Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Princess and the Grand Duke (4)
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Fifteen years ago, a bloody power struggle swept through the imperial palace.
The current emperor of the empire, who was then a crown prince, Theodore systematically purged his brothers who threatened his position.
In that hellish massacre, only Kasian, the youngest prince, managed to survive.
He survived because of his destructive power and the contract binding him to absolute obedience to his brother Theodore's commands. His usefulness was recognized, and his life was spared.
One day, at fifteen years old, Kasian was pursuing rebels on his brother's orders when his mana went berserk.
The mana tore through his veins in a whirlwind, and he lost his reason as he headed toward a forest on the border between the empire and the duchy.
"Huff... huff..."
Kasian collapsed onto the snow-covered forest floor, black-red demonic energy pouring from his entire body. The trees touched by his energy blackened and withered instantly.
Instinctively, Kasian knew.
'Am I going to die like this...?'
At that moment, when he had lost all hope and given up on life.
"What are you doing there...?"
A lovely voice rang out, and a hem of pink dress entered his vision.
Kasian lifted his head with effort, and his eyes beheld a girl with dazzling white skin and hair like the night sky.
"You look like you're in a lot of pain... Are you okay?"
Without fear, she approached him, and he let out a beastly groan, trying to push her away.
"Don't come... closer... ugh..."
But she didn't stop. Instead, she tore a strip from her dress hem and tied it around his wounds.
"Don't worry. I didn't like this dress anyway."
She had slipped away from a banquet hall.
Tired of dealing with filthy men interested only in her looks and status, she had planned to kill some time in the forest.
But she found a boy in the woods. A boy who looked like he was on the verge of death.
"Hmm... This isn't helping at all."
The girl extended her snow-white hand and touched Kasian's feverish forehead.
"Ah! What if we try this?"
She pulled out a necklace hidden in her clothes.
This necklace held a gem infused with a special power from her mother, the duchess.
The girl immediately took out the gem and pressed it against Kasian.
"What are you..."
Kasian tried to stop her, but then a miracle occurred.
From where the gem touched, the raging mana began to subside as if by magic.
The mystical power emanating from the special gem gently enveloped his rampaging mana.
"Th-this is..."
Kasian's eyes flew wide open.
"Stay still. We're not done yet!"
The girl scolded him as he tried to move.
At her words, Kasian groaned and lay still on the ground. Only after everything was finished did she beam at him.
"All done. You can get up now."
Kasian checked his body.
The berserk mana had calmed, and he felt even better than before.
"...Thank you."
"You even know how to say thanks. You're a good kid. What's your name?"
Kasian hesitated for a moment.
If he gave his full name, she'd know he was imperial royalty. He didn't want that.
"Kasian."
Hearing his answer, the girl picked the largest, prettiest rose from her flower basket and placed it in his hand.
It was one she had plucked from the banquet garden because it looked nice.
"Cool name. I'm Erin. Here, a gift for you."
Erin handed him the rose with a bright smile, but she jumped at the sound of servants calling her from afar.
"Oh no. I have to go now, but what should I do...?"
"Then just go."
"We met like this by fate—how do you know when we'll meet again?!"
Erin puffed her cheeks and glared cutely at Kasian.
He chuckled softly.
"I'll be around here for a while."
"Really? Then I'll come back here tomorrow?"
"Yeah... I'll wait."
Thus began their bond. While Kasian stayed there under the pretext of pursuing rebels,
Though short, they spent precious, fun times together.
When harsh winter passed and spring arrived, they went on picnics to nearby spots.
In summer, they played in the water, making memories.
After that, Kasian was called to other battlefields, so they couldn't meet physically.
But even as time passed, those memories remained firmly in Kasian and Erin's hearts.
Years later, Kasian distinguished himself on various imperial battlefields and was recognized by the emperor, becoming the empire's Grand Duke.
One day, as usual, the emperor gave him an order.
"Go to the Luna Duchy. They say there's a fine gem there."
Erin flashed in Kasian's mind, but he couldn't say a word before the emperor.
To protect her, he volunteered to lead the vanguard.
He thought that only if he arrived first could he find her before the imperial assassins and whisk her to safety.
The war between the empire and the duchy that ensued was brutal.
In the carnage, Kasian didn't want to kill Erin's parents. He even secretly contacted them to help them escape safely.
But by the time Kasian reached the ducal castle gates, the emperor's direct crows had already slain the duke and duchess.
Though over ten years old, the emperor had heard reports of Kasian and Erin's past connection and nipped any potential threat in the bud.
Amid the burning ruins of the palace, Kasian found Erin trembling, covered in blood.
Her eyes turned to him.
"Kasian...? Why are you here...?"
He wanted to tell her.
That he'd protect her. That he'd defy the emperor's orders to keep her safe.
But there were too many ears listening.
With his beloved right before him, he couldn't speak the truth and had to don a mask.
The demon of the empire who destroyed her nation. The enemy drenched in her parents' blood.
That was the Kasian reflected in her eyes.
"Get up. You're going to be my spoil of war."
"What...? What do you mean...?"
"Don't act like you know me, you mere spoil. I'm just a soldier here."
"...You're lying, right? Please tell me it's a lie, Kasian... That you're the one who did all this...?"
Erin's eyes turned red and bloodshot.
His heart ached terribly. More than any battlefield wound, seeing her tears hurt Kasian.
"Bind her. I'm taking her to my castle."
"But His Majesty ordered us to bring this woman specifically..."
"She's my spoil! I'll explain it to His Majesty myself, so hurry up and bind her."
When the soldiers hesitated, Kasian had to get the emperor's permission via mana transmitter before he could put her in his carriage.
Inside the ornate carriage emblazoned with imperial crests.
Across from armored Kasian sat Erin, head bowed, dazed.
Kasian gazed at the scenery beyond the carriage window.
He saw roses.
Roses identical to the one she gave him fifteen years ago, sprawling across the fields.
But the rose fields burned brightly amid the laughter of imperial soldiers.
Each sob from Erin felt like it tore Kasian's heart to shreds.
He wanted to hold her right then.
To tell her everything would be okay. That he'd find a way somehow.
But this carriage wasn't safe.
Not just the carriage—the entire empire was the emperor's ears and hands. He couldn't embrace her at any moment.
For months after, he had no choice but to keep up the act.
Treating her like a spoil of war.
Only that way could he protect her, buying time while preparing other plans bit by bit.
In that act, he might have confided the truth to Erin, but he was too afraid of any "what if" to risk it.
Kasian gazed at the annex visible from his office window.
"Haa... I thought you'd figure it out someday..."
He recalled her expression from today.
Not a bitter smile, but a pretty one directed at him.
"For a girl who can smile that beautifully..."
For the first time, he wondered if he'd been wrong.
If he'd told her the truth from the start, she would have believed him.
Even after months of harsh treatment, her attitude toward him changed in a single day.
Whatever it was, the situation had unfolded. The princess had seen through his act.
This small change might already have reached the emperor's ears.
"In the end... do I have to resort to the final option?"
Kasian gave a bitter smile, thinking of the perilous path ahead.