Chapter 3: Entwined Destiny
Sienna glanced at all the ladies-in-waiting around her. These past few days, Sienna paid close attention to the ladies-in-waiting. Before, they were like bedroom furniture to her. She never noticed them much.
They weren't furniture. They were people. They were undoubtedly watching and listening. Sienna never considered this before. Just the thought of them going to the Red King to report to her about their surveillance made Sienna feel disgusted.
'Does the Countess also have ties to Mother?'
Sienna had never been suspicious of the people around her before. But now that she'd started doubting them, she couldn't find one person she could fully trust.
A lady-in-waiting approached Sienna and spoke.
"Princess, a lady-in-waiting has come from the Red King's palace."
"Let her... No. I'll just go meet with the Red King now."
Sienna hadn't gone to the Red King's palace for a few days now. She had felt uneasy and ended up avoiding her.
'Running away isn't proper.'
Patricia wasn't alone. An unfamiliar man stood up when Sienna arrived.
'Is he her new lover?'
Sienna thought to herself and ignored him. She only greeted Patricia.
"You called for me?"
"Oh, Princess. Is it so hard to give your mother a warmer greeting than that? We haven't seen each other in a while."
Patricia lightly scowled.
"Long time no see, Mother. I should've visited before you called for me. How absentminded of me."
"Not at all. I understand that you're very busy with your duties."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Have you been well?"
"Yes."
"Princess, introduce yourself."
Patricia introduced the young man who was standing awkwardly.
"His character and status are more than enough for the position of Blue King."
The blond young man approached Sienna and put one hand on his chest before bowing to her.
"I am Earl Luke's son, Joseph. Duke Luke is my grandfather."
Sienna frowned. Patricia took the initiative.
"Didn't I tell you last time we met? There are many candidates for the position of Blue King. All you have to do is pick the one you like, Princess."
"Mother."
"Princess, I'm not pressuring you. But you should still make an effort to get to know them."
"It's almost time for my lessons."
"Then this young lord can escort you back to your palace. Even if it's for a short while, why don't the two of you talk amongst yourselves?"
Sienna sighed softly before getting up. Joseph quickly ran after Sienna as she left the sitting room.
"Princess, you're more beautiful than the last time we met. I'm not sure if you remember me. I introduced myself to you at the Imperial ball."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's a great honor for me to be considered a candidate for your hand in marriage. My grandfather sometimes speaks about you. He said you are fair and brilliant, so you will be a wise ruler once you inherit the throne from the current Emperor."
The young man's stereotypical flattery and praise were boring. The only good thing about him was his height. It was rare for Sienna to have to raise her head to a man like she did to Joseph.
Still, he was shorter.
He was shorter than that man.
The two entered the carriage. Joseph racked his brains to find another topic to discuss with the Princess.
"Do you enjoy hunting or horseback riding?"
"I ride sometimes."
"If you enjoy riding, you may also enjoy hunting. Every year, when it begins to cool down, there's a large hunting competition. The Emperor even participates in it from time to time as it is a tradition. Some say that one can learn to strategize by hunting. It's a profound and pleasant activity."
Sienna silently listened to Joseph sing praises about hunting. Thinking that she was giving him her full attention, Joseph became even more excited as he rambled on.
Unlike the indifferent expression on her face, Sienna was upset. She believed that those who spouted grandiose praises for the hunt were pathetic people. They cornered and slaughtered animals in a secure setting for their enjoyment.
"It's very difficult to find good hunting ground."
"Have you ever caught a desert mantis1?"
"...What?"
"The stronger the prey, the more thrilling the hunt. Isn't this true?"
"Princess, even the knights would have a hard time getting close to a desert mantis."
"The desert mantis is the strongest of all the beasts. Even if you catch a hundred deer, it won't equal the glory of catching one desert mantis. Try going out into the desert. You'll find plenty of hunting grounds there."
"..."
"Am I wrong?"
"You're... correct, Princess."
Seeing Joseph slump his shoulders, Sienna chuckled. She knew she was being unreasonable. The desert mantis wasn't a beast, it was a monster.
Suddenly, Sienna began to think about Kuhn. She felt that he would laughingly tell her, 'Of course I've caught one.'
'How strange.'
The man kept popping into her head.
'Is he still coming over to the Imperial Palace now and then?'
She didn't know why she was so curious about the impolite, cocky, and imprudent mercenary.
Seeing that Sienna was lost in thought, Joseph became nervous. As he was still hesitating over what to say, the carriage arrived at the Princess's palace. Seeing that they had stopped at their destination, Joesph hurriedly spoke up.
"My apologies, Princess. It seems that I have spoiled your mood. You treasure the lives of even the most insignificant beasts. I am sorry I did not know your virtuous heart sooner."
Joseph bowed down completely. He had never met a woman who was as strong-minded as the Princess, so he didn't know what to do in order to woo her.
"Actually, if you had some free time, I wanted to escort you to the masquerade, Princess. I was trying to figure out a way to ask you, and in the process, I began to talk about this and that. In doing so, it seems that I have made a mistake. Please understand."
Sienna silently got off the carriage.
'Did it not work?'
Joseph's eyes trembled in embarrassment.
"Where will it take place? In the duke's residence?"
"Huh? Yes!"
Joseph's sullen expression instantly brightened.
Sienna had never attended a party hosted outside the Palace before. She felt that the social events held within the Palace were enough for her. However, she changed her mind. If it was for a party, she'd have an excuse to leave the Palace.
'Because I need to leave the pond in order to see what's outside of it.'
When she remembered who said those words to her, Sienna felt irritated.
"Please let me know the date and time."
"I will send you an invitation. It's an honor, Princess."
Joseph was cheering with joy inside his heart.
'I did it!'
The Princess was famous for her cold temperament. Just by having her accept this invitation, Joesph had pulled off an incredible feat. On top of that, the Princess had accepted her first invitation to a social event outside the Palace. Her first appearance outside of the Palace would be at the event hosted by Duke Luke.
The position of the Blue King was right in front of his nose. As he imagined his rose-colored future, Joseph let out a laugh. With much effort, he fixed his expression.
'It will be mine.'
The Blue King's throne as well as this precious woman. I will do everything I can to put them within my grasp.
He imagined the aloof princess's naked body spread out underneath him, and his mouth began to water.
1 The name of this animal is literally translated as Desert-Gwi. The spelling of this word in Korean (사막귀) is similar to the word for praying mantis or wart (they are homonyms 사마귀). I have no idea what this beast looks like in this fictional world, so I just decided to translate it as desert (사막) mantis (since 귀 on its own literally just means 'ear'). I know this beast will pop up further into the novel, and they may give a better description of it then. Just be aware that the name of this beast is subject to change as we learn more about it! It may not even be a large insect! Maybe it's closer to a wart! Or an ear! Only the author knows...
Chapter 3: Entwined Destiny
Sienna glanced at all the ladies-in-waiting around her. These past few days, Sienna paid close attention to the ladies-in-waiting. Before, they were like bedroom furniture to her. She never noticed them much.
They weren't furniture. They were people. They were undoubtedly watching and listening. Sienna never considered this before. Just the thought of them going to the Red King to report to her about their surveillance made Sienna feel disgusted.
'Does the Countess also have ties to Mother?'
Sienna had never been suspicious of the people around her before. But now that she'd started doubting them, she couldn't find one person she could fully trust.
A lady-in-waiting approached Sienna and spoke.
"Princess, a lady-in-waiting has come from the Red King's palace."
"Let her... No. I'll just go meet with the Red King now."
Sienna hadn't gone to the Red King's palace for a few days now. She had felt uneasy and ended up avoiding her.
'Running away isn't proper.'
Patricia wasn't alone. An unfamiliar man stood up when Sienna arrived.
'Is he her new lover?'
Sienna thought to herself and ignored him. She only greeted Patricia.
"You called for me?"
"Oh, Princess. Is it so hard to give your mother a warmer greeting than that? We haven't seen each other in a while."
Patricia lightly scowled.
"Long time no see, Mother. I should've visited before you called for me. How absentminded of me."
"Not at all. I understand that you're very busy with your duties."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Have you been well?"
"Yes."
"Princess, introduce yourself."
Patricia introduced the young man who was standing awkwardly.
"His character and status are more than enough for the position of Blue King."
The blond young man approached Sienna and put one hand on his chest before bowing to her.
"I am Earl Luke's son, Joseph. Duke Luke is my grandfather."
Sienna frowned. Patricia took the initiative.
"Didn't I tell you last time we met? There are many candidates for the position of Blue King. All you have to do is pick the one you like, Princess."
"Mother."
"Princess, I'm not pressuring you. But you should still make an effort to get to know them."
"It's almost time for my lessons."
"Then this young lord can escort you back to your palace. Even if it's for a short while, why don't the two of you talk amongst yourselves?"
Sienna sighed softly before getting up. Joseph quickly ran after Sienna as she left the sitting room.
"Princess, you're more beautiful than the last time we met. I'm not sure if you remember me. I introduced myself to you at the Imperial ball."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's a great honor for me to be considered a candidate for your hand in marriage. My grandfather sometimes speaks about you. He said you are fair and brilliant, so you will be a wise ruler once you inherit the throne from the current Emperor."
The young man's stereotypical flattery and praise were boring. The only good thing about him was his height. It was rare for Sienna to have to raise her head to a man like she did to Joseph.
Still, he was shorter.
He was shorter than that man.
The two entered the carriage. Joseph racked his brains to find another topic to discuss with the Princess.
"Do you enjoy hunting or horseback riding?"
"I ride sometimes."
"If you enjoy riding, you may also enjoy hunting. Every year, when it begins to cool down, there's a large hunting competition. The Emperor even participates in it from time to time as it is a tradition. Some say that one can learn to strategize by hunting. It's a profound and pleasant activity."
Sienna silently listened to Joseph sing praises about hunting. Thinking that she was giving him her full attention, Joseph became even more excited as he rambled on.
Unlike the indifferent expression on her face, Sienna was upset. She believed that those who spouted grandiose praises for the hunt were pathetic people. They cornered and slaughtered animals in a secure setting for their enjoyment.
"It's very difficult to find good hunting ground."
"Have you ever caught a desert mantis1?"
"...What?"
"The stronger the prey, the more thrilling the hunt. Isn't this true?"
"Princess, even the knights would have a hard time getting close to a desert mantis."
"The desert mantis is the strongest of all the beasts. Even if you catch a hundred deer, it won't equal the glory of catching one desert mantis. Try going out into the desert. You'll find plenty of hunting grounds there."
"..."
"Am I wrong?"
"You're... correct, Princess."
Seeing Joseph slump his shoulders, Sienna chuckled. She knew she was being unreasonable. The desert mantis wasn't a beast, it was a monster.
Suddenly, Sienna began to think about Kuhn. She felt that he would laughingly tell her, 'Of course I've caught one.'
'How strange.'
The man kept popping into her head.
'Is he still coming over to the Imperial Palace now and then?'
She didn't know why she was so curious about the impolite, cocky, and imprudent mercenary.
Seeing that Sienna was lost in thought, Joseph became nervous. As he was still hesitating over what to say, the carriage arrived at the Princess's palace. Seeing that they had stopped at their destination, Joesph hurriedly spoke up.
"My apologies, Princess. It seems that I have spoiled your mood. You treasure the lives of even the most insignificant beasts. I am sorry I did not know your virtuous heart sooner."
Joseph bowed down completely. He had never met a woman who was as strong-minded as the Princess, so he didn't know what to do in order to woo her.
"Actually, if you had some free time, I wanted to escort you to the masquerade, Princess. I was trying to figure out a way to ask you, and in the process, I began to talk about this and that. In doing so, it seems that I have made a mistake. Please understand."
Sienna silently got off the carriage.
'Did it not work?'
Joseph's eyes trembled in embarrassment.
"Where will it take place? In the duke's residence?"
"Huh? Yes!"
Joseph's sullen expression instantly brightened.
Sienna had never attended a party hosted outside the Palace before. She felt that the social events held within the Palace were enough for her. However, she changed her mind. If it was for a party, she'd have an excuse to leave the Palace.
'Because I need to leave the pond in order to see what's outside of it.'
When she remembered who said those words to her, Sienna felt irritated.
"Please let me know the date and time."
"I will send you an invitation. It's an honor, Princess."
Joseph was cheering with joy inside his heart.
'I did it!'
The Princess was famous for her cold temperament. Just by having her accept this invitation, Joesph had pulled off an incredible feat. On top of that, the Princess had accepted her first invitation to a social event outside the Palace. Her first appearance outside of the Palace would be at the event hosted by Duke Luke.
The position of the Blue King was right in front of his nose. As he imagined his rose-colored future, Joseph let out a laugh. With much effort, he fixed his expression.
'It will be mine.'
The Blue King's throne as well as this precious woman. I will do everything I can to put them within my grasp.
He imagined the aloof princess's naked body spread out underneath him, and his mouth began to water.
1 The name of this animal is literally translated as Desert-Gwi. The spelling of this word in Korean (사막귀) is similar to the word for praying mantis or wart (they are homonyms 사마귀). I have no idea what this beast looks like in this fictional world, so I just decided to translate it as desert (사막) mantis (since 귀 on its own literally just means 'ear'). I know this beast will pop up further into the novel, and they may give a better description of it then. Just be aware that the name of this beast is subject to change as we learn more about it! It may not even be a large insect! Maybe it's closer to a wart! Or an ear! Only the author knows...
