The Lord Of Sinal (19)

“Come to think of it, your generation probably doesn’t know. As Baras was incorporated into the Empire, the histories about Baras’s founding were discarded.”

“Why? Was that really necessary?”

“Because the founding myths of Baras and Aikadum are actually linked. As you learned, when this continent was under the Demon King’s rule, the hero Emperor Ryukreshian pushed back the Demon King and his demon kin and founded Aikadum, didn’t he?”

“Yes. That’s how I was taught.”

“But in truth there was one more hero. I’m talking about Zairun, the first king of Baras, known as the master of a spirit beast and the wielder of the intangible sword Arienas. It was hardly a kingdom in the strict sense; people who wanted to follow him and live under his protection naturally gathered and formed the country. Neither he nor his descendants cared for territorial expansion or meddled in inter-state politics, so it wasn’t powerful, but the bloodline was what it was, and many of Baras’s imperial family line were considered among the continent’s strongest.”

“Heh… So you’re saying he’s a descendant of another hero.”

“Yes. A bit like a fairy tale, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Liris, who had been listening quietly, gave a bitter smile. There was another inside story to what she had just heard, the other tale tied to the two heroes Ryukreshian and Zairun. Wasn’t Baras ultimately destroyed because of that imperial family prophecy that only the imperial family preserved? Staying by Kaiston’s side, she was gradually learning the truth behind the prophecy. Still, many questions remained unanswered.

The five-hour duel ended because both of them, at some point, lost concentration and were left with injuries that required immediate treatment. Luther’s response came later than expected when Arzan struck toward the flank, leaving a long cut across his side, and Kaiston, panicking as he tried to pull back his spear, fell from his horse and broke his left arm.

Liris was so shocked when Kaiston fell that she nearly fainted.

They recovered quickly with healing potions, but both Kaiston and Luther agreed to stop there.

“We’ll meet again soon.”

After treatment, Luther left with his men. Kaiston was exasperated at Luther’s obvious reluctance to leave. Wasn’t he satisfied with having been handled to this extent?

“That bastard…”

No one dared approach him as he muttered curses to himself for a long while.

Liris, who had taken Kamel’s horse after re-securing Millen and arrived late on the plain, approached Kaiston.

“Are you all right?”

Kaiston, who had been muttering, stopped and instantly met her with a smile.

“Liris.”

The knights sweat nervously at his sudden change in mood.

“Have you finished your treatment?”

Kaiston nodded, but Liris examined his body here and there.

“You have a lot of scrapes and cuts.”

“This is nothing.”

“I don’t like it!”

Kaiston stared at Liris in surprise as she shouted. Was she angry now?

“Why did the Grand General insist on sparring for no reason… You’re covered in injuries! What the hell is this? Next time don’t take a single hit! Beat him to a pulp!”

Her anger seemed justified. She’d been tense and worried for five hours. No wonder the stress had built up.

“Should I? Beat him close to death?”

Kaiston hesitated, then said so, and Liris nodded firmly. She’d been worried about the Grand General picking fights constantly once they reached the Isles, so somehow she felt a little relieved.

“To avoid taking a single hit from that old monster, I’ll need special training.”

His gaze turned to Haris and Ban, who flinched and stepped back.

“Co-commander.”

“You don’t need special training. You’re already strong enough.”

“Well. If I were truly sufficient, my arm wouldn’t be broken.”

Kamel clicked his tongue.

“Haris, Ban. Looks like you’re full of yourselves. Want to swap with me? I want to go back to the Red Moon.”

But Kaiston cut him off.

“Kamel, don’t even think about returning until you’re married.”

“Your Grace, I don’t mind not marrying. Isn’t my life dedicated to martial arts?”

“Don’t offer your life to someone who wouldn’t accept it. Start a family first. You’re already in your late thirties, aren’t you?”

“Ugh. Your Grace… I’m still in my mid-thirties.”

Kamel looked at him aggrieved, but Kaiston paid no mind.

“Thirty-seven is late thirties. Isn’t it?”

“Exactly.”

“The Commander’s words are always right.”

“Of course they are.”

Kamel smiled and, instead of looking at the Crown Princess approvingly, glared at Haris and Ban.

“You two won’t be far behind.”

Kaiston frowned as he watched Haris and Ban subtly avoid Kamel’s steely gaze.

“Could it be you failed at finding lovers? You seemed popular.”

“…Just, well.”

“There are no ladies to my taste.”

In truth, the young women who showed interest in them mostly assumed they would be leaving the Red Moon, so they declined; Haris and Ban merely dodged the question. If they were honest, Kaiston might shove them out the door immediately.

“It’d be much better to look among the village ladies.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

Kaiston nodded as if he finally understood. He realized Haris and Ban, not being from noble knightly families, might find it uncomfortable.

Liris, on the other hand, felt she knew why. Kaiston didn’t know why his men stayed in the Red Moon, but Liris had noticed over just a month that they’d unexpectedly bonded with the Red Moon’s people.

“That’s right. Bonds are often closer than you think.”

The captains gladly nodded at the Crown Princess’s supportive words.

“…I see. I’ll have more frequent village patrols sent.”

Saying that, Kaiston turned to mount his horse. Only then did Ban and Haris sigh in relief.

They could only stay in Sinal for at most a week, so Kaiston and the Red Moon’s knights had to leave the next day. Still, the mood was much brighter than usual. Now that he was the Crown Princess’s consort, many of his restrictions might be lifted, meaning they’d be able to see each other more often.

Kaiston gladly permitted Marquis Kyril, who had claimed to be Saik’s father, to accompany them to the Red Moon. Liris, who had been moon-gazing since the night before departure, decided to ride back in the carriage with the Marquis’s daughter Marian.

Marian was extremely excited to be accompanying the Crown Princess.

“Oh my… I’m riding in the same carriage as the Crown Princess! I really owe my brother for this.”

Liris was also glad to talk with a female friend after a long time.

“I’m happy to be going with you too, Marian. Is this your first time going to see your brother?”

“Yes. Not only the Red Moon, but even in Sinal it is my first time. It’s so beautiful that I was surprised.”

Marian, speaking with a flushed face, seemed cute to Liris, and she smiled. Marian chattered almost without pause, and Liris heard many trivial stories from the banquet while the Crown Princess was absent, including quite a few about Duke Crunel.

“I don’t understand the Crown Princess.”

Marian tilted her head.

“The Duke is a fine man, but isn’t he… a bit scary?”

“Scary?”

Liris asked back.

“Yes. It feels like the temperature drops the moment you approach him. He has no expression, speaks little, and doesn’t smile. Even though I have a knight brother, he wasn’t as scary as the Duke.”

Liris gave an awkward smile at Marian’s words.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I really…”

Marian whispered this time.

“I would have believed the Crown Princess was being held against her will.”

“Ahaha…”

Liris wondered where to begin dispelling the girl’s fear. It would be bad if she fell head over heels for his charm, but she also disliked the idea of someone trembling in fear around him.

At that moment, the carriage suddenly stopped. A knock sounded. When they opened the door, Kaiston was standing there.

“Your Highness. We’re passing through a village and I wondered if you needed anything?”

He spoke formally, seemingly aware of Marian.

“Oh, really? Then I’d like to stop briefly.”

“Is that so? Tell me and I’ll escort you there.”

Though she might have hoped he’d take a hint, Kaiston was not the sort to let things slide, so Liris had no choice but to state her request.

“Um, it’s just… I need… the restroom…”

“Ah.”

Both Kaiston’s and Liris’s faces flushed at once, and Marian, watching from the side, widened her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

Despite their constant physical intimacy, this kind of thing still felt oddly embarrassing.

“Miss, would you like to come along?”

Perhaps because she was the cherished subordinate’s sister, Kaiston asked Marian in a much softer tone and expression than usual.

“Ah… I’m fine. Go ahead, Your Highness.”

Marian quietly watched as Kaiston gently helped Liris out of the carriage.

“Hmm…”

She still found Kaiston somewhat intimidating, but thought she should withhold judgment a little.

The carriage journey during moon-gazing was truly miserable. Villages became sparse as they neared the Red Moon, so on the last night they had no choice but to camp. Thick blankets kept them from being cold, but sleeping on the hard camp cots with aching backs and stomachs was exhausting.

Unable to sleep and tossing about, someone quietly entered the tent. It was, of course, Kaiston. He sat on the edge of her cot.

“Can’t sleep?”

“No…”

He patted Liris’s cheek gently, as if pitying her restless moans.

“What would make you feel better?”

“Could you let me rest my head on your arm?”

He climbed onto her cot. It was narrow since it was for one, but that made it better. Resting her head on his arm and being held made her feel a bit better. He patted her back.

“Feeling better now?”

“Yes. It’s wonderful.”

As she nuzzled his chest, he smiled softly.

“I’m glad.”

“Since you’re doing this, it would be even better if you sang me a lullaby.”

His hand froze.

“I… can’t sing well…”

“Oh, don’t be like that.”

“……”

Kaiston hesitated for a long moment, then reluctantly began to sing.