Illuminated by the firelight under the night sky, Rhine knelt on the ground, bound. He showed no signs of dejection; even as a prisoner, he kept his back straight.
A few strands of his slicked-back ash-gray hair had fallen loose from the previous attack, hanging over his forehead. A streak of blood, not yet fully dry, clung to the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained calm, devoid of any panic.
Alicia paced over to him, looking down from above. “You wanted me to come, so I came. Now, I am standing right before you.”
“Is there anything you wish to say?”
Rhine looked up at her, his Adam's apple bobbing. He slightly parted his lips, but ultimately pursed them into a tight line, avoiding the princess's gaze.
The princess was not surprised. She stood there, sizing Rhine up. Her gaze drifted from his relatively neat hair to his leather armor, which bore only a light dusting of dirt.
Then, she turned her head to look at the bronze shield hanging by the door. Although it was tarnished and worn, the rearing white stag emblazoned on it was still clearly visible.
The princess's gaze returned to Rhine, the corners of her mouth curving upward with clear understanding. “You do not look like someone who has lost all hope.”
“A loser would not carry himself with such pride, nor would he maintain such cleanliness from beginning to end. Nor would someone who has been disowned by his family and stripped of his surname keep a shield bearing his family crest in such pristine condition, displaying it so prominently.”
Rhine's Adam's apple bobbed again, but his face remained expressionless.
“So...”
The princess was in no hurry. She knew breaking the psychological defenses of someone like him required patience. She swept her gaze over the surroundings, her eyes lingering on Rhine's one-handed sword lying off to the side. “Did someone make you a promise?”
“For instance, allowing you to leave this place? Or perhaps even helping you restore your honor?”
Rhine's eyes twitched. He locked his gaze onto the princess, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, followed by deep vigilance.
Seeing his reaction, the princess's smile widened slightly. She pulled out the two-headed snake ring and held it before him. “Why is a Weber family ring in your secret room?”
“Could it be a token given to you by the one pulling your strings?”
Rhine's eyes narrowed as a storm began to brew in his mind. He was not surprised that his secret room had been discovered, and he had assumed that even if they found the ring, they wouldn't be able to deduce much from it. Yet, this princess, armed with nothing but a single ring...
“The meaning behind this token is likely very simple: they know why you are here.”
“Let me guess...”
The princess closed her hand around the ring, feeling its engraved patterns. She stared at Rhine with a confident expression. “To deal with a criminal wearing the Ring of the Exiled is not something even the imperial family can easily do. Thus, whoever is behind this must be connected to the upper echelon of the Magical Council.”
“It makes perfect sense. After all, the higher-ups can easily access your case files and learn why you are here. Using some minor influence to alter your sentence would be child's play for them.”
Rhine's breathing grew heavy, and the corners of his mouth turned downward involuntarily.
Instead of pressing her advantage, the princess took a step back and asked, “What I do not understand, however, is why the Magical Council would order you to attack me.”
Rhine did not answer immediately. He lowered his head in deep thought, his brow furrowing and relaxing in turns. After a long silence, his shoulders slumped slightly, and his posture softened. “Your Highness's guess is correct. The order indeed came from the Council.”
“But even I do not know who they are. Three months ago, someone sent me a letter and a ring, stating that Your Highness would be arriving at Greystone Post. They promised that if I could capture you and hold you for further instructions, my exile would be lifted and my honor restored.”
The princess raised an eyebrow, surprised that Rhine had confessed so easily. She immediately asked, “Were you not afraid they were lying to you?”
Rhine curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile, but his eyes shone with absolute determination. “I was.”
He looked up at the princess, his stubborn resolve becoming even more pronounced. “But I was willing to gamble.”
“As long as I can leave this place, I am willing to pay any price!”
Rhine's voice was low, squeezed out from between his teeth, yet it did not tremble in the slightest. It was clear and steady.
The princess looked at him, not rushing to speak. She knew there must be a reason driving him, keeping him going until now.
She scanned Rhine once more but found nothing. Her gaze then fell on his one-handed sword, and she drew it from its scabbard.
The blade was as smooth as a mirror and possessed excellent mana conductivity. In Alicia's eyes, it was a rare, high-quality weapon.
Turning the blade over, her eyes fell on the ridge near the hilt, where she spotted an engraved name: Rafina.
The handwriting was delicate, seemingly written by a woman or a young girl, but the engravings were deep, as if they had been traced over repeatedly.
“Rafina.”
The princess read the name aloud and looked at Rhine. “Is she your wife?”
Rhine's expression did not change, and he didn't even blink. The princess immediately understood. “Is she your daughter?”
This time, Rhine's lips tensed for a split second. Alicia caught this subtle change and looked back at his sword. “Willing to pay any price for your daughter?”
Instead of sheathing the weapon, the princess slowly lowered the blade to the side of Rhine's neck, resting it just two finger-widths away from his skin. “But if you die here today, how will you ever see her again?”
Rhine fell silent.
The wind swept over the courtyard, rustling his messy ash-gray hair and revealing a faint, old scar near his temple. He knelt there, his back still straight, but his jaw trembled slightly.
Then, with a slight quiver of his chin, he said hollowly, “You are right, Your Highness. If I die, I will not be able to do anything.”
Focus returned to his eyes as he stared intently at the princess. Under her slightly surprised gaze, Rhine slammed his forehead hard against the ground.
“So, I beg of you, do not kill me. As long as I can leave this place alive to see her, I will do anything.”
He looked up, a wound already split open on his forehead, blood trickling down his brow. “I, Rhine, swear by the Moon Goddess.”
“If Your Highness is willing to spare my life, I swear by sword and blood to serve you for the rest of my days, and never betray you.”
For a Sword Singer, an oath by the Moon Goddess was the highest tier of vow. It was not merely uttering words; it was equivalent to surrendering one's name, freedom, and very life.
Furthermore, should the oath be broken, the Moon Goddess's punishment would bring agony far beyond his lifetime.
Unless driven by an absolute necessity, no one would ever be willing to make such a solemn vow.
Moonlight cascaded from the heavens, illuminating the two of them. With a swift flick of her hand, the princess slashed the ropes binding Rhine, then looked down at him. “Rise. I do not need anyone kneeling to pledge their loyalty.”
Rhine was momentarily dazed. He slowly straightened his body, the blood from his forehead continuing to drip between his brows and down past his resolute eyes.
Handing the longsword back to him, the princess said softly, “Live well.”
Rhine's hands trembled as he suppressed his emotions. He carefully accepted the weapon and replied with utmost reverence, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Alicia smiled at him. This harmonious scene filled Elon with emotion. He was about to say something to the person beside him, only to realize that the fellow was whispering with Ksaz at the courtyard entrance.
“This guy...”
Elon was left speechless. Just as he was about to walk over and speak, he noticed that Shane's expression was grim. Clearly, another matter of grave importance had arisen.
Rate on N.U.
