If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 129

The mad emperor laughed heartily, savoring the killing intent emanating from behind him on the right. Ever since Marquis Hwibrik had first laid eyes on Rosasia in the greenhouse garden and fallen for her at first sight, the mad emperor had anticipated that an entertaining spectacle would unfold. And his playthings hadn’t disappointed him. With the situation proving this satisfying, his decision was already made.

 

“I permit it. Go and enjoy a change of pace with Marquis Hwibrik.”

 

At that moment, the expressions of several people changed in different ways. Of course, the most important thing was that Sasha smiled.

 

“Your Majesty’s grace is beyond measure.”

 

Receiving Sasha’s sincere gratitude, the mad emperor turned to Emilio. “Marquis Hwibrik, take good care of my daughter.”

 

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Amid the cheers, Sasha returned to her seat. Sitting upright with her chin slightly lowered, she watched Marquis Osbond conduct the closing ceremony. On the surface, she appeared completely composed, as though nothing had happened. But the person beside her was different.

 

“Are you an idiot?”

 

“…Sister Lilli?”

 

The lemon-blonde beauty who had moved into the empty seat beside her rebuked Sasha with a pale face. “You won’t be able to leave anyway.” It was not a provocation. “That is just a false hope…! Do you think the mad emperor and Dominic will let you go?!” But a concern.

 

Sasha had already known that fact, but hearing it come from Lilliana’s mouth surprised her. The feeling was strange, though she did not dislike it. “It’s only a brief outing.”

 

“Of course that’s what they’d say…!” Lilliana twisted her face in frustration, repeatedly opening and biting her lips. It was obvious she wasn’t used to trying to persuade people and couldn’t find the right words.

 

Watching her quietly, Sasha spoke. “Sister.”

 

“What?”

 

“There’s a collection of imperial secret histories in the library. It records the relationships between the past sovereigns and their personal knights. At least read the sections covering the fifth to the ninth emperor.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I recommend it. It’s very informative and quite useful for the life of an imperial family member.”

 

“…” The conversation ended with Lilliana’s dumbfounded expression.

 

As the closing ceremony proceeded, the personal knights were summoned to the center of the arena. Only three who could still stand on their own feet appeared: Regen, Kilieon, and Yulis. Among the three knights lined up there, Sasha fixed her gaze on Regen. Despite the great distance preventing her from seeing his expression, she felt as though their gazes were connected. She wanted to go to his side as soon as possible.

 

✦

People began pouring out of the arena stands. Those in the special viewing section also headed toward their carriages through a separate passage from the commoners. It was time for the nobles to return to their townhouses, and for the imperial family and honored guests to return to the imperial palace.

 

Sasha deliberately remained in the stands longer, waiting until the area had grown quiet before standing. When she descended the stairs and stepped into the hallway, someone immediately blocked her path, as though waiting for her.

 

“Why did you do that?” The black-haired man, Emilio Hwibrik, asked through clenched teeth. “If you had done as I instructed, everything would have been finished within a month…”

 

“Instructed?”

 

“…” Only then did Emilio realize he had spoken rudely in front of the imperial princess and regain a little composure.

 

When she saw his gaze become more restrained, Sasha curled her lips upward. It was a smile that poured oil onto the flames of his anger. “You said one month. I didn’t like that. If I can leave in a week, why should I wait an entire month?”

 

“Because that’s the only way to sever your ties with the imperial family completely. Do you realize you’re drinking the water meant to prime the pump simply because you’re thirsty right now?”

 

Sasha swallowed a sneer. She had never been thirsty to begin with, but saw no need to tell him that. Instead, she responded in the way most effective for dealing with Emilio. “So?” She then stepped closer to him. “Now that your plan has fallen apart, is that the end?”

 

“…”

 

“Do you have no more help to offer me?”

 

“…”

 

“Well? Lord Emilio?”

 

The princess was provoking him. And in that moment, Emilio realized something. This insanely beautiful princess was perfectly his type, even when she boldly acted shamelessly after ruining everything. Not even a rose trampled and drenched in rain could possess a fragrance as intoxicating as this woman.

 

Feeling as though he had been poisoned, Emilio shut his eyes tightly. Right. Perhaps this situation isn’t all that bad. Right then, his mind conveniently rationalized everything. Since the princess hadn’t severed ties with the imperial family, there was no need to fabricate a reason to bring her personal knight along on this trip. In other words, it had become easier to drag Regenhart to the border. He could deal with him first while he had the chance.

 

“…I’ll devise a new plan before we reach the border.”

 

Sasha smiled. It was a cheap smile bestowed as charity upon someone pitifully foolish and stupid. Finished with her business, she stepped half a pace away from Emilio. “I’d like to continue talking with you, Lord Emilio, but there seem to be many people looking for me today.”

 

Turning around, Emilio flinched. He had come face to face with a pair of crimson eyes that had been glaring at the back of his head while their owner leaned against the wall.

 

“…Sir Dominic.”

 

“Marquis Hwibrik, I’d appreciate it if you’d disappear now. My patience isn’t particularly deep.”

 

For once, Sasha sided with Dominic. “Marquis Hwibrik, go ahead first. I have something to discuss with Sir Dominic.”

 

“Understood.” By withdrawing with Sasha’s permission, Emilio managed to preserve his dignity.

 

Once they were alone, Dominic immediately straightened from his slouched posture. His Adam’s apple bobbed once. “What did you wish to speak with me about?”

 

“As if there were such a thing. I simply wanted to drive away one unpleasant face as quickly as possible.”

 

“…”

 

“Were you expecting something?”

 

At her cold words, Dominic’s expression twisted as though it had collapsed. It was that same face Sasha had found unbearably irritating before, the one where he pretended to be weak. Still, Dominic quickly covered it with anger this time, hiding his vulnerability.

 

“Did you know, Your Highness?”

 

“Know what?”

 

“I’m not very good at distinguishing people’s faces. But your face is the one exception. Perhaps because of that, no matter how crowded a banquet hall is, I always find you immediately.”

 

“What an annoying ability…”

 

“Which is why.” His crimson eyes gleamed like those of a beast. “No matter where you are, I’ll find you.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll find you.” His meaning was unmistakable. You can never escape. I’ll find you quickly and catch you. Unless you choose me as your way out, I absolutely will.

 

It was an unmistakable threat. But the purpose of a threat is to frighten the other person into submission. In that regard, Dominic’s attempt failed completely.

 

“Really?”

 

At Sasha’s quiet laugh, Dominic’s eyes wavered. Seeing his confusion, she shook him even further.

 

“What a shame.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“If this is your reaction just because I’m going on a little trip, I imagine you’d have drawn your sword if he’d proposed marriage.”

 

“What?” Dominic pressed her for an answer. “Don’t tell me that b*stard actually said something so ridiculous. That you should marry him.”

 

“…” Sasha answered with silence that served as affirmation.

 

“Ha.” A murderous aura on the verge of eruption poured from Dominic’s entire body. His crimson eyes had already lost focus, and it seemed as though nobody could stop him from venting his rage.

 

At that moment, Sasha brushed back her hair irritably and voiced her thoughts. “A proposal was crossing the line. To someone like him? The nerve. What an absurd request.”

 

“…”

 

“Ugh. Just thinking about it disgusts me again.”

 

She had not intended to soothe Dominic. Yet somehow, he was soothed anyway, and the sinister atmosphere around him calmed in an instant.

 

“Exactly. It’s disgusting.” Nodding somewhat absentmindedly, Dominic looked oddly dazed. For some reason, the sight made Sasha uncomfortable.

 

“Go back now. While I’m asking nicely.”

 

“…Yes. Very well.” Dominic departed far more obediently than Sasha had expected.

 

Left alone, Sasha let out a long sigh. Dealing with one troublesome person after another had drained a great deal of her mental energy. She needed someone who could lift her spirits.

 

“Regen…”

 

“You called for me?”

 

It was like magic. The moment she spoke his name, the person she wanted appeared in the hallway flooded with light.