[IHTTMBW] Chapter 41

The soft, pink-tinged silver hair cascaded in gentle curls, accentuating the pale face that gleamed like a polished gem. The natural pinkish hue of the hair lent it a delicate charm as if it were effortlessly adorned with ribbons, despite the absence of any decoration. Each time the silky, lustrous strands swayed with the movement of her head, a subtle shimmer danced upon them, creating the illusion that an angel might be standing there, gracing the earth with her presence.

“Hehehe.” The sound of soft laughter escaped my lips as I admired my reflection, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over me. Not too long ago, there was a time when I had been less conscious of my appearance—when I had barely recognized that this face was mine. But as the days passed, I found myself increasingly aware, and perhaps even a little proud, of the beauty I now saw reflected in me. 

“I’m off now!” I called out, my voice light with the anticipation of the day ahead. 

“Have a good day!” came the cheerful reply from one of my maids. 

“Bring back something nice!” another added with a touch of pragmatism, a smile in her tone that made me giggle. Even at ten years old, I had come to appreciate the practicality of their advice. My maids were a sensible bunch, after all. 

Feeling buoyant, I twirled lightly on the spot, my skirt flaring out in a graceful arc. With a slight wiggle of my hips, I skipped towards the garden, using the sturdy column beside me to pivot around in a playful dance. As I stepped into the sunlight, my eyes were drawn to the tree with leaves the colour of autumn maple, its branches heavy with foliage despite the season. The meeting place for today was on a round bridge that stood near this very tree, a spot I had come to love for its serene beauty.  

Gathering my skirt in one hand, I started to run, the fabric rustling softly as I hurried forward. From a distance, I caught sight of Allenan, who had already noticed me and was beginning to close the gap between us at a run. 

Allenan, like Euphil, had grown quickly, his stature now reaching that awkward stage just before the full bloom of adolescence. His smile was dazzling, brightening his features in a way that made me feel a warm sense of contentment. There was something truly delightful in seeing someone so handsome and full of life. 

His once childlike appearance had evolved, but he still retained a certain softness that matched my curls. His black hair, no longer the straight locks of a boy, had developed a gentle wave, framing his face in a manner that evoked the image of a young hero from ancient mythology. Perhaps the coastal air of his homeland had tanned his skin, adding a warm glow that contrasted beautifully with the dark hair and the striking blue of his eyes—eyes that sparkled like the clear autumn sky above us. 

‘He still has those puppy-like eyes,’ I thought to myself with a fond smile. 

His expression was bright, a purity that made his features seem almost innocent. If Euphil had the mischievous charm of a golden-haired boy with a hint of mystery, Allenan exuded an air of clarity and openness—a contrast that amused me to no end. 

‘It’s like the face of a protagonist versus an antagonist,’ I mused, a quiet laugh bubbling up at the thought. The idea tickled me, though the laughter faded somewhat as a darker memory nudged at the edges of my consciousness. After all, wasn’t this “antagonist” the one destined to take my head someday? But that day felt distant, almost unreal, overshadowed by the here and now where Euphil was still dear to me, even if his destiny was to end my life. 

‘For now, he’s the one who’s been with me through loneliness,’ I reminded myself, though the thought brought a bittersweet tinge to my heart. 

‘So, this is the boy who’s supposed to fight my brother?’ The thought flickered in my mind, unbidden and unwanted. I tried to shake it off, smiling gently as I settled under the tree with the red leaves, waiting for Allenan to reach me. Something was endearing about how he kept our childhood engagement intact as if clinging to a promise made in innocence. And I had to admit, the gifts that came with it—from desserts to jewels to dresses—weren’t entirely unwelcome. Alkaden’s offerings had a unique, exotic charm that made them stand out even among the luxurious presents from Grandpa Gelbart. 

‘Hmph. I guess I’ll have to change my plans now,’ I thought with a wry smile. It had been five years since I’d started working on my plan, and Euphil had changed so much in that time. The lonely, isolated boy had grown, both in skill and confidence, under Gelbart’s tutelage. His progress in swordsmanship was nothing short of astonishing—so much so that Gelbart’s scolding had become a regular occurrence. 

“You rascal! If you learn everything so fast, I’ll have nothing left to teach you, and I’ll get bored!” Gelbart had grumbled one day in the training yard. 

“Shouldn’t you be reading books in the study at your age? What do you need swordsmanship for?” he’d asked, though the pride in his voice was unmistakable. 

“You insolent brat. You’ve made Capille so jealous he’s practically dying from envy! Hahaha!” Gelbart’s laughter echoed through the courtyard as I sat nearby, resting my chin on my hand and watching them with amusement. 

Capille was Gelbart’s long-time rival, and their competitive spirit had not waned with age. In their youth, they had vied for supremacy in swordsmanship, and now, in their later years, they competed through their disciples. But there was no doubt that the twelve-year-old third prince was a prodigy, defeating renowned swordsmen one after another, much to Capille’s dismay.