Dietrich often had his own way, but he was basically a meticulous person.

He began to keep an eye on my behavior to the point where I thought it was a little over the top whenever he took his eyes off me.

For example, he didn’t really get involved with anyone I met in the castle, but whenever I tried to leave the castle, he would come running and stick an escort to me or he would accompany me himself.

‘So the letters from Hermann must have been intercepted in the middle of it all.’

It was impossible to put him to sleep once again since the method I had already used won’t work twice.

‘If I want to sneak out of Lagrange, I have no chance except when he’s out of the castle.’

Recognizing my situation, Hermann sent a reply that he would send someone to take advantage of the opportunity while Dietrich was on the battlefield.

[As long as you come back to Euclid, there is no reason to continue this useless war.]

I sank onto the chair with relief after reading Hermann’s last sentence.

The North was risking their lives in the rose war committed to achieving their own cause, but for the Euclids who already had the full support of the people of the Empire, it was just an exhausting war so they could do without it.

‘I have to make sure Dietrich doesn’t use his power as much as he can.’

Just as I sleep a lot whenever I used Eredia’s ability too much, the more forcefully Dietrich uses the shadows, the faster he seemed to be affected by the curse.

‘Although he doesn’t seem to care since he’s going to die now.’

So, I, at least have to be wary of the situations in which he has to use his abilities.

I bit my lip and looked up at Damon, who warped secretly into my room.

“What is that?”

Dietrich might intercept Hermann’s letter again so this time, Damon brought Hermann’s letter himself.

He grumbled saying he didn’t work for Euclid and that he was very busy, then from among the several similar papers he was holding in his arms, he handed me the letter.

“These are the things Hermann wrote.”

“Why did he stop writing all that?”

“He rewrote the letter to the Princess five times saying the handwriting wasn’t pretty.”

“…….He worries about something useless.”

I scratched my chin awkwardly at Damon’s explanation. Compared to Hermann’s neat handwriting, mine was more bad handwriting.

‘I think the last letter was even hastily written on a piece of tissue.’

“He’s a lot timider than he looks.”

Where did the righteous protagonist who punishes the evil go and left behind this coward?

My eyes widened at the feelings of hesitation and nervousness in his wavy handwriting.

All the writings on the paper I took from Damon were lined with a pen, but at least a sentence that wasn’t crushed enough to read caught my eye.

[Can’t you call me brother when you get home?]

He had also mentioned that though he didn’t know how long I’d be staying in Euclid, he would do his best to prepare.

It was to the extent that my fingertips that were staying still with agitation felt embarrassed.

It seemed that Hermann still believed that my home was Euclid.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at his innocence and foolish belief.

“Why is Hermann clinging to me?”

“It must be because of the Duchess. She pretends to miss you whenever he shows any weaknesses during training.”

“She misses me?”

“As if he could only find his sister when he gets stronger. Let’s say it’s some kind of motivation.”

I shrugged my shoulders at Damon’s explanation.

“And he believes that?”

“Hermann doesn’t have the same ability as the Princess.”

Well, Dona Euclid was such a brilliant performer that it would be difficult to tell if she was lying without looking into her aura.

‘The only thing sincere about her was her heart for Euclid.’

Though not for her son, but for her own safety.

────── 〔✿〕──────

Time passed without a hitch.

All preparations were completed, but it was impossible to get out of Lagrange without Dietrich knowing, so I couldn’t draw attention by making hasty actions.

‘I think I’m the only one who has free time.’

Lagging like a bum on the sofa, I pulled up my drooping body. Yuric didn’t even show his nose since he was busy training the knights, and Veronica left for Luzen to prepare for the supplies.

The servants were busy preparing for the war since the ceasefire has ended, and I would wander around the hallway like a lost child looking for something to do only to come back to my room.

‘Still, Dietrich is probably the busiest.’

Even if he was the worst villain in the world, he couldn’t fight alone.

We hadn’t even met while Lagrange was busy preparing for war.

He didn’t seem to be looking for me because he was busy, so I hid in the corner of my room since I couldn’t contain my anger at his indifference for valuing his life as if it was less than an insect and for fear that my plans would be revealed.

‘He’s supposed to be leaving early this morning.’

I hid my fingertips inside my fist which were trembling little by little at the unpredictable future.

There was a knock at the door, perhaps the maid bringing the snacks had returned.

“Come in.”

Squeak.

When I turned my head at the sound of the door slowly opening, there stood a shadow I hadn’t been expecting.

I stood up from my place, schooling my expression so as not to reveal my surprise.

“Is there something the matter?”

Dietrich’s haggard face filled with exhaustion was still handsome enough to shine.

“No.”

He frowned slightly at my question and entered the room.

Far from being sick, the tall and handsome figure which I need to lift my head up in order to meet his eyes seemed in perfect condition.

However, I had no choice but to remind myself that Dietrich’s candle was on the verge of dying out.

“Then, what’s wrong?”

“Do I need a reason to see your face?”

“……Well, no.”

Dietrich came close and puts his hand on my face. I tilted my head, leaning my cheeks on his large hand.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?”

“That’s right.”

“Be careful. Don’t call Baal as much as possible.”

It was a war that would end once I arrived at Euclid, so there was no need for him to waste his energy.

‘Though if I said that, he wouldn’t be leaving the castle.’

Dietrich stared at my face without saying anything. After a silence that felt like an eternity, his neck moved greatly.

“Wait for me.”

“………….”

“Don’t go anywhere and just wait for me.”

I laughed lightly at Dietrich’s childlike remark.

“Where would I go?”

It ached in my chest as if someone was stabbing me with a needle. He tilted his head as if trying to get a closer look at my shameless face.

“I wondered if you were still thinking about going to Euclid.”

“Why are you so against it? You still hate it even if I’m coming back?”

“Yes, I hate it.”

He still omitted his reason for why he’s against it.

He’s doing this because he was thinking he didn’t have much time left.

I stared at Dietrich’s obstinate lips and nodded my head.

“I’m not going because I should at least be here to protect the castle.”

“All right.”

He narrowed his eyes as if to gauge what I was thinking. I placed my hand on his shoulder and licked my lips.

“When you fought with Asmodeus, do you remember what I said?”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t even think about sacrificing your life on your own. I told you that you’re not doing it for me.”

“I don’t know.”

I didn’t know if he really didn’t remember, or if he was just pretending. He neither denied nor affirmed it and only moistened his lips.

“Believe me. Don’t go anywhere.”

I comforted and reassured him, who seemed anxious.

“I believe you.”

────── 〔✿〕──────

He didn’t believe my words.

Liar.

Looking back, I didn’t think he believed anything I said.

‘Otherwise, this speedy reaction doesn’t make sense.’

Dietrich and the knights of Lagrange just left yesterday.

War was a disaster that lasted for at least a year or more than a decade.

‘I thought I would have a week to sort out the situation in Lagrange!’

I was surprised at Lance’s big smile saying His Grace had come back with news of victory that I dropped the luggage I had packed so hard.

“What did you say? Who came back?”

“I’m telling you His Grace won the war, Princess!”

“Does that make sense?”

How could it be over already unless Hermann was dead?

‘In the first place, it wasn’t even a rotation to culminate the war, it was just the beginning!’

Moreover, Eshdoa, the place where they rotated, was a central part near the Romendov forest which was closer to the South than the North.

It would be too early even if he left behind the knights and returned alone.

“Where is he? Did he already arrive in the castle?”

I thought I was in trouble so I rushed and picked up the luggage again.

‘He must be saying he’s still departing from Eshdoa.’

Having interpreted Lancel’s words in my own way, I opened the window and leaned out.

Fortunately, the garden was quiet.

“He’s still not here. Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand the letter Lancel?”

“Oh…..”

The cool wind that touched my cheeks carried the scent of spring.

I clicked my tongue and Lancel hesitated to open his mouth behind my back.

“I didn’t hear it through correspondence.”

“I see. Then, isn’t that just groundless rumor?”

Even if he used his strength not knowing that his life was being wasted, there would be no way he would be back already.

“Phew.”

I turned my head with a sigh of relief.

‘Why does it smell fishy?’

“What I’m saying is that it’s not from a correspondence nor a rumor—”

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