Episode 165
Elonia desperately tried to remember.
Had she killed Sarah’s mother?
The perpetrator often forgets. Chelon Heilan might have been a victim in the palace, but on the battlefield, she was the aggressor.
‘Could it be? Did I really kill the former Marquis Fortrun…?’
Elonia’s heart pounded wildly.
Sarah must have heard it too. And yet, she asked, as if she hadn’t noticed,
“Your Highness, I mentioned earlier that I decided to inherit the title, didn’t I?”
“Y-yes.”
Elonia quickly composed herself and nodded. Sarah chuckled softly.
“Actually, all the preparations were finished long ago. Father was quite insistent… So, I went to see you earlier, fully prepared to inform you.”
“…!”
Nobles usually informed the Imperial Palace of their succession through written documents. But occasionally, those who wished to report directly to the Emperor or other royals would visit the palace in formal attire, carrying the necessary documents.
…And wearing a ceremonial sword, whether they could wield it or not.
“Your Highness, I was the owner of that sword.”
Elonia’s heart, already pounding with fear, felt like it was about to burst. Sarah’s voice, however, remained calm.
“Your Highness.”
Sarah’s hand touched Elonia’s cheek, as if urging her to look.
But Elonia couldn’t meet her gaze. The fear consuming her was different, deeper, than the fear she had felt when facing Artius’s anger.
But the situation wouldn’t wait.
The question she had dreaded, the question she never wanted to hear from Sarah, pierced through her like a sharp blade.
“That story… it’s not true, is it?”
Sarah felt the trembling in Elonia’s hand, the hand she was holding. Her own voice began to tremble.
“You have to say it’s not true.”
“…”
“You have to tell me I misheard.”
So it had been Sarah who overheard her conversation with Felix.
Of all people, it had to be Sarah.
And she had killed Sarah’s mother.
The victim of her crime had been right beside her all along, caring for her with love, completely unaware.
Sarah’s grip on Elonia’s hand tightened, her knuckles turning white. Elonia didn’t resist, her hand limp in Sarah’s grasp.
“Your Highness, if you’re innocent, you should be angry.”
“…”
“You should be angry at me, Sarah, for not trusting you. You should be angry at this foolish, unworthy godmother for doubting her precious goddaughter…!”
Sarah’s voice grew louder, filled with anguish.
But Elonia couldn’t give her the answer she wanted.
Tears of guilt streamed down Elonia’s face, wetting Sarah’s hand.
“…I’m sorry.”
“…”
The air grew heavy with anger and betrayal.
It was torture for both of them.
Sarah, the innocent victim of this cruel revelation, trembled, her hand shaking uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
Elonia repeated the apology like a broken mantra, tears streaming down her face.
“I… I’m sorry. It was… sob… my fault…”
Just as Elonia’s sobs choked her words, the warmth of Sarah’s hand disappeared.
The indentation on the bed beside her smoothed out, and the presence vanished completely.
Elonia remembered Sarah’s promise.
“Your Sarah won’t go anywhere.”
Philemon might have been Chelon and Elonia’s mother, but Sarah had been Elonia’s Sarah.
And now, Elonia was truly alone in the darkness.
The pale blue light of dawn filled the room.
Elonia hadn’t slept a wink.
She sat up, her eyes swollen and red, but she didn’t pull the bell cord. Sarah would be the first to arrive.
She couldn’t face Sarah, not now, maybe not ever. She buried her face in her hands.
‘Sarah’s mother…’
How horrified must Sarah have been?
She had tried to imagine Sarah’s pain all night, but she knew it was far worse than anything she could comprehend.
‘Sarah… she told me I was like her own daughter.’
She had made her enemy feel like a daughter.
She had hurt the person she loved.
Elonia, her eyes dry now, lowered her head.
‘There’s no place for me in Ravanta anymore.’
Sarah was disappointed in her. Artius would be even more disappointed.
And Llewellyn, Alberich, Duchess Asta, her maids, Ethan…
Everyone who had known her as Elonia, who had built relationships with her, would be disappointed.
‘There’s only one path left.’
Just as she made her decision, she heard footsteps outside her door.
“…!”
Elonia looked up, startled.
A knock, followed by a voice.
“Your Highness, it’s time to wake up.”
The maids had come to wake her, as usual. And the voice wasn’t Sarah’s.
Elonia, though relieved, still felt anxious. She let them in.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
They pretended not to notice her swollen eyes, greeting her cheerfully, as always.
“Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”
“The weather is lovely today. Would you like breakfast first?”
Sarah didn’t enter the room.
And the maids’ voices, though kind as always, felt different. She couldn’t trust them completely.
Sarah had also maintained a kind facade, even after discovering the truth.
Elonia wanted to ask them.
Where was Sarah? Had she told them anything? Did they know her true identity?
It was the first time she had doubted her maids, the maids she had known for sixteen years.
“Lady Sardia called in sick today.”
“…!”
It was Vivian who informed her.
“She came by early this morning. Her voice was hoarse, sounded like a cold. So we came instead. We can’t risk you getting sick, Your Highness.”
Vivian smiled sadly. Canaria and Cecilia added,
“Even Lady Sarah can’t be forgiven if she gets the princess sick.”
“That’s right. She never rests. I knew she would get sick eventually.”
Elonia was stunned. They didn’t seem to be acting.
‘…Sarah hasn’t told them yet.’
She finally felt a sense of relief. She nodded, not asking any further questions.
“…Alright.”
“…?”
“I’m not hungry. Just help me get ready.”
The maids exchanged puzzled glances.
They were like mother and daughter.
And Sarah had never been sick before. They had worried about how to break the news to Elonia.
Elonia always fretted over Sarah, just like Artius fretted over Elonia.
She had opened up to Sarah first.
They had prepared comforting words, expecting Elonia to be anxious.
And yet, she hadn’t even asked about Sarah’s condition? She had simply accepted it?
‘Did they fight?’
‘I don’t know. Should I ask?’
‘No, don’t be ridiculous. Her Highness is already stressed. Don’t pry.’
‘…Then let’s just pretend everything is normal.’
‘Okay.’
The maids nodded silently and helped Elonia get ready, chattering cheerfully as always.
“You didn’t eat dinner last night either. Please have some soup.”
“I don’t have an appetite.”
“…Just one bite!”
“Sorry.”
…This was serious.
They tried their best to persuade her, but Elonia refused.
After getting dressed, Elonia stood up and commanded, her voice flat,
“Cancel all my appointments for today.”
Canaria asked, her eyes filled with hope,
“Oh, are you going to visit Lady Sarah?”
“No.”
The maids were confused again.
Elonia walked towards the nightstand and gently touched the box where Philemon rested.
She picked up her rapier, then her dagger, and replied, her voice devoid of emotion, a strange smile playing on her lips,
“I’m going to the annex to meet King Felix.”
“Ugh…”
In the academy infirmary,
Caroline groaned and opened her eyes. It had been a week. Headmaster Endymion and Theodore rushed to her bedside.
“Professor Caroline! Are you awake?!”
“Professor Caroline! Someone, get Professor Julietta!”
“Ugh… quiet down, my head hurts.”
Caroline frowned at their fussing and slowly sat up.
She rubbed her temples, then rolled her shoulders, recognizing her surroundings. She asked Theodore,
“How long was I out? A day?”
“Not even close. A week.”
Caroline placed a hand on her forehead.
“Damn it. I’m getting old. It’s true what they say, age catches up to you.”
Caroline was remarkably spry for her age. Headmaster Endymion, who was the same age as her, looked slightly offended.
Ignoring him, Caroline looked around, searching for someone.
“Where’s Gunnar?”
“He didn’t collapse. But…”
Theodore trailed off, and Caroline felt a sense of unease.
She remembered Artius being injured before she collapsed.
Just as she was about to ask,
“Professor Julietta is here!”
“Professor Caroline!”
Llewellyn, Theodore’s legal slave at Gaia Academy, burst into the room, followed by Julietta, who rushed towards Caroline, tears streaming down her face.
“Professor! Professor Caroline, are you awake?!”
“I’m fine. What about His Majesty? How is he?”
“His Majesty…”
Julietta glanced at Llewellyn, then exchanged a look with Theodore. Llewellyn still didn’t know Artius had collapsed.
Just as Theodore was about to send Llewellyn away,
“Wait, look…!”
Llewellyn stammered, pointing towards the window.
They all turned towards the window.
“That’s…”
A bright light erupted in the distance, like an explosion.
It was coming from the direction of the Imperial Palace.