Between Your Letter and My Reply

Chapter 128
Episode 7: The Princess’s Story

So, where did the princess who ran away before her wedding in the story of the brave knight Stern go, and what did she do?

Lilliana had always been curious about that.

Why wasn’t there a story about the princess? Why wasn’t anyone curious about the princess’s story while they were so enthusiastic about the knight Stern’s adventures? Why didn’t anyone properly question the reason why the princess ran away?

People simply interpreted the princess’s actions as:

Well, it’s because she didn’t want to marry the prince from the neighboring kingdom.

Lilliana didn’t think it was a wrong interpretation. But was that really the only reason she abandoned her status and ran away? Just for that single reason?

The princess had a king who loved her and her loyal knight, Sir Stern. If she said she didn’t want to marry the prince from the neighboring kingdom, the king would surely have canceled the marriage for his beloved daughter.

If she said she loved Sir Stern and wanted to marry him, Sir Stern would gladly offer his heart to the princess. The princess could have anything she wanted. That is… from the perspective of others.

What was it that those two couldn’t give the princess?

Lilliana wanted to know the princess’s story. She wondered what kind of path the princess took, leaving behind her loving father and her knight.

Where did the adventure story of the nameless princess in the fairy tale begin and end?

***

“Here’s the newly enchanted key.”

Soliel handed Damian Asher’s key after enchanting it. Damian carefully put it in his pocket, and Lilliana said to him, “Damian, wait outside for a bit. I’ll be out after I finish my business.”

Damian looked at Lilliana with a puzzled expression.

“Can’t I wait here?”

“I told you, it’s personal business. It’s unlikely anything major will happen with Soliel here, so you don’t need to be here.”

At Lilliana’s insistence, Damian looked hesitant for a moment, then nodded.

“Okay. Then I’ll wait outside. Call me if anything happens.”

After Damian excused himself and left the shop, Soliel, her eyes sparkling, asked Lilliana, “You? You have personal business with me?”

Soliel was quite curious about what this bold young lady would say. Lilliana crossed her arms and said, “You still don’t intend to help me regain my memories?”

“Oh, if it’s about that, you’d better just go back.”

Soliel waved her hand in disgust, and Lilliana said curtly,

“If you don’t want to, then forget it. I was just testing the waters. That’s not what I came here for. I have a different favor to ask, Soliel.”

“What is it?” Soliel asked.

Lilliana leaned closer to her and spoke as if sharing a secret, “I want to use my power more effectively.”

“You want to use your power more effectively?”

“So…”

Lilliana cleared her throat. She was nervous that she might be scolded for saying something absurd. Still, she spoke her mind, thinking she had nothing to lose.

“I mean, I want to be able to protect myself with my own power. It’s nothing more than the ability to create a small flame, but if there’s a way to amplify it with magic, maybe I could create a big flame like my brother.”

Soliel burst into laughter at her words. Lilliana was a little intimidated by her reaction. What was so funny?

But Soliel soon stopped laughing and made a serious face.

“So, in short… you want strong power? You want to wield immense power like your brother?”

“Yes, that’s right. I want to become strong. I want to be able to protect myself.”

“But don’t you already have two excellent bodyguards? Don’t you trust them?”

“No, I believe Damian and my brother can protect me sufficiently.”

“But then? Why did you suddenly think of this?”

It wasn’t that she had suddenly thought of it. There was a trigger. In the maze, when she was surrounded by monsters and unable to do anything, she was saved thanks to Casey.

Being drugged by the sleep-inducing scent and rendered defenseless, and relying solely on Damian and Casey’s power to rescue Asher, had sparked a different kind of anxiety in Lilliana.

It was frustrating to be unable to do anything. Perhaps that was why she had been so defiant towards Damian when he told her to run away.

She wanted to be able to do something to help others. Even if the two of them couldn’t protect her, she wanted to be able to escape danger with her own strength.

It wasn’t that she wanted to act recklessly or overstep her bounds. If she could receive help from someone, she would. She just didn’t want to be a helpless fool.

That desire surged within her.

“I don’t want to just sit still and do nothing. Brother, Damian, and even Aunt Pascal… they all think I don’t need to know anything and that I should just live happily in the world they’ve created for me. But I don’t want that kind of life.”

I’m not a princess who knows nothing and only receives protection from others.

“I need to know exactly what’s happening to me, without missing a single thing.”

I’m not a princess who just sits still and smiles prettily like a doll.

“If Soliel won’t help me regain my memories, I’ll find a way to do it myself. I won’t blame you for that. But.”

I am not a princess who enjoys happiness alone while being served by others.

“Whatever those memories are about, since they are my memories, I intend to bear the consequences as my own burden.”

I am not a princess trapped in a tower.

“So Soliel, please don’t leave me as a fool who can’t do anything or know anything on her own. I hate not being able to do anything without others’ help. I want my own power.”

I am Lilliana Carnell.

“Please, Soliel!”

Soliel laughed heartily at Lilliana’s words. She scanned Lilliana with gleaming eyes.

“I really like this kind of young lady! It’s like seeing my younger self.”

Soliel’s face became clouded with thought.

“Let’s see… what kind of power should I give you? Magic is innate, passed down through bloodlines, so you can’t learn it, but as you said, if there’s a way to utilize the weak spirit power you have…”

Soliel tilted her head and fell deep into thought.

“Alchemists would probably know more about this than I do. But there aren’t many alchemists left these days, so it can’t be helped. If you give me some time, I’ll think about it. I think there might be a way to amplify your power.”

“Really?!”

Lilliana smiled brightly and hugged Soliel tightly.

“Thank you so much, Soliel! Really!”

—————

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