Princess Shu

Shaun has calculated when he should visit the manor beforehand–the time after Valia had a cup of tea after lunch. Even though he did not observe the time sharply, it was quite accurate. But the schedule that had been going on for the past few days was a little different today. After reading the question that passed by Shaun’s face, Paul put a smile on his face.

“Actually, His Grace has given Madam a lot of jewels. She’s probably busy appreciating them now.”

“I see. Lead the way.”

The jewelry storage room in Garth’s manor was located on the fourth floor. Valia entered the storage room alone, with two maids and one servant guarding at the door. After accepting their greetings, Shaun entered the jewelry storage room.

The storage room was spacious and bright, cool and quiet. It was Shaun’s first time entering the jewelry storage room but he prioritized his duty over curiosity.

When he went inside, he saw Valia’s back. Since she was sitting at an angle, he could see Valia’s side profile. Contrary to Shaun’s vague expectation that she would be happy, Valia was knitting her brows. Shaun concealed his curiosity and made it obvious he was there.

“Marchioness.”

“Oh, Sir Shaun. You’re here.”

“Yes. I will stay here.”

As if he was going to be there all day, there was even a chair in the distance where he could sit. Shaun was concerned about Valia’s serious look but he just sat quietly in his chair. It was not long before the silence that surrounded the jewelry storage room was broken.

“Sir Shaun.”

“Yes, Marchioness.”

“How long have you been serving His Grace?”

“I have been with him since the days when he was appointed as the soon-to-be Marquess.”

“I see.”

Valia nodded her head slowly, she became speechless as if she was looking back on something. It was a little while later that she opened her mouth again. But she was hesitant.

“Sir Shaun, does he hate old jewels?”

Shaun was flustered, even Valia thought it was a strange question. Valia pondered for a moment, then she confided the question she had been holding on to.

“Or is he just reluctant about the jewels in the jewelry storage room?”

“…May I ask why you suddenly had such a question?”

“His Grace gave me jewelry. But it’s a bit…excessive.”

Each and every one of them was precious and the quantity was enormous. Valia had questions that arose before other emotions. 

Why did he take it this far?

Valia could just overlook the problem, but the image of Schuden throwing the emerald necklace on the floor a few days ago kept playing in her mind. Something seemed to be up, but she could not figure out what it was. 

“There must be a reason, but I don’t know what it is. I wonder if he doesn’t want me to wear the jewelry in this storage room…”

Upon hearing all these questions from Valia, Shaun’s face softened slightly.

“No, Marchioness. That would not be the reason.”

Valia raised her head. 

Am I seeing things if I say Shaun’s face somehow looks complicated?

“Do you have any guesses?”

“Actually… It was because the former Marquess Garth’s hobby was appreciating jewels.”

What’s with that?

Seeing Valia raising questions on her expression, Shaun continued to speak slowly.

“Actually, His Grace did not have a very good relationship with the former Marquess.”

“I see.”

Even as she replied that way, Valia looked like she was still not convinced. Them not having a good relationship was not good enough to explain what had happened. Valia thought for a moment whether to move on or not.

“Sir Shaun.”

She did not think for long. To be honest, she was also curious.

“Can you tell me a little bit more?”

“That is…”

“Is it difficult to tell about it?”

Just as Valia’s worries were short, Shaun’s worries were also not long. He knew because he was a knight who had served Schuden as his liege for a long time. Valia, this noblewoman with silvery-gray eyes was a special being to his liege. Shaun was not delicate enough to catch the subtle emotional paths but he was also not foolish enough to the point where he could not notice it.

“No, Marchioness.”

He had a strange conviction that he would not get punished by his liege just because Valia found out about what he knew. No, he might even be put under probation again if he did not tell her and hide it instead. Even if not right now, it might happen in the near future. It was purely his sense as a knight.

“I will tell you as far as I know.”

And originally, it was a virtue for the knight to be honest to the lady and noblewoman that he served. Shaun was inflexible in many ways. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The Imperial Palace had been busy for the past few days. This was because many nobles had been living in the outer palace for several days without returning home in preparation for the Eastern Union delegation’s visit.

Schuden was one of the nobles. He was even provided with a temporary private office to proceed with his work. He had just received a new document regarding Leo Canute, the key person of the Eastern Union delegation and the tiger on the battlefield. It was a report on his personal information.

“Crazy guy.”

Schuden muttered briefly while reading the document. The attendant next to him flinched, but due to his experience, he pretended not to hear it. Schuden calmly handed over the document. He wondered how a man who did not even have any support base was appointed as Viscount so quickly. Apparently, Leo Canute had been running around, slaying enemies on the battlefield like a crazy man. At first glance, it seemed similar to the number of people Schuden killed when he was an heir. Schuden and Leo often showed similar aspects in strange places.

‘It’s a matter of course.’

It was a fact that did not change even if they did not want to admit it. Unless all the blood in their bodies were removed, they still had kinship.

[Leo! Schuden!]

It was in the south, in a poor fishing village. The wind was salty and the sunlight was hot. The clear waters of the emerald sea bore no fish. The villagers barely made ends meet by collecting seeds from sunflowers blooming in nearby fields and pressing the oil. Schuden still remembered. 

A young kid who ran giddily. 

Two boys in the sunflower field.

[Why do you keep following us? You’re just a kid.]

[But you’re my older brothers! You have to play with your younger brother!]

The kid clenched his hands tightly. Leo said with an annoyed look.

[Why am I your older brother?]

[We have the same mom.]

[But we have different fathers, don’t we?]

[But our eye colors are the same.]

Their hair colors were different but their eyes were vivid red. The bloody iris was inherited from their mother. The ultimate sign that they were brothers.

[And mom told me to play with you two.]

[Come on. So annoying…]

A small fishing village in the southern countryside. The kid soon followed Schuden and Leo around, calling them his older brothers. They lived in the same house anyway. Later, it seemed that they played with him because it was a hassle to separate from him. As the kid said, they had the same mother, even though they had different fathers.

[I like you two so much!]

Their fathers changed every time but the fact that they were still each other’s siblings stayed the same. On the ninth birthday of the kid, the brothers gave him the straw hat that they made themselves and a dagger that they bought with all their pocket money. They played together to the point where the straw hat was worn out and the dagger blade became dull.

[Schuden, why did you say you weren’t coming with them? If you go to the Marquess, won’t you become a noble?]

[You took the words right out of my mouth. Becoming a noble is much better than living in this secluded fishing village.]

[But Leo, you cried just now because Schuden might leave.]

[I didn’t!]

The Marquess’ people suddenly came to Schuden, but he did not go with them, nor did he have any intention to follow them. Schuden liked this fishing village that was filled with sunflowers. The people were good, and so were his brothers.

[I always want to be happy with you guys.]

Although they were lacking in material, they were not lacking in emotion. So the children were happy. 

But the peaceful days melted as easily as it was sweet. The one-of-a-kind peace was covered with blood.

[Although you are a child of a prostitute, you are still half-Garth. It’s a shame, but you’re still useful as you are.]

Schuden looked down at his dead younger brother silently. The image he saw was clear, but his head refused to accept it.

Why? Why is everyone bleeding? Why is no one breathing? Why did they all die, and why…

…Why am I alive?

[Seeing how you did not even cry, you are at least better than your father, Schuden Garth. But even a young brute knows its rank. Aren’t all these vermin dead because you didn’t listen to me?]

Those heartless words saying that he was the reason for their death felt like poison spilled into his ear. He wanted to scream, he wanted to shout, but he felt like there was something blocking his neck. Nothing came out. Wouldn’t it be less painful than this even if he cut his body alive? Schuden eventually clenched his teeth. Blood seeped out of his lips but he could not even feel the pain.

[Was it Leo? He is lucky. He’s still alive.]

At that moment, Schuden came to his senses. A brother who had not died yet. A handful of hope left in despair. The wrinkled hand that raised Schuden’s chin was cruel, as if it was even trying to crush what small hope was left.

[You don’t want to lose that last one, do you? Your greed killed your youngest brother.]

Strength escaped from Schuden’s body. A younger brother was dead in the young boy’s arms, body cooling down like a scattering winter wind.

[If you want the other vermin to die too, run away and rebel anytime. Whipping is effective in taming the brutish, Schuden Garth.]

If he pressed down on the wound, again and again, one day he would get used to the pain. Schuden was no longer a little boy. Although he became insensitive to others as much as he became insensitive to himself.

“Your Grace, where will you have dinner tonight? Should I bring it to your office like yesterday?”

“I will have to leave the palace.”

“Pardon? But…”

The attendant,  who roughly knew the amount of documents Schuden had to deal with, opened his eyes wide. However, Schuden had already stood up. He strode toward the door and said.

“I will come back to the palace tomorrow.”

“Pardon? Yes, Your Grace…”

The attendant watched Schuden quickly moving away, he hurried to follow him. At the same time, he had a question. Although the closest place to the Imperial Palace was the residence of high-ranking nobles, the distance was never as short as walking to the yard. The nobles, who had a lot of work, often took care of their room and board in the detached palace. Even Marquess Garth had been there for days.

“…Is he uncomfortable staying at the Imperial Palace?”

The attendant tilted his head and took care of the documents.