Everything was over.
The execution of Duke Hellen was imminent, and the Hellen family had fallen.
At first, Zion felt it was a pity to end Duke Hellen with a death sentence, so he sentenced him to life imprisonment.
When asked why he sentenced him to life imprisonment, a cruel smile hung on Zion’s lips.
[It’s a waste to kill him in an instant. I have to break him piece by piece, make him beg for death.]
He said such a terrifying thing, but Arundel changed his mind after several days of persuasion.
The life of Count Montreal ended in vain, as all the records of the bad things he had done over the years were made public.
‘It’s a relief.’
Duke Hellen and Count Montreal paid for their sins, the mark was gone, and the parasitic worm in the heart was gone.
However, the last words of Zion bothered her.
[I’m the same. I don’t have the right to punish anyone. I just move according to my interests.]
[I’ve lived that way, and that’s the only way I could live.]
She wanted to ask more about what kind of life he had lived, but,
[It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.]
He quickly changed the subject.
Arundel vowed to ask more about Zion’s life next time. There were many things she wanted to know about him.
He must have lived a life that was not smooth.
Arundel, who was recalling Zion’s miserable eyes, didn’t think about anything for a while.
After a little time passed,
‘I couldn’t even say goodbye.’
She thought of Royden.
He had left the imperial palace.
He heard from Duke Richard, who was the prime minister and Royden’s father.
As expected, Royden was left with aftereffects.
The wound on his left shoulder had almost completely healed, but there was a problem with the muscles, so it was concluded that long-term rehabilitation treatment was needed.
Naturally, it was too much to swing a sword with only his right hand, so he stepped down from his position as the captain of the knights.
Arundel found it hard to look into the eyes of Duke Richard out of guilt.
However, Duke Richard comforted Arundel with a gentle smile.
[He’s a strong guy, he’ll be fine. It could even be a good opportunity for him to grow.]
Yes.
She felt sorry, but she had to wish him luck.
Arundel prayed with her eyes tightly closed.
‘Please let Royden recover safely…’
May the grace of God be with him…
And, do some work…Mannheim.
Although she had such thoughts, she did her best not to bring up the latter part because it was a devout ritual.
After closing her eyes and praying for a while,
A white light swirled between Arundel’s hands.
The holy light emitted quite a strong power and stayed in her hand. Then, with a dazzling flash, it spread out in all directions and disappeared in an instant.
‘Uh… What…!!’
Compared to before, a tremendous amount of holy power had returned.
With the amount of holy power she had just sent, it would definitely have a positive effect on Royden.
Arundel looked down at her hands with a flustered expression at the unexpected manifestation of power.
Then someone knocked on the door.
“Your Majesty, Aide Cain has come to visit.”
“Yeah, come in.”
Soon, Cain entered with the sound of the door opening.
“Your Majesty.”
“What’s wrong?”
Cain approached with a slightly darkened face in response to Arundel’s question. She felt something unusual from his attitude.
“Today, when we execute Duke Hellen, we plan to release Lady Bianca.”
“Yeah…”
“So, it would be good if you say your farewell now.”
Arundel was momentarily stunned.
She had expected this day to come, but she didn’t know it would be today.
She wasn’t even mentally prepared.
Arundel, who was in a daze, chased Cain out first, rummaged through her bedroom, stuffed something into the sleeve of her dress, and headed for the carriage.
As Arundel got on the carriage, it started with a jolt.
‘There, Bianca had a fight with the noble ladies who were gossiping about me.’
In the quickly passing view, Arundel was momentarily immersed in memories.
Bianca was a person with a beautiful inner self as well as a beautiful face.
She knew how to fight for others, she knew how to shed tears for others, and she knew how to give up what she had for justice.
‘It was peculiar.’
Arundel smiled faintly, recalling Bianca, who had read magic books until they were worn out.
Bianca, who didn’t want to get married quietly and secretly studied magic. Despite her father’s fierce opposition, she did not give up her dream.
Bianca had a firm belief.
‘Yeah. Not all bad things are bad.’
Arundel tried hard to think positively.
For Bianca, who hated the life of a quiet noble lady, perhaps a new path had opened.
You know, she might become an outstanding magician if she enters the magic tower.
Arundel took a deep breath and made up her mind.
‘When I meet Bianca, I will greet her with a smiling face.’
Around the time she thought so, the carriage stopped.
“It seems we’ve arrived. Shall we get off?”
“Yeah.”
When she got off the carriage, Bianca, who looked shabby, was standing there.
Bianca, with her old clothes compared to before, unkempt hair, and unadorned face, was there.
It felt real that the rich girl had fallen into a vagabond life overnight.
However, her upright eyes and dignified posture made her look shabby but not pitiful.
Bianca, who was blankly looking at the sky, turned her head at the sound of footsteps from behind.
“Your Majesty!”
“Bianca!”
Arundel hugged Bianca tightly.
She wanted to hug her like this when he saw her. Bianca also hugged Arundel back without resistance.
After some time had passed,
The two women faced each other.
“Bianca, where are you planning to go?”
“Well, I haven’t thought about it yet.”
Bianca smiled lightly. She seemed surprisingly relaxed.
“Bianca, thank you for making that decision back then.”
Bianca eventually denounced her own father.
Although the persistent Zion would have eventually caught Duke Hellen’s tail, it was undeniable that the case ended much sooner because of Bianca’s testimony.
“Bianca, you don’t have to feel guilty.”
“…I’m trying. I heard today is my father’s execution day.”
At Bianca’s blunt words, Arundel’s expression hardened. While wondering what to answer, Bianca comforted Arundel with a calm voice.
“You don’t have to make that face. It’s a natural result.”
“…Bianca.”
“Rather, I’m grateful to you.”
“Yes?”
“My father is a traitor. If you’re a direct family member of a traitor, you should all have been executed. If it ends with a downfall, someone must have helped.”
Bianca held Arundel’s hand. A warm body temperature as red as her hair was transmitted.
“And… I’m also grateful to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Zion?”
“Yes, I boasted that I would save you, but… in the end, it was His Majesty the Emperor who saved you.”
Arundel was momentarily stunned.
She was out of her mind, she hadn’t thought about how she ended up living.
If it’s as Bianca says…
“Looking at your expression, you didn’t know anything. In fact, His Majesty the Emperor risked his life to save you.”
Bianca laughed weakly, recalling that time.
“Actually, I was a little excited then. I wondered who would stand up for me like that.”
“…”
“Because it’s you, even that icy Emperor would have stepped forward. It seems that anyone who gets to know you can’t help but fall for you.”
Bianca smiled at Arundel.
“I liked you from the first time I saw you, and I still like you.”
At Bianca’s affectionate words, Arundel’s throat choked up. But she didn’t want to cry at this place.
“I’ll work hard to become a person who suits you.”
Bianca’s red eyes shone brilliantly.
Arundel stared blankly at her eyes for a moment, then rummaged through her sleeve, having forgotten something.
Something was pulled out of her sleeve. When the sleeve was completely emptied, Arundel secretly handed what she was holding to Bianca.
“Take this.”
“Your Majesty…! What is this!”
In Arundel’s hand were a handful of expensive jewels.
Before going to meet Bianca, Arundel wanted to give her a gift that could be helpful.
The most helpful gift would probably be money, but if she suddenly handed cash, she thought it would seem strange, so she chose expensive-looking jewelry.
Since the jewelry box was overflowing, no one would know if a few were missing.
If anyone asks, she can just say she forgot.
Arundel shrugged irresponsibly. And she spoke to Bianca, who still didn’t seem to want to receive it.
“When I ran away from the Empress’s Palace, I owed Bianca.”
When she escaped from the Empress’s Palace and first arrived at the inn, it was what she said to Bianca.
[Bianca… I’m sorry, but I don’t have money.]
For about a week, she had to rely on the money Bianca brought.
Of course, she seemed not to care at all, but Arundel was the type to definitely repay something if she received it, and it also served as a good excuse to give her a burdensome gift.
“Come on.”
At Arundel’s urging, Bianca reluctantly accepted the expensive jewelry.
“…Thank you.”
“If you’re thankful, you must come to see me again next time.”
“Of course.”
At Bianca’s firm answer, Arundel hugged her again.
This is really the last time.
“You have to be healthy, Bianca.”
“Your Majesty, you also have to take care.”
The red hair gradually became a dot and disappeared from sight.
She was a precious friend and made many memories by getting to know her after she entered this human body.
Reading books together, laughing and chatting, and discussing concerns.
Although she prided herself on having lived for quite a long time, her relationship with Bianca was new.
She hoped that he could feel such sparkling emotions the next time she met her. Arundel said goodbye to her again in her heart.
Bianca, goodbye.
****
Arundel, who returned to the Empress’s Palace, rolled on the bed.
There was no one left to meet.
Bianca…
Royden…
She couldn’t see anyone.
‘No, don’t think too gloomily.’
I have Zion, Belle, and Hills…
‘Hills?!’
With a flash of thought, Arundel bounced up at the thought of Hills.
So many things happened in a rush, she didn’t even think about Hills at all.
She remembered that the guy had become a dragon and a villain…but after that, he was nowhere to be seen.
‘…Maybe it’s a good thing.’
She vaguely remembered.
That she had made a new contract with that guy.
At that time, she was in a hurry and just blurted out that she would contract, but thinking about it now, she was dizzy not knowing what conditions that guy would demand.
‘…What if he demands a soul.’
That’s why she should have carefully checked the contract before stamping it.
Arundel held her head in his hands.
If the guy doesn’t show up like this, it might be a good thing. But the uncomfortable feeling in a corner of her heart…
‘…He’s not really dead, is he?’
Thinking about it, it was really strange. Where on earth did that guy go?
‘Ah!! It’s bothering me.’
Still, she had grown fond of that guy while going through ups and downs together.
It’s okay if he doesn’t show up, but she definitely didn’t want an ending where he died because of her.
She saw him getting hit by Zion’s magic and running away for the last time… He wouldn’t have hidden alone and died while far away from home.
‘The last person to see Hills was Zion.’
The person most likely to know about Hills’ whereabouts was Zion.
Having finished thinking, Arundel got up.
As Arundel kicked the door and went out, the maids followed her.
“Where are you going?”
“I have to go see Zion, no, His Majesty the Emperor.”
****
“Aren’t you going in?”
“Just a moment.”
Arundel had come all the way to Zion’s office, but she hesitated at the door and couldn’t go in.
At the guard’s question, Arundel took a deep breath for a moment.
‘Why am I so nervous?’
Arundel felt strange even to herself.
But if she had to think about the reasons,
First, it was the first time she had sought out Zion on her own.
Second, when the two of them were together and seemed to need to talk, the atmosphere flowed strangely.
A kiss…for example…
She had been unconscious for a week and woke up then.
At that time, she didn’t think it was embarrassing how the atmosphere flowed in some way, but now, recalling that situation while sober, her face felt like it was going to explode.
While calming her throbbing heart, the door opened.
“Oh, Your Majesty!”
The person who came out of the office was Cain.
Cain, who found Arundel suspiciously lingering at the door, stopped.
“What brings Your Majesty here?”
“Ah… that.”
“Ah, you must have come to see His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty the Em… Euph!!”
Cain called out Zion loudly.
Arundel, who was not yet mentally prepared, quickly covered Cain’s mouth, but it was already too late.
“Irina?”
Zion had spotted her. Arundel greeted him with an awkward expression.
“Hello.”
“What’s wrong? You’ve come all the way here.”
“Just to talk a bit…”
When asked why she had come, Arundel trailed off her words. Before Arundel’s words were finished, Zion grabbed her wrist and led her inside.
“Anyway, I think you came to see me.”
Zion’s eyes softened affectionately.
