Lies. You trust people too easily. You say youre wary of people, but if you cross the line youre drawing, its easy to give your heart and your faith. Its terrible that you dont trust everyone. Id like to find someone I can trust, and Im sure everyone wants to have one. But you cant trust anyone. Thats the only way to live.

Azrael held the sword high in his hands. Carl looked at him in the eye without any agitation. There was no defensive action against Azraels actions.

So, heres what happens. Its so easy to believe.

Lies. You dont want to kill me.

Yes. I dont want to kill you. But someone has to die here today.

Azrael burst out with a grotesque smile once again. He clasped the handle of the sword. Then he closed his eyes tightly and swung the sword. Carl followed him and closed his eyes.

But I hope that someone you can trust will show up. Life is horrible that theres no one you can trust.

He could hear the sound of a pit bull and a swords tip tearing through the muscles. Still, Carl felt no pain at all. When he opened his eyes, Azrael was lying under his feet. The sword was embedded deep in his abdomen.

Azrael!

Azrael smiled faintly at Carl, who called his name.

Drip, drip. The tip of the sword might have touched his lungs, and there was blood in his mouth.

Carl hugged his head. Azrael grabbed him by the wrist when he tried to call someones name for help. It was such a deafening force that one could not believe he was standing at the crossroads of death.

Gurgle, cough I to save me dont please.

Azrael

Death as your friend I want as my death

Carl covered the back of Azraels hand and held it tightly. Azrael, you are my close friend.

A close friend who has taken faith in me.

A comfortable smile spread around Azraels mouth. His black pupils were enlarged.

Carl I

He died before he could finish his last words. Tears streamed down from Azraels eyes.

Carl hugged him and called his name several times. Azrael didnt answer anymore.

*

In the days following Carls departure from the expedition, there was a tense confrontation between proponents and opponents of the marriage of Carl and Sienna. But public opinion of the opposition soon faltered. When it was told that Carl was attacked and life and death were unclear, the opposition could no longer just oppose it.

In Laifsden, if he died without becoming an adult, he would not be recognized as a member of the imperial family. It was a great disgrace. For the sake of Prince Carls honor, the wedding had to go ahead before his death.

The news of Carls injury was not announced by the public, but Kelly had been informed of it through a high-ranking aristocrat with a line at hand. Kellys voice was filled with grief as he reported that his life and death were unclear.

This was why Siennas wedding preparations went very fast. Today, she was busy taking measurements and choosing a dress design for the wedding, surrounded by tailors and maids who came from the imperial family.

Gerald, the one-eyed tailor, made a song about how splendid and beautiful the wedding dress would be, but Sienna couldnt hear a word from him.

As I told you, be careful of Azrael.

In the past, Carl was also badly wounded by Azraels sword. A long red scar across his back from his right shoulder to his left waist made it clear how much he had been hurt by it.

Is he hurt that much again this time? Hes not going to die. Hes a man whos lived with such severe wounds in the past. But

She tried to placate herself that he wouldnt have died, but she was still not relieved.

I want you to tell me more precisely.

However, Sienna did not know exactly what was going on at the time because she heard the story.

No, I shouldve told you not to go. You wouldnt have listened to me, but

No matter how much she thought about it, it was the best thing she could do to warn him. Still, she couldnt wake up with anxiety and worry.

Im sorry, but Ill stop here today.

They checked Siennas pale face and withdrew, saying they would come back tomorrow. After rejecting Kellys offer to boil the warm onion soup, she returned to her room.

The wooden door sounded unusually stiff today, but she didnt have time to pay attention to it. Inside the room, a familiar type of man stood with his back against a sunny window.

Sienna was so surprised that she almost collapsed in her seatshe had never thought he would be here. She lashed out at the person who was in the room with her chest on his back.

So you can pretend to be popular. Isnt that surprising?

Anger and happiness appeared in her face. Until just a moment ago, the person whose life and death she was worried about was now standing in front of her.

But Carl criticized her lack of popularity, saying, You just stood there without saying a word. He hadnt come back for a while, but he seemed to have returned as a ghost.

Did you come through the window again today? I told you thats not a place for people to come and go from.

Sienna closed the door carefully and looked hard to see if he was hurt. After further observation, there seemed to be no major injuries or illnesses. He had a wounded face, though. From his expression, Sienna realized that Carls servant had betrayed him as before. His body might be fine, but the pain he felt in his heart should be severe.

Sienna wanted to reach out and soothe his shoulders, but she couldnt. It wasnt her role.

Are you hurt?

Did you want me to get hurt?

She spoke to him in a harsh yet friendly voice, Of course, something like thats not going to happen. Im glad youre back safely.

She perched herself on the bed. Then she beckoned Carl to sit in the chair. He stood leaning his back against the wall opposite to Sienna. He looked wary of Sienna like a wounded animal.

The house was busy.

I sent a man from the imperial family to prepare for the wedding. We have to get married.

Her words didnt respond much to Carl. She felt like she had to say something under the awkward situation. But when he was in a bad mood, she didnt know what to do or what to say. She wanted to cheer him up by giving him an awkward joke.

The tailor made a fuss about the beautiful wedding dress, but it was funny to me. The white dress and all kinds of jewelry were so heavy that I couldnt even fit them into the house. It was so funny that it was uglier than a clown costume. If you had seen it, you would have mistaken me for an entertainer.

She could only sigh inwardly after seeing his sad and lonely expression.

You dont have to worry. I dont have to wear that ridiculous wedding dress at least this time.

Again, it was no use. She said it as a joke, but he didnt look good. He was in a bad mood, too. She thought he would go to attend the wedding with Bluebell even if he didnt have to show up at their wedding.

How did you know?

Sienna knew what he was asking. He was asking how Azrael, who has been with Carl for a long time, was one of Aryas people, and how she knew he was going to try to assassinate him.

It just happened. Your henchman Azrael is a spy that Arya planted a long time ago.

By chance? Who did you hear that from?

Only

You dont feel like answering. Okay, Im not going to ask who that informant is. Then how did you know he was going to attack me? How did you know that Azrael, who had been sitting by my side for fifteen years, would bring out his sword at me at this crucial time?

You shouldnt be in the capital.

What does that mean?

As you know, theres a great deal going on in the capital right now.

Are you talking about our wedding?

Our wedding is just a part of the lyric. You know that this whole act of Arya trying to separate the Crown Prince from the Peer family and trying to marry me to a humble man is just a means for one thing.

Carl muttered, To make Valore the next emperor!

Sienna nodded.