Descal

"So... Lehai... Mind explaining why we are surrounded by a bunch of sweaty armed men?" (Descal)

"I believe that you have already guessed why." (Lehai)

Slowly, I took a glance at Cecilia to check on her mental state. She's been through a lot this couple of months, and although I don't know the extent of Lehai's relationship with Cecilia, I don't know how well she would handle a betrayal right now. Surprisingly, she actually had a small wry grin on her face. What?

"So... It was you that betrayed me. I knew something was wrong when those assassins got my blood to track. Only those who were very close to me would have been able to obtain it. Does Ugurtz know about this, too? After all, you both have a reason to kill me." (Cecilia)

Say what? Is she telling me that this whole time her two bodyguards had reasons to kill her? What type of bodyguards are those? As a princess, aren't you supposed to have retainers that you can trust? Hmmm. Maybe I REALLY underestimated Cecilia's life in the royal court. But if it is that shitty, why does she still want to be a crown princess? Shouldn't she just give up her right to the throne?

"No. For some reason, Ugurtz managed to forgive you. So, I killed him to make sure that he wouldn't interfere." (Lehai)

"I see. Well, let's cut to the chase. I have had a couple of weeks to steel myself for this potential betrayal after all. You want to kill me, but you know that I can't give you my life so easily. My life is not my decision to give because of that promise I made." (Cecilia)

"Yes. I know. However, I also know that you can't fight very well. Your life should be quite easy to take. Understand this. There is no way that I can allow a murderer and a schemer like you to take that throne. We have had too many people like that in recent times. This country is dying. Your great-grandfather was a warmonger. Your grandfather was the epitome of greed. Your father's reign is marked by social upheaval. YOU have way too much blood on your hands to be a fitting ruler. Your uncle is the best shot at a new start for this country. For my country and my brother that died by your plans, I will end you here." (Lehai)

What? Wait. What does it mean that Cecilia is a murderer? This puny crybaby actually killed people? What??? And Cecilia if you knew about this betrayal before why didn't you say ANYTHING FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS? I mean yeah. It was REALLY obvious that you were a girl of many secrets, but holy shit this is a whole new meaning of "hiding behind a mask." 

"My uncle won't be a good ruler you know. There is a reason why my father got the throne instead. If my father's reign is marked by social upheaval, then my uncle's reign will be marked by rampant corruption." (Descal)

"In my view, a corrupt politician is far better than a monster. Descal. I have hesitations in fighting a mercenary who can achieve gold rank by himself. You have no stakes in this fight. I ask that you take that bag of gold over there and leave. It will be best for both parties. There is no need to continue to protect a mass murderer." (Lehai)

"... She. This crybaby who could barely fight a couple weeks ago is a murderer? What? This girl who could barely use magic and had multiple mental breakdowns. That's such a stupid..." (Descal)

I look over at Cecilia, and I immediately noticed that Lehai was probably telling the truth. She refused to look me in the eye and was looking everywhere but at me. 

"How many people did you kill Cecilia?" (Descal)

"My... scheming... caused the deaths of... about ten thousand people..." (Cecilia)

"She was responsible for the massacre of Parasin Square four years ago." (Lehai)

"WHAT? I thought that it was just a power struggle between two nobles??? You are telling me a freaking uhh 14 year old was responsible for that?" (Descal)

"12 years old. She was only 12 when she hatched that plan. She pitted two nobles together using false "evidence" that she derived from kidnapping the nobles' aides and torturing them. Then, she ordered the torture of a couple of well-respected commoners and threw their bodies into the sewage for the commoners to find and combined with a food shortage that she created herself through sabotage and subtle tariffs, a riot broke out forcing the noble to put it down violently. Of course, the noble got mad about this and started a blood feud with the other noble resulting in both houses demise. I asked her for the reason behind the destruction of those two houses. She merely replied that it was practice for taking down a different noble house that she disliked." (Lehai)

Cecilia only continued to stare at the horizon. She refused to look at both of us.

"That is why she cannot be queen. Her uncle knew about her deeds and that is why he committed to this coup. We cannot have a person capable of such cold-hearted murder become queen. I dread what this country will turn into should she rise to power." (Lehai)

"But... That doesn't make sense. In every village and city that I visited in this kingdom, every single commoner loves her. Isn't she the one who started the famine prevention program that helped over a hundred villages survive that famine a year ago? Isn't she the one who helped numerous commoners enter prestigious schools that were normally meant for nobles? Wasn't she the one who helped organize the annual monster exterminations so that farmers wouldn't face as much danger from goblins? You are saying that SHE is responsible for that?" (Descal)

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"Descal. I think I mentioned this, but I was pretty messed up in my early years at court. All those "good" things I did were just... my attempts at repenting." (Cecilia)

"So you really were responsible for that event..." (Descal)

"That... I was actually responsible for all the bloody events like the riots, assassinations, food shortages, corruption, and other stuff that occurred in what the commoners called the Blood Year four years ago." (Cecilia)

"Hold on. Just give me a moment." (Descal)

"I won't blame you if you leave Descal. I won't be mad. You gave me the chance to be my true self. You let me cry, cuss, and scream at you. We could bicker and fool around. You made me have my first genuine laugh in five years. You even taught me to fight so that I can at least die fighting. I can't really ask for much more, can I? Also, you're injured aren't you? If you decide to leave, I will never hold it against you." (Cecilia)

"You are fine with just dying?" (Descal)

"Yes and no. I truly do want to die, but I made a promise. A promise to repent for all that I did. But it's really hard to keep living with all that I did hanging over my head. So, if I end up getting killed while giving it my all in pursuing the fulfillment of my promise, I would consider that a sign that it is alright for me to die." (Cecilia)

I saw tears begin to well up within her eyes only for Cecilia to rapidly blink them away. I looked at her eyes and saw my reflection. With a sigh, I asked one last question.

"I don't know what happened. I don't know what hell this country went through. I don't know what is the truth. I don't know anything about this country." (Descal)

"So will you..." (Lehai)

"Lehai, shut up. Cecilia. I don't know what you mean by your promise and its significance, but I do understand what repenting is. So I'll ask you this. As payment for all the things I have done for you, answer me truthfully. What was your promise, and were you faithful to that promise?" (Descal)

"I've promised to make a country in which all the innocent bystanders that died by my hands could look upon with pride. A country where their surviving friends and loved ones can live with a smile. Ever since that day, I have not killed a single innocent person." (Cecilia)

After hearing the conviction in her voice, I looked at Lehai. To see what he had to say about what she said.

"Yes. She is telling the truth from what I have seen. However, I cannot accept her words as truth. That day when I saw her lie with a face of false sympathy while watching someone getting tortured in front of her only for it to change into an expression of false joy a couple seconds later when meeting with an ambassador ... I swore to never trust her words or her face. You would do well to heed my words. She is a master of lies. Second, even if she was telling the truth, humans are notorious for breaking promises. Who can guarantee that she will not regress into her former self in the future? If she does, NO ONE can stop her since she would be the highest ranking position in the kingdom." (Lehai)

I mulled over what Lehai said. He was right. Cecilia is... an excellent actor. To be able to hide such a burden, one must be incredibly strong... or twisted. Sigh. I don't know. There are too many factors. Who should I trust? If I get on the wrong side, I would regret it. Well, when you think about the pros and benefits, I think I know what I need to do. 

"Sorry, Cecilia. I don't know who to believe or not. Lehai is right that I am an outsider to all this. I hold no loyalty to this kingdom at all. Lehai is right about one thing; you are really good at hiding your true intentions. If I end up helping a psycho to the throne..." (Descal)

"Shut up Descal." (Cecilia)

With those words, she suddenly ran up, hugged me, and looked me straight in the eye. 

"I don't blame you one bit. Now go. I had a really fun time with you. That is not a lie, okay?" (Cecilia)

Cecilia

And with those words, I am alone once more. I watched Descal pick up the bag of coins, put it back down, and disappear down the road.

"I can't take this money." (Descal)

When he passed by Lehai, my former subordinate nodded to him in thanks. Truth be told, I was expecting this. Anyone would be turned away by those words, and they were the truth. There was no way for Descal to know if I was lying or telling the truth. I looked toward Lehai.

"Did you have to kill Ugurtz as well? I highly doubt that he would go out of his way to save me." (Cecilia)

"It had to be done. He knew too much about the... What do you care about him anyway? You seriously expect me to believe that a snake like you can change itself. Don't make me laugh." (Lehai)

"That's true. I highly doubt I deserve a second chance from any of my victims. But I wasn't lying you know. I really did keep that promise of mine." (Cecilia)

"You can tell that to Hades when you meet him. Crown Princess Cecilia Tennesley the Third. I challenge you to single combat." (Lehai)

"And I humbly accept." (Cecilia)

 If you can't beat someone with your skills with the bayonet, try to shoot that person before they get in close. With those words ringing in my head, I took aim at Lehai and tried to predict his next move. Ever since Descal told me about my magic eyes, I started playing around with my magic eyes. Recently, I found out that I could actually predict a little bit into the future. Once I got a decent read on how he was going to move, I shot, but he actually dodged it.  

He quickly shortened the distance and made a lunge at me. However, I already predicted that so I dodged out of the way and countered with a stab to his thigh. Lehai simply jumped above my head and tried to stomp on me.

I quickly rolled and threw a fist full of dirt into his face. When I tried to follow it up with a stab to his stomach, he kneed me before the bayonet even got close. I collapsed trying to breathe before I felt a boot on my neck. 

"I would like nothing more than to stab you through the head right now. However, I will at least give you the honor of hearing your last words as payment for the people you have helped on your path of "atonement"." (Lehai)

"I made a grave for your brother. It took me a while to find his body again, but I did it. I still remember when the servants freaked out over why I was covered in rotting shit in the morning. I placed it on that hill where I accepted your pledge of loyalty as my knight. Promise me that you'll take good care of that grave. Your brother deserved better." (Cecilia)

"Yes. He deserved more than having his murderer make his grave." (Lehai)

"Yes. Yes, he did. I hope you find peace in killing me. I'm ready." (Cecilia)

I closed my eyes and waited for the steel to go through my heart. It never came. When I opened my eyes, I found Descal standing over me as he grasped the blade preventing it from piercing my heart. 

"If I left you, I would be the biggest hypocrite ever. Don't worry. You won't have to walk this path alone.  It seems that we share a lot in common when you think about it." (Descal)

So, there really was someone who was capable of accepting me despite my past. Who would have thought it?