NMRJKM Chapter 110

 

Yermondi recalled a time long ago. Yes, when that child was still alive. When she could smile the brightest.

She had been quiet and timid as a child. There were no other noble girls of her age to talk to. The other children would come to her, intrigued by her background, but would lose interest and leave when she said nothing.

“Your Highness, would you like to take a walk with me?”

But there was someone who stayed by her side consistently. The bright blonde hair, the lovely smile—it had captured her heart.

“Your Highness, do you know? I do this only for you.”

At first, Yermondi didn’t understand those words. But now she knows. It was because she alone had waited and been patient.

She realized it far too late.

“Your Highness.”

Yermondi liked the way that child called her name.

“Yermondi.”

So when that child first called her name, she didn’t know what to do with her wildly beating heart. She couldn’t respond at all. And as if to replace her, the child said,

“I love you, Princess Yermondi.”

The world looked bright for the first time. The trees were green, the flowers were red, and the wind was only white. The wind scattered her hair and tickled her cheeks. Yermondi, overwhelmed, replied without realizing it.

“Me too.”

So excited.

“Me too, I love you.”

To the point of forgetting everything.

“I love you.”

But she shouldn’t have forgotten. Yermondi regretted it over and over. She should have known her place. She should have known what she was before anything else.

“Yermondi.”

She heard the empress, her mother’s voice.

“You are not someone who can love just anyone.”

“Yes, Mother. I understand well.”

Yermondi knelt on the floor and looked up at her.

“I forgot for a moment. I was foolish. So, Mother…”

She joined her hands and begged.

“Please save that child, Mother.”

“I’m glad you realized it even now.”

The empress smiled gently. But Yermondi knew. Her smile was never a good sign. She clung to the hem of the empress’s dress and pleaded.

“Please. Just let me see him once. Just save him this once. Your Majesty. Mother. Please, Mother.”

“The seed…”

The knight drew his sword. His gaze met the child’s eyes, crushed under the knight’s right foot. The child’s eyes were clear.

“It’s better to eliminate it beforehand.”

The sword came down. That moment seemed to move in slow motion. No, no, no, no! No!

“It’s okay.”

Those were the child’s last words. Blood splattered. Warm blood sprayed across her face.

“Ah, ah….”

Now, she saw the eyes of that child, which had lost their light.

“Ahhhhh!”

Yermondi screamed. She cried out as if she would vomit her insides. The empress’s maidservants dragged her into the room and locked her away. She couldn’t come out for several days.

During that time, Yermondi cried, vomited, screamed, and then vomited again. With nothing to eat, only bile came out.

Yermondi had to admit it.

She should not love just anyone.

The person she should love had to have a high enough status to be worthy of a princess’s affection, had to be beautiful enough to be loved by a princess, and had to have enough power to be loved by a princess. Yes. Power was necessary.

Powerful enough not to be broken by the Empress’s hand.

In Yermondi’s eyes, she saw Carlothian Denaves. From a ducal family, with outstanding looks, and a man whom everyone feared.

“That would be good.”

Yermondi decided that. Ah, let’s love that man. It would be good to have that man. He is someone I could love enough.

But.

“Hello, Princess Yermondi.”

You appeared. You, who looked just like that child, refusing to give up your foolish love.

“Ariadeline Denaves. I am the Lady of the Denaves family.”

Hmph.

Yermondi smiled softly while inwardly mocking her. A woman who seemed like she would crumble if touched, like a dessert made of milk.

A foolish woman who was hurt and hurt again by a husband who did not love her, ultimately resenting the woman her husband loved.

A weak, weak woman who could only shed tears.

You, who have no power or strength, should have stepped back from that position.

“Princess Yermondi!”

Ariadeline easily succumbed to her with just a little sweet whisper.

“Today, he didn’t accept my greeting again.”

Ariadeline shed tears with her large eyes.

“Princess Yermondi, you are the only one who listens to my story until the end.”

Her beautiful blonde hair stuck to her face, marred by tear stains.

“Thank you so much, Princess.”

She smiled brightly. Her eyes curved, with a refreshing sea-colored gaze. Her lovely, shining blonde hair.

You had no idea how I felt about all of that.

Foolish Ariadeline.

Damn Ariadeline.

―― Ariadeline.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

I was looking at Yermondi’s face as she gazed into the distance. I had no idea what she wanted to say.

I slowly approached Yermondi. She spoke.

“It’s all over now.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“Not over?”

Yermondi chuckled.

“No, it’s all over.”

Yermondi sank down to the ground. I approached her, knelt before her, and met her gaze. The black magic energy flowing from Yermondi’s body was gradually fading.

“Pay for your sins. Pay and let’s start over.”

I looked directly into her eyes.

“It’s okay if our past was all a lie. The fact that I received comfort from you is real.”

Yermondi’s eyes were empty. I forced a smile.

“Still, we can start again…”

At that moment, I heard the rustling of Yermondi’s skirt. Then something touched my neck.

Huh?

“No, we’re going to end it together here.”

A cold sensation clearly touched my neck, but it began to heat up instantly. A surge of something rose from deep within my throat.

“Cough! Gah!”

I spat out blood from my mouth. My throat felt hot. Blood was spilling out. Somewhere, blood flowed and soaked my dress.

“Take care. Ariadeline.”

Yermondi threw the blood-soaked dagger to the ground. Then she stepped off the edge of the aerial garden.

Ah, no.

“Damn you, Ariadeline.”

She smiled, in a way I had never seen before.

I couldn’t muster any strength in my body due to the blood flowing out. One hand clutched my neck while the other reached out toward her. But Yermondi, without hesitation,

“See you in hell.”

She jumped. As she leaped, her lips whispered something. I stared wide-eyed at her mouth.

―― Ariadeline.

My vision blurred. Ah, I’ve lost too much blood. What about my neck? I need to heal; I need to heal. But my vision was gradually turning black.

“Ariadeline—!”

With the last sound of Carlothian’s voice calling me, I lost consciousness.