If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 135

The ‘baron’ politely greeted her was a woman in hear early twenties. Since the rules of the dowry auction only allowed noblemen between the ages of fifteen and sixty to participate, Shumel was confused.

 

The auctioneer, looking somewhat sympathetic, spoke up. “Oh dear. You must have missed the explanation because you were distracted. The baron participated in the auction as a proxy for her sickly younger brother. Lady Shumel will become that younger brother’s wife. Once you leave the auction hall, you’ll head straight to the barony.”

 

“I see…”

 

Not only was she leaving the imperial palace, but she was also leaving the capital. For some reason, it didn’t feel real.

 

Shumel looked at the baron once more. She was a woman with glossy brown curly hair and an exceptionally kind-looking face. Perhaps because of her age, she reminded Shumel slightly of her older sisters.

 

“Hello, Lady Shumel.”

 

Even her voice was lively and gentle, naturally inspiring goodwill.

 

Still, Shumel decided not to lower her guard. This was someone who had bought her with money. She would also become her sister-in-law. Shumel had seen firsthand that beautiful appearances did not necessarily mean someone treated others like human beings. Her father had been exactly that sort of person. So this kind and gentle-looking baron might also be different on the inside.

 

As Shumel steeled herself, the baron continued her introduction. “My name is Reina Fabiet. I recently inherited the title of baron. I look forward to getting along with you.”

 

“Mmm… I mean, yes…”

 

“I’ll escort you to the carriage right away.”

 

“Okay…”

 

Disliking the attention of the crowd, Shumel lowered her head gloomily and followed behind Reina. Watching only the tips of her feet peeking out from beneath her dress, she nearly bumped into Reina several times. Thankfully, the Fabiet family’s carriage had been prepared in a secluded open area. However, it wasn’t only a carriage waiting for Shumel there.

 

“Shushu.”

 

“Si-Sister Sasha…”

 

Her older sister, with platinum-blonde hair tied into twin tails, had come to see her off. The fact that Shumel had remained so expressionless just moments ago became hard to believe as her eyes suddenly stung. People could not help but become honest in front of someone who would accept their weakness.

 

Without even needing to ask for understanding, Reina politely stepped back to give the sisters privacy.

 

“Take care of yourself.” Suppressing many gloomy emotions, Sasha offered a simple farewell.

 

After nodding slightly, Shumel hesitated for a long moment before speaking. “Um, Sister. What about Ciel…?”

 

“He still hasn’t woken up.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Do you have anything you want me to tell him?”

 

“Tell him… I hope he can live freely and stay healthy…” It was nothing remarkable, yet Shumel’s throat tightened.

 

“Okay. Don’t worry about Sir Ciel and about yourself.”

 

“Yes…” Although Shumel believed Sasha was only saying that to reassure her, she smiled as though everything was fine. Then she said, “Sister Sasha.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You wore the ribbon Shushu gave you. It looks pretty.”

 

“…”

 

Sasha found herself unable to say anything. The image of her younger sister smiling through tears seemed burned into her eyes. The truth was that Sasha and Shumel had never been particularly close. Shumel had simply been a half-sister Sasha occasionally watched from afar and found somewhat cute. And yet, at this moment, her chest ached.

 

Just as neither of them knew how to properly bring the farewell to an end…

 

“Ack…!”

 

Someone came running over and abruptly squeezed between them. Shumel looked up to see who had suddenly wrapped her in a suffocating embrace. Even pressed tightly together, there was no mistaking that bright honey-blonde hair.

 

“Si-Sister Nana? W-What are you doing! That’s gross!”

 

“…”

 

“Eek! How long are you going to keep this up! Let go!”

 

“…” Ignoring her completely, Nanaen whispered into Shumel’s ear. “Stay healthy, Shushu.”

 

“…”

 

“I really liked you.”

 

“…”

 

Hearing the tearful tremor in her voice, Shumel quieted down. She carefully placed a hand on her sister’s back. “I’ll pat and comfort you. You’re the youngest in the palace now, Sister Nana.”

 

“…” A sob escaped Nanaen’s lips. The flower of high society, who always went to great lengths to cry beautifully, now wept in the arms of her younger sister until her makeup ran.

 

By the time Sasha managed to comfort Nanaen and pull her away, two more princesses had arrived to see Shumel off.

 

“Shushu, even if you leave the imperial palace, we’ll always be sisters. You know that, right?”

 

“Yes, Sister Lette.”

 

“If you need anything, send a letter. I’ll get it for you.”

 

Yes, Sister Lilli.”

 

While Shumel exchanged farewells with the two older princesses, Sasha approached Reina.

 

“Thank you, Lady Fabiet.”

 

“Not at all, Your Highness. I’m simply happy to finally repay the kindness you’ve shown me.” Reina had never forgotten how Sasha had saved her from falling into Gwendellin’s trap. Lifting the hem of her dress slightly in a formal curtsy, her eyes shone with sincere loyalty. “We will take good care of Lady Shumel. Please don’t worry, Your Highness.”

 

After thinking for a moment, Sasha shook her head. “Rather than taking care of her, I hope you’ll become the older sister I cannot be and teach Shushu many things.”

 

“Would it truly be acceptable for someone like me?”

 

“Please do. I’m asking you.”

 

“It would be my pleasure.”

 

Reina and Shumel boarded the carriage. Soon it rolled down the central avenue, carrying them farther and farther from the imperial palace.

 

Shumel had left. Now only four princesses remained in the palace. Orlette, Lilliana, Rosasia, and Nanaen. The four women stood there in solemn silence after seeing off the youngest, but the mood did not last long. There was still someone else to send off after Shumel.

 

“Sasha.”

 

Today was also the day Sasha would depart on her journey to the border.

 

Orlette shrugged. “Have a good trip. Whatever it is you’re plotting.”

 

As though she hadn’t been crying moments ago, Nanaen leaned close enough that only Sasha could hear and whispered coolly. “You’d better succeed.”

 

Lilliana looked thoroughly displeased. “I already warned you. Don’t come crawling back later regretting everything.”

 

The atmosphere was noticeably different from when they had sent off Shumel. Sasha found it comforting that her sisters finally seemed more like the ones she knew.

 

“I’ll be back after getting some fresh air. Since the competition will be paused while I’m gone, I hope everyone enjoys the break.”

 

Orlette then asked. “Where’s your carriage? I don’t see it here.”

 

“I had it prepared next to the Lohengrin’s envoy. We’ll be traveling together as far as the border.”

 

“Ah, right. You said you’d be accompanying Marquis Hwibrik.”

 

At that moment, Lilliana cut in. “Are you traveling only with Marquis Hwibrik? His Majesty is surely providing an extremely luxurious escort as well.”

 

None of the princesses, Sasha included, bothered asking who she meant. They all knew the answer.

 

“Then I’ll be going.”

 

Regen, who had been waiting behind them, stepped forward and took his place beside her. “I shall escort you.”

 

The two of them turned away from the main palace together.

 

✦

As we walked toward the waiting carriage, I was able to spend a little quiet time alone with Regen. Even though we’d been together until dawn, every moment alone with him felt precious to me. During the long carriage journey ahead, we would have to maintain appearances and treat each other formally in front of others. That made every second of this time feel even more precious. We walked close enough that our shoulders nearly brushed.

 

After spending the entire night tangled together, not being able to touch him now felt strangely frustrating. Would it really be so bad to casually rest a hand on his arm while walking outside? While I secretly entertained such shameless thoughts, wiggling my fingertips to myself, Regen seemed to have far more practical things on his mind. His low voice rang pleasantly in my ears.

 

 

“Princess Amber should be fine. After all, Baron Fabiet is trustworthy.”

 

“Yes. Thankfully.”

 

“I imagine Sir Ciel will be quite surprised when he wakes. What arrangements have you made regarding that?”

 

“While I’m away, I’ve left things to Nanaen. She’ll make sure he doesn’t even think about going after Shushu for revenge.”

 

“About that… I’m not so sure.”

 

“Regen?”

 

The meaning behind his reaction seemed significant. Had I overlooked something?

 

Regen replied firmly. “Sir Ciel won’t seek revenge.”

 

“Really?”

 

“But he will go to see her.”

 

Hearing that, a thought suddenly occurred to me. “The reason you think that… is because Regen would have done the same, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Since he was projecting himself onto Ciel, I couldn’t help but project myself onto Shumel. Pretending to interrogate him, I asked, “She lost her control over him. The domination is gone. Their relationship is over. Why would he go see her?”

 

“Why would it be over? Nothing has ended.”