<h4>Chapter 301 – Only After One Life</h4>


    For days, Alphord’s troops travelled nonstop, and Elena had not gotten off the horse even once. Alphord turned to his daughter in a concerned voice.


    “Aren’t you tired?”


    “I’m fine. You can’t slow down just because of me.”


    She hadn’t been able to sleep well, and any simple meal she took was on horseback. She already suffered through difficult prison life, and moreover, she was pregnant. Alphord learned that his daughter was with child before the mission, but he did not press Elena on the subject, knowing it was better to not waste time and get caught by their enemies.


    “Just endure it a little longer. It’s not that far now.”


    “Yes, th—I see.”


    She was about to thank him for his concern, but she hastily changed her words. She didn’t think her father would wee this kind of affection. As ofte, Alphord had been paying her more attention than usual, but she knew his personality did not change overnight, and she didn’t want to undo this arrangement. She was satisfied enough with what she had.


    A momentter, a man approached from behind and addressed Alphord.


    “My Lord, I have something to tell you.”


    The man was Martin, a faithful servant of Alphord’s. Alphord nced at Elena, then turned back to Martin and spoke in a quiet voice.


    “Let’s talk in private.”


    “Understood.”


    The two slowed their horses and fell behind the procession. Elena narrowed her eyes in curiosity, but she let them go without saying a word. Alphord was the leader of this unit, and it was his prerogative to exchange private information she didn’t know about.


    After Alphord distanced himself from Elena, he turned to Martin with a serious expression.


    “What is it?”


    “Grand Duke Lunen’s forces are drawing near.”


    “Is that so…”


    “What should we do, My Lord? They will reach us soon.”


    The creases on Alphord’s face deepened. Shortly after his unit rescued Elena, he heard that Paveluc dispatched arge number of troops to track her down. Alphord did not tell Elena this for fear of causing stress on her already exhausted body, but he had heard no word from the other two units. Frequent, consistent contact was not easy, and he worried if something happened to them. Perhaps even withoutmunication, Kuhn’s and Derek’s troop were doing their best to save Elena until the very end.


    Alphord’s face set in determination.


    “We’re not far from the border anyway. If we can buy some time, we will be able to sessfully deliver Her Majesty.”


    “Then we’ll select the other soldiers who’ll risk their lives.”


    “No.”


    Alphord shook his head firmly. Such a trick would not be enough to fool Paveluc. It was certain that the Grand Duke knew Elena was here.


    “I will remain.”


    “M-My Lord…!”


    Martin’s eyes widened in astonishment at Alphord’s deration. However, the man already seemed to have made up his mind.


    “If I move, Paveluc will be under the illusion that Her Majesty is with me. And if we want to hold the enemy off a little longer, it should be with someone good with a sword… No matter who else I consider, I’m the only one that can do it.”


    “Her Majesty won’t allow it.”


    “So don’t tell her.”


    “My Lord…”


    Alphord looked at Elena, who was faintly visible in the distance. When he spoke, his voice was stronger than before.


    “I am going to save Her Majesty, the Empress of the Ruford Empire. I will also save my daughter’s life…so don’t say a word.”


    “I understand…”


    Martin gave a reluctant nod, as he was already familiar with Count ise’s stubbornness.


    “But I still need men to move with me, so we’ll split the troops in half. Everything must be carried out without Her Majesty’s knowledge.”


    “…Yes, My Lord.”


    “And I ask one more thing of you.”


    Alphord pulled out an elegant ck envelope. The moment Martin saw it, he immediately knew what it was. Each year, the knights of the Fourth Order wrote a will. It was a unique tradition unknown to anyone else. If one were to partake in a high dangerous mission and then died, it was customary to deliver the letter to the family. Alphord had written a letter this year.


    Martin shook his head and refused.


    “No. I will follow you.”


    “What do you mean? You must stay here to protect the Empress.”


    “My Lord, I…”


    “Are you going to disobey my order?”


    “…No.”


    He lowered his head submissively, and epted the letter with trembling hands. Meanwhile, Alphord’s face was as calm as a pond’s surface.


    “After I leave, pass it on to Her Majestyter.”


    “Yes…I swear on my life.”


    “Then let’s do it tonight. There is no need to drag this out.”


    At the same time, Alphord’s dark green eyes shone with a determined light.


    “Start the preparations right away.”


    “…Understood.”


    Martin bowed his head, then turned his horse away to begin the coordination of the troop transfer. The unit would be divided into two—those who would escort Elena to the border, and those who would remain behind with Alphord and face Paveluc.


    No matter how experienced or strong a knight was, each one was afraid of death. However, because they were the elite men of the Ruford Empire, they all epted their orders with no hesitation. They had given their vow to the Emperor that they would not return unless Elena was safe.


    ***


    Soon, night had fallen.


    Tadag tadag.


    Elena dozed in her seat, her father’s coat wrapped around her like a nket. She had to find every small way she could to rest during their unceasing march. After a time, however, she dimly realized that she hadn’t seen her father in a while, and she deliberately roused herself awake.


    “Where’s Count ise now?”


    Martin, who was riding next to her, avoided her gaze and answered quietly.


    “He’s patrolling the area.”


    “I haven’t seen him in a while. What if something happened?”


    “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. He will probably be back soon.”


    “Is that so…?”


    She looked at him dubiously, but she didn’t press further. As Martin said, her father may have gone ahead to scout, and the aide didn’t look particrly worried.


    They rode on in silence. Martin seemed conflicted, and he spoke to Elena in a cautious voice.


    “Your Majesty…”


    “Speak.”


    “I think I should go check on the scout team. Will you read this letter after you cross the border?”


    “Letter?”


    Martin pulled out a ck envelope, and Elena looked curiously at it. An ominous feeling stirred at the back of her mind.


    “Whose letter is that?”


    “It’s from the leader. He asked you to read itter, not now.”


    “…It’s from my father.”


    Why? Elena remembered the day when her father died in herst life, and she discovered he had left a letter for her. She wasn’t able to obtain it, but…Alphord must have a message for her. Just like now. Elena had written to her father several times about Mirabelle’s study abroad, but he had never written a reply. It was troubling for Elena to suddenly receive a letter from Alphord at this moment.


    Elena took the letter and tore it open. She never intended to read itter. Martin looked at her in surprise and tried to stop her.


    “Y-Your Majesty, you have to read itter—”


    “I’ll read it now.”


    She threw him a stubborn re, and he withdrew submissively. Elena’s eyes flew over the page.


    [If you’re reading this, then I havee to my end.


    But do not be sad.


    Ibored for the Ruford Empire all my life, believing that it is the way for our family, and more importantly, you.


    I live without shame, and I have no regrets.


    No matter what death I face, live your life in happiness, not revenge.


    This is what your father wishes.


    Stay safe.]


    Elena knew that she had never received a letter in herst life. Toe across something so difficult, so heart wrenching, would have been seared into her soul. The contents of this letter was not confirmed until one lifetimeter.


    A single phrase stood out to her: Do not live life in revenge. Maybe it was because Elena once lived only for revenge against Paveluc. But that was not what Alphord really wanted. He just wanted her to live in happiness.


    ‘What would have happened if I had received this letter in myst life?’


    This may not have stopped her burning desire for vengeance against Paveluc, but at least she would know that Alphord prayed for Elena’s happiness.


    A tear spilled from Elena’s cheek onto the paper.


    It was certainly a letter written by Alphord. It was sparse in phrasing, but she felt his heart reach through his words. She remembered how strict her father had been on her since childhood, but once she received this letter, she felt the sadness in her heart melt away like snow.


    It was just Alphord. A stubborn and blunt father who expressed his affection in his own way. The scars he left on Elena couldn’t be disguised as affection, but the feelings he had for her were of genuine love. When Elena realized it, she couldn’t help but cry.


    ‘Really, you’re too much, Father.’


    She hated that her father had suddenly gone off without a word to die for her sake. Her father…she couldn’t let him go yet. She still hadn’t been recognized by him, and she never heard him share a word of warmth yet. However, this letter alone was not enough to satisfy her sorrow.


    Elena hurriedly wiped her tears.


    “Tell me honestly. Where is my father now?”


    “That’s…”


    Martin flinched and avoided answering, and so Elena raised her hand in the air. At her gesture, the knights stopped their horses. Before it was toote, Elena wanted to tell Alphord the answer to his letter that she had never received in her previous life. She opened her mouth once again, her red eyes shining.


    “Imand you as Empress of the Ruford Empire. Where is Count ise now?”


    ***


    Alphord galloped fiercely in the opposite direction of Elena and led his men toward Paveluc’s troops. Paveluc fell for the trick; because Alphord was Elena’s father and the head of the Fourth Order of Knights, Paveluc assumed that Elena would be with him. Paveluc never imagined that Alphord would risk leaving her side.


    Chaaang!


    Thousands of soldiers surrounded Alphord’s men and drew their swords. Paveluc looked around for Elena, but when he saw that she was not there, he realized that he had been deceived. He frowned at first, but then he threw his head back to let out a bark ofughter. The very sight of it was an eerie disy.


    “Oh dear. I never thought you’d risk your life to deceive me. Why are there so many of you willing to die for the Ruford Empress?”


    Despite the hopelessness of the situation, Alphord lifted his sword with a calm face. As hisst act, he had to buy as much time as possible for Elena.


    “Now you know. You lost Her Majesty forever.”


    Alphord’s provocation caused a cold smile to spread on Paveluc’s face. He looked as if he were the devil of Hell.


    “Yes, I know. But you’ve also prepared for what’s about to happen, yes? Now…you won’t go back alive.”


    At the same time, Paveluc pointed his finger at Alphord’s men.


    “Kill them all.”