I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 228
Prince Erius is alive!
At those words, Viren’s face lit up with sudden elation. It was the first piece of good news he’d received after being plagued with constant worry. The thought that he might soon be able to find Prince Erius made him lean urgently toward Sarubia.
“Saintess, then where is Prince Erius now? Is he in hiding?”
“I do not know.”
With a single response, Sarubia blocked the tide of questions surging from Viren.
“Even if you do not know the exact location, can you not sense his general whereabouts?”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot.”
“At the very least, can you tell me what country he is in? Has he escaped from the empire? Could he possibly have fled to the Hevania Kingdom?”
” Your Highness.”
Taking a deep breath, Sarubia called Viren’s name with a gentle yet firm tone.
“The only thing I know is that Prince Erius is alive. I cannot discern anything beyond that.”
“……I see.”
Viren felt his strength drain away. To say he wasn’t disappointed would be a lie. Given the Saintess’s reputation, he had assumed she would also know the prince’s whereabouts.
‘But even confirming that Prince Erius is alive is enough.’
After expressing his sincere gratitude to Sarubia, Viren ordered a lady-in-waiting to prepare a place for her to rest.
Now alone in his office, Viren carefully examined the map spread out on his desk.
Where had Prince Erius gone?
He traced every possible escape route a fugitive prince might have taken after leading a rebellion.
Just then—
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
Even as the scribe called out to him, Viren did not lift his eyes from the map.
“Lord Rufus has requested an audience with Your Highness.”
Rufus? Viren’s head snapped up. The moment he heard that name, a thought flashed through his mind.
“You must prepare for the possibility that the alliance with the empire will be severed.”
Back when no one in the royal capital had even imagined that Prince Erius would stage a coup, Rufus had been the first to warn him. The man who had insisted that they must prepare for the damage their people would suffer.
“Send him in at once.”
The moment Viren gave his command, Rufus, who had been waiting outside the door, stepped into the office with firm strides.
“I greet the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Hevania.”
As always, he was as rigid as a tree—his demeanor unshaken, his voice devoid of inflection, and his expression unreadable.
“Have you been well?”
Viren asked casually as the maids replaced Sarubia’s used teacup with a fresh one. It wasn’t a question meant to elicit a meaningful response—just a formality.
But then, Rufus replied with something unexpected.
“My heart has been uneasy, as my wedding was delayed due to this sudden departure for the capital.”
Wedding?
Viren’s eyes widened as he instinctively stared at Rufus.
He had heard from his wife, the Crown Princess, that many noble families were eyeing Rufus. Though he came from a minor baronial house, his status as the hero who had slain the Demon King carried significant influence.
‘But I didn’t know marriage discussions had already taken place.’
If it had been about Rufus’s marriage, surely he would have heard something. Had he been too preoccupied with other matters to notice?
“That is truly unfortunate. Perhaps I was too hasty in requesting Saintess Sarubia’s escort.”
“There is no need to apologize. How could I disobey Your Highness’s command?”
“Then allow me to personally apologize to the bride’s family. Which noble lady are you to wed?”
A duke’s daughter? Or perhaps a marquis’s? At the very least, she must be from a count’s household.
However, Rufus’s response was entirely unexpected.
“Saintess Sarubia.”
“…Are you referring to Saintess Sarubia?”
“Yes.”
“Is that truly the case?”
“Yes.”
“I… see.”
The same answer, repeated twice without hesitation. Viren pressed his lips together, doing his best not to show his surprise. As royalty, he wanted to maintain his composure.
Marrying Saintess Sarubia?
He had suspected that their relationship was unusual. But he had assumed it was merely a bond of camaraderie, formed as they searched for Prince Tarek together. He had never imagined they would become husband and wife.
“…Congratulations.”
After struggling to find the right words, Viren finally spoke.
“Even if it’s just out of courtesy, I appreciate it.”
“It is not mere courtesy—I sincerely congratulate you.”
“Then I sincerely thank you.”
Rufus replied in his usual monotone.
Something about his flat response lingered in Viren’s mind. He had been so taken aback that he had impulsively asked if Rufus was truly marrying Sarubia. Now, he wondered if that question had offended him.
“Hearing about your wedding reminds me of the day I married my wife.”
Viren said, hoping to change the atmosphere.
“I still remember it vividly. The Queen Consort held onto me and wept endlessly.”
A small, nostalgic smile crept onto Viren’s lips as he recalled the past.
“I have always wondered why she cried so much that day… but Her Majesty has long since passed. Rufus, be sure to cherish your mother while she is still with you.”
“My mother has already passed away as well,” Rufus answered bluntly.
“…Well, you are a grown man now. Your mother must have been quite old. People are meant to return to the earth as they age, so do not grieve too much.”
“My mother passed away when I was seven.”
“…I hope you will invite me to your wedding.”
Viren changed the subject as smoothly as he could. Rufus glanced at the Crown Prince but merely nodded without a word. Cold silence followed.
“So… what is the reason you requested to see me?”
Wanting to dispel the awkward atmosphere, Viren got straight to the point.
