TISND Chapter 99

Chapter 99

She smiled bitterly, but there was no immediate response. Helena couldn’t bring herself to speak in answer to his question. What should she say?

More and more people were learning her secrets. Was it really okay? After all, a secret that many people know can’t truly be a secret. Whether it was her plans or her health, neither of them could be secrets that were at risk of being exposed.

At least Jane and Aiden didn’t know, but she couldn’t easily talk about it with Bahen. Though he was helping her, he was closer to Caligo’s side. Right now, they were cooperating as part of a transaction, but for the sake of his friend, he could easily turn on her at any moment.

No, maybe she should have been prepared for this ever since she tried to strike a deal with him. But now, what should she say? How much of it should she reveal, and what should she keep to herself?

“Well?”

As if sensing her internal conflict, Bahen shrugged his shoulders.

“If you don’t want to talk, then you don’t have to.”

Everyone has their own secrets, after all. Although his eyes remained meaningful, he didn’t press further.

This kind of consideration reminded Helena of how Bahen hadn’t asked any unnecessary questions about her, despite hearing all sorts of rumors about her in the capital. It was a subtle but genuine form of respect.

“You’re right.”

Thanks to his consideration, Helena could make her decision.

She would speak.

Of course, she wouldn’t tell him about being suffering with Asehimmo or anything like that. But building trust as a partner in her mission to bring down Eskel was a good start.

“Of course, what I’m doing may seem insignificant compared to what Duke Caligo or others are doing. I said I would bring it down, but… as you know, I have limitations in my movements.”

“Really?”

Bahen couldn’t believe it, even though he had asked with certainty.

“Why? Why would you do this?”

No matter how much the Eskel family was hated by the world, Helena was a part of it. She was born and raised in that family, enjoying all the wealth and luxury. Why would she want to bring it down?

“I’m not saying you don’t know how dangerous this is, but…”

Helena gave him a serious, unwavering gaze as she answered.

“I know.”

“Then why? Have you thought about what will happen afterward?”

Bringing down the Eskel family meant everything she had enjoyed in life would be destroyed.

“Of course, if you help bring down Eskel, there will be people grateful to you. Maybe even an absolution for you. But that’s only temporary. The name Eskel will continue to haunt you.”

“…”

“Maybe you started with light-hearted intentions, but if that’s the case, you should stop now. If it’s just a sense of justice, I’m not going to cooperate. At least you should think about the aftermath before getting involved.”

Bahen seemed to think that Helena was acting out of a simple sense of justice.

“If I had started with light-hearted intentions, I wouldn’t have come this far.”

“Then why?”

Looking into her eyes, Bahen seemed to understand, but his expression still showed confusion.

“Didn’t you tell Caligo?”

“You didn’t believe me just now.”

“…”

“He would probably think I started with light-hearted intentions, or maybe just can’t believe me.”

That’s why it’s better to move separately. Helena spoke quietly.

“At least the misunderstandings about you will go away.”

Bahen, however, seemed to feel wronged.

“I heard rumors on the way here. They said you fought with the twins. I didn’t believe those rumors from the start.”

“…I’m grateful for that.”

“If you tell him this, at least the misunderstandings might disappear.”

“No.”

Helena spoke firmly.

“Do you know why Jane has been able to go around Eskel and ask people for information?”

“…”

“It’s because Eskel sees me as an incompetent, useless woman. If I were trusted by Caligo, I wouldn’t even be able to do this.”

“But…”

“Eventually, the misunderstandings will be cleared up. But not now, Bahen.”

That someday when the misunderstandings would be cleared up. She wasn’t sure if she would still be alive by then. Helena suppressed the words that almost slipped out.

Perhaps she didn’t care about the aftermath of bringing down Eskel because she knew she might die in the process.

She smiled bitterly and continued.

“So Bahen, the only thing you can do for me is one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Keep this secret. If you tell this to Duke Caligo or anyone else, consider our deal finished.”

“…”

“Don’t feel too wronged. It’s necessary for finding your wife, after all.”

Bahen was silent for a while, his lips moving but not saying anything. Then, without a word, he left the room.

“Will this be alright?”

Jane, who seemed to have been considerate, returned from outside the bedroom.

“I won’t go around telling this secret to others.”

“…Is the mistress alright?”

“Me? Why?”

Jane blinked innocently at Helena, who then closed her mouth.

“I think it’d be alright if you told Duke Caligo.”

“Ah.”

“You won’t be hurt anymore.”

By now, Jane had developed a considerable amount of skepticism about Helena in the Frantor mansion. No one in the mansion trusted her. No one knew how hard she worked behind the scenes. It was devastating.

Looking at Helena, who had difficulty moving her arms, Jane smiled bitterly.

If I’m suffering this much, how hard must it be for the mistress?

“Now even the twins don’t trust the mistress anymore…”

“…”

“Look, mistress, if it’s too hard for you, just leave. We can go.”

It was then that Jane saw, for the first time, Helena’s face waver.

“It’s fine, I’m…”

“…”

“I’ll be fine. Maybe. Really…”

The woman, who always appeared emotionless and indifferent, showing no sign of trouble, finally revealed a crack in her facade.

***

Does Jane think I look like I’m struggling?

To be honest, I don’t even know myself.

But Helena thought this kind of humiliation was only natural if it came from Eskel. She had endured countless hardships, so what was this small thing?

…It must be that. It’ll be fine.

Even so, to leave… Aiden had said something similar.

The truth was, Helena knew it too.

In the Frantor mansion, the things she could do were very limited. She knew that, in order to act more freely, she would have to leave the mansion.

But she couldn’t leave.

The time she spent in this mansion was the happiest time of her life. She had always eaten alone, or sometimes couldn’t even fill her stomach, but here, she spent time with others, sharing meals. For the first time, she had conversations full of warmth with people. She was afraid that if she left the mansion, those times would never come again.

…Of course, there were also difficult moments.

Being next to Caligo no longer thrilled her.

The mansion, which had once seemed beautiful, now felt like a prison to her.

When she closed her eyes, the harsh words Jeremy had said to her echoed in her mind.

“You’re nothing but a stepmother.”

She was exhausted. So tired.

It hurt.

No, she had to endure.

She didn’t know anymore.

“Disgusting Eskel.”

She tried to suppress her sadness. In reality, it was more like resignation.

She knew she couldn’t leave just because she wanted to. There was still time left on her contract. The only way to handle it was to suppress her emotions and endure. She was used to it. She had lived her whole life like that.

She repeated it to herself, like a spell.

But…

“Let’s leave, together.”

The wave that had begun to rise wouldn’t leave her mind.

*

Season of the socialite world.
A woman who reached the marriageable age could officially enter the social scene after greeting the Empress.

However, there was one woman who had married without even greeting the Empress or debuting in society: Helena.

Of course, it wasn’t a legal violation.
But it broke the social etiquette and the Empress’s dignity.

From the very beginning, things had gone wrong, so life in the palace was never going to be easy.

Today, before meeting the Empress, the Emperor was to see her.
It was a task the Emperor had ordered.

Helena, after finishing her preparations, had no escort until she arrived at the palace. Joshua appeared busy taking care of Jeremy, and Caligo had been rarely seen around the mansion since that day.

And finally. When she saw his face after a long time.
She found that she could no longer look at him with the same feelings as before.

Helena was startled, as though she had touched fire, and quickly turned her head away from him.

She knew he didn’t know about her condition.
She hadn’t said anything, so how could he know she had a limited time to live?

But still… since hearing the words “Die,” for some reason, it was hard for her to look at him as she used to.

“…You.”

On the other hand, Caligo’s reaction was different.
Now that the doctor was gone, he thought there would be nothing to stop him from approaching her.
As a duke, this was something he should be happy about.

But…

Why had she become so thin? What had happened in the locked room?

The way he looked at her, as if he was trying to completely ignore her.
Caligo quietly clenched his fist, watching her as she didn’t even glance at him.

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