“Didn’t I tell you that it’s useless to hide or run away?”
I couldn’t tell whose eyes or whose voice it was, but it was clear… There’s something there. I could no longer dismiss this appearance that I see whenever Redian goes on a rampage as a coincidence.
“Rere.”
Moreover, every time his silver hair fluttered over his eyes, every time the moonlight seeping in changed direction…
“I will gather every piece of your scattered skin, your bones, and even the shattered fragments of your soul… I will definitely find you.”
I could sense that the color of his eyes was subtly different. Swallowing deeper and deeper darkness, becoming black.
“Do you recognize me?”
“…”
For the first time, I looked straight into those deep blue eyes and asked. Through Redian’s mouth, through his gaze, might I find out who I am?
“Who am I?”
At that moment, Redian looked at me quietly.
Yes. I’ve definitely seen it before. Those emotionless eyes mixed with emptiness and sorrow. The occasional déjà vu was not my imagination.
“You are.” After a long pause, his lips, now redder than blood, moved. “Both my death and my salvation…”
The late summer night’s wind blew.
“My hatred and my love.”
His voice, coming through the haloed moon, grew softer.
“So, in the end.”
“…”
“You are my greed and my everything.”
With that, Redian closed his eyes on my lap. Perhaps because he didn’t swallow his words, he didn’t cough up blood…
His greed and his everything.
But I had to look at his sleeping face for a long time until the unusually noisy dawn broke.
* * *
It was that morning. Tomorrow was the day Luna would leave the duchy.
“Did you hear that the son of the former royal princess is alive?”
“Of course! There was such a commotion.”
However, all attention within the duchy was elsewhere.
Sitting on the terrace, Luna looked at her emptying room. Those arrogant b*stards.
Only the servants moving her luggage came in and out, and no one came to say goodbye.
“So, does that mean he’ll become the crown prince?”
“Who knows? It could be false.”
“Why would the empress lie about something like that?”
As the room quieted, the maids’ whispers as they packed up her things became clearer.
The son of Izel is alive.
Though it was news that turned the capital upside down as soon as dawn broke, she had no particular interest. But.
Crown prince…? The word echoed in Luna’s ears.
“The former royal princess was truly kind-hearted. I heard she built the Felicite underground castle.”
The idea that the underground castle was Izel’s intention was laughable. That place was literally a dump for cursed beings.
Sister too. Who would have thought that dump would become a sacred fortress embracing abandoned boys overnight?
“Is there any news on where this prince is?”
“Could he have been in our underground castle? The madam was close with the former royal princess, and that castle was her will.”
“Oh my, then his looks and abilities are guaranteed?” The maids giggled.
It was shocking but indeed a blessing that the son of the former royal princess was alive.
“Anyway, our empire will finally have a crown prince.”
“It’s like a dream come true.”
Luna’s gaze drifted as she overheard their conversation. No way. Her thoughts began to align, fitting into place. Siani’s suspicious actions and the urgent return of the duke to the capital that night…
“I must see His Grace or my sister.”
“The two are in conversation, Milady. You can’t disturb them.”
The father and daughter seemed to have a very long conversation through the night.
Was that why sister kept those Norma close?
Was the secret shared only among Siani, the duke, and the duchess, under the name of family? Deceiving both herself and Irik completely…?!
“Milady, there you are.”
How long had she been sitting in the darkened, empty room?
“You must rest. You have to leave at dawn.”
It seemed the maid came to find her after finishing packing.
“Do you see those things loaded in the carriage? His Grace prepared them for your dowry.”
“…”
“He really thinks of you as his own daughter.”
The three carriages waiting at the front gate were loaded with a tremendous amount of jewels and treasures.
“What’s the use of such things?”
“Pardon?”
But Luna’s expression remained indifferent. “If he truly thought of me as his daughter, he should have given me something more valuable than those.”
“Something more valuable…”
“Things that have meaningful value shared only within the family.”
Luna picked up a doll among the separately placed luggage. “This was my sister’s most cherished doll.” She despised how this doll comforted Siani.
“Since my sister gave this doll to me, it means something that we are sisters.” So, hugging the doll tightly, Luna muttered. “To not forget me even when we’re apart…”
A faint smile crossed her face. “This time, she must give me what she cherishes the most.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t need to know. By the way, where’s my sister?”
“I heard she went to bed early because she’s feeling under the weather.”
“My sister is so mean.”
Luna pouted. Her only sister was leaving tomorrow, yet…
“I should leave a gift on her desk.”
“Milady, you should get some sleep!” The maid tried to stop Luna. Given that she should take care of herself and get to bed early for tomorrow, visiting Siani was unnecessary.
“Don’t follow me.” But Luna, humming, walked away.
It was truly enjoyable to take away things that Siani cherished. Because the more she lost, the more she would think of Luna.
* * *
Late at night, Luna arrived at Siani’s office with a bouquet.
“Milady, the lady is resting…”
“I just need to leave this on her desk, so can you open the door?”
The maid in charge of the office looked troubled. “Wouldn’t it be better to give it to her in person tomorrow?”
“Haven’t you heard? I’m leaving in a few hours.”
Seeing the hesitant maid, Luna frowned slightly. “Do you think I’ll mess up her office? I told you I came to leave this quietly.” Luna thrust the bouquet in the maid’s face.
“It’s not that…”
“Do I have to wake my sister at this hour?”
The maid lowered her head, recalling her orders.
“If Luna comes, pretend to stop her a few times, then open the door.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And there’s a jewelry box on the desk. Hide the documents separately, but don’t touch that.”
“Then… please don’t stay too long.” Following Siani’s instructions, the maid stepped aside.
* * *
It was dawn when Luna left. The sun hadn’t risen, but the carriage carrying her was ready to leave the gate.
How pathetic. I watched from the window.
Though Luna hadn’t had a wedding or received an official title, she was leaving the castle as the future grand duchess. But the procession was pitifully small, with no one to see her off. It reminded me of the time I escaped in a maid’s dress during my days as a princess of a fallen kingdom.
The duke, really.
But seeing the three carriages full of dowry, there was no room for pity.
“Goodbye, Luna.”
I arranged the flowers she left into a vase. While reading the letter she left, I heard the driver’s shout.
“…”
Looking out the window again, I saw the carriage moving away. Luna had left.
“Of course…” I finally opened the lid of the jewelry box on the desk. “It’s gone.”
The dazzling jewels remained, but the tiny gold piece buried among them was missing.
“If you’re not smart, at least be quick-witted.”
Clicking my tongue, I lit the lamp. Then I burned the letter Luna left.
* * *
“There are already three people claiming to be Izel’s son at the temple,” Aeron added that they brought all sorts of trinkets and gold as relics.
“The empress must have a reason for bringing it up.” Obelo, stroking his chin, glanced at me. “Did the empress give Princess any hints?”
“Ah, right. You two have gotten closer through her treatment, haven’t you?”
The two seemed very curious about the boy, causing a stir in the capital. Soon, it would be revealed, but they seemed eager to use their connections to know early. This is what it means to be in the dark under the lamp.
“Aeron.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Prepare to go to the temple.”
“…Why suddenly the temple?” Aeron tilted his head.
“We need to bring Izel’s son.”
“Oh, so Princess does know!”
Obelo, unexpectedly excited, adjusted his glasses. “So, where is Izel’s son now?”
“There.”
Following my gesture, Aeron and Obelo looked out the window.
“Gasp.”
“My goodness!”
There…
“Didn’t I say something surprising would happen?”
They saw Redian playing with a white guard dog in the outdoor training yard.
“Now, we must send him to the temple.”
I picked up a dagger and stood up, ready to head to the Grand Temple Fides, where the Lake of Goddess is located.
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