Rivolain Territory is located in the southernmost part of the empire, encompassing nearly half of the southern coastline, making it an exceptionally vast territory.
With such a large land mass, it was also rich in resources. Not only was it a source of various rare medical herbs, but it was also one of the empire’s few oil-producing regions.
Moreover, hot springs gushed forth in various places, but due to their abundance, most remained neglected and unnoticed.
Liliana approached Erka not long after the discovery of a new massive hot spring, around the time she turned eighteen.
[Hi, Erka, you’re alone again today.]
Erka, who was passive and introverted, often spent time alone, even in small social gatherings, not to mention royal banquets. With envy in her eyes, she quietly sat in a corner, observing the charming young nobles who chatted and laughed.
That was Erka Rivolain’s role until Liliana approached her.
[Do you want to join me? This caprese salad is really good.]
Liliana smiled kindly as she offered a plate to Erka. The beautifully arranged Caprese salad seemed to have been prepared with care by Liliana exclusively for Erka. Erka, who had no friends, was deeply grateful for and touched by the gesture.
[Th-thank you, Lady Cassian.]
[Pfft, what’s that? We’re the same age, Erka.]
[Is that so?]
[Feel free to call me Lily; I want to call you Erka too.]
[But…….]
[Do you prefer it if I call you Lady Rivolain?]
Erka couldn’t resist Liliana’s sulking gaze. On the contrary, she was happy. She was glad that Liliana had approached her first.
[No! I’ll call you… Lily then.]
[Wow, thank you! We’re friends now, aren’t we?]
It had been about a month since they had declared themselves friends.
[Erka, I want to visit Rivolain.]
[Our territory?]
[Yes. I heard the hot springs there are famous! It would be fun to play in the water together. Don’t you think so?]
[Uh, yeah. So… Do you want to come?]
Using the excuse of wanting to have fun, Liliana visited the Rivolain Territory, saying she liked them. Even when Erka couldn’t join, she explored the territory alone, claiming to enjoy playing by herself.
If only she had noticed the oddity back then. Would Harkiel be a respectable Count by now? No, perhaps their parents’ deaths might not have occurred.
[Erka, you have a hot spring in your territory, right? The massive one, discovered not long ago!]
[Are you talking about the Nartavan Hot Springs?]
[Yes, that one. I think there’s a vein of Ned ore under that hot spring!]
Ned ore, a mineral one step above diamonds, starts soft but becomes even harder than diamonds after refinement.
Not only does it shine in iridescent colors when exposed to sunlight, but it is also classified as a luxury item due to its mysterious beauty, making it a gem not readily available to everyone.
[Ned ore is often found where there are hot springs. After bathing in that hot spring, black water will come out for a few days.]
[Really?]
[Yeah. Actually, after I visited Nartavan…]
Liliana continued, leaving young Erka intrigued.
Erka, who had always fallen short of her parents’ expectations, unlike her brother Harkiel, who always seemed to be able to do everything, felt like she didn’t have any skills of her own.
With no expectations for herself, Erka, for the first and last time, pestered her parents.
[Erka, that place is not likely to have a vein of Ned core.]
[But we haven’t even investigated it yet. Can’t we confirm it?]
[Even if she’s Lady Cassian, she’s still young. It’s probably just something said without knowing.]
[But there must be something there; that’s why she said those words…!]
[I don’t have the time to investigate that place, Erka; it’s a very busy time, as you know.]
Unsurprisingly, the Count and Countess Rivolain reacted indifferently.
The one who comforted the visibly upset Erka was her brother, Harkiel.
Always caring for his sister and showering her with love, Harkiel was a smart and courageous successor to Rivolain.
[Sis, I have some business near Nartavan this time. After finishing my work, I’ll check it out for you.]
[Really? Thanks, Hark!]
[No problem. Bake me an apple pie later. Yours is the best.]
[Of course, I’ll make a million and wait for you!]
Harkiel laughed hysterically at the mention of a million, then said, “Are you trying to turn me into a pig with a million pies?” before laughing again.
And that laughter became his last laugh.
[Urgent news: Count! Young Master Harkiel, who went to Nartavan…]
The news came that Harkiel, who had gone to Nartavan, was suffering from a rash all over his body after entering the hot springs. Furthermore, it was mentioned that he repeatedly lost consciousness due to the high fever, putting his life in danger.
The Count and Countess, shocked, rushed to Nartavan, but they never got to see their son’s face.
[In the pouring rain, the carriage slipped, and then…]
A thunderbolt-like message reached the anxious Erka, who remained alone in the mansion.
Just like that, Rivolain crumbled.
Later investigations revealed that the Nartavan Hot Springs contained highly toxic substances.
Erika tried to contact Liliana to find out what had happened, but the response she received was harsh.
[What are you talking about? I told you not to go into that hot spring because it’s dangerous.]
It was absurd.
Erka even pondered if she had been possessed by something. In the hope of meeting the old Liliana, Erka attended banquets and social gatherings, but Liliana was no longer the same person.
[Lily, can we talk for a moment?]
[I heard your brother has a terrible skin disease. You’re dirty, so don’t come close to me. You shouldn’t spread it to me.]
Liliana mocked Erka with a face she had never seen before. It was only then that Erka realized she had been foolishly used.
For what purpose, or why, Liliana had done such a terrible thing to her, she didn’t know.
Since then, Liliana has never bothered with her again. But one thing was certain—this was all orchestrated by Liliana.
‘I’ll get revenge. Definitely…!’
She will find a way to cure Harkiel and gain strength for revenge. She will not show any mercy until she sees her begging for forgiveness and pleading for her life.
Even though her current situation is too difficult and every day feels suffocating, she will endure, and someday, for sure…
‘I can’t breathe. It hurts. Someone, please help me!’
Erka struggled. She felt like something shapeless was weighing down her entire body. She wanted to breathe, but her lungs felt like they were closed. Unable to move or scream, she felt helpless.
‘What on earth is this… I vividly remember being on a boat ride at the Emerald Palace.’
The moment Erka recalled her situation.
“Cough…!”
Her eyes flashed open. However, it was too bright, and she quickly shut them again.
As her blocked breath returned, her lungs screamed in pain.
“Cough…!”
Water flowed out of her mouth.
She could hear some whispers and coughing, but her body didn’t respond well. Even in her disoriented state, she realized that someone was on top of her, pressing her down.
“Wh-who… Cough!”
She didn’t even have time to see who it was. Just as she felt a bit of relief in breathing, a terrible pain spread throughout her body. It was burning and agonizing, as if she were engulfed in flames.
“It hurts! Ugh, I think I’m going to die…….”
As she writhed in pain, she heard a familiar voice from above.
“Stay still, Countess.”
The voice descended from above, moved to the side, and began to smear something on Erka’s body.
Surprisingly, the excruciating pain seemed to gradually subside.
“Try opening your eyes. I need to give you some medicine.”
Before she could protest, her eyelids were forced open. She was about to scream at the intense brightness for a moment when a tiny droplet of water fell into her eye. Strangely, aside from a bit of discomfort, she could now open her eyes normally.
“What in the world happened…”
Only then could Erka confirm who had treated her.
Eyes as blue as the sea and white hair, drenched with water for some reason. She was the lady Cassian hated.
“Fortunately, you’re awake. This is just a temporary treatment, so you’ll start feeling pain again soon. I’ll make proper medicine for you later.”
“What happened to me…”
She vividly remembered being startled by seeds fluttering in the air. Eager to inspect the water lilies more closely, she went to the stern of the boat.
There were a lot of people, so she went to a corner, but the floor was a little strange, and…
As she searched her memory, the boat arrived at the lakeside.
“Let’s head straight to Garnet Palace. Countess, can you walk? If it’s difficult, I’ll ask Ares for help…”
Rohiriel reached out to support Erka. But Erka reflexively pushed her hand away.
Thunk, a sound echoed, and silence descended.
Everyone looked at Erka with puzzled expressions. Realizing her mistake, Erka lowered her head.
“I-I apologize. I lacked awareness… I can walk alone.”
No matter how much she disliked her, she was currently the crown princess. And it seemed she had treated her.
Regardless of her intention, she couldn’t act recklessly in front of so many people. Erka chastised herself for not controlling her emotions.
“It’s okay. You’re probably disoriented. Anyway, be careful getting off.”
Rohiriel casually spoke and moved to disembark from the boat. Erka, too, made an effort to suppress her emotions and descended slowly from the boat.
However, on the ground, an unexpected situation unfolded.
“His Highness the Crown Prince…”
Prince Julion, whom Erka had seen a few times from a distance, stood by the lakeside, exuding an aura, as if ready to kill someone.
