Episode 191
Endymion’s reason for summoning Elonia was simple.
“The Resurrection God incident has disrupted the students’ graduation. Some can no longer continue their studies.”
Lucid Academy was an institution for the elite of the elite.
They had tried to minimize the damage from the potion of luck, but some families had still suffered, their finances ruined, their minds affected.
Elonia, after a moment of thought, said,
“The Imperial family will provide scholarships. The children shouldn’t be held responsible for their parents’ mistakes, and they shouldn’t have to abandon their studies because of financial difficulties.”
“We’re grateful for your consideration, Your Highness.”
“We’ll provide the same support to other academies as well, not just Lucid Academy. It’s the Imperial family’s responsibility.”
Lucid Academy was the most prestigious academy in Ravanta, but there were other academies, and their students had also suffered.
Elonia didn’t want anyone to abandon their education because of this incident.
After discussing the matter, Elonia asked Endymion,
“What about Gaia Academy?”
Gaia Academy had played a crucial role in resolving the potion of luck incident. Both the professors and the students had contributed to the creation of the purification potion.
“Their studies were interrupted, so their graduation schedule has been affected.”
Llewellyn had complained about it. Theodore, rubbing his temples, said,
“We’re still discussing it. Whether to postpone their graduation or to make an exception and recognize their contributions as part of their curriculum.”
“Hmm.”
“But if we choose the latter, there will be no official record of their contributions, which could be problematic.”
Caroline added.
Elonia frowned. It seemed unfair to deny them graduation after their sacrifices for Ravanta.
“The latter option seems better for everyone. How about awarding them special commendations from His Majesty? That would serve as proof of their contributions.”
“Commendations as well?”
“Gaia Academy played a crucial role in resolving the potion incident. Both the researchers and the manufacturers deserve to be recognized.”
The five educators were stunned. They hadn’t expected such consideration.
Artius wouldn’t have neglected those who had contributed, but it would have taken longer without Elonia’s intervention.
Elonia smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry, it sounds like I’m demanding gratitude.”
“N-no, Your Highness! You deserve our gratitude.”
“No, really. It’s just… all I can do for the Empire is to run errands for Dad, to gather information and relay it to him.”
“Your Highness…”
The five professors were touched.
The princess, who had once been so burdened by the question of what kind of Empress she should be, who had always seemed so withdrawn and anxious, was gone.
They smiled, their faces, usually so serious and wrinkled with age, now beaming with genuine joy at Elonia’s growth.
“Ah, it’s almost time.”
Elonia, glancing at her watch, stood up.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness.”
The professors escorted her to the academy gates. Elonia, unable to hide her pride, shook her head.
“No, thank you. Ravanta wouldn’t have overcome this crisis without you. We’re the ones who should be grateful.”
“It seems like just yesterday you were destroying our storage shed… and now you’ve grown so much…”
“Let’s not talk about that.”
Elonia glared at Caroline, and they all chuckled softly. Theodore asked,
“Are you going to see Llewellyn?”
“I’d like to, but I have a meeting.”
Well, there would be other opportunities to see Llewellyn. Just as Elonia was about to board her carriage,
“Your Highness!”
“Yes?”
Julietta, who had been quietly listening, called out to her. Elonia tilted her head.
“Is there something else?”
“Well…”
Julietta hesitated, then bowed her head.
“I should have acted sooner. I apologize. It all started ten years ago, when I was bewitched by the prayer altar.”
“Huh?”
“It’s too late for regrets, but I’ll do my best to serve the Empire. I’ll accept any punishment you deem necessary.”
“Julietta…”
Elonia stared at her, her heart aching.
The prayer altar had been unavoidable. No one, except for Elonia and Caroline, could have resisted its influence. And Heilan had planned it all along.
“Lift your head, Julietta.”
“But—”
“I should be the one apologizing. Your colleague died because of me.”
Julietta, stunned by her words, her bittersweet smile, hesitated, then shook her head.
“No, it’s not your fault, Your Highness. I don’t blame you, and Natalie’s resentment… it’s my burden to bear.”
She fidgeted with her hands, and the other professors, seeing her distress, looked at her with concern. Julietta quickly forced a smile.
“Thank you for remembering Natalie. Please go now, Your Highness. You have so much to do.”
Julietta, her cheeks flushed slightly, smiled, her expression a mixture of sadness and gratitude.
Elonia, relieved by her words, smiled back and left the academy.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
Late that night, or rather, early in the morning, Elonia, back in her room, collapsed face-first onto her bed.
It was considered an early night for her. She lay there, limp as a rag doll, while her maids helped her wash and change, then tucked her into bed.
“Thank you. I would have been a mess without you…”
“It’s our duty, Your Highness.”
“Yes, we’re happy to be of service.”
Sarah and Vivian smiled brightly.
Philemon’s return had changed things. Elonia now only had three maids instead of five.
Canaria and Cecilia were now serving Philemon.
Elonia’s maids were Sarah, Vivian, and Alisa. And since Alisa had become a Marquis, she would be resigning soon, leaving only two.
Just as Elonia was drifting off to sleep,
“Elonia, are you asleep?”
Philemon knocked on her door.
Elonia, rubbing her sleepy eyes, replied,
“No, not yet.”
“I’m coming in.”
The door opened, and Philemon entered, also dressed for bed.
She set down the tray she was carrying and smiled at Elonia.
“You’ve worked hard today, my daughter.”
“You too, Mom.”
“This is a herbal tea for restful sleep. Let’s drink this and go to bed.”
She handed Elonia a steaming cup of tea. Sarah and Vivian exchanged glances, then bowed their heads.
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work. Good night.”
“Thank you, Sarah, Vivian.”
Sarah and Vivian, dismissed by the two, returned to their rooms. Philemon and Elonia, sharing the warm tea, sat in comfortable silence.
‘What should I talk about?’
Elonia felt awkward around Philemon. They had been uncomfortable with each other in Heilan, and then they had been separated in Ravanta without a proper conversation.
And now, they were reunited after sixteen years. It was natural to feel awkward.
Philemon was trying her best, but the moment she fell silent, the awkwardness returned.
Just as Elonia, fidgeting with her feet, was taking a sip of tea, Philemon spoke.
“I saw Lucius.”
“L-Lucius?”
Elonia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Both Philemon and Lucius were no longer apostles.
They still had their Holy Power, of course. And Lucius’s changed appearance could be explained away as a side effect of using Holy Power.
‘But he can’t use the Calamity God’s Holy Power recklessly in Ravanta.’
They were both spending their time tending to the people, visiting temples and offering their services. Philemon, as Empress, had duties at the Imperial Palace, so she couldn’t spend much time outside, but Lucius was different.
“Is he doing okay?”
“Yes. He seems busy, I only saw him briefly today, but he’s doing well.”
“Really? That’s good…”
Elonia relaxed, then felt a pang of annoyance.
“It’s hard to see him these days.”
“He’s intelligent and knowledgeable about Holy Power, so he’s naturally in high demand. The other High Priests are learning from him.”
That was a source of pride, but Philemon, seeing Elonia’s sullen expression, stroked her hair gently.
“He misses you too.”
“He doesn’t even contact me.”
Elonia pouted. They had been through so much together, and yet, Lucius hadn’t contacted her once in months.
She knew he liked her. So why the silence?
‘Does he not like me anymore?’
She was starting to doubt his feelings.
Philemon, amused by her daughter’s childish anxieties, said,
“He’s just shy.”
“…”
But Elonia was still annoyed. Philemon changed the subject.
“A letter arrived from Heilan.”
“Ah, I received one too.”
Unlike Elonia’s personal letter, Philemon’s was an official letter addressed to the Imperial family.
“An official delegation from Heilan will arrive in a month. To announce the new king’s ascension and to sign a new treaty.”
The new king of Heilan wasn’t who Elonia had expected.
Philemon paused, then asked cautiously,
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes.”
Elonia nodded. She had wanted to reconcile with her siblings when they first met.
But sometimes, you had to let go of one thing to gain another.
She had chosen to let go of her past family.
“This distance is better.”
“Elonia.”
“I’m really okay. I like my current family. And I don’t want to hurt them again.”
Elonia smiled brightly. Philemon caressed her cheek with her slender fingers.
“Do you want to sleep with Mom tonight?”
“Yes.”
Elonia smiled. Philemon cleared the teacups, turned off the lights, and then joined her in bed.
They shared a large pillow, Philemon’s arm resting protectively around Elonia’s neck. A warm, soft blanket covered them.
“Good night, my daughter.”
“Good night, Mom.”
Elonia, nestled in her mother’s embrace, finally closed her eyes, the warmth and familiarity lulling her to sleep.
Philemon, after Elonia fell asleep, gently stroked her belly, as if making up for lost time.