Chapter 4
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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: They Say a Huge Age Gap Doesn't Even Check Compatibility
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‘No. We never met Mikhail.’
The expedition team hadn’t stayed inside the black rift for a full fifteen years, to begin with.
The flow of time had completely stopped in that space—or so it seemed, though it wasn’t certain—so at most, it had been a little over five years.
“Then what about the families of the expedition members…?”
A sudden thought struck me, and I asked urgently.
“They moved to Belken, where the black rift appeared, and waited there for years, hoping the expedition would return. But now…”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask for more details.
Back when Mikhail was around, he must have taken good care of them.
Maybe even a few generations after that.
But now, after a full three hundred years, with the kingdom’s very survival hanging by a thread…
‘No.’
This couldn’t happen.
Our journey, our promise—it couldn’t end like this.
I wanted to believe this man was spouting nonsense.
That it was all some cruel joke.
Or better yet, that I was trapped in a nightmare.
“Are you okay? You’re not breathing…”
The man’s cautious hand touched my back.
The sensation was so vivid that it made my breath catch even more.
As if it were proof that this was all harsh reality.
‘Get it together. This isn’t the time.’
I barely managed to pull myself back from the brink of collapse.
No point wallowing in shock—it wouldn’t undo what had happened or turn back the years.
Three hundred years.
If that much time had passed outside, the expedition members who scattered to find their families would have turned to dust.
If they were lucky, maybe they could meet some descendants.
‘We promised them a grand victory feast.’
What if I went to the king of Bardia right now, revealed who I was, and demanded a triumph?
‘They’d probably chase me out, calling me a lunatic.’
Even if I proved my identity as the expedition leader, that was just the start of the problems.
‘Sure, they might throw us a banquet.’
But then what? If they started throwing around royal orders and bossing me and the expedition members around however they pleased?
Things would spiral out of control in ways I couldn’t even imagine.
‘To keep the upper hand, I need to set the board properly.’
Not a single misstep if I wanted to secure a happy future for the expedition team that trusted me—and their descendants.
‘That’s my last mission now.’
For that alone, I couldn’t let Bardia fall like this.
I had to drive out the invaders, cut out the rot inside, and make it run properly somehow.
‘If the king’s incompetent, replace him.’
I’d claim our rewards, no matter what.
Until those weary souls and their descendants were overflowing with them, I’d fulfill my duty.
…And if I could uncover the truth behind Mikhail’s disappearance, even better.
“Breathe slowly. Follow me. You must have been really shocked earlier.”
I glanced at the man who was rubbing my back without pause.
‘His mana scent is so close to Mikhail’s that it’s almost indistinguishable.’
Mana scent couldn’t be the same just from practicing the same mana cultivation method.
Your will, personality, and way of life seep into it, gradually deepening its hue.
In other words, this man had not only an enviably ideal physique but also the qualities of a sage king like Mikhail.
‘The deposed crown prince, he said.’
Even if he was a hostage now, he was still the current king of Bardia’s eldest son.
That alone made him worth betting on.
‘For now, I’ll stay by his side and gather information.’
I could check up close if he was the one to usher in Bardia’s second golden age.
Revealing who I was could come later.
“I’m okay now.”
I pulled his arm down.
He tilted his head, peering into my face for a long moment as if worried about my condition, then finally nodded.
“Why haven’t you asked who I am?”
“My name, you mean?”
“That included. Aren’t you curious about anything? I could be an assassin, you know. You seem way too unguarded.”
My words were almost a scolding, but he replied calmly.
“I can sense malice in others. If you were skilled enough to hide that, I’d be dead already.”
I’d thought he was too soft, but thankfully, he had his reasons for trusting me.
“For someone like that… didn’t you mistake me for attacking you earlier? Doesn’t that count as malice?”
“That wasn’t malice… Wait, hold on.”
His expression hardened as he asked back.
“That was… a mistake?”
“Yeah. My teleportation spell malfunctioned, and I just fell on top of you. The aftereffects left my body stiff and my voice gone, so I couldn’t explain or move.”
He looked genuinely stunned by my explanation.
“So… I was the one who messed up. No wonder things were going too smoothly…”
His face was full of dismay as he muttered weakly.
Then, as if realizing something belatedly, he lifted me from his lap and set me on my feet.
“I know one apology doesn’t cut it… but I’m sorry.”
The man, realizing his misunderstanding, seemed at a loss.
“I can’t do much right now, but someday, I’ll make it up to you…”
“Conveniently, there’s something you can do.”
I quickly cut him off.
“I want to stay here as your maid for a while.”
He stared at me, his face saying he couldn’t believe his ears.
“What…?”
“I have no family, no home to go back to. Can’t you be my guardian for a bit?”
His lips twitched after hearing my answer, and he rubbed his eyes with his palm before speaking.
“You must have some idea of my situation.”
“Yeah, a little.”
“And you still want to entrust yourself to me.”
A low, suppressed voice came from him.
“If you just need a place to stay right now…”
“I like it here.”
Why would I go anywhere else when my goal is you?
“……”
He seemed speechless at my stubborn attitude.
I addressed the concerns he might have.
“I’ll handle any issues with status or employment, so don’t worry about that.”
With the demons’ deceptive authority, blending into this castle would be effortless.
“What do you say? Will you allow it?”
He stared piercingly at me for a long while, lips sealed, then let out a small sigh.
“I… don’t think I can refuse.”
I’d prepared arguments in my head, but he accepted so easily.
He really was a bit… no, very soft-hearted.
“Call me Ser from now on.”
In this world three hundred years later, how many would even remember the name Iserna Airbaine?
Even introducing myself as ‘Iserna’ wouldn’t ring any bells.
Still, better to avoid it for now, just in case.
“I’m Elhart.”
He gave his name in response to mine.
“Then… should I call you Master?”
I’d never been a maid or had one, so I had no idea where to start.
Even the form of address was confusing.
Seeing his expression turn odd, I changed my suggestion.
“Or Prince? Which do you prefer?”
“Just my name would be best.”
“Doesn’t that feel weird? It seems wrong to call the person you serve by their name so casually.”
“No one will care.”
Hmm… really?
“Got it, then.”
If that’s what he wanted, fine.
“Elhart…?”
“…Yeah.”
What? Why was he suddenly avoiding my gaze?
Was he not used to being called by name?
‘Well, he is royalty.’
His ear tips were turning red, making me feel embarrassed too, but I quickly composed myself.
Alright, then.
What now?
We’d settled the address, so it was time to start maid duties.
As I pondered while looking at him, I noticed his robe, which was on the verge of slipping off entirely.
‘Fixing his appearance is a maid’s classic job.’
He looked quite startled when I suddenly reached out.
“What are you doing?”
He grabbed me before I reached my target.
I could have dodged easily, but that would’ve been weird, so I let him take my wrist obediently.
“Didn’t you say it was a misunderstanding earlier?”
“I’m just straightening your clothes. That’s a maid’s role.”
“That’s…”
His eyes shook wildly, unable to settle.
“I see.”
With the misunderstanding cleared, Elhart released my wrist.
I pulled the dangling robe from his waist up to his shoulders and fastened it neatly so his chest wouldn’t show.
Then I smoothed out the wrinkles crisply, and finally, just retie the sash at the waist…
“I can do this myself.”
His voice sounded strangely urgent as he stopped me.