PTB Chapter 7

Upon hearing such a truly old-fashioned reality, Rose was left dumbfounded. She had somewhat expected it since this was a time when not even cannons, let alone firearms, were developed—but to think the methods would be so utterly brutal. She imagined the Remigis Knights engaging in close combat atop enemy ships.

“Ha ha… There’s no way to overcome the fierce might of the people of Dunstan Island.”

“Your Highness thinks we’re monsters too?”

‘Monsters, huh.’

One thing was certain—this tense boy in front of her didn’t seem frightening at all. Lance looked extremely anxious to hear her answer. Rose closed the book she had been reading and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Not at all.”

The knight lowered his gaze to avoid the princess’s blue eyes.

“The people of Callon look down on us, calling us savages. I thought Your Highness would do the same.”

“It saddens me to hear you were misunderstood like that. I thought we were friends, Lance.”

“It’s just… it’s rare for someone of noble birth to treat me so kindly. To be honest, I’m more used to the Second Princess’s behavior.”

Aracne’s conduct had been excessive. And yet, such treatment was apparently the norm.

“When I first came to the capital, I thought I had done something wrong. If it were something I could fix, I would’ve tried, but I was scorned just for looking different.”

“…”

“I tried a few times to improve relations, but now I just let it be.”

Even as he spoke, Lance’s face was filled with deep resentment. If someone as open as him harbored this much anger, it was clear how much worse it must be for the other knights.

‘Is Arsen the same?’

Rose felt the chasm of conflict between Dunstan Island and the Callon Empire.

＊＊＊

The day of the launch ceremony dawned. The harbor bustled with people from all walks of life. Nobles from various regions, investors who had funded the construction of the Pontus, wealthy tycoons, and opportunistic merchants all gathered, leaving no room to walk. A faint air of excitement hung in the air with the rumor that royalty might appear at today’s event.

Rose sat quietly in the VIP section under a large awning, watching the front. Members of the Remigis Knights moved busily in and out of the Pontus, which was readying for departure. Arsen had entered the steering room early and had not been seen since.

“We offer our sincere thanks to Her Highness the Second Princess Aracne and Her Highness the Third Princess Rose for making the long journey to attend today’s launch ceremony.”

“It would have been better if they had arrived with the Imperial Knights, but since Prince Tanasis is away on a campaign, I ask for your understanding. Of all times, the ‘Black Clan’ had to show up instead—who knows if the ship will even leave the harbor safely.”

“Black Clan” was a derogatory term used to refer to the people of Dunstan Island.

“Your Highness Princess Aracne, there is likely no better navigator on the continent than Lord Lafayette. Please don’t worry.”

Even Count Bastia’s defense couldn’t stop Aracne from snorting dismissively. At that moment, a deep horn echoed, and the sails of the Pontus unfurled in full. The ship began pushing through the crashing waves and slowly moved away. The crowd that filled the harbor cheered to bid it farewell.

On the deck, Arsen finally appeared. He commanded the crew with sharp eyes that swept over the waves. His dark hair fluttered in the wind, dazzlingly radiant. Rose couldn’t take her eyes off his strength.

‘He really is my favorite. I can’t stop staring.’

Then suddenly, Arsen turned his head toward the harbor. For a moment, she thought their eyes met. But when she looked again, he was just giving orders to the crew.

‘Was I imagining things?’

Well, with this many people, it would be hard to lock eyes anyway. The Pontus, having sailed nearby waters, returned to the port as the sun began to set. Bathed in the red glow of the setting sun, the returning vessel glowed warmly.

To welcome them back, a lavish banquet had been set up under the awning. As the knights disembarked and entered, the area quickly became crowded. Count Bastia greeted Arsen and offered him a seat.

“Excellent work. Your voyage is always impressive, my lord.”

“You flatter me.”

Princess Aracne, sipping wine with an aloof expression, spoke with a sharp voice.

“What’s so difficult about sailing on calm seas that everyone’s making such a fuss?”

“You’re right. Heaven must have favored us.”

“Surely it’s thanks to His Majesty’s divine grace.”

With the nobles praising the royal family, Aracne wore a smug expression.

“Lafayette. Is the ship you sailed on intact? You should make sure there’s no water damage. Especially with cargo as heavy as what you were transporting.”

“Are you referring to us?”

Unable to endure it anymore, Hagen suddenly raised his voice.

“I’m asking about the state of the ship. Or do you simply lack the eye to know its condition?”

“Damn it. I know more about ships than you do, at least!”

The banquet atmosphere turned cold in an instant due to the knight’s outburst.

“What an undisciplined display.”

“They say Lord Lafayette’s knights are commoners—must be true.”

“Just as vulgar as their ugly appearances.”

Bang! Arsen slammed the table with a heavy hand.

The chilling look in his eyes silenced the nobles.

“There are no problems with the ship. Let’s leave it at that.”

As he stood, the other knights began rising with him.

“Such ruffians!”

Aracne glared with bloodshot eyes.

“How dare you make a scene at a sacred launch ceremony? I’ll charge you all with insulting the royal family!”

The outrageous accusation made Hagen tremble with anger. He barely held himself back for Arsen’s sake.

“Your Highness, please calm down. So many eyes are watching.”

“No matter what the count says, it doesn’t matter. I speak with the Emperor’s authority right now. And you dare act so rudely toward the royal family?”

Now that the Second Princess invoked the authority of the crown, even the count was at a loss. Rose sighed deeply, feeling the need to stop her arrogant sister.

“I think you’ve got the order wrong, sister. If you’re looking to assign blame, shouldn’t you punish Lord Lafayette first? Sir Hagen is part of the Remigis Knights, so it’s the knight captain’s failure to manage his men, isn’t it?”

Her calm tone subdued the chaos in the hall. Then, as if she just remembered something, she clapped her hands.

“Oh! But Lord Lafayette governs an autonomous territory, doesn’t he? So he’s not subject to imperial law. You knew that, right, sister? Were you pretending not to know?”

“…What?”

“So you brought up punishment with no real intent to carry it out—only to pardon them? That’s very wise of you.”

If Aracne denied it now, she’d be admitting she didn’t know her own empire’s law. At a loss for words, her face turned red and blue in embarrassment.

“The Remigis Knights successfully completed the Pontus’ trial voyage. Thanks to them, future navigators will learn their methods and explore the seas more efficiently.”

Before they knew it, the nobles were all focused on Rose’s every word.

“I’ll be reporting this to His Majesty. Sister, wouldn’t it have been better to start by thanking them for their efforts before questioning the ship’s condition? I know I would’ve been quite hurt. Don’t you agree, Sir Hagen?”

Hagen, caught off guard by the question, couldn’t respond right away. But moments later, he burst into hearty laughter, clearly feeling vindicated.

“Ha! Yes, indeed, Your Highness. I would’ve been hurt. Knights always thirst for their lord’s praise, after all.”

Rose narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

“I won’t punish anyone today. Rather, I want to thank the knights for giving us such a grand launch ceremony. Well done, everyone.”

As the tension eased, Count Bastia sighed in relief and ushered the knights back to their seats. The banquet resumed. Rose spotted Arsen still standing. He looked at her intently, as though he had something he wanted to say. Pretending nothing was out of the ordinary, she spoke coyly.

“What are you doing standing there? Sit and enjoy the late dinner.”

“…Yes. You too, Your Highness.”

Rose savored his lingering gaze with quiet amusement.

‘Yes, keep staring. Never met a woman like me before, huh? You’re totally into me. Just hurry up and join my side already.’

***

The sky quickly darkened, and stars began to twinkle. Silence fell over Bastia Castle.

“Have a drink.”

Late at night, Count Bastia brought out some wine and personally poured it into a glass. Arsen took a sip. The soft tannins melted smoothly on his tongue. The subtle bitterness at the end was just to his liking.

“It has a nice aroma.”

“You’ve had a long day. I brought out the finest quality that suits your taste, my lord.”

Moved by the Count’s considerate hospitality, Arsen showed sincerity by having a few more glasses.

The glasses clinked together several times.

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

At the Count’s voice, Arsen raised his head.

“If Her Highness Aracne had insisted on punishing the knights, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it with my own strength.”

“It was my negligence. I’ll make sure nothing like that troubles you again.”

“No, it wasn’t your fault.”

“And we can’t blame Her Highness either.”

The Count fell silent with a bitter expression. After all, the Remigis Knights couldn’t argue right or wrong against an imperial princess.

“If Her Highness the Third Princess hadn’t spoken up, who knows what would’ve happened to Sir Hagen… Truly unexpected behavior from her. Rumor had it she wasn’t such a resolute person.”

“Don’t judge someone so easily based on what others say.”

Arsen slowly raised the glass to his lips. The rich aroma of the wine lingered against his red lips.

“I heard a whisper that Your Lordship would be coming to Bastia. To be honest, I had a bit of concern.”

“Concern about what?”

“That you might attend the launching ceremony without knowing anything about it, or that it might burden you. But after meeting you today, I realized my worries were unfounded.”

Arsen twirled the glass in the air, lost in thought.

“She’s very different from the rumors.”

“Yes, it seems so. Anton told me that you also get along well with Sir Lance.”

Anton was the head steward of Bastia Castle. Ten years ago, he had been part of the group entrusted to Bastia from the Lafayette territory. The people of Dunstane Island had lived as mercenaries on the continent for a long time. As a result, mixed-blood individuals had emerged among the imperial people, which often sparked conflict.

Due to the long-standing ill will between the two regions, mixed-bloods didn’t belong anywhere. Bastia was the only refuge available to them.

Not long after Arsen inherited the title of marquess, his first policy initiative was for the relocation of the mixed-bloods.

Anton led that policy. Having survived traveling between the Empire and the Lafayette territory, he was the most suitable person to guide the immigrants. Arsen had faith in his judgment.

“Her Highness the Third Princess seems even more astute than I expected.”

“She’s also very approachable with those beneath her.”

The Count smiled faintly. Ever since Arsen stood up for Rose, he had sensed that the marquess harbored feelings for the princess.

“It would be good for you to become close with Her Highness.”

“What are you trying to say?”

At the veiled remark, Arsen’s expression hardened slightly.

“She would be beneficial to the House of Lafayette. You personally led the knights to the capital. I truly hope you accomplish what you set out to do. If you happen to form a good bond with Her Highness, it could help you reach your goal faster—”

Clack. Arsen roughly set down his glass. The impact made some wine spill over the edge.

“That was out of line.”

“…Forgive me.”

Sensing the cold atmosphere, the Count looked embarrassed. He had said something that couldn’t be taken back.

“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”

The knight downed the rest of the wine and immediately stood up.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I must return to the palace tomorrow, so I’ll turn in early.”

“You’re going straight back to the capital? You could take a day to rest from the journey.”

“Thank you for the fine wine. Good night.”

Arsen gave a brief nod to the Count and quickly left the room. Perhaps due to the wine, a warm heat spread through his body.

***

Meanwhile, at that hour, Rose, who couldn’t sleep, wandered aimlessly through the hall. Sea breeze flowed in through the window.

“The smell of the sea.”

A strong scent of salt and fish. She had hated that sour smell as a child. As an adult, she had been too busy to even go near the sea.

“I never imagined I’d come to miss the sea.”

In a faraway land—another world even—she hadn’t expected to smell something so reminiscent of home. She squinted, trying to focus on the horizon, but at this late hour, all she could see was blackness.

Eventually, she gave up trying to look at the sea and leaned her arms on the windowsill. A strange illusion overtook her—of being alone on a deserted island.

“Your Highness.”

“Arsen.”

She didn’t know when he had arrived, but a large man stood silently in the corridor. Arsen’s eyes looked half-lidded, perhaps from wherever he had just returned. As he approached, a sharp scent spread through the air.

“You drank?”

“Ah, just a little wine.”

Through his loosened collar, the deep line of his chest caught her eye.

‘Oh no. Isn’t this a little too stimulating?’

She hadn’t seen him for a few days and had been going through withdrawal—so his sudden appearance was overwhelming.

“Where’s Lance? Why are you alone?”

“I didn’t want to wake him in the middle of the night, so I came out alone.”

With a slight frown, Arsen ruffled his bangs. Even a single messy strand of hair looked breathtaking on him.

“You should go back in. The night air is cold.”

“I can’t sleep. I’ll go back in a bit. You should go and rest.”

But he didn’t leave and instead leaned beside her by the window. Suddenly, the two of them were quietly gazing outside together.

“Thank you for today.”

“I didn’t do it to be thanked. It ended up helping you, but…”

Since her actions were part of a deliberate plan to win favor, his gratitude made her feel a bit awkward.

“Like I said before, I wanted to change myself. So don’t worry about it too much.”

“You mean the rumors?”

“Yes. ‘Dim-witted’ doesn’t suit me, don’t you think?”

Rose flipped her long hair and bragged a little. At her confident attitude, Arsen’s lips twitched faintly.

“In that case, you’ve succeeded.”

“In what?”

“There are knights in the order who now voluntarily wish to guard you. Those rumors you were so worried about no longer have any power.”

“Really?”