Chapter 70
Andron thought silently. Regardless of curses or not, receiving the holy water would elevate the family’s prestige, not exactly a loss. Yet, the thought of accepting it was overshadowed by the fear of the baseless rumors surrounding it…
Then, a dry voice came from above.
“Enough. Seems like there’s no one here who really wants to receive it.”
The boy spoke as if he couldn’t bear this tedious ceremony any longer. No one dared to stop or rush him. Cyrone, who had been coldly looking down on the people standing like sinners, stood up.
“Your Highness!”
With a sudden clang, the golden arched door swung open, shattering the solemnity of the temple. Someone walked briskly through the bowed crowd and across the hallway.
The sunlight poured in suddenly, causing Cyrone to narrow his eyes.
“Your Highness! Am I too late?”
A clear figure slowly appeared in Cyrone’s gaze. It was a girl cradling a bouquet of yellow flowers. Her hair, reddened by running, was damp with sweat.
“I will receive the holy water from Your Highness.”
The girl, her hair braided neatly, smiled brightly. Fearless, she walked quickly toward the dais, toward Cyrone.
As the distance between them closed, puzzled expressions flickered among the onlookers, but Cyrone saw none of it. Only that girl, emerging through the light, filled his vision.
“Forgive me. I was late because I was searching for a gift for Your Highness.”
The girl knelt at his feet, joy and excitement radiating from her face, and offered Cyrone a necklace.
A burst of blooming floral fragrance enveloped Cyrone. As he looked down at the cameo necklace placed in his hand, the girl smiled with satisfaction. Folding her hands over her chest as if in prayer, she said quietly,
“I pray for Your Highness’ eternal happiness.”
The necklace had a carved face and Cyrone regarded it curiously. He realized the color of the girl’s eyes and the gemstone carving were remarkably similar.
“Why is it you…”
Each time the breeze stirred, that scent bloomed, swirling to engulf Cyrone’s world.
Recalling past moments, it was always like this. The girl ran toward him despite everyone’s protests, smiling with the brightest face in the world.
Cyrone couldn’t take his gaze away from the girl’s green eyes. The more he looked, the more fascinated he became. His own image reflected within them was whole, without a single scar.
“Are you not afraid of me?”
Cyrone asked quietly. The girl, who had been standing still, suddenly widened her eyes, causing her braided hair to sway.
“Afraid? No, I only hope to always be by Your Highness’ side.”
The child smiled brightly, seemingly unashamed of the words she uttered. Cyrone gazed at the child for a long moment with a curious look.
“Are you innocent, or just foolish?”
Cyrone’s red lips slowly parted. It was as if the divine light had trapped just the two of them, and time itself seemed to stop in that place.
“What did you say your name was?”
Cyrone spoke softly with a smile. He did know the child’s name, but he was simply curious how it would feel to say it aloud himself.
The child beamed, clearly delighted that the prince had finally asked her name.
My name is…
“Elia, Elia Reiffers.”
From that moment on, Cyrone’s world carried that name. Elia, my Elli. My salvation.
* * *
The carriage relentlessly followed the forest path. Dawn was breaking. Faint light seeped into the carriage. Elia stirred from a light sleep, holding her head.
“Why did I have to dream that dream again?”
She hadn’t expected to see her happiest memories in a dream. Closing her eyes, Elia recalled Cyrone’s face from that dream. Though much time had passed, the dream only grew clearer. She shook her head slightly as if to shake off the lingering traces.
“…Rias.”
Rias stood by the riverside, tending to the horses’ water and feed. Elia’s expression was strange as she looked through the small window at him.
“Are you awake?”
“How much farther?”
Rias entered through the carriage door without a word and smiled quietly. He carefully adjusted the blanket draped over Elia’s knees once more. Elia pulled her hand beneath the chilly blanket. Perhaps the late autumn wind was unusually cold.
“By tomorrow morning, we should be out of the capital.”
Rias narrowed his eyes slightly as if measuring the remaining distance. To cast the barrier, they still had to travel far beyond the outskirts. Elia’s shoulders trembled as she watched him, suddenly feeling an eerie chill wash over her.
“Ria…”
She was about to urge Rias to hurry, opening her lips to speak. For some reason, she felt anxious, not wanting to delay any longer.
But at that very moment, the carriage lurched violently, as if it might overturn.
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