"Wait!"
Leflina hurriedly called out to Hiness.
But Hiness only paused for a brief moment before continuing toward the door without looking back.
Seeing this, Hel reached out from behind, grabbed Hiness by the wrist, and yanked her back.
As Hiness turned, Hel could clearly see it—
Her eyes were red, the corners shimmering with tears she was still forcing herself not to shed.
And with the pull of inertia…
Hiness was dragged straight into Hel's arms.
Feeling the warmth of that embrace, Hiness suddenly recalled the death of her closest family…
And the helpless confusion she had felt after losing her father's protection.
For some reason, the girl who always smiled before the world…
Felt her nose sting sharply.
A tear slipped down uncontrollably.
Then she heard Hel's gentle voice.
"You're just going to leave without a word?"
"I…"
Hiness opened her mouth, but her throat was dry.
She wanted to say something—
Yet her mind was completely blank.
Until…
Hel hoisted her onto one shoulder with one arm.
And before Hiness could even process what was happening—
Hel slammed her down sideways onto the sofa.
That throw completely stunned her.
Even after Hel sat down beside her, Hiness still hadn't recovered.
"Earth to Hiness."
Hel waved a hand in front of her face.
When Hiness didn't react, Hel even poked her cheek.
Feeling that soft finger, Hiness finally snapped out of her daze.
She shot Hel a resentful look, full of grievance.
"You really…"
She opened her mouth, wanting to complain—
But in the end, nothing came out.
Just moments ago, this girl who had endured the death of loved ones, the assassination of her brother, and the terrifying changes within herself…
Had been so moved by Hel's embrace that she nearly cried.
In that instant, she had almost wanted to entrust the rest of her life to this woman who made her heart flutter—
Even though she knew Hel was a girl.
But after Hel's brutal throw…
All that romance and heart-racing emotion vanished into thin air.
Her rationality returned in full.
She glared at Hel again, then turned helplessly toward Tina.
"I'm sorry, Tina. Because of me, you were dragged into this."
"It's fine."
Tina waved her hand.
With her ugly expression, it was obvious she didn't want to dwell on it.
But under her breath, she muttered quietly:
"Today's grudge is noted. Tina will definitely find the bastard who poisoned this… and beat them senseless in a sack."
Only Hel heard those words clearly.
The other two didn't.
They thought Tina was blaming Hiness, which only made Hiness feel even more guilty.
Clenching her teeth, she spoke firmly:
"This assassination was clearly aimed at me.
I don't want you all to be dragged into this mess because of me.
That wouldn't be fair."
"And then what?"
Hel raised an eyebrow, meeting Hiness's eyes seriously.
"So you were going to do what you just did?
Carry everything alone…
And face wave after wave of assassinations from your second brother head-on?"
"I…"
"You really think that if you leave, you can shoulder all of it?"
"You don't understand."
Hiness shook her head, her voice bitter.
"Although my second brother and fourth sister are supported in name by the Alchemy Academy and the Alchemical Institute…
In truth, it's an alliance between the Alchemical Institute and the Mechanical Academy—
Standing against the Alchemy, Bloodline, Biology, Art, and History Academies that want to carve up the spoils.
Me, my third brother, and my sixth brother…
We're all disposable pieces in this game.
The clever opportunists have already placed all their chips on the side they believe will win.
My second brother and fourth sister have background, connections, influence.
They are the most likely victors.
But they also know this:
To the academies, a king with ambition and strategy is far less desirable…
Than a puppet with nothing.
If the two of them fight too fiercely…
Those academies that devour people without leaving bones behind will seize the chance to support another obedient puppet.
They won't allow that to happen.
So before they truly clash, they will eliminate the three of us first.
That's why I must leave.
Only then can you survive."
Her tone was earnest.
Clearly, for an unfavored princess to survive this long within the royal family…
Her political instincts were sharp.
But there was one thing she hadn't realized.
Hel shook her head and asked quietly,
"You really think that if you leave…
We'll survive?"
"We will. They wouldn't risk provoking other nobles over a succession dispute…"
But as she spoke, Hiness froze.
Her eyes locked onto Hel.
Fear seeped out from the depths of her gaze, though her lips still moved instinctively.
"N-no… they wouldn't…"
"You've realized it, haven't you?"
Hel's voice was calm, almost cruel in its clarity.
"I'm a bastard noble girl with no standing.
Senior is just an ordinary commoner.
And little hamster may have noble status, but it comes from the Knight Empire—
And only from a duchy.
In the Ymir Empire, Knight Empire nobles are already unwelcome…
Let alone a mere ducal house.
So tell me—
Facing a group of soft, easy targets like us…
Wouldn't they absolutely use us to threaten you, just to deal with you more easily?
Don't rush to deny it.
Because the more you try not to involve us…
The more it proves how important we are to you.
And as long as they aren't idiots…
They will do exactly that."
Hearing Hel's analysis, Hiness seemed to lose all strength at once.
She collapsed weakly onto the sofa.
Her expression twisted through several emotions before she finally let out a helpless sigh.
But Tina caught her thoughts early and said darkly,
"Two-Hiness… your current expression really pisses me off."
"What?"
Hiness didn't understand.
Tina continued:
"Have you ever seen a wild dog protect its pups by pretending to be injured, drawing the hunters away?
That's what you look like right now.
Like a dog walking to its death.
But why do you assume…
We're helpless pups who need your protection?"
"B-but…"
Hiness opened her mouth, wanting to argue—
But at that moment, Leflina spoke as well:
"Even if we aren't strong…
We can still share some of the burden with you."