Episode 43

Rachel already knew she was ill.

Despite this, she had half-given up, attributing it to her old age.

She didn’t want to be a burden to Ludwig, who was going through an important period, and she probably planned to quietly go away for convalescence when the time came.

However, she wouldn’t realize how much Ludwig would regret not having a proper farewell later.

Even though the optimal treatment period had passed, there was still a chance.

As I looked into her eyes, Rachel finally gave a hearty laugh and surrendered.

“…Alright. I’ll do as you say, miss.”

“You made a good decision, Rachel. I will call someone from the Imperial Healing Magic Department tomorrow.”

Ludwig said, clearly relieved.

The Imperial Healing Magic Department would easily diagnose Rachel’s illness.

Unlike the common physicians who rely on conventional medical knowledge, healing magicians could look into the internal energies of the body.

Nevertheless, I decided to contact Arzen separately.

Not because I didn’t trust the magic department, but because I wanted to be sure.

‘She reminds me of someone dear to me.’

Just as the head of the orphanage had opened my closed heart, Rachel was a very precious person to Ludwig.

The warmth I felt from holding her hand seemed to reach my heart as well.

* * *

Outside, the sky had turned crimson with the setting sun.

“Thank you so much for today, Sierra. Your help made things much easier.”

“It’s nothing. Just grant me one wish later.”

“Of course. I’ll help you with anything you need.”

“Then I’ll be waiting for good news.”

The fall of the council and the rise of the young Grand Duke. Soon there would be a succession ceremony.

Ludwig would soon become the Grand Duke of Karsian.

And that was the real beginning of my plan.

I held Ludwig’s hand and got into the carriage.

As Desar followed me into the carriage, Ludwig spoke.

“Sierra might feel uncomfortable. Maybe you should ride a horse or take the servants’ carriage.”

“It is the command of the head of the house. This is a principle set by Drenihan, so please don’t worry.”

“…Sierra, on second thought, it might be better if I ride with you.”

Ludwig’s lieutenant jumped in shock at his words.

“There is a mountain of work to do. What do you mean by that?”

“He’s right, Ludwig. I’m fine, so go ahead and get back to your work.”

“Haa… I need to become the Grand Duke soon, so I can spend more time with you.”

Ludwig sighed deeply.

“Haha, alright. I’ll come straight to you once the succession ceremony is over.”

I laughed and waved at him through the window.

Soon, the carriage began to move, heading back to the Drenihan estate.

During that time, I opened a book and began to read.

The book I am holding now is ‘The Lost Century,’ which I found in the prayer room earlier.

Although only the title was in the imperial common language, the inside was entirely written in ancient script.

When I showed interest in the book, Ludwig readily gave it to me.

He probably thinks I want to keep it just for the sake of having it.

But I can read ancient script.

‘Even though I’ve never learned it.’

When I could easily read the ancient script on the cave wall, it gave me chills.

Is this also a reincarnation buff? Even though the ancient script wasn’t in Hangul, that was the only explanation I had.

I turned over the black cover and began reading the contents inside.

[The empire encountered an unprecedented tyrant in history. Emperor Estero became increasingly mad each day and eventually tampered with the sealed power.]

Again, I could read it effortlessly.

The handwritten text on the old paper began with the era of the tyrant Estero.

[The emperor said the world must become one. He declared that only one world should exist. He waged invasion wars three or four times a day, and the lives of the imperial citizens became impoverished. Eventually, he faced the judgment of the heavens. The dark magic he tampered with spread throughout the empire, summoning monsters from another world, and from then on, literal darkness descended.]

The more dark magic is used, the more frequently monster gates open.

This is why the countries in this era agreed to ban dark magic.

Perhaps the greedy tyrant from the distant past didn’t know this and recklessly abused dark magic.

[As the world was on the brink of destruction, two saints appeared. One could wield the power of healing, and the other could command ancient spirits. The two joined forces to fight against the monsters that were destroying the land.]

‘If they could wield the power of healing, could they be from Selber?’

[As the situation gradually improved, people worshipped the two. Finally, they deposed the tyrant Esterow and elevated the two to emperors. But one day, the two emperors began to fight severely and eventually, one died.]

Between the tyrant Esterow and the wise ruler Damon, there were two female emperors.

They jointly ascended to the throne and led the nation, but their end was tragic.

[The world was destroyed.]

I skipped the middle content and read only the last sentence.

After that sentence, the following pages were blank.

It was the fiftieth year of the century of darkness.

“Can you read ancient script?”

At Desar’s words, I shook my head.

“I don’t know the content, but it’s fascinating to see a book from this era, so I kept reading.”

I decided to read the rest of the content later and closed the book with a thud.

“Please lower your speech, my lady. I am just a commoner.”

“Ah.”

Indeed, it would seem strange for a person from the Drenihan family to use honorifics to a commoner in the eyes of others.

I was using honorifics without any particular meaning because I knew Desar’s true identity.

“Alright, I understand.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Before Jenna appeared, his life was dedicated to Thergon Drenihan.

He had saved his life as a child, so it was only natural. Later, he was the only male lead who rebelled when Jenna tried to bring down Drenihan.

He probably didn’t want to destroy the family that his former master had cherished and loved all his life.

Was that why he disliked Sierra?

Because a mere child had ruined the family that took him in….

“I remember you liked books even as a child.”

Then Desar spoke to me.

“As a child?”

“I understand if you don’t remember, it was a long time ago. Though it’s a bit disappointing.”

Desar said with a slight smile.

‘So we did have some connection as children.’

“But didn’t we play together often as children?”

When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, Desar continued.

“You, me, and Lady Selber, my lady.”

“…Lady Selber, you mean Jenna Selber?”

Desar nodded at my question.

I used to play with Jenna when I was young…?

I had no memory of that, nor was it mentioned in the original work.

“After ‘that incident’ on your fifth birthday, Lady Selber stopped visiting.”

My fifth birthday. I had a severe fever then and was unconscious for several days.

When I miraculously woke up, I had lost all my previous memories.

‘That incident’ Desar mentioned seemed to refer to that event.

‘Then it’s only natural that I don’t remember.’

Even if I hadn’t lost my memory, not many people can clearly remember their early childhood.

Perhaps Jenna has also forgotten those memories from that time.

That’s why the original work didn’t mention my childhood with Jenna.

Considering my father and the Duke of Selber were close friends, it wasn’t strange that we interacted frequently as children.

I accepted this and carefully asked Desar.

“Then, did I perhaps make a mistake towards you back then…?”

“……”

Desar fell silent for a moment.

‘There must be something!’

So he didn’t dislike me for no reason after all.

[May I personally execute Lady Drenihan?]

[Desar? You are the Master of the Magic Tower. You shouldn’t show people a cruel side.]

[…I have questions for her.]

A few lines from the original dialogue came to mind.

What on earth could have happened when I was five years old to make Desar feel this way?

“Unfortunately, I have no memory of it. I’m curious. Can you tell me?”

Even now, I can sincerely apologize.

If it’s something I did, I should apologize.

And Desar can release his long-held grudge from that time.

“It wasn’t anything significant. To you, it might have been… nothing significant.”

That made it even more mysterious!

It might have been nothing to me, but it created a lifelong enemy for Desar.

‘What on earth could it be?’

“I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

“Okay, make sure to tell me next time.”

I forced a smile, feeling like I was about to cry.

Maybe it’s better not to know at all.