A Mother's Resolve
The faces of Luna's vassals, gathered to devise a strategy, were universally grim. Throwing the severed heads of the royal messengers right at their feet was nothing short of an ultimatum. It meant the road to Lurie was already completely blockaded.
Of course, if we simply waited, the King would eventually sense that something was amiss. But there was no telling when he would realize that I was in actual, mortal danger. A month? Or perhaps even longer? As long as Carmel remained by his side, that timeline could be stretched indefinitely. Fabricating reports that I was merely enjoying a leisurely tour of the Lorencia region would be child's play for someone of Carmel's cunning.
The enemy possessed ample supplies, explosives powerful enough to blow up bridges, and the backing of the Empire. No matter how sturdy the defenses of Senain Castle were, it was bound to fall in a prolonged siege. With our supply lines severed, resources would dwindle and the soldiers' morale would plummet as time wore on.
No matter how much they deliberated, no clear solution presented itself. The hopelessness of our situation only grew starker. Amidst this suffocating atmosphere, a soldier rushed into the room, panting heavily. The news he brought was of such gravity that no one dared question his sudden intrusion.
"L-Lord of the Castle! An envoy has arrived from Lord Elond Lorencia!"
"...Understood."
Luna rose from her seat. Her previously exhausted expression was instantly replaced by a mask of glacial indifference.
"Let us go together, Princess."
"Very well."
An envoy from Elond Lorencia. Having already decapitated the King's knights, it wasn't hard to guess what kind of message he carried. I stepped forward alongside Luna to meet him.
A man clad in attire emblazoned with the Lorencia crest pushed the doors open, striding confidently toward Luna.
"It has been a long time, Lady Luna. And it is an honor to meet you for the first time, Princess Sera Rustier. I am Minac, sent to deliver the words of Lord Elond."
Luna seemed to recognize him. She addressed him in a voice as cold as ice.
"Minac. I did not expect even you to join Elond in his foolish scheme."
"Your temperament remains unchanged from your youth, my Lady. However, I suggest you choose your words with care. I stand here today as the voice of Lord Elond himself."
So they knew each other when Luna was young. Luna continued to glare at him with freezing eyes. Unfazed by her gaze, Minac pressed on.
"Our demand is simple. Hand over the Princess. Do so, and we will guarantee the safety of everyone else in this castle. As your beloved brother, Lord Elond is still willing to welcome you back as a proud member of the great Lorencia family, Lady Luna Lorencia."
Luna's face remained entirely unreadable as she listened to the envoy. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking. To her, it might actually be a highly tempting offer. It had been less than a day since she and I had formed anything resembling a cooperative relationship. It could barely even be called an alliance. It was far too short a time for any sense of loyalty to develop—certainly not enough to warrant risking her castle and people to protect me.
Yet, Luna did not accept the offer.
"Tell him to go fuck himself."
The envoy's eyebrows shot up at the crude remark, which sounded incredibly jarring coming from her refined lips. Luna continued without missing a beat.
"I am not foolish enough to throw my lot in with Elond's idiotic ambitions. Tell him, Minac, that I will never join hands with a fool who seeks to destroy the Lorencia family—a house that has stood since the very birth of this kingdom—in a single moment of madness."
"...Do not regret this."
"Those are the exact words I would offer to Elond."
The envoy turned on his heel, his face twisted in displeasure. Luna watched him with a frigid expression until the guards practically escorted him out of the room.
"Are you sure about this? Rejecting his offer, I mean."
"I merely made a rational decision. I know better than anyone that Elond views even his own blood as nothing more than tools."
That was true enough. One only had to look at how he had dragged Tina into his schemes to see that. She could easily have been killed or severely injured. The fact that Elond had put her daughter in such danger was undoubtedly the primary reason Luna had rejected his proposal so decisively.
Luna and I returned to the council chamber. An elderly vassal, his face etched with anxiety, looked up with a desperate glimmer of hope.
"H-How did it go?"
"They made an unacceptable demand. The negotiations have broken down. They may launch an attack as early as tonight."
"Ah..."
He let out a heavy sigh and collapsed back into his chair. The rest of the room seemed engulfed in a similar, profound despair. I leaned in and whispered softly to Luna.
"May we speak in private for a moment?"
"Of course."
Luna dismissed the gathered vassals, granting them a temporary recess. Once we were alone, I spoke to her.
"Luna, I assume this castle has a secret escape route?"
"Yes, indeed it does."
"Once the castle is fully besieged, we will have no options left. I want to send all of my royal guards out through that secret passage to head for Lurie. Our only window of opportunity is now, before their perimeter is completely sealed."
Naturally, this was a massive gamble. We had no idea where the enemy's lines were drawn or how they were structured. We would have to rely entirely on the knights' skill and adaptability. Furthermore, I would be left behind inside the castle without a single ally. If the worst came to pass, I would be completely defenseless.
Logically, if we were going to use such a method, it would make the most sense for me, the Princess, to escape as well. But doing so would amount to abandoning Luna and fleeing on my own. Even if I promised to return with reinforcements, Luna had no reason to believe that I would keep my word once I was out of harm's way. If I fled, handing me over to Elond might start to look like a much more appealing option to her. Therefore, this was the only viable path I could choose.
Luna stared at me for a long moment, as if chewing over my words. Finally, she spoke.
"I cannot agree to that plan."
"And why is that?"
"Considering Elond's ultimate goal, you must escape with them, Princess. Realistically, whether you can break through their lines remains to be seen... but we must trust in the valor of your knights, the renowned Royal Guard."
Luna's expression remained perfectly calm, as if she were merely stating a logical and rational conclusion.
"If Elond finds out I escaped after the castle falls, he will be furious."
"Undoubtedly. It would actually be quite satisfying to see that arrogant man's face twist with rage. Do not worry too much. Since we are blood relatives, he will not go so far as to take my life."
She is lying. It was incredibly faint, but I could see a flicker of fear in Luna's eyes. She knew. She knew that if it came to that, Elond would kill her. And yet, she was still trying to send me away...
"However, may I ask a favor of you, Princess?"
"...Yes."
"Please take my daughter, Tina, with you. I know she will be a burden during your escape... but I beg of you."
"I understand. I will make sure she reaches Lurie safely."
"Thank you, Princess Sera."
With those words, Luna offered a smile. It was a serene, tranquil smile, like a lake formed from melting glaciers.
As darkness began to blanket the land, the royal guards, William, Luna, Tina, and I made our way through the subterranean passages beneath the castle. We were all clad in black hoods, hoping to blend into the shadows and avoid the enemy's gaze.
"At the end of this passage, you will find an exit covered by tree roots. Cut through them, and you will emerge near a stable at the foot of the mountain. Take the horses prepared there and ride."
Luna remained perfectly composed. Amidst the solemn atmosphere, Tina looked anxious, utterly confused as to why she was being dragged along.
"Tina. You are to leave for Lurie with these people."
Immature though she was, Tina was not oblivious to the danger threatening the castle. Realizing what her mother's words implied, her eyes welled with tears.
"Why...? What about you, Mother? Why aren't you coming with us?"
"Tina, I am the Lord of Senain Castle. Abandoning my post and fleeing is something a proud Lorencia can never permit."
With those words, Luna pulled Tina into a tight embrace. She spoke in a tone of voice I had never heard from her before.
"I am sorry, Tina. There is still so much I have yet to teach you. The compassion a person must hold, the strength needed to survive in this world... Please, go with the Princess, see the world, and learn."
"Mother, no... Mother, please..."
Luna firmly pushed her weeping daughter away. She then turned her gaze toward me and William.
"I entrust my foolish daughter to your care, Princess. And... to you as well, Baron William Roberts."
William seemed momentarily startled to hear his name called, but he quickly responded with a solemn nod.
"Yes, my Lady. I pray for your safety as well."
"We will surely return to rescue you."
We began our march into the darkness of the passage. William took the sobbing Tina's hand, holding it firmly. Behind us, the light of the lantern held by Luna, who remained standing in the corridor, grew smaller and smaller, until it finally vanished from sight.