Chapter 12

“At this late hour, where do you think you’re going?”

“?!”

Just as I was about to leap out the window.

A voice rang out from the front garden as if they’d been waiting.

“…….”

The moment my body touched the ground, a mother dressed in simple clothing cast an unyielding gaze.

Her darkened eyes glimmered eerily under the faint lantern light.

“You were about to go out and play again, weren’t you?”

“…….”

“Why don’t you answer?”

The high-spirited feeling that had been there moments ago was now thrown far into the depths of despair.

“Because Ruelde asked me not to interfere… But the situation has changed. Carriel, you are now betrothed to Her Imperial Highness.”

“…But we haven’t even held the engagement ceremony yet, right?”

“The moment His Majesty announced it publicly, it became official.”

In just that short time, my mouth had gone completely dry.

“I’ve heard rumors circulating.”

“I…”

“I know. That you haven’t crossed any final lines.”

But…

“The world’s eyes aren’t so forgiving. Even small mistakes can no longer be tolerated.”

“…….”

“Because you are our son, mine and Ruelde’s.”

I almost bit my tongue but clenched my teeth instead.

My breathing became ragged, but I tried my best to suppress my agitation by lowering my head.

“And I hear you’ve been neglecting your swordsmanship lessons. What do you have to say about that?”

You know about that too?

Why do you care about things you normally leave alone while ignoring what really matters?

“…….”

“Why don’t you answer? How long do you plan to stay silent? Do you think that will solve anything?”

“I thought it was meaningless.”

“Meaningless… Just what did you say?”

Normally…

There’s no way I would let such an emotionally charged excuse slip…

Or rather, direct criticism? Rebellion?

Whatever you call it, I wouldn’t dare show such an attitude outright.

But for some reason…

I just couldn’t hold it in.

And besides, I’m right, aren’t I?

Creeeak―

“So, is clinging to something impossible not one of the most foolish and inefficient things you can do?”

“…….”

Her words seemed to stop her cold, leaving her staring blankly for a while before blinking repeatedly.

“Are you calling this an excuse?”

“Do you really think it’s an excuse?”

“Then what about that disrespectful attitude?!”

Before she could finish yelling…

“L-Lady! Please calm down! Getting upset isn’t good for the baby!”

A female servant rushed forward and barely managed to restrain her.

‘Partyna?’

She who became the youngest captain of the knight order led by my father.

Golden Dragon.

Despite the illustrious nickname, she wore pitch-black armor and somehow found herself here today.

“…….”

Patting her swollen belly, Hermine took a deep breath.

Within seconds, she regained her composure.

“I must have shown an unsightly face.”

“N-No, Lady Hermine. Not at all…”

Then Partyna turned her sharp gaze toward me.

“I’ll make sure to give Prince proper instructions. So… please don’t worry and return inside quickly.”

“But…”

“Lady Hermine, please trust me.”

“Hmph.”

With a sigh, Hermine reluctantly retreated into the house, throwing one last lingering glance at Carriel before the door closed shut.

“Long time no see, young master.”

“…….”

Even his brown hair was swallowed by the darkness, turning as black as midnight.

When bathed in moonlight, it strangely transformed into pure white like his father’s.

All illusions.

Yet those pale green eyes, like sunlit leaves, pierced through the night with startling clarity.

“I’m disappointed.”

“……?”

What?

“No matter what others said, I tried not to listen or believe. So why have you become so arrogant and reckless?”

“…Sister? You seem to have developed quite the twisted personality while I was away.”

That made her choke on her words momentarily before letting out a bitter laugh.

“Still… You still call me sister. If you had forgotten even that, I might have truly struggled to bear it.”

“…….”

A pang hit my chest.

Not quite the shock of a heart dropping, but more like… another kind of sinking feeling that crushed my spirit.

Hard to put into words.

“Sir Ruelde entrusted me to keep an eye on Lady Hermine and… you, Carriel.”

“…….”

Pointless.

No, not entirely.

Guarding Mother does make sense.

Or… is this whole situation part of the natural order too?

“…….”

So what? Why should I bother with all this nonsense?

“How dare you treat Lady like that?”

“It’s been a while since you’ve seen me, so maybe you don’t fully understand the situation. Let it go.”

“What don’t I understand? The situation is perfectly clear, isn’t it?”

“Perfectly clear?”

Why are you making assumptions and causing trouble without fully understanding?

‘Hmph…’

Right.

Objectively speaking… This probably looks like a rebellious son arguing with his pregnant and sensitive mother.

Ah, this makes me speechless.

Guess I’ve become the bad guy here, huh?

Her words only reinforced my growing realization.

“Your excuses have become pathetic. Wise as you are, you’ve given up trying to explain or persuade anyone. Should I just accept that you fully understand your own faults?”

“Hah!”

Damn it…

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to curse aloud.

“You promised me, didn’t you?”

Together.

“To follow after Sir Ruelde and help ease his burdens…”

“…….”

Did I say that?

When was that again?

Don’t feel like thinking about it.

If it randomly came to mind, that would be troubling enough.

Unfortunately…

Nothing comes to mind at all.

“Have you… forgotten?”

Why the look?

Why…

Do you look like you’ve been betrayed?

When the world has betrayed me?

“I see.”

The transition from anger to resignation is happening too smoothly.

For example.

She expected something from me but gave up on those expectations long ago.

Still, just in case.

Just in case.

“I guess I was the only one working hard. How foolish of me.”

“I didn’t believe the rumors about you giving up your sword until they became undeniable.”

“Master…”

“No, Carriel…”

“You’ve really become…”

“Why are you so quick to judge?”

Back then…

Normally, I would have stayed silent, letting her form her own misconceptions, her own disappointments, and eventually resign herself.

While silently mocking her from the shadows, watching her endure and wait patiently.

Like that.

Staring at the floor, waiting for time to rot away as I endured endlessly.

====

Huh?

A pumpkin vine just showed up?

Couldn’t have timed it better. Needed some real combat practice anyway.

‘Looks like even breathing causes problems these days.’

Being cursed with misfortune has been set in stone ever since our paths intertwined.

Normally I’d have caved under all the scolding, but surprisingly stood up to Hermine.

Wonder how things would have turned out if that was the end, but the situation got interesting.

The Demon King, unseen in the sky above, watched as Carriel argued with and defied the woman he once had ties with.

Seeing him defy expectations, rebel, and argue back.

“Draw your sword. It’s time to knock some sense into you!”

“Why should I? Isn’t a knight supposed to protect the weak? Or are you saying violence is the only way to express yourself?”

“Such eloquent words. But which side is truly trembling in fear and putting up a front?”

Rigid.

That woman stared at Carriel with anger.

And that anger clearly carried…

‘Broken expectations. Broken promises. Worse, forgotten promises!’

Her betrayal was palpable.

This must be maddening for Carriel.

‘Why expect so much, why be so easily disappointed?’

Truly, two paths crossing yet never aligning, entangled yet never mixing.

Mess!

Mud!

-Ho ho ho!

Watching someone else’s misery from afar is always entertaining.

Finally losing patience, Carriel fell for the bait.

Following the armored woman to the backyard training grounds, sword in hand.

Two figures faced each other under the moonlight.

-Experience firsthand what’s changed.

And also…

-What’s truly needed.

Necessity only becomes real when faced with need.

After all, one who’s always full…

Never truly understands the need to survive.

-Fortunately, regaining some confidence to fight back is a good sign. Slave mentality or defeatism runs deep and is hard to cleanse.

Even a small step forward for some…

Is definitely progress worth noting.

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