“We split the world by drawing lines. Between royalty and nobility. Between nobility and commoners. Between commoners and Crestfolk. Everyone is set apart by their bloodlines. Finally, the dangerous equilibrium of the world stabilized. The chaos we went through to reach this stage led to the near extinction of royalty and the loss of most knowledge from the past. Much blood was spilled for us to finally be able to create these divides.”
“That’s why everyone has to suffer?”
“Indeed. If not, then everything will fall into ruin.”
“But there’s no salvation for the people who are suffering now.”
“It’s just as you say. When one considers the grand scheme of things, however, there is no other choice.”
“That’s arrogant. Commoners only live for a few decades, don’t they? They’re not even allowed to consider all that.”
“That’s precisely why nobles—and royalty—must be the ones to see it through. This duty falls to you, Lady Saya.”
Gratos stared at her, his gaze unwavering. She couldn’t see a single hint of the weariness she had witnessed during the party.
“I do not believe that to be the case,” Lernaean said from Saya’s side. “There are far too many problems in Agartha right now. It will surely hold for another hundred years, but two hundred is pushing it. I believe stability has already been lost.”
“Lord Granapalt, I know this is the pet theory of the Sovereignty Faction. I’m sure you’ve also filled Lady Saya’s head with such thoughts. As Agartha’s primary overseer, however, so long as there is no guarantee that what lies beyond your proposed changes is something we can weather, I cannot approve.”
“There’s no way we can provide such a guarantee. Nobody has ever walked this path!”
“That’s precisely why I’m telling you to figure out a way. If you can prove there will be no dire consequences, then I won’t object.”
“I’m telling you, we don’t have time for such a diversion!” Lernaean yelled, his voice louder than before.
“Lord Granapalt, this is not Congress. Time is of the essence, as you say.”
“Fair enough.”
“First, we must consider Lady Saya’s safety. Let us make preparations for a quick escape. Lady Saya, I have a request of you. Could you please meet with the Sovereign once more? He has been in low spirits ever since yesterday. I would like for you to at least bid him farewell.”
Seeing Gratos’ expression soften, Saya nodded.
The little fish in the glass box continued nibbling away at the plants, and the plants swayed to and fro as if in protest.
“Sister! Please do not leave!” Kyou yelled as he ran over to Saya.
She had come to his room with Jubilia in tow. It seemed he had already been informed that she was leaving the royal palace.
“I can’t afford to do that. Apparently, my life is at risk. I’m just reaping what I sowed.”
“From what We’ve heard, those targeting your life are Our supporters, are they not? Why do Our supporters do things that We do not wish for? That would make them Our enemies.”
The one to rebuke Kyou here was Ivara. “My liege, nobles are not that simple. They do not differentiate so simply between friend and foe when their relationships slide fluidly from one to the other.”
“You always try to befuddle Us like that, Ivara. You have watched over Us ever since We were little, but We are no longer a child!”
“Sulking like that shows you are still a child.”
“Urk...”
He wasn’t a child. He couldn’t be. Saya was astonished by this. Kyou should’ve already lived for several centuries. And yet, his words were that of a child.
“As a proper adult, would you listen to my explanation, my liege?”
“Fine. Speak.”
“First, you have some fault in this. Going to the baron’s estate was a terrible idea. I should’ve tried harder to stop you.”
“But We heard that rascal Lernaean was parading Our sister around. Many people have even been proposing marriage to her, have they not?”
That was the first Saya had heard of this.
“Even so, you should not have acted in such a way. It was also a bad idea to declare your marriage with Lady Saya in such a place. The Sovereign’s marriage is no trifling matter.”
“Mrgh... But she was going to be snatched away from Us.”
It was far too much of a mystery that this child was the Sovereign.
Ivara glared at Saya. “Also, you were far more at fault, Lady Saya. Comparing what could never be compared, and choosing a commoner over the Sovereign was something that should never have been spoken aloud.”
Saya didn’t reply; Ivara was right. Nevertheless, there was no falsehood in what Saya had said. As such, she didn’t regret having said it.
“Such a declaration is capable of shaking the foundation of the Sovereign’s position. The leader of Congress, Gratos, and the Traditionalists already have the Sovereign in their grip. They claim our liege is still a child and indulge themselves in the good and evil that comes from it. The current incident is something those who wish to save our liege from such a situation could not possibly allow. Those in the Sovereignty Faction are the ones targeting your life, Lady Saya.”
“Isn’t that Lernaean’s faction?”
Why would they target her life? They had just promised to form a common front, but Ivara’s next words dispelled Saya’s doubts.
“More or less. It has departed from its original meaning. The Sovereignty Faction is now nothing more than a label for all those who oppose the Traditionalists. Lord Granapalt, whom you’ve made your ally, is a prominent figure within that group, but only a portion of the other members actually heed his commands.”
The more Saya heard about the political state of the palace, the more her head throbbed. This magnificent palace disguised all sorts of poison. The people who lived here were surely used to it, but Saya was different.
“Even if the Sovereign wishes you to be his partner in marriage, there would be those who resent you, Lady Saya. To them, he is their one and only ruler. Despite your being royalty, they swear no fealty to you. They are frustrated by your sudden appearance. Now that you’ve made such an appalling statement in public, they will surely aim to take your life.”
“We shan’t allow it! We must stop them... She is Our one and only sister!”
Kyou rose to his feet, his eyes brimming with tears. He was just too honest. Saya realized that she didn’t hate this boy at all. He was the only little brother she had. Marriage was out of the question, but there was a choice of living alongside him. However, Saya had promised to help Lernaean overthrow this ruler. In doing so, she had chosen Nagi.
“That’s why I came to say my farewells. We’re not parting forever,” Saya said in a gentle voice.
“But... We’re lonely...”
“You’re an adult, right? You can’t be so selfish.”
“Even you, sister? You’re also treating Us like a child?”
“I mean, you’re my little brother, right?”
Kyou looked up at Saya in surprise. “Yes. We are your little brother.”
Saya nodded, surprised by the fact that this boy, who was supposed to have everything, seemed to have nothing at all.
“Is the place you’ll be hiding in even safer than the royal palace?” Kyou asked.
Saya didn’t have an answer to that, so she looked to Jubilia, who nodded. “It’s a noble’s mansion in the outskirts. Security is far tighter there than in this enormous palace.”
“Then what about getting there? How many guards are accompanying you?”
“We’re in a rush, so only a few chosen elites are going in a single cogwagon.”
“That’s far too dangerous!”
“Both the route and destination are an absolute secret. Currently, even I know nothing of them. It’ll be fine so long as information doesn’t leak. It was decided that wasting any more time would be even more dangerous.”
“In that case, how about we offer her a skilled warrior to go along as her guard?” Ivara suggested to Kyou.
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
Jubilia knit her brow. “With all due respect, I am already responsible for guarding Lady Saya.”
“We know nothing of your skills. You cannot be trusted.”
Jubilia gulped.
“Oh! Ivara, you shall protect Our sister.”
“Me?” Ivara replied as she stared back in wonder.
“Indeed. You’re strong. That’s precisely why you were assigned as Our handmaiden.”
“But I have my duties to attend to.”
“It is only until Our sister reaches a safe location. Then you can come right back! We will surely be fine for such a short period of time.”
Jubilia began to object. “That’s—”
“This is Our command! Understood, Ivara?”
“Yes.”
Both Jubilia and Ivara hesitantly agreed to his proposal. They had no choice but to obey.
“Please be at ease. I am fairly capable with a blood caliber,” Ivara said with an elegant bow.
Her sleek movements, which revealed no weaknesses, reminded Saya of the beautiful flowers that grew in the garden, their thorns softly swaying when caressed by a breeze.