SOTBW - 47

Najane stared at the flames in the fireplace, thinking of Maximón. She no longer wanted to think of him, but now that she was trapped in the manor, she couldn’t help but think of him, driven by the resentment she felt.

As she watched the flickering flames, she bitterly regretted ever having felt some affection for Maximón, despising her own soft heart and the way she easily trusted people. It was all too new to her, and she had taken it too lightly.

She couldn’t believe she had let her heart waver after just a few moments of intimacy. After losing Luna, she had been forcing herself to remain composed and cold, but here she was, making the same foolish mistake again.

Disappointed in herself, Najane clenched her fist tightly, causing the skin of her palm to break. Before all this happened, she had thought Maximón was incredibly kind. She had relied on him to lift the curse, and perhaps she had hoped they could be together more. But that was just a delusion.

Since starting her life in the Noctis Fortress, she had quietly begun to miss Mikael. The noble and kind knight who had been loyal to the Earl of Powley...

Mikael had been someone Najane could always rely on, and while she had been a knight of Romsoa, she had hoped for the same from Maximón. Amid the anxiety of not being able to find Luna, she had wanted someone to hold her tightly and reassure her that everything would be okay.

She had been so happy and comfortable in Maximón’s arms that naturally, she had developed feelings for him. Although the beginning had been chaotic, she thought that, over time, they would become close while fighting against Serith. You, as Noctis’ hero, and I, as your knight.

But now, looking back, Najane realized she had secretly expected too much from Maximón. She had wanted him to support and lead her, like Mikael did, to stand by her side in moments of danger or decisive importance.

Now, she understood just how foolish and absurd her wishes had been. Maximón was not Mikael. He could never be like Mikael. It was wrong to have hoped for such things from Maximón, whose intentions had always been clear from the start.

Najane sighed as if she might cry, rubbing her face with her palm. She shouldn’t be wasting time here. She needed to go find Luna. She had even learned the name of the slave trader, Kieron. She couldn’t afford to waste any more time in this place.

With just her sword, she could easily defeat the soldiers outside. But if she escaped like this, Amelia would spend the rest of her life as a slave, working to pay off the debt. The growing interest might mean that Amelia would have to live as a slave forever.

Najane didn’t dislike Amelia. Amelia had, in fact, been her first real friend. A friend she never could have imagined in the Kingdom of Elgort. Although Amelia had broken their bond for the sake of her own advancement, Najane had long forgiven her for it.

During their time together, Amelia had dedicated herself to Najane. She washed her bedding, blankets, and mats every three days, kept watch while Najane bathed to prevent other knights from intruding, and often snuck her favorite dishes to eat.

There had never been any malice or ulterior motives behind Amelia’s actions. She had worked and struggled only for Najane’s sake.

How could Najane ever forget the warm embrace of Amelia, who had comforted her with all her sadness and grief when she had been crying alone in her room because of Maximón? That was why Najane would never abandon Amelia. She didn’t want to escape on her own, leaving her friend behind.

Najane fiddled with the bracelet of solace that Gwyneth had given her, trying to hold onto some hope. At least because of this bracelet, she had managed to go a few days without being aroused. If she had been trapped in the manor and gone into heat, she would have been in a far worse state.

With her hands clasped together as if in prayer, Najane gazed at the fireplace. The frustration of not being able to do anything in this situation was overwhelming. As always, she chastised herself. Who else could she blame? This was the result of choices she had made.

She had always chosen what she thought was best, only to find herself in this mess. Laughing bitterly, Najane closed her eyes. There was no one here to ask for help. Living alone without relying on anyone was a truly difficult thing.

Najane was accustomed to enduring, but she lacked the strength to overcome the absurdity of her situation. She had lived like a flower that no one dared touch in the Powley mansion. This had been because she was the hidden daughter of King Leon of Romsoa, but now, with the Kingdom of Elgort destroyed and the world heading toward its end, that privileged upbringing was more of an obstacle than a help.

She wanted to grow stronger. Not just in physical strength, but mentally as well. If she had been mentally stronger, she wouldn’t have acted like a lovesick teenager, excited about the few intimate encounters with Maximón.

It was only now, after everything had happened, that Najane truly understood. While living here, her choices determined her fate and future entirely. And she alone would have to bear the consequences of those choices.

Desperately, Najane searched for something she could do. If she swore to Maximón that she would never leave Romsoa, that she would live forever as his knight, would she be able to escape from here?

But she didn’t want to be controlled by Maximón again. Fighting alongside Nellis as a knight, following in the footsteps of Serith, was a joy. She trembled at the thought of risking her life to find Luna, but when she thought of the honor of her Powley family and the sacrifices of those who had raised her, going to the battlefield was a highly honorable thing to do.

However, Maximón was not someone she could let treat her as he pleased. After losing Luna, Najane had blamed herself countless times, but she had always strived to remain just. Even when the Serith unit had breached the city walls and fallen near the Romsoa knights, she had chosen to protect the people, putting their safety above her own personal gain, and had fought without hesitation.

She struggled to maintain her dignity. However, Maximón ruined the pride that Najane had barely managed to hold onto without a second thought. If he had respected her even a little, if he had considered her an equal, he wouldn’t have changed overnight to treat her coldly, nor would he have brought her to this secluded place and confined her.

Every being deserves respect. Children abandoned by their parents, wounded soldiers who have lost limbs, beggars, those who are forced to sell their bodies or join mercenary bands for their families’ livelihood...

No matter how insignificant they may seem, none of us have the right to control their lives. Najane knew this better than anyone because she had been taught from a young age not to recklessly wield a sword.

That was why she could not understand Maximón’s indiscriminate execution of mercenaries, yet at the same time, she understood. She unconsciously tried to understand Maximón.

It was the same even now. While hating Maximón, Najane wished for him to return to the way he was before. Just like the day in the barley field, she hoped he would be a little kinder, that he would lift her up again, just as he did when she had shrunk away in fear. She wished for it more desperately than anyone.

Najane sighed and turned when she heard the door open. The only person who could come and go from the secluded place was Didina. But today, the door opened a little earlier than usual. By now, the battle field should have just ended, and they would have been too busy preparing meals and baths.

Didina usually brought breakfast just before nine o’clock. Feeling puzzled, Najane turned around and saw soldiers.

Surprised, Najane jumped to her feet. They were soldiers guarding the secluded area. She stepped back in alarm, and one of the soldiers removed his helmet and bowed respectfully.

“Do not be alarmed. I have come at the request of Lord Armunzen.”

To be precise, it wasn’t a request but an order.

However, the soldier didn’t say that much. Their mission was to help Najane escape and ensure she got safely into the carriage that Nathan had prepared, so they had to avoid any confrontation or struggle. If they didn’t complete the mission before Maximón Elgort and the knights arrived, it would be the end for them as well.

It would have been ideal if they could have fled with Najane while all the knights of Romsoa were on the field, but Head Maid Didina was far more efficient than they had anticipated.

She had the maids check on Najane regularly (to monitor if the soldiers were misbehaving with her), and if a maid was even a little late, she immediately visited the secluded area with the guards.

Therefore, the safest time was in the morning when Didina and the maids’ vigilance was relaxed. It was also the time when Maximón could return, but he hadn’t visited the secluded area for more than four days. So, they believed this was the right time to carry out their plan.

Brooks, the soldier who had removed his helmet, spoke politely to Najane.

“Lord Armunzen had mentioned a marriage proposal to Dame Schnicks... do you remember?”

It was the first time Najane had heard that name, but when he mentioned a marriage proposal, she immediately thought of Nathan. However, she rejected the marriage proposal right then and there. If she married an aristocrat from the Kingdom of Bastronia, it might be easier to find Luna, but the problem lay in Najane’s status and her curse.

Very few people knew that Najane and Luna were the daughters of Leon and Nellis. Most of those who knew the truth had either been killed by Serith or had disappeared while fleeing. Najane was not in a position to marry.

If the fiancé that Nathan proposed was someone who, like Maximón, didn’t view her curse strangely, it would be worth considering, but if even the slightest misunderstanding occurred...

Even if she managed to escape from here, if Nathan held something over her, it would be the end. This was also the reason why Najane couldn’t easily leave Maximón’s side.

At least Maximón didn’t view her as some “sex toy cursed with lust.” He never questioned how she ended up in this situation, and that alone was enough reason for her to remain. Revealing her curse to someone else would be too dangerous a gamble.

But if only she could find Luna...

Najane hesitated for a moment. It was a decision she couldn’t make lightly. Then, perhaps thinking she was hesitating because of Amelia, Brooks quickly explained.

“Lord Armunzen said he would pay off Amelia Royan’s debts. If Dame Schnicks simply agrees to marry his nephew, that is. Think wisely, and look to the future. Lord Armunzen is a member of one of the three Duke families in Bastronia. If you follow him, you will live a much better life than this.”

“But leaving like this...”

Najane closed her mouth as she thought of Maximón. The soldiers were getting closer to her. She backed away slowly until she was cornered.

Without a sword, Najane was just an ordinary person. Brooks glanced anxiously toward the door.

“We must hurry. If the commander of the Romsoa knights arrives, it’s the end for all of us. You know how cruel he is, don’t you, Dame Schnicks? Now, please come this way...”

“Wait.”

Najane shouted urgently.

“I’m truly sorry, Commander Colnux, but I can’t go with you. This will only provoke Lord Elgort’s anger even more. I...”

Before Najane could finish her words, the soldiers rushed at her all at once. She struggled with all her might to avoid being dragged away by the sudden change in their attitude.

But how could she resist when several strong adult men attacked her at once?

They swiftly bound her arms and legs, as if subduing a deer caught in a trap. The largest of the soldiers picked her up and carried her. Najane squirmed, her mouth muffled, her legs flailing.

“Hurry up. We need to run if we’re to make it to the carriage on time.”

Brooks urgently directed. Najane struggled with all her might to loosen the ropes, but they were tied too tightly, and her efforts were in vain. The soldiers were focused only on getting her into the carriage prepared by Nathan and collecting the money.

Nathan had promised the soldiers guarding the secluded area three thousand lira each, and he had also assured them that he would arrange a safe place where Maximón would never find them.

They thought it was better to seize this opportunity than die someday while fighting Serith. As long as they didn’t get caught by Maximón, it would be fine. Their lives were already as good as over, and they took this desperate gamble.

As soon as they left the secluded area, the soldiers ran without looking back. The fact that they were guarding the area meant no one would dare approach it. They needed to get far from the knights’ camp before Didina arrived with breakfast.

If they ran full speed to the barley field, they might still manage to get Najane into the carriage at the agreed time. Failure was not an option. If anyone found out what they had done, they would all be dead.

Najane, her head held high, looked back at the increasingly distant secluded area. At that moment, she unconsciously found herself looking for Maximón. Despite wanting to escape the secluded area, as she was being taken away like this, a strange feeling stirred within her, and her eyes welled up.

If you had said “I’m sorry” with a helpless expression, I would have gladly forgiven you.

If you had kneeled and tried to kiss the back of my hand, claiming you were momentarily out of your mind, I would have reluctantly understood you.

As you said, my heart is soft and fragile like air escaping from a balloon. That’s why I can’t be harsh or cruel to anyone.

I’ve always been like this. You know that.

Despite my thirst, I became your knight, like someone licking a salt pillar. I had no choice but to accept the role, but deep down, I liked that I was useful to you.

I was happy. Really.

In the place I came from, no one wanted me as desperately as you did, so I was happy. You are a cold person, but at times you were kind... and I really liked that. Even though I hid myself completely, you noticed me. You said you needed me.

So why did you lock me alone in that cold house? Why don’t you come to see me...?

If you were to fall on the cold earth in battle, I would have wanted to fall with you. I need to find Luna, but when I think of you, I’m not even afraid to sink into the deep night. You’ll never know what it means for me to think of you as much as I do Luna...

Come back, Maximón.

Please, hold onto me.

I want to fight with you just a little longer...