.

“Morning…!”

Sunlight streamed through the window behind him. It wasn’t early morning anymore—almost noon.

‘Birthday festival!’

And today was her birthday as Queen of the Delva Kingdom. Yet she wasn’t in the royal palace. Right now, crowds must be gathering to see her…

“I-I have to go… Senri? Where’s the person who was with me?”

“Calm down. That woman woke up early and explained the situation…”

Usher, trying to calm Irien as she flailed in the blanket, suddenly stopped. He glanced at the door, then stood and donned the robe hanging by the bed.

Swoosh…!

Irien, sitting on the soft bed, was once again entranced. Even the simplest movements seemed like a painting when performed by this man. Muscles still clearly visible through the loose robe, and in one hand, a long black…

‘A sword?!’

And just then—

Outside became noisy, and with a bang, the door burst open.

“[Sir Usher! It’s an intruder!]”

“[Be careful…!]”

Ignoring the urgent foreign language, a figure with long ash-gray hair darted in. Without a word, the attack came swiftly, and Usher responded immediately.

Clang!

The sharp clash of blades startled Irien, who cried out as if screaming.

“Both of you, stop right now!”

“…!”

Both fighters’ shoulders flinched at once. Irien shouted again.

“Put down your sword, Hilde! Usher, you too!”

“…Ah.”

“Hm, so you know each other?”

It was only then the intruder, Hilde Istara, noticed Irien’s situation—wrapped in a blanket on the bed—and let out a small exclamation.

But neither lowered their swords immediately. From just one exchange, each sensed the other’s extraordinary skill.

‘The strongest warrior I’ve met in this land.’

‘This man is dangerous. If we really fought, I’d be at a disadvantage.’

Both reached similar conclusions and spoke at the same time.

“You have quite the rude acquaintance…”

“So this is the man you drunkenly kept saying you wanted to see?”

“…”

“…”

Both addressed Irien simultaneously, but Usher stopped mid-sentence.

After Hilde’s question, an odd silence swept through the room.

Irien’s lips quivered, Hilde glanced away sheepishly, and Usher…

Swish.

He sheathed his sword neatly, smiled, and held out his hand.

“Are you Camellia’s friend? Nice to meet you. Just call me Usher. As you can see, I’m from the West.”

“Ah, yes, well…”

“And could you elaborate on what you just said…”

“Don’t ask! Hilde, stop with the unnecessary comments!”

The room, once quiet, became noisy again, and Janak and his subordinates hesitated at the door.

“[…Janak, should we close the door and leave?]”

“[…Yes, that would be best.]”

It was a sunny morning.