[IHTTMBW] Chapter 57
The flickering red eyes held an ominous aura. His anger felt almost tangible, as though it could be grasped. To calm my trembling heart, I felt compelled to hold him tightly.
“What if he truly becomes a tyrant?”
A wave of worry washed over me: what if he grew to hate me because I had sent him to the Academy, and one day, he decided to cut me down? But more pressing than that fear was the sorrow of knowing I wouldn’t see Euphil for some time. The moments we had spent together flashed before my eyes like a montage.
The Academy.
Originally, it had been a place the King refused to send Euphil, fearing it might enhance his fame. But now, it was different. It had become nothing more than a place to separate him from me, his closest companion.
"Euphil! Don’t go! Please!"
"Myrthi."
"Euphil, you can’t leave!"
I clung to Euphil's arm, tears streaming down my face. His hand reached up, calmly wiping away the tears pooling in my eyes. His flickering gaze rested on me.
"It’s fortunate I taught you how to wield a sword."
"Euvil…"
"Even if I can’t protect you, you must stay strong."
His words hinted at a reality I didn’t want to face—that he wouldn’t be able to visit the palace for a long time. He was probably right. The King wouldn’t call him back, and when he finally did return, it would likely be years later, after he graduated from the Academy.
Euphil stood tall, nodding firmly. Yet, he didn’t spare even a glance for the King. It was as if the King didn’t matter; only I did. His fiery red eyes gazed at me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
In that moment, he abruptly pulled me close, his whisper brushing against my ear.
"I love you."
His voice was low, gentle, and tender. My eyes widened in shock, but Euphil merely closed his eyes as if coming to terms with something. Though anger simmered within him, he gifted me a fleeting, soft smile meant only for me.
"Now you know," he said. "I think I’ve finally realised it myself."
"I… I love you too, Euphil."
"Don’t forget it."
“Never forget,” he whispered again. Then, without bowing, he turned to address the King.
"I will comply."
There was no other choice. Slowly, deliberately, Euphil closed and opened his eyes as he spoke to the King. His composed demeanour caused the King to frown, but Euphil added one last remark.
"Not for your sake, but for Myrthi's honour."
"Honour doesn’t matter! Euphil, don’t go!"
It was true. I had forgotten decorum, let go of any hatred for the King, and clung desperately to Euphil. Graduation from the Academy would take at least ten years. Ten years without seeing him.
Sobbing, I held onto him as tightly as I could. His expression grew pained, and he gently wiped my tears once more with his warm hand. I didn’t want to lose the comfort of that touch. But it was inevitable.
"When should I leave?" Euphil asked.
From there, the matter progressed smoothly, as though the King had never objected to sending Euphil to the Academy.
A foolish King, a blind man.
The King, as always, could see nothing beyond the immediate.
Euphil Raize’s departure for the Academy—located not in Crothasone but in the independent nation governed by the Tower of Mages—marked the beginning of a new chapter. Cast out once again, the boy who had been abandoned by the palace set off for a place where he could forge a foundation for himself. As expected, I didn’t see Euphil for years to come. Even the letters he sent were shredded by the King’s hand before they could reach me.
The blade of the sword gleamed sharply. I dodged the thrust aimed at my left side and retaliated, targeting the man’s shoulder on my right. Though he twisted his body to avoid the strike, it wasn’t enough. When he lunged upward from below, I bent low to evade his blade.
Clang! The sound of clashing swords reverberated through the air.
"Your skills are improving by the day!"
"Of course! I’ve got a great sparring partner!"
From a distance, Valk clapped as he watched our duel. Gelbart, standing beside him, also seemed amused.
"I thought I’d lost a pupil and was wallowing in despair, but to think I’d find such a gem here!" Gelbart chuckled.
"Stay focused!" I called out.
"Ah, yes, yes! I’ll be quiet!"
Another thrust came from below.
I can’t win in a contest of strength, I thought.
I studied the apprentice knight in front of me and, in an instant, redirected his blade with a swift turn of my body. The scraping sound of metal echoed as I stepped forward, channelling power into my blade, then retreated. As he stumbled from the force, I pointed my sword at his throat.
"Do you want to continue?"
"I concede."
It was a clean victory. I wiped the beads of sweat streaming down my face and let the breeze cool my exposed neck as I gathered my long hair.
"Whew."
Behind the dazed apprentice knight, I heard a sharp smack!
"You fool! Staring at the Princess like that will get you killed!"
"D-Duke!"
"No matter how beautiful she is, you’d better remember she’s out of your league."
"I-I would never dream of it!"
Watching their antics, I couldn’t help but smile. The apprentice knight’s face turned as red as a beet, reminding me yet again of my undeniable charm.
I had just come of age, and people often described me as more beautiful than any flower. My silver hair, tinged with pink hues, had grown long, and I tied it back to keep it out of the way during sword training. The hairstyle left my neckline exposed, adding a mature elegance to my appearance. Wiping sweat from my face with the back of my hand, I looked toward Valk, who was clapping in approval.
"Truly impressive."
It had been three years since I’d defeated Valk. As the captain of the guard, he had honed his skills for years, yet when I bested him, he had been so astonished that he immediately challenged me to a rematch.
