The Day After the Shadow's Visit
The imperial palace was steeped in a suffocating, murderous tension the day after the shadow's attack. I stood before the door to Era's quarters, watching the imperial guards posted there, lost in my own thoughts.
The shadow who'd fallen into a coma was under joint investigation by the Imperial Guard and the Maryeokche. Yet no identity had surfaced. The assassin showed no signs of waking, and there wasn't a single mark on his body that could reveal his affiliation. Who had commissioned him? Who had sent him? Nothing. The complete absence of anyone willing to talk only made the whole thing more suspicious.
The palace's security was never lax. The fact that three shadows had slipped through that tight net and reached the crown princess's bedchamber in utter silence... it could only mean someone on the inside had cleared a path for them. Someone who had leaked the patrol schedules, pointed out the blind spots in the guard rotations, and covered their tracks. Someone among us.
Was it the Imperial Guard? Or the Maryeokche?
I glanced back and forth between the guards and Maryeokche agents moving through the corridor. It was entirely possible that one of the very people investigating this incident was connected to whoever was behind it. Once that thought took root, I couldn't trust anyone. Not the guards. Not the Maryeokche. They might outwardly swear loyalty while secretly acting as the hands and feet of someone who wanted Era dead.
"Haah..." My head throbbed.
Just then, a servant approached and bowed.
"Your Highness. Her Highness Princess Serina has requested an audience with Her Highness the Crown Princess."
"...My sister?"
"Yes. She asked that Her Highness the Crown Princess come alone to her quarters."
I frowned. Of all times. Still, when my sister summoned someone, there was no refusing. Perhaps she was worried after what happened yesterday. I relayed the message to Era, who had just finished getting ready.
"Serina wants to see you."
"...M-me?" Era's eyes widened into perfect circles.
"She said to come alone. Will you be alright?"
"...A-alone?" Era's face stiffened slightly. The thought of facing that terrifying princess by herself after their encounter in the carriage clearly frightened her.
"Don't worry. She may look intimidating, but she's not a bad person."
"...E-even so."
"It'll be fine. Go on."
I gave Era a gentle push from behind. And so, she headed toward Princess Serina's quarters. I couldn't follow. My sister had specifically asked for her to come alone.
I hesitated for a long time in front of Her Highness the Princess's quarters. Just knowing that terrifying woman was waiting beyond the door made my feet feel glued to the floor.
"Ugh..." The sharp, piercing eyes I'd seen in the carriage kept flashing through my mind. Leon's older sister, Princess Serina. The most royal of royals.
What could she possibly want with me?
It probably wasn't anything good. With trembling hands, I smoothed my clothes one last time before following the waiting maid inside.
"Hmm..." Princess Serina sat upon an ornate chair, legs crossed, one hand propping up her chin. She looked down at me with cold eyes as I entered. That gaze alone froze me in place.
"...Y-you called for me..." My voice came out in a tiny squeak.
Princess Serina slowly opened her mouth.
"Sit."
"...Yes."
I carefully perched on the very edge of the chair opposite her, back hunched, barely resting any weight on the seat. The princess stared at me in silence for a long while. The weight of that quiet was so heavy I could barely breathe.
At last, she spoke. Her voice was as cold as ice.
"I heard about last night."
"...Yes."
"My little brother was injured because of you, I understand."
My heart plummeted.
"T-that's..."
"The shadows were after you. Leon was stabbed trying to protect you."
Her voice grew even frostier.
"Is that correct?"
I couldn't lift my head.
"...Yes, it's true."
It was all fact. If not for me—if I had never come to the palace—Leon would never have been hurt like that.
"...I'm sorry." My voice shook. "It's all because of me."
Princess Serina slowly rose from her chair and walked toward me. One step. Then another. Each footfall crushed my heart.
"You're right," she said, looking down at me. "If not for you, my brother would not have been hurt."
"..."
"A mere commoner, daring to enter the palace as crown princess. All you bring is trouble."
Each word stabbed into my chest like a dagger. But I couldn't say anything.
"Just who is it that wants you dead?" the princess asked coldly. "What kind of grudge could a lowly commoner without a family name possibly have earned that someone would send shadows into the imperial palace to kill you?"
"...I don't know." I answered honestly. "I really don't know what I could have done to deserve this."
"You don't know?"
"...No. I just... I only wanted to stay by Leon's side."
My voice cracked. My vision blurred with tears.
"If being born was a sin... is this the punishment finally catching up to me?"
Leon getting hurt, the shadows targeting me—it all felt like my fault. If I had just stayed in the remote countryside. If I hadn't been greedy and had let Leon go... he would be perfectly fine right now.
Tears welled up.
"...Perhaps," I said in a trembling voice, "it would be better if I left."
Princess Serina's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"What?"
"If I'm not here... Leon won't get hurt anymore."
A tear finally spilled over.
"If I leave Leon's side, the shadows won't come anymore... and Leon won't have to risk himself."
Even as I said it, my heart felt like it was being torn apart. But it seemed like the right thing. If I truly cared about Leon, then disappearing was the answer.
"...Maybe that's the path that would be best for him."
Princess Serina stared at me in silence for a long time. The coldness in her eyes seemed to waver, just a little.
"...You." The princess spoke slowly. "Could you really leave?"
"..."
"If you're scared, you can just run away. There's no guarantee the shadows won't return. Isn't your life precious to you?"
At those words, I slowly lifted my head. Tears streamed down my cheeks. But—
"No," I said, shaking my head.
"...?"
"I did think that leaving might be better."
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.
"But I can't. I just can't."
The princess watched me quietly.
"Why?"
"...I can't leave Leon behind." My voice trembled. "I know that if I leave, he won't get hurt anymore. But I can't even imagine living in a world without him."
"......"
The princess narrowed her eyes.
"...What are you saying?"
"I'll become stronger." Tears still clinging to my lashes, I continued. "This time Leon got hurt protecting me, but next time I'll protect him. I'll become strong enough to stop the shadows myself if they come."
I knew how ridiculous it sounded. A commoner without a family name, talking about protecting an imperial prince...
"...Or I'll make sure no one can hate me."
"I'll do whatever it takes."
"...So I can't leave. I won't run away. No matter how scary it is, I'll stay by Leon's side."
I looked straight into the princess's eyes.
"...That's how I feel."
"..."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Princess Serina looked down at me for a long moment. I shrank back, afraid I was about to be scolded. That I was being insolent. That it was ridiculous for a commoner to claim she would protect an imperial prince. I braced myself for the reprimand.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across the princess's lips.
"...You pass."
"...Pardon?"
I stared at her blankly, not understanding.
Princess Serina shed her cold mask, returned to her chair, and let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly. Both of you have a real talent for testing people's patience."
"...T-testing?"
"Yes. It was a test."
The princess crossed her legs again and looked at me.
"Did you really think I called you here because I was angry?"
"...You weren't?"
"I wasn't." She let out a small, amused laugh. "You're the first person my little brother has ever brought home as his fiancée. And one he was willing to risk his life to protect, at that."
"......"
"I simply wanted to see what kind of person you really were. Whether you were the type who, after dragging my brother into danger, would immediately look for a way to save your own skin. Or whether you truly cared for him."
"......"
"And it seems you weren't lying."
I didn't know what to say.
"Sorry for being so harsh." The princess shrugged. "But if I hadn't been, I wouldn't have gotten your true feelings. People always pick the nicest words when you go easy on them."
She stood up and approached me, then placed a hand on my shoulder. This time it wasn't cold—it was warm.
"Listen well."
"...Yes."
"You pass. You have more than enough right to stand by my brother's side."
At those words, fresh tears sprang to my eyes.
"...Really?"
"Yes. Whether you're a commoner or whatever else doesn't matter anymore. Not if you feel that way about my brother."
She gave my shoulder a light pat.
"I approve."
"...Hic."
"Huuu... huwaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
I finally burst into the tears I'd been holding back.
"...Hic. Th-thank you, Your Highness."
"Don't cry. You're a grown woman."
"...But..."
"Honestly. Both of you are such crybabies."
The princess took out a handkerchief and gently wiped my tears. Just like when she had tossed me a blanket in the carriage. Her words were gruff, but her actions were kind.
"If you run into any trouble from now on, come to me."
"...Pardon?"
Arms crossed, she continued, "I'm on your side now. If anyone bothers you, tell me. I won't let them get away with it."
My chest grew warm at her words.
For the first time... besides Leon... someone was saying they would be on my side...
"...Thank you. Truly, thank you, Your Highness."
I kept bowing my head repeatedly.
"Enough. Stop bowing or you'll break your neck."
The princess chuckled. I was so happy that the tears kept coming, making me look pathetic.
"Ah..." Then, suddenly gaining courage, I asked carefully.
"...Your Highness."
"What?"
"...Then, what should I call you from now on?"
The princess paused for a moment.
"What else? Just call me Your Highness the Princess."
"But now that Leon and I are... engaged..." I watched her expression and added quietly, "Doesn't that make you my... older sister?"
"...Older sister?"
"...Or should I call you sister-in-law...?"
As I fidgeted, the princess cleared her throat.
"...Ahem. Well, technically... that would be correct."
"Then, may I call you unnie?" I looked at her with hopeful eyes.
The princess looked momentarily flustered and glanced away.
"...Do as you like."
"Really?! Then... unnie!"
When I called her with a bright smile, the tips of the princess's ears turned slightly red.
"...We aren't even officially married yet and you're already calling me unnie."
"Is that not okay?"
"...It's not that it's not okay."
The princess fussed with her hair, avoiding my eyes.
"...Call me if you want. Who would dare say anything about it?"
Even as she said that, she didn't seem to dislike it.
"Hehe..." I was so happy I suddenly grabbed unnie's—no, my sister's hand.
"...Hey. Why are you grabbing my hand all of a sudden?"
"Because I'm happy! This is my first time ever having an older sister!"
My sister paused at those words. For someone who had lost her parents early and grown up alone, having an unnie really was a first.
"......"
Serina unnie looked quietly at our joined hands, then let out a small sigh.
"You really are..."
She took my hand in hers.
"The talent for charming people must run in the family, husband and wife both..."
"...Yes. I'll be counting on you, little sister."
When I left her quarters, unnie walked me all the way to the door.
"The special training or whatever it's called will be difficult, but hold on tight."
"Yes!"
"And about the Imperial Great Festival..." Unnie paused for a moment. "Don't worry. You won't be fighting alone. Leon will be there. And so will I."
At those words, my nose stung again.
"...Thank you, unnie."
"Enough. Go on. Leon's probably pacing around worrying."
"Yes!"
I bowed deeply and left the quarters. As I walked down the corridor, I couldn't stop smiling.
"Oh...!"
Far ahead at the end of the hallway, I saw Leon pacing back and forth. He must have been waiting outside because he was worried about me.
I ran toward him.
"Leon!"
"...Hey. Are you okay? What did my sister say? Did she scold you?" Leon asked urgently.
"Hehe..." I answered with a bright smile. "I got an older sister!"
"......What?"
Leon stared at me with a bewildered expression. Seeing his face, I smiled even more brightly.
"Hehe..."
Today... really was a wonderful day.