“Episode 40”
Yuliana looked up at her, who had changed her attitude and was smiling brightly, unable to express her regret in front of others. Yuliana, who quietly laughed inwardly, brought up the main topic.
“By the way, I apologize for suddenly coming without sending a letter all morning. There was an unfortunate incident last time…”
“Unfortunate incident? Oh, do you mean sneaking out of Empress Mama’s party and meeting the stepbrother? Well, family relationships among nobles can fill entire newspaper gossip pages. Yours is probably less complicated…”
“Do you read the newspapers too, Your Highness? Oh. Did you figure out everything that day?”
Yuliana said coldly.
At the response, Claudie stiffened slightly at the sudden realization that she had truly committed a rude act. Being accustomed to dealing with groveling subordinates, she sometimes forgot how to converse with normal people.
Claudie apologized with a sheepish expression.
“I’m sorry, Duchess. I do have a bit of a bad habit. To be precise, I’m not good at conversing at all. I’m the type to do what I want and not do what I don’t want, so I’m just wearing the title of an esteemed guard commander.”
Yuliana raised an eyebrow curiously. Although finding the stepbrother’s whereabouts was important, she was also curious about why this nominal princess was living in such a hut.
Thinking she would speak her mind as usual, Yuliana said,
“Your Highness, I think it would be better for you to find a suitable palace. For a guard commander like you to live here, and moreover, Your Highness…”
“Oh, I told Her Majesty that this place is enough for me. And actually, I do have my own palace. I just don’t live there.”
The girl who had been eating something muddy all this time searched the untouched ceiling with Yuliana’s hand.
Then she handed over dried fruits. Yuliana sniffed suspiciously at the eccentric princess’s behavior and the smell of the fruit.
Claudie said with great sadness,
“Duchess, I personally dried these fruits. They’re incredibly delicious. They’re my treasure.”
“That’s why I’m suspicious.”
Yuliana laughed softly, popped a fruit into her mouth, and found it quite edible despite its unimpressive appearance. They focused on chewing the dried fruit, avoiding the main topic.
Concerned they wouldn’t get to the main subject while chewing dried fruit, Yuliana hurriedly said,
“In fact, the reason for coming here is related to my stepbrother. He did something stupid. Well, if you’ve read the newspaper, you’ll know what I mean. I made up an excuse using my family history. I came here because I have something firm to say to him. He’s a country bumpkin living in the eastern countryside, so it must have taken a long time for him to come all the way to the capital, and when I refused his proposal in that way, he couldn’t stand it and did something foolish.”
“Oh, that boy?”
Claudie explained her own business in detail.
In summary, it was like this:
It was raining and the wind was blowing gently that day, and the accompanying Viscount Oh was hesitant to take care of the boy, and the boy had nowhere to go, so he insisted on staying alone at the inn. But being friends for a long time and being related to Viscount Hillchen, who seemed to be related to the country boy, Claudie couldn’t just take him anywhere, so she brought him to her palace. And now, hearing that, Yuliana’s eyes widened.
“What?”
As if unaware of how absurd her words were, Claudie replied,
“After all, no one has lived in my palace for a long time. So it’s okay to let a few noble youths stay there.”
“Well, even so! Is it okay for anyone to stay in the palace?”
“That’s not it. I got permission from Her Majesty, of course. Since he’s the younger brother of a duchess, Her Majesty naturally understood. Fortunately, I asked in advance. Our cousin brother has been even more absent-minded lately.”
“Why?”
“Her Majesty hasn’t been able to find her spirit since Empress Mama’s words.”
Yuliana sighed heavily.
‘In the end…’
Hiding her complicated feelings, Yuliana made a request to Claudie.
“Your Highness. May I go see my stepbrother on my own?”
“Sure. Oh, and you don’t have to call me Your Highness. In fact, I’m much less worthy of that title than the title of guard commander. It’s actually a name I don’t like very much.”
Claudie, who spoke as if it were insignificant, grabbed her sword and took the lead, walking ahead of Yuliana.
* * *
However, it was inevitable to feel annoyed by the behavior of this man who always pushed forward if he thought it was right.
Evan sighed deeply. Then he lowered his sword and placed it on Ross’s trembling shoulder. Although it was a solemn atmosphere as if they were performing a knighting ceremony, in reality, Ross felt the noose of danger tighten around his neck.
“My foolish subordinate, Knight Ross.”
“Y-Your Grace.”
“What can I do? I have to regret my choice. I thought a fool would be better than a liar.”
“…”
If it had been usual, Ross would have been furious, but he simply swallowed hard. With a rhythm in his voice like a hum, Evan continued.
“You know that, don’t you? Ignorance leads people to death.”
Ross flinched. At the same time, the blade moved gently over his shoulder.
It was a soft movement with no intention of harm, but Ross knew that the Duke, even with the gentlest gesture, was a man capable of harming others.
His remarkable skill had attracted countless people who wanted to join him. And the reason why he, a mere provincial noble, had risen to the capital was also because of the Duke’s renowned skill.
By his side, Ross had learned firsthand the various ways people die. But at this moment, he didn’t want to learn anymore.
“Y-Your Grace!”
Ross said urgently. The blade, which had passed softly over his shoulder, trembled ever so slightly and grazed the empty air.
“I’ll do it!”
In fear, Ross grabbed the blade tightly.
Slice!
Along the flesh grazed by the blade, small drops of red blood welled up and gradually trickled down to the torn knee.
“Ugh!”
“Oh, why do foolish things. I didn’t intend to threaten you.”
He clicked his tongue in pity for his pathetic subordinate. Then he wiped the bloodied sword on his scabbard.
Although it was a very short moment, Ross felt his breath caught, then a strange sense of relief washed over him. He gasped for breath and hid his bloodied hand behind his back. Only then did he feel like he could breathe again.
“Knight Ross.”
“Y-Yes.”
Ross swallowed hard again. The Duke, still on his knees, looked at the man who was overflowing with respect but could not understand his intentions.
“I want to give you some advice. Ignorance disappears when awakened. I hope this incident has awakened something in you. It’s annoying to teach someone twice, isn’t it?”
Tap, tap. Evan lightly patted Ross’s shoulder dismissively. Then he turned his gaze away, half pretending not to see the fearful and awe-struck man, and looked out at the bright spring day.
Is his wife doing what she wants? Suddenly feeling anxious and her heart pounding, she acted quickly and efficiently. As if to remove something that was about to happen first. Ever since ‘that woman’ appeared, she had changed even more.
Evan decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take direct action to shake the source of his wife’s anxiety. It was also a way to make fun of Lucian Byle Arianne.
“Ross.”
The Duke’s tone, which threw away the clumsy title, gave Ross a sense of relief instead. He hastily got up and replied.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Contact the temple.”
It seemed like he was the one who was going to burst in on the Emperor immediately. But the temple? Now, looking down at his bleeding palm, Ross frowned and looked at the Duke with a puzzled expression.
“Do you need to contact the temple, Your Grace?”
“Since Her Majesty has already touched it, shouldn’t I also try to poke around in Her Majesty’s business?”
“…?”
Pressing down hard on the injured palm with the other, Ross regretted grabbing the sword recklessly and stared at the Duke in disbelief.
“I don’t need to know. I have no intention of explaining it to you.”
…As expected.
The Duke was still angry. Ross was afraid he would be awakened twice.
To put a direct contact in the temple, Ross rushed out of the office in a flurry. It seemed that all the Duke’s work would have to be postponed until the next day.
* * *
Yuliana was once again besieged by her emotions. Sadness and anger swirled aimlessly in her heart, piercing it deeply.
Already resigned to accepting her current life, Yuliana knew she had to confront the events of the past surrounding Yuliana Ovun. But it was difficult. Even before becoming aware of her past life, it had been hard, and now, it wasn’t any easier.
Yuliana covered her face with her hands, feeling utterly exhausted. In truth, she always felt this way after realizing the difference between her past and present lives.
After taking a brief breath, Yuliana deliberately ignored her little sister’s gaze and spoke firmly, “We’re done with this wrestling match. Get up. I’ll send you back home right away.”
Iris, with tears streaming down her cheeks, cried out in frustration, “Mom is gone now! Mom couldn’t have been at peace for even a moment!”
“Isn’t that a ridiculous thing to say? The one who abandoned me is that person!”
Trying to maintain her composure, Yuliana couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted in frustration. Meanwhile, Clodie stood nearby, alternating between looking at them and assessing the situation.
Clodie Anne Arianne had been curious about the woman who risked her life for an old friend for a long time. She was almost rude enough to want to keep watch just to satisfy her curiosity.
Unaware of Clodie’s private and sinister thoughts, Yuliana lost her composure.
When it came to family, whether in past or present lives, luck was never on her side. She had never had such misfortune before!
“Get up!”
“No!”
With her weak body supported by anger, Yuliana couldn’t win against her little sister. She tried to lift her sister up, but stumbled. Even in her weakened state, Iris, filled with anger, yelled at her.
“Aren’t you just pitying yourself, sis?! Mom didn’t get any pity, did she?! What about me? How do you think I felt seeing Mom, who sent letters and news every time, being so restless?! Did you think about my feelings?! Did you hate Mom that much?”
“You!”
Iris trembled with rage and injustice. “Yeah, the great Lady Baroness must be so noble that she couldn’t have made a mistake. But you know what? Even if you pretend not to notice, it was a huge mistake to me! I also tried to forget everything like you did. It’s true that I was born and you were left behind! But I can’t stand it anymore!”
“What nonsense is this?!”
Iris stood up abruptly. Only then did Yuliana realize that her little sister had grown enough to share the same perspective as her.
Despite being only two years apart, Yuliana had always felt that her sister was too young. Even before, her sister had always forced her to forgive their mother and accept her as a sister just because she was younger. Even though she kept saying no.
But in the end, their mother chose the man’s child she loved the most in the most crucial moment.
She was that kind of person. Yuliana suddenly couldn’t hold back her frustration and shouted at the realization that her mother, who she had never seen in her past life, was such an opportunist.
“Why are you always so confident? Mom used to come quietly when Mom asked her to, and say that I was bad and you were good! Do you know how cruel that is? You probably don’t! It was enough! I hated Mom so much for it!”
“You!”
Iris, filled with anger and resentment, mocked her sister. “Yes, the noble Lady Baroness must have been so noble that she couldn’t have made a mistake. But you know what? Even if you pretend not to notice, it was a huge mistake to me! I also tried to forget everything like you did. It’s true that I was born and you were left behind! But I can’t stand it anymore!”
“What kind of nonsense is this?!”
Clodie, who was not a magician but knew about this kind of magical tool, was taken aback. She stormed out to find the only magician she knew and the eccentric researcher. Leaving Iris alone, she kicked away the magical tool that caused the disturbance.
“Ah, I’m unlucky!”
She had never dreamed that such a thing would happen, and she had imagined herself begging Evan Hillchen for forgiveness many times.
But it was a failure no matter which way she looked at it. It was inevitable that Lady Baroness, who had lost her mind, would be lifted up.
Whether Iris knew it or not, she replied with a determined expression, her red eyes brimming with tears.
“The healer won’t heal anything. It’s just the memories returning to my sister!”
“What nonsense is this?!”
Clodie, now back to herself, shouted furiously.
Inside, curses rose. Even if it was just her wife’s business, she couldn’t help but wonder how much her close friend would torment her to death over this matter. She almost admitted that she stood at a crossroads of life and death.
Whether Iris knew it or not, her innocent gaze turned malicious.
Yuliana stepped back. Clodie, realizing that the situation had changed dramatically, drew her sword.
“Iris Yeong-ae!”
However, Iris rushed towards her stumbling sister. It was a moment of surprise.
“Oops!”
It may have been due to Yuliana’s weakened nerves. The strange magical tool, mixed with the unfortunate memories and powers of Evan and Lucian, easily penetrated Yuliana’s mind.
But even as she was being attacked, Yuliana didn’t understand what Iris wanted with this kind of attack.
“Ugh!”
Just as she thought that, Yuliana stumbled forward. A narrow frame of mind and torn-up agony washed over her. As Yuliana crumpled forward, Clodie, who was bewildered, rushed to support her.
And Iris watched her sister collapse without blinking an eye. Tears filled her reddened eyes. Iris wiped her cheeks and cried.
“It’s your fault, sis… I tried to cover it all up. Really…”
“Damn it! Shut up and call the healer! What the hell is going on?!”
Clodie shouted angrily.
Inside, curses rose. Even if it was just her wife’s business, she couldn’t help but wonder how much her close friend would torment her to death over this matter. She almost admitted that she stood at a crossroads of life and death.
Whether Iris knew it or not, she replied with a determined expression, her red eyes brimming with tears.
“The healer won’t heal anything. It’s just the memories returning to my sister!”
“What nonsense is this?!”
Clodie, now back to herself, shouted furiously.
Inside, curses rose. Even if it was just her wife’s business, she couldn’t help but wonder how much her close friend would torment her to death over this matter. She almost admitted that she stood at a crossroads of life and death.
Whether Iris knew it or not, she replied with a determined expression, her red eyes brimming with tears.
“The healer won’t heal anything. It’s just the memories returning to my sister!”
“What nonsense is this?!”
Clodie, now back to herself, shouted furiously.
As someone who was not a magician but knew about this kind of magical tool, Clodie knew it was Even on this tumultuous day, Lucian remained by the Empress’s side, feeling drained and constantly on the verge of collapse.
