Vol 4 Prologue (1/2)

Prologue

Apta Fortress. A border citadel located in the South-West region of Mephius that was encircled on three sides by ma.s.sive ramparts, while the west side ab.u.t.ted on the overhanging cliffs. Directly beneath it, the Yunos River flowed from south to north.

The fortress' interior was designed to hold a population of five thousand. The day had faded, and surveying that panorama upon which darkness had descended, stood Vileena Owell.

At fourteen years old, she had recently travelled all the way from Garbera to marry the Crown Prince of Mephius, Gil Mephius. Her appearance retained some childishness, but particularly impressive was that if she glared at someone with hostility, it could make one feel as if they were being cut.

The wind was somewhat cool and carried a faint trace of moisture; she had several times heard the local people chatting about how heavy rains might fall before long.

The restoration work in Apta was currently being continued even throughout the night. Vileena's eyes were idly following as lamps were lit here and there, when she spotted different lights to the east side of the fortress.

The row of flickering lights drew nearer to Apta and, as they were allowed through the castle gate, Vileena revised her first thought that this was a night raid by Ax Bazgan's forces. In all likelihood, these were General Oubary Bilan's troops; she had heard that they were due to arrive at Apta any day now.

As the row of lights finally pa.s.sed through the castle gates and into the fortress' interior, Vileena turned her gaze towards the sky. The thick clouds hung low, so that not even a single star could be seen. She sighed for the umpteenth time that day.

“So this is where you were, Vileena-sama.”

Theresia approached from behind her. She had been at her side since Vileena was born and had served as her Head Maid since their days in Garbera. Although her hair was streaked with white, both her figure and heart remained young.

“It seems that another of those tiresome banquets is being held in the hall again today. However this being the princess, you were somehow able to decline attending, were you not?”

“Ah”, Vileena nodded. “Say, Theresia.”

“Yes?”

“What kind of things would make a man cry?”

“Well...”

While Theresia was at a loss at the unexpected question, Vileena continued to look up at the sky from where she stood on the barracks' rooftop.

“More than that, to be wailing like a child, to look as though his body and his world were shattered. ...It was the first time I saw something like that. That a man can cry like that.”

Theresia was wise also: questions such as “Who is this about?” never left her mouth. In a quiet voice, she merely asked:

“Did this happen in front of you, Princess?”

“No.” Her abundant platinum hair undulated as she shook her head. “Accidentally... Yes, I only happened to see it by chance.”

After a short pause, Theresia said: “However it may be, gentlemen probably aren't so very different from ladies. For gentlemen, the way of doing things is to put on manly airs in public, yet even gentlemen are creatures who have delicate, fragile hearts.”

“Theresia, you truly are knowledgeable.”

“Even if it seems so, it is because I have lived more than twice as long as Vileena-sama.”

While the princess thought that let alone twice, it was more like three times as long, those words never left her mouth as she simply chuckled. Keeping a straight face, Theresia continued:

“That is why I think that a man's reason to cry where no one will see or know about it is probably not so very different from what Vileena-sama's reasons would be.”

“Like me?”