Chapter 100 'But will Serenon, who received that power, rejoice?'
Even if only for a moment, the Serenon I'd come to know wasn't the type to rejoice like that.
I opened my mouth, tempted to add something, but then just shut it again.
What an impressive woman. In every way.
The resolute gleam in her eyes was the justice she'd forged through countless trials, hardened into an unbreakable conviction. It was beyond my reach.
I nodded calmly, acknowledging that she was truly remarkable, even if our paths diverged. One shouldn't meddle lightly in another's beliefs.
Above all, Tina wasn't the sort to heed my words anyway.
What was Tina Kypress's fate in the original story?
I rolled my eyes, sifting through my memories. I'd thoroughly reviewed the notes on Fairy's Night yesterday, so though it was a bit hazy, it came back to me.
In the original tale, Diego ascended to the throne abruptly after the emperor's sudden death. Amid the clamor from emperor loyalists demanding Serenon's execution, Diego's fierce insistence made him grand duke instead, while Tina was imprisoned—at least for the time being.
The end of the infamous wicked empress who stopped at nothing to make her son emperor.
I faintly recalled the line from the book. For some reason, it had lodged deep in my memory, still vivid as ever. My mood sank, and I slowly rubbed my chin.
Was Tina Kypress truly just a one-dimensional villain, defined solely by her title as the 'infamous wicked empress'?
I wasn't defending her villainy. What she'd done to Diego was unforgivable, as his friend.
But from the perspective of someone who'd pulled this novel into reality, a question suddenly arose. Humans aren't that simple—could Tina really be evil to her very bones?
I gazed steadily at the woman before me. Truth be told, there was a reason for this doubt.
My senses, honed amid magic beasts, were peerless. Even Kaiser, a stronger Sword Master than me, couldn't match their sharpness.
Yet they don't ring around Tina.
No matter how pleasant her demeanor or actions, if there was even a hint of danger, my instincts would blare without fail. For someone as visibly perilous as Tina Kypress not to trigger them—this was utterly bizarre.
Either my senses have dulled greatly... or Tina isn't dangerous.
One or the other. But both seemed implausible, leaving me lost in thought for a moment.
First, let's sort out the situation.
I had no time for such musings. I shook my head to clear it and looked Tina straight in the eye.
"I suppose I should give you my answer to your proposal. To cut to the chase, I have no intention of becoming crown princess."
I stated it without leaving any room for negotiation.
A ripple crossed Tina's composed face. Her eyes narrowed coldly as she clicked her tongue.
"Since you're Aria's sister, I thought you wise, but it's a pity you refuse."
"I appreciate the offer. However, I have no desire to become empress."
"......What?"
Tina's eyebrow twitched.
"Empress is the highest position a woman can attain. Does that glory not tempt you?"
"I know it's a great honor. But I don't want to be remembered as someone's wife in the future."
I met her gaze unflinchingly.
I'm Kashmir Crisis. Mir, the swordswoman. At the same time.
That was my unchangeable identity. I wanted to be remembered as such—not as empress.
In the empire, the highest seat for a woman is indeed empress.
There had never been a female emperor. It wasn't legally forbidden, but tacitly so for women. Thus, empress was the pinnacle for any imperial woman.
But the highest place I want to climb isn't empress.
I, Kashmir Crisis, had no wish to become empress. I didn't want to live like Tina as Kashmir Solatine. Besides, I lacked the confidence—and the vessel for rule. I had no desire to bear such a heavy crown.
I'll be remembered as a swordswoman. One who protected what mattered.
That was my conclusion.
I glanced at the faint ripple in Tina's eyes before exhaling softly.
"I won't marry. I'm quite fond of my current name. I'll remain Kashmir Crisis forever."
I said it low but clear.
Tina, who had been pressing her lips tight, stared at me with eyes gone ice-cold.
"A fine husband is the pride of any noblewoman. How can someone as knowledgeable as you say you won't marry?"
I held her gaze for a moment. Those pale blue eyes, seemingly filled only with chill, flickered ever so faintly.
You don't believe that yourself.
I could read it in her eyes. She was saying the opposite of what she truly thought.
"Forgive me, but I'll forge my own honor."
I told her firmly, as if answering what she longed to hear.
Her red lips compressed beneath pearly whites. She roughly swept back her bangs, disheveling her perfect lavender hair.
"......I've heard your resolve. Since I've already made you Serenon's teacher, I can't withdraw it now. Please look after him for a while. You may go."
It was a curt dismissal.
Reading the faint tremor in her eyes, I rose without protest.
"Thank you for your precious time. It was a pleasure."
I bowed politely and turned away.
Feeling her gaze on my back, I walked out with head held high. It lingered until I vanished from the room.
Exhausting.
Meeting three formidable people in one day had drained my energy. I rallied my weary mind against my still-vibrant body and kept walking.
By the time I emerged from my talk with Tina, night had fallen. I walked the path lit by mana stone streetlamps, then spoke to the servant guiding me to the carriage.
"It's about time I head back. Not far now, and I can manage from here."
"Pardon? Are you sure you can go alone?"
"I said it's fine. Off with you."
The hesitant servant obeyed my command and departed.
Once his presence fully faded, I looked up at the sky. The star-studded night was serene and lofty.
"I know you're there, so come on out."
A soft chuckle came from behind the tree. Footsteps rustled, crushing weeds beneath fine shoes.
"I didn't think you'd miss me, but I didn't expect you'd create a chance for us to talk."
"How could I not, when you came all this way yourself?"
Tense all day, I found myself glad to see an old friend after so long. I smiled faintly at the figure emerging from the shadows.
"All well with you, Didi?"
Smiling nobly under the moonlight was Crown Prince Diego Solatine.
"In this thin-ice palace, what peace is there to speak of? Just surviving takes all I have."
"......Another assassination attempt?"
I furrowed my brow. From getting close to Diego, I knew he faced such dangers daily. Realizing I'd just met the prime suspect soured my mood further.
Diego laughed it off casually.
"You know it's routine for me now. I'm used to it."
What must it feel like to grow accustomed to constant attempts on your life? I felt a distant ache.
Seeing him so nonchalant despite it all tugged at my heart. With sad eyes, I whispered,
"Being used to it doesn't make it okay."
'Used to it' and 'okay' aren't synonyms.
I'd hypnotized myself into believing they were to survive, but familiarity didn't make it right.
Diego blinked a few times, then slowly lowered his gaze. His long lashes hid his eyes.
I'm his friend. Yet I can't help him.
Even as his friend and a Sword Master, I couldn't shield him from those threats. The emperor himself couldn't meddle in the war for the throne.
Regret stung; I bit my lip.
"That's why I like you."
Diego whispered low, stepping lightly closer. I tilted my head up to meet his raised gaze.
"Being with you makes me feel truly alive, not just barely surviving."
He smiled, crinkling the corners of his eyes. Seeing that gentle, beautiful smile after so long melted my tension.
How can he be so calm?
A bright face unbelievable for someone greeting assassins nightly. Though night had come, it felt like the sun lingered only for him. His golden hair, shimmering in the night breeze, glowed like a halo.
Gazing at his loving smile, I sighed deeply.
"What about your guards? Out alone again?"
Diego flinched, glancing at me before tousling his own hair.
"Just a short way from the palace. Low chance of trouble in between..."
"That's how you end up dead. You know that."
I cut off his casual deflection firmly. I remembered our first meeting—how he'd slipped out unguarded and the peril that followed.
But I know why Diego hates escorts...
I sighed at his awkward smile. For a crown prince so meticulously thorough otherwise, ditching guards had a reason.
I had one friend as a child. A commoner guard knight, but I saw him as a true friend. We were like brothers for years. Then one day, the poison in my cup came from him. I asked why, when I could've given him more money or anything. He said he hated me from the start. Everything about me... he envied and despised. All the warmth he'd shown was a lie. After that, I dreaded escorts. It felt like everyone guarding me was just waiting to strike from behind.
Diego had recounted his past so matter-of-factly, but the pain in his eyes was too vast and deep for words. As always, I marveled he hadn't gone mad.
"......Please keep your guards with you. I don't want you hurt, Didi."
I muttered, a bit hurt myself.
He grinned.
"Truth be told, I brought two on the way to meet you. If trouble comes, you'll protect me, right?"
His shameless confidence drew an involuntary laugh from me. Satisfied with my laughter, he extended his hand.
"Enough of that. Want to go stargazing with me? I've wanted to show you every time you visit the palace, but you always leave before nightfall. I'll share my secret spot."
Well, if I stayed till dark, Aria and Kal would cling and never let go.
I stared at his outstretched hand, then met his eyes.
Ah.
No need for stars. They were already in Diego's eyes.
Those deep blue depths, like spilled sapphire, sparkled with embedded starlight.
"......Just this once, I'll indulge you."
I took his hand—even after seeing the stars—hoping the light in his eyes wouldn't fade from my refusal.