Chapter 76

Michael led me through a hidden passage in the imperial palace. It was the secret passage he had used to escape from the palace on the day of the rebellion in the original story.

‘How can you reveal this to me of all people?’

The reason Michael survived when the Grand Duke occupied the imperial palace was because of this passage. Only the current Emperor and Crown Prince Michael knew about this passage.

Feeling my gaze, he let go of my hand and turned to look at me.

“Just a bit further and we’ll be outside.”

“Michael, have you shown this passage to anyone else besides me?”

“No. I haven’t told anyone, and this is my first time using it too.”

Well, that’s fortunate at least.

Looking at him carefully, he seemed to have some careless aspects despite being intelligent. Meeting my thoughtful gaze, Michael pulled back his hood to wipe away his sweat.

Then he knelt in front of me with his back turned.

“Come on, get on my back.”

“I can walk by myself.”

Michael silently maintained his position and waited.

He seemed determined not to move a single step until I got on his back. He added a final argument to my hesitation.

“It’s not for your sake. I know the way, so this is easier for me.”

Indeed, Michael had been on edge the entire time we were walking.

He said the secret passage was like a maze, and if we took a wrong turn, it would be difficult to find our way back. It was impressive how he navigated such complex terrain without hesitation despite being so young.

Finding his reasoning sensible, I climbed onto his back.

“Hold onto my neck so you don’t fall.”

“Am I not too heavy?”

“My mother said eating three meals a day is important.”

“I eat well.”

He’s saying I’m not heavy in a roundabout way. He secured my legs and started walking.

I rested my cheek against Michael’s back as it swayed gently from side to side.

“How did you know about the festival?”

“I saw fireworks in the distance when there was a ball at the imperial palace.”

Even when I was Kashian, festivals were held throughout the capital around this time. They were festivals organized by the capital’s residents who had great faith in the imperial family.

There used to be plenty of food, so I often participated in the past.

“What do you want to do at the festival?”

“I want to do everything that friends can do together with you.”

“Stop being so obsessed with friendship. You can have fun without such things.”

If I were the right age, I would have started with beer at the festival. I told Michael about the sights one could enjoy at the festival.

Even if things had changed over time, festivals would be more or less similar.

“When you go to the capital’s festival, you must try the skewered grilled food. And sometimes there are performances too.”

Most performances were illusions, but occasionally they were worth watching. Plays about the founding mythology, and beautiful stories recited by minstrels. Michael’s pace gradually slowed as he listened to my examples.

I rested my head on his soft crown. After seeming lost in thought, he spoke.

“Liat. There’s something I want to ask you, though it might hurt.”

I wonder what kind of question requires such a preface. Pressing close to his back and taking a breath, a faint lavender scent filled my nostrils.

‘A floral scent.’

His body odor was unique, as befitting the male lead of the original story.

His following question was unexpected.

“Are commoners freer than nobles?”

“No.”

“But you can go where you want to go, and choose what you want to become in the future, can’t you?”

“Michael. The difficulty of choices is the same no matter what life you live.”

He probably thought I knew about commoners’ lives well since I was publicly known as a Grand Princess from a common background. Of course, I knew better than he imagined.

I could proudly say that probably no one knew the life of commoners better than me, who had been born thirty-two times.

‘They’re all surprisingly similar.’

No matter how one is born, one cannot escape the weight of choices.

“How can choices be easy in a life where you live day to day?”

“All members of the imperial family are regulated not to leave the imperial palace until they come of age.”

“Commoners usually live their entire lives in the village where they were born, too.”

“…I see.”

“You know, apart from your birth, your present is also your choice.”

No matter what situation you’re in, you can escape if you want to. In most cases, people choose not to escape, making all sorts of excuses.

And the original male protagonist was not someone who neglected his responsibilities and duties to run away. If it were me, I would have fled from the imperial palace long ago and never returned.

“Even if you’re royalty, you could escape if you’re prepared to die.”

“…”

I wasn’t trying to blame him for not running away. I shared my thoughts with him as he pondered.

“You’re stronger than you think, Michael.”

He was someone who could think and decide for himself. Someone who would eventually find his own path without asking others.

By the time a faint light appeared from the exit, he spoke again.

“Liat, I don’t want to become Emperor. But I don’t want to disappoint others’ expectations either.”

“I see.”

“Is it okay to become Emperor with this mindset?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

According to the original story, Michael would become a great emperor remembered in history. The only obstacle to his bright future was the Grand Duke’s rebellion.

Whether the rebellion would really happen, and what the outcome would be.

“I will make you Emperor.”

I was afraid of everything.

Perhaps we couldn’t reach a future where everyone is happy. The Grand Duke would never give up his revenge.

As we conversed, the end of the long passage came into view.

“Liat, I’m going to run.”

With me on his back, Michael ran with all his might toward the exit where bright light was spreading. Some kind of determination showed on his face as he ran.

It was finally the moment Michael left the imperial palace.

***

The secret passage connected to a secluded back alley in the capital.

Michael put me down on the ground, then adjusted his clothes. After tucking his noticeable hair inside his robe, Michael surveyed the outside.

“Just beyond this alley is the square where the festival is being held.”

“Let’s go together.”

I held onto Michael’s sleeve as we left the alley.

“…Wow.”

As soon as we exited the alley, a bustling festival scene unfolded before our eyes.

The square, filled with festival stalls, was crowded with people. Vitality overflowed everywhere, something that couldn’t be felt in the refined imperial palace.

“Fresh fruit just arrived today! Try before you buy!”

“Jewelry made with the mysterious stone, Lazastone! Come take a look!”

“Grilled skewers for sale! Volcano lizard skewers! Cheap, cheap!”

As I pushed through the crowd, I called out to him, who had suddenly stopped.

“Um, Michael?”

Even with his hood on, I could feel his excitement. Michael stared at the scene with enlarged pupils, like a cat that had discovered a toy.

“Let’s look around while moving.”

I pulled the arm of Michael, who seemed like he would stand there for hours if left alone. It was surprising that someone born in the imperial palace, who had seen all sorts of rare things, would be so distracted by such an ordinary festival.

Together with him, I searched for the stall I had been eyeing all along.

It was the capital’s hidden gem, a skewer grill shop.

“Welcome, little miss. What kind of skewer would you like?”

“Lizard skewers, please.”

Although the Grand Duke’s cuisine was delicious, I couldn’t help craving street food like this occasionally. I received two volcano lizard skewers coated with spicy seasoning from the merchant.

The merchant, with a warm smile, held out his palm.

“That’ll be 5 copper coins for both.”

Michael, who had been watching me order, suddenly interjected.

“I’ll pay.”

“Michael, stay put. I’m treating you to this.”

I opened the pouch I had brought in advance. I had prepared Sen’s allowance pouch, knowing this would happen.

“Let’s see, copper coins…”

I opened the pouch with a satisfied face, then doubted my eyes. The golden radiance that poured out when I opened the pouch was blinding.

‘This is crazy.’

Who put expensive gold coins in a child’s allowance pouch? Moreover, I couldn’t find silver or copper coins no matter how hard I looked.

Showing this would surely make me a target for bad people.

I closed the pouch before the merchant could see and pretended nothing happened.

“I’ve changed my mind. You pay.”

“Is that okay? Here.”

“What a reliable big brother. Take this and enjoy the festival.”

“I’m not her brother. I’m her friend.”

Michael’s voice turned gruff when he heard “big brother.” Clearly, a member of the imperial family would resent being mistaken for family with someone of common origin.

I took the skewers from the merchant and went to the fountain.

Michael, who received the skewer with the lizard shape still intact, made a dubious expression.

“Is this really edible?”

After staring at the skewer for a while, Michael closed his eyes tightly. Then he devoured half the skewer in one bite.

His cheeks turned slightly red as he chewed the meat.

“…!”

“Is it good?”

How I had missed this spicy seasoning during my time in prison.

Michael, who had instantly finished his portion, licked his lips. I sat next to him by the fountain and watched the festival scene.

People walking around with their food and music echoing from all corners of the street.

It was a peacefulness I hadn’t felt when I went to town with the Grand Duke.

“Liat. How would it feel if we didn’t go back?”

I imagined what would happen if we didn’t return.

First, the Grand Duke would come after us with a scary face. Tristan and Lucas wouldn’t return until they found me. Sen would probably cry, unable to shake off her worry.

After taking in the scenery fully, I whispered softly.

“I’m not sure, but someday I will escape from here.”

“You, escape?”

“Yes. There’s a place I must go to before I die.”

That would be after it’s revealed that I’m not an imperial princess.

‘I need to find traces of Juno.’

But for now, I couldn’t leave because of the people waiting for me. I wiped the skewer sauce from Michael’s cheek with my thumb and licked it.

“You’re not the only one who wants to quit being a noble.”

Michael had a dazed expression, like a child tasting candy for the first time. Touching the cheek where my hand had been, he asked in a dreamy voice.

“When you leave, is it possible that I might be by your side?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t think he would leave the imperial palace, but I nodded, hoping it would ease his mind. Michael smiled shyly, with an expression lost in pleasant imagination.

Just then, the wind blew and briefly revealed Michael’s face.

Scanning our surroundings, I pushed Michael’s hood down. It seemed best to find something to cover his face before any unfortunate incidents occurred.