Two-Faced Princess

The two embraced again. Behind Uriel’s shoulders, Apollonia observed the expressions of those around them one by one. They believed her words. Apollonia smiled cunningly. Everything went as planned. A few days later, not only the Emperor but also all the nobles in the capital heard the following rumor:

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

“The Princess, deeply in love, rescued her endangered escort knight from the clutches of demons.”

Ephenhardt, the Grand Duke’s return, was also a topic of interest, but no one suspected that Apollonia deliberately aided him. Caelion was lying quietly on his bed. Pedro Lys, the palace’s physician, had left after treating his broken leg, various bruises, and Melody’s hand injury that the Queen had caused, saying that he would recover soon with some rest. His mind was a mess. Apollonia had left the room without any explanation, saying he needed to rest, but one thing was clear from the situation. Melody arrived first. A sign of his salvation. Shortly after, Priyonix and Apollonia arrived. As Evangeline had said, Apollonia defeated the queen by feeding her poison.

Apollonia had personally rescued him, but it was Evangeline who made it possible. Without her help, he might have starved to death in the underground.

Kiiick—

“Your Grace, the Princess of Rajan has arrived.”

He got up in a daze at the report from his chamberlain.

“Let her in.”

Caelion smiled wryly. It seemed that all that was bound to happen had happened.

“How is your health?”

Evangeline whispered as she entered. She tried to be as quiet as possible and only opened the door slightly, but it made an unnecessary creaking sound.

“Just come in. My body is fine.” Caelion sighed and spoke. Evangeline stood still at his bedside and gazed at him. She looked a little more haggard than usual. Her sharp eyes, like those of a leopard, seemed much calmer than usual.

“You saved me, didn’t you?” Caelion asked, but she didn’t answer. He sighed again.

“So, did you finally get what you wanted this time? Or did you come to ask me for something?” As he asked in a muffled voice, Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows.

“Satisfied with the deal you made with my sister? Well, I can’t help it. I owe you so much that it’s impossible for me to repay.”

Evangeline’s reddish-brown pupils trembled for a moment.

“What… what are you saying?”

“You want a price. A fair trade. Considering what you’ve done, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for you to make demands.” He propped himself up a little more on the pillow and spoke. Thinking about what had happened in Bamel Moutain and Evangeline’s appearance now, there was only one conclusion. Apollonia must have promised Evangeline to give him up in exchange for saving Caelion’s life. It must have been an inevitable choice even for herself.

“As you wish, I am yours. What will you do now?” Caelion asked weakly. Evangeline’s eyes widened as she understood his words. She quietly echoed his words.

“How will I have you—–” She slowly placed her hand on his soft hair and paused for a moment. Then she sighed and gently stroked Caelion’s head three times, like touching something precious, like a beloved pet or puppy. Caelion let her do as she pleased.

Eventually, a short answer came out of Evangeline’s mouth.

“I’ll let you go.”

“What?”

Caelion asked again. Did his hearing go bad? She just said she would let him go.

“I said I’ll let you go.”

But instead of canceling her previous words, Evangeline repeated them again. Caelion’s confusion deepened.

“I mean, I have many pets.”

While still keeping her hand on his head, Evelyn spoke quietly. “There are those I captured and trained, and those I chose the parents and bred. They are all like precious assets to me, indispensable messengers.” She mumbled mysterious words.”But they are not friends. I am undoubtedly their owner. I have only one demon that I treat as a friend.”

“The Priyonix,” Caelion answered, mesmerized, and Evangeline nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. I understand her much better than the others. Freya is an untameable one. So, I decided to become friends with her. She understands my emotions and my concerns, and she is loyal enough to stay at the palace for me.”

“So?”

“So, I’ve never thought of confining her somewhere. Even when I came here, I told her to run away several times. If she leaves me, she can be free. I truly wanted her to be happy. It’s a story that doesn’t apply to the others.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“After you went to Bamel Mountains, I realized something.”

Evangeline looked up and met Caelion’s gaze.

“I… like you. I like you. Maybe even more than Freya.”

The eyes that he thought sparkled were moist. She continued. “I like you so much that I would kneel to someone else to save you. Just like you did in front of me before.”

“What?”

“I like you so much that I wish for nothing more than your happiness. Whether you are near or far, I just want you to be happy.”

Evangeline sighed again and concluded her words.