Chapter 16: Tattering Heart

The emperor and the honorable lady agreed to allow him to be away for a short period.

The young duke was travelling in his carriage towards the land of Gemma.

"Is there anything to worry about when I just want to visit my fiance?" he said.

If the reward is seeing your beloved's face, then a whole week of the trip going back is not a huge deal. Duke Oliver Cannon didn't want the princess to know he was coming, so he returned without making any announcements. All he wants is to catch a glimpse of the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on.

The desire to touch, hug, kiss, or even just talk to her about what occurred feels unreal, like a dream gone. All of it is trapped inside a waiting heart that tries to persuade itself that what it can tolerate at the moment is enough.

He worries about the possibility that she will fall in love with someone else every day and then run off, leaving him. These petty ideas came from a love that wasn't reciprocated. An unreal danger that might occur.

He hides as he normally does, and makes preparations to celebrate the feast with her, the way he always does, just to avoid upsetting her during the festivities. He's going beyond what is necessary to make it extra special, all without her knowing.

Princess Minerva gazed out of her room at her balcony while he admired her exquisite beauty, grace, and elegance, her long hair that cascaded down her slender waist, and her eyes that were as enigmatic and deep as the sea. Full of unspoken things.

Using his sacred weapon, the Hypnus Ritus, the duke summoned a maid and declared, "I want to prepare something special for my lady."

And to finish the task, that maid called more servants.

The Hypnus Ritus is a complex weapon of mind control that can induce hypnosis and confusion in a subject.

He goes to great lengths to make it seem as if they were together for the very first time, remembering how special it was to meet her during his lifetime.

While they were preparing for the emperor's special bride back in the Central Kingdom, he was preparing something special for HIS special bride here at Gemma.

When they first meet, there are no signs of conflict between them—just two innocent, pure hearts having their first encounter.

An ambush occurred as a nobleboy from Fidelphia was riding in a carriage. His sacred weapon does not work against an attacker coming from behind; it only works against someone within full view. A chemical was applied to a piece of cloth that the kidnapper used to cover the young duke's mouth and then put him to sleep.

Unfortunately, somebody set up another ambush against them

A wonderful exchange—an ambush for an ambush.

Their leader responded, "I'm right, they will be after this guest."

This young lady, this leader, is so small in stature, voice, and physique.

He consistently defies the methods of politicians and nobility and possesses the compassion and zeal to free the world from reliance on sacred weapons.

The king, her father, and his ministers discuss how their suffering kingdom will be saved by a unique vehicle. It originates from Fidelphia, one of the richest regions in the entire empire.

They were going through an economic crisis at the time, and they needed someone who could help with that issue and simultaneously free them from Emperor William's tyranny. A hidden motive that the king hides, with a daughter who is a non-threader, is hopeless; however, for a threader son-in-law, there's a chance.

And the two young hearts cross paths at that very moment at the oath's festival.

It was a very blissful time for the two of them. The young lady introduced him to the group she was supervising and they became friends.

They also marked the holiday by lending a helping hand to others and cherishing the time they had to spend together.

The young duke fell in love with her at that moment.

Everything ended when the king found them.

"Do you think I have no idea of those ridiculous things that you are doing?" replied her father. "You even told the young duke about such irrelevant madness," he said.

"I can't believe you don't have shame," he continued.

She suddenly raised her voice to argue with the king, but the next day she received horrible news as a result of her thoughtless remarks and her unwavering heart.

All of her people, everyone in her small group, were put to death just because they followed her,

The people she treats as her own family.

She went to meet her father in a rage of anger, wanting to let go of the hurt he had inflicted.

The room was filled with her voice and whimpers.

"Make yourself useful at least, serve your country. Marry the young duke. Stop daydreaming! You know how useless you are because you are not a threader," he stated indifferently.

The young duke met her along the way. He desires nothing but to console her. Perhaps he has heard the terrible news.

She walks past him, uttering these words, "I hate you. I wish we never met."

"I made you this way," he said, blaming himself for the rest of his life, as the bright, hopeful smile vanished from her face.

Upon his arrival, he carried out his plan.

A multicolored lantern had been released all over the area. The young princess introduced this to him as they celebrated their first oath festival.

They released 2 lanterns with different colors.

He made it into a tradition as a way to celebrate the Oath festival each year.

Conveying his love this way. 

However, this time, it's not going to be the same.

On the ground in front of her balcony, they congregate. They're all wearing masks.

She is led outside by the other maids, and he approaches her while perfectly disguised.

Giving her a blossom of a blue hydrangea.

Her favorite flower.

When the song comes to an end, the sacred weapon allows her to go to sleep.

The Hypnus Ritus only works for a maximum of 24 hours per day and will reset everything around it when its effects disappear.

She fell into his embrace. He nuzzles into her neck like a yearning little boy.