Chapter 3
THIRTY minutes of walking through the massive castle brought them in front of a grand chamber entrance with heavily armored guards on each side and unfamiliar flags hanging above them. The flag was designed around the same flaming red dragon that loomed on Luca’s armor and cloak.
Perplexed by the constantly changing scenery, Yuki restlessly glanced around for something to ground her when the hand leading her gave a little squeeze. She looked up at the comforting smile Luca directed at her as he leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“If you value your life, don’t say a word. Keep quiet,” Luca said, cool-headed.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. That’s not something you should say with a smile. At any rate, I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.
She nodded with a serious expression. Satisfied by her response, Luca faced forward.
As though he were waiting for Luca to finish, a well-groomed soldier announced, “Enter.”
The imposing door like none she had seen before opened silently on oiled hinges.
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INSIDE the massive throne room was an air of sacred authority. Shaking off her discomfort, Yuki spotted another handsome man with black hair and eyes opulently seated on a throne. He looked like he was in his late twenties and entirely indifferent to the world around him.
Luca dropped to one knee and bowed his head. Yuki followed suit, and bowed her head. The man with black hair gazed at Yuki from where he sat with an air of absolute authority.
“This is the girl?”
Thinking he was referring to her, Yuki looked up and was met by a derisive smile. His lips were smiling, but his glare was piercing. His gaze was so unpleasant Yuki defiantly stared back at him.
“Yes, I found her covered in blood wandering in a daze through one of the battlefields I happened across. Thus, I took her under my care.”
Huh? Battlefield? Covered in blood?
Confused by the explanation of events she didn’t remember being involved in, Yuki reminded herself of what Luca warned her earlier and stared back at the man’s cruel gaze without saying anything.
“Heh. I heard a slightly different take on her story though. I heard the girl came out of the spring. Hence why she was soaked.”
“She was soaked because she was so terribly covered in blood I had her purified in the spring. Her clothing was bloodstained, so I disposed of it. I could not allow a person so dirtied to stand in your presence.”
“I see… Sounds like you had a rough time.” The words of pity that should have been for comforting Yuki sounded hallow. The black haired man, Orga, idly grasped at the air. “…Ah, right, right. I forgot. Luca, about your next assignment…”
Luca jerked beside her.
“I was thinking about having you go to Fol. You’re about the only person who could get things under control there. You’ll go there for me, won’t you?”
“…Yes,” Luca complied.
“I’ll prepare the troops so they will be ready for your departure tomorrow morning.”
“I am greatly obliged by…your high favor of me.”
“Oh, right,” Orga continued with an even colder gaze, his previous stoicism all but consumed in disgust, “I will do more than just take good care of your cute little guest. She’s one of Rvydom’s lost children. I’ll make sure she’s treated appropriately.”
“Brother! That is—”
“Luca. Should you be devoting yourself to a child?”
“…No.” Luca’s head was still bowed, but Yuki saw the terribly frightening expression on his face.
“All right, then. My business with you is over. My next audience is waiting. Leave.”
“…Please…excuse us.” Luca swiped his cloak behind him and gallantly left the room. Yuki dashed to keep up with him. She looked over her shoulder for a mere moment, but it was enough to see eyes filled with hatred staring at her.
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“THAT sadistic scoundrel…” Luca’s face contorted before the door shut behind him. However, when he glanced at Yuki worriedly peering up at him, his expression did a 180 into a mischievous smirk. “Ryvdom’s lost child…huh?”
“Prince Luca!” The young man with indigo hair appeared from another doorway.
“Ah, Ain, sorry for making you worry,” Luca said.
“You should be. My stomach was turning on the other side of the curtain.”
“From just that?” Luca laughed.
The two of them turned their attention on Yuki.
“Now then…why don’t we ask this young lady what really happened. What’s the state of her guest room?”
“I already had it prepared.”
“I see,” Luca nodded, turning to Yuki with a sullen expression, “I won’t do anything bad to you. I can promise you that much.”
Yuki felt she could trust this expression more than any fake smile.