CH 3.12

Marie wanted to go outside, but she couldn’t use a carriage, nor did she have enough time go on foot. Since the palace had many beautiful spots, she decided to explore it and wander around.

‘It’s so nice to have a free time,’ Marie thought as she strolled through the garden. ‘But what will become of my abilities? Will I be able to continue using them?’

Perhaps because Marie had nothing else to do, she found herself thinking of her newfound abilities, which she hadn’t given much thought before.

‘These abilities definitely came from the prisoner’s prayer back then. I’m sure of it.’

When she was taking care of a dying prisoner, she received a blessing from him. Since then, miraculous abilities had mysteriously manifested.

‘What did I say back then?’

She recalled what she had wished for at the time. ’I want to be good at art, I want to be good at music, I want to be good at crafts, and I want to be good at cooking… I want to be good at bows, I want to be good at dancing, and I want to be good at card games. Oh, I also wish I could heal people like doctors and be able to catch bad criminals…’

She wore a sheepish expression. Looking back, she had wished for so many things. Did everything she wished for actually come true?

‘No, I don’t think so.’

Marie shook her head, reflecting on the conversation she had with the dying prisoner.

“If you had those abilities, what would you do with them?” The prisoner had asked, and she’d responded, “If possible, I want to live a life that brings happiness to others. That’s my wish.”

Then the prisoner had prayed for her wish to come true, and that prayer had indeed been answered.

‘Looking at the abilities that I’ve been given so far, it seems that they manifest when there is a need to help others.’

With sculpting, playing music, baking sweets, cooking, administering first aid, doing magic tricks, and so on… all of them were associated with abilities that helped others. There were hardly any abilities given to her for her own sake.

‘In fact, when I was almost killed by bandits during the street festival, no abilities were granted to me.’ she added, ‘So, if some of the abilities are not fading away yet, could it be because there are still people that need those particular abilities?’

Not all abilities lasted forever. Abilities like musical aptitude and cooking remained as is, but there were other abilities that had not.

For an instance, let’s consider her cleaning ability. After being promoted as an intermediate maid in which she no longer had to clean, her skills in that area was not as exceptional as before. Of course, she wasn’t as completely inept as she had been in the past—her cleaning skills were still fairly good. However, it wasn’t the same level as the person she had dreamed before.

‘So, what kind of life should I pursue in the future?’

Was it because she had a free time? She suddenly contemplated things she hadn’t thought about before.

‘First, I must leave the palace. I can’t continue to stay by the Crown Prince’s side.’

Of course, Marie no longer despised him as she had before. Undoubtedly, he was a ruler worthy of respect.

However, she had to leave him nonetheless. If she continued to stay by his side, her true identity would be eventually exposed, leading to her execution for the sake of the empire and its people.

‘No matter how much he thinks favorably of me, he would go through with it. He prioritizes his duties as a ruler over his personal feelings,’ she thought with a bittersweet expression. ‘In any case, I have to leave. But what should I do once I leave? How should I live?’

The most practical option would be to find a secluded place and seek refuge there, preferably far away from the empire.

‘But is that the right thing to do? Considering the abilities I possess?’

Marie believed that there must be a reason why those abilities were bestowed upon her.

’I may not know what exactly my calling is… but I do know that I want to lead a meaningful life that brings happiness to others.’

She was unsure of what God expected of her, but she was sure about her desire to bring joy to others. That way, she could live a meaningful life—a wish that she had forgotten amidst her complicated life.

With her mind finally in order, she stood up from her seat. Just as she was about to explore a different area, she heard an unexpected voice.

“Miss Marie? What brings you here?”

Marie’s face, which had been gloomy, had brightened as soon as she heard his voice.

The silver-haired handsome man, Kierhan, looked at her with a surprised expression.

“Your Lordship!” Marie greeted him warmly, his expression softening upon hearing her voice.

“Kiel.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t I tell you that you could call me Kiel when we’re alone? Aren’t we friends?”

At that, Marie was caught off guard. No, how could she possibly address him by his name?

Kiel smiled softly as he extended his gloved hand. “Anyway, it’s good to see you. I’ve missed you, Miss Marie.”

Marie nodded in response to his warm words. “…I miss you too, Your Lordship.”

After an unexpected reunion, the two sat on a nearby bench. Marie then cheerfully asked, “Have you been well, Your Lordship? Anything special going on?”

“Nothing much, but I haven’t been doing well.”

Marie’s face filled with concern upon hearing that he hadn’t been doing well. “Why? Is something wrong?”

“It’s not that,” Kierhan smiled softly as he looked at Marie. “I just haven’t seen you in a while, Miss Marie.”

“…!”

Marie’s face instantly turned as red as an apple. Although she’s well aware that it was just a friendly remark, his tender smile made her heart flutter uncontrollably.

“…Uh, well… Anyway, what brings you here?”

“I om on duty.”

“Huh?”

“This is where I work.”

Startled, Marie looked around. ‘Oh my goodness. I’m in the Purple Cloud Palace. How did I end up here?’

Purple Cloud Palace! It was where Emperor Thoren II currently resided. She had become so lost in her thoughts that she had walked all the way there without realizing it.

“Then?”

“Well, the Imperial Guard is assigned to protect His Majesty here. Actually, I mainly handle external affairs, and most of the guard duties are carried out by the deputy commander, not me. But…”

Upon hearing that, Marie looked at him in a different light.

He’s so gentle and kind that she had forgotten that he was the commander of the Imperial Guard knight, the strongest knight order that protected the Empire’s northern borders. Not to mention, he’s also a warlord with the strongest military might, second only to the imperial family.

‘And he’s the only noble who openly opposes Crown Prince Rael, insisting on serving the unconscious Emperor Thoren II.’

The March of Seyton, to which Kierhan belongs, had been responsible for generations of Imperial Guard Commanders. They served only the emperor and his legitimate successor.

‘That’s why the Seyton family, including Lord Kierhan, remained neutral during the civil war that ensued after the emperor fell ill. As long as the current emperor is alive, none of the princes can assert their claim to the throne.’

Especially in the case of Crown Prince Rael, he was nothing but a bloodthirsty usurper to the Seyton family. He ruthlessly slaughtered the rightful heir—the 1st Prince—and all the other princes, forcefully seizing the position of Crown Prince for himself.

‘The Seyton family will never recognize Crown Prince Rael, and nor will Crown Prince Rael leave the Seyton family alone for long. In other words… they are destined to clash eventually.’

Thinking about these facts, Marie’s heart suddenly tightened.

It wasn’t a matter that she could interfere with, but the thought of the kind-hearted Kierhan and Crown Prince Rael coming for each other’s throat weighed heavily on her heart.

“Sigh.” She sighed without realizing it, and Kierhan, upon hearing her sigh, looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Why the sigh? Is something troubling you?”

“Oh, no.”

Marie quickly shook her head, but Kierhan frowned slightly. “I heard that you’ve been serving Lady Rachel recently. Is she bothering you? Or is it Lady Ariel? Or could it be His Highness?”

“Oh, no.” Marie shook her head in embarrassment.

She quickly responded, as if he might get angry if she stayed silent any longer, “Everyone has been incredibly nice to me.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Marie nodded her head as if to say, “Don’t worry.”

Kierhan let out a sigh and said, “Miss Marie, please promise me one thing.”

“Yes?”

“If something difficult happens or if someone troubles you, tell me right away. Promise me that.”

Hearing those words, Marie smiled bashfully. She didn’t think she would actually confide in the Marquis, but she was grateful for his concern nonetheless.

“Yes, I promise.”

“You better keep that promise.”

“Yes, I swear,” she assured him, nodding her head.

“But is it okay for you not to return inside? You’re on duty.”

Upon hearing that, Kierhan momentarily froze before responding, “…It’s fine.”

“…Really?” She narrowed her eyes. There was something suspicious about his reaction.

Kierhan, as if making an excuse, said, “Well, since the position of Commander is more of an honorary role, most of the work is done by the deputy commander.”

“…Is that so?”

“…I’m telling the truth.”

He even stumbled in his words. It was obvious that he was lying! He seemed like the paragon of diligence and dedication, so it was strange to see him like that.

‘So His Lordship has this side too.’

Marie found it amusing and chuckled to herself.

“…I’m serious. The deputy commander provides tight security in my place…”

“Yes, yes.” Marie smiled and said, “It’s nice. I’m glad I can be with you, Your Lordship.”

Upon hearing Marie’s words, Kierhan froze for a moment. After staying silent for a while, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I…”

“Yes?”

Marie, with a puzzled expression, stopped mid-question as she looked at Kierhan’s face.

He was looking at her with so much affection. His face was so handsome that just looking at it made her heart race.

“…I’m also glad to be with you, Miss Marie.”

Thump thump!

Marie’s heart raced inexplicably as she turned her head. “…Yes, yes.”

Then, a moment of awkward silence followed. To calm her racing heart, Marie turned her blushing face away.

‘Calm down. Calm down.’ She had thought of this before, but Kierhan’s face was truly not good for her heart. It kept pounding for no reason.