chapter 21: nightmare
Ethan looked out at the massive city walls surrounding him. Then he turned his head sideways and saw his first battlefield. It was covered in blood, and there were a dozen men trying to build towers with the corpses. Sitting on a wide chair atop a small hill, a redhead man watched all this unfold with indifference. He was undoubtedly their leader, and his demeanor showed neither guilt nor happiness, just a cold, emotionless stare ahead.
His black eyes turned towards Ethan. They were entirely devoid of light, as if the redhead man had fallen into darkness... No, he was darkness itself. Ethan's hair stood on end, and he began to sweat. At that moment, the redhead man pointed at Ethan and shouted something to his army. But Ethan couldn't hear anything. Everyone was looking at Ethan, slowly approaching him with grins on their faces. He felt like a rabbit surrounded by wolves. He tried to turn and run, but he couldn't move, and as the soldiers reached him, they drew their weapons and swung at Ethan.
Just then, Ethan woke up drenched in sweat. The nightmare had clearly shaken him. But a few seconds later, he couldn't recall the dream at all, and since the sun had risen, he got up to head to the bathroom.
After taking a refreshing shower, he got dressed and went outside. In the living room, he saw an unfamiliar girl. With purple hair and purple eyes, she was delicate and poised, glaring at Ethan intensely.
Finally realizing who she was, Ethan spoke, "Eleanor... Welcome. It seems we have the chance to get to know each other better now." Princess Eleanor listened to Ethan's words and nodded slightly. "Yes, Ethan. I hope we can get to know each other better," she said, though a hint of displeasure could be seen on her face. Ethan sighed when he noticed this and gestured for her to take a seat.
"Eleanor, I can't get along with a woman who hates me. So, just speak your mind," Ethan said. Eleanor looked away and remained silent for a while before speaking.
"... Just tell me why you did it..." She looked at Ethan with a sad gaze. "Eleanor, know this: I never forgive those who harm my loved ones. Especially a third-rate, foolish villain like your brother. So, I have no regrets about what I did to him," he said firmly. "... So, understand that we will never get along," he added with disdain.
Standing up, Ethan approached Eleanor and held her chin. Eleanor trembled at his touch. As thoughts raced through his mind, Ethan spoke, "Don't worry, I won't harm you, and I won't touch you unless you want me to. But if you ever attempt foolish things like seeking revenge and fail to bite my neck, I'll destroy you. Live with that in mind, and you'll have a peaceful life," he said before releasing her chin and leaving the room.
He felt a twinge of guilt for his earlier outburst, but he felt it necessary to clarify some things. He headed to the library, intent on finding something valuable.
In the following days, they barely spoke. They only occasionally made eye contact, quickly looking away. Eleanor had been frightened by Ethan's words and had dismissed thoughts of revenge.
A week later, when Richard returned to the palace, he said there was no problem with Ethan going to the academy. Before leaving, Ethan knocked on Eleanor's door to speak with her one last time.
When he opened the door, Eleanor was quite surprised to see him. "Why are you here?" she asked. "I'm leaving for the academy tomorrow, so I wanted to speak with you one last time," Ethan said. After a moment of thought, Eleanor stepped aside and sat on her comfortable bed.
"I'm sorry for what I said, Eleanor. I don't want there to be a problem between us," Ethan said, looking into Eleanor's eyes. "..." But since Eleanor didn't respond, he continued.
"What I did doesn't justify it, but know that this was for the best. After all, your brother wasn't fit to be king and would likely have brought about the end of the Moritan Kingdom," he said, which angered Eleanor.
"If only you had apologized, maybe things would have been different, but you think even an apology is too much. Do you think I didn't know how inadequate my brother was? You think I didn't already anticipate his eventual death due to his arrogant nature?" With those words, she finally let out her pent-up feelings and felt relieved. Yes, Eleanor actually hated her brother. In fact, she often wished she were a man and could ascend to the throne as a better king. She had always kept these feelings hidden, but Ethan's words had pushed her over the edge.
"Eleanor, it seems you've let out the feelings you've been holding inside, and that's a step in the right direction. I appreciate your honesty. Seeing your brother's mistakes and realizing he couldn't rule is an important step. But if this is what you want, the only thing I can do, without changing the past, is to apologize. I'm truly sorry, Eleanor. I hope this open and honest conversation can mend our relationship and that we can get along better in the future," he said, looking at Eleanor seriously.
Eleanor simply nodded. "I... accept your apology. All I ask of you is to ensure the safety and prosperity of my homeland," she said. Despite not becoming king, Ethan would have a significant role in the former Moritan Kingdom by marrying Eleanor.
"I promise you, from now on, I will do everything in my power for the good of your people. All I ask of you is not to cause trouble," he said. After a brief conversation, they parted ways. Finally, it was time for Ethan to return to the academy. So, he went to his room to get a good night's sleep.
He woke up a few hours later, bid farewell to his mother, and set off for the academy, one of the kingdom's most important educational centers. Along the way, thoughts of his recent conversations with Princess Eleanor and the future of the kingdom filled his mind.
Upon arriving at the academy, reuniting with his friends was exciting. However, he had questions about the future of the kingdom and his role in it. The academy wouldn't just equip him with military and political skills but would also develop his leadership and sense of responsibility.
Determined to focus on his studies and training, Ethan was ready to make the most of his time. Being prepared for the kingdom's future was his top priority. With each passing day, he knew he would become stronger and more capable, ready to serve the Moritan Kingdom better in the future.
During his time at the academy, where time flew by, Ethan improved himself both physically and mentally. He not only learned about military strategies but also gained knowledge in diplomacy and kingdom management.