CH 10

‘A curse.’

Carus Lankea didn’t believe in curses, magical objects or sorcery.

There were often similar legends or rumors in the Empire of Baikan, but he had never pondered about them seriously.

The only thing he believed in was that, on the battlefield, humans were powerless in front of swords, spears and arrows, and that someone’s survival sometimes depended on luck rather than on their skills.

But these days, whenever he thought of Yulia Arte, he felt like he was faced with a riddle and became irritated.

Carus first speculated that Yulia was well-informed because she was a low-profile informant, just like Maxwell. That said, her every moves were too strange to be the case.

In the first place, there is no way that someone can predict the future just because they possess a lot of information.

‘She knew my name.’

This was the starting point that made Carus listen to her.

How could a commoner woman from Ortega know the face and name of the Knight Commander of the Imperial Army from a far away country?

Yulia had predicted the attacks, the weather and the demonstration by the Liberation Army. And she also knew about Lewicia, the second Prince. After receiving the Brewe medal that was hard to obtain, she even knew every word that Vasily Marjoram was going to say.

What should he do if he confirms that the Imperial fleet is distributing the pirates’ money?

‘First, I have to watch them.’

Carus knew that no matter how much he thought about it, he wouldn’t find an answer.

It would have been better to plant his people in Ortega’s palace and setting up surveillance.

Aside from being suspicious, Carus felt regretful about Yulia.

If he had met her in the Empire, she might have become one of his people. He would have put her in the most unknown places and used her for the most secretive missions.

Her ability to effortlessly control people was outstanding, and if anyone were caught in her dark green eyes in the middle of a conversation, their vision would have narrowed and they would have been put in a very disadvantageous position.

It was not that she was fearless, but rather that she lived each day as if there was no tomorrow.

"It was true."

It was after Yulia had left for the royal palace in a carriage. Carus, who was leaving the inn, came to find Maxwell.

Maxwell, who wouldn’t lose to an actor in concealing his expressions, opened his mouth with a nervous look on his face.

"Damn, it was true. How the hell did you know? Our Imperial fleet carries the pirates’ money by sea and drops it at the harbor for them."

"What?"

"It seems that it’s this country’s nobles who do the money laundering. To be honest, there are so many people involved…"

A chilling energy hovered in Carus’s eyes. Recalling the sea somewhere beyond the window, he smiled like a beast.

"Ha! To think that Baikan’s navy is nonchalantly doing errands for the pirates."

"Sir Carus."

"His Majesty will be enraged."

As Carus muttered these words, Maxwell’s face turned pale. Of course, the Emperor’s rage was scary, but in this moment, he was more afraid of his superior who was in front of him.

"Did you find evidence?"

"No. These bastards managed it so thoroughly that no one from Ortega would testify against them. However, we can’t kidnap and torture nobles from another country based solely on suspicions."

"Then, we can attack them ourselves."

‘Since we are knights from Baikan, it’s okay to attack Baikan’s navy.’ Carus persuaded himself with a strange logic and told Maxwell.

"I will go to the beach with my men. As for you, enter Ortega’s palace and help Yulia Arte, Prince Lewicia’s new maid of honor, with all your might."

"Pardon?"

"I was just thinking of looking out for her… But now that things have come to this, it would be good to ensure that she is on our side and make her our ally."

Maxwell asked what he meant by that but Carus didn’t give any explanation. Instead, he put a huge amount of notes in his hand and said.

"Support her with everything she needs. Be it things or people. Without any exceptions."

"Everything?"

"That’s right. Everything. So that everyone believes that Yulia Arte has a tremendous background, that her sponsor is ready to provide her with anything."

‘Who on earth is Yulia Arte?’ Maxwell’s eyes narrowed under his disheveled hair.

*****

At the same time, Yulia was also thinking about Carus.

‘He’s different from the rumors.’

In the Empire of Baikan, Carus Lankea was more famous by his nickname than by his name.

He was the leader of the Order of Leviathan, the admiral of a fleet of the same name, ans even had the special title of second knight of the Emperor. His most well-known position was that of commander of a fleet, so people called him ‘Bloodless Admiral’.

It was unknown whether it was because he was cold-blooded as if hot blood didn’t flow through his veins, or if it was because not a single person had ever seen him bleed.

‘It’s probably both.’

Yulia thought that this rumor was not quite accurate.

She could see that Carus was a prudent commander and an outstanding knight, but it wasn’t true that he was cold-blooded. Through the past that she had experienced several times, she could tell that by the fact that Carus couldn’t overcome the death of his subordinates and walked the path of revenge.

He was just a man who made a clear distinction between his enemies and his allies.

A man who is heartless and cruel to his enemy, but reliable and trustworthy to his ally.

‘You shouldn’t become his enemy.’

After only spending a dozen days together, Yulia discovered quite a lot Carus and his men.

Between them who went through life and death together through numerous battlefields, there was a strong bond that others could not invade. This bond couldn’t be explained solely on the basis of a superior’s authority or a subordinate’s loyalty.

‘They seemed like brothers.’

During the past few days that she was with them, she experienced a sense of peace that she had never felt before.

Yulia, who felt anxious every time she was chased by the hyenas again after dying and coming back to life, slept very deeply every night under the protection of Carus and Bavaslov.

Carus will succeed. Not only will he fulfill the mission given by the Emperor, but he will also figure out the inappropriate cooperative relationships of those in power.

Yulia still had a lot of things to tell him. Information about the future was valuable, but if mutual trust was not established, it may become useless.

‘It’s all right. After confirming that Baikan’s navy is in collusion with the pirates, he’ll definitely come to find me.’

Multiple weapons were needed in order to strike Marjoram.

An arrow to pierce the heart, a sword to cut the head, a strong shield and a heavy spear. Deadly poison as well as a large amount of gold coins. The status of a royal, a group of nobles, and perhaps even a thief or a swindler might be needed.

Yulia would make preparations step and by step and intended to take away everything from Marjoram.

‘I need Carus. But I have to become someone he needs first.’

Carus Lankea was the best weapon Yulia had found. He could become anything.

And one other person.

Inside the royal palace, there was a person that she absolutely had to find.

*****

"Miss, we are arriving to His Highness’s palace soon."

A servant shouted loudly from outside. Yulia answered that she understood and arranged her hair and dress.

After passing through the splendid main gate, the carriage crossed the wide garden. Then, after passing by five palaces, it stopped in front of a beautiful building.

It was the palace of the second Prince, Lewicia Ortega.

The attendant who came out to greet Yulia opened the door of the carriage and spoke in a nice voice.

"His Highness the Prince Lewicia is not present at the moment. I will show you to your room and help you unpack your luggage."

"I don’t have much luggage. I am thankful, but you don’t have to help me unpack."

Yulia spoke as humbly as possible.

She needed to look good to the attendants who worked in the palace. The same was true of the maids and the servants. It was due to her ambiguous position as a commoner who had also become the Prince’s maid of honor.

It might be because the attendant liked her, but the smile on his face as he stretched out his hand to her looked a bit more friendly than earlier.

"Then, at the least, I will carry that bag for you. Hand it to me."

“Thank you."

Inside Ortega’s royal palace, which valued tradition, Prince Lewicia’s palace held a characteristic relaxed atmosphere. Everyone said that it reflected the Prince’s free-spirited personality, but Yulia thought that it was because he was the son of a concubine and was one step away from the fight for the succession to the throne.

"I don’t know if you are aware but there is no head maid in our palace. Originally, there was only one maid of honor, but with your arrival, it’s become two."

The attendant wanted to tell Yulia as much information as possible. It was his consideration towards her, who was unfamiliar with the daily life in the palace.

"What kind of person is she?"

Yulia asked cautiously.

Her eyes twinkled. A small smile hung at the corners of her mouth before she knew it. She looked like a newcomer who wanted to get along with her senior.

The attendant hesitated a little, then lowered his voice and answered.

"Miss Coco is a difficult person. I am not saying that she is a bad person at all. Prince Lewicia also said the same thing. It’s just that… She is someone with clear likes and dislikes."

It was unsure whether it was a compliment or a concern. Still, Yulia smiled softly and nodded.