#81

“Anyway, I’m glad you made up.”

“Look at this little one pretending to be an adult.”

Rachel scratched her cheek and turned her head away. Cersia instinctively put some distance between them. She was preemptively dodging a potential flick to her forehead, though it seemed her caution was unwarranted.

Rachel waved her hand as if embarrassed but suddenly changed the topic.

“By the way, why haven’t you gone back yet? Zerakiel and Zakari already left.”

“Oh, I had something I wanted to ask of you.”

Cersia hesitated as she spoke. Just yesterday, Zerakiel had suggested she leave with him, but she had insisted on staying to see Rachel wake up.

Zakari, seemingly absent-minded, appeared to have forgotten to take her along. That left her with an opportunity to speak with Rachel one-on-one.

“Ask me? About what?”

“I heard that a family’s trading guild regularly exchanges goods with Hebel.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

The western region was resource-rich thanks to its fertile land. A prominent family from that area periodically supplied materials to Hebel.

‘Something feels off about how quiet Hebel has been.’

Even if an invitation had arrived, it wouldn’t have been unusual—but the eerie silence was concerning. It was clear Zakari or Zerakiel must have intercepted any communications.

‘I’d rather not go to Hebel myself, but… if I don’t, I might actually die.’

After the incident with the runaway power, her life now hung by a thread. She had to visit Hebel as soon as possible. Returning to the Jabis estate would only make it harder to go later.

Conveniently, Ilanbore was close to Hebel, so she could make a brief trip.

But her reasons weren’t solely about the sacred relic.

Cersia thought of Ella, whom she had briefly seen on her wedding day.

Ella had been wearing Hebel’s priestly robes. It was crucial to figure out why Ella, a member of the Page family, was residing in Hebel.

Since this was the world of the original story, there had to be a reason behind Ella’s peculiar actions.

Steeling herself, Cersia spoke firmly.

“Please take me to Hebel.”

“What?”

Rachel’s jaw dropped in shock. She had never expected Cersia to willingly suggest going to Hebel.

Rachel had heard rumors that Hebel was eager to meet Cersia after the wedding, mainly because she had summoned the Guardian.

The Guardian, a divine beast guarding sacred relics, was only commanded by those with the qualities of a saintess. Though Cersia was tied to Jabis, making her permanent residence in Hebel impossible, Hebel clearly wanted to establish some connection.

Even so, Jabis had been blocking all attempts, causing much frustration on Hebel’s end.

For Cersia herself to propose going there? It was beyond Rachel’s wildest imagination.

After a brief pause, Rachel spoke with a hardened expression.

“That’s out of the question. Hebel is desperate to get their hands on you. You can’t just walk into their hands.”

“Hiding in the Jabis estate won’t solve anything.”

“No. Zakari wouldn’t allow it, and Zerakiel wouldn’t want you to either.”

“Does that mean I’m forbidden from doing anything if they object?”

Cersia’s resolute question made Rachel hesitate. Sensing her wavering, Cersia pressed on.

“I didn’t marry Zerakiel just to be protected. I thought you, of all people, would understand. Was I wrong?”

Rachel couldn’t argue. She, too, had often felt stifled in her role as the mistress of Jabis.

Zakari always claimed to protect her, but it felt more like being pushed aside. That was why she had rebelled and left.

And yet, here she was, doing the same thing to Cersia—blocking her attempts to act.

Realizing her contradictory behavior, Rachel let out a deep sigh.

Cersia was right; ignoring the issue wouldn’t solve anything.

It was better to take the initiative. Rachel ruffled Cersia’s hair in reluctant approval.

“I can see why you’ve got Zerakiel wrapped around your little finger.”

“You’ll take me, then?”

“Fine. But you’re not going alone. I’ll go with you.”

“Of course! I’d be too scared to go by myself.”

Rachel burst out laughing at Cersia’s indignant look, as if asking, *Did you really think I’d go alone?* Cersia grinned and enthusiastically shook Rachel’s hand.

Where did such fiery determination come from in someone so small and seemingly insignificant?

At first, Rachel had worried that Cersia might be devoured by Zerakiel. Now, though, she felt anticipation rather than concern. Perhaps Cersia could finally break through Jabis’s suffocating and closed-off atmosphere.

With newfound resolve, Rachel clenched her fist.

“Let’s go right now.”

“What?”

Cersia faltered at Rachel’s bulldozer-like decision, but there was no stopping her. Kiera dryly added, “I’ll make the preparations.”

* * *

Zerakiel clenched his fist as he stared at the empty parlor.

This morning, when his father had unexpectedly appeared, he hadn’t foreseen anything like this happening.

“Where’s Chichi?”

“Ah.”

“Don’t tell me you left her behind?”

“She seemed to wave goodbye naturally, so I assumed she was staying.”

His father, oddly out of it, had left Cersia behind at the Jabis estate. Zerakiel had expected her to wait quietly, but she was nowhere to be seen, and the only staff present were trembling in fear.

With both Rachel and Kiera absent, it was clear they had left the manor together. Zerakiel’s expression twisted into a chilling smile as he realized his mother had spirited Cersia away without him.

Deeply irritated, Zerakiel tilted his head and muttered coldly.

“So, where is Chichi?”

“Well… the thing is…”

The servant, trembling under his glare, hesitantly handed him a note. Zerakiel’s pupils contracted as an ominous feeling swept over him. Quickly, he read the note.

I’m going to Hebel.
If you’re worried, come after me.

The handwriting was as terrible as ever, but Zerakiel deciphered it instantly, his face contorting in frustration.

“What?”

The unexpected destination left Zerakiel momentarily unable to think. His heart pounded. He had already been planning to overturn Hebel’s relentless letters that arrived almost daily.

But now, the precious white weasel he had been so carefully protecting had walked straight into Hebel on her own.

Denying reality, Zerakiel reread the note several times before raising his head.

“What time did she leave?”

“A-a little before noon.”

“Damn it!”

By now, she would’ve already reached Hebel. The proximity of Ilanbore to Hebel meant the journey was short.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Ivan spoke up.

“I’ll report this to Lord Zakari and follow after them.”

“Make sure to station troops nearby, in case there’s bloodshed.”

“Yes.”

Ivan responded with uncharacteristic gravity before disappearing swiftly. Zerakiel, scowling deeply, ran his hand through his hair before carefully tucking the note into his inner pocket and storming out.

Whoosh.

In the aftermath of the commotion, an uncomfortable silence descended over the room.

A moment later, a soft thud echoed as the servant collapsed weakly to the floor.

“I-I thought I was going to die.”

Pale and trembling, the servant clasped their shaking hands together, tears welling up in their eyes.

From the look on Jabis’s young master’s face, he seemed ready to declare war on Hebel. Swallowing their tears, the servant recalled the advice Kiera had given earlier.

“When Zerakiel comes storming in, just hand him the note and leave immediately.”

The servant regretted not following her advice. Swayed by Zerakiel’s overwhelming beauty, they had been paralyzed, enduring terror they could’ve avoided. Now, tears streamed down their face as they struggled to recover from the ordeal, unable to rise from the floor for a long time.

 

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