A cold draft rose from the stone floor, as if the heat between them had never existed. The chill cooled both her body temperature and her thoughts.
Only then did she take in her surroundings. The wretched figures that had worn Larriete’s face were now charred black, engulfed in flames. The area around them was utterly devastated.
The man, once covered in wounds, now bore only traces of dried blood where his injuries had been. She, too, was in a sorry state—her thin indoor dress had been torn by thorns, exposing patches of bloodstained skin.
It was a mess. The only relief was that strength was returning to her body after the exhaustion had left her drained. Still, she couldn’t simply push away the man leaning against her, nor could she carry him out.
“What should I do?”
As she stirred to stand up, he let out a low groan, his body radiating heat.
“Lexion?”
He was burning up. She hastily pulled away from his embrace. There was no way she could drag a man a whole head taller than her with her current strength.
I should leave first.
The tightly shut door was now open. If they stayed here any longer, they would both fall ill.
She searched for something to cover him with but quickly gave up. Most of the large chamber had been scorched by the fire, leaving behind barely any intact objects.
There’s nothing to keep him warm.
“Just hang in there a little longer.”
Stepping out of the hidden chamber, she found the corridor outside empty and shrouded in darkness. She turned back, checking on Lexion, who remained inside.
That door… it won’t shut again, will it?
The place they were in was familiar.
“Who in their right mind would build a hidden chamber in a memorial hall?”
Who would have guessed there was a secret space in a place she passed through every day? Pushing aside her concerns for Lexion, she turned on her heel.
First, she would summon the nearby soldiers and have them help her carry Lexion out. No one else could be allowed to discover what was inside that chamber.
The memorial hall was built in the same grand style as a temple.
It had lodgings for priests and their attendants, as well as numerous empty rooms used for prayer and rest.
At the moment, a high priest had arrived, so a large number of temple personnel were stationed here. However, outside of the memorial season, the place was practically deserted.
Only a few scattered candles flickered in the massive structure as an eerie wind swept through.
With the Grand Duchess’s coffin placed in the central hall, the building felt like an enormous tomb.
Shivering, she quickened her pace. She had no outer garment to cover her tattered indoor dress, so all she could do was move faster.
“Have you arrived, Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
Just as she was about to step into the garden, she froze at the sound of a familiar voice.
“How did it go?”
“The preparations are complete. Milena Lastia will enter the hall obediently.”
“And where is Milena now?”
“She has been placed with the failures. She has been brainwashed, so she will follow Your Grace’s commands well.”
“This time, it must succeed.”
“Do not worry. The spell markings have already been drawn in the hall, hidden from the priests.”
“Worry? The only thing I worry about is Larriete’s soul.”
Tch. The man scoffed, scratching his neck.
What nonsense is that? Larriete’s soul? But Larriete is alive.
Milena hid behind a stone pillar, eavesdropping on their conversation.
That voice—it belonged to the man who had visited her room.
Calion, what are you doing? Does he really think Larriete is dead?
Milena frowned as the conversation continued.
“Once the wedding is officiated and they are formally bound as husband and wife, it will be much easier to take control of Milena Lastia’s body.”
“I know. I only hope Larriete will be properly summoned into Milena’s body.”
Body, soul, summoning.
As their words carried on, Milena’s mind swirled with dizziness.
“Heh, the dolls failed, and her original body has been a corpse for five years. A living vessel is a much better alternative. Even the Grand Duchess would prefer her sister’s body over that of a complete stranger.”
The cold wind howled through the empty corridor. Her heart pounded violently, then suddenly grew numb.
They were talking about offering her body to the dead Larriete.
“We have placed the Grand Duchess’s belongings throughout the hall. That should help guide her soul to return.”
Ah, so that’s why…
Was that why Calion had given her Larriete’s possessions, dressing her in gowns her sister would have worn?
Ha. She wasn’t even surprised anymore.
“I hope all our efforts won’t be in vain.”
“There is no doubt. Once Milena Lastia’s soul is burned away and the Grand Duchess takes over her body, His Grace will finally find peace again.”
Their conversation was reaching its conclusion.
“The woman who has been such a nuisance will soon be gone. Just endure for a few more days.”
Just as it seemed to be ending, the unknown man asked slyly,
“However…”
His voice dripped with malice.
“What if Milena Lastia’s soul does not disappear?”
The way he phrased it felt like a test.
Calion responded without hesitation, his voice cold and resolute.
“The body must remain intact, so we can’t use a blade.”
Milena’s heart shrank. A chilling sensation ran down her legs.
Something black slithered past her feet, parting her skirts as it emerged.
Gasp!
Before she could even scream, a large hand clamped over her mouth.
Thud—
At the faint sound, Calion turned his gaze toward the stone pillar.
“If we use a more certain method, the soul will surely…”
“Wait.”
Calion raised his hand, stopping the man mid-sentence. His sharp eyes scanned the area.
“What is it?”
Step. Step.
Calion strode toward the pillar where the noise had come from.
He is a potential murderer.
As his footsteps drew nearer, Milena trembled, her mouth still covered. A primal fear overtook her.
If I get caught, I will die.
I don’t want to die.
With Calion just a breath away, Milena squeezed her eyes shut.
“Shh. Relax, my lady.”
A soft voice whispered in her ear.
She opened her eyes wide in shock.
The hand covering her mouth—it was Lexion’s.
When had he arrived? He stood behind her, holding her in place, keeping her silent.
As Calion’s footsteps came dangerously close, Lexion flicked his fingers.
A veil of concealment settled over them, and at the same moment—
“Meow~”
The black cat that had brushed past Milena emerged from beneath her skirt, stepping out in front of Calion.
“A cat?”
“Hah. A stray in such a sacred place? The priests must have been feeding it.”
“……”
“As expected, Your Grace. To notice even the smallest of movements.”
Was it really just the cat’s presence he had sensed?
Calion glanced behind the pillar but found nothing.
Frowning slightly, he turned away, leaving with the man who had been flattering him.
Once Calion was gone, silence fell, broken only by the sound of the wind.
“……”
Lexion, still wary, scanned their surroundings before looking down at the woman in his arms.
“My lady?”
His hand was damp with her tears.
Turning her toward him, he saw fat droplets falling from her pale face.
Damn it.
Lexion’s crimson eyes darkened with concern.
Without a word, he wiped her tears with his thumb.
“I was going to scold you for leaving me behind, but… was what that man said really so sad?”
His voice was lower than usual.
Milena lifted her gaze to meet his. Her emerald eyes were still clouded with shock.
Sad?
She hadn’t even realized she was crying.
Tears, tainted with blood, dripped down her cheeks.
“I’m…”
Fear, rage, sorrow.
Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
She had been cast aside for the sake of reviving Larriete.
Her life had been nothing but a cruel manipulation.
It was miserable.
“I’m furious.”
As the words left her lips, her delicate face twisted in anguish.
Not because of lost love—Lexion had it all wrong.
It wasn’t grief over being discarded.
It was rage at being treated as nothing, as a mere vessel for her sister.
“At least you’re feeling something.”
Lexion acknowledged her anger, watching as more tears streamed down her face.
She had thought her emotions had dried up, but they flowed freely now.
The unbearable humiliation and betrayal made her bite her lip.
He gently placed a finger between her teeth.
“You’ll hurt yourself.”
“……”
His small gesture soothed her.
She leaned into his warmth, closing her eyes.
