“Episode 41”
In reality, harming a step-sister physically wouldn’t cause any harm, but the bond formed through camaraderie and resonance with Arianne made the step-sister different. Her pain was his pain, and her death was essentially Lucian de Beaumont Arianne’s death.
In light of this, Yun extended a different condition while pitying Lucian. He vowed not to portray Erena as a villainess and to help lift the curse of the royal family.
Yun was in a state where he needed Lucian’s complete assistance, and Lucian, in turn, needed her help to prevent Erena’s death and pioneer a new life for himself. They were bound by a cruel fate. Could there be another relationship so profoundly entwined?
As Lucian, filled with inner turmoil, pondered heavily, the voice of a courtier echoed from beyond the firmly closed door.
“Your Majesty, Duke Evan Hillen requests an audience.”
“…Decline.”
As the melancholy-laden command of the Emperor rang out, a commotion erupted from beyond the door. Soon after, the thick door swung open like a piece of paper. The courtiers and guards stationed outside were attempting to restrain the Duke, who stood before the open door. Disregarding the imperial retinue like trash, the Duke effortlessly twisted his body. A chief chamberlain, who staggered from the Duke’s force, shouted out of frustration.
“Duke! How dare you cause such a disturbance in front of His Majesty! At a time when Her Majesty the Empress Mother should be taking care!”
“It’s perfect. With both wives ill, wouldn’t it be appropriate for the lords to discuss the matter?”
“Are you daring to equate the Duchess and Her Majesty the Empress Mother?”
As the chief chamberlain was about to add a few more words, Evan fixed his cold gaze and brazenly sneered, making no effort to hide his disdain.
“Your Majesty. Your loyal subjects are indeed devoted. However, as one of Your Majesty’s loyal subjects, shouldn’t I be allowed to choose the most useful servant? If I am deemed more useful, wouldn’t it be permissible for a couple of loyal subjects to do as they please?”
“Haha!”
Lucian chuckled wryly.
Standing tall in ceremonial military attire, his friend was as hot-tempered as ever.
And it was the chief chamberlain who was taken aback by the Emperor’s attitude. Since inheriting the position of Duke after the untimely death of the heir, Evan, who had defused the barbaric disputes, was a cherished figure in the imperial court. While the empire hailed him as a hero and champion on the battlefield, the chief chamberlain saw him as a demon. The tense atmosphere he exuded was reminiscent of a man charging through a battlefield without a care.
Shaking with trepidation, the chief chamberlain’s body trembled. Even with his eyes closed, one could see how the Emperor would choose between the two.
“That’s enough. The joke’s gone too far.”
Lucian grinned, his face exhausted like the setting sun.
As the chief chamberlain and the guards left like obedient puppies, the door was slammed shut. Only the sound of Erena’s shallow breaths filled the space between them. It was Evan who broke the silence first. His tone betrayed an unmistakable contempt.
“Lucian. I endured even when you talked about such past matters to Yuliana. You occasionally spout nonsense due to your fixation on the throne.”
“You’re speaking informally now?”
“Why not? It was you who said it was bothersome to use honorifics when we’re alone.”
At that moment, Evan looked as if he needed a cigarette.
Evan Hillen, always top of his class at the Academy, excelled in swordsmanship and magic. Despite his talent, he would sneak off to smoke away from other students and teachers. He quit smoking cold turkey after getting married. It was a childish display of unrequited love for Yuliana Oban, who was considered unattainable. Lucian found it tiresome.
“Your consort fainted. Did you have any sense to come to me?”
“Fine. Tell me honestly. Because of Yuliana’s stepbrother. You helped him settle in the palace and let him manipulate you into doing questionable things.”
“Haha!”
“Don’t laugh, answer me.”
Evan exposed it. He rose from his seat with a furious gesture and stood in front of Lucian.
Despite his violent demeanor, Lucian only had eyes for his wife. She looked peacefully asleep. How wonderful it would be if she always seemed so safe.
But Yun had Ereina’s death in his hands. If she didn’t help him, he would let Ereina Walter, branded as a villainess by fate and the world, die.
As Lucian struggled with the realization that he was fighting to survive in this novel world, he twisted his words, then muttered softly. The truth shared with Yun through Arianne was surreal, but this agony was real.
“You’ve lost it.”
Evan spat out, looking at his old friend as if he were disgusted. He grabbed Lucian’s shoulders roughly as he rose from his chair, staring at his face intently.
“Lucian de Beaumont Arianne. You did that trickery to not go mad. Remember? When you still loved your cousin and considered me a friend. I intervened to protect your ego. I didn’t worry about what you would do with the medium containing our weak memories.”
“Does that mean you still think of me as a friend?”
Lucian chuckled.
His laughter, which had been hearty moments ago, abruptly stopped, replaced by a composed smile on his face. Evan stared at Lucian’s face closely, contemplating.
Pitiful Lucian.
Despite all his attempts to help, he’s gone mad.
“…Lucian.”
He called his old friend in a low voice.
The laughter disappeared from Lucian’s face, leaving only a gentle smile. Evan quietly spoke to him, ignoring Lucian’s poignant voice.
“Regardless of your intentions, one thing is clear. You’re not my friend.”
“Evan.”
The end of his voice was trembling. Ignoring Lucian’s emotional voice, Evan spoke firmly.
“Soon, when the sacred inspection of that woman takes place, the imperial duke will legally raise suspicions.”
Lucian raised his eyebrow sardonically. His expression was too complex to define with just one emotion as he answered slowly.
“I already have that woman as a guest in the palace.”
“Everyone’s gone mad because of that woman. Shouldn’t we check what’s beneath her holy facade by throwing her into the lions’ den?”
Evan smirked. Then, with a hint of respect, he bid farewell to his insane emperor.
After he left, Lucian closed his eyes tightly.
It didn’t feel satisfying to completely sever the lineage of friendship. It felt like his humanity, fragmented into pieces, had finally been extinguished like a candle in the wind.
And those pieces would never be found again.
Lucian buried his face next to Ereina’s. He was exhausted, but it was only early afternoon.
The face of the friend who spoke like that looked as if they had just swallowed a very bitter pill. Then, leaving the countess in my care, he hastily left to inform the emperor, his own cousin, to come to court.
In the end, it was only Claudie who arrived at the desolate duke’s residence with the countess.
“What is going on…?”
Claudie watched Yuliana with a repentant heart, but to her surprise, Yuliana, lost in thought, was unexpectedly spending peaceful time.
In her dream, she was drinking tea. It was a bright summer day, and the sunlight reflected off the surface of the emerald lake, sparkling.
“Huh? The emerald lake?”
Even though she was peacefully sipping her tea, Yuliana felt a strange sensation. Upon closer observation, she realized that her body was unusually small. Moreover, even her own hands holding the tea seemed different.
“Huh?”
Yuliana was startled by her appearance, which seemed to be around 11 or 12 years old. But oddly enough, her surprise soon faded away.
“I was originally 12 years old.”
Yuliana thought blankly.
Why did I think I was an adult?
“Who was I waiting for? Who was I waiting for… I can’t remember.”
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed.
“Miss, Sir Mac’s heir has arrived. He once again offers to escort you today.”
“Why are you so late? Don’t tell me you’re still going to the academy for knight training, making you late like this.”
“…Sir Mac?”
Yuliana was taken aback.
When she looked around, she really saw Evan. And he looked like a teenager!
“Wow, what’s going on!”
Yuliana was amazed. While she was dumbfounded, her younger self scolded her.
“Take him away! We should at least make him carry the tea. He’s the reason we couldn’t even take a proper walk…”
“I’m sorry, miss. It seems you couldn’t enjoy your tea or take a proper walk because of me.”
Evan apologized remorsefully. His words sounded as if he couldn’t do anything without her, and young Yuliana stomped her foot in anger.
“That’s not it! As the heir of the Earl of Auber, and as a grand sorcerer, I, I can’t just mope around without even a, a single heir!”
“Of course, miss.”
Evan calmly approached and received an umbrella from the maid. Despite her anger, Yuliana quickly handed him her hat. Then she slipped under the umbrella he held out.
Looking at herself and Evan’s shadows blending together perfectly, young Yuliana blushed.
Meanwhile, as Yuliana looked at herself, she gaped in surprise. (If she could open her mouth wider, she would.)
“Oh, how was it at the academy?”
Whether she wanted to or not, young Yuliana coughed and then spoke to Evan. Young Evan slowly recounted his life to her.
The things he said were experiences she could never have, and a mixture of indescribable emotions crossed young Yuliana’s face.
She raised her head to look at the handsome boy.
“I see. It must have been fun.”
“Not at all. I couldn’t wait for the vacation to come.”
