Horseback riding was one of my long-standing hobbies.
I often rode horses at the imperial family's hunting grounds. Naturally, this was exceptionally permitted because I was the Crown Prince's fiancée.
His Imperial Majesty was very pleased with my hobby, for His Majesty's hobby was hunting. Maxel did not particularly enjoy riding or hunting, but he accompanied him to accommodate His Majesty.
When I fell ill, one of the things I missed was horseback riding. To think my body could no longer properly endure riding a horse.
After nearly falling from a horse while trying to force myself to ride, I completely gave up horseback riding. I remember His Majesty expressing his regret upon hearing the news and sending a physician from the imperial palace.
Then sometime later, I heard news that His Majesty had acquired a new hobby during teatime with Lillia.
That he greatly enjoyed conversing with her. There were also rumors that he praised the tea she personally brewed as delicious.
Rumors that he was pleased, saying his heart found peace just by smelling tea fragrance leisurely without seeing blood at the hunting grounds.
I thought this was merely a momentary whim, but everyone except me did not think so. But now, does it matter whether I was right or wrong?
Lillia did not adjust herself to others. She made others come to like what was hers. That was certainly an outstanding ability.
"I want to get along well with you."
Everything of mine before her became hers. So how could I have gotten along well with you, Lillia?
"If you would just open your heart a little. Why do you put your own stubbornness forward without seeing others' pain? You just need to take one step back."
Lillia, you're right. So now I'm stepping back. I need to step back and clearly watch how much others are suffering.
Now that things have come to this, it truly was good advice. Did you perhaps foresee this with that noble prophetic ability of yours?
"Nadav."
[Yes, Captain.]
"Do you remember your past?"
[My past?]
"Yes. Or were you a Dullahan from birth?"
[That is... I'm not sure. I have no memories of the past. The only thought I had upon opening my eyes was that I must meet you, Captain.]
I gazed at the distant fields where paths branched in every direction and quietly stroked Nadav's mane.
There are so many crossroads like that, yet I don't know where to go. Running away aimlessly was too inefficient.
Samuel said he would find me somehow, but even if I cross the sea, could I escape his tracking?
I had warned Xenon not to rest for a moment, but honestly, I was at a loss. Where else should I go from here?
I also questioned whether safe places even existed, as Xenon claimed. From the moment I was resurrected, I had no choice.
"Do you want to find your head?"
[Captain will show me the path of light.]
"What if I refuse?"
Stroking the pitch-black mane, I asked in a gentle voice.
"What if I have no intention of finding your head, or your companions' heads? What if your peace is outside my concern? Do you know what would happen to me then?"
Will my head fall off? Will I finally die this time? Will the god choose someone more suitable in my place? Someone who knows how to love the world, someone holy and noble who can stand against evil.
In other words, someone like Lillia.
[I apologize for not remembering anything that could be helpful to you, Captain.]
Nadav's answer was not what I had hoped for. I twisted my lips and lowered my voice.
"That is not your sin. If you seek to place blame, you should ask the god."
The god who resurrected me without reason and awakened you.
"It's truly strange. A world where those who have committed no wrong apologize for the sake of those who have."
It's only natural that evil runs rampant.
"I wish I couldn't remember anything either."
If you needed this body, you should have just taken the body alone, O God. Then you wouldn't have had all this trouble.
[I don't remember the past, but... I recently recalled some information about a comrade.]
"A comrade?"
[Yes. A comrade I was close with.]
A comrade Nadav was close with. Come to think of it, that made sense. If all Dullahans had some affiliation in the past, there would have been those who were close among them.
I stroked Nadav's mane and pondered for a moment. A close comrade.
"Do you want to see him?"
[I'm not sure. But if he's there, it would be helpful to you, Captain. He was intelligent and had a good memory. He might remember information you need, Captain.]
He's not saying he wants to see him, but rather that he would be useful to me. Perhaps I improved my conversation skills while dealing with mares in the stables.
"Actually, Nadav. I don't want any information. I'm not interested."
When I answered with a laugh in my voice, Nadav pawed the ground. He didn't particularly blame me, nor was he disappointed by my words. He simply had the attitude of obeying my will.
So far, he was an excellent subordinate. A subordinate who obeys without questioning whatever I say.
It's truly fortunate that this dangerous monster submits to me. Isn't it a precious existence I've never obtained in my life?
Even if I don't try to find his head and just wander like this, Nadav would silently follow me.
Then wouldn't it be appropriate to give a reward around this point? I tilted my head.
If it was a close comrade, that would be a fitting reward for the loyalty Nadav shows me. Also, that Dullahan would likely regard me as Captain as well.
The more subordinates, the better.
『Even if you flee, I will eventually find you.』
Thinking that Samuel would chase me wherever I went only made me feel helpless, so I decided to change my thinking.
Eventually he'll find me? Then if I run away every time he finds me, he'll give up eventually, right?
"Since it won't be safe wherever I go anyway, shall we look for that comrade you remembered?"
If the Dullahans who opened their eyes at the time of my resurrection are the evil rampant in this world, since things have come to this, I might as well command that rampant evil.
If I found a Dullahan knight order and became Captain, I wouldn't have to hear that damned title of savior, would I?
* * *
"Ha...!"
The hand holding the payment receipt trembled violently. An enormous final amount was printed beneath the endless list of items. Phrisian, who had been gaping with pale lips, roughly slammed the desk.
Bang! The family brooch placed on the desk rattled and rolled from the impact.
"Why...! Anelli Roam!"
At the cry filled with anger, the servants shrank their shoulders and quietly took a step back. However, only the longtime butler of the Roam family stood firm without wavering.
Phrisian, breathing roughly while glaring at the payment statement she had thrown and the brooch that had fallen, turned to look at the butler.
"Did you say to process this payment? Do you know who used it?"
"Yes. He was certain it was sent by the young lady."
"And Father?"
"He is having tea with the Madam and Lady Lillia."
Phrisian clenched her teeth and jerked her chin.
"Lead the way."
The location where teatime was being held was not far. Phrisian, who discovered the three people leisurely drinking tea in the small annex garden given to Lillia, walked past the butler with long strides.
"Father! Are you really going to pay for all of this?"
At her sudden intrusion into teatime and nonsensical words, the Duchess and Lillia wore puzzled expressions.
However, the Duke, having glanced at the butler who followed behind and seeming to grasp the situation, nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"But Father, you saw that outrageous amount too!"
"Phrisian, what on earth are you talking about?"
The Duchess, who had been quietly listening to the two, carefully called her eldest daughter.
Phrisian, who had been gazing at the Duke with frustrated eyes, swept back her bangs and tried to suppress her voice.
"It's outside business."
"Outside business, you say. Since that child's name came back to life in the family register, she's clearly family."
"Father!"
"The money that child used is also money used by a member of Roam, so naturally Roam should pay it."
"That's true, but there's no way you don't know what kind of situation she's in right now! For her to suddenly charge such a huge amount is openly..."
Phrisian, who had begun speaking with a choked voice, fell silent when she became aware of Lillia. The Duchess, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, seemed to have figured out the general situation and let out a long sigh as she turned her gaze away.
Lillia, who had been fidgeting with her teacup while watching the situation, carefully spoke to Phrisian.
"Is something troubling you, eldest sister?"
At the gentle and kind question, Phrisian slightly turned away from Lillia and replied.
"No, you don't need to worry about it."
"Is it because of the younger sister?"
The Duchess, who had been silent for a moment, interjected in a low voice.
"Lillia. Don't concern yourself with anything and focus on serving His Highness the Crown Prince well."
"But I'm also a member of Roam now. I want to help."
Lillia, with a serious expression, gazed at Phrisian. Phrisian, who had kept her lips tightly shut and hesitated, asked in a much calmer voice.
"By any chance, did you see anything recently?"
In that moment, the Duke and Duchess's gazes simultaneously turned to Lillia. Lillia, receiving the attention of all three, moved her lips for a moment before slumping her shoulders dejectedly.
"...There was no prophecy. But even if not that, there must certainly be something I can help with. Ah, eldest sister. You should sit and have some tea to calm your mind. Maxel gave it as a gift, and he said it's very effective for mental and physical stability. Let's all have tea together for the first time in a while."
At Lillia's appearance as she quickly pulled out the empty chair, Phrisian shook her head. Even if it weren't for Anelli's matter, she was originally in a position to spend busy days as the Young Duke.
The Duke sitting over there was the same. Phrisian spoke to Lillia in a softened voice.
"I'm sorry, Lillia. I'd like to do that too, but I'm a bit busy. ...Father, please spare a moment."
"You've only taken a sip..."
"I'll get up first."
Before Lillia could stop her, the Duke stood up, gave a short kiss on the Duchess's cheek, and turned away.