Ch#240
**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**
**Chapter 240**
I moved my stiff facial muscles, struggling to force a smile. Then, showing him the flag in my hand, I replied in a polite tone.
"I’ve come to attach the flag."
"Ah, I see. You’re here to attach that?"
The man nodded as if he understood. He stepped aside to let me work.
If I were a servant or a slave, I wouldn't dare work right beside a noble, but since most attendants serving the Imperial Family closely were from fallen noble houses, his behavior was only natural.
Thus, as if nothing were wrong, I stepped closer to the Crown Prince's horse. The man continued to watch me with a gaze that was strangely persistent.
Feeling burdened by his stare, which felt as if it were boring a hole into the side of my face, I tried to attach the flag quickly.
However, the horse was acting unusually agitated today, repeatedly snorting and rejecting my touch. Despite being a clever creature that had previously surrendered its head submissively to me—even though we hadn't met many times—it was now restless.
In the end, I had to step back without even reaching the saddle properly. I tried to pull the reins to calm its excitement, but it reared its upper body high and swung its front legs wildly, making me fear I might be kicked.
But where had the grooms gone? Why was this man alone here?
Suddenly, the man asked in a very low voice, as if whispering—as if trying not to let his presence be discovered.
"By the way, who sent you on this errand?"
I was about to answer that it was one of the Crown Prince's knights, but I reflexively closed my mouth at a certain sensation. Strangely, it felt as though I shouldn't answer his question. Goosebumps erupted over my body, and an instinctual urge to flee this place took hold.
When I tentatively studied the man's eyes, I saw an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
When I didn't answer immediately, the man nodded lightly as if he understood something. He took another step closer, and his hand reached for the sword hanging at his waist—as if he were about to draw it at any moment.
"Hey, are you here? I’ve been looking for you for ages. We’re busy, you know."
Suddenly, someone shouted from afar and ran toward me. I reflexively turned my head to identify the face. It was Jack and Bird, dressed in attendants' clothing.
At their appearance, the man clicked his tongue overtly and turned his body away. He said, "Keep up the good work," acting naturally as if that were what he had intended to say all along.
However, a brief glance at his eyes revealed they were filled with a murderous glint, and the fact that his hand remained on the sword hilt suggested he still harbored lingering intent. Nevertheless, after a moment, he looked back and forth between me and the Crown Prince's horse before hurrying away. Had Jack and Bird not appeared, there was no telling what might have happened.
Bird looked at me and let out a sigh of relief. He was staring intently at the man's retreating back.
Jack also looked at me, breathing slightly hard. The boy's eyes were filled with worry. Sweat was beading on his sharp, thin chin, as if he had been running a lot.
Before Jack could say anything, I spoke first.
"Is something the matter?"
Jack looked at me curiously, but when I narrowed my eyes slightly and moved my lips as if telling him not to speak, he immediately averted his gaze.
Bird, quickly noticing that I was conscious of a Shadow that might be hiding somewhere, said, "Follow us for now," acting as if he were a senior bullying a newcomer with exaggerated movements.
"I will follow you as soon as I finish. I have to attach this flag. The Crown Prince's order is the priority."
At my reply, Bird exchanged looks with Jack. They nodded as if they had no choice and then blustered at me to come quickly.
Since there had been several attendants who had tried to bully me before, this scene would appear familiar even to a Shadow.
"Don't be lazy; do it quickly. Attach it and follow us."
Having finished speaking, Bird turned around and began to walk very slowly, as if being considerate so I wouldn't lose sight of them.
Jack took one more look at me and then followed right behind Bird.
Once the distance was far enough, I spoke toward the empty air as if muttering.
"You’re watching, right? You must go to His Highness the Crown Prince. Tell him his horse is acting strange and that a man of the Grand Duke was near it."
Then, a Shadow popped out from the right and asked me in a cautious voice if it was alright for him to leave me, as the noble's strange attitude and these people's behavior seemed suspicious. He was completely misunderstanding Bird and Jack as attendants who were determined to bully me.
"It’s fine. They aren't people who intend to assault me. You don't need to worry. Above all, seeing as they came looking for me all the way here, they must intend to have me do something related to His Highness. Then they will be even more careful. So don't delay and run to His Highness immediately."
In a more relaxed situation, I would have questioned why Jack and Bird had come looking for me specifically among so many attendants, but something even more suspicious had occurred, leaving no time for that.
After all, how could I just pass by when the Crown Prince's horse was showing strange behavior? The fact that the grooms were nowhere to be seen was also very suspicious.
The Shadow repeatedly confirmed my intent, asking if I was sure. Only when I practically shouted for him to please just go did he finally nod as if he understood.
Still, as if he had lingering concerns, he said he would return quickly and vanished from sight in an instant.
I didn't move immediately even after he disappeared, waiting until I had counted to ten in my head before slowly moving my steps. Jack and Bird were standing far off, waiting for me.
"The Grand Duke is moving. It has finally begun. But we were so terrified when we couldn't see you, Lady."
Bird spoke immediately as I approached. He was scanning the surroundings, his eyes darting back and forth, wary of being seen by someone. His face, tight with tension, was soon covered in cold sweat.
A faint relief was underlying his voice as he said, "I’m glad we could meet like this."
"Now, follow us. We just need to leave like this."
I stopped Bird as he was about to turn his body and threw an overt question. With his information network, it wouldn't be strange if he had already realized the Grand Duke harbored treacherous intent.
Above all, his words, "It’s starting," had confirmed my thoughts.
"Wait, did you say the Grand Duke is moving now?"
"Yes. According to Lizard, who is watching that side, that’s the case. It’s madness. The war isn't even over yet."
"Even at the cost of our own side's losses?"
"Doesn't that mean he has a move he believes in?"
Ah, right—the Grand Duke had Eriñus. I wore a bitter smile.
It seemed their promise had not been broken yet. That was the reason the barbarians hadn't retreated while preparing for the final battle. After all, what more plausible cause of death could there be than dying in war?
If attacked from both front and back, even a god would have no choice but to die. How much more so for the Crown Prince, who was only human? As his previous injury showed, no one can defeat a blind sword or arrow.
The fact that the man who could be called the Grand Duke's person was standing before the Crown Prince's horse had to be seen in this context.
"So you must flee immediately."
Jack grabbed my hand. I involuntarily let out a sigh at the small but warm sensation. The boy's face was filled with anxiety.
"Escaping is the priority. Lady, let's leave quickly. Everything is already prepared."
I shook my head at Jack's words. As long as a cursed destiny continued to hold me back, I had to stay by his side.
While it was strange to believe in prophecies and dreams, since returning to the past was itself close to a miracle, I had no choice but to follow.
So, I spoke in a low voice to the boy, who was furrowing his brow in confusion.
"I still have something I must do."
"But your safety is the priority, Lady."
"No, I must go to the Crown Prince. I must go and see if he is safe."
"Why you, Lady? You can't do that."
"Jack!"
"...Could it be, you are in love with the Crown Prince?"
A hollow laugh escaped me at the absurd question. I quickly replied, "No." Being in love with the Crown Prince—what a horrific thought.
"Then why? There’s no reason you can't leave. Could it be, you don't trust me?"
"That’s not it either."
Jack looked frustrated, as if he found me strange for not giving a straightforward answer.
"Good heavens, Jack, I want to run away like this too. Who in their right mind would want to stay in this horrific place? But I can't."
In truth, I wavered for a very brief moment. Because I didn't want to let go of the hand I was holding. But now was not the time. What could I do back at a mansion that had been devastated?
I wore a bitter smile and pulled my hand from Jack's. Bird said, "We will protect you until the end," but I raised my hand to stop him.
"It will sound strange, but the Crown Prince needs me."
Had a male Wagus said it before? To flee to the opposite side if a strange wind blows.
I didn't know why these words suddenly came to mind, but if I absolutely had to be in this war, it was likely for that very reason.
I realized instinctively that the 'wind' was the final puzzle piece to save the Crown Prince's life, and that once I completed this, I would no longer be haunted in my dreams. I was almost there.
Now, I needed the courage not to tremble even before the horrific death unfolding before my eyes.
So that I could hold out until the Crown Prince won this fight and became Emperor. I intended to see him make a statement acknowledging me before everyone's eyes.
Even though the house was in ruins, I didn't want to hand over what was already in my hands to Roena or Lian.
It was a perfect opportunity to shed the label of a commoner; I couldn't back down now when the days of standing fully above other nobles and Roena without being ignored were so close.
As my thoughts reached this point, the heart that had been trembling with fear felt much calmer. Only a firm resolution remained.
"Lady..."
"I am always grateful for your heart."
"But...!"
I gave a soft kiss to the forehead of the boy, who was opening his mouth wide as if to protest. I hoped the voice whispering "Leave" would not sound sad to Jack's ears.
"You are truly stubborn, Lady. That’s why you make me sad. Sometimes I hate you so much."
"That’s quite a regrettable thing to hear. I like you so much, though."
The sound of a horn echoed from afar. A massive roar that shook the earth followed. Seeing as the departure sound was so loud, it seemed the main force was moving out.
I looked up at the sky. It was still a long time before the sun would reach its zenith. The Crown Prince had expected today's battle to end around the afternoon. Therefore, the fight was still in full swing.
Ah, it already felt as if the scent of blood were wafting in with the wind.
"Now, go."
I reached out and lightly pushed the boy's shoulder back. Then I looked at Bird. But Bird stood still, watching Jack. He was going to follow Jack's will.
"But Lady, there is one thing you are forgetting. That I am also a stubborn person."
"Jack!"
Jack grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. My body, pulled suddenly, leaned forward and stopped only when it was nearly touching the boy's face.
Jack's eyes were sparkling with boyish vitality. I was glad his expression wasn't dyed in gloom, but I grew anxious because he often acted as he pleased when he wore such a face.
"I will surely return to Arina with you, Lady."
His stubbornly raised chin looked like a provocation toward me. The boy blocked my move to immediately rebuke him and spoke as if making a declaration.
"I don't know when that idiot I saw earlier will return, so I’ll stop here. But Lady, I’m not going alone. Never. So give up. When have you ever seen me listen to you well?"
"You..."
"Shh, wait a moment, Lady."
Bird, who had been staring blankly at our interaction, suddenly raised his hand and signaled for us to be quiet. Then he pointed with his eyes toward a certain spot.
It was a secluded corner behind the tent where deep shadows lay, making it difficult to see.
Jack, as if he had noticed something, grabbed my hand and led me there. Bird also crouched behind the tent, muffling his footsteps.
Not knowing the reason, I blinked my eyes and held my breath as instructed.
After a moment, the sound of footsteps was heard, and someone approached the spot where we had been standing.
It wasn't just one or two people. They were searching around as if looking for something, then soon lowered their voices and began to grumble.
They were even searching inside the tents, so their voices were as vivid as if they were speaking right beside me.
"Damn, where did he disappear to?"
"He hasn't been seen by the Crown Prince's side yet. Could he have fled in advance?"
"Then that’s even better. Pursue him. Find him and kill him."
"Yes, understood."
"Bring the body back whole. That’s the only way to have proof of death. Anyway, the Crown Prince is completely mad too. To think he’d bring a woman to a battlefield."
"Seeing as he smuggled her out in advance, the rumor that he intends to take her as his consort must be true. Otherwise, why would he go so far as to have her cross-dress to bring her here? Just look at how Lady Roena—no, the young lady of House Rosan—is constantly meddling and interfering."
"The Crown Prince suddenly looking for a groom is all because of that woman too. Damn. Talk about bad luck."
"Regardless, I’ll look around some more."
"Right. Then I’ll see you there in a bit."
As I trembled with shock, Jack's hand gripped my shoulder as if to give me courage.
I felt like a scream might burst out, but I bit my lip and buried it in my knees. The sound of footsteps was growing distant, but I couldn't move easily, feeling as if someone might still be remaining.
After some time had passed like that, I didn't feel any presence, but suddenly the sound of someone walking nearby was heard.
With my eyes wide open, I looked at Bird. Bird shook his head with a dark expression and signaled for me to crouch even more.
I lowered my head further toward my shins. Had I moved my body immediately, relieved that the footsteps had grown distant... the thought alone gave me goosebumps.
Even after the sound of footsteps vanished, Bird continued to prick up his ears and monitor the surroundings.
And around the time my legs began to go numb, he crawled out in a low-lying position. It was only after more time had passed that he called for Jack and me.
I walked out, practically leaning on Jack. Aside from my legs being numb, I was suffocating from the fear and couldn't bear it.
My cold fingertips were trembling as if convulsing. Indeed, my face must have turned as pale as a corpse's.
"Are you still not going? You can't, Lady."
I ground my teeth at Jack's words and retorted. Now that things had come to this, I couldn't leave with the boy even more. His role was more than enough with just two fingers.
"That’s what I want to ask you. Are you still going to go with me? Even though you could die if we stay together?"
"Lady!"
"Jack, wait. Quiet. Someone is coming."
Suddenly, Bird flinched and turned his body. Jack pulled me behind his back as if to protect me. And each of them hid one hand behind their waists; held there was a dagger they had drawn who-knows-when.
"You were here."
Fortunately, the person who appeared this time was a Shadow. Unlike before when he had appeared as if rising from the ground, he revealed himself fully and spoke to me as if Jack and Bird didn't even exist. "His Highness is calling for you," he said.
So I spoke first, fearing the Shadow might harbor suspicion toward Jack and Bird. Though I was terrified as if I were about to collapse, with cold sweat running down my back, I acted as if nothing were wrong. Of course, I lowered my voice even further to avoid being discovered as a woman.
"Thank you for your help. I survived thanks to you."
And I ignored Jack's hand as he reached out as if to stop me. The boy was crying out with his eyes. At that, the Shadow's gaze turned toward Jack and Bird for a moment.
"Someone targeted me, and I would have died if not for these people. So we must be careful even going to see His Highness."
At my words, the Shadow finally took his eyes off them. Instead, he threw something at Bird. A pouch that made a heavy clinking sound was caught by Bird's reflexively extended hand.
"That should be sufficient reward. Young Master Relshin, let's go."
Bird quickly stopped Jack as he was about to jump forward. He tucked the pouch into his chest and wore a groveling smile.
And after bowing his head toward the Shadow, he led Jack by the hand and began to walk quickly in the opposite direction.
"His Highness is waiting."
Did I look toward Jack's back too overtly? The Shadow spoke in a low voice as if to urge me.
I forced my unmoving feet to turn, hoping Bird would make the wise choice to take Jack and leave the battlefield.
It was enough just to have seen him here—my boy and my salvation. Now it was time to fight the remaining destiny.
***
Following my request, the Shadow took a circuitous route to the Crown Prince. Because of that, it took some time to reach him.
When I arrived at the Crown Prince's tent, he was already dressed in armor and had a cloak draped over his shoulders as if about to depart.
"Thanks to you, the danger has been reduced."
As soon as I entered the tent, the Crown Prince held out a helmet that had been on the table. He meant for me to wear it. When I reluctantly accepted the helmet, he also held out a small suit of leather armor.
"The horse has become quite useless. I had no choice but to cut its throat."
When would I ever have the chance to wear armor in my life? As I hesitated, not knowing how to put it on, the Crown Prince personally began to help me dress. I waved my hands in embarrassment, but he was completely headstrong.
"I can put it on myself. So you don't have to do this."
"Is that so? You tell quite an amusing joke. We don't have time, so why not just submissively let me serve you?"
The Crown Prince let out a snicker. And with skillful movements, he tightened the leather straps. I was the only one shrinking back in tension; his hands brushing my body were without hesitation. Unable to bear it, I deliberately turned the subject to divert his attention.
"But armor? Surely you aren't planning to take me too? Good heavens, you can't do that."
"Ah, while I am departing now under the justification of having to find the late Emperor's coffin, I am not taking you. The place where the young master should be is elsewhere. So don't worry. Surely you don't think I would push you into the middle of a battlefield?"
*You’re more than capable of it.* These words were on the tip of my tongue, but I held them back. At the same time, I wished he would get away from me as soon as possible.
A moment later, he lightly dusted his hands and took a step back. Then, as if admiring a work of art, he leisurely scanned my entire body. What was lingering on the man's lips was the word 'satisfaction.'
It was stifling and uncomfortable. While it was surely lighter than the armor the Crown Prince was wearing, the truth was it was still burdensome, and I breathed heavily. The thick leather was pressing against my body, making even moving difficult. My shoulders were already aching and tight. It was simply amazing that knights could swing swords while wearing even heavier armor than this.
At any rate, once I was fully dressed in the armor, a Shadow entered the tent and reported to the Crown Prince.
"Preparations are complete."
The Crown Prince, with his helmet tucked under his arm, was about to head outside when he cast a glance toward me. And he said in a soft voice:
"Follow the Shadow's guidance."
And then he left immediately. Without even explaining why I had to wear armor.
**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**
