“Dimi, uncle, it’s getting late. Let us rest for now and reconvene tomorrow with clear minds,” Rihannan suggested, ushering them out of the study and gently rubbing her forehead. Leaving their wounds unattended would only deepen the scars.
Exiting the study, Rihannan spotted Mary waiting outside, her deep-brown eyes brimming with tears. The maid rushed to Rihannan’s side.
“Oh, Miss…” she croaked.
Rihannan forced a bitter smile. “Did you overhear everything?”
Mary wiped away her tears and nodded. “Yes, I heard it when the door opened earlier. Miss, is it true? Are you really going to Arundell instead of the princess…?”
Rihannan couldn’t provide a definite answer. She didn’t know. Until today, her worries had been consumed by Helena’s safety, but now everything had changed. Now, she had to worry about herself.
“Uncle said he would find a way. Don’t fret too much, Mary. I am tired and in need of rest. You should rest as well.”
Mary, still teary-eyed, nodded. “Yes, Miss. Allow me to escort you to your room.”
Mary led Rihannan to her bedroom and handed her the customary nightly medicine. Despite her lingering worries, Mary stayed by Rihannan’s side until she fell into a fitful sleep before finally departing. However, sleep eluded Rihannan. Throughout the night, she tossed and turned, her mind consumed by the events of the day.
She contemplated the immense difficulty her uncle faced in defying the king and the crown prince’s orders. Disobeying royalty in their country constituted a grave crime in itself. If he were to conceal Rihannan and refuse to surrender his niece, both he and Dimitri would be executed for treason—the worst possible outcome.
Therefore, Rihannan had to make the decision to go willingly, minimizing the harm it would inflict upon her uncle and Dimitri. They had to be kept safe from harm.
But… there was one thing she couldn’t comprehend. Igor. Why had he used such vague language in the written documents, referring to marrying Chrichton’s royal woman? Rihannan was clueless. When drafting official documents, precision was crucial, and any errors had to be corrected to prevent misinterpretation. Perhaps Igor couldn’t afford to be precise given the current circumstances.
Igor…
Rihannan recalled those cold, violet eyes and shuddered momentarily. Maybe… maybe she wouldn’t be able to evade returning to Arundell. Her fate might take a turn for the worst…
In the past, she had become a queen due to her noble Arundell lineage and her close relationship with the late queen. At that time, the queen held great power, and Rihannan possessed a certain standing. The queen had adored her and showered her with affection.
However, this time was different. The queen had been reduced to a toothless tiger, stripped of power and her throne. This time, there would be no one by Rihannan’s side. Dimitri had spoken the truth. She was treading on thin ice, and any misstep could cost her life.
Rihannan’s thoughts suffocated her, plunging her into an abyss of despair. If that were the case, why hadn’t she died and instead returned to the past? What was the point if her future held greater suffering than the past?
Rihannan recalled Helena’s tearful words, “I don’t want to go to Arundell as a hostage…”
By now, Helena must have realized. She would know that Rihannan would go in her place. Rihannan wondered what Helena was thinking. Would she be angry? Upset?
“I will visit her first thing tomorrow morning.”
Rihannan couldn’t rely solely on her uncle to bear the burden. While uncertain of where the princess stood, if she harbored even the slightest guilt, perhaps she could be of assistance. Perhaps there was another way, another path.
Covering herself with the blankets, Rihannan tried to relax and succumb to sleep. However, footsteps, deliberate and measured, disrupted her tranquility. Rihannan opened her eyes, only to discover a shadowy figure standing beside her bed.
“Who… Who…”
“Shh…”
Rihannan struggled to speak, her mouth covered, but she ceased resisting upon hearing that familiar voice.
“Dimi?” she whispered softly, her silhouette bathed in moonlight streaming through the window.
Her cousin, Dimi, pressed his finger against her lips and silently mouthed, “Be quiet.”
Rihannan looked at Dimitri with astonishment as he handed her a coat, shoes, and a hat, instructing her to put them on.
“Dimi, what is…”
“I will explain on the way. We have no time. Come, hurry.”
In response to his urgent plea, Rihannan hurriedly dressed herself. Once her shoes were on, Dimitri took her hand and led her out of the room. They made their way out of the dimly lit mansion and into the stable. Without hesitation, Dimitri assisted Rihannan onto a horse and swiftly mounted it himself. In a matter of moments, the pair left the estate behind.
“Dimi, please, tell me what is happening,” Rihannan implored once they reached a secluded spot. Yet, Dimitri remained silent, continuing their journey in silence. Rihannan’s patience wore thin, and she asked again, this time with more force.
“Leave Crichton for now,” Dimitri finally spoke.
“What?” Rihannan twisted her body, startled.
“Eyes forward.” Dimitri faced her straight ahead. “You will stay at the border with a friend I know. It is safer there. Stay there for the time being.”
“What? Dimi, talk to me!”
“…”
“Stop the horse now!”
But there was no sign of stopping. Rihannan forcibly took hold of the reins from Dimitri. Startled by the touch of an unfamiliar hand, the horse reared, lowering its head and standing on its hind legs, forelegs kicking the air, causing Rihannan and Dimitri to tumble to the ground.
Furrowing his brows, Dimitri spoke angrily, “Rhia, we do not have time for this. I must get you out of Tars by night’s end.”
“And what will happen if I leave you and Uncle like this?” Rihannan snapped.
“Why are you concerned about that? We will handle our own affairs. Focus on your own. Do you think it will be easy to hide in Tars, where you are easily recognized?”
“Dimi!” Rihannan roared. “How can you be so reckless and emotional at a time like this? Do you not understand that the crown prince will not stand idly by? Do you not comprehend?”
“What do you expect me to do, Rhia? Should I watch you be taken hostage? No, I will not allow it!”
“There must be another way. We cannot proceed like this.”
“Rhia…” Dimitri’s anger simmered. This was the first time he felt such helplessness and fury. “You speak so easily because you know nothing. The crown prince… do you not think he will retaliate against Arundell? He will never forgive anyone who dares to trample upon his pride. Once Chrichton has rebuilt itself, he will undoubtedly wage war against Arundell. And what of Arundell’s king? Do you think he will leave you be once he discovers you are not the princess? Those bastards will bring about your demise!”
“But this is not the solution. This will only bring chaos,” Rihannan rebuked Dimitri sharply, taking a deep breath. She grasped his arm firmly and spoke gravely, “In the future, you will face far greater pain and hardship than this. Even then, if you treat matters so lightly, everyone will perish. Wake up, Dimi. We are no longer children. It is time for us to grow up…”
Dimitri had always been a man of integrity… even now. Even in the past, Rihannan had inwardly relied on him, exchanging letters with him.
Though they had met earlier than anticipated, he remained the same dependable, emotional, and impulsive person she had known. Growing up with Dimitri, she had learned of this side of him—a side she had not truly known before. And now, as he stood before her, he was a grown man, still offering her the same support and protection as he did when they were children.
“Why are you saying this all of a sudden? What do you mean? What could be harder than this?”
Rihannan bit her lip, her gaze fixed on Dimitri. She longed to confide in him—the truth. Others might consider her insane, but Dimitri, with his visionary spirit, might believe her.
“Rhia…” he called her name, and in that moment, something glimmered nearby.
“Dimi, uncle, it’s getting late. Let us rest for now and reconvene tomorrow with clear minds,” Rihannan suggested, ushering them out of the study and gently rubbing her forehead. Leaving their wounds unattended would only deepen the scars.
Exiting the study, Rihannan spotted Mary waiting outside, her deep-brown eyes brimming with tears. The maid rushed to Rihannan’s side.
“Oh, Miss…” she croaked.
Rihannan forced a bitter smile. “Did you overhear everything?”
Mary wiped away her tears and nodded. “Yes, I heard it when the door opened earlier. Miss, is it true? Are you really going to Arundell instead of the princess…?”
Rihannan couldn’t provide a definite answer. She didn’t know. Until today, her worries had been consumed by Helena’s safety, but now everything had changed. Now, she had to worry about herself.
“Uncle said he would find a way. Don’t fret too much, Mary. I am tired and in need of rest. You should rest as well.”
Mary, still teary-eyed, nodded. “Yes, Miss. Allow me to escort you to your room.”
Mary led Rihannan to her bedroom and handed her the customary nightly medicine. Despite her lingering worries, Mary stayed by Rihannan’s side until she fell into a fitful sleep before finally departing. However, sleep eluded Rihannan. Throughout the night, she tossed and turned, her mind consumed by the events of the day.
She contemplated the immense difficulty her uncle faced in defying the king and the crown prince’s orders. Disobeying royalty in their country constituted a grave crime in itself. If he were to conceal Rihannan and refuse to surrender his niece, both he and Dimitri would be executed for treason—the worst possible outcome.
Therefore, Rihannan had to make the decision to go willingly, minimizing the harm it would inflict upon her uncle and Dimitri. They had to be kept safe from harm.
But… there was one thing she couldn’t comprehend. Igor. Why had he used such vague language in the written documents, referring to marrying Chrichton’s royal woman? Rihannan was clueless. When drafting official documents, precision was crucial, and any errors had to be corrected to prevent misinterpretation. Perhaps Igor couldn’t afford to be precise given the current circumstances.
Igor…
Rihannan recalled those cold, violet eyes and shuddered momentarily. Maybe… maybe she wouldn’t be able to evade returning to Arundell. Her fate might take a turn for the worst…
In the past, she had become a queen due to her noble Arundell lineage and her close relationship with the late queen. At that time, the queen held great power, and Rihannan possessed a certain standing. The queen had adored her and showered her with affection.
However, this time was different. The queen had been reduced to a toothless tiger, stripped of power and her throne. This time, there would be no one by Rihannan’s side. Dimitri had spoken the truth. She was treading on thin ice, and any misstep could cost her life.
Rihannan’s thoughts suffocated her, plunging her into an abyss of despair. If that were the case, why hadn’t she died and instead returned to the past? What was the point if her future held greater suffering than the past?
Rihannan recalled Helena’s tearful words, “I don’t want to go to Arundell as a hostage…”
By now, Helena must have realized. She would know that Rihannan would go in her place. Rihannan wondered what Helena was thinking. Would she be angry? Upset?
“I will visit her first thing tomorrow morning.”
Rihannan couldn’t rely solely on her uncle to bear the burden. While uncertain of where the princess stood, if she harbored even the slightest guilt, perhaps she could be of assistance. Perhaps there was another way, another path.
Covering herself with the blankets, Rihannan tried to relax and succumb to sleep. However, footsteps, deliberate and measured, disrupted her tranquility. Rihannan opened her eyes, only to discover a shadowy figure standing beside her bed.
“Who… Who…”
“Shh…”
Rihannan struggled to speak, her mouth covered, but she ceased resisting upon hearing that familiar voice.
“Dimi?” she whispered softly, her silhouette bathed in moonlight streaming through the window.
Her cousin, Dimi, pressed his finger against her lips and silently mouthed, “Be quiet.”
Rihannan looked at Dimitri with astonishment as he handed her a coat, shoes, and a hat, instructing her to put them on.
“Dimi, what is…”
“I will explain on the way. We have no time. Come, hurry.”
In response to his urgent plea, Rihannan hurriedly dressed herself. Once her shoes were on, Dimitri took her hand and led her out of the room. They made their way out of the dimly lit mansion and into the stable. Without hesitation, Dimitri assisted Rihannan onto a horse and swiftly mounted it himself. In a matter of moments, the pair left the estate behind.
“Dimi, please, tell me what is happening,” Rihannan implored once they reached a secluded spot. Yet, Dimitri remained silent, continuing their journey in silence. Rihannan’s patience wore thin, and she asked again, this time with more force.
“Leave Crichton for now,” Dimitri finally spoke.
“What?” Rihannan twisted her body, startled.
“Eyes forward.” Dimitri faced her straight ahead. “You will stay at the border with a friend I know. It is safer there. Stay there for the time being.”
“What? Dimi, talk to me!”
“…”
“Stop the horse now!”
But there was no sign of stopping. Rihannan forcibly took hold of the reins from Dimitri. Startled by the touch of an unfamiliar hand, the horse reared, lowering its head and standing on its hind legs, forelegs kicking the air, causing Rihannan and Dimitri to tumble to the ground.
Furrowing his brows, Dimitri spoke angrily, “Rhia, we do not have time for this. I must get you out of Tars by night’s end.”
“And what will happen if I leave you and Uncle like this?” Rihannan snapped.
“Why are you concerned about that? We will handle our own affairs. Focus on your own. Do you think it will be easy to hide in Tars, where you are easily recognized?”
“Dimi!” Rihannan roared. “How can you be so reckless and emotional at a time like this? Do you not understand that the crown prince will not stand idly by? Do you not comprehend?”
“What do you expect me to do, Rhia? Should I watch you be taken hostage? No, I will not allow it!”
“There must be another way. We cannot proceed like this.”
“Rhia…” Dimitri’s anger simmered. This was the first time he felt such helplessness and fury. “You speak so easily because you know nothing. The crown prince… do you not think he will retaliate against Arundell? He will never forgive anyone who dares to trample upon his pride. Once Chrichton has rebuilt itself, he will undoubtedly wage war against Arundell. And what of Arundell’s king? Do you think he will leave you be once he discovers you are not the princess? Those bastards will bring about your demise!”
“But this is not the solution. This will only bring chaos,” Rihannan rebuked Dimitri sharply, taking a deep breath. She grasped his arm firmly and spoke gravely, “In the future, you will face far greater pain and hardship than this. Even then, if you treat matters so lightly, everyone will perish. Wake up, Dimi. We are no longer children. It is time for us to grow up…”
Dimitri had always been a man of integrity… even now. Even in the past, Rihannan had inwardly relied on him, exchanging letters with him.
Though they had met earlier than anticipated, he remained the same dependable, emotional, and impulsive person she had known. Growing up with Dimitri, she had learned of this side of him—a side she had not truly known before. And now, as he stood before her, he was a grown man, still offering her the same support and protection as he did when they were children.
“Why are you saying this all of a sudden? What do you mean? What could be harder than this?”
Rihannan bit her lip, her gaze fixed on Dimitri. She longed to confide in him—the truth. Others might consider her insane, but Dimitri, with his visionary spirit, might believe her.
“Rhia…” he called her name, and in that moment, something glimmered nearby.
