Only God

The road to Ausenco Royal City was not as smooth as imagined.

When they entered Ausenco, troubles began to arise one after another.

First was the issue with the roads. Ausenco, unlike the Empire, did not have flat, wide roads everywhere. In this Kingdom, paths were mostly made by the feet and hooves, causing the caravan's progress to suddenly slow down and become extremely bumpy.

Next, there were few towns along the way to stop at. Ausenco was neither developed nor wealthy, and the massive caravan could not obtain adequate supplies as before on the road, which led Arsia to continuously shake her head and lament that this was indeed a country of Barbarians.

Lastly, there were the intentional difficulties created by the Lords along the way.

Not everyone wished to see a marriage alliance between the two countries.

Although Ausenco and the Empire had maintained friendly relations for many years, there was no shortage of Lords opposing this marriage. They all understood that once the marriage took place, it meant Ausenco was not far from becoming a vassal to the Empire.

For these reasons, the Lords set their sights on this caravan, either imposing hefty transit taxes, deliberately delaying, or not allowing them to purchase supplies locally. Worse still, some sent people disguised as robbers or bandits to harass the caravan.

Facing such disrespectful treatment, the caravan's leader, the Emperor's Paladin, even though furious, was helpless. He understood the significance of the marriage alliance between the two countries and could not afford any mishaps.

And as they got closer to Ausenco Royal City, the gloom on Arsia's face deepened.

She disliked this country and disliked even more the idea of marrying a Barbarian Prince she had never met. Moreover, after entering Ausenco, nothing good had happened all along the way, which only fueled her vexation.

"Perhaps you can help me find a chance to escape."

One evening, Arsia approached Eden and spoke to him directly.

Arsia's words caught Eden off guard, and he instinctively replied,

"We've come this far…"

Arsia, discontent, said,

"So what if we've come this far? Can't I still escape?

My father transferred me from one cage to another, only the other cage is even more decrepit."

Saying this, Arsia frowned and complained,

"It's decrepit, that's one thing, but the people here are making everything difficult for us, as if feeding a nightingale food that harms its throat. Moreover, that Barbarian Prince I'm supposed to marry looks every bit the Barbarian."

Eden said softly,

"I've seen his portrait; he's not that…"

"Portraits are nothing; they are all embellished! Even if he is really as depicted in the portrait, deep down he's still a Barbarian, and that can't be changed."

Arsia, agitated,

"God, protect me! Don't let me be married off just like this."

Looking at the princess so agitated, Eden said sarcastically,

"You've learned to pray now?"

Arsia gave him a sidelong glance and said somberly,

"I know you're mocking me. You can mock all you want.

It's only after coming to this Barbarian country that I realize how blissful my life in Danschel was without knowing it.

Once I am formally married, you will also be leaving. Your mockery will become something to miss; it had the scent of civilization, God, soon such mockery will no longer be heard."

Her words sounded truly pitiful, tears seeming to fall as she spoke, her appearance profoundly moving. Eden's gaze was drawn to her, momentarily lost in thought.

He quickly came to his senses and consoled her saying,

"You ask for such protection from the Lord, how do you expect Him to help you, and how can He help you? Do you really expect Him to perform a miracle for such a trivial matter?"

Arsia murmured,

"Trivial? Can this be considered trivial? I am a princess of the Empire, did you not see? When I got married, the entire Empire celebrated."

Eden replied softly,

"There have been thousands of princesses in the history of the Empire, should He perform a miracle for every princess who does not wish to marry?"

Arsia sighed sadly, lowered her head, curled up her legs, and hugged them. Her delicate cheeks pressed against her knees, pressing light red marks onto the soft flesh,

"Alright, alright... It seems I can't hope for a miracle.

This place is full of barbarians, and one day they might overthrow all churches. By then, I would have to become a martyr.

Honestly, it's better for me to die than to keep living in this country. Otherwise, when I'm old and can't even commit suicide, that will be the end. I'd rather die than live each boring day here sadly."

Her melancholic words echoed in the tent, and after listening, Eden felt no schadenfreude at all; on the contrary, he inexplicably felt a bit of sympathy for Arsia. Perhaps this was his reward for helping her.

At that moment, Arsia suddenly raised her head and said, on edge,

"'Honestly, let me die, it would be better if we died together.'"

Eden was shocked,

"Don't joke about that."

Arsia chuckled, pressing her face tightly against her knees,

"I was quoting a poem, didn't you recognize it? Oh, I forgot, you're a boring priest."

Eden sighed in relief, remained silent for a moment, and after a long pause, he said slowly,

"Honestly, all I can do for you is pray."

Arsia nodded understandingly,

"Oh, that's right.

Well, to commemorate our friendship, when I become queen, I will build a church for you, if I'm not dead by then, and if we still have a friendship."

Eden looked at Arsia somewhat surprised.

"What, do I not seem like someone who would build a church? Or someone who doesn't keep her promises?"

"That's not like you..."

"Hey, as the saying goes, 'the words of a dying person are good.'"

"... You are not dead yet."

"Getting married is like dying, the carefree Arsia will no longer exist."

After saying this forcefully, Arsia opened up slightly,

"Just wait and see, to return the favor for these days you spent entertaining me, this small reward is justified."

Eden fell silent; he did not quite know what to say.

He had once looked straight into this woman's soul. Though not utterly ruthless, she was still quite sinful; yet, such a sinner, who would cheer for murder, could also on a whim do good deeds, repay kindnesses. She seemed like she could become a good person any day or turn evil on another, dependent entirely on a fleeting thought. This freedom was indeed too great, she enjoyed such freedom, as do many others in this world.