Chapter 30
With Kanin’s help, Ariadne was able to reach the harbor quickly.
By the time they arrived, her wounds had already fully healed.
Several days earlier, in the imperial palace.
The Emperor waited in his bedroom for news from the Count. Originally, they had planned to pursue Ariadne together to the harbor, but the Count insisted that he had already prepared something and suggested waiting a little.
Even so, the Emperor couldn’t help feeling anxious. He thought they might need to use the Saint’s healing power once more.
The more he relied on her power, the shorter the effect seemed to last each time.
“Any news yet?”
“Yes.”
“Remember, I said… if necessary, kill her.”
The Emperor had already ordered the Count to kill Ariadne if she refused to return willingly. The Count had said, “If Ariadne dies, Ashley’s Saint power will immediately return.”
In truth, the Count had already assigned assassins to her before the Emperor even gave the order. His talk of pursuing her was just a cover.
But the Emperor didn’t argue. Finding a new person with healing power would take too long. He decided it was better to focus on what was certain rather than waste time on uncertain matters. And since the Count spoke with such confidence, he had no choice but to trust him.
“Yes, it seems the Count sent assassins in advance. A woman alone would struggle to fight them.”
“Hmph… strange indeed.”
The Emperor muttered to himself as he sat on the bed.
“No matter how important the Saint is… she’s my eldest daughter. Too cruel, really.”
“….”
“Well… at least it makes things easier for me.”
He let out a small, bitter laugh.
“Tell the Count to come to me immediately when he arrives.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor waved his hand, dismissing the attendants, and tried to lie back down. But then there was a knock, and the door suddenly swung open.
“The Count.”
The Emperor had already arranged so he could enter without waiting for a response, and immediately recognized him. He rose from the bed and looked at the Count.
“Has it been handled?”
“Well… about that…”
“And Ariadne?”
A shadow fell across the Count’s face as he was about to answer.
“Are you insane?!”
The door slammed open again.
Diego, his face as red as his hair, ignored the steward and stormed inside.
“Hey, what are you doing? I’m talking to the Count—”
“Do you know what crazy thing Father has done?!”
Diego shouted.
“I don’t want to hear your words. Leave before I call the guards.”
“Father will never recover from his illness now!”
“What… huff, cough!”
The Emperor choked on Diego’s words, too agitated to speak. Diego’s eyes glared sharply at the Emperor and the Count.
“Get out immediately!”
The Emperor tried to order him out, but Diego stood his ground like he was rooted to the floor.
“Do you know who healed Father recently?!”
Diego raised his voice. He had tried to pretend he didn’t know, but he couldn’t ignore it. He knew the Emperor and the Count were trying to kill Ariadne.
“That fool is talking nonsense again… tsk.”
“It was Ariadne! The very Ariadne you ordered killed!”
“What?”
“On the day the Saint’s power didn’t flow properly, evidence shows Ariadne secretly entered Father’s chamber!”
“What…?”
The Emperor froze.
“You ordered the death of the only person who could heal you. Now you will live in suffering with your illness forever!”
Diego’s thunderous words made the Emperor blink slowly, unable to believe them.
But slowly, the pieces fell into place in his mind. Ariadne truly had healing power. And the Count had been lying to him.
“If Ariadne dies, know that your remaining days are few, Father!”
Diego shouted one last time and stormed out, furious. The Emperor’s gaze slowly returned to the Count.
“What… is the meaning of this… Count Blyers?”
The Count, who had always maintained a confident demeanor, began to tremble.
“Y-Your Majesty! That’s not it! The Prince misunderstands!”
“I can no longer trust the Count! Prepare at once. I will go to Ariadne myself.”
The Emperor rose, irritated. But Diego stepped in, blocking him.
He refused to let them reach Ariadne, who had finally escaped. To Diego, both the Count and his family were cruel to her. He would not allow her to lose the freedom she had fought for.
“What are you doing?”
The Emperor scowled at Diego, who stood in his way.
“Father is not entitled to take the Saint or her healing power.”
“What? You speak as if you have the right to say anything.”
The Emperor had always disliked Diego’s temper, but this was typical of him.
“Do not go. Even if you do, you cannot change her mind.”
“Change her mind? If Ariadne has healing power, she must serve me. Step aside immediately.”
“That power does not belong to you!”
“Do not force me to use violence.”
“Father!”
Diego blocked him again. The Emperor, frustrated, signaled the guards around him. They raised their spears and surrounded Diego.
“Your Majesty!”
Ignoring Diego completely, the Emperor left with the Count. Catching Ariadne was now the most urgent matter. He needed someone with healing power, immediately.
When Kanin reached the harbor, he looked at the fully healed Ariadne in amazement. Her healing power seemed clearer and stronger with each passing day, and it wasn’t an illusion.
“So, my necklace had a device to track my location?”
Ariadne asked curiously about the necklace Kanin had torn off with his mouth during their journey. Her neck still felt warm from his lips, making her a little embarrassed, but she continued talking casually.
“Yes. In my country, it’s common. But its use is not officially authorized.”
Devices for eavesdropping or tracking, like the Count had said, were only used by spies. In Illiad, their use was officially banned for violating human dignity. But people will use anything if they need to. Kanin felt bitter—something invented in his country had been used as a shackle on Ariadne.
“Ah…”
Ariadne nodded calmly at the explanation. It was her father’s doing. He was capable of anything. Cruel, as ever. Still, knowing she wouldn’t have to see the Count or Ashley again made her feel slightly relieved.
Soon, the harbor came into view. The sea breeze carried a mix of salt and brine.
“Wow—”
Ariadne couldn’t help but exclaim. The open, blue sea made her chest feel free and light.
Several ships swayed on the emerald waves. A wide dock stretched along the horizon. The sun’s rays reflected off the water in sparkling fragments, like a night sky filled with stars.
They stopped walking, captivated by the view.
“It’s so beautiful—”
Ariadne’s admiration was cut short when the sound of a cavalry charge came from behind.
They turned from the sea toward the source of the noise.
“…”
Kanin immediately recognized them.
It was strange if they didn’t—the group bore the Emperor’s banner. Raising dust, they approached Ariadne’s position.
Kanin instinctively stepped in front of her, pulling her back.
