Cecile had no intention of persisting in her complacent behavior.
She had already tried to leave the empire before.
However, upon reaching the shore, her powers began to fade. The moon engraving on her hand lost its light.
At the same time, the waves became dangerously stormy, and the earth trembled ever so slightly.
At that moment, Cecile’s mind conjured the image of her death, along with the myth’s prophecy.
[If Serendi’s daughter no longer exists in this land, the continent will sink into the depths of the sea, and the blessings bestowed upon the Empire will cease to exist.]
She was scared. In the end, Cecile set foot on the ground.
Miraculously, the waves calmed, and the earth stopped trembling.
‘There really is a God.’
It was then that Cecile truly believed in the myth’s contents. She was once again hit with reality.
She couldn’t escape from this place.
At first, she was frustrated, but Cecile’s sadness faded away quickly.
The newfound freedom and ability to do anything in this different environment brought her relaxation.
‘This is enough for now.’
Moreover, the Ales Empire’s reputation for a mild climate, abundant land, and ample food made it a blessed place to live.
Even during famines, not many people starved to death. Ales was considered a land blessed by God.
Therefore, there was no need for Cecile to wander in search of anything else.
However, a more significant reason that prompted Cecile’s decision to stay was the profound change that occurred after the moon vanished.
While the empire didn’t collapse as foretold in the myth, a troubling transformation took place among the people—they were gradually possessed by evil spirits.
Those influenced by malevolent entities turned violent, and in severe cases, madness ensued, with the situation steadily worsening.
It became evident that the disappearance of the moon allowed evil spirits to run rampant. Knowing that this chaos was a consequence of her actions, Cecile couldn’t bring herself to willingly abandon the empire.
‘I might be forced to return someday.’
Cecile made up her mind.
Although often startled by the posters or articles in search of her, Cecile gradually adapted to a more ordinary life, shedding her role as empress.
There were times when she was afraid that someone recognized her.
But no one did. As a result, she grew bolder over time.
She didn’t have to worry in the first place. Because she could navigate the night freely.
Cecile developed a routine—running away when caught, and hiding during the day when her abilities were inactive.
‘It’ll be fine like this.’
Despite occasional anxiety, she concealed it well and spent her days in complacency.
Today was no different. Cecile absentmindedly followed her usual schedule.
As time passed, she discovered more about herself, her likes, and dislikes.
Though limited to wanderings during the night, it was far from her past struggles.
Cecile paid her daily visit to the late-night restaurant. She confidently placed her order while utilizing the gestures she had acquired over months of adapting.
“My order, please!”
“Yes, order for table number 11!”
The owner’s voice exuded cheerfulness upon the arrival of their familiar regular.
___
A smile graced Cecile’s face.
Momentarily forgetting her earlier worries, the young woman’s heart raced with anticipation for the upcoming meal.
‘She seems to have better cooking skills than the imperial chef.’
While the dishes were rather common with ample seasoning, they were enough to delight Cecile’s palate.
As long as the dish was delicious, it sufficed. Cecile took a moment to survey the oak-colored interior of the restaurant.
Before long, a waiter arrived with a tray in tow.
“The food is here.”
The employee efficiently set the dishes one by one and filled the table.
A soft and rich creamy pasta that melted in her mouth, grilled salmon with herbs, and omelet rice simmered in brown sauce adorned the table.
‘It’s delicious today too…!’
Cecile’s eyes widened after the first bite.
She happily indulged in the meal, oblivious to the gaze of onlookers.
As she ate, Cecile momentarily glanced around, feeling a bit embarrassed for displaying too much enthusiasm.
However, the spectators weren’t monitoring Cecile because of her apparent indecency.
Their gossip circulated about the old woman who ate more than young people did despite old age.
“Who on earth is that old woman?”
Without Cecile’s awareness, she had become the topic of discussion inside the restaurant.
Cecile rose from her seat only after completely emptying her plate.
“It was a delightful meal.”
“Hoho, come again!”
The owner greeted her with pleasure, appreciating the substantial boost in sales she would bring each time.
The old lady’s mysterious identity and appearance during the night seemed inconsequential in light of her valuable contributions.
So naturally, the whispers about her being a witch were irrelevant; Cecile, with her substantial purchases, was a welcome presence in the establishment.
____
“It was delicious today too.”
Cecile cheerfully strolled down the dark streets and entered a shadowed alley.
She then sought refuge in an unoccupied corner to utilize her supernatural ability and return home.
However, a shocking sight awaited her— there lay a boy, visibly unwell, with a high fever and labored breath.
Signs of severe beating were evident, as his face and limbs displayed shades of red and blue.
An exclamation filled with despair escaped Cecile at the sight of the injured boy.
She sat down, placing the bag of desserts she was carrying on the ground and gently placing her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. A warm sensation permeated through her hands.
“He has a severe fever.”
It was evident that the boy hadn’t been there moments ago. Yet, the mystery of why a young child lay in such a dirty and perilous place eluded her.
Cecile had some knowledge regarding the empire since her disappearance.
She was aware that, in her absence, those who fell victim to the evil spirits tended to mistreat feverish children, subjecting them to abuse and abandoning them on the streets.
A grim realization settled over Cecile as she recalled this information.
‘It all happened because of me.’
Such chaos ensued because of her disappearance.
As Cecile’s complexion darkened, the barely conscious boy clung to her sleeve, sobbing in pain.
“Hng, it hurts.”
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“Help…”
The boy’s voice was faint.
It was evident that he would not survive the night if left like this.
‘Because of me.’
Cecile clenched her fists, torn by conflicting emotions. Eventually, she utilized her abilities.
A brilliant silver-white light emanated from the back of her left hand, shrouding both her and the boy in its glow.
Fortunately, there was no one around. The previously dim alley transformed into a sparkling scene.
Meanwhile, the boy’s fever subsided, and the bruises covering his body vanished.
The boy now appeared relaxed. Cecile found it difficult to look at the boy’s face, so she let him sleep.
‘I hope you forget all your bad memories when you fall asleep.’
Just before she could manifest her extraordinary abilities, the boy expressed his gratitude in a hushed tone.
“Thank you, angel.”
A melancholic smile graced Cecile’s lips at his words, followed by a sorrowful look in her eyes.
“I am… not an angel.”
However, the snoozing child did not hear her.
Cecile checked on him and placed her hand on his head once more. Still embarrassed from moments ago, she couldn’t risk any unnecessary situations the boy could cause with his recollection of this situation.
Soon, a white light emanated, enveloping the child’s body. However, before the light could fully absorb into his body, Cecile withdrew her hand.
“Alright.”
Cecile clenched her open hand into a fist.
“I have to go back someday anyway.”
She couldn’t turn a blind eye to such a sight.
It had already been two years since she left and the moon disappeared.
She was unsure whether the time was appropriate to return.
‘A new saint will appear soon.’
She just had to hold out until then.
____
Cecile returned to the old temple. This was her home.
The once-abandoned building, with its broken marble remnants, had been restored through her special abilities.
In front of the temple lay a serene lake, surrounded by trees laden with raspberries and other fruits.
The neglected garden, though unkempt, held a special charm for Cecile.
Moreover, the temple was nestled over the infamously rugged Lurengbren mountain.
The surrounding area was nestled with bushes which made it challenging to trespass, even during the day, as sunlight struggled to filter through the thick leaves.
‘No one would expect me to reside in a place like this.’
Cecile’s assumption was accurate. Indeed, no one was able to locate a strand of her hair.
Here, she could enjoy calm, serene moments during the day.
She would lay under the shade of a tree, read, and occasionally doze off.
In her leisure time, she would dip her feet in the lake and engage in playful activities.
Chirping birds often approached her, rubbing their faces against the back of her hand.
It was an extraordinarily peaceful time.
_____
Two years had passed since the moon vanished, marking the world’s descent into prolonged chaos.
The darkness that shrouded the night was not the sole catalyst; it was the unbridled malevolence of evil spirits that truly fueled the turmoil.
“Aah!”
“Help me!”
Those who had initially fretted solely about the threat of wild animals found their concerns misplaced.
The arrogance and disregard for the existence of God led to a stark awakening.
The land was now tainted by the influence of evil. Despite initial fears, half of the continent didn’t sink into the sea. However, the once-hospitable regions were swiftly transforming into uninhabitable territories, consumed by the relentless malevolence that pervaded the world.
_____
“What on earth is the imperial family doing?”
A resounding voice filled the conference room. The speaker’s disheveled appearance hinted towards their sleepless nights, filled with never-ending nightmares.
Deep dark circles, emaciated cheeks from inadequate eating, and pale lips gave the impression of a haunting figure rather than a human being.
This was a shared experience among those present.
Chronic fatigue had seamlessly woven itself into their daily lives.
Over half of the administrators had already resigned, and a similar trend extended to other professions.
Only the nobles clung to their positions, unable to relinquish their status and territories, and vented their frustrations on the absent Empress.
“It’s been two years since Her Majesty disappeared! People are surviving day by day through medication, and those with any energy left have fled to other countries. How long must we endure this?”
Nods of agreement rippled throughout the room, but despite the shared sentiment, a viable solution remained evasive.
Despite exhaustive efforts, there was no trace of the Empress.
Troops had scoured even the remotest of mountains and wanted orders were issued to neighboring countries, all in vain.
The realization of their inability to locate her deepened the collective despair. In a moment of frustration, someone muttered with a self-deprecating tone.
“But what can we do? The only trace left was a white carriage.”
________
Note: Well, if it isn’t the consequences of your own actions
