IDIBC Prologue

Prologue

A sudden commotion arose on a country road that perfectly embodied the word “tranquil.”

Dark-clad figures were advancing through the dense blue-green foliage that had been deepening in color for some time now. The red wildflowers that had bloomed along the narrow path trembled pitifully before that imposing procession.

A carriage drawn by four black horses came racing down the single road without hesitation. Two twin carriages and horses carrying knights followed in orderly formation behind them.

Even the clothes of those riding the horses were entirely black. They looked convincing enough to be an army from hell coming to wage war against the gods.

The uninvited guests slowed their pace precisely in front of the house where I lived. A lion crest with its mouth wide open filled the entire side of the carriage. The beast reflecting light so brilliantly it could blind one’s eyes made the beautiful spring scenery unfolding behind it appear blurred.

“Ah…”

I could no longer turn away. From who owned that procession.

When a servant approached the carriage and opened the door, Ricardo’s fine black hair scattered in the wind.

Could this be what the birth of a hero described in mythology would look like?

Ricardo emerged from the carriage as if hatching from an egg, then sharply tugged at his wrinkled collar to straighten it. The sunlight from the sky flashed, illuminating his head in the shape of a cross. The luxurious navy blue clothing that caught the sunlight gleamed with a lustrous sheen.

With delicate, long fingers, he swept back his hair and began walking with long strides. The fabric wrapped around his firm thighs repeatedly stretched taut then relaxed.

“Huh…?”

But why was that beautiful creature appearing larger and larger? He who should have been guided inside the house by a servant was slowly approaching me.

Had our eyes met? No, we were too far apart for that…

The moment light firmly settled in his previously unfocused, scattered eyes, the figure of a man as agile as a predator filled my entire field of vision.

“Just as you were.”

Words carrying two meanings fell heavily from above my head. My neck and hands, having lost all will, naturally tilted toward the ground.

“It is you.”

Whether from surprise or being mesmerized, I didn’t know, but the strength left my hands in my bewildered state, and the egg basket fell to the ground with a thud. The egg that had been on top rolled across the ground with a rumbling sound.

‘Did it break? I brought exactly the right number…’

While I was having such foolish thoughts, a dark shadow loomed even larger over me.

The eldest son of the Rochester ducal family, who had left Fennel territory seven years ago to return to the Empire, smiled at me with a grin.

The moment our eyes met, the sound of an egg cracking thundered in my ears like lightning.

Looking down at the ground with widened eyes, I saw yellow liquid scattered and broken beneath the tip of his glossy black shoes.

The moment I looked up in shock, I realized with sharp clarity that the peaceful and perfect world surrounding me had been completely shattered beneath his feet.

****

Everything began from that day of thunder and lightning ten years ago.

The beginning of what might be called a fateful connection or cursed relationship with this perfect man now sitting before me with his long legs crossed.

Noble and pitiful Ricardo Gardarelli Rochester.

He was the heir to the Rochester family, considered the greatest among the Empire’s three major ducal houses, and the next emperor chosen by divine oracle.

One who will kill his father and become the sun of heaven.

Born with the entire world in both hands, Ricardo began his life carrying a tragic ending from birth.

“Lienne Rowe Fennel.”

Just hearing my name called in that low voice made my heart thump and announce its presence.

This place is still a world where gods exist, and moreover, a world where special humans openly beloved by the gods exist.

I am now sitting before a human who is clearly and especially beloved by the gods.

Like a mere insignificant creature.

“Yes, please speak.”

“…I just met with your mother.”

In this humble house, this parlor was the only place suitable for receiving guests. Of course, it wasn’t a place befitting a man who seemed precisely sculpted from head to toe.

The crackling sound of wood burning in the fireplace barely filled the gaps between our conversation.

“Ah, yes…”

Even while answering, I was so preoccupied with wondering why he had come here that my mind was practically spinning.

“She gave permission for me to take you to the Empire.”

Permission my foot—saying it like that makes it sound like a marriage proposal. I had suspected he might have business with me. But why… now, after all this time?

“I can give you one day.”

Heaven and earth. If I had to define the relationship between him and me in one phrase, these words would be most appropriate. The Principality of Resotia is an independent nation, but that’s only symbolic.

Even a princess of the principality isn’t treated preciously in the Empire. That was reality.

How much less so for me, the illegitimate daughter of Count Fennel, who was killed for kidnapping and imprisoning Ricardo.

“Ah, you can give me one day.”

Ten years ago, on that night when thunder and lightning alternately claimed the sky, I came back to life as if pushed away from death.

And on that day, I saw my future self dying horribly in flames fierce enough to burn the entire world—condemned for the crime of pretending to be the false companion of this very man before me.

For three years after seeing that terrible ending, I protected Ricardo, who was imprisoned in Fennel manor, from all manner of dangers. And I succeeded in returning him to the ducal house completely unharmed.

“But by any chance… do you remember me even a little?”

Of course, the process wasn’t entirely without problems.

The imperial family and the three major dukes all possess different family powers bestowed by the gods. Among them, Rochester’s power was tremendous military might capable of sweeping across all the Empire’s lands and eyes that could discern others’ truths.

However, all these powers weren’t given from birth but only to those who manifested and awakened their abilities.

And…

Helping Rochester’s manifestation and awakening was entirely the role of the saintess of the age.

Rochester’s saintess and companion.

That’s what the Empire’s people called such a woman.

The problem was that clearly wasn’t me.

“No, not at all.”

The heirs of the Rochester family gradually lose all memories of childhood during the process of manifesting their family’s power and awakening their strength.

Was it God’s arrangement for all Rochesters who would inevitably have had terrible childhoods as the price for receiving great power?

‘Then he might not know that I helped manifest his abilities.’

In the process of protecting him at Count Fennel’s manor, I had inadvertently triggered his ability manifestation. But I had dismissed such a trivial matter as something that would simply be buried in the background of the tremendous history that great people would unfold.

And so another seven years passed—a full seven years.

Time spent living in hiding, away from their world.

I thought everything was finally over, but as if mocking my complacency, Ricardo had simply stepped into my world.

I shook my head to avoid being enchanted by his beauty and resolved that I absolutely must not follow him. If so, I had only one choice.

“Lady Fennel.”

“Yes?”

The moment he called me, our eyes met. I felt dismay; he felt interest.

“Don’t think about running away. Not if you don’t want me to kill everyone in this house.”

“Ah…”

With those words he spoke with an indifferent face, that single choice I had vanished in an instant.

“But why do you want to take me away?”

At my question, he slightly frowned.

“I could tell you the reason… but I don’t see the necessity of telling you.”

“…Why?”

“Because nothing would change.”

Having finished saying his piece, he stood up, stirring the air. I desperately grabbed his arm.

“Then just one more day, just one more day!”

When Ricardo stared at the arm I had grabbed, I startled and quickly let go of him.

“Please give me just one more day to prepare for departure.”

If I had to follow him anyway, I needed to settle my affairs. Since I had no way to escape, I at least needed to tell Harold—yes, Harold—that I was leaving.

“Who is Harold?”

“Eek.”

I knew he had eyes that could discern truth, but I didn’t know he had come to read the thoughts in other people’s minds too.

“You don’t need to be so surprised. I only hear about one word you’re desperately crying out.”

He smiled with great amusement.

“So who is he?”

“A… friend.”

“No, not a friend.”

Right, it wouldn’t make sense for him, who doesn’t remember me, to remember Harold. Besides, Harold was more than ten years older than me, so it would be difficult to call him a friend. While I hesitated over what answer to give, Ricardo shrugged his shoulders.

“Whether friend or lover, it doesn’t matter. You were mine from the beginning anyway.”

“What on earth does that mean…?”

“You’re the one who assists in my manifestation, aren’t you? Surely you haven’t forgotten.”

My eyes squeezed shut at the reality I didn’t want to believe. It felt as if the very thing I had tried so hard to avoid was baring its teeth and thrusting itself before me.

If so, I might soon die. And by burning black in flames at that.

“We’ll meet again soon.”

Turning away lightly as if brushing off dust, he walked away and disappeared from my sight. Though I should have gone outside to see him off, I stood there in a daze. Watching his retreating figure as he turned his back on me was always familiar.

But you’re still the same, Ricardo.

Can you turn away so coldly after burying hints of regret in the end of your words like that? Without letting me say even one more word.

Even knowing we would meet again soon, the moment of watching Ricardo’s back always made me feel abandoned.

Ever since I first met him ten years ago.