Chapter 3: The Butterflies’ Intentions

“...and what remains in the Totti Caves are the oldest paintings of the Gel civilization. The most famous is the feast room with the painting of the gods’ banquet. Even now the colors remain pristine. It’s garnered attention because the techniques displayed revolutionized art during that time period. Those paintings are also famous for bringing the Gel civilization to light. Up until that point, their existence had been theorized but never proven. And that’s also why—oh, sorry, you already know all this. It’s like trying to teach a fish how to swim.” He reined in his excitement, forcing a bitter smile as he lifted his cup to his lips.

The woman who responded wore a faint smile. Her voice was unwavering as she continued for him, “In year 82 of the Ars Continent calendar, the Kaig Arg Empire to the north set forth on its quest to dominate the rest of the continent. The defeated nations were all forced to convert to Ryzanity, a monotheistic religion that condemned idolatry. As a result, existing symbols of other religions, be they temples, statues, or paintings, were all burned down, or so the history books tell us. If any of them had remained, they might have been the key to unlocking the origins of the Gel civilization. Or better yet, they could have given us a clue to understanding the biggest mystery on our continent—the Rimul people.” She chewed her lip in frustration.

The man who nodded in agreement was my elder brother, Alfred. The three of us were currently seated in the royal archives’ break room.

With nothing else to do, I had been spacing out in the archives when my brother and Lady Anna appeared, intending to return some materials. Since we happened to bump into each other, we decided to settle down for a bit of tea.

Lady Anna was the only daughter of Earl Hayden, who ruled over Edea, a border region of Sauslind. The two of us became acquainted at the Autumn Hunting Festival, and she was now working at the History Compilation Department. During our breaks, we would often meet here to enthuse about history together.

The reason for my brother’s addition was likely because the Bernsteins were drawn to people who possessed knowledge, like Lady Anna. His normally soft expression turned serious when discussing antiquity. “The empire was at the peak of its prosperity when it conquered its neighbors, remaining at the height of its glory for over a century. That was unmistakably the most difficult period for the other civilizations inhabiting the continent. It’s unbelievable how much art was destroyed during all of that! I won’t claim monotheistic religions are evil, but I can’t sympathize with believing your faith is so superior that everything else must be destroyed.”

Lady Anna gave a silent nod. “Cultures blending together and merging to give birth to new cultures is common throughout history. However, any teaching that would convince a person to destroy other civilizations and erase them completely is pure insanity in my eyes. Whether the empire’s century-long reign was a long one or a short one is still contested, but personally, I think the collapse of the empire’s vastly overexpanded dominion and wealth was inevitable.”

“Yes,” Alfred agreed thoughtfully. “There were many circumstances and domestic issues that resulted in the fall of the empire. One of those elements was that the countries under their rule had begun to accumulate power. Actually, after that, we had a king here in Sauslind who attempted to replicate the empire’s success by trying to conquer the continent again.”

“King Rudolph, you mean.” Her lips spread into a grin. The two of us had shared a conversation before about that very same man.

I flashed Lady Anna a smile of my own.

My brother’s soft, ashen gray eyes drifted over to me, and he let a bitter chuckle slip. “Well, we kind of got derailed into empire history, but the presence of the Totti Cave paintings in Norn are proof of the Gaelga mythology. It’s a bit unusual for you to express interest in cave paintings, though, Eli. Is Uncle Andrew’s influence finally taking hold?”

Seeing his gentle smile, I lightly shook my head. “No, I was just doing a little research.”

At the confusion on Lady Anna’s face, my brother explained, “Andrew is our father’s younger brother and an archaeologist. He found his purpose in life by conducting investigations and excavations across the continent. He’s only able to come see us about once a year, but both Eli and I have always loved listening to his stories. If I weren’t the family’s heir apparent, I’d love to go off on archaeological adventures like my uncle.”

“Oh, my.” Lady Anna’s eyes widened, and then she giggled. “Well, that certainly does sound like it would be interesting.” Her expression suddenly sobered. “That’s right, I heard that in recent years, Norn has gotten itself into a precarious situation. Conflict is expanding within the old empire’s territory, and it’s only a matter of time before Norn gets swept up in it as well.”

“Their former queen was originally from one of the territories previously held by the empire,” Alfred explained. “The northeastern part of the Ars Continent has been a rather unstable region, cycling in and out of the empire’s control. Fortunately, Sauslind has the northeastern mountain range to act as a shield, thereby protecting them from getting wrapped up in the conflict.”

“Indeed. Lady Elianna, were you feeling uneasy because you suspected the Totti Cave paintings might be in danger if Norn was dragged into war?” Lady Anna’s eyes gazed at me earnestly.

My heart prickled with pain. She was concerned because war could result in the loss of valuable historical artifacts. If she knew that my own careless statements might have contributed to and sped up the process, what would she think of me? Lady Anna was from the Edea Domain, a place ravaged countless times by war.

My mind whirled with things I could potentially say. If we were still discussing history, as we had before, I was sure I could come up with something. But right now, I was too terrified to even open my mouth.

Lady Anna’s brows furrowed as she regarded me suspiciously.

After setting his cup down and standing up, my brother studied my face. “Eli?” His gentle hands combed my hair back, his expression warm as he peered into my eyes. The soft color of his ashen gray ones revealed just how concerned he was for me. “You’re not your usual self. What’s wrong?”

“Alfred...”

Despite his busy schedule, my brother had constantly come to check up on me during my stay in the palace. Our father, given the nature of his position, understandably didn’t have the luxury of being able to come see me. At the end of every year, he was always so overwhelmed with work that we couldn’t go home, so instead he stayed in the palace just like me.

I knew I couldn’t trouble my brother with my problems, but when I tried to shake my head, his gentle smile stopped me. “The only times you want to drink cocoa with me are when something is bothering you. Go ahead and tell me. What’s going on?”

Suddenly, I recalled how I used to fling myself at my brother and sob into his arms when I was younger, but then I remembered I was no longer in a position where I could do that.

I noticed Lady Anna trying to move out of her seat to give us some privacy and quickly spoke up. “I’m all right. Um...I was just thinking I should speak to His Highness about something, though. I...I’m sorry, Alfred.”

“If you’re sure...” His eyes had a lonely hue to them, but he continued stroking my head nonetheless, mumbling to himself. “I wonder if you’re feeling relieved now that your wedding date has been decided.” I tilted my head, but he merely smiled softly in reply. “I’m a little sad that you can’t rely on me anymore, but if there’s anything I can do, no matter what it is, just say the word. Father and I have no attachment to working here at the palace.”

I stared at him, my eyes blank. My brother was an essential assistant to the prime minister. I even heard he was being considered for a cabinet nomination in the future. Those who desired success would be envious of his position. Yet, as always, my brother held no interest in power, and that made my heart feel lighter. It warmed me to think he was more concerned about me than his own rank.

In a subdued voice, Lady Anna added further reassurance by saying, “If...there’s anything I can do to help, I would be more than happy to, Lady Elianna.”

My shoulders sagged with relief at their words. Finally, I was able to flash a genuine smile at the both of them. “I know. Thank you, Alfred, Lady Anna.”

They each gave me a warm smile in response, and my heart felt much calmer.

~.~.~.~

When break time was over, Lady Anna returned to work. Though before she even had the opportunity to leave, a teary-eyed subordinate of my brother’s came to drag him away. As for me, I assisted the archives’ staff in tidying up the shelves.

The curator, Prince Theodore, was preoccupied with his duties as the king’s younger brother right now due to the approaching holiday. Such duties included: meeting with prominent figures from other countries, acting as the peoples’ representative at meetings, and assisting with preparations for the Holy Night’s Banquet.

Ordinarily, I would be meeting with the queen’s entourage of married noblewomen in order to further preparations for my wedding in the spring, but after the events of the other night, my meetings with the royal merchants were temporarily suspended. I knew I wasn’t supposed to rejoice about that, but I couldn’t help it. Rather than drowning in heaps of glittering jewels, I could bury myself in the scent of books instead. That brought me great peace of mind.

While I was taking the initiative to help organize older tomes, Lord Alexei appeared with a mountain of documents in his arms. As part of the prince’s inner circle, he was naturally just as busy as everyone else, which only seemed to heighten his frightening intensity. He pushed off some odd jobs on me, and it was clear by the air around him he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I took the documents and records he handed me and made rounds to the appropriate sections to deliver them, getting a taste for what it was like to be a slaving public official. All sorts of people were entrusting me different kinds of documents and correspondences. Soon enough my arms were loaded down with books to be returned and stacks of documents that towered high enough to obstruct my vision. I suspected most of the people didn’t realize it was me they were piling all of this work on. They were all too frantic to get everything done before the end of the year.

Shouldn’t they hire some temporary help to smooth the process? I wondered. Although, I suppose that holds its own risk of confidential information being leaked, just like what happened to me. Still, the prince’s policies are...

It was as I strode down the hallway, entertaining such thoughts, that I heard some theatrical voices echoing further ahead. Past the pillar of papers in my hands, I could see several noble ladies. They appeared to be headed toward the inner palace’s greenhouse, which had been opened to the nobles for the winter. I hesitated for a moment but then finally moved to the side of the hallway so they could pass, just as the court ladies working at the palace always did.

One of the cheerful voices sounded familiar, and when I chanced a peek, I realized it was Lady Sharon. She was chattering away with someone just a short distance ahead, their voices echoing. I didn’t recognize the lady she was speaking with.

“So then, Lady Sharon, Lord Glen doesn’t view you as fiancée material?”

“Indeed. I do appreciate the countess being so gracious as to accept me, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline on behalf of her son. I hear he’s rather popular among women, and I fear a child like myself wouldn’t be able to satisfy him,” said Lady Sharon.

“Oh dear... Is that so?”

They spoke in conspiratorial whispers, but I could still hear how lively their conversation was.

Lord Glen was the son of Earl Eisenach, the general of the imperial guard. He was also in the imperial guard himself, as a bodyguard to the prince. He had an impressive lineage and a promising future ahead of him, which made him widely sought after by unmarried noble ladies.

Judging from what I had heard the other day, it seemed as if both families had agreed to this engagement, but apparently the two in question were of a different mind. Perhaps Lord Glen did have a way out of this after all then.

As I considered that, the girls began gushing about something else—their partners for the Holy Night’s Banquet. I could understand their excitement. The banquet hailed both the end of one year and the beginning of another. It held a particularly special meaning for those who were still single. The partner they paired up with there would be more meaningful than one they picked for a regular evening party—it would be someone whose future was assured, or so the custom went.

Lady Sharon’s carefree voice hushed the other girls. “Someone mature like you or these other ladies here would be a far better match for Lord Glen, Lady Matilda. If you would like my assistance, I would be happy to help in any way I can.”

“Oh my,” the other girls squealed in delight.

When I realized the person with her was Lady Matilda, I blinked my eyes in surprise. Her dress had drawn so much of my attention the other night that I hadn’t remembered her face.

Lady Matilda seemed a bit guarded as she replied, “So the reason you came to Sauslind was to participate in the Holy Night’s Banquet then?”

“Yes!” Lady Sharon blurted eagerly. “But not the only reason. I came to do a little ‘insect repelling,’ if you will.”

After a few beats of silence, Lady Matilda let out a shrill laugh. I couldn’t help flinching behind my tower of documents as I stood there. Lady Matilda hurriedly pressed her fan over her face to stifle her giggling. “I see then, Lady Sharon. I think the two of us will get along swimmingly.”

“Oh, I think so too,” Lady Sharon responded innocently.

Her bodyguard, Lady Elen, followed behind the young lady, a troubled smile on her face. When her forest green eyes wandered over to where I stood at the edge of the hallway, she looked startled.

Feeling awkward, I shrunk in on myself. This wasn’t exactly the most appropriate position for someone to find me in, given I was the betrothed of the crown prince. Unfortunately, the palace was short on helping hands.

I froze in place, worried the others might turn their attention as well, but Lady Elen’s surprise melted into a smile, which she quickly suppressed. She gave a polite but subdued nod as their group passed me by. I let out a shaky breath, relieved they were gone. Grateful to Lady Elen for not saying anything, I started forward again.

Given Lady Sharon’s age, I didn’t think she would be allowed to attend the banquet. I wasn’t even sure when she had become acquainted with Lady Matilda either. The world sure does move fast, I thought, my mind an incoherent jumble.

Then there was the matter of Lady Mireille Olphein Flan. Currently she was known as Lady Ramond, but she had once nearly been engaged to Prince Christopher. When the prince was fifteen and officially recognized as the crown prince, the nobles caused a stink about him not having a fiancée. Lady Mireille was the most prominent of the selected candidates. Someone was kind enough to inform me of all of this when I was selected as his betrothed four years ago.

People wondered, “Why did the prince choose the Bibliophile Princess over Miseral’s Pearl Princess?” Back then, I genuinely thought I was merely a placeholder, so it didn’t even bother me. I could have easily responded, “I’m sure His Highness has his reasons.”

What about now, though?

I could feel his connection to Lady Mireille, and it made my heart pound with anxiety. A sigh spilled past my lips.

Right then, a voice spoke out in front of me. “That looks heavy. Allow me to assist.”

From behind my tower of documents, I could see a young man wearing a uniform that indicated he worked here in the palace. I hurriedly stepped out of his reach. “No, I’m fine. I appreciate the thought.” Some of these papers were specifically addressed to the prince. Given the confidentiality required, I couldn’t hand them over to just anyone.

“No need to hold back on my account.”

“I’d rather not. I don’t know you,” I insisted, as the two of us fell into a verbal tug-of-war.

Suddenly his tone turned dejected and forlorn. “I get you can’t recognize me when I’m in disguise, but just how forgettable am I if you can’t even recognize me when I’m in uniform...? It’s Alan, Lady Elianna.”

“Huh...?” I craned my neck for another look. Sure enough, I saw the honey-colored hair and emerald green eyes of our master musician, his face drawn dark and dispirited. “Oh goodness, Lord Alan. My apologies. I was just lost in thought.”

He let out a dry chuckle before muttering, “Just how invisible am I to you...?” He sighed wistfully before lifting half of the documents out of my hands. Then he muttered to himself, “This is a lot of paperwork. Is this some kind of silent protest?” His calculating eyes turned back toward me. “You said you were lost in thought. Was it about Prince Chris?”

His guess was so accurate I was at a loss for words. At the same time, I found myself curious about something. At His Highness’s order, Lord Alan was keeping a watchful eye on me. His timing made me wonder if he had been spying on Lady Matilda and Lady Sharon.

“Um...” As soon as the word left my mouth, I realized how pathetic this was. I couldn’t burden the prince with my concerns. “Could you keep it a secret from His Highness?”

Lord Alan looked surprised. “I’m fairly certain the prince would have some words for me if I tried to keep something from him regarding you, my lady.”

I started, realizing how silly my request was—feeling flustered I’d even mentioned it. Lord Alan had his own duties. I couldn’t intervene with those for my own private affairs. “Yes, my apologies...” My heart sank as I lowered my gaze.

“Um...” Lord Alan tried to keep his tone upbeat as he peered over at me. “This thing that you don’t want Prince Chris to know about, is it that troublesome noble lady? Or is it something else?”

The question made me realize something. Though I didn’t want the prince to realize just how weak minded I was, given Lord Alan’s duties, His Highness might already be aware of what happened before at the evening party. My mood soured; I felt even more miserable now. Not wanting to face the emotional storm brewing within, I decided to change the subject. “Is Earl Dauner doubling down?”

Earl Dauner was Lady Matilda’s father. His alignment with the faction that wanted to strengthen our military was widely known. He was the troublemaker the prince had mentioned just the other day. Admittedly, the man didn’t hold enough power by himself to sway the direction of the country, but one would be remiss to belittle the influence of his words.

“Mmm,” Lord Alan hummed, a troubled look on his face.

I knew it. His reaction answered my question. My heart seemed to shut itself down as I dropped my gaze back to the floor. I used to think if my ideas helped the country flourish, then I wouldn’t mind even if someone else took credit for those achievements. However, if my ideas were being used by Earl Dauner and the militaristic faction, it could be disastrous. The reason I had cautioned against mass sales of those dresses was because of how foreign countries might view it—the flower was native to Norn and it could give the wrong impression about our relationship with them. Other countries might think we were planning to do a military intervention into the northeastern conflict zone.

This was especially problematic given that my wedding to Prince Christopher was planned for the spring; we had more foreign diplomats visiting than ever before. The need for discretion was greater now than it had ever been. And yet my own lack of discretion had landed us in this predicament.

I lamented how careless my words had been. It was enough of a shock that someone had utilized my words for their own ends, but more than anything, I felt ashamed I had indirectly contributed to a faction that was obstructing the prince politically.

“Oh, Lady Elianna,” Lord Alan called cheerfully. “We’re kind of focused on something else at the moment, so we’ll have to deal with that matter later. But don’t worry about it. We’ll keep the demon lord off our a—I mean, Prince Chris will take care of it.”

In other words, the prince was protecting me just as he always did. Queen Henrietta had warned me numerous times that things couldn’t go on like this. I felt so defeated. My thoughts became a gloomy cloud, and I had to strain my lips taut to keep from crying. As much as I lamented, the situation wasn’t going to change.

I have to get it together, I told myself, trying to rein my feelings in.

Lord Alan gave a strained laugh, forcing himself to smile. “You really are too serious for your own good. I wouldn’t want you to be as domineering as the prince...but you could stand to be a little more self-assured.”

I lifted my eyes to meet his, curious what he meant by that.

He wore his usual boyish expression on his face. “I’m sorry that there are things I can’t tell you without Prince Chris’s permission, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. It’s his own fault he’s so busy right now. If something is on your mind, just lay it on him.” There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Also, you shouldn’t make that kind of face around other men. The prince might kill me.”

Face? What face is he talking about?

I blinked, bewildered by his comment. Nonetheless, I did understand he was looking out for me, much like an older brother. My regret turned even darker and heavier, but I swallowed back the tears and summoned the willpower to force a smile back at him.

After that, the two of us shared some light banter as he tried to liven my spirits. Since we had split the stack of paperwork I was carrying, we had to part ways eventually.

My heart felt warm from all the reassurance everyone had given me, and with that, I headed to the prince’s office.

Images from that night lingered in the back of my mind. I knew I had to consult His Highness about my fears, but meeting him was so terrifying that I had actively avoided his work space since this morning. Only now had I sucked up the courage to step in front of the door to his office.

Sadly...His Highness was out.

The guard in front of the door was happy enough to let me in, but to my dismay, the man I was looking for was not inside. In spite of his absence, I had already been given permission to come and go in order to do my reading or deliver documents, so the guard showed no hesitation in letting me in.

I felt simultaneously relieved and discouraged as I trailed deeper in. The place felt lonely without Prince Christopher. Mountains of documents were strewn about the desk in a disorderly fashion. I drew my brows together, wondering if he even had time to take breaks right now.

Not wanting to hinder his work, I decided to leave the documents I’d carried. Sadly, my attempt caused an avalanche. I rushed to restrain the falling stack, and for a moment, my gaze swept over something.

To Prince Christopher Selkirk Ashelard.

There, amid the sea of documents, was a letter in elegant penmanship—a woman’s penmanship. I already had a good hunch as to who had sent it. My heart twisted with guilt as I stared, unable to draw my eyes away from the missive with its broken seal.