For the heart - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44

 

‘Why am I… crying?’

 

Nina wiped away the tears that had flowed down her cheeks and looked down at her wet hand.

 

The look in the King of Hamer’s eyes as he gazed at her for the last time was not the look of someone viewing the one who had conquered the country he had tried so hard to protect.

 

The name ‘Arnesa’ that had flowed from him with a sigh seemed to settle heavily in her chest in a way she couldn’t understand.

 

Arnesa Hamer was only being used as a synonym for a wicked woman after the incident where she tried to overthrow Arsed’s imperial family.

 

And.

 

“Something… something went wrong…”

 

“This inadequate brother couldn’t protect you or your daughter in the end…”

 

What on earth did that mean?

 

The Former Empress was clearly recorded as having died before childbirth. She had never heard of there being another child between the Former Emperor and Former Empress.

 

Yet he said he couldn’t protect her daughter.

 

And while desperately clutching her hand…

 

‘What the hell…’

 

Confused, Nina handed over the king’s body according to procedure and sealed the royal palace.

 

* * *

 

Three months after departing on their final expedition, the Arsed army had conquered all of the Six Small Nations.

 

The Montregger Empire and Blanche Duchy, which had declared their submission voluntarily, would remain as special territories, but this vast continent would now move under Arsed’s command.

 

“So the entire continent really has been unified. When I joined the knighthood seven years ago, I thought it was impossible… This is what you’ve achieved since you began leading the Arsed Knights, Commander.”

 

“You’ve worked hard all this time, Bern. Now all you have left is to retire.”

 

“Yes. I plan to apply for retirement as soon as we return to Arsed.”

 

On the way back from receiving the declaration of submission from Lucentio, the last of the Six Small Nations, Nina and Bern quietly exchanged words.

 

Bern, who had mentioned his plans to retire, stealthily studied Nina’s face.

 

His heart raced as he had made up his mind to propose to Nina once the continental unification was complete.

 

“I’m thinking of rushing into marriage as soon as I inherit the count title.”

 

Nina nodded, thinking of his age—five years older than herself.

 

Nobles generally married early, so he would naturally be in a hurry.

 

Casian, who had been silently listening to their conversation, chewed the inside of his cheek.

 

“Do you perhaps have someone in mind?”

 

“Not yet. But if I can someday live a normal life… I might fall in love with a trustworthy man like a comrade-in-arms. Then I’d marry and have children of my own.”

 

He hadn’t thought of it then, but it suddenly occurred to him that Nina’s mention of ‘a trustworthy man like a comrade-in-arms’ might have been said with Bern in mind.

 

“When I receive my count title, may I invite you to the count’s mansion, Commander?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Nina, who had been looking straight ahead, finally turned to look at Bern.

 

He was waiting for an answer while making eye contact with her.

 

Invite me to the count’s mansion?

 

Nina had never been invited by any noble before.

 

Though Bern was currently her subordinate, after retirement he would be the legitimate head of House Haidrick, yet he was inviting her.

 

Casian watched Nina, who didn’t answer immediately, and Bern, whose face was growing redder.

 

He had seen Bern revealing his feelings in the corridor before.

 

Restless and unable to take his eyes off Nina, not even knowing he was listening from behind.

 

That day, Casian had already clearly realized what emotions Bern harbored toward Nina and what he hoped for from her.

 

That fact slowly scraped at his heart.

 

After the discomfort he couldn’t openly express had built up, he finally interjected into their conversation with a clearly sarcastic tone.

 

“If someone who should be finding a marriage partner as soon as possible invites the Imperial Princess to a count’s mansion, there will be plenty of interesting talk behind your backs. Especially when the Imperial Princess is already under suspicion of murder.”

 

Bern whipped his head around and glared at Casian.

 

“Ah, well. If you’re inviting her as the knight commander who served as your superior for a long time, there might be no problem. Though it would be up to people to judge whether you’re inviting the Imperial Princess or the Commander.”

 

Crack—the sound of Bern grinding his molars quietly escaped.

 

Nina resolved her brief contemplation the moment she heard Casian’s words.

 

“Duke Montregger is right. There’s no need to become the subject of gossip, Bern. Your sentiment alone is enough.”

 

At Nina’s rejection, the corners of Casian’s mouth subtly rose, while Bern’s shoulders sagged with deflation.

 

He had thought of this as a way to create an opportunity to be alone with her for a proposal, but it was cleanly swept away by Casian’s few words.

 

While Bern felt bitter inside and Casian was pleased with his interference, Nina had no interest in either of them.

 

In truth, Nina’s mind was filled only with the words and gaze the King of Hamer had given her before his death.

 

“Bern.”

 

“Yes, Commander.”

 

“Lead the knights back first. I’ll stop by Hamer and search once more for the national seal we couldn’t find.”

 

“Didn’t we already receive the Council of Elders’ seal with the deceased King of Hamer’s proxy?”

 

“Still, it would be better to find the national seal in case troublesome issues arise later.”

 

“Understood, Commander.”

 

So Nina headed to Hamer while Bern led the knights back home.

 

The person who naturally followed Nina as she turned her horse was Casian.

 

Bern didn’t stop him, and Nina didn’t particularly try to dissuade him either. She had learned by now that it would be useless to try.

 

“Did something happen in Hamer?”

 

“What?”

 

“You’ve seemed to have a complicated expression since Hamer.”

 

Did he perhaps have some other ability besides healing? Something like the ability to read people’s minds.

 

Though rare, there were people with dual abilities, so it wasn’t impossible.

 

She had only thought he was perceptive before, but since this wasn’t just once or twice, such suspicion was reasonable.

 

“Do you have any other abilities besides healing?”

 

At Nina’s question, Casian smiled and lightly shrugged his shoulders.

 

What’s that supposed to mean. Is that a yes or a no.

 

“Why? Do I seem to read Your Highness’s mind too well?”

 

“….”

 

Nina didn’t answer Casian’s question.

 

She knew it was an annoying question asked just to hear confirmation.

 

Casian, who had raised the corners of his mouth, also seemed to know Nina wouldn’t answer as he loosely gripped the reins and looked ahead.

 

“If you watch with interest, you’re bound to notice anything.”

 

Only then did Nina look at Casian.

 

The words he casually spoke with a lightly smiling face were a bit strange.

 

So he’s saying he watched me with interest.

 

Ah, maybe he’s indirectly saying he still hasn’t dropped his suspicions as a secret ally.

 

‘He’s really persistent. I don’t suspect him anymore though.’

 

Nina only thought this to herself and didn’t say it out loud.

 

The two of them weren’t in a relationship where they could easily believe and trust each other until they both got what they wanted.

 

* * *

 

They arrived in Hamer only after the sun had set, and the two entered the closed Royal Palace.

 

“The royal seal didn’t turn up in the study or meeting room. They probably hid it in preparation for being conquered.”

 

“It seems so. Let’s search the Emperor’s bedroom.”

 

Nina and Casian each took a candle and began searching for where the Emperor’s bedroom might be.

 

Though smaller than Arsed’s Imperial Palace, it was still a fairly large Royal Palace.

 

The two went up to the second floor and headed inward past a spacious reception room.

 

Nina, who had been walking slightly ahead, turned back to look at Casian who had suddenly stopped walking.

 

For some reason his expression had hardened as he slowly illuminated the corridor wall with his candle.

 

And a low sigh flowed from his lips.

 

“Oh no….”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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