"Let's Go to the Autumn Palace"
When Leo heard the words "Let's go to the Autumn Palace," he first thought it was a joke. A child who had just torn through the battlefield and taken her first life, now saying she wanted to go to a ball? But Elizabeth's eyes held no trace of humor. They brimmed with emotions that spoke louder than words—not sorrow, not anger, but a resolve stronger than anything else. That's what Elizabeth was like. A girl who conveyed more with a single glance than a thousand words. Her face flickered with determination, fear... and desperate longing.
"If not tonight... it won't happen."
Those words echoed in his mind. It was the first time he'd seen her want something this badly. He couldn't fathom why it had to be tonight. But she clearly had her reasons. Leo nodded silently.
The place we were heading was right in the heart of enemy territory. The king's lair, where he'd tried to kill us. But maybe that made it the best choice.
The king must think we're dead.
He'd sent one Sword Master and thirty elite fighters. That was his ironclad intent to eliminate us. But he'd miscalculated. Fine, overlook Leo—but he had no idea Elizabeth was a 7th Circle mage. Yet we'd survived. And he'd never expect us to show up at the Autumn Palace.
We had two options now. First, flee Ahenvaldt and emigrate abroad. With the king gunning for us, peace in this land was impossible. Second, kill the king. No cleaner solution than removing the root threat. Exile might leave him coming after us again, but his death would end that danger for good.
...We'll figure it out at the Autumn Palace.
Killing him would be easy, but the aftermath? That needed thought. King Siegfried had led the kingdom for fifty years—a renowned ruler with overwhelming public support and a strong government. His son existed, but wasn't ready to inherit the throne. The king's death would spark chaos. And above all...
Hildegard would hate it.
If she ever learned I'd killed the king, she'd despise me. Everything else he could endure. But not her hatred.
"Let's go to the Autumn Palace, Dad."
Elizabeth gently took Leo's hand and stroked it. Looking down at his daughter gazing up with such affection, Leo nodded.
"...Yeah. Let's go."
Elizabeth stood, but wobbled slightly, as if unwell. Leo steadied her shoulder.
"You hurt?"
"...Just dizzy from using too much mana."
Leo nodded wordlessly and surveyed their surroundings. The ordinary forest had become a disaster zone, as if a calamity had passed through. Shattered earth, charred trees, the stench of burns. Even for Elizabeth, casting magic on this scale would push her to her limits.
"Want to turn back now?"
He had to say it. She always came first.
"I'm fine. It's just a brief dizziness, really."
As she finished speaking, a cold night breeze whispered through the trees. Elizabeth shivered faintly. Her thin dress, bare shoulders. Leo silently cleaned the bloodstains from his coat with a spell and draped it gently over her—not heavy, but enveloping her securely.
She looked up at him. He said,
"I'm good. Been moving a lot, so I was hot anyway."
"...Still."
Her voice was soft, but the gratitude in it came through clear.
They walked on. Silently, at the same pace, though not quite with the same heart. The path wasn't long—they'd already come far by carriage, with just twenty minutes or so left. Thud, thud. Leo walked beside her, and Elizabeth hid her ankle injury, stepping carefully. Their footsteps softly blended into the forest's hush.
The autumn night air grew steadily colder. The woods fell quiet. Soon, they walked without words, the only sound their footfalls.
Every breath Elizabeth took, she swallowed the sharp pain stabbing up from her right ankle. The injury was worse than she'd thought. Dancing was out of the question; walking was a struggle. But she endured. She bolstered her foot with subtle magic. Her gait stayed steady, her expression unchanged. Inside, though, her muscles screamed.
Leo glanced at his daughter as they walked. She remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the distant Autumn Palace atop the high mountains.
"...You okay?"
"Yes."
A short, crisp reply. It sounded unwavering, unhidden. But Leo couldn't shake the feeling something was off. Her gaze was too steely, her breathing faintly ragged.
"...No need to push yourself."
"I'm fine. We're almost there."
With that, she quickened her pace. Unbearable pain exploded in her ankle, but she clenched her teeth, staring straight ahead.
...If I say I'm hurting now, Dad will turn us back.
Elizabeth knew Leo better than anyone. He always put her first, above himself. It was around age eleven. She'd caught a brutal cold, burning with fever, bedridden and unable to move. He'd dropped everything to stay by her side—day, night, dawn, never leaving her bedside. Replacing the melting ice on her forehead, feeding her his homemade porridge, reading fairy tales every night to chase away boredom. He'd even summoned a royal physician at great expense. Whenever she was awake, he was there. For days, weeks. She never saw him sleep. He was always awake, smiling at her.
That memory was warm. Every moment with him was precious and warm. And now, it terrified her.
I can't let him find out I'm hurt.
She didn't want to be coddled like a child. She just wanted to convey it—for the first and last time—her true feelings.
She started walking again. Silently, quietly. After much hesitation, Leo, walking beside her, finally spoke.
"Why go this far...? Why does it have to be tonight?"
Instead of answering, Elizabeth stepped harder. She forced down the pain, biting her lip and looking ahead.
Because if not tonight, I won't be able to say it.
She didn't voice it. Couldn't. Once she let those words out, she might not stop the rest. She lifted her head, gazing at the Autumn Palace's roof, faintly visible under the moonlight. Just a bit more. A little further, and they'd arrive. Until then, she'd keep this feeling to herself.
King Siegfried savored his fine wine, gazing down at the ballroom. Young men and women of eighteen danced and laughed merrily. But they barely registered. He scanned the hall repeatedly, a satisfied smile on his lips.
"Is anyone missing from the palace? I don't see the Leo family."
"...Leo Valentine and Elizabeth Valentine have not yet arrived," Felix replied with a grim expression.
The king feigned surprise with a sigh. "Oh dear, did their carriage break down on the way? Such a pity. The dancing's about to start."
"..."
"If only they'd heeded my words sooner."
He drained his wine. Tonight, it wrapped his tongue especially sweetly. Wine after eliminating a threat tasted the best.
"Dad! Look over there."
His daughter Mandelria tugged his arm, pointing to a corner. There stood Duke Rollingel, chatting with Hildegard.
"Look at the duke. Flirting with another woman again. Do something!"
The king glanced at Rollingel, then back at Mandelria. His faint amusement evaporated.
"Mandelria."
"See? He even gave her flowers. He's engaged! This isn't right—it's not the first time. Warn him, Father."
The duke was betrothed to the princess yet had seen many women. The king had never intervened.
"Sigh... Just do the same yourself."
"...Pardon?"
"Men can see multiple women, can't they? Endure it and move on."
Disbelief flashed across Mandelria's face. "B-but we're engaged."
"Engagement? Just a piece of paper. If you love him, accept his nature."
The king swirled his glass slowly, glancing indifferently at his daughter. To him, even his children were tools for power. Mandelria was merely a pawn for a political marriage—nothing more, nothing less. The image of a doting father to his youngest was fabricated.
"And... as my daughter, don't let emotions sway you. Marrying the duke is your duty. If his actions displease you, do the same. I won't stop you."
"..."
Felix stood uncomfortably beside the king.
"Go dance. You've ruined your father's good mood. Well done."
Mandelria fought back tears and vanished into the crowd. King Siegfried watched her go, then savored his wine again. Perched on his high throne, looking down on the masses—that was his sweetest pleasure. Overlooking them, he rebuilt his shattered mood bit by bit. As he sipped the red wine leisurely, one sip, two...
The ballroom doors swung open without warning.
Creeeak...
Every eye in the hall snapped toward it. The king's gaze followed. And he saw them. Click, clack. Leo, unscathed, entering the ballroom hand in hand with a golden-haired beauty.
Clang! Clatter...
The king's grip tightened, shattering the wine glass. Crimson liquid trickled slowly between his fingers.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"
His aides rushed over in alarm.
"Such delightful faces startled me. I'm fine."
The king chuckled benevolently, waving it off as nothing.