Episode 172
Olivia had been in a foul mood ever since arriving in Heilan. The reason was simple.
Elonia had sent her back without a word, without even saying goodbye. And she had only learned that Felix had been taken hostage in her place after arriving at the palace.
‘I understand, but…’
Why so suddenly? Olivia, unaware that Artius had collapsed, was simply confused.
But then she remembered her situation.
‘…Worrying about Ravanta won’t help me. I need to focus on surviving here.’
Heilan felt different, unfamiliar.
It had always been a religious nation, but the fanaticism had intensified during her seven-year absence.
People’s eyes were dull, lifeless, and the constant chanting of prayers grated on her nerves.
‘Is Simon okay?’
The Chancellor was acting as regent, and he had deliberately separated Olivia and Simon, keeping Simon under close “education.”
And Olivia…
“Your Highness, please focus.”
“I am.”
“Your stitches are uneven.”
“Ha.”
She was stuck in endless bridal lessons.
Felix clearly saw her as a nuisance. Otherwise, why would her return be immediately followed by an arranged marriage, the date already set?
‘That despicable Felix.’
Olivia glared at her tutor, who flinched but maintained a stern expression.
“Please focus!”
“…”
“Now!”
Olivia ran a hand through her hair roughly.
This was the extent of her rebellion. She picked up the needle and embroidery hoop again.
Just as she pretended to focus on her stitching, a commotion erupted outside.
Olivia, already irritable, took her frustration out on her tutor.
“Hey, tell them to be quiet outside. I can’t concentrate with all this noise.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The tutor quickly escaped Olivia’s wrath and went outside. She spotted a passing knight and scolded him.
“What is all this commotion? Her Highness is trying to concentrate.”
“My apologies, madam. But the Chancellor’s orders…”
Olivia, overhearing their conversation, felt her patience snap.
She threw down her embroidery tools and strode towards the door, glaring imperiously at the unfortunate knight.
“Hey, you.”
“P-Princess Olivia.”
The knight hastily knelt. Olivia, her patience already worn thin, crossed her arms and demanded,
“Who ranks higher, the Chancellor or me?”
“…You do, Princess Olivia.”
“Exactly. So if I say it’s too noisy, you keep quiet like mice, regardless of the Chancellor’s orders. Understand?”
“M-my apologies.”
Olivia sighed.
She had hoped things would be better with Felix gone, but everyone here was insufferable. She would rather be treated as a hostage, an inconvenience, in Ravanta.
She asked dismissively,
“So, what ‘important’ matter did the Chancellor summon you for?”
“Well…”
The knight hesitated, wanting to say it wasn’t her concern, but afraid of delaying the summons further. He decided to tell her the truth.
“His Highness King Felix sent an urgent message from Ravanta. He ordered the immediate mobilization of troops to Ravanta.”
“What?”
The knight had chosen poorly.
Olivia’s voice echoed through the corridor.
“Is that true?”
“Y-yes, it is.”
“Ha.”
Olivia scoffed.
Mobilize troops to Ravanta? Felix must be truly insane.
She asked sharply,
“Does Simon know?”
“I’m not sure…”
What a mess. Two royals were present, and yet the Chancellor was mobilizing troops without informing them?
Olivia gestured towards the knight.
“Lead the way.”
“What?”
“Take me to your assembly point.”
The knight paled, sweating profusely.
‘I’m doomed.’
He would surely be punished by the Knight Captain for bringing the princess. But he couldn’t defy her either.
He reluctantly led the way, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Why are you late?!”
The Knight Captain roared at the tardy knight, his face red with anger.
Olivia pushed the cowering knight aside and stepped forward. She surveyed the assembled knights and scoffed.
“Well, well, quite a crowd.”
“I thought I smelled perfume. Isn’t it the princess?”
Olivia turned towards the mocking voice.
The Chancellor stood on a platform, looking down at her condescendingly. Olivia, her face filled with displeasure, asked,
“Chancellor, am I interrupting something important?”
“A lady shouldn’t be in such a rough place. Especially one who is soon to be married. You should take better care of yourself.”
“Ha.”
So, a woman shouldn’t be here, is that it?
Olivia ran a hand through her hair, annoyed by his patronizing tone.
She looked up at him and asked, her voice laced with sarcasm,
“So you didn’t inform me because I’ll soon cease to be royalty?”
“Don’t twist my words, Your Highness. This old man means well.”
The Chancellor replied smoothly.
As expected. Olivia suppressed her anger and asked calmly,
“Then where is Simon? Does he know about this?”
“The young prince doesn’t need to concern himself with such matters.”
“Young? He’s an adult, Chancellor. Stop treating us like children.”
“Please consider it the rambling of an old man who doesn’t want to expose his beloved prince and princess to harsh realities.”
The Chancellor’s tone turned dismissive.
Olivia knew he was a frustrating opponent, having dealt with him in Heilan’s social circles before.
She gritted her teeth and looked down at the assembled knights.
They were all devout followers of the Resurrection God, just like most Heilans.
Would they listen if she told them to stand down? Or would they attack her?
‘Damn it…’
This was why she hated Heilan.
It made her feel powerless, helpless.
She clenched her fists, trembling with frustration. The Chancellor, seeing her reaction, smiled with satisfaction. Just then,
“Gasp, gasp…! What is the meaning of this?!”
Simon rushed towards them, panting. Olivia’s eyes widened.
“Simon?”
He pushed past the knights and stood beside Olivia, shielding her, his voice ringing with authority as he addressed the Chancellor.
“Chancellor, what is the meaning of this?! Mobilizing troops without our permission? Are you planning a rebellion?!”
The Chancellor frowned, annoyed by Simon’s outburst.
But unlike Olivia, Simon was a prince. And Felix had ordered him to be properly educated. The Chancellor stroked his beard and calmly explained,
“It’s not a rebellion. We’re preparing to rescue His Highness Felix.”
“Even so, how dare you proceed without informing us?!”
“I deemed it unnecessary to involve the young prince and princess. His Highness Felix didn’t mention reporting to you.”
“…”
Simon fell silent, but not out of submission.
He was suppressing his anger, his fists clenched just like Olivia’s had been earlier.
Olivia was surprised. She had never seen Simon angry before.
He took a deep breath and asked the Chancellor,
“Do you truly believe Heilan can defeat Ravanta?”
Olivia gasped. She hadn’t expected such words from Simon. The Chancellor also looked stunned.
“…That’s a rather dangerous statement, Your Highness.”
“I’m speaking the truth. Ravanta is not an easy opponent. My sister and I have seen it firsthand.”
“Simon…”
Olivia stared at him, amazed.
When had he become so assertive? She had always thought of him as someone she needed to protect.
But she had underestimated him. Olivia, regaining her composure, addressed the assembled knights, her voice ringing with authority.
“Are you all blind to the situation?!”
All eyes turned towards her. Undeterred by their hostile glares, Olivia shouted even louder.
“Do you really think you’ll return alive from Ravanta?! Dream on! You’ll all die!”
“Your Highness!”
The Chancellor roared, jumping down from the platform. Simon supported Olivia.
“You may die believing you’ve become noble sacrifices for Heilan. But what about your families?”
Simon was known as the timid prince. It had been his weakness, a flaw that Vermon, Felix, and Dolce had all exploited.
But not anymore.
Other royals didn’t care about the families of their soldiers.
The followers of the Resurrection God had all experienced loss. But deep down, they knew that life, once lost, could never be regained.
Simon reminded them not of their lost past, but of their present.
“You all have families to protect, don’t you? Loved ones waiting for your safe return?”
Olivia added,
“The Emperor and Princess of Ravanta are strong. Felix and your false god won’t return.”
Olivia might be known for her sharp tongue, but she didn’t lie.
Confusion spread among the soldiers.
Should they follow the Chancellor’s orders? What if they never returned?
Simon seized the opportunity and asked the Chancellor,
“Chancellor, why do you think Brother Felix sent a message instead of returning himself?”
“…!”
“Chancellor, you’re intelligent, aren’t you? Surely you can see the truth?”
Olivia tapped her temple mockingly. Simon, his face serious, delivered the final blow.
“Brother Felix won’t return. Disband the army immediately.”
“That’s impossible!”
The Chancellor remained stubborn. Olivia and Simon exchanged glances.
With a nod from Olivia, Simon declared,
“We cannot leave the throne vacant while waiting for a king who may never return. I will ascend the throne.”
“Your Highness!”
“Chancellor, if you’re too blinded by your faith to see reason, then step down.”
“…You insolent brat!”
The Chancellor, his face contorted in rage, rushed down from the platform towards Olivia, pointing a finger accusingly.
“Your arrogance knows no bounds! His Highness Felix will return! He will return victorious!”
Just as he reached out to grab Olivia’s collar,
“Careful…!”
Simon tried to intervene, but Olivia was faster.
Thud!
She flipped the Chancellor over her shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground. Everyone stared, stunned by the princess’s unexpected display of strength.
“S-sister, that was…”
Neither Olivia nor Simon knew swordsmanship. They had been in Ravanta during the years they should have been training. And Ravanta didn’t allow hostages to learn martial arts.
But Olivia’s situation was slightly different.
She dusted off her hands nonchalantly.
“Marquis Bereta taught me. She insisted I learn self-defense.”
Olivia, ignoring the stunned Simon, addressed the assembled knights, her voice echoing through the training ground.
“If you don’t want to suffer the humiliation of being defeated by a woman, you’ll stay put in Heilan.”