Chapter 126: Destiny (IV)

That evening, in a remote corner of the palace…

Louis, Pablo, and Page sat facing each other, having left their slumbering twins behind.

“Cough.”

“Ahem…”

As soon as their eyes met briefly, both Page and Pablo hastily looked away, seemingly embarrassed.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere created by the two, Louis couldn’t help but chuckle before speaking up.

“Page, there’s something I’ve been curious about for quite some time now.”

Feeling ill at ease with the tense mood, Page quickly responded to Louis’s question.

“Curious about what? What is it?”

“How did you first get started stealing things?”

“Oh…! That?”

A faint smile graced Page’s face at Louis’s query.

Pablo also perked up, clearly intrigued.

Soon, Page began recounting his tale in a soft voice.

“Captain Greg began working as a mercenary in distant lands to raise funds for the Leon Revolutionary Army. The captain would leave me behind to do dangerous work.”

A wistful look clouded Page’s eyes.

“As is often the case with mercenaries… when Captain Greg returned after days or months away, his body was covered in wounds. Yet he continued to tirelessly serve you and the Frenche Kingdom without rest. He wouldn’t hesitate to cross both the Autumn and Winter Continents if there was money to be made.”

”…”

“Seeing him like that… I couldn’t just sit by and watch. So I started doing what I could…”

“Is that what you call stealing?”

“What else could I possibly do as a crown princess raised in the palace? And when it comes to making big money quickly, there’s no simpler method than theft. Kai was quite helpful too.”

Moreover, if she got caught pickpocketing on the Autumn Continent, who would believe she was actually a princess?

Even if apprehended, all she had to do was pretend to be an ordinary person.

Whether by luck or not, stealing surprisingly suited Page well.

Her talent was evident from the fact that despite gaining some level of fame over two decades, she never once got caught.

“Though I knew it wasn’t right, when I heard that the money I stole was helping the Leon Revolutionary Army support Your Highness… I was overjoyed.” Page gave a self-deprecating smile.

This was the background of how the Night Bat, who emptied out the pockets of nobles across the Autumn Continent, came to be born.

“Hmm…” Louis looked at her with newfound respect in his eyes.

For years, she had wandered alone through dark alleys for the kingdom and her father, all while still young enough to be considered a girl. It couldn’t have been an easy path by any means—and for twenty whole years no less.

“Oh! This is a secret from Captain Greg. He doesn’t know about my thieving ways.”

“You’ve kept this hidden well for twenty years indeed.”

“Well, not only am I good at stealing, but also at hiding things too, heh-heh.”

Louis shook his head with a smile as he watched Page’s beaming face.

“One of you is a pickpocket, and one used to rob travelers… I’d say you two were meant for each other.”

“A traveler robber?” asked Page.

“You didn’t know? Pablo here was once a bandit on the Winter Continent.”

“What?! Are you serious?” Page looked at Pablo in disbelief.

Pablo cleared his throat awkwardly under Page’s questioning gaze.

“The past…is just that: the past,” he said.

“I figured it might be true since your face looks exactly like a bandit’s…”

“Oh-ho!” Embarrassed, Pablo blushed while Page chuckled.

In truth, Louis hadn’t done anything commendable himself during their time together, so he couldn’t fault Pablo for his own misdeeds. That’s why he had no intention of blaming him.

“Pfft.”

Pablo cleared his throat repeatedly before suddenly stiffening and looking at Louis.

“Um… Sir Louis.”

“What is it?”

“Well, you see…”

Pablo fumbled for words, unable to articulate his thoughts. Before he could open his mouth further, Louis anticipated him.

“I understand. You want to stay here.”

”…Huh?!”

Louis’s response, as if reading Pablo’s mind before he even spoke, left Pablo wide-eyed with surprise.

Noticing this, Louis replied with a gentle smile:

“You wanted to say that you wish to remain here, didn’t you?”

“B-but…”

Having been fully exposed, Pablo’s face froze in shock.

In contrast, Louis remained composed and asked in a calm voice:

“Pablo, do you believe in fate?”

“Hm? You mean fate? Well…”

“I believe in it.”

He had no choice but to do so.

To Louis, ‘fate’ was an utterly cruel word.

The approaching death—that was his destiny.

Wasn’t he still struggling to escape this fate even now?

That’s why Louis firmly believed in fate.

This conviction came through in his story:

“A single coincidence can be dismissed as mere chance, but three or more coincidences must surely be called fate.”

Louis and his companions planned to take a private gondola.

The ceiling collapsed, causing Page to fall into their lodging place.

Coincidentally, the gondola they intended to use just happened to be a stolen vessel meant for smuggling—and at that moment, a third party seized it with the intent to assassinate the king.

Moreover, the king whom the Third Faction had tried to kill just happened to be the father of the woman who fell from the ceiling—a coincidence too extraordinary to believe. A series of mind-boggling coincidences had led them here.

“I thought all those events were part of my destiny, with you two fitting into my story.”

But that belief changed when he realized Pablo and Page had developed feelings for each other.

“Upon reflection, I see now that it wasn’t about you two fitting into my destiny… but rather me fitting into yours. Even without me, I’m certain you would have met someday and formed a bond as husband and wife. That’s what I truly believe now.”

”…”

“Pablo.”

“Yes…”

“Your journey with us ends here.”

”…”

“You’ve done a great job protecting us kids this far. Anyway, once we cross here, it’ll be springtime on the continent ahead, so from now on, you can handle things by yourself.”

“…Sir Louis.” Pablo looked at him with bewildered eyes.

At that moment, red light surged from Pablo’s body before scattering in all directions.

It was the dragon-dwarf pact—the chains they had carried since leaving the winter continent were finally broken.

Louis smiled brightly amidst the shimmering crimson glow.

“I’ve untied your leash, so quit talking nonsense and live well. Page, make sure he doesn’t pull any stupid stunts.”

“If he tries to blow hot air with that face of his, I guess I’ll have to acknowledge him as well. That’s why I’m taking him along…”

“Well, when you put it like that…” Louis chuckled mischievously at Page.

Pablo, caught between them, could only smile at their bickering despite his own desires.

“Oh, right!” Louis suddenly smacked his palm with a fist as if he’d just remembered something important. “I almost forgot to tell you about the most crucial matter.”

“The most crucial matter?” Page and Pablo tilted their heads in confusion.

“There is something I need you both to do.”

“What do you mean ‘us’?”

“In the future, someone named Esteban will appear here.”

“Huh? Esteban?” Page pretended familiarity with the name since she had been ordered by Louis several days ago to investigate information on the Esteban family.

Louis nodded understandingly at her reaction. “Yes, that’s correct—the one called Esteban.”

“What’s your beef with the Estephan family anyway…?”

“Well, how should I put it? Potential rivals? Maybe even future enemies?”

Pablo responded incredulously to Louis’s answer.

“What do you mean by that? Are you now claiming prophetic powers?”

“I’ve always been versatile, haven’t I? Predicting the future is just another skill.”

“If someone can see so far ahead, why would they leave home and suffer like this? If you knew all along what was coming, wouldn’t you have stayed there?” Pablo’s blunt words jabbed at Louis’s heart as his face darkened instantly.

”…Don’t get too comfortable because I let you go! You think this is some kind of farewell party before leaving?”

“I-I’ll correct my behavior!” Pablo stammered hastily.

“In any case, once people from the House of Estephan appear in the Frenche Kingdom…”

Before Louis could finish his sentence, Pablo interjected abruptly:

“Should we kill them?”

“No.”

“Then should we expel them? Beyond the borders of our kingdom?”

“That is also not my wish.”

“But…?”

“Listen carefully, Pablo. This will be my final instruction.”

“I am attentive!”

“The original strategy when approaching an enemy with a blade is to keep them close. Close enough that they can always be monitored and dealt with swiftly if necessary.”

“Oh!”

“If someone bearing the name ‘Estephan’ emerges within the Frenche Kingdom, embrace them warmly. However, ensure constant surveillance and maintain checks on their power. We must prevent them from gaining influence.”

“I understand.” Pablo nodded with a sense of mission.

At that moment, Page posed a question.

“So, when exactly will this Estephan person appear?”

“In about two hundred and fifty years, he’ll definitely show up?”

“It sounds incredibly specific, yet somehow not quite believable.” Page looked at me with an incredulous expression.

But that didn’t last long.

Page made a solemn declaration with utmost seriousness:

“I, Page Kwon Frenche, vow on my name that members of the Frenche royal family will never forget the grace bestowed by Prince Louis. As repayment, we shall monitor and guard against any presence of the House of Este in this land. This pledge stands for myself and all descendants bearing the bloodline of the Frenche royal family… We shall carry forth this duty from generation to generation.”

The promise sworn upon the royal family’s honor brought satisfaction to Louis’s eyes.

Yes, this is it!

Why had Louis pushed Pablo forward and plotted to strengthen the royal family’s power? And why did he bring Page into the picture?!

It was all for this moment.

The Esteban family will one day appear on this land.

And if the Esteban family became part of the Frenche Kingdom…

And if they could be controlled by the monarchy…

I’ll be able to put a leash on Elvis Esteban.

Louis had laid the groundwork for an event that would occur in two hundred fifty years.

I’ve really planted something here.

But could this be considered just any ordinary plot? By winning over an entire nation’s royal family, this was…

An unofficial power behind the throne, eh? Heh-heh.

If Pablo and Page were to marry as planned, their descendants would rule the Frenche Kingdom for generations. Moreover, if Louis could maintain ties with them, there was no greater advantage he could hope for.

With a contented smile, Louis waved his hand dismissively.

“That’ll do. You may leave now.”

Pablo hesitated just as he was about to rise from his seat.

“But…”

“What is it?”

“You’re coming to our wedding, aren’t you?”

“Well… As you know, I’m quite busy. I might have to leave without attending.”

“Still…”

Seeing Pablo’s crestfallen expression, Louis adopted a grumpy tone.

“Aren’t they always saying that shorter goodbyes are best?”

”…Understood.”

“Leave quickly. I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, then please rest.”

Prompted by Louis’s urgency, Pablo and Page exited the room. After taking a few steps, they halted. To be precise, it was Pablo who stopped, causing Page to follow suit.

Pablo turned around, gazing in the direction of Louis’s chamber. An indescribable emotion washed over his face—something akin to relief mixed with disappointment. Yet, the predominant feeling remained gratitude.

He stood there for a long moment, deep in thought. With a look of resolve, he turned to Page.

“I must see His Highness again.”

“His Highness? Why suddenly?”

”…It is Louis who led me from my days as a bandit in the Winter Continent to this very moment. Thus… I feel that I must do something for him.”

“Ah…” Page nodded understandingly at Pablo’s words. With a radiant smile, she took his hand.

“Let’s go together.”

“But…”

“We haven’t had our official ceremony yet, but we’re married, aren’t we?”

“T-that’s right.”

“We should repay those who brought us together, shouldn’t we? So let’s go together.”

“I understand. Let’s do it.” Pablo nodded with emotion.

Smiling at each other, they headed towards the king’s study, pondering how best to express their gratitude for Louis’s kindness.