Two-Faced Princess

“Well, that’s the one…. who sponsored my house.”

“Yes.” said Apollonia. “If there was no other way, I wanted to help even financially. I decided that if you refused me to sponsor you with my name, I could do it under a different name. I was finally able to give you a little help when I reached your relative. She really did get the least support and refused the rest, but——-” She leaned forward and looked closely into Knox’s bewildered gaze. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Knox! I wanted you to wait a little longer, but I shouldn’t have——— I should have found you first.” Every word she said was sincere. Once again, the two looked at each other in silence.

“She should have told me.” Knox uttered a sigh. “The madame probably thought it was a way to protect you.”

*SIGH*

Knox’s lips twisted into a wry smile. Then he began to shake and giggle bit by bit as if he was mocking himself. “No, actually, I knew it. You are not really the object of my revenge.”Apollonia raised one eyebrow.

“I know. It’s all because of the Emperor and Duke Lipper that our family fell, and that my father had to protect you desperately.” Knox went on with a lament. In contrast to the laughter, there was a cry in his voice. “But what can I do? I can’t catch them all and kill them myself. I wanted to vent my anger on you. I knew it was stupid, but I didn’t know it was this useless.” He leaned his back against the wall of the cabin. “Then?” Knox spat out helplessly.

“Then?”

“What are you going to do now?” He laughed bitterly. “What happened in the past was already done. Now I’m the kidnapper who kidnapped you. Are you going to keep me alive like this? How can you do that unless you’re a fool?” He cast Apollonia a provoking glare but she still looked at Knox with pity.

“I’ll save you.” Apollonia nodded. Her voice was much clearer than before. “You couldn’t even kill me anyway.” said Apollonia. Knox’s eyes went round. “If you’ve been sitting still for a long time with your sword on my neck, you wouldn’t have said anything and be done with it. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you just brought me here to tell me your story. Actually, you could have just come to the palace.”

“It’s….”

“Knox, I cannot bring your father back to life. But———” Apollonia hesitated for a moment and then resumed. “But I can promise revenge.”

Knox stared at her, motionless.

“Didn’t you mention that a year from now you would dedicate your whole life to avenge your father?” Knox nodded softly. “I will help you take revenge on the people you have mentioned a little while ago. Apart from that, of course, I’ll get you the best doctor. I don’t want to hear a no this time around.” Knox’s eyes shook slightly at Apollonia’s words. Still, the boundaries were not yet lifted from his face. “I’ll also let you have your revenge. After all, aren’t you asking for the same loyalty from me as my father?”

Of course, if you help me, it will be easier to work out. I’ve seen your ability before. If you are good enough to compete with Uriel using your spear, you might be one of the best in this empire. Nevertheless, I don’t expect loyalty from you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whether you help me or not, you can do as you please. It’s alright to betray me a hundred times in the middle.”

She smiled as if she could see through him. Knox’s eyes widened in shock.

“My debt to Sid is so great that you deserve to demand it from me.” Apollonia recalled Sid, Knox’s father and her escort knight, once again. In fact, in the past few years, Sid had never left her mind. She took another look at Knox, Sid’s alter ego. He was obviously a different person but on the one hand Knox was a part of him that her knight had left behind. She felt the echo in her heart as if she had met Sid again.

“Let’s get out of here for now. There’s still a lot to do.”

Apollonia slowly reached out to Knox. Her hand stopped in front of his chest as if hoping Knox would hold it.

“Both of you are idiots!” Knox murmured. His eyes could not leave Apollonia’s sunset eyes. “My father who gave up his life for others uselessly, and you who let me go after such a dangerous situation.” He reached slowly and held Apollonia’s hand.

“Do as you please. If your mother dies before your revenge is over, I can really hurt you. But if you’re going to save it, take care of it.”

“That’s the answer I’ve been waiting for.”

Apollonia smiled wider than before. The two remained still, holding hands for a while. The sound of rain outside once again filled the cabin.