Sigrid

“That’s harsh.”

Beramund grumbled.

Sigrid was hanging up her name tag when she turned to Nas and asked:

“Western flu, you say?”

She was puzzled to hear that Beramund had requested extended leave due to contracting the western flu. Nas nodded and asked back:

“Yes, are you alright?”

“What? Yes.”

It had been a month since she returned from the west, so what was this sudden flu about?

“They say it has a long incubation period. You should take some time off too, just in case. It would be troublesome if you passed it on to the prince.”

“I see, understood.”

Sigrid nodded.

She wasn’t a healer, so there must be many diseases she didn’t know about. Still, western flu—

“Is it severe?”

“Seems quite serious.”

Nas nodded. He let out a heavy sigh and said:

“Because of this, even the wedding preparations have been postponed. Looks like I’ll be swamped with work for a whole month…”

“Hang in there.”

“That’s a rather deflating encouragement.”

“Is it?”

After serious consideration, Sigrid held out her hand to Nas. Puzzled, Nas grasped her hand, and Sigrid squeezed it firmly, like a handshake, looking into his eyes as she said:

“Hang in there.”

Nas chuckled.

“Now that sounds more like encouragement.”

“I’m glad. I meant it sincerely.”

Nas nodded at Sigrid’s words. Come to think of it, Sigrid never said anything she didn’t mean.

“Then I’ll just explain the situation to the prince.”

“Alright. Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Orders have come down that you can stop the guard duty.”

“Directly from His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“…I understand.”

“You don’t look too pleased. It seems the rumors about you getting along well with the Third Prince are true.”

Sigrid smiled faintly and said:

“Favoritism feels quite good from the receiving end.”

At those words, Nas nodded, saying “Indeed.” He continued:

“Meet with Darl from the 8th Imperial Guard and go together. He’ll take over your duties when you leave early.”

“Understood.”

Sigrid bowed politely and left the 1st Imperial Guard quarters. Stopping by the 8th Imperial Guard on the way, Sigrid met with Darl and headed to the Prince’s Palace.

“Sigrid!”

As soon as she opened the door, Awen dashed out and clung to her. Darl’s eyes widened beside them. Awen glanced at him once, then tugged on Sigrid’s hand, saying:

“I did my homework well today. Do you want to see how I organized it, Sigrid?”

“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”

Awen’s face hardened.

“What is it…?”

“For the time being, Sir Darl will be guarding you in my place.”

Awen’s face contorted. He was about to say something but held back and asked:

“For the time being?”

“You know I went to the west, right?”

“Yes.”

“The Captain of the Imperial Guard who went with me has reportedly contracted a disease called western flu. It has a long incubation period, so I might have caught it too, and I can’t be with you in case it’s contagious. When it’s certain I’m not sick, I’ll see you then.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll come back?”

“Yes.”

Awen tightened his grip on Sigrid’s hand. After a while, he released it and let out a small sigh.

“Alright then.”

“Yes.”

Sigrid bowed politely to Awen and said to Darl:

“Then I leave the prince in your care.”

“Don’t worry.”

Sigrid left the Prince’s Palace, acknowledging Darl’s greeting. When she returned to the Imperial Guard, the quarters were empty, but the attendance name tags were all neatly hung, making Sigrid newly appreciate their diligence.

The rightmost spot where the Captain’s tag should be was empty, with a [On Leave] tag in its place, which somehow made her feel a bit empty.

‘Is it because I’m not seeing a familiar face?’

—Hello, Siri. You’re beautiful today too.

It felt strange not hearing the usual greeting.

‘Should I pay a sick visit?’

Since it was a contagious disease, it would be best not to go, and he probably wouldn’t receive visitors, but she still wanted to leave a get-well gift. Hadn’t he rushed over when she said she was off duty before?

Thinking this, Sigrid removed her own tag.

After pondering what would make a good get-well gift, Sigrid bought a fruit basket. Given the season, the price was exorbitant, but she couldn’t think of any other options. Lamenting her lack of imagination, she decided to ask Marie-Chez for a list of good get-well gifts next time. Holding the fruit basket in one hand, Sigrid rode her horse briskly and arrived at Beramund’s house.

Leaving her horse with the groom, Sigrid knocked on the door.

After a moment, a neatly dressed servant came out and said with a troubled face:

“I’m sorry, but we’re not receiving visitors.”

“I see. Then please just tell Beramund that his friend Sigrid came by. I have a gift here too.”

As Sigrid held out the basket, the servant took it, looked at her for a moment, and said:

“Would you like to come in for a moment?”

“Is that alright?”

“You can take a quick ride to keep your horse warm. In the meantime.”

“Ah, I see.”

Sigrid nodded and went inside. The servant pulled out a chair near the entrance for her and disappeared with the fruit basket. Though it was just one door away, it was much warmer inside, and Sigrid lightly rubbed her arms.

“Lady Sigrid.”

The servant called her, and Sigrid looked up.

“Lord Beramund is calling for you. Would you like to go in?”

“Oh, yes.”

Sigrid stood up.

“Is his condition alright?”

“Yes.”

The servant nodded, and Sigrid followed, thinking ‘That’s a relief if he’s okay.’ The servant guided her to the door of the room, slightly turned the handle to open it, then withdrew.

‘Is he not going in because of the risk of infection?’

‘And I’m supposed to go in?’ Though puzzled, Sigrid opened the door and entered. After closing the door, she looked around the room and found Beramund, giving him a quizzical look.

“Why aren’t you lying down?”

Sigrid stopped as she was walking towards him sitting on the bed. Beramund said “Oh?” and spread his arms, smiling.

“Did you come running here crying because I’m sick?”

“No. And why are you armed?”

Beramund lowered his arms and said:

“Something came up.”

“What kind of something?”

“Are you interested?”

“Yes.”

Beramund was the one surprised by Sigrid’s immediate answer. He blinked and then chuckled, “Hmm—”

“I thought you wouldn’t be interested.”

“I’m interested if it’s about you.”

This statement surprised him for the second time. Beramund smiled brightly.

“That makes me happy.”

Sigrid stared blankly at his smile for a moment before coming to her senses and saying:

“Did you take on some secret mission?”

“Yeah, something like that. Prince Rudinal has gone missing, so I’m going to look for him.”

“Alone?”

“It’s easier to act alone.”

“Let’s go together.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go together.”

“That—”

“Let’s go together.”

Beramund found himself pushed back by Sigrid repeating the same phrase three times. She said:

“Are you leaving right away? I’d appreciate it if you could give me time to prepare.”

“Wait, Siri.”

“Yes.”

“There’s no need for you to come along.”

“I think there is.”

After saying this, Sigrid frowned and asked:

“Am I a hindrance? I thought it would be okay to go together since you told me about the mission, but if you don’t want me to come…”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to…”

“I understand. Then I’d appreciate it if you could postpone the departure until at least dawn.”

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Why do you want to come along? This isn’t a duty as Captain of the Imperial Guard. You won’t get any rewards. You’ll surely fall out of favor with His Majesty. There’s no benefit for you, Sigrid.”

“I like you.”

For a moment, Beramund forgot how to breathe. Sigrid, as if amused by her own words, smiled and said again:

“I didn’t expect to come to like you either. Anyway, that’s why I don’t want to let you go to a dangerous place alone.”

He had given her many things to think about. Though she might not realize it, she had taken his side. Despite all the talk and grumbling about being rivals, Sigrid liked Beramund.

Newly realizing this, she nodded.

‘You never know about people’s affairs.’

Before Beramund could say anything, Sigrid said “Ah” with a bright smile:

“This is it, best friends.”

Beramund let out a groan as if he’d been punched in the stomach, then covered his face with both hands and hung his head.

“Beramund?”

To her puzzled question, Beramund muttered:

“No, it’s just… the impact is too big. I mean, well. Yeah. That’s good. Right, best friends. Yeah.”

Watching him mumble, Sigrid looked at him wondering ‘Why is he like this?’ then said:

“So we’re going together, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Unlike before, it was a docile answer. Sigrid smiled and said:

“Then where shall we meet after I prepare?”

“At two in the morning. Let’s meet in front of the last streetlight in the 3rd District.”

“Understood.”

After answering, Sigrid left the room. Glancing at her retreating figure, Beramund let out a deep sigh.

“Best friends, right, best friends.”

She had come a long way, but it wasn’t the destination he wanted.

“Still…”

He was genuinely happy that Sigrid would come along.

Even as a friend, it was quite sweet to hear that she would risk danger together “because she likes him,” regardless of benefit or duty.

Especially since she never lied.

“I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a dangerous mission…”

Muttering, Beramund let out a faint sigh.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Beramund was experiencing a strange feeling as he stood by the city gate at dawn.

‘It feels just like eloping lovers.’

Anxiously waiting for Sigrid to arrive, he lightly pressed his left eye. The eyepatch covering his eye was inconvenient, blocking his vision. But a one-eyed man was far less conspicuous than someone with heterochromia.

Walking around with his odd eyes exposed would be like wearing a sign saying “I am Beramund Lunatil.” He exhaled lightly. His white breath shattered and disappeared in the moonlight.

‘I wonder if brother will be angry.’

He had told him not to get involved in the investigation of Rudinal’s disappearance, yet here he was, boldly involving himself. But what could he do?

‘When someone says they believe in you…’

Beramund grinned.

“Are you already here?”

A quiet voice broke his reverie, and Beramund looked up. Sigrid approached with quick steps. Her attire was that of an ordinary traveler—a shabby one at that—far from looking like a knight. Beramund thought that knights changing into disguise should learn a thing or two from her and said:

“Your hair. You’ve covered it?”

“My hair is too noticeable.”

“That’s true.”

Beramund nodded. While blonde hair was considered beautiful and supreme, he preferred silver hair much more. It was like moonlight at dawn, fairy-like. He could confidently say that Sigrid with her hair down would surely be breathtaking.

No, that’s not it.

Silver hair was certainly rare and eye-catching. Considering this, Sigrid had meticulously tucked all her hair into a winter hat that covered her ears, and then pulled a hood over it. Even if her head were bald, people wouldn’t know.

“Let’s go.”

Beramund beckoned to her with his finger.

Not long after entering the 3rd District, a faint stench could be detected. It was this mild only because it was winter. Beramund skillfully stuck to the city wall, finding a loose gap in the rainwater drainage.

Sigrid murmured.