Even If Everyone Else Denies Me (4)

Theorad did not know how to answer Benelia's smile, half mischievous and half sorrowful.

If he agreed to make use of her escape arrangements, he would seem to accept that her revolution might fail. But to refuse would be to reject the kindness she had shown him. There was scarcely time to absorb all she had revealed.

He considered his answer for a long moment.

“I'll do as Your Highness wishes. But…”

“But?”

“I sincerely hope that I'll never need to accept that favor.”

Benelia smiled. She rested an elbow on her chair and propped her chin on her hand.

“Tell me why.”

She could have allowed his answer to stand. But she wanted to speak with him longer. Unlike the courtiers who flattered her or bowed unquestioningly, Theorad spoke with unmistakable sincerity. She found it surprisingly pleasant.

Theorad could not know her private reason for asking. Wondering whether she was testing his loyalty, he cleared his throat and answered carefully.

“Your Highness has already done more than enough for me. You gave us shelter and food at this villa and stationed your personal troops here against another surprise attack. I find it hard to believe that the saintess came without your influence, either.”

“I merely did what I ought to do.”

“It would be foolish to assume an act is something I'm entitled to simply because the person giving it considers it natural. I know how much I owe Your Highness. That is exactly why the thought of receiving another favor under such circumstances saddens me.”

It was rather a strange argument. He had risked his life to remain loyal to her, yet seemed to consider the kindness she had already shown him more than sufficient repayment. Was his generosity boundless, or was he simply too modest to ask for anything?

“You make me feel inadequate,” Benelia said.

A faint smile remained on her face.

“But I don't dislike the feeling. In fact, I think I can endure being made to feel that way again. Theorad Deharem, you said you were grateful for my favors?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then repay them.”

“…You want something in return?”

“Yes. If my revolution succeeds and I take the throne, I'll ask you to grant me one wish. Will you do it?”

A wish from Benelia once she was emperor? He could not imagine what it might be. A vague unease stirred within him, but the offer sounded half playful, and he could hardly refuse without knowing what she meant.

“If it's within my power, I will.”

Benelia narrowed her eyes and laughed softly, looking more like a mischievous fox than the proud lion she had just described.

“Are you sure you won't regret that?”

“Your Highness? What exactly do you intend to ask…?”

“You'll find out when the time comes.”

She turned away before he could press her.

Twilight had crept into the drawing room. Outside the windows, the rain had finally stopped.

“The rain's let up. It's time I went back.”

“Traveling at night could be dangerous. Wouldn't it be better to stay here and leave in the morning?”

“I'd like that, but I have too much to attend to. I've already taken time I could scarcely spare.”

Benelia stood and straightened her sleeves. Theorad rose to escort her.

She looked at him with an affection that was difficult to read.

“I think I've grown rather fond of you. I hope we'll see each other often.”

“I'd be glad to see you often, Your Highness. But more than that, I hope we'll be able to keep seeing each other for many years.”

If they were to do that, Benelia would have to survive and bring her revolution to a successful end. She understood the wish behind his words and smiled.

“Yes. For many years.”

She turned toward the hall. When Theorad moved to follow, she raised a hand to stop him.

“You've seen me off far enough. You look exhausted. Go upstairs and rest.”

“But Your Highness…”

“That's an order.”

He fell silent. There was little one could say to a command from the princess.

Watching her walk away, he noticed the fall of her black hair and the unshakable confidence in her bearing. She seemed once again like the commanding woman he knew.

I'm glad she's feeling more like herself.

He was relieved that she no longer appeared so crushed by guilt.

---

Roylen was waiting nearby with Benelia's uniform. Benelia changed into it at once. The garments remained a little damp despite her hurried attempt to dry them with magic, but they were wearable.

As she approached the entrance to leave the villa, she found someone waiting for her.

The young woman had carefully arranged blond hair, jewel-blue eyes, and a formal dress. It was Ashley de Pelgaroin.

Her expression was anything but friendly. Benelia approached, wondering what had brought her here.

“It is an honor to meet Your Highness by chance,” Ashley said politely.

“It hardly seems a coincidence. Is there something you wish to say?” Benelia replied.

Ashley regarded the princess as though wondering why she pretended not to understand. Benelia kept her expression composed until Ashley finally spoke plainly.

“I've heard that my brother has joined Your Highness's side.”

“He has. We want much the same things, and he agreed readily to help me. You were a useful intermediary, of course. If I gain power, I'll honor your request.”

“My request…”

“Didn't you wish to become the head of House Pelgaroin? With my support as emperor, persuading Count Leonberg would hardly be impossible.”

Ashley bit her lower lip. That was the outward form of her ambition, but it had never been her deepest purpose.

“Your Highness, I wanted to become head of the Pelgaroin family so I could protect my fiancé, Sir Theorad. I no longer believe that is necessary.”

Benelia did not know what had changed. From whom had Ashley meant to protect him? Why did she think the danger had passed? There was no time to investigate.

“Then you've changed your mind. Let me know if there's anything else you want. I owe your family a great deal for its help.”

“Thank you for your generosity. But it isn't a grand request.”

“Then what is it?”

Ashley raised her eyes. Her narrowed blue gaze was as wary and resolute as that of a general surveying a dangerous opponent.

“I hope Your Highness will build a peaceful country, one where there will be no more terrible wars.”

The words were courteous, but the meaning beneath them was not hard for Benelia to recognize. Ashley was asking her not to take away the man she intended to marry. If Benelia tried, the Pelgaroin family might cease to stand behind her.

Did she see me kneel before Theorad?

With so many windows overlooking the villa grounds, it would have been foolish to assume no one had witnessed her apology. Still, being confronted by Theorad's fiancée was uncomfortable.

Benelia kept her composure and nodded.

“I will.”

There was nothing more to say. She passed Ashley, opened the door, and descended the steps.

Then she stopped.

A silver-haired elf was crouched on the stairs. She wore a sky-blue dress now, but Benelia recognized the attendant who had once stood beside Theorad in a maid's uniform.

The elf sensed her presence and looked up. Though she stood before an imperial princess in military uniform, she offered no greeting. Her red eyes fixed on Benelia with an unsettling intensity.

Then she drew up her knees, wrapped her arms around them, and looked away again.

“…Don't get too close to my master.”

“Is that advice?”

“It's a warning.”

Benelia stared. The audacity of this attendant defied belief. She was perhaps the only maid in the Empire who would address a princess that way.

Too weary to summon any anger, Benelia ignored her and descended the remaining steps. She mounted her waiting white horse, though she could not quite shake her discomfort.

As she turned toward the gate in the cool evening breeze, a crow swooped down onto a pillar by the porch. Its red eyes followed her.

Isn't that the crow that brought me the crystal ball?

Uneasy, Benelia tightened the reins and addressed it.

“Have you brought some other message?”

The crow shook its head. Then it opened its beak and gave an earsplitting cry.

Caw—!

Benelia nearly lost her seat. Frowning, she covered her ears and turned to look behind her.

The elf who had warned her moments before was watching with unmistakable displeasure.

That crow is her familiar?

Why would someone with enough power to command such a creature serve as a mere maid? Benelia had no explanation and no desire to ask for one.

For some reason, the women around Theorad seem to have taken a dislike to me.

She sighed and guided her horse through the gates.

Next time I see Theorad…

Perhaps it would be wiser to meet him in secret.