IRAWOMLC Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Leticia stared intently at Arden. Somehow, the aura he exuded felt similar to her own, and it kept bothering her. Every time she looked at him, someone came to mind, making it hard for her to stay calm.

Finally, as she received his help, she looked into his eyes and spoke.
“…Your eye color is the same as mine.”
“What’s so special about having golden eyes?”

At Arden’s words, Leticia shrugged. It was true; it wasn’t particularly unusual, considering it was also a common trait of elves. However, that was something that applied in the past. Nowadays, it was rare to encounter elves.

“You’re an elf like me, aren’t you?”
“Like you? You and me? There’s no way a child of a traitorous elf could be the same as me.”
“That’s true. This is the first time I’ve seen such a vulgar elf.”
“…”

Arden’s face twisted at Leticia’s remark. Slumping into a chair, he scanned her from head to toe and spoke in a tone laced with irritation, prompting her to sigh deeply.

“I’m curious why you dislike me so much.”
“Anyone who says there’s no reason for dislike is full of crap. I have a very clear reason.”

He released her hand, which he had been holding, and wiped it with a handkerchief before running his fingers through his hair. His gaze, which resembled her own, made her chuckle.

‘So, this is what it felt like.’

That look in his eyes reminded her of how she used to stare at Arden. The warmth lingering on her fingertips brought Arden to mind again. Was he searching for her? Perhaps he didn’t even know why she left.

Or maybe he had found out through Verotin that she was carrying a child. If so, he wouldn’t look for her. He wouldn’t believe the child in her womb was his, likely assuming it was a mere elopement with her lover.

‘Perhaps that’s for the best.’

There had been no love between them.

He was probably reflecting on her actions, wondering about her request for a divorce. Even if she ended up as nothing more than a disgrace in his eyes, it wouldn’t matter. She had no lingering feelings for him. Having done her best in the relationship, she had no regrets.

If only she hadn’t harbored hope from the start, she might have escaped sooner—before the child had come into her life… before they both became so unhappy…

Snap!

The sound of fingers snapping snapped Leticia out of her thoughts. Her gaze refocused, and she looked up. Arden, wearing a displeased expression, rose from his seat.

“This is why I don’t like you. His Grace seems to be looking for you, so come with me.”
“…His Grace?”
“I heard him calling. You wouldn’t have heard it, but I did.”

Arden swung the door open and tilted his head.

“What are you doing? Do I have to carry the flowers for you?”

…I can go on my own, so stop saying weird things.”
“Do as you like.”

Arden walked ahead without even looking back.
Leticia got up from the chair, her body feeling much lighter, and followed Arden. She kept her eyes on him to ensure she wouldn’t lose sight of his distant figure. His steps were so quick that it was hard to keep up.

“Hah.”

She caught her breath, gripping the railing as she steadied herself. Arden, seemingly indifferent to her struggle, didn’t pause for a moment. In the end, Leticia stifled her labored breaths and continued walking to keep up with him.

“Please, slow down…!”

Leticia finally shouted, unable to hold back any longer. Only then did Arden slightly turn his head and curl his lips into a smirk. Seeing this, she thought to herself:

‘How annoying.’

Out of stubbornness, she grabbed the hem of her priestess robe, lifted it, and widened her strides. Suddenly, a sharp pain radiated from her stomach, causing her to stop in her tracks. Clutching her abdomen, she doubled over in discomfort.

“You really are unbelievable.”

Even as the voice came from above her, she couldn’t lift her head. She was more worried than anything about whether the baby was okay. Hugging her stomach tightly, she murmured softly:

“It’s okay. Baby, you’re okay.”
It’s nothing. Just a little sensitivity, that’s all.

Leticia tried to calm herself, quickly regulating her breathing. Her body hadn’t been in good condition lately, likely due to overexertion. Just as she steadied herself, she suddenly felt her body being lifted off the ground.

“There’s no need for this, so put me down!”
“What can you do about being born with short legs? I’m annoyed too, so at least shut your mouth. I have no intention of talking.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”

She sealed her lips tightly and closed her eyes. She resolved to ask the Pope to replace Arden with Kavita. Neither of them said a word as they made their way to where the Pope was waiting.

❖ ❖ ❖

Leticia blinked slowly.
Golden eyes. And a similar energy to Arden.

It was undoubtedly the elves she had spoken of before. Leticia couldn’t tear her gaze away from them. The energy they emitted reminded her of her mother. If so, were they also high elves?

“Your Holiness, we are grateful for your help, but it is extremely unpleasant to look at this child.”
“You seem unaware that your lives were also saved because of this child.”
“…Are you saying we owe our lives to that child?”

The Pope nodded. Despite the hostility directed at her, Leticia had many questions she wanted to ask them. Though they seemed unwilling to engage in conversation now, there would be opportunities in the future.

“Arden is an elf like you. The number of those hidden away isn’t large. Most likely, more are concealed within the Empire. If things continue as they are, it may not be long before they all perish.”

“…How can we rescue them?”
“For that, your resolve will be required.”
“My resolve?”

Leticia’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement. Her resolve was necessary to save the elves? She looked at the Pope with a face full of confusion.

“To stop the Emperor, someone capable of opposing him is needed.”
“…Don’t tell me.”

It was clear the Pope was referring to someone connected to her. Arden Leveter. It had to be him. Was the Pope considering setting Arden up as the new Emperor?

Leticia’s expression grew even more perplexed at the Pope’s words about needing someone to stand against Cardius. While Cardius certainly needed to be dealt with, why did that someone have to be Arden? Arden had already been defeated by the Emperor in a previous life.

“Do you really think Arden can stand against the Emperor and win?”
“Yes, he’s capable. Unlike before, we are here to support him. Moreover, it’s not fair to compare someone unprepared with someone who is fully prepared.”

To Leticia, who had fled from him, the Pope’s words were like a bolt out of the blue.

“Are you saying you plan to send me back to him?”
“That would depend on your decision. More importantly, you can’t raise the child alone, especially when you’re not in good health.”
“But he will hate and reject this child. He’s not someone who believes he can be wrong.”
“What if he repents and asks for your forgiveness?”
“…That will never happen.”

She was tired of hearing such empty talk. Gripping her dress tightly, she stepped back. How much courage had it taken to leave Brevent and come here?

“Whatever you want from me, I will not return to him. I just want to protect my child.”
“I see. Your stance is clear.”

The Pope let out a short sigh, seemingly realizing that persuading her further would be futile. Leticia, however, felt increasingly uneasy.

‘So this was the plan all along.’

They had helped her only to use her as a bargaining chip with him. How could she still feel so naive and foolish? She had only been desperate.

At least she hadn’t trusted them completely, which was a relief. She steadied her expression into one of composure.

“My stance will not change. I didn’t come here lightly. If I had, I wouldn’t have left Brevent in the first place. There’s no way things could work out between him and me.”

Leticia reaffirmed her position firmly. She then bowed and turned to walk toward the garden area behind the building. The suffocating air made her feel that a walk was necessary to breathe freely.

The expansive garden, white fences, and green vines climbing upward were adorned with blue roses. It was a color she rarely saw, yet she turned her head away.

Blue. Why did it have to be blue roses?

Leticia closed her eyes tightly and then looked up at the sky. She wished it were cloudy. But once again, the sky was clear and blue without a single cloud, reminding her of the blue eyes that always seemed to gaze at her.

Was it impossible to escape him?

‘Don’t think like that. It’ll be okay.’

The Pope wouldn’t force her to go back. Nor would he reveal her presence here. If word got out that she was in a place as close to the Empire as this, the Emperor would certainly act.

What kind of request had her mother made? She had told her to find a path to happiness, but even in this place, happiness seemed absent.