Shadowless Night

Haqab had not considered Dimla’s existence until now because it had been decades since she’d retired, and since then, she had not touched the kingdom’s affairs.

The legendary Baiferm was now an old story, a character from the past. Haqab wasn’t the only one puzzled by the current situation of a legend from the past suddenly popping up and becoming a living person.

She beat down Ploeto, and Lagos welcomed a new Baiferm. The young queen, Guandite, was the niece of the ousted Ploeto, making her the great-granddaughter to Dimla. Dimla stepped up as regent after retirement to protect the still-young Baiferm. Even as a decrepit queen who had retired a few generations ago, her power still stretched across every nook and cranny of Lagos.

Baiferm— no, Dimla, the regent, walked forward leisurely. The young Baiferm followed her with quick steps. They headed towards Haqab.

Haqab: the one who had twisted her blood relative every which way and caused confusion in Lagos. One could roughly predict Dimla’s feelings for him. Even a Lagos brute would not strike his head with a cane, so one couldn’t imagine a scene where they greeted each other gently.

The people watched the Lagossian delegation without blinking an eye. Dimla stopped in front of Haqab.

Haqab and the nobles of Balta stood in confrontation against Dimla and the girl. The cold north wind of Lagos seemed to blow in the banquet hall.

Haqab broke the silence first with a smile.

“It is an honor to see the new Baiferm of Lagos at this delightful event. I am Haqab Hwi Livita, Balta’s first son.”

Baiferm Guandite greeted him with a lifted chin as if looking down at him, despite her height being about half that of Haqab’s.

“Hiksala’s first son. I’ve heard stories about you. I am also happy to meet you on a day full of blessings.”

It didn’t sound like a friendly greeting. Haqab smiled and turned to Dimla.

“And how should I address this royal one in order not to be rude?”

“The title of the past has faded. Now I am satisfied with ‘Regent’.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Regent Dimla.”

She smiled brightly enough to lift her wrinkles.

“I also looked forward to meeting the prince very much. It’s a pleasure.”

Ricardis felt a chill and rubbed his arm. Beside him, Lewon tapped his chest. He seemed to have heartburn from what he ate.

“If it were me, I would cry right on the spot,” Isserion said with a determined expression. 

Ricardis smiled and crossed his arms. It was a convincing smile. Haqab probably had similar thoughts to Isserion, so Ricardis felt endlessly happy. Ricardis took a sip of champagne, not paying attention to the people around him frozen with tension. It tasted sweet.

“Oh dear, Prince Haqab. You don’t have a good expression on your face. Was there someone else you wanted to meet separately?”

Even Ricardis almost spat out his champagne. I didn’t know she’d say it so openly. 

After a two-second pause, Haqab answered with a smile. Ricardis had a rough idea of Haqab’s thoughts in those two seconds.

“How could it be—”

“I hope you will visit the royal castle of Lagos someday, Prince,” Dimla cut him off. 

Haqab laughed, “Thank you for the invitation, Regent.”

“Wouldn’t Ploeto want to see you, too?”

The eyes of the people in the hall turned away from the group. Instead, their gaze wandered to their feet, champagne glasses, and the chandelier. It was so awkward. As expected, the country of Lagos was like a wild horse that could only go straight to the point.

Clatter! Dimla’s cane rolled on the floor. No one knew if it was intentional or a mistake, but Ricardis personally thought it wasn’t an accident. Haqab picked up the cane with a hardened face. Dimla continued to speak peacefully, wiping the part that Haqab had touched with a handkerchief.

“Oh dear, you picked it up yourself. Thank you, Haqab Hwi Livita.”

“…Don’t mention it.”

“I have to go and greet others now. I hope to see you next time and have a pleasant conversation.”

A pleasant conversation… Ah… Someone sighed. Dimla turned, took a few steps, and looked back to Haqab.

“Lagos never forgets grace and resentment. I will pay this debt later.”

Is she referring to the fact that he picked up the cane now or the work with Ploeto? …No one could know exactly. Lewon frowned and extended his hand to Isserion.

“Brother, please massage my hand. I think I have an upset stomach.”

[T/N: There’s this belief in Korea that massaging or pricking a hand with a needle can help relieve indigestion.]

Even as Isserion rubbed his brother’s hand, Haqab still looked at Dimla’s back. After a while, he exhaled lightly and left the banquet hall with a stiff smile. The nobles of Balta who surrounded Haqab also rushed out. He seemed desperate to hold a meeting he couldn’t have in a place with many eyes.

The air, tense and close to snapping, eased due to the escape of one axis that supported the atmosphere.

Instead of talking to others, Dimla dragged the young Baiferm around to eat delicious food. They looked more like a great-granddaughter and great-grandmother pair than the queen and regent of a country.

In this situation, where no one could approach them and only looked at them quietly, Ricardis made eye contact with a man.

Calyx Radwiell had just stepped into the banquet hall after being out on the terrace. He hadn’t seen what happened, but he seemed to have intuitively judged that something was going on. He quickly grasped the center of the atmosphere of breathless space, and Calyx turned his head to where the people gazed.

Calyx’s eyes reached Dimla and the young Baiferm. His eyebrows twitched, but he seemed to know who it was and didn’t seem very surprised. Calyx immediately began to move towards the Lagos delegation.

Frustrated, Ricardis grabbed Calyx’s wrist as he passed. The wide-eyed and doubtful expression of the man was identical to that of his sister’s. It was an expression one might have made for an accidental meeting. Ricardis shook his head slightly and, in a great move of ventriloquism, whispered without moving a lip.

“Sir Calyx, I’m good enough for your sister.”

“…How should I accept this sudden confession…?”

“…No. I mean— Should I feel uneasy about your destination now?”

When Calyx saw his destination, Dimla, he Ah-ed and nodded. He immediately laughed in amazement.

“Don’t worry.”

Even if you’re truly, genuinely, very confident— You can’t be this bold! Ricardis hesitated and let go of his wrist. Calyx began moving again and faced Dimla without any disturbance.

How on earth can I not worry…?

Only one person leisurely walked in this static space, where everyone’s feet seemed stuck on the floor. People began to pay attention to Calyx and were startled when they noticed him approach Dimla.

The character of the Radwiells passed down from generation to generation was famous. The Radwiells would break rather than bend, unable to say sweet words to gain money or power. Inflexible, stubborn, and prideful.

Why would the successor of Radwiell County have access to the famous and influential royalty from another country? Nobody dared to guess. While the people were confused, Calyx arrived before the delegation of Lagos.

Ricardis crossed his arms and tapped his arm with his finger. Just because he didn’t have to deal with the accident himself didn’t mean he could take his eyes off it. Perhaps he was taught by experience with Rosaline.

Calyx first greeted Baiferm Guandite politely. The young Baiferm spoke a few words with him, and then she smiled broadly like a child her age. 

No, what are you two saying? 

Everyone was curious and slowly took a few steps toward them.

Calyx soon knelt down and lightly placed his forehead on the back of Dimla’s hand. It was the traditional greeting children of Lagos gave to adults.

“Gala-Zertaye, I am Calyx, Sabek’s son.”

Clink.

A fork someone dropped hit the marble floor, making a sharp sound. Everyone in the hall opened their mouths in astonishment.

Another great-grandson has appeared! The heir of Radwiell on top of that!

C-Come to think of it, Countess Radwiell is from Lagos, isn’t she? Didn’t they say that she was a royal? So, is Dimla the Countess’ elder? If you ask anyone from Lagos’ royal family, they’re all Dimla’s grandchildren or great-grandchildren. The hall became noisy as they asked and answered questions among themselves.

Ricardis narrowed his brow as his mind raced. Isserion and Lewon also had similar expressions on their faces. The fact that Regent Dimla was the great-grandmother of Calyx was terrifying and surprising, but they were more concerned because of another great-grandchild within the castle: Rosaline.

Wasn’t she also a child of Countess Radwiell? Due to Dimla’s appearance, they had to prepare for the situation surrounding Rosaline before any incidents happened.

While rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache, Isserion said, “Isn’t it rude not to welcome a relative from another country, Your Highness? If that’s the case, Regent Dimla’s and Sir Rosaline’s relationship could actually be meaningless. The Lagossians have not been very fond of Illavenians for generations, so towards this mixed-blood great-grandson…”

The moment Isserion said that Dimla gave Calyx a deep kiss on his cheek as he knelt. Then she stroked Calyx’s head with her wrinkled hand, stroked and pinched his cheeks, kissed the other cheek, and smiled broadly. She was very friendly towards a blood relative she had never met before.

Calyx was very bewildered by her attitude towards children, but in the end, he softened his face and fully accepted her affection.

“…She might like him very much. It doesn’t look like she minds the little Illavenian blood mixed in. I think she’s someone with a big heart.”

Lewon still tapped his chest to make sure the heartburn stayed away.

Staff’s Note

Iris: Happy 100 chapters, General!

Wook: It’s been a long war, Lieutenant, and the end is still not in sight!