“She is not a child of the present. A child from the future has crossed time and space to arrive in the present.”
I don’t know how that’s possible, but judging by Celeste’s words, it seemed that Valerie, Karl’s daughter, did not exist in the current timeline.
“How absurd.”
To what extent should I accept that as fact? As Franz contemplated Celeste’s words, a laugh escaped him in disbelief.
He had long witnessed through his mother Marina how much could be done using dark magic that seemed impossible.
However, he had never heard of sending a life across dimensions for such a prolonged period. Theoretically, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but still.
To send a living being to another realm, an enormous amount of magic stones was required.
Moreover, to transcend both time and space and remain for months, he couldn’t even fathom how many magic stones would be necessary.
Who from the future would send Celeste’s child to the present, and why? What necessity was there to do so? No matter how much he thought about it, it was hard to comprehend.
“…Everyone has been deceived by a child that doesn’t even exist.”
It had been two years since Celeste, whom he believed was entirely his, suddenly vanished. He recalled the anger he felt when she returned with evidence of having been with that Karl, carrying a child.
Though sometimes irritated by Celeste’s haughty attitude, deep down she was still his.
She lacked charm and acted arrogantly as if she were something special, yet Franz found a strange comfort in knowing she would die if she stepped out of line.
No matter how reckless she was, she remained within the palm of his hand—that was his naive belief.
Indeed, it was naive. He never imagined she would return carrying the child of Karl, the one he hated most, babbling nonsense about lost memories.
A girl who was clear evidence of her bond with Karl. Because of that child, while Franz felt anger towards Celeste, he had to admit that he didn’t earn her genuine loyalty.
Her previous submission was merely an act to prolong her life. His belief that her true feelings would still be with him was utterly complacent.
Every time he saw the child resembling both Karl and Celeste, he felt a strange sense of defeat, which merged with the inferiority complex he harbored towards Karl throughout his life.
But in truth, that sense of defeat was an illusion.
“A child from the future?”
The cynical monologue continued. Franz was frustrated by the fact that he felt a sense of defeat that he shouldn’t have had.
If they’re from the future, it means that eventually, Celeste and that Karl guy will fall in love and have a child.
Though it was unpleasant and disgusting, it also meant that the present could change until that future arrives.
Knowing the future implies that changing one’s actions now could alter that future. Yet, the fact that he was deceived into knowing the future and felt foolish about it, coupled with his dissatisfaction with the situation, troubled him.
“… Anyway, it seems that a life has to disappear here.”
Whether he returned to his original world or not, that child named Valery had to vanish from this place. After being lost in thought for a while due to Celeste’s unexpected confession, Franz made his decision.
“Stilikov.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go and inform my mother. Urgently carry out the dark magic.”
“Yes? But, according to the Grand Duchess…”
“I don’t care if that damned child goes back to my world or vanishes in this one. It just needs to be removed from here.”
“But, Marina said one must not choose a sacrifice for dark magic carelessly…”
“Even if dark magic fails, the backlash will only return to the caster.”
“In other words…”
It meant that even if things went wrong and a curse rebounded, it wouldn’t be his responsibility. Saying this in light of the mother who had given everything for him was too cruel.
Even if it went wrong and the curse fell back on someone, it wouldn’t be him, right? It was a selfish evasion to a cruel extent.
“… Yes, I understand. Your Highness.”
However, Stilikov was Franz’s subordinate. Even if she was his lord’s mother, the moment his lord turned away from her, there would be no reason for him to serve her.
Stilikov bowed his head in salute and hurried out of the room to convey Franz’s words.
***
Laila, who confessed everything to Pulcheria, was immediately locked in a small room. It was the top of a tower where royal women were sometimes confined for their sins.
Being imprisoned was a punishment she had accepted the moment she decided to confess all to Pulcheria.
Laila occasionally felt breathless over the immense crime she had committed without even realizing what she was doing.
She simply experienced, for the first time, the deep longing for someone, who seemed to share the same feelings, prompting her to be honest.
Who wouldn’t feel the same when whispering to a lover that they want to spend a lifetime together? As she looked up at the small beam of sunlight coming through the tiny window, her eyes misted.
She felt wronged. Yet, in contrast, guilt weighed heavily upon her.
Reflecting on Pulcheria’s reaction made her realize she had indeed committed a grave mistake, but could falling in love truly be such a heinous crime?
She felt regret but also frustration; she felt wronged yet guilty. Laila covered her face with both hands, tears streaming down endlessly.
Thud, thud.
“Laila Tooper, it’s visiting hours.”
Laila, lying on the floor, quickly raised her head. A familiar face appeared beyond the small bars in the door. It was Pulcheria coming to see her.
Laila stood up, brushed off her clothes, and approached the door.
The jailer opened the door, and Pulcheria entered, stopping the knight who tried to follow her. Unable to look her in the eye, Laila returned to her position on the floor, greeting Pulcheria respectfully.
“Madam… it’s an honor to see you.”
Her trembling voice sounded precarious. As Pulcheria entered the small room, her eyes scanned quickly. Flies buzzed around untouched food left in a bowl.
Laila’s face and complexion, which had become rough and worn in just a day, weighed heavily on Pulcheria’s heart.
“Get up.”
“…”
“I said get up.”
Feigning sternness, Pulcheria waited as Laila slowly rose. Pulcheria walked to a chair in the corner and sat down.
“Come here.”
Hesitant, Laila stood but kept her head down. Walking toward Pulcheria with her head bowed, she seemed like she would collapse if anyone even nudged her.
“Why didn’t you eat?”
“A sinner… what could I possibly eat?”
“Then why deny what I’ve provided for you?”
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Her voice was heavy with emotion. As tears welled up, Laila dropped her gaze, and droplets fell softly to the ground.
“Anyone would think I’ve locked you up to starve you.”
Laila tightly gripped the hem of her dress, her hands trembling. A brief silence settled between them, the trembling growing stronger, making her shoulders shake like a quaking aspen.
“…Why are you crying?”
“…”
“Why are your tears flowing like that?”
Curiosity about the reason behind her endless tears prompted Pulcheria to lean down and examine Laila’s face.
“Is it guilt that weighs on you?”
“…”
“Laila.”
“I’ve… committed an irredeemable mistake against you, ma’am. Instead of being able to repay the grace you’ve given me, I acted with ingratitude…”
“…Yes, that is an undeniable fact.”
No matter how it was wrapped up, her mistake lacked a justifiable reason. Love or not, delivering news without ill intent was still a wrong.
“Do you feel wronged?”
“Not at all. What can I say before you? I only wish I could turn back time.”
“You wish to turn back time. I too have despaired and cried over such thoughts in the past. But those thoughts are futile; they do not help solve the situation. Laila, look at me. Raise your head.”
Slowly, Laila lifted her gaze, her tear-streaked face a mess.
“If you truly regret it, if your remorse is deep enough to wish for a second chance, I will make you a proposal. If there is a way to rectify your mistake, would you follow it?”
“……What?
What does she mean? The bewilderment momentarily stopped her tears. As Laila blinked in surprise, a drop of tears that had collected on her long eyelashes fell down.
