[IHTTMBW] Chapter 42

Of course, there was no need to worry about Capille’s disciple. According to the original story, he was destined to fall in love with Myrthi and become the kingdom’s greatest knight. It was almost like watching the pieces of a puzzle come together, the legacies of Gelbart and Capille passing down to the next generation. 

‘This means there’s a chance Euphil might not become a tyrant,’ I thought, a glimmer of hope flickering in my heart. 

The book I had read had painted a grim picture of Euphil’s future—abandoned by the king, growing up in solitude, only to snap one day and turn the kingdom of Crothasone into an empire through a bloody coup. 

‘It might be interesting if the kingdom becomes an empire, but...’ The thought trailed off as I remembered the most crucial detail: I was supposed to die. All the siblings were destined to be killed to strengthen royal authority, and that included me. 

‘There’s no way... right?’ Doubt gnawed at me, though I couldn’t shake it completely. The reason I was meeting with Allenan today was because of that doubt. My plans had changed, and if I wasn’t destined to die at nineteen, perhaps there was no need to continue this charade. 

‘One must always be prepared if one is to survive,’ I reminded myself, the thought steeling my resolve. 

As Allenan drew closer, his face bathed in the sun’s golden light, I couldn’t help but feel a genuine warmth at the sight. There was something so utterly endearing about him, something that made me want to nurture and protect him, much like one might train a dog. And so, I had followed my instincts, perhaps too willingly. 

“Myrthi!” he called out, his voice filled with excitement as he ran towards me, his face lighting up with joy. 

“Lenan!” I replied, smiling brightly at him. 

“Myrthi. Hehe. Did you miss me a lot?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with that innocent charm I had come to associate with him. 

“Yeah! Lenan! Macarons!” I exclaimed, my eyes lighting up at the thought of the sweet treats. 

“Ta-da, here they are,” he said with a flourish, presenting the box of macarons with a proud smile. 

There was something about macarons that I never grew tired of. Their delicate sweetness and a cup of bitter tea made for the perfect indulgence during tea time. And Allenan, bless him, had quickly learned that bringing me desserts was a sure way to win my favour. 

‘Maybe I should call him my Dessert Minion No. 1,’ I thought with a smirk, though I wondered if that was too harsh. But that was how I saw him—this large puppy of a boy, still endearingly eager to please, though he was growing quickly. 

“Myrthi! Myrthi! I missed you so much!” he said, his voice filled with genuine affection as he shook his head, almost as if wagging an invisible tail. 

I smiled at his enthusiasm, rising onto my tiptoes to pat his head gently. Despite my lack of height, Allenan dutifully lowered his head to meet my hand, his smile widening as I patted him. 

“Good job, Lenan!” I praised, my voice warm with affection. 

“Hahaha,” he laughed, his eyes crinkling with happiness. There were times when I truly wondered if he was part puppy, but then I would look into his clear blue eyes and be reminded of just how handsome he was. 

I took the hand he offered, letting him lead me to the bridge. As we walked slowly, I watched the tiny tropical fish that swam through the clear water below, their delicate fins fluttering like ribbons in the gentle current. The pond was a place of quiet beauty, housing fish that seemed too exquisite for such a small body of water, their presence adding an almost magical quality to the scene. 

“Myrthi,” Allenan said, breaking the comfortable silence between us. 

“Hmm? Why did you call me?” I asked, turning to him with a curious smile. 

“Just because. We haven’t seen each other in a while,” he replied, his smile soft and warm. 

I couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a surge of affection for this boy who had come to mean so much to me. Today, I was adorned in gifts from head to toe that he had sent. A blue satin dress, a brooch gleamed with a subtle purple hue, and earrings dangled elegantly from my ears. I knew I looked beautiful, but what pleased him the most was seeing me in the things he had chosen for me. 

“It was always so sad to leave you behind and go back to my homeland,” Allenan said, his eyes filled with sincerity. 

“Me too! I was really looking forward to you coming, Lenan!” I replied, my voice filled with genuine excitement. 

Allenan’s smile widened, and a faint blush coloured his tanned cheeks. The breeze carried the scent of summer, and I couldn’t help but giggle at the sheer simplicity of the moment. 

‘Because when you come, dessert comes too,’ I thought, amused by my own honesty. 

When I first met him, I remember how small I felt in his arms. But after that initial meeting, Allenan had never carried me again. Perhaps he had decided it wasn’t appropriate for a fiancé to carry his betrothed in such a manner. Instead, he held my hand, leading me around the palace and explaining everything to me with patient care. 

To be fair, Allenan had been one of the few who had taken care of me as I grew up, guiding me with a gentle hand until I turned ten. 

‘Why was that?’ I wondered sometimes. Had he fallen for my beauty even at that young age? But how much would a nine-year-old truly feel?