The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 10

“He is the leader of the Red Knights, and the First Knight of the Empire. There is no one who can best him in Brygent. Even in a friendly match against the Knights of Peta Kingdom, it was a landslide victory.”

“…”

“Is this dismissal?”

Almondite said nothing, his thick eyebrows pinched together.

“Let’s go out.”

With a graceful gesture, the assistant bowed his head and left. Almondite pressed his lips together, gripping the handle of the chair.

“Are you saying that I’m approaching the man who insulted me?”

Almondite knew Llewelyn well. When she refused something, she would always stand by her words. The story of Tristan and Llewelyn came up naturally when he was researching Tristan. Llewelyn taking someone she once rejected? The princess who was more arrogant than himself?

He remembered Tristan Jayad, who now stood in front of him with a stiff posture, like he hated every second of being in Almondite’s presence. That big tall man, whose red eyes lit up with an eerie light. The hostile attitude was clearly territorial.

“Llewellyn, you’re getting more and more interesting.”

Contrary to his words, the corners of his lips did not move. He remembered Llewelyn, who had held him gently. Almondite, who was seduced by Llewelyn and succumbed to temptation.

He’d felt overwhelming bliss. Happiness even.

That night was a mirage. He thought all misunderstandings had been cleared up. But apparently she still thought of him the same as before. The moment he was drenched in a warm sweet dream…

‘You slept with me once, and for you to even think about getting engaged…you’re still a naive master.’

Llewelyn’s words shot right through his heart. Her cold tone seemed to hit him firmly in the head. The past between him and her was still not forgiven nor forgotten. In order to ridicule him, Llewelyn was willing to flirt and seduce him, and even take his heart. She also accepted Tristan, whom he insulted and rejected.

“Have you changed, or has your heart changed? My princess.”

Was Llewelyn really tempted to play with him? He was angry at her behavior, but at the same time, a part of him was moved. Was it because Llewelyn was smiling so brightly in the greenhouse?

*

That was the evaluation Llewellyn gave to Ernel. With his radiant and warm persona and his attentiveness, conversation was easy.

Aside from his looks and easygoingness, he was a high-ranking priest in the monastery, so Llewelyn was happy.

“Long time no see…”

It had been a long time since someone treated her with kindness. Llewelyn realized once again that she had been in a cold winter for five years. But there was one more thing that made her happy. Looking at the attitudes of Patron and Ernel, she did not feel any traces of Asmodeus’ stigma at all.

“I am happy though. There is someone like the princess for the poor.”

“No.” She murmured, though he wasn’t really asking a question.

“If there is royal family like you, the people of this country will surely be happy.”

“No.” She responded again.

Ernel smiled brightly despite her dismissive attitude.

“Anyways Princess, what are you planning for the future?”

Llewelyn’s eyes widened at the sudden question. She put on a puzzled expression. However, he spoke directly to her, who had a difficult story to tell.

“I want to entrust myself to God.”

“Yes? Are you going to join our church’s monastery?”

“Yes.”

“If someone like the princess lives in the monastery, you will be welcome. Of course, the Holy Father will embrace you with open arms. What a beautiful picture of a daughter who atones for her mother’s sins. Besides, she is a princess of this country, so there is no reason not to welcome her. Surely the Holy Father will make the princess reside with the saints of the Holy Kingdom.”

Despite his friendly tone, his words felt sarcastic and mocking. Llewelyn blinked. But she’d expected this. The stigma around her mother was amplified due to religious beliefs.

“But, the princess seemed to be true in a slightly different way.”

“…Another way?” she raised a brow.

“Yes.” Ernel spoke softly. “It would be strange for me, a servant of God, to say this, but there are a lot of rules and restrictions there.”

“Yes.” She was well aware of this.

“I am serious. Princess, I feel sorry for you because you are locked up in the palace. And this is my personal opinion, not the opinion of Seong-guk or His Holiness.”

Llewelyn smiled brightly. She really liked this person. She’d previously thought he was a mean old priest, but he looked young, handsome even, and had a gentle personality. Even if it was pretentious kindness, it didn’t really matter to her. Because he was saying that he would treat her well enough.

By the time the carriage arrived at the royal palace, Llewelyn’s expression had darkened once more. Ernel looked at her with curiosity.

The carriage stopped and the door swung open.

“Get out.”

Tristan reached out. Llewelyn wiped the smile off her face and took his hand. Somehow, it seemed that Tristan was holding her with power. She glanced at Tristan. He bowed his head with a blank expression.

“You worked hard today, Sir Jayad.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

She held back another response.

There was a lengthy pause, then he spoke quietly, “I will take you to your room.”

Llewelyn hesitated to thank the knights, but then shook her head and smiled softly at them. She liked it the way it was. Llewelyn did not notice the dark crimson eyes that were burrowing to the back of her head.

Minutes later she was standing in front of her door.

“How about holding the discipline of an escort officer properly?” a voice said behind her.

At Tristan’s words, Llewelyn turned around. Llewelyn looked at him with a firm expression and sighed.

He was also friendly. Even in the midst of such insults, he faithfully fulfilled his duties and took care of her. Llewelyn trembled slightly and opened her mouth.

“Sir Jayad, this is my decision. You are crossing the line.”

He looked for a response but no words came out.

“How many private conversations do you think you can have with me?” Llewelyn said coldly.

It was a cold warning that the distance between them should be this far.

The maids who followed her murmured.

“Sorry, Princess.”

She wasn’t referring to them but she didn’t bother clarifying. Tristan got the message just fine.

Llewelyn turned her back without saying a word and entered her room. Closing the door, she leaned back against the door, squeezing her eyes shut. Now Tristan would hate her. A muffled voice came through the door.

“Really, I knew it, but the princess is a strange person.”

“Ugh. Why is her personality like that?”

The voices of the maids were soft, but comprehensible.

“Lord Jayad did her a favor.”

“It’s like that for us too.”

“That’s why everyone hates the princess. Even if you try to sympathize, how can you like her?”

‘Everyone hates me’. Llewelyn thought, pushing off the door. It was the mindless opinion of one maid, but those words landed right in her heart.

“I never asked you to like me.” Llewelyn murmured. “If you don’t like me, so be it.”

That was what she always said nowadays. Llewelyn bit her lip. Even so, she felt bad because she felt like she had hurt the person who did her a favor. 5 years ago, she had been the exact same, hoping people would get used to this side of her. But foolishly, it was always her who was hurt.

*

Llewelyn stood with her hands folded. Nobles dressed in white were gathered in the audience room. People were watching this sacred moment with a heavy expression. Seeing Patron’s blessing in person was one of the rarest honors a nobleman could obtain.

Almondite was on his knees, hands clasped. Standing in front of him, Ernel wore a crown made of flowers and a white robe. Although he was dressed in the same white clothes as the people around him, he seemed to be glowing. His beauty stood out more than usual.

Ernel gently turned his head and smiled at Llewelyn. Llewelyn tilted her head at that smile.

“From now on, we, servants of God, bless each and every breath of yours, and you will be protected by the servants of God, and all the people of God will respect you.” Ernel’s reverent voice continued.

“Our God, our Lord, will infuse your body and your veins with his blessings, so that you may live long in this world you have saved. I pay tribute to you for driving away all evil, and I, servant of God, Ernel, bless you, Almondite Biserk.”

Llewelyn’s eyes widened. A dazzling white light appeared in Ernel’s hand. The light was noble, clean, and beautiful. It was a light that unclean things dare not approach. Was there such a noble light in the world?

At that moment, Llewelyn’s heart began to pound. What? She tried to ignore the feeling. The moment she saw Ernel, her heart started beating loudly.

Thump thump!

“Ugh…”