Chapter 150: The Foolish Prince’s Mother Weeps②
“C-catch…!”
The carriage jolted violently, accompanied by the distant sounds of shouts and clashes. Could it be that they were under attack? This carriage bore the Royal Family Emblem and was supposed to be protected by the kingdom’s knights.
(A mere bandit wouldn’t dare to assault such a carriage… which means, could it be…!)
Emerald sensed the ominous presence of a dark conspiracy, but just then, the carriage door swung open, revealing a blood-soaked man.
“Eek…!”
“Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
A young man clad in armor stained with blood flashed a disarming smile. It had been years since anyone had looked at her with such an open and genuine expression.
“A-are you…?”
“I apologize for the delay. I am Blood Cattleya, a knight of the kingdom.”
The young man introduced himself. Cattleya… that name was familiar to Emerald; it belonged to one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom. The knight named Blood wiped the blood from his armor with a cloth and tossed it outside the carriage.
“Earlier, someone attacked this carriage, but I successfully repelled them, so there’s no need for concern. I will escort you to the border without incident.”
“R-really? Thank you?”
Was it appropriate to express gratitude in such a situation? Emerald’s face tightened in uncertainty.
“Um… who were the attackers?”
“Well, they might have been from the Empire. They could have intended to kill you and frame it as the work of our kingdom.”
“…………!”
“Oh, my apologies. Let’s disregard that last statement.”
Realizing he had spoken something that shouldn’t have been said, Blood hurriedly waved his hands.
“Um… it could have been mere bandits or perhaps the work of a noble from our country. There are those in the kingdom who wish to go to war with the Empire!”
“W-well, I’m not sure that’s much of a cover-up…”
“A-ah… yes, I apologize again.”
Blood cleared his throat. It seemed he was not the type to engage in subtlety. Despite the dire circumstances, Emerald felt a smile creeping onto her face.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last comment.”
“Ah, that would be a great relief! My father would scold me otherwise!”
Blood laughed, thumping his chest with a hearty thud.
“I guarantee that until we cross the border, not a single scratch will come to you, Lady Emerald! Once we enter the Empire, the main faction… I mean, the attackers will have no reason to target you. Please rest assured!”
“Rest assured…? Is there really any point in my returning to the Empire?”
“Hmm…? What do you mean by that?”
“If there’s no one waiting for me to come back, would it really be acceptable for a useless burden to return?”
Emerald inadvertently revealed her inner thoughts. Blood blinked in surprise but then mused, “Hmm.”
“Lady Emerald, do you not have any siblings?”
“W-what…?”
What was he talking about? Confused, Emerald responded to Blood’s question.
“I have two older brothers, but we’ve only exchanged letters. I haven’t seen their faces in twenty years.”
“Oh, then you have nothing to worry about.”
Blood puffed out his chest with confidence.
“Brothers are meant to protect their sisters. Surely, they are waiting for your return in your homeland.”
“…Is that so?”
“Indeed. No matter how old they get, brothers will always think of their sisters. Whether they are eating, sleeping, bathing, working on paperwork, or even slaying enemies on the battlefield, their minds are filled with thoughts of their sisters. They carry handkerchiefs embroidered by their sisters at all times. That is what it means to be a ‘big brother.’”
“Is that really the case…?”
“Therefore, you should return home with your head held high and a confident stride.”
“…………”
Emerald fell silent. Thinking of her deceased son, she couldn’t allow herself to be so optimistic, but… just a little, perhaps the weight on her heart lightened, like a single feather from a waterbird.
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
“Of course, it’s no trouble at all. Now then… shall we set off again?”
After that… without facing a second attack, Emerald returned to the Empire. She never learned who had been behind the assault. Stripped of her royal status, she reunited with her family and friends for the first time in twenty years. After rekindling old bonds, she entered the monastery to mourn the souls of her son and those who had lost their lives in the rebellion he had instigated.