Chapter 3

Elise was brought to another barracks. Although the space was empty, it was a significant improvement from the dirty and dark warehouse where she had previously been held. The barracks were outfitted with a simple bed and a wooden bathtub for washing, which were luxuries on the battlefield. However, Elise’s situation was still dire, even worse than it had been before she was captured.

Despite his reputation as a cruel war-gear, Archduke Kyrstan seemed to be more sensible than the rumors suggested. Still, he did not appear to have any intention of keeping Elise alive. Kyrstan’s arrangements for Elise included cleaning her up and providing her with new clothes, as well as a private barracks and three meals a day. However, the thought of her impending death weighed heavily on her mind and made it impossible for her to enjoy her meals. Kyrstan’s words about serving her in peace on her last journey only served to remind Elise of the grim reality of her situation. She laughed in vain, unable to shake the feeling that her time was running out. 

If the archduke was going to kill her anyway, why go through the trouble of dressing her and providing her with meals? It made no sense.

Elise peered out the barracks, trying to find a way to escape. However, the guards outside seemed to be on high alert, with more escorts than she had ever seen standing guard in front of the palace in Argan’s Imperial Castle.

Despite not being physically bound, Elise knew that the watchful eyes of the guards would only become more stringent. Rather than risk any reckless behavior, Elise huddled on the ground, her ear pressed against the door as she listened to the guards outside.

“Is she really the last member of the royal family from Argan?” asked one guard. “I’ve heard rumors that she’s a princess shrouded in secrets.”

“It must be true if the prince himself has proclaimed it,” replied another.

“But I’ve also heard that she’s sick. Yet she was able to cut a grown man in half with ease. Maybe that’s just a rumor…” The first guard trailed off.

“What about Sir Roderick’s body?” asked the second guard.

“It’s supposed to be burned,” the other guard replied. “The orders are to collect only the bone powder and send it to the count. That man is a real opportunist. But if you dare lay a finger on the Princess of Argan…”

One of the guards snorted. “You keep talking about Argan, but isn’t it already a ruined country? The moment their emperor died, Argan was destroyed.”

Elise’s body tensed as she continued to listen to the conversation between the guards.

“You shouldn’t look down on Argan so much. Don’t you know the myth of Argan’s Gallian?”

“Yeah, I know. A land of wizards who protected the continent from the light dragons. But now, what’s the point of that name?”

“All countries on this continent should always pay respect to Argan. Van Yela owes its continuation as a country to Argan. The only ones who disrespect Argan are the barbarians of Ugel. Do you want to be seen as being on the same level as them?”

“That’s true… It’s already been rumored that we’ve worked hand in hand with barbarians to attack Argan, right?”

“Before those rumors damage Van Yela’s reputation, we should draw a line between us.”

Elise could only comprehend one thing from the conversation – Argan had already been destroyed when their emperor died. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized that her twin brother, Andrei, had really passed away. Her last hope was shattered. Andrei’s final words to her, urging her to survive, became her new will.

This is not the time to cry… Elise desperately bit down on her lip, already dripping with blood. Andrei, her only shield, was no longer with her in this world. Now she was truly alone. She had to get her mind straight. Elise clasped her trembling fingertips together and listened again to the conversation between the soldiers.

“So what about the princess?  The war is over and it is time for the entire army to withdraw. We can’t keep her alive, but we also can’t kill her recklessly,” said a soldier.

“The commander has sent a message to His Majesty,” replied the other. “News will come soon.”

The Archduke of Kyrstan seemed to be discussing the princess’s disposition with the emperor. All sorts of worst thoughts ran through Elise’s mind.

“As long as the princess’ affairs are resolved, we can finally go home. I’m tired of this dusty battlefield. Of course, our commander will have to endure His Majesty’s nagging for a while even after he dies.”

“Why?”

“Every time he sees the commander, His Majesty pecks at him like a picky mother-in-law. He’s always urging the commander to have a strong child as soon as possible.”

“Ah, that.”

“Are you tired of that insistent person coming to see His Majesty?”

“But the commander’s bloodline is too important to be cut off. It’s easy to say, though, isn’t it?”

The knights chuckled for a moment.

“He’s not a normal man. Is there a woman out there who could stand him?”

Elise hugged her knees, lost in thought. She had always heard rumors that the Archduke of Kyrstan was not human, and now it seemed that those rumors were true. He was a transcendent being, with dragon’s blood running through his veins. And apparently, he didn’t have a woman who could match him.

The thought of the Archduke of Kyrstan being a dragon sent chills down Elise’s spine. From the books she had read, dragons were half-human, half-beast creatures with ugly appearances, low intelligence, and poor social skills. But Rezette Kyrstan was nothing like that. He was beautiful, with perfect physical features and a statue-like appearance.

It was hard to imagine the man in the pictures of monsters, who were often depicted as being unable to control the madness of the dragon blood flowing through their veins, being someone as beautiful and composed as the Archduke of Kyrstan.

Elise took in this new information, knowing that it could be useful in the future. She needed to gather as much information as possible about the Archduke of Kyrstan, hoping that it might save her life. But her greatest hope was for Emperor Van Yella to show mercy and keep her alive. With her forehead resting on her clasped hands, Elise closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle.

After five long days, the messenger finally arrived.

***

The news that the emperor’s messenger brought was not at all hopeful for Elise. She had hoped for mercy, but what she received was far from her expectations.

As she looked at the Archduke of Kyrstan, she was struck by how different he looked from five days ago. His hair was neatly styled, and his formal attire, complete with a long sword at his waist, made him look more like a statue than a real person.

Elise couldn’t help but snap at him, “Put away the hypocrisy. Is there any reason for a person who brings things to kill herself to the princess of the defeated country to be treated with courtesy?”

But the Archduke of Kyrstan ignored her and simply said, “This is a message from His Majesty the Emperor Van Yela. I will give the last remaining princess of Argan a chance to end her life for herself.”

Elise bit her lip as she glared at what her reaper was holding with both hands: a dagger with ornate patterns and a black vial. It was easy to guess what the vial contained. The archduke continued, “Choose. Will you commit suicide honorably, or will you be brought to the capital of Van Yela and beheaded on death row?”

Being able to choose the form of death was definitely a generous offer. It was a more honorable end than being taken into slavery by a foreign country. Elise knew that Emperor Van Yella would not offer anything cheap, so it was a good deal. And of course, the chosen method of death would leave no unpleasant marks on the body and cause less pain, allowing the person to die clean and comfortably. It was a consideration that allowed one to keep their dignity in front of the enemy.

But Elise couldn’t hold back a laugh at the thought. “Haha… where am I in the spirit to take care of that?” she thought to herself.