41 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Episode 41
Saya. If anyone looks for me, tell them you don't know. If I'm around, you'll be in danger too. This country is rotten. I'll avenge Father. Wait for me.
The next day, royal soldiers roamed the streets, searching for the culprit who had assaulted the captain of the guard.
Only then did Saya realize why her brother had fled in such haste.
Saya buried her face in her hands.
"Look, Teo. You abandoned me without a second thought, but I'm still worrying about you, unable to take care of myself."
Is this really right?
But her tears dried quickly. She was alone now, but she had to live on.
Saya chewed and swallowed the dry bread.
"I promised to deliver the medicinal herbs before sunset."
She finished her simple meal and got to her feet. She quickly got ready and was about to open the gate when—
"Hello."
Saya found herself face to face with a girl standing in front of her gate.
With her moon-like silver hair and green eyes, the girl looked like a noble lady, completely out of place in this neighborhood.
"What's your name?"
The girl, who had been gazing at Saya, suddenly asked.
"S, Saya."
The girl smiled brightly.
"I'm sorry for coming here without a Communication device, but if you're not busy, could you spare me a moment?"
\ \ \
Medeia entered the house, where embers still faintly glowed.
Though it wasn't yet sunset, the house was filled with darkness.
The young owner of the house looked just like the boy she remembered.
'Was Teo a girl?'
"Do you have any family?"
"My parents passed away a long time ago, and I have a brother... but he's dead."
It was a question from a stranger, but Saya answered without realizing it, her clear green eyes wide.
There was an awkward silence between the girl's answers.
"I heard your father was a retired soldier?"
Saya's pupils trembled. Her heart pounded at the girl's words, as if she already knew about her.
Had she come to arrest her because of her brother's crime?
Saya prostrated herself on the floor. The girl was quick to change her attitude.
"My father is Pierson, and I have a twin brother named Teo. He lied because he assaulted the captain of the guard and ran away three years ago."
Medeia raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know where your brother went?"
Saya shook her head.
"He occasionally sends a Communication device to let me know he's alive. He says he can't come back now because he's still on the run."
Three years had passed, so the warrant and punishment would have weakened long ago. But the fact that he wasn't coming to the royal palace meant...
'He's already joined the rebels. If that meticulous Teo is risking sending a Communication device, he must care a lot about this child.'
Medeia tapped her knee with her index finger, lost in thought.
"I didn't come here to ask about that. I heard you're going through hardships alone, so I thought I might be able to help."
Neril looked at Medeia. Thinking she was going to take Saya in, she hurriedly interjected, knowing it was rude.
"Your Highness, I will take care of this later. I cannot have a stranger of uncertain identity by Your Highness's side—"
In the middle of her sentence, Neril paused, realizing she had revealed the Princess's identity.
But Saya was already staring at Medeia with wide eyes.
'A Princess...!'
The story of the Princess who lived in the magnificent royal palace far away was famous even in the slums where she lived.
Saya bowed her head further to the floor.
"Please take me with you. I don't want to stay here."
The young girl thought.
The lady before her, no, Her Highness the Princess, was the first and last lifeline given to her.
"I'll do anything you tell me to. I can do anything, so please, please don't leave me here."
If she was a Princess, she could surely make her brother's mistake against the royal soldiers disappear.
She was glad that she had found a way to live on, even with her brother's sin on her shoulders.
"Although my brother committed a crime, my father fought for Baldina and died on the battlefield. Your Highness, is it still not possible?"
The young girl's voice was somehow desperate.
But at the same time, it was clear and distinct.
Saya was similar to Teo in her memories, yet different.
In her seemingly fragile yet upright eyes, there was a determination that seemed unbreakable.
Saya's appearance, glancing at Neril while pleading with the Princess, showed how she had struggled to survive here.
Even mentioning that her father was a soldier of Baldina to gain sympathy.
"Even if you don't follow me, I can still provide you with a way to live."
A heavy pouch of gold coins was offered to Saya.
"I don't keep just anyone by my side."
Saya was quick-witted.
A Princess with a beautiful face. And that knight who absolutely obeyed her.
Then there was only one gap she could squeeze into.
"Your Highness probably doesn't need someone as lowly as me, but I haven't done anything before, and I learn new things quickly. I can do anything. Even things that Your Highness is uncomfortable asking that knight or others to do."
Medeia looked down at the child.
"There's the Princess! Catch the Princess!"
"Everyone, look! This Princess, who was caught while trying to escape to save her own life, is here!"
'Teo, if I think about my past life, I should kill you in advance.'
But you were kind enough to let me go in the end. So, in return, I'll take care of your sister.
The debts of gratitude from my past and present lives end here, but I'll do you one more favor.
'I'll save you too.'
Instead, when you cross the walls with the rebels, this child will be the last string that stops you.
Medeia warned in advance.
"You might regret having me as your master."
Because I'm going to use you as a leash for your brother.
"Is that still okay?"
Saya looked into her clear green eyes. There was not a shred of falsehood in them.
She nodded vigorously.
"Then let's go."
The white hand that grabbed the child and lifted her up was cold.
\ \ \
At that moment, in the same slum.
Cesare entered.
As the Facade mercenaries, who were utterly out of place in the old and narrow streets, appeared one after another, a sense of tension filled the streets.
Those with fierce eyes tried to pick a fight, but they backed away from the murderous aura emanating from them.
"Is this the place? Where the shaman is supposed to be?"
Gallo answered Cesare's question.
"Yes, Boss. My informant said he saw an old man using ancient continental language in the slums on the outskirts of the castle walls. Among his belongings was a pattern that appeared to be a Shadeia clan symbol."
"Cesare, don't get your hopes up too high."
Terrence, who had come along out of concern for his friend, shook his head.
Cesare intently surveyed the empty streets.
It wasn't a big neighborhood; they should be able to find him today.
They quickened their pace.
It was when they were passing through a particularly dark and shadowy alley.
"Are you looking for me?"
An old man in a robe smiled without raising his head.
"You're late. I thought this old man would have to depart for the afterlife first, with so little time left."
Gallo narrowed his eyes.
The old man's words sounded as if he knew they were looking for him.
Was that why it had been so difficult to find traces of him, because he had been deliberately avoiding pursuit all along?
If so, why was he showing himself now?
Then the old man spoke to Gallo.
"Those who are meant to meet will meet. On the line of fate, my time and your time have intersected, so this is how a point of contact has been created."
Cesare strode forward and stood in front of the old woman. A dark shadow fell over the old man.
"Are you the shaman of Shadeia?"
The robe that had been covering the old man's forehead was blown off by the wind.
"Black Star, alas, something terrible has entangled your fate."
Terrence, seeing the old woman's unfocused, hazy jade eyes, paused.
"You, you can't see..."
But the shaman accurately raised her head and stared at Cesare. As if she could see him.
"The Primordial Darkness is vicious and tenacious, and it doesn't easily fall off until your breath is taken away. You've been bitten by something vicious."
Cesare's Golden eyes flashed. Then he bent his knees, made eye contact, and asked.
"Do you know a way to get rid of this curse?"
