“Sir Carsein, His Majesty asks to see you for a moment.”

The hand that teased the quill stopped. The wind created an unpleasant stain in the middle of the work journal, but the important thing now was not that. Carsein turned around, doubting his ears, a neatly dressed maid caught his eyes, a tiara patterns embroidered on the color of the clothes, it was the Empress Palace's maid for sure. Carsein asked the woman, her depressed lips leaning down.

"Your Empress, did she looking for me?"

"Yes, before I left for the mission, I wanted to talk to you for a while, so I told you that you would like to come to the Empress Palace as soon as you are done. "

“Okay, then go now.”

After handing over his diary to a colleague who quickly reached out, Carsein followed the handmaiden to the Empress Palace. It was quite close from his working place to the Empress Palace, but the street, which would have been sweeter in the past, was now touching with a complex yet confusing feeling. It has already been 4 months since the national marriage took a place. And half a year has passed since the day he saw the blood oath be rejected.

***

From the time Carsein watched the scene that day, and from the time he watched Ruve scream and hold her dying, He realized that he could no longer reach her anymore. He had to be heartbroken, but he couldn't even confess his feelings even though he would be rejected.

If I knew this would happen, I'd at least talk to you

Of course, it wasn't that Carsein hadn't tried it, but if he knew he was going to play with this fateful joke, he wouldn't have to wait for the right time, but he would have said it right when he had the chance. Carsein regretted it several times a day. It was heartbreaking to have lost her, but his heart was so sad that he had never even heard of it. When Tia finally came to visit him after all, he said good-bye to her instead of confessing.

Carsein knew it was an act, but even then, he wanted to convey it indirectly, at least once, to the heart he had embraced for many years.

Only then, the bitter heart seemed to be a little regretful. As expected, Tia seemed to understand the meaning of his words. As a wise woman, she didn't say anything about it, but since that day she has never meet him privately. Those who didn't know tried to confine her asking how much she could break her childhood relationship, but I could see that it was her only consideration for him. So the call now was somewhat questionable to him. This was certainly not the act of her crying. half curious and half complicated

As soon as he entered reality, Carsein stepped inside as if she had waited. She seemed to have been doing other events in the morning, and she was wearing a conquest embroidered by the Imperial family. When Carsein saw the jewelry tiara on the silver hair, he felt bitter, but he smiled at her for a long time and politely greet her.

It's his heart.

Anyway, it was enough for him to put a burden on her last time.

"Carsein de Las says hello to the Empress, the moon of the Empire. It's been a long time, Your Majesty?"

"well, how have you been?"

"Well, what's the matter with me? Your Majesty must have been busier than I am."

She smiled softly and said,

“Yes. As I woke up, it seemed like a lot of time had passed, so I wanted to apologize for what I had been hoping for, and say hello to you when I traveled a long way. You'll be busy, thanks for your time, Carsein.

"Are you talking about it? It's not the other person, it's the Empress's call, but you have to run even after ten days."

Carsein laughed and replied to the words she said, but his puzzled mind still remained. Speaking of which, he think it was right to sing it because it was on his mind to go a long way without saying goodbye, but he felt a bit uncomfortable when he thought about it. If he knew her, he sure she would have taken care of his feelings first.

Did anything happen?

Suddenly, Carsein looked at her as if he was observing her thoughts, but he couldn't find anything different from her, but it was the best thing he've ever seen before, except for the rather awkward feeling of meeting him after a long time.

Even though he have heard rumors she's getting along with the Emperor, Carsein was worried that she might have had an undesired marriage, recalling how she turning down Ruve off all the time when she was still a Lady Monique. It seemed to be. But Carsein thought he was overly sensitive. When he tried to say something, he heard a knock, and the maid who came in immediately put the teapot, teacup, and tea box on the table. Meanwhile, she was silent all the time.

When Tia finished working, she pulled the box straight away. It was awkward, but Carsein looked at her as if she was doing well, and he asked without a word. Somehow it seemed like a way to help her. Her careful tea-making reminded me of memories that had now came to mind. Sometimes joyful and sometimes sad times. It was a beautiful time with her, who even became a reminder of the painful, angry, and painful memories. Carsein bite through the memories that passed by with a bitter heart. Whenever he recalled her memories, he always felt bitter, but somehow he feel like the pain is less today.

So.... Why?

As soon as she tilted her head to the rising question, Tia gave him a cup of tea without a word, thickly soaked in red hibiscus. Carsein grinned as he accepted the inscription of the roaring golden lion.

"I haven drink the tea made of by the Empress in a long time. Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll make it a personal honor."

" that's a great compliment."

"No, how many people can drink tea that your Majesty has made for you? It's enough to thank you for not forgetting your friendship with me."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Carsein felt Tia's voice shaking at the moment, but he nodded with a casual expression pretending he didn't notice it. As she looked at him, she said in a quiet voice.

“..… Thanks, Carsein. "

"It was nothing. Anyway, I'm going to be sorry for you for empty the capital for a long time. ”

"I can't say no. Of course, I can't see you as often as before, but it's another matter to be away from the capital and to stay away from the capital. What's bothers me that it's the kingdom of Lisa."

"Of course it does, but isn't it just an inspection and a way to fine-tune the details of the treaty? So don't worry too much. I'll take care of it....Well, I'll be right back."

Carsein lifted the mug silently and drank a ruby tea. Then, as usual, she made a cup with a loud noise and said to him.

"Yes. Thank you very much, Carsein. Take good care of your father And come back carefully ...... sure."

In a strange mood, Carsein looked up and looked at her.

Make sure you come back ?

No matter how belligerent his opponent is in the kingdom of Lisa, he was just visiting as a mission, and she was a little worried ? This is like saying to someone who is going to die. It's not like we'll never see each other again.

Why....,oh I just thought about it.....Allendis.

Is it because of that child? Like Allen, that Grass Green Hair who left for mission to Lua kingdom and disappeared.

Are you worried that they will never come back forever?

Only then did Carsein realize why Tia called him. Somehow it was a bit strange, so it was like that. She was afraid, but when he looked at her face, he couldn't even talk about it because he was caught up in the heart. When Carsein thought of the last conversation with that Allendis, a bitter laugh came out, but he hurriedly erased the smile and spoke calmly.

"Your Empress."

"Yeah."

"If you're doing this because of the past, don't worry"

Tia's hand, which was holding the cup of tea, trembled. Carsein looked up and fixed hiseyes on the golden eyes. Then, with as much sincerity as possible, he gave promise to her as much as he could.

"I honestly can't tell you that it's okay yet.・ Still, it's a lot better than it used to be, and in the future it will be more. So you may stop worrying now."

People said that there is a hypnotic effect ? Carsein just pulled out of hismouth the promise he had been doing all the time, but it was just a feeling of lightness in his heavy heart.

I think I can

Carsein I smiled and said, “I feel much more comfortable than before. When I return, I will return with only friendship. So don't worry, please wait a little longer."

"Thank you very much Carsein. "

There was a gentle smile on her face, which looked at him with biting eyes. One realization flashed through my mind as he looked so relaxed as if he had relieved the last anxiety he had. It was because of that. I guess that's why Carsein felt less pain today while remembering memories with her. Maybe it was because of that figure, but it was always under the weight of life, so it was always difficult. He felt less painful, too, because Tia seemed so much more relaxed now as if she had let go of her anxiety, and now she looked bright and happy when he saw her in the golden field.

Carsein hate to admit it, but it seemed certain that "he," not him, had changed her. When I see her look like that. Somehow he felt bitter, but at the same time, the heavy relief filled his heart. At some point he wanted to see her run, but that's exactly what he wanted from her. It was his first commitment to protect his life so that she won't have any more anxiety and live in a lively way in the golden field. She smiled back at him with crying smile.

I thought to myself. Now that I have seen you happy, one day I will give you back not only the outward but also the heartfelt friendship that comes from the heart as it is now. I will make sure that day comes for both you and me. So, please wait a little longer,

****

"Hmm, yeah? I got it. I'll see."

"Thank you, sir."

A woman with a deep, waist-deep bow at him, she looked scared.

Carsein suddenly opened his eyes and he saw a woman from far away. At first it was just a hair color that looked like silver, but it was less important than a face that looked just like Jenna's Daughter ( Jieun ) If it looked like a bit he would just have passed over. But the woman was almost the same as her height, body, and even voice, except for the color of her hair. But there was a problem to think of a woman as Princess Jenna just because she looked like her.

Of course, you might think that you disguised yourself as dead and drained your body, but who would have done it for her? aristocratic clans who were desperate to live on their own lives? Or the nobles, who always regarded her as a thorn in the eye? Or else, the emperor, who wiped out the core forces of the aristocrats at once?

After finishing his visit to the capital in a spirited mood, Carsein tried to go back to the inn and change his mind to find the marquis. Anyway, she had a hair color close to silver hair, so he thought it would be better for a woman to let her know in case it was Monique's Family.

"Isn't it Sir Carsein. I heard you're going to see the capital, but why did you find me as soon as you came back? Or did anything happen while you were out?" ( this the noble woman who fight Jieun before )

It seemed to him that some other country had a diplomatic friction as if you were. Carsein glanced at the silver hair with shattering light and said.

"It's not such a concern, but in fact I went out to the capital and found a woman who seemed to have silver hair by chance. She wasn't metallic silver like Empress Her Majesty, but is there a person like that living in the kingdom of Lisa? "

"Don't wait. It's not officially there, but there's someone who's being watched on it. I guess I've met the woman."

"Oh, is that so? "

the Earl, who looked at me with a smile on his face, raised his mouth and said

"So, are you here to let me know? Thank you for taking care of your home affairs like this."

"Oh, no, sir."

"If I do, can I ask my lord one thing? I want you to silent about the existence of a woman until we know whether it's her home turf or not. You know, I don't have a lot of enemies in my home"

"Oh, yes, I'll do it."

Carsein didn't mention a single word about the appearance that looked like a Jenna princess, but he readily nodded. For any reason, it was rude to be deeply involved in the events of other families. If it wasn't Tia's Family, he wouldn't even care. That's how he've erased a whole bunch of things from his head with the woman he ran into Until the day he left Lisa's kingdom after completing all his missions.

****

"Then I wish you all a safe return. Until the day you arrive, I hope the protection of the light will be with you."

"It was a very useful time. May the blessing of God be with you back home."

The Duke, who greeted Carsein in a stern manner, turned his head. Although he pretended to be calm, he seemed very pleased because he had achieved all his goals and returned home. In the long negotiations, which took place for quite a while, the envoys were Chris Jans III had settled the issue been settled to a certain extent that they could understand each other. There was no need to worry about it. Members of the delegation, who made a slight nod to the head of the kingdom who had come to see him off, turned around one by one. Carsein too, slightly lowered his head towards them and pulled the reins.

The sun was breaking in gold and color against the high wall. The gleaming light suddenly reminded him of the silver-haired woman he met here. A woman with silver hair that is close to white and dark eyes, who looks very much like the Daughter of Duke of Jenna.

What happened to her?

Carsein shrugged his shoulders at a passing curiosity. It's a matter of another's family anyway, and he don't care. Whatever the woman is, what do he know?

Rather, the problem was another silver-haired woman who had to meet again when he returned to the capital.

As a Friend, i'm sure I'll be happy to see you back

He going to come back and wait a little longer. Carsein slowly closed his eyes. Memories with her, which he thought of together every day, passed once again over a blackened field of view. Stroking her wavy silver hair, the texture of the day, the memories of the many days she cried and laughed with the battle they fought against each other, and the subtle tea scent that always circled around her.

When he closed his eyes, Carsein chewed all those memories of the full color that always came to mind, thinking that he would be colored in a fine brown little by little since he left the capital. When the memories glowed brightly, they began to remain vague rather than glaring. And now, the memories with her floating on his closed eyes are definitely a little bit different from before. It was dyed in a different color.

Can I treat her like a friend now?

Like what He said and promised to her when he left.

When i went back to the capital and faced her again, could I laugh with a playful look. Isn't it like in the letter you sent brightly? I thought over and over again. Honestly, I don't know yet. I think I might be thinking about it, and I don't think I would think of it, so I really don't know yet. As the day passes and two days pass, there will be a day when you will laugh in a truly comfortable day, and the day when you will remember even the bitterness of the performance with good memories.

That was enough. He still have a lot of time. He definitely saw the memories with her dying a fine brown. Finally, when Carsein looked back once again, The silver sun was dazzling over the sound of the horse-shoe running.