[IHTTMBW] Chapter 44

“So, Myrthi.”

“Yes, Allenan.”

“My mother keeps looking for a fiancée for me.”

“For someone other than me?”

“Yes, someone else.”

“But *I’m* your fiancée, Allenan!”

“Right? So, I’m going to stay here.”

“You’re going to stay with me?”

“Yeah, I’m going to try to protect what we have.”

I could sense his firm resolve. His home country would surely oppose it—their only heir wanting to stay in a foreign land. Yet, he was determined to make it work. Perhaps it was possible because Crothasone, where I was from, had the Queen's sister in power.

Allenan gripped my hand tightly, his warmth radiating into me. But I quietly rolled my eyes, thinking about something that suddenly worried me.

‘What am I going to do? I might not even marry you.’

After all, Allenan was destined to kill Euphil. He was the prince of the kingdom that Euphil would eventually destroy... His future wife was bound to face endless hardships. Although, if my project to reform Euphil succeeded, Allenan might not become a prince of a fallen kingdom.

‘But if things do go that way, I’ll have to escape quickly!’

But now, with so many eyes watching me, how could I even think about running away? As I pondered my dilemma, Allenan looked at me with a concerned expression.

“Myrthi, do you not like it?”

“Huh? No! I like being with you, Allenan! Where are you going to stay?”

“I’ll stay at a place Queen Alkaden assigns me.”

We were chatting away like this when, without realising it, we had walked out from under the bridge and left the garden of my palace. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed. I also hadn’t noticed we were heading toward Euphil’s palace. That meant this was also a path often travelled by high-ranking officials.

“...Your Highness.”

A cold voice pierced the air. It was a deep, authoritative tone, and I felt chills run down my spine. I quickly glanced around, and when my eyes met one of the maids, she gave me a look full of pity.

She had been trying desperately to get my attention and signal me all this time.

‘Ah! My maid navigation!’

How could I have forgotten? And that could only mean the person addressing us wasn’t just anyone but the king himself.

“It’s been a while.”

“Greetings to the King of Crothasone.”

“You are well-mannered for your age.”

The exchange was stiff, formal.

I couldn’t help but gape at the sight before me. I had only ever seen Allenan behave with such strict formality when he greeted the king, and it always amazed me. The king, however, cast a frosty glance in my direction before turning back to Allenan.

“Visiting again, I see.”

“This time, I plan to stay a little longer.”

“Hah!”

The king let out a cold laugh, as if he had already figured out the situation. It was clear the queen had already secured his approval, allowing Allenan to stay in the palace. The king’s gaze flickered toward me, as sharp as an icy dagger, before returning to Allenan.

“There are many useless people in this palace.”

“...”

“Like moths that struggle in vain.”

The king spoke while watching a butterfly flutter near him. Slowly, his hand reached out toward the delicate creature.

“Pointless, isn’t it?”

And with that, the butterfly met its end in his grasp. Its wings were crushed, its body twisted—unable to make a sound as it died. The king glanced at me once more before turning his attention back to Allenan, never looking my way again.

“I hope you enjoy your time in the palace.”

It was then that I felt something rise within me. I wasn’t sure why, but seeing the butterfly struck a chord, and before I knew it, I spoke.

“The butterfly’s dust.”

The king’s steps froze. He turned slowly toward me, fury evident in his eyes. His gaze swept over me—my silver hair with its pinkish hue and violet eyes, features that mirrored the woman he once loved. He looked at me with contempt as if seeing me for the first time.

“You’ve gotten its dust all over your hands, Your Majesty.”

He opened his hand and looked at his palm. The butterfly, though crushed, was still twitching slightly. No matter how much he shook his hand, the glittering dust from the butterfly’s wings clung stubbornly to him.

“...Damn it.”

He spat out the words as if cursing. It was the first time he had ever spoken to me. A feeling of triumph welled up inside me, and I smiled faintly.

“Even if you wash your hands, the dust from a butterfly’s wings doesn’t come off easily, Father.”

“Never again.”

For the first time, I had addressed him as “Father,” and as soon as the word left my mouth, his face contorted with rage. Allenan stepped forward, shielding me from the king’s gaze. The king clenched his jaw, shaking his hand in irritation, but the butterfly’s dust still clung to him—just like my existence.

Grinding his teeth, he spoke again, his voice low and filled with venom like a serpent’s hiss.

“Never call me ‘Father’ again.”

And with that, he turned on his heel and walked away, his angry strides quickly taking him out of sight.

The roses still stretched their branches over the fence under the summer sky. As a breeze blew, their fragrance filled the air. Allenan squeezed my hand tightly and said,

“You’re brave.”

I smiled shyly and squeezed his hand back.

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