Continent of Axal, Border between the realms of Anton and Haiza. Year 1838. Winter.Roef: 『 ... 』Veronica: 『 ... 』Shun: 『 ... 』Lidia: 『 ... Did you know?... Mrs. Arden, did you know? 』Veronica: 『 ... When I was tasked with caring for you, I gradually learned of several of the pacts the King had made with the Kingdom of Tikalt, but... who told me about this arranged marriage was your mother, she herself told me how 'happy' she was to have arranged it. 』Lidia: 『 My mother...?! 』Happy to have arranged it? So she agreed to it?! My head was spinning, confusion overwhelming me, and it felt like I might vomit at any moment. Truly, I couldn't say how I feel; in my chest, I sense a great pain that sharpens with each passing moment, and I have a terrible urge to cry. The story of Mr. Willems had left me so distressed and sensitive, but what affected me most was learning how my mother used to be.Having learned that she was the best healer in the realm and she helped many people made me feel proud, but what made me even happier was knowing that she was a strong and determined woman, brave and unyielding, even against a corrupt king. It was a bit difficult for me to imagine her like that. Honestly, it seemed more like a joke than the absent-minded and distracted Queen Mireia I knew was, in reality, a woman who could inspire trust, a very bad joke. However, the way Mr. Willems spoke of her with such admiration and nostalgia in his words, as he remembered her, expressing how much he missed that time, told me it wasn't just a fabrication. And that was what caused me the most pain.All this time I thought my mother didn't care about me, that her shameless and candid behavior was just an act. But I was wrong, that was how she truly expressed affection, in a very clumsy and even embarrassing way, but she loved me..., she loved me..., and I... I wasn't... So why...Lidia: 『 I-I don't understand. If my mother was against it and hated Narek so much, why did she eventually accept the agreement? How did she change so much from one day to the next? 』Veronica: 『 I don't know. I only saw how the frank and determined woman I once knew disappeared. She left her work and secluded herself in the castle. Every time I saw her, her expression was completely dull, and lifeless, as if her soul had left her body. But as soon as she held you for the first time, for a moment she was herself again and regained her smile. However, her memory became disturbed, she could never remember who she really was or what she did when she was a healer. She suddenly became a scatterbrained and distracted person, as if she had reverted to being a hyperactive child who didn't understand what she was doing. 』True, my mother behaved almost like a young child. She enjoyed arranging tea parties, making rag dolls to play with, and strolling through the garden to "whisper" with the plants as if she could converse with them and they would respond. It was not the typical behavior of someone in their forties. Her childishness must have had some explanation. Perhaps it was the result of an event that left its mark on her. I don't know, maybe something or someone induced her to behave like this; this sudden change in personality she underwent didn't seem normal to me.Lidia: 『 But then, something must have happened to her, right? What caused her temperament to change like that? 』Veronica: 『 You see, Lidia− 』Roef: 『 When your mother performed the absorption spell on Countess Anush, her behavior began to change. Suddenly, she had constant headaches, nervous attacks, anger, and hallucinations; she said that the voices in her mind wouldn't leave her in peace. There were times when she did not recognize herself in the mirror. It took her a long time to regain some semblance of sanity, but when I last spoke with her, I knew that the wise and firm woman I served was no longer the same. Then the King seized upon this change in personality she had to convince her to accept the union agreement between Haiza and Tikalt. The war ended, and you were born, Narek had his son, and it was only a matter of time to conclude the pact... Hmph, but I suppose we didn't count on an Aarden continuing to cause trouble around here. 』Mr. Willems gestured with his gaze towards Shun, who still stood with crossed arms and lowered eyes. He appeared deeply saddened by the loss of his brother, his eyes turned completely dull, and his posture slouched over the bench where he remained completely motionless, unwilling to pay any attention to our words.It surprised me to learn that Shun's father was a foreign spy who came here in search of the Creation Gem, but even more unusual was his liberal attitude. To think that he betrayed his homeland to stay and fight during the war, merely for amusement, was something that, I believe, no one in their right mind would do. Although it explained a bit where Shun got his daring and irreverent side, that knack of his for meddling in everything, which saved me from falling into the clutches of King Narek.I wish I could be a bit like Mr. Jean was in the past. The way Mr. Willems described him made seem like an odd character, undoubtedly with questionable behavior, but it was also evident that he was a kind, brave, and just person, a philanthropist who always sought to support his comrades and looked out for the well-being of his friends. Perhaps if I had those qualities, I could have helped more, so many of the castle inhabitants would still be alive, including my father..., and maybe... my mother would be here with me as well.Thinking about it brought a knot back to my chest. The cruel image of my father bidding me farewell came to mind, apologizing for everything, for confining me to the castle all my life, and for being so cold all these years. Remembering that moment, when he spoke to me for the first time with such warmth and love, with the true affection that a father shows his daughter, filled me with a horrible pain that was difficult to conceal.Trembled with impotence, knowing I indeed had two parents who cared for me, who loved and cherished me with all their being, and who could set aside their biases to stay united... so we could be a happy family, as much as I had wished for. How cruel fate was to deny me this. I knew it was already impossible. I lost them both, and now I can never make my dream come true. But still... Even so...!Lidia: 『 *Sobbing* It's not fair... It's not fair!... Why did I have to be born a princess?! Why couldn't I have a normal life within a normal family, away from all this?! Because of their cursed secret agreements, their stupid conspiracies, I lost my family...! I-I lost...!! I lost... Why? 』Veronica: 『 Lidia... 』Roef: 『 ... *Sigh* I suppose the least I can do is let you stay. But you'll have to help me fix this place up. The cabin isn't large enough for four people, so there'll be quite a bit of remodeling needed.Veronica: 『 But, Roef. I told you that Shun and I− 』Roef: 『 And let you live on the streets? That's not up for debate. I won't allow my comrade's family to wander around and starve. Besides, I made a promise to Jean, and I've done nothing but ignore it all this time... It's time to settle my debt. 』Veronica: 『 Thank you, Roef. Be assured, we will help in whatever is needed to compensate you. 』While some tears still fell down my cheeks, Mr. Willems nodded at Mrs. Aarden's response, accepting her offer for her and Shun to work with him on his property. Although that left me somewhat more at ease, my heart remained in turmoil. Hardly would the pain I felt leave me, even if I had already accepted Max's and my father's deaths, and above all, the loss of my mother and the desire to have known her as she truly was. Now I only have memories of the three of them.Roef: 『 I'll have to go to the capital in Anton. Surely, they haven't even heard of Tikalt's invasion of Haiza. And we'll also have to report that the princess is here. 』Veronica: 『 Report? W-Wouldn't it be better to keep her hidden? 』Roef: 『 That would bring us more trouble, Veronica. Besides, Narek knows she escaped here to the border, and he'll do everything possible to find her, even if it means starting another war. That's why it's best to notify King Artmel to prevent Tikalt troops from coming to search for her... at least temporarily. Perhaps I can even persuade him to allow the princess to stay in his luxurious castle, where she would be much safer. 』I suppose he's right. Now I was a fugitive, and Narek's soldiers would likely be searching for me all over Anton. Perhaps it was best to head to the capital of this kingdom and ask for help, thus avoiding putting everyone living nearby at risk. But upon thinking about it, I realized that wherever I went, I would be attracting conflict and endangering those around me.Perhaps it was better to surrender, to avoid this fray for my sake and yield to Narek's desires. But deep down, I knew I didn't wish to do so. I was afraid to know what that man would do to me. I didn't want to become his slave, nor to be confined to a palace again, no... not again.I knew not what to do, whether I opposed or cooperated, it was clear that there would be no path leading me to the life I so longed for. I think I am cursed, destined to be a mere hollow doll, stifled of its feelings and drowned in its afflictions. A mere toy to be manipulated, changing hands as it goes.If there is no other way, then I must choose between one castle and another, right? Well, I hope, at least, that the one in Anton is not as dreary as the one we lived in.Shun: 『 I will not let you take her away... 』Lidia: 『 ... Eh? 』Shun: 『 Nor think that I will allow Lidia to return to a damned castle to be locked up again. She is not a doll to be kept in a paper box, thinking that way they can protect her. No more stupid palaces or towers for her. If she truly needs protecting, we will do it properly. I will be the one to protect her now. 』I saw Shun challenge Mr. Willems with his gaze. His posture remained unchanged, yet his expression turned into one much more furious and severe, where his eyes sharpened. It was an image that would instill fear in many, to see that face filled with fury and conviction. However, it had the opposite effect on me. Knowing that I was so important to him, made me look upon him with admiration. My moistened eyes brightened, captivated by those words that answered my pessimistic thoughts and struck directly at my heart, rudely unraveling the knot within me.Roef: 『 Ah, really? And what will you do then? Fight against the entire army of Tikalt all by yourself? As if a mere boy like you− 』Shun: 『 I will do it, I will fight. I will fight against anyone who comes for Lidia..., and I will tear that damned Narek apart before he can even lay a finger on her. I will make him pay for what he did. 』His anger was almost tangible; he was serious with his declarations. He had the clear intention of fighting against King Narek once again, whether as revenge or seeking redemption. Whatever the case, this time it made me feel nervous, and frightened because I knew Shun was capable of seeking him out and facing him again. Imagining it alone brought me back to the moment when he almost died strangled by that gigantic hand, where I felt intense anguish as I watched how, little by little, his life faded away completely.I lowered my gaze once more and simply let Mister Willems handle Shun's aggressive retorts, as I didn't have the energy or courage to address him and ask him to calm down a bit.Roef: 『 I see. But tell me something, boy, do you truly believe you can stand up to that man? Perhaps you're skilled in fighting, but that's not enough. Narek is not only stronger and more adept than you, he's also clever, cunning, and, above all, he doesn't need to have a heart in hand to end someone's life. He's a ruthless man who never hesitates, and believe me, he'll show no mercy once you try to challenge him. Right now, you're not at his level, and you never will be. 』Shun: 『 Then, train me! You know him well, don't you? You've seen him fight on more than one occasion and understand the way he thinks. So you know how to confront him. Teach me how to do it. 』Roef: 『 Listen, I'm no longer a soldier, and I won't instruct you to fight in this war. If you do, you'll see horrible things that will torment your mind forever and you'll end up losing your humanity. War is not a game, it's an atrocity designed to destroy you. 』Shun: 『 ... I just lost my brother, the only friend I had in this world. He sacrificed himself for me, stood between the spear and me to save us, and let us escape from that hell. I should have died, not him..., and now I'll never get him back... I'm already destroyed, sir. 』Roef: 『 ... Shun, tell me, why do you insist so much on wanting to fight? What sense does it make? 』Shun: 『 Because it's my fault this happened. I prevented Lidia from getting engaged to Sevan and many people died because of that. But I couldn't let things continue like that, I couldn't stand how unfair it was to see your best friend sad and confined to something she didn't want, all because of others' damn impositions. I'm sick of being told what to do, of being trampled on and thinking they have power over me and my family. I'm sick of this shit. I won't let anyone else dare to take away our freedom, not my mother's nor Lidia's. 』Roef: 『 ... Truly, you resemble him so much. *Sigh* Very well, I'll teach you, but you better not regret it. If you truly want to defeat Narek, you'll have to be willing to do anything, to completely suppress your emotions and avoid showing any weakness... A long and hard training awaits you. 』