Episode 100

“Are you suggesting we go to the Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes.”

Yurian didn’t take her straight to the Leonhardt duchy. Instead, he planned to bring her to the Holy Kingdom.

“Is it because of the ability cast on me?”

“Yes.”

Thanks to the ring given to him by the King of Apentina, Yurian had gradually broken free from the memory magic placed on him. Perhaps it was due to his enhancement-type abilities, which naturally clashed with mental magic. Once he noticed the cracks in his memories, the rest unraveled with time.

“Yvonne.”

“It’s Eve—Evenes—so, just call me Eve.”

“No, you are Yvonne, Her Imperial Highness, the princess.”

Yvonne still doubted him, but seeing that he wasn’t forcing her into anything, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt—just a little.

“Why are you so certain?”

“Because my memories have returned.”

“…Did Kes really cast a spell on you too?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne couldn’t help but notice Yurian’s faint grimace every time the Marquess was mentioned.

“Are you not curious, Yvonne? About the memories he erased?”

“…”

To be honest, she wasn’t sure. While the memories were gone, the lingering emotions remained. The idea that Yurian might truly help her recover them made her heart race, though she didn’t want to admit it.

“You always speak with your expressions, Yvonne.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

Yurian slowly reached for her hand. Yvonne didn’t pull away, sensing his hesitation.

“Alright, then. Let’s go to the Holy Kingdom.”

“That makes me happy. Thank you for agreeing.”

With that, Yurian opened a gate leading to the Holy Kingdom, holding her hand firmly. Without hesitation, he stepped through first, guiding Yvonne into the portal with him.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Strategist of Rohan.”

“Ugh…!”

“Or should I now call you the Duke of Rohan?”

Francis sneered, pressing his boot against the Marquess’s neck. He raised his arm threateningly, as though ready to strike at any moment.

“So this time, it’s real?”

“Didn’t I guarantee it?”

“Indeed. Thank you, Prince of Apentina.”

Francis spoke dryly and ordered his knights to fully restrain Marquess Rohan.

“Secure the bindings.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Francis knew that Marquess Rohan had summoned him deliberately, and he couldn’t understand why. Why would someone who had gone so far as to elope call him here now?

“How fares His Majesty?”

The crimson hue in the Marquess’s gaze revealed that he possessed an object charged with Hildebrandt’s hypnosis. The calculated and cautious Marquess Rohan, now actively provoking him, was evidence enough.

“Has his mind broken?”

“The Princess Yvonne and I have been living as husband and wife. His Majesty wouldn’t take that lightly, would he?”

Francis couldn’t be sure. Hildebrandt had always claimed that Yvonne had been the lover of the late Emperor Hildegarde. But most of what Francis knew about the late Emperor came from Hildebrandt drunkenly rambling.

Francis assumed Yvonne’s imprint with the impotent Emperor must have been purely symbolic or ritualistic. He wasn’t even aware of the late Emperor’s condition.

“That’s uncertain. But His Majesty is surely keeping the Duke of Rohan’s abilities in mind. There aren’t many top-tier ability users, after all.”

“Hahaha!”

Francis’s words hinted that Hildebrandt might have plans to place the Marquess under hypnosis to exploit his abilities.

“What sort of hypnosis could he have used on me?”

Francis stared at the Marquess, wondering if he genuinely didn’t know. The deranged smile plastered on the Marquess’s face suggested he was deeply entrapped in hypnosis.

“I wouldn’t know the details.”

Francis signaled his knights to move the Marquess. He had no intention of personally facing Yvonne. He was well aware of the hypnosis Hildebrandt had placed on himself.

Even so, Francis knew Hildebrandt’s true feelings weren’t aligned with his actions. The Emperor’s despair over Yvonne leaving his side drove him to these extremes.

Francis hesitated to kill her unless it became absolutely clear that Hildebrandt truly intended her death. From what he had observed, Yvonne was the only one who could stabilize Hildebrandt and restore him to a state of balance, capable of leading as a just ruler.

If she were killed, Hildebrandt might never recover.

“Where is the Duke of Leonhardt?”

“The Duke is still resting. It’s early morning, after all.”

Yurian’s aide delivered the message on his behalf. Francis hadn’t expected Yurian to cooperate. The fact that he had broken free from Hildebrandt’s powerful hypnosis without a compelling reason made Francis wary.

“There’s no need to stir up trouble. You may leave.”

“Understood.”

Francis had no intention of provoking Yurian. Hildebrandt’s periods of lucidity were growing shorter, and even when unaffected by his hypnosis’s side effects, the Emperor resorted to heavy drinking.

While it was regrettable to see the imperial authority weaken, distributing tasks to Yurian had become a necessity. After all, once Yvonne was found and Hildebrandt regained his senses, the Emperor could use his abilities to strengthen the imperial power once more.

Hypnosis was Hildebrandt’s unparalleled ability. No one alive could resist it unless they underwent a second awakening.

But second awakenings were exceedingly rare—occurring only a few times in centuries. And thousands had died trying to force one. Even if Yurian somehow achieved it, enhancement abilities only counteracted mental powers. A material user could still end him.

The strain of scheming endlessly for Hildebrandt left Francis with a throbbing headache. His thoughts darkened as he recalled the fleeting image of Yvonne fleeing in despair.

“Send this to the empire, and the rest will follow me. Begin the investigation immediately, and report back as soon as she’s found.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Francis couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity as Hildebrandt’s enraptured expression whenever he thought of Yvonne crossed his mind.

* * *

“This person is…?”

“Yes, he is the Cardinal.”

Yvonne, who didn’t remember meeting the High Priest, was even more surprised to see the Cardinal in person.

“Nice to meet you, Duke Leonhardt. And…”

“This is my fiancée, Evenes Willaidon.”

“Ah, Lady Willaidon. Nice to meet you.”

The Cardinal’s voice was old, but his appearance was that of a child. This was because his divine power had manifested at a very young age.

“I came to break the spell placed on me.”

“I have heard.”

Although his title was Cardinal, his nullification ability was the strongest in the Holy Kingdom. And in this blessed land, infused with the Goddess’s grace, he was one of the few capable of breaking even the highest-level abilities.

“No matter how much I am capable, I cannot undo the spells that bind a life. You understand that, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then I will undo everything I can. Do you agree?”

“Yes.”

Yurian answered on Yvonne’s behalf. She watched him speak for her quietly. She wondered why it mattered to find the memories. If they were lost, it only made sense to recover them.

She glanced at the Cardinal, and he smiled brightly at her with the innocent face of a child who looked no older than ten.

“Your fiancée seems a little uneasy.”

“Is that so, Yvonne?”

“…Yes.”

She laughed for a moment at how Yurian had introduced her as Evenes and then called her Yvonne.

“Then, please prepare for the ceremony first.”

“Before that, I’d like to ask if you kept your promise.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I have closed all the gates leading into the Holy Kingdom.”

Yurian wasn’t worried about escaping if they were caught. However, the island’s isolation posed a problem. If they were surrounded, escaping with Yvonne would be difficult.

He could escape on his own if necessary, but she didn’t seem strong enough for that. Furthermore, she would disapprove of such reckless actions.

Since meeting Yvonne and regaining his memories, Yurian knew how his heart had changed. He no longer wanted to push his feelings onto her. He wanted to transform into the person she desired, someone she could seek out on her own. He had never felt such a desire to change before, but it wasn’t unpleasant—it was a strange, tickling feeling he didn’t mind.

If Yvonne regained her memories, even just the ones they had shared, then perhaps she wouldn’t be as sorrowful because of Marquess Rohan as she was now.

“I’d prefer to start immediately instead of preparing for the ceremony.”

“You’re in a hurry.”

“Yes.”

Yurian glared at the Cardinal, who spoke kindly, but then softened his gaze. He knew he had to leave quickly. His subordinates had already reported that the Briseis Empire’s knights had arrived in the Kingdom of Apentina.

“Then let’s start immediately. But please, change into the proper attire.”

“…I’ll do that, Yurian.”

“Yes.”

He unconsciously agreed, pleased that Yvonne had called his name.

“Then, I’ll see you in ten minutes.”

With that, Yvonne took the white priestly robes handed to her, unaware that Francis was already on his way to this place, tracking her.

TL/N: Okay yall I’ll be honest with you guys. Every time I read this novel I have a heavy heart. I have a feeling my day will turn out worst cuz I won’t be able to get Yvonne out of my mind. When i picture Yvonne I want to think of ‘Death is the only ending for a villain’ novel but no my mind turns to this Yvonne and my god how the fuck is no one sane in this shit. How tf did Hilde turn into a dad when he isn’t even related to the dad plot who tf is who’s dad. The DAD supposed Emperor is a Shit head and a fking bastard on top I cannot explain the amount of time I had reflected on why tf did i buy this novel. IM telling you guys that I won’t be sane when I finish this novel. And if Yvonne doesn’t kill hilde Imma kill him myself no amount of love can heal that shit and no amount of redemption can help him. IF ANYONE OF YOU COME AT MY WAY SAYING THAT HILDE DOES NOT DESERVE A BAD END READ THE STORY AGAIN. IF IT WERE ME I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A BAD END. Thanks for listing to my rant love yall ♥️

 

⋆｡ ﾟ ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ☾ ﾟ ｡ ⋆

☕ Hi, friends! Your support means the world to me. If you’d like, you can buy me a coffee here: Click the link on the image! 💖

Thank you for keeping me inspired! 🌸

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆