Jill was very hurt by the fact that she couldn’t become a saint. Just a few months ago, she would have burst into tears if Liu had taken that tone with her…
I glanced at Jill and was surprised to find she was calm and composed.
“You’re right, I am not a saint. However, I can still help others. That is how I spend my days now, and I quite enjoy it, so your opinion of me doesn’t bother me one bit.”
I never thought I’d see the day when Jill would say something like this. She really had grown up.
Yes, I need to take a page from Jill’s book. I have to stay positive. I can’t give up. There’s a way to make everyone happy…and I’m going to find it.
As I watched Jill, I made this silent vow to myself. Then, Liu clapped Jill on the shoulder and smirked.
“Huh. Okay, okay. You’re a good girl, Jill. Even after you committed a crime and brought dishonor to your family, you haven’t lost your optimism.”
“Wha—how did you know about that?!”
“Oops, slip of the tongue.”
What’s going on here? Does he actually know about Jill’s crime? Is this really the same guy who didn’t understand Elshaid’s marriage customs?
I looked at him, perplexed.
Then I realized something: Liu acted like he didn’t know my name—or maybe he really didn’t—but he did know Jill’s name.
Deflated, Liu sighed and quietly shook his head. “Dunno why, but I feel really bummed out… Sainty, if I can’t change your mind, go ahead and do what you want.” Then he looked over his shoulder and said, “Tailong, you’re there with a friend, aren’t ya? Come out.”
“Ah…so you noticed, Master Liu. How long did you know?”
Tailong popped out of thin air. Then another person joined him. It was a redheaded man, staring silently at me—Silbur Linboldt. What were they doing here with Liu?
So, our suspicions were correct. That’s why Linboldt came to give his appeal the other day.
“Hah! Ya boy Liu sees all. Hey, Tailong, is this the guy? Margrave Linboldt, the famous lord of the marches, of realms far from the capital?”
“Correct, Your Highness,” Tailong said stoically. “I heard he was a fierce opponent of Crown Prince Eric’s marriage to Saint Leia, so I thought we could use him to help hasten the negotiations.” He didn’t even bat an eye.
I was right—I have to be vigilant around this guy.
“Lady Westoria, as I told you the other day, this is a very good deal. Prince Liu tops the short list of candidates for emperor. You should convince Prince Eric to accept his offer. He will understand if it comes from you.”
“Margrave Linboldt? I would never—”
“Now, now, hear me out. I acknowledge that you are a gifted saint. And I apologize for being rude to you all those times. But if you really are a gifted saint, then you’ll know it’s best that you take the utilitarian approach and go to the Ren Empire rather than marry Prince Eric.”
A saint devoted her life to her kingdom and had a duty to use all her talents in service of it. Margrave Linboldt was technically correct. If my marriage to Eric would harm Elshaid, then I was obligated to bow out gracefully.
“Right on, Margrave! You’re just as righteous as the rumors say. Dang, you’re much more convincing than I am.”
“Prince Liu, I apologize for the belated introductions. Your associate Mr. Tailong informed me that if Prince Eric married your sister, Princess Lingsha, relations with the powerful Ren Empire would be strengthened. Can I hold you to those words?”
The margrave gave Liu a sharp look, seeking reassurance. He cared about the people of Elshaid just as deeply as I did. If war broke out between Elshaid and the Ren Empire, the borderlands that the margrave ruled would be the first to be invaded.
That was precisely why he wanted me to agree to Liu’s proposal, even if it meant giving up on marrying Eric.
It really hurts…having logic used as a weapon against you.
The weapon Eric had brandished so proudly was now pressed against my throat.
“Of course you can hold me to those words, Margrave Linboldt. So enough with the evil eye—we’re friends.”
“Friends…you say? Well, no matter. You are a prince—I doubt you would break a promise, even if it’s just a verbal agreement. I will believe you.”
Liu chuckled and clapped the margrave on the back. “I like you! You’re so much easier to read than Eric.”
The margrave sneered in discomfort.
“Well, then, allow me to further negotiate with Lady Westoria now, Prince Liu. Rest assured, I will guide her to the correct path and—”
“Yeah, no, can we put a pin in that? That crown prince will blow his top if we sneak behind his back.”
“Hm…yes, I suppose you’re right.”
I was surprised that Liu stopped him. I just assumed the margrave would proceed to trap me into making a promise then and there…
I’m sure Eric would blow his top if he knew about this, but it still doesn’t make sense for Liu to back off. Not now.
“Anyway, we’re done for now. See you later, Sainty… Summon Phoenix!”
Before I could answer, Liu pulled out a scroll and sang an incantation. His phoenix appeared in a burst of light.
“I’ll give ya a ride home, Margrave. Where’re ya staying?”
“M-my villa in the capital.”
Even Linboldt was intimidated by the resplendence. I didn’t blame him—not even saints could cast spells like that.
“Then hop on! I’ll getcha to the capital in no time.”
“Very well…”
The margrave timidly followed Tailong and Liu onto the phoenix’s back. Then the trio flew straight up into the sky and out of sight.
In the end…I never found out why exactly Liu came to see me.
I let out a sigh as I watched them disappear into the distance. Liu must have had some hidden agenda in coming here.
“E-excuse me, Sister…”
“Jill?”
“Um, are you all right? I hope I haven’t endangered your marriage in some way.”
Jill looked genuinely worried. It was likely that she figured out her role in all this from that conversation.
“Thanks, Jill…but I’m all right.”
I can’t let something like this get me down. Besides, Jill was finally starting to take her life in a positive direction. I didn’t want to worry her needlessly.
“Well, if you say so, then all right… But um, if something does happen to you, do come to me. I may not be able to help, but I’m here for you.”
“I will, thank you. But I’ll be fine. I have Eric and other people I can depend on. I can’t be defeated that easily.”
Eric said he believed in me and that I would bring out the best in him when he would ascend the throne…
I had to have faith in him and stay by his side, no matter where life decided to take us. And I knew Johann and Lingsha had our backs too.
But I can’t believe Liu made a connection with Linboldt…
I had to tell Eric, and fast. I hurried into the carriage to ride back to the palace.