Chapter 22
Lena had rested in the castle for several days but remained gloomy and withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Linden finally caught the culprit–it turned out to be Flora, who had hired assassins to kill Lena. When they found her, she was hiding among beggars with the last of her money, filthy from head to toe.
Flora hadn’t expected that by trying to eliminate Lena and win Ethan back, she would accidentally kill the very person she had relied
- on.
When Linden’s men searched for her, she had no way out and tried to hide.
Now, she was being escorted to the palace, her face full of terror.
“It wasn’t intentional! I never wanted Ethan dead. Those people acted on their own—they weren’t following my orders. I only wanted them to scare the princess!” she pleaded.
But no one believed her. Five assassins had been caught by Linden, and their testimonies were identical Flora had paid them all to get rid of the princess. Ethan had stepped in front of Lena and was killed as a result.
All five assassins were imprisoned, and as for Flora, the single charge of attempting to assassinate the princess was enough to sentence her to death, especially since a life was lost because of her.
She was sentenced to prison, with execution to follow after the autumn
After the trial, Lena returned to the castle. Linden, worried about her, had stayed by her side these past days, postponing his departure for the campaign.
Lena wasn’t sure what was wrong with her Ethan’s death, just like in her previous life, seemed like a coincidence. Their fate had changed, so he wouldn’t die and be reborn again. But just thinking about the possibility made her shiver. She didn’t want to be separated from Linden again, nor did she want to relive those painful memories. Most of all, she didn’t want Linden to die on the battlefield like before. She didn’t even realize it, but she had already become dependent on him.
One day, as she sat at the table, someone knocked on the window. Lena opened it and saw Linden’s face.
“You look so upset. Are you craving pine nuts? I peeled some for you. Here, little princess,” he said with a teasing smile, holding out a paper bag.
Lena almost cried. This time around, she finally understood what warmth felt like. What if Linden really died on the frontier?
Linden didn’t expect his carefully peeled pine nuts to bring the princess to tears. He quickly climbed through the window and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“What’s wrong? If you want, I can peel them for you every day,” he joked.
Lena nodded, then shook her head, speaking quietly.
“When are you leaving for the frontier?”
Linden thought for a moment. “In about five days. We can’t delay any longer.”
Her heart clenched. Only five days before he would leave. She hurriedly asked, “When will you be back?”
He smiled knowingly, understanding her worry.
“If all goes well, in three months. But if it doesn’t…”
War always came with casualties. No one needed to say it outright. Lena bit her lip and made up her mind.
“Then I’m going with you. I’m the princess–I should accompany you to boost the troops‘ morale.”
Linden laughed heartily, making Lena scowl in irritation.
“I’m serious. I’ll go with you. Even if I have to die, I’ll die by your side.”
Chapter 22
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The count’s eyes softened. He pulled her close and kissed her gently on the lips.
“Promise me you’ll wait for me here, alright? I swear I’ll come back.”
Chapter 22
