YMPDKMA Chapter 26

At Rehan's calm acknowledgment, I smiled brightly and clung to his arm. Ah, young Rehan really was the best. He still believed in me. After Rupert's days filled with nothing but consistently prickly distrust, my little brother's straightforward faith brought me tremendous comfort.

"Mm. So I wanted to ask—have you heard anything about the Imperial Family from Father?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Like I said, there are circumstances."

I vaguely deflected, using Rehan's trust. When I gazed at him with sparkling eyes, my brother pulled back, looking burdened.

"Not much."

"But there's something?"

"Why don't you ask Father directly?"

"If I go to Bellua now, I won't be able to leave again."

Rehan's lips twitched as if pondering, then I grabbed his sleeve and pressed him until he reluctantly spoke.

"...I once heard him say there was no one suitable to become emperor. Not to me—to Mother."

"When?"

"About two years ago."

No one suitable to become emperor.

This meant Father found neither Rupert nor Arnulf satisfactory. Who was a count to dare assess who was fit to become emperor? It didn't suit my humble father at all, so I tilted my head.

"Nothing else you heard?"

"That's all regarding the Imperial Family."

The nuance suggested he'd heard other things unrelated to the Imperial Family, but Rehan pressed his lips firmly shut, indicating he wouldn't say more. Anyway, today's purpose was just to see his face, so I didn't pry further.

"I see. Thanks for telling me."

"...Is something wrong?"

"I'll tell you in a bit more time. Anyway, Rehan, congratulations on entering. Top freshman representative—Father and Mother must be so proud of you. Make sure to write them."

"It's nothing."

Rehan denied it, even waving his hands. Knowing he was weak to praise, I wanted to tease him more, but I noticed the sky reddening and stood up. Sunset was already approaching. Rehan had to go to evening training, and I needed to return to the palace soon.

"I'll come again when you can go out. And if anything happens, contact me immediately."

"You're leaving already?"

"You have training too."

"I could skip it."

I raised an eyebrow sharply at Rehan's brazen words.

"You're trying to skip from day one! Want to be punished?"

"No."

When I glared fiercely, Rehan chuckled. His face showed no fear of being scolded by me, which annoyed me a bit, but I ended up laughing too.

The sunset was sinking over Rehan's dark brown hair. Stroking his hair as it colored like burning kindling, I spoke aloud the words I'd only vowed silently.

"I'll protect you no matter what."

Even at my sudden declaration, Rehan didn't question it. He simply nodded, then grasped the hand I'd placed on his head.

"You're leaving?"

"I should."

"You should, yes."

"Right. So let go of my hand."

"Yes."

He answered obediently enough, but his actions said the opposite. I stared at my wrist caught in Rehan's grip, then lifted my head. Meeting my gaze, Rehan showed no sign of flinching and loosened his usually stiff eyes slightly. His face showed no intention of releasing the wrist he held, as if it were obvious. What is he trying to do with me right now?

"Please go."

I need my hand back to leave, don't I?

I laughed in disbelief. I'd thought about scolding him for teasing his sister, but his downcast expression softened my heart. Thinking about it, Rehan had just left Bellua. He must be lonely, separated from family.

His face flushed pink in the sunset looked so young it hurt. The buzz cut made his already young face look even younger. With my free hand, I patted Rehan's chestnut-shaped head a few times.

"Let go so I can leave."

"I did let go."

"You'll be in trouble if you lie."

Rehan didn't answer, but soon slowly released his grip. Just when I thought he'd fully let go, I moved and he grabbed on again immediately. I exhaled deeply.

"Ugh. How can I leave if you keep doing this?"

"I'm sorry."

Only his tone was mature—it was hilarious. I smiled and grasped his hand holding my wrist.

"I'll come back."

Only after I promised several times to visit him at least twice a month did Rehan release me. Walking slowly with the already stiff military gait ingrained in his body, Rehan kept stopping to look back even as twilight settled on the streets. Eventually, I turned away from my little brother first. Rehan seemed like he'd only return once I disappeared from his sight.

The parking lot was quiet, people having already left. The elegant capital streets in evening glow were more beautiful than expected, so I drove the carriage slowly. It didn't smell savory like cooking rice at Bellua's farmhouses, but the capital's evening had its own fragrance.

The yellow sun dropped sharply into streets full of red roofs. Belnerny's night sky had few stars, so it would darken quickly. Artificial lights scattered to illuminate the city in place of stars, but bright roads didn't mean safe ones.

I hurried into the market near 5th Avenue, where I'd first met Rupert. Finding the street stalls where we'd fought over a dumpling wasn't difficult, but I didn't see the kind-hearted man who'd given us the dumpling we'd fought over, telling us not to fight.

It wasn't the same vendor, so the taste wouldn't be exactly the same, but stalls selling hot steaming dumplings were common. I walked to the cleanest-looking stand and bought three dumplings. I didn't understand why an imperial prince craved street dumplings so much. Food I would never have eaten if I'd had money.

Anyway, ten kupi (the lowest currency denomination) wasn't too precious if it meant getting on Rupert's good side. Holding the dumplings the merchant with his distinctively thin beard wrapped neatly in paper, I looked around the well-organized market.

Late evening meant many people were closing shop. How many of these would be able to keep doing business until the end? Rasperikh I—Emperor Rupert—didn't indiscriminately purge laborers, but quite a few trading companies under the patronage of families he'd destroyed had also fallen. I knew this red capital's terrifying future when it would be stained even redder.

The current Rupert was laughably docile by comparison, which made me fear the changed future even more. The brick-paved streets felt frightening. Unlike the south, the quiet market scenery without any boisterous corners didn't please me, so I hurried onto my parked carriage.

After leaving the alley and skillfully steering the prao carriage's control board left, a luxurious residential district like 5th Avenue appeared. I stopped the carriage at a pretty brick house I'd visited before.

"Riche."

I knocked a few times on the protruding door knocker, but no answer came immediately. I'd wanted to see her face before returning to the palace—looked like I'd wasted the trip. Disappointment sagging my shoulders, I descended the stairs when a maid I'd seen before burst out and opened the door.

"Lady Bellua."

"Oh? You're here. Is Riche not in?"

"No. The young lady isn't here, but... she'll return soon. Will you come in?"

I nodded at the maid's careful, polite question and entered. The evening air was lukewarm from the heat, but once inside I felt a cool breeze. They said the capital used magically made objects unlike the south—it was true.

Riche was Gorten's daughter from the southern region like Bellua, but she'd already adapted to the capital. I glanced up at the pinwheel-like thing spinning rapidly suspended from the fancy chandelier. The cool breeze came from up there.

"What makes that move?"

"It runs on power obtained from burning prao carcasses, my lady."

At the maid's answer, I started feeling sorry for the praos dying in this capital. Carriages ran by burning praos too, and every single magically-operated object used praos. They said the foreign praos the previous emperor had recklessly imported decades ago had bred tremendously and caused huge problems—people must hold quite a grudge against praos.

I removed the short-sleeved bolero and bonnet from my shoulders, placed them on the sofa, and waited for Riche. When I'd eaten about three of the egg tarts the maid brought, Riche returned. She blinked in surprise, discovering me sitting obediently on the sofa waiting for her.

"Lari?"

"It's been a while."

She was still sophisticated and beautiful after half a year. Riche removed her stylish wide-brimmed hat decorated with fancy feathers, handed it to the maid, then approached me quickly. Quick but graceful steps. Riche's waist, cinched by a corset, was thin as an ant's. She was only thirteen, my age, but already seemed like a lady.

Riche's water-colored eyes narrowed as if gauging me. I looked up blankly at her scrutinizing me, not understanding why, when she sighed softly and sat before me.

"Did you go out?"

"Today was the military academy entrance ceremony. Actually, Rehan entered the military academy..."

"I know."

Riche cut me off. How did Riche know about Rehan when I hadn't told her? When I moved my lips curiously, Riche slowly stroked her white forehead. She looked clearly tired, making me regret visiting.

"I saw you earlier."

"Huh?"

"The military academy entrance ceremony—I went too."

"You? Why?"