Episode 56

Jenna returned to the Selber family and made a successful re-entry into society at the New Year’s banquet.

While the tragic tale of the youngest lady of the Selber family had once been a well-known story, the presence of Jenna, which had faded over time, was suddenly thrust back into the spotlight with a dramatic entrance.

‘Her healing powers had even grown stronger.’

The most crucial part of the New Year’s episode was Crown Prince Lucion’s first outburst.

Like Ludwig, the other male leads also possessed abilities that were difficult for a human body to endure.

It is a natural progression for transcendents, who have surpassed human limits, to experience such outbursts.

Lucion, too, experienced his first outburst at the New Year’s banquet.

Suddenly collapsing and hyperventilating, Lucion found himself in a state that even the royal physicians could not manage.

He lost control and was on the verge of harming others in his frenzy.

At this critical moment, when the banquet hall was about to descend into chaos, Jenna stepped forward.

Using her healing power, she quelled Lucion’s rampage. It was an astonishingly powerful ability.

Impressed by her strength, Emperor Esmore took notice and appointed Jenna as the official purifier for those at risk of such outbursts.

Those at risk included the heirs of the founding families—essentially, the male leads.

‘Ludwig as well….’

I was startled by the face that flashed in my mind.

Although Rachel had become his designated partner, it didn’t change the fact that Jenna and Ludwig were destined to be deeply intertwined.

For some reason, I felt an odd sense of unease.

‘There’s less than a month until the New Year’s banquet.’

Even though Ludwig might be cooperative with me now, there was no guarantee that would remain true after he met Jenna.

In the original story, Ludwig viewed everyone except Jenna as insignificant pests.

Blind obsession and love can make a person lose sight of everything else.

Though it’s unimaginable now that he would treat me coldly, it seemed wise to prepare myself for that possibility.

‘I shouldn’t delude myself just because he’s being kind for now. It will only make things more painful later.’

I unconsciously began to think that maybe I was someone a little more special to him than others.

But if I realized that was arrogance, the one who would be hurt wouldn’t be anyone else but me.

Just then, a familiar voice broke through my thoughts from behind.

“What are you thinking about so intently?”

“Prince Theodore?”

It was none other than Theodore.

“The shock of yesterday hasn’t worn off yet, and you’re pushing yourself by attending today, aren’t you?”

“Oh, I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt at all… Thank you for your concern.”

“Hmm… But your face doesn’t look fine at all.”

“What?”

I really was fine…

Not knowing what expression I was wearing, I couldn’t understand Theodore’s words.

In the original story, Theodore was especially adept at reading people’s emotions.

There were more than a few times when he unnerved Jenna by discerning her thoughts just from her expressions.

Could he possibly tell me what this emotion is that even I don’t recognize?

“…What kind of expression am I making, Your Highness?”

“Well, it’s a face that looks like you’ve lost something precious. It’s closer to resignation, I’d say.”

Theodore gave a faint smile as he spoke, causing my eyes to widen in surprise.

“……”

Something precious?

‘Have I been foolishly coveting Ludwig without realizing it?’

I wasn’t sure when it began.

I couldn’t clearly distinguish whether it was friendship or romantic feelings. But…

The fleeting kindness was so warm that I found myself content to simply bask in it.

Thinking about it that way, I suddenly felt afraid.

I might seem fine now, but what if, later on, I became consumed with twisted jealousy, interfering between Jenna and Ludwig as in the original story?

I even began to doubt whether these strange feelings that had taken root in my heart were truly my own.

‘The original storyline’s force might be controlling me.’

“Sierra?”

Theodore stepped closer to me and spoke.

“You still seem off today. Do you have a fever…?”

Just as he was about to place his hand on my forehead, a long shadow fell before me.

“…Ludwig?”

It was none other than Ludwig who had stepped between Theodore and me.

Just a moment ago, he had been caught among the people trying to approach, yet now he was standing before me.

In a low voice, he said to me, “I’ve been looking for you.”

“For me?”

Why?

I couldn’t bring myself to ask further.

“My, have I kept your partner from you? I merely wished to have a brief conversation about yesterday’s events,” Theodore said with a slight chuckle.

Ludwig responded with a faint smile.

“For just a conversation, the distance between you seemed a bit too close.”

Ludwig had positioned himself so close that I was nearly nestled against him.

“Haha, it seems I made you jealous. Don’t misunderstand; we are merely old friends. We’ve known each other since childhood, so there’s no discomfort between us.”

“…….”

“Then, Lady Sierra, since now is not the time, let’s continue our conversation another day. I look forward to seeing you soon at the capital,” Theodore said, winking at me before brushing past Ludwig and leaving.

Once he was gone, I stepped back from Ludwig’s embrace and asked.

“Ludwig, why were you looking for me?”

Could it be that he didn’t hear me mention I was going to visit my father earlier? Or was there something urgent he needed to tell me?

After a moment of hesitation, Ludwig finally spoke.

“I’m not entirely sure myself.”

“What?”

“I just grew anxious when I couldn’t see you, and when I found you, the prince was….”

Ludwig trailed off.

“Ludwig?”

He looked as if he had just realized something important.

“Every time I find myself acting out of character, I’m surprised. It’s as if I was throwing a childish tantrum because of you, Sierra.”

He gave me a faint smile as he gazed at me.

“It’s nothing. I suppose you didn’t hear me earlier. You must have been startled when I suddenly disappeared.”

I took a deep breath and said.

“But actually, I have something I want to ask you as well, Ludwig.”

“What is it?”

“Shall we take a walk in the garden as we talk?”

* **

The garden of the Arundel Palace was just as beautiful as I had heard.

The well-kept greenery under the clear sky was so picturesque that it could be believed to be a paradise on earth.

The weather was chilly, so I had to walk with my shoulders slightly hunched.

Ever since I gained the ability to manipulate water, I’ve become more sensitive to the cold.

But I had to endure it, as I was about to make an important request.

At that moment, a warm coat was draped over my shoulders.

“Huh?”

It was Ludwig who had taken off his coat to cover me.

“You really don’t have to do this. I’m not that cold.”

“I’m actually feeling warm. Those with the ability to control fire tend to have a lot of body heat.”

He said it as if it was nothing.

Now that I think about it, Ludwig’s embrace had always been warm.

Having inadvertently been held by him a few times, I knew he wasn’t lying.

“Then… thank you.”

The coat was so large that I was almost buried in it, which only made it warmer.

“Ludwig, you promised to grant me one wish if you successfully become the Grand Duke, right?”

“Indeed. Whatever it is, I will do my utmost to fulfill it.”

“Then….”

I stopped walking and spoke.

“I want to make a request through the intelligence network under the Grand Duchy, Queen’s Berry.”

His eyes widened slightly at my request.

“Queen’s Berry?”

His tone suggested he was surprised that this was my wish.

Perhaps he had expected me to ask for something grander.

‘But to me, this is the most important thing of all.’

“It’s something only Queen’s Berry can do, and you’re the only one who can mobilize them, Ludwig.”

As the intelligence network that only takes orders from the Grand Duke, the agents of Queen’s Berry never engaged in any external activities.

Meeting them in person was nearly impossible.

“There’s someone I absolutely must find. I only know trivial details about them, so it’s impossible for any ordinary guild to help.”

Meeting my gaze, Ludwig nodded.

“If it’s something like that, of course I’ll help, Sierra.”

I beamed at him in gratitude.

“Thank you!”

“This time, I’ll help as a friend. If you think of something more pressing later on, save your real wish for then.”

“Really…?”

That would be wonderful for me, but I couldn’t understand why he was being so generous.

“The privileges that come with being the Grand Duke of Karsian are partly yours, Sierra. You made me the Grand Duke, after all.”

Ludwig took my cold hands in his, which had grown cold from the chilly weather, and said, “As long as I am the Grand Duke of Karsian, I will always be on your side. So save your wish for another time.”

“…….”

I couldn’t begin to guess how I looked reflected in his golden eyes.

He gave a small smile and added.

“I’ll arrange a meeting with the head of Queen’s Berry soon.”

“…Why are you so kind to me?”

I blurted out the question without realizing it.

Why did he show me a kindness that didn’t feel like it belonged to me?

Seeing Ludwig’s slightly surprised expression, I hurriedly added.

“I-I was just curious. Ludwig, you’re so different from what I heard. You’re so kind to me.”

“…….”

He hesitated for a moment before cupping my cheek with his warm hand and softly said.

“Because I like you.”