The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

***

“I regret that I believed the words of the princess back then.”

Tristan was no longer hurt by Llewelyn’s words. The more she spoke harshly and tried to cut him off, the more euphoric* she became. Didn’t that mean that he was close to her?

[*E/N: the more she tries to cut people off, the happier she is, for two reasons. One, she wants to push people away so they can be successful and happy without her, and two, because deep down, she wants to see people fight, like Tristan, to stay by her side.]

“I was a knight before I was a commander. I want to go back to being your knight.”

Tears welled up in the eyes of the arrogant princess who said she didn’t need anyone. Llewelyn shook her head. However, this time Tristan was determined not to fall for Llewelyn’s tricks.

It was enough to have felt her refusal once.

“My princess, it’s because you never insulted me in the first place.”

The Red Knights were looking at the pair in silence. They saw the mask of the princess, who was angry, crumble. Her hard and arrogant expression disappeared, and a soft and tender face replaced it.

Her sullen expression was self-defense.

The Red Knights thought about the position of the princess. She lost her mother when she was fifteen. Thanks to Paulo, they knew what Queen Pamela had done to her that morning. However, no one could guess the extent of the torture that Llewelyn had been subjected to by the Queen.

A gorgeous woman with a cruel disposition who enjoyed being in the spotlight, and the daughter of her husband’s late wife. It must have been difficult for the two of them to get along. Their gaze moved to the portrait Llewellyn was holding tightly in her arms.

It was a portrait of a very young child. It was only natural for the princess to miss the boy, who looked just like her.

The knights realized that Llewelyn was human. It was like a blow to the head. They had said that the weakest woman in the palace was ‘not worthy of being protected’.

However, unlike the others, Tristan already knew the princess’ true intentions. That’s why he never batted an eye at Llewelyn’s rudeness.

The woman’s hand holding the portrait was thin, small and dry. They did not see the cruel princess Llewelyn anymore, but a weak, lonely and sad woman. Llewelyn bit her lip and bowed her head, as if she hated their gazes of pity.

“Even if I didn’t mean it, it doesn’t change the fact that I insulted you, Sir Jayad.”

“…”

“It is also impossible to go back to when you were my knight. If you know why I insulted you, then even more so.”

“… Princess.”

Tristan tried to say something to Llewelyn’s cold words. But Llewellyn was faster.

“The Lord is the commander of the Red Knights. Unlike the White Knights or the Black Knights, the Red Knights have no history and are the most powerful. Do you know what such a commander did to the queen?”

“…”

“You have destroyed the future of the knights you lead. Even if you resign as commander, your sin may not be forgiven.”

“…”

“Apologize to the queen. Tell her that you had sympathy for me because your desire to be chivalrous is so great.”

Llewelyn pointed out the reality with a cold tone. The knights looked at each other in silence.

She thought he was eccentric, weak and pitiful…

When she lifted that arrogant look, there was a calm grace. It was a different feeling from when she was playing arrogance by raising her chin and hurting him with malicious words.

“I don’t want to.”

“Huh?”

At Tristan’s words, Llewelyn was genuinely angry. No, what kind of favors had she done in the past? Objectively, there was no reason for him to be loyal. When Tristan was appointed as the princess’s escort, Llewelyn knew that he was the winner of the tournament.

The reason that the winner came to her, who lost her mother and hated her father, must have been because there was a recommendation from the White Knights. The queen’s escort. Llewelyn knew that the skilled Tristan would slowly decay by her side. He was too talented for that. He could also die.

So, she decided to gather her cruelest words and insult the man.

Everyone tried to hide their prejudice. In particular, nobles who liked to show off their pursuit of what is right. The hated princess noisily voiced people’s prejudices, and after that, things worked out the way she wanted them to.

However, Tristan was only promoted to the commander because of his skills, not because of his background. Therefore, Tristan was not obligated to repay any favor. He did it of his own will, so why did he feel indebted?

Llewelyn stared at Tristan. Tristan showed no sign of backing down. She wanted to cry. It felt like he turned into a rock who was willing to stand here forever.

Why the hell was he doing this to her?

“Fine… We can talk later tonight.”

She didn’t want him to escort her in this state, but she knew he would do it anyway. Llewelyn ultimately chose to step down.

*

“I’m sorry, Llewelyn. I’m really, really sorry!”

Bastian grabbed Llewelyn’s hand and cried. He was ready to get down on his knees and grovel. Llewelyn looked at him silently.

“No, brother. I survived thanks to your quick orders.”

Llewelyn smiled weakly. Bastian’s face darkened even more.

“I… me, because of me. If I just joined the breakfast…!”

“It’s okay.”

It really was okay. Llewelyn was grateful that Bastian had sent the Red Knights to stop Pamela. She also understood why he didn’t attend breakfast. A woman who was allegedy drugged and forced into sexual intercourse came out of nowhere saying she had his child.

Besides, it was his mother who ordered it. Didn’t she even reveal it in the worst way? For Bastian, it felt awkward to meet face to face.

“I’m trash!”

Clash! 

Llewelyn opened her eyes wide in surprise. Bastian had picked up a vase from the table and threw it against the wall. It was the first time she had seen him so violent.

“Brother?”

Bastian gasped. His blue eyes flashed with murderous intent.

“Llewelyn, I’m sorry. I’m so angry…”

“…”

“A-Aren’t you scared?”

As if surprised by his actions, he began to stutter again. Llewelyn knew he was going crazy. Bastian, too, had become ferocious.

“I was surprised, but I’m okay.”

“…”

“I understand, brother.”

“I will protect Alpheus’s room. I will tell my mother this firmly.”

His tone was strong, so she found herself trusting him. Why was this person being so nice to her? Bastian spoke as if he were trying to answer Llewelyn’s unasked question.

“Llewellyn, I remember Alpheus. We weren’t close, but I remember he was lovely.”

Bastian said very shyly.

“If I dare say, he was like my brother… no, he’s not my brother.”

He stared at Llewelyn frantically. He was worried that he might have offended Llewelyn by calling Alpheus ‘brother’.

The mischievous Alpheus had never treated Bastian as an older brother. In fact, they never even had a conversation. However, Bastian remembered Alpheus and referred to him as ‘brother’. It strangely warmed her heart.

“Thank you, brother.”

Llewelyn sincerely expressed her feelings. How stingy had she been saying thank you? Llewelyn took Bastian’s hand.

“Thank you so much.”

Bastian looked startled. He alternately looked at Llewelyn’s hand and her face. Soon he smiled softly.

“I never thought the day would come when you would thank me.”

“…”

“Still, I like it.”

Bastian placed his free hand over hers. Maybe it was because his hands were cold, but Bastian’s sweet voice gave her goosebumps.

“Llewellyn.”

“Yes, brother.”

“You’ll think I’m crazy, but I’m not.”

After a brief pause, Bastian said.

“I want you to kick my mother out.”

“…”

“And I want you to get your status back.”

At Bastain’s sincere words, her creepy feeling disappeared immediately. Llewelyn couldn’t raise her head. For Bastian to kill Pamela himself, they would have to have a weak mother-son relationship. He was asking her to do this because he couldn’t hurt his mother with his own hands. Llewellyn did not answer.

*