The Count, I have three days to stay. It’s a bit of a smokescreen to find the underground passage to the Duke of Toskur, but since I came under the pretext of recuperating after childbirth, I should at least stay for three days.
Returning after just one day, claiming I’d rest comfortably at my family’s home, wouldn’t make sense.
However, Karl insisted on not being away for too long, so we concluded on a three-day plan.
By the second day, he stubbornly insisted on visiting the Count, which made it difficult to dissuade him.
He is now the Emperor, not just a Duke; should he really leave the palace for personal reasons? After persuading him alongside Clovis, I managed to prevent his personal visit.
‘There must be connected passages. There’s a suspicious place. It’s likely that only someone from the Louisette family can enter, so the Royal Investigation Department’s knights might not have found it.’
We’ve yet to find any significant leads in the paths starting from the Duke’s underground pantry. A couple of passages were blocked halfway, preventing us from confirming their ends.
If there truly is a passage connecting to the Louisette family, then the entrance to the Count might likely be in a secret cave.
I have too many questions about how that cave, accessible only to blood descendants of the Louisette family, connects to the Duke, and why it was created if no one but Louisette family members could enter it from a certain point onward.
To confirm these questions, I have no choice but to investigate myself.
“These are luxury goods among those that came into Rahat.”
The people of the Count’s household lavished me with attention, probably more than necessary, upon my return home after a long time.
From rare foods I had never seen or heard of, to clothes and toys and accessories for Valerie… They were comparable to what Pulcheria brings almost every day.
“When did you all manage to gather such things? This isn’t necessary.”
“It’s our heartfelt wish to present these to Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Princess.”
I recalled hearing that the Louisette family has a fortune overflowing with riches. It brought back memories of when I was first Celeste, marveling at the Count’s grand presence.
The warm hospitality continued for a long while. Of course, as the head of the family returned with elevated status, I could grasp how delighted and proud they must feel.
“My goodness. Is this made of gold? I’ve only heard of such things; I’ve never seen them before.”
A toy made of gold? The eager-faced Leev, excitedly unwrapping the butler’s gift prepared for the princess, was full of enthusiasm.
Cecile, due to old age, was left at the palace as I accompanied Leev to the Count’s residence. Yet, Leev seemed much more excited than I was.
“The hospitality has been sufficient. I would prefer to rest quietly now.”
“Yes, the bedroom is prepared. Your Highness, this way…”
Noticing my fatigue, the perceptive Margaret quickly guided me to the bedroom. It had only been a year since I last stayed here, but the path felt strangely unfamiliar after such a long absence.
“Your Highness, I will carry the princess.”
“That’s alright. As my child, I should hold her.”
“I’m concerned for your health. You must be weary from the long journey.”
“I’m fine.”
I stepped back, letting Margaret take the princess instead. While it was acceptable in the palace, I couldn’t afford to separate the princess carelessly outside where any threat could arise unexpectedly.
During the three days I would stay here, my plan was to keep the princess as close as possible.
“I’ll call if I need anything, so you may attend to your duties.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Though I was eager to inspect the underground tunnels, there were too many prying eyes around.
I couldn’t simply go out into the garden after retreating to rest. I decided to take an adequate break and then go out under the pretext of a walk.
“Mommy.”
The princess snuggled into my arms. Seeing me look tired, Leev quickly approached and extended her arms.
“Your Highness, please rest comfortably. I will take care of the princess…”
“It’s okay. What’s hard about it? Didn’t we ride comfortably in the carriage?”
A little past noon, it was time for Valerie’s nap. I gently placed the drowsy child, rubbing her face against my chest, onto the bed.
***
I dreamt after a long time. The person who appeared in the dream was my late father, Count Louisette from the previous generation.
“My lovely Celly.”
For some reason, his face, which always bore a shadow of sorrow, looked remarkably bright.
With a radiant face, he whispered words of love, laughing heartily. His joyful demeanor brought a sense of comfort, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“This is my child, Father.”
I showed him Valerie in the dream. Upon hearing “child,” he seemed momentarily surprised, saying nothing. He slowly reached out his arms and embraced the child.
“Your child. Your child.”
His fingertips trembled as they caressed Valerie. Choosing his breath, he remained silent but his shoulders shook. The gentle touch on Valerie’s cheek was incredibly cautious.
“What is the name?”
“It’s Valerie.”
“Valerie. I see, Valerie…”
He repeatedly called Valerie’s name aloud. Valerie, finding it amusing that her grandfather was calling her, or perhaps tickled by the gentle caress, began to giggle.
However, the father’s expression suddenly darkened while holding such a joyful child.
“I’m sorry, Celly.”
He handed Valerie back to me, offering an inexplicable apology. I couldn’t quite grasp why he was suddenly apologizing, but I felt I understood, vaguely.
“I was trying to save you. I didn’t mean to put you in danger.”
He must have been referring to the time he sought Marina to save Celeste. Although he saved his daughter standing on the brink of life and death, it led to a more terrifying death.
I silently gazed at him, unsure of what to say.
Could I forgive him? I wasn’t Celeste, right? Or was I? Now, Celeste is me, and I have become Celeste, so can I offer forgiveness in her stead?
“I love you, Celeste.”
Have I truly become Celeste? I live her life, in her form, loving and even giving birth to a child.
It was a moment when I suddenly reflected back on myself, who had come to think of myself as Celeste, as if it were natural.
My father embraced me again with Valerie, wrapping his arms around both of us warmly. It was such a comforting embrace that, without realizing it, tears flowed down my cheeks.
“Father?”
When I opened my eyes after closing them, my father had vanished. Valerie was also nowhere to be seen. Despite knowing this was a dream, I began to panic in search of the two who had disappeared before me.
The bright surroundings gradually darkened. The cozy atmosphere that had enveloped me just moments ago shifted to fear in an instant.
Terrified of the dark, where I couldn’t see even a step ahead, I hunched down, sitting down.
This is a dream. If I open my eyes, I’ll return to reality. I tried to console myself like that, but the fear didn’t easily go away.
How long did I remain curled up? Even with my eyes closed, I felt a light and slowly lifted my eyelids. Someone was standing in front of me.
“Who…?”
I tried to ask who it was, but I couldn’t. The moment I confirmed the person’s face, my throat tightened, and no voice came out.
The face looking down at me was both frighteningly familiar and simultaneously alien. Long violet hair, large eyes, red lips, and skin so pale it was almost ghostly.
“…Celeste.”
The person staring at me was none other than Celeste. Her vacant eyes, devoid of anything, held the deep black of darkness.
I didn’t know what to say. Although I hadn’t taken her body by choice, seeing her face filled me with an unusual sense of guilt.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry.”
I didn’t understand why I was apologizing. Yet, it felt necessary. After all, I was the sinner who stole her life.
Celeste didn’t respond. She just stood there quietly, continuing to look at me. I wished she would say something. Slowly, I rose from my seat and met her gaze.
A suffocating silence hung in the air. The woman before me felt devoid of life. I didn’t know how to approach her, only staring back at her pale form, which looked cold.
How much time passed? After a long silence, Celeste slowly raised her hand. Then she reached out toward me. What did it mean? It was a gesture that seemed to ask for a handshake.
