Chapter 1
21 years.
It’s not smooth but it was a pretty normal life.
Many people said that I was indifferent.
I didn’t usually feel it, but when I looked back, it seemed to be correct.
I was contemplating even though I couldn’t move my body in the dark.
Actually, I don’t know. This is the first time I died, too.
I, Lerine Duke Milion, the vice-general of the Knights of Dojino, died while protecting the third prince of the empire, Signus D. Avita.
I didn’t regret my death.
I had my own reason to save him.
However, I wondered how long I had to lie down like this.
When you die, your life passes like a flash.
I lived that kind of life as if I ran out of time every day.
I always run forward, so I was longing for a short break. I needed time to catch my breath.
It can’t be helped even if it was irresponsible.
What else could I do when I’m already dead?
I’ve finished my work. Now I wanted to fall asleep.
“….Miss….”
At that time, I heard people crying.
“How can you leave us behind….!”
“You’ve spent most of your life in the bed because of your weak body, so how could you go like this…..”
“If I had known this, I would’ve taken you for a walk often…”
Those mournful voices were distant.
“What kind of doctor are you! Medical genius, my foot! You couldn’t even save my sister!”
The grief-stricken outcry of a young man was distant, too.
“I send-off my wife that way, and even my daughter…”
The sad voice of a middle-aged man was cut off.
“Oh no! Master!”
“Get a hold of yourself, master!”
How did it feel to have your child die?
When I was young, my parents disowned me, so it was an emotion that I couldn’t expect.
‘But why do I hear such things?’
Like I said before, I’m dead.
I’m not only dead, but my whole body completely ceased to exist.
Because I had to protect Signus from the intruders who attacked the Imperial Palace.
Why did I do that?
Why did I sacrifice my life for the third prince, who wasn’t even the Emperor or the Crown Prince and was the weakest among the princes?
There was only one reason.
Because Signus had to live.
***
I used to have premonition dreams ever since I was a child.
The accuracy of the dream was very high.
I couldn’t explain it in words, but what I saw, whether it was a small thing or a big thing, came true.
There was one dream that I had steadily.
It was a dream where the first prince, Demian, became the Crown Prince, and the empire was destroyed.
There were demons next to the princes.
There was darkness that hovered around the first and second princes, but nobody was aware of that.
Eventually, the princes were brainwashed by the power of demons. The moment when the first prince, Demian, whose mind was devoured, becomes the crown prince…
The barrier that sealed the demons was opened.
The third prince Signus D. Avita and his fiancee, Ayaran Leo Cyben.
The two were my friends who had been together since childhood.
The day the sky turned gray.
Signus and Ayaran were coldly turned into corpses under the feet of the princes.
At first, I thought it was just a nightmare.
The intelligent Demian, and gentle second prince, Aslan.
They all cared so much about Signus, their youngest brother, so I thought it was impossible, and the empire would be just fine.
But from the time I became an adult, my dream really tormented me.
Signus and Ayaran die every day.
I had to watch my precious friends die without doing anything.
While suffering from repeated dreams, a group of people who serve the demons attacked the palace.
The Imperial palace was turned upside down, and people were dying.
Only then did I realize. It’s time to make up my mind.
There was neither the first nor the second prince.
The Crown Prince must be Signus.
Otherwise, this empire would be ruined.
That was the future and the truth I’ve seen.
As a knight, I and the other knights used the pledge of guardianship with the intention of dying, and I succeeded.
Only the best knights were capable of forming the pledge of guardianship by putting their lives as a mortgage to borrow god’s power.
I died on behalf of Signus, so there was no chance that I would live.
I’m sure it was.
‘But I can hear people talking.’
My consciousness faded and I couldn’t feel any sense of reality.
Was it the afterlife?
As if I was listening to the sound outside the closed door.
‘It’s either a dream or a ghost.’
I just stayed there, feeling at ease.
It’s been a long time since I had a break like this.
Soon, there was the sound of thumping footsteps was heard as if someone was climbing the stairs from a distance.
“Master! Master! Oh no…”
A faint scent of grass spread around when the man’s voice was heard.
‘I can smell it.’
Indeed. I could think, I could feel the touch, and even I could smell?
The man sounded embarrassed when he spoke.
“I understand how you feel, but you have to get up now. A man came from the palace.”
Crank-!
Something heavy was thrown, and a loud cracking sound was heard.
“My daughter is in that mess, what do you want me to do! Tell them to wait!”
At the fierce cry of the middle-aged man, the man with a grass scent started to lower his voice.
“The butler is dealing with the aide, but we can’t buy more time. I’m sure you know about that.”
“What do I need to know! They don’t have circumstances like us.”
The voice of a middle-aged man contained sorrow.
“On the day I was asked to come to the palace, I clearly told the aide that my daughter was in critical condition. I said today she was in critical condition, too! But do they have to come find me?”
The sound was small, but I couldn’t rest from the constant conversation.
‘Do I need to know about what they were saying?’’
I was slightly scared because I muttered so much.
“But they’ve been waiting for a long time already.”
“Don’t wait and die!”
“Please lower your voice, what if they hear it!”
“That’s great then.”
The middle-aged man shouted out loud.
“Hey! If you can’t even wait, why did you come? Get lost!”
“Master! Augh, really!”
I heard the thumping of something.
When the faint smell of grass got a little stronger, the man must have hit his chest.
“Young Master Ulysse, don’t just cry over there and please come here.”
“…Why?”
The voice of the young man who was responding was hoarse.
“Hurry up and persuade the master. It’s been a while since the aide arrived. He said he wouldn’t go, maybe, the young master, too…”
After a brief silence, the young man answered.
“I’m not going either.”
“…Pardon?”
“Who am I going to meet when my sister has become like that?”
His voice trembled.
“Just kill me instead!”
Thud-! Sobbing was heard along with a slamming sound.
‘He’s crying.’
I could hear the crying sound again.
“…what should I do? At this rate, we will get exterminated.”
“Exterminated?”
The middle-aged man’s voice became dark.
“They are the one who have business with us, so they should be the one who should think about our situation.”
His voice gradually raised.
“But there’s a thing called respect in work! Do you really have to come at a time like this, and that’s when my daughter closes her eyes? How could you do this!”
I could hear the voice of an old woman from another direction.
“Master is right.”
“…Anna.”
“Our miss comes first. We need to send her somewhere nice before she gets lost in the way!”
Voices burst from all sides.
“I agree.”
“That’s right. It’s a good idea to focus on the funeral.”
It was even more distracting when people spoke at once. Soon, the man with the grass scent spoke in a more subdued voice.
“Therefore, I’m asking you to meet him first for now. He says he won’t go back until he sees you, master.”
The man’s voice got smaller.
There was only one sound that stuck in my ears.
“The Crown Prince, Signus, will definitely understand your situation once he hears about it.”
Signus.
My eyes opened without my awareness.
“At this rate, we won’t be able to do anything, and it’ll be dark soon.”
The confused mind cleared up. The voice of the man, who sounded far away as if there was a curtain in the middle, gradually became clear.
“….”
High ceiling and sparkling chandelier entered my blurry vision.
‘It looks like a noble lady’s room…’
I just rolled my eyes and remembered what I just heard.
‘He definitely said Signus.’
I tried to turn my head to confirm, but a tremendous pain came.
‘…What the hell!’
My whole body ached as if I was beaten. My arms and legs were numb, my head was buzzing, and my eyes were very dry.
‘What’s wrong with this body?’
I held back my groan and turned my eyes. Next to the gruesomely cracked table, I opened my eyes widely at the sight of a bright blond middle-aged man.
‘Marquis of Elaine!’
***
This place where I live was the Holy Empire of Avita.
The Avita Empire was an empire. Why is it holy?
It was thanks to Creavo D. Avita, who founded this empire. Creavo, who miraculously appeared in the human world dominated by the demons, joined forces with the dragons and fairies to subdue and seal the demon king into the sacred ground.
He used his own blood to put the barrier on the gate leading to the sacred ground, and established an empire called ‘Avita’.
The first emperor’s aide was Ophian Lu Yeronimo.
“…That’s right. I need to explain the situation first.”
I swerved my gaze at the sound of his voice. A middle-aged man who spoke with a sad face. His name was Elaine Lu Yeronimo.
“I’m sorry. I was too agitated.”
“No, it can’t be helped.”
The marquis’ eyes turned towards the door.
“I’ll be right back, but can I ask you a favor?”
“Please go ahead.”
Marquis of Elaine struggled to smile.
“In the meantime, please find a place where the sun is good and the scenery is good. My daughter, Navian, liked the sun.”
“…..”
“You are the only person who can do this since you’ve been a gardener of this house for a long time.”
The man with the smell of grass burst into tears, and the maids cried again.
Marquis’ mouth trembled when he saw it.
“Then…I guess I should greet my daughter first. Ulysse, you come too.”
Another bright blonde-haired man who was half blocked by the wall, grumbled.
“I can’t.”
“Are you going to send her off without saying goodbye?”
“……”
At his words, the bright blonde man rose from his seat and staggered.
Soon, I could clearly see the neat face of the young man, who was hidden behind the wall.
His eyes were red because he cried a lot.
“Let’s go.”
The young man and marquis moved to my direction. He bowed his head as if unable to bear the sight.
“My dear daughter…”
Then, Marquis Elaine raised his head with determined look.
“Navian.”
The Marquis’s green eyes met with my gaze.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 2
“…”
Marquis Elaine’s mouth, which had been shut all the time, opened wide.
“…Am I dreaming?”
The Marquis pinched the cheek of the young man beside him.
“Aghh! What’s wrong with you!”
“…It’s not a dream.”
His eyes were watery.
“My daughter wakes up!”
The Marquis flew to where I was.
“My daughter, my daughter! Let me see!”
Why were you looking at me when you were looking at your daughter?
The Marquis even held my hand and rubbed it on his cheek.
The young man beside him hurriedly asked.
“Do you recognize who I am?”
Absolutely.
Ulysse Lu Yeronimo. Marquis Elaine’s son and a medical genius who could recite celestial energy.
He was originally famous, but he became even more famous after becoming the disciple of Verus, the greatest medical scientist of the empire.
He was particularly popular among the young ladies because of his fair-white skin, compared to the other young masters of the noble family.
I never thought I’d see the infamous young master here.
‘For now, should I show courtesy first? Or should I speak first?’
I was extremely flustered.
As I tried to get up in a hurry, The Marquis gently pushed my shoulder.
“Don’t get up!”
No, so why are you pushing me?
“Wait a minute, father. I will examine her first.”
Ulysse touched my forehead with a trembling hand.
“No fever.”
He grabbed my wrist this time.
“Her pulse is fine…”
Ulysse, who put his fingers somewhere below my neck, cried out.
“No way, even her blocked breathing is normal!”
He raised his head.
“Father, not only Navian survived. Her illness is gone! She’s gotten healthier!”
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
The faces filled with despair turned into great happiness.
I finally understood something that had been uncertain so far.
They called me Navian.
As soon I recognized the name, the feeling of being a spectator watching from a distance completely disappeared, and a creepy sense of reality came.
‘No way.’
At the unbelievable fact, I looked at my arm.
‘There’s no scar.’
The arm, which had a small scar, was clean.
‘Have I entered someone else’s body?’
Was this possible?
I looked around with puzzled eyes.
Then a broad chest came before me.
“How admirable, my daughter.”
The Marquis hugged me.
After that, Ulysse wrapped his arms around The Marquis and me.
“Thank you for living. Thank you so much for coming back.”
My shoulders were wet with the two men’s tears.
“Huaah…”
A young servant in a maid uniform burst into tears and I could hear people crying from all directions.
Pat-! Pat-!
I patted their back with a clumsy hand gesture.
They cried louder because of my awkward consolation.
‘I’m at loss.’
At that time, a young man dressed like a butler came into the room.
“Master, have you calmed down?”
My gaze met the butler’s eyes. Then he opened his eyes wide.
“Miss!”
“Butler! Navian is…!” The Marquis abruptly stopped talking and jumped up.
“That’s right! You said an aide came from the Imperial Palace!”
The Marquis asked hastily.
“What should I do? Was he very angry?”
“It didn’t seem like it, but I think you’d better go. Because he’s a person sent by The Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince?
I vaguely remembered the conversation about someone from the imperial palace coming here.
‘There was no crown prince in the empire until I died.’
I was about to ask who the crown prince was, but The Marquis spoke with a nervous face.
“Butler, lead the way. My daughter just comes back to life, we can’t be exterminated.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Marquis looked back at me with a kind face.
“Take a rest. I’m going to see the guest. Ulysse, keep an eye on Navian.”
After finishing his word, The Marquis soon left.
As I looked at his fleeing back, I heard a wailing sound.
“…Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ulysse’s crying face made me feel uneasy.
Eventually, I opened my mouth, which had been shut all this time.
“I’m alright.”
Ulysse’s eyes opened wide, but I paid no heed to it.
“I’m sorry to trouble you. Please stop crying.”
Looking at the stuff that I had been eyeing for a while, I continued.
“Please bring me a mirror.”
***
It’s a colorful combination. A lemon-colored blonde hair with a slightly curved tip and jewel-like pink eyes that glowed like a star.
‘It’s not me, indeed.’
While looking at the mirror in Ulysse’s hand, I asked him.
“What year is it now?”
Ulysse’s finger trembled. Soon, I heard a stupefied answer.
“Avita calendar…year 1217.”
It’s one year since I died. After I heard what I’m curious about, I nodded.
“That’s enough. Thank you.”
Kung-!
The mirror slipped from Ulysse’s weak hand.
He had a dazed expression as if he just heard something shocking. It wasn’t just Ulysse.
Everyone had their jaw dropped since I asked them to bring me a mirror.
‘What’s wrong with them?’
Soon, Ulysse murmured.
“…Anna.”
“…Yes, young master.”
“Do you remember when the last time Navian spoke?”
What are you saying?
“Perhaps, was it the day when she collapsed on her way back to bed after eating?”
A servant named Anna shook her head.
“Then..was it when she dropped a cup of water and fell on the broken glass, caught tetanus, almost died and survived?”
She shook her head again.
“Ah. It was the day when I prepared healthy food, but because of the allergy, her airway was swollen.”
She shook her head and spoke.
“It was the next day. When she saw the fish and told me to clean it up.”
‘…what could have killed you?’
It was no surprise to me that this noble lady, Navian, was silent.
I was a knight, and it was my daily routine to hear about the detailed rumors of noble families.
‘The problem is that I came into this body.’
This body was weak enough to fall on her way back to bed after eating.
“…I can’t help it. Let’s double-check.”
But I’m not the only one who was surprised by this situation.
It must have been a great shock to these people because their young miss suddenly spoke.
“Can you take a slow breath?”
I had no choice but to inhale. My bosom went up and down.
“That’s right! You did a great job.”
I was praised for breathing.
“Now shall we move lightly?”
I let out a sigh.
‘This is not the time for this.’
It was also important to ask about the crown prince, but I need to tell them that the owner of this body was dead.
This excessive affection wasn’t mine.
‘Before it’s too late, let’s just say it.’
I made up my mind and made eye contact with Ulysse. Just as I was about to open my mouth, he spoke first.
“Thank you, Navian. For living and keeping eye contact with me,” Ulysse’s eyes sank sadly.
“I treated others from afar without knowing you were in critical condition. Because of my duty as a bastard who could recite the celestial energy.”
He smiled faintly.
“If you hadn’t opened your eyes, father and I would have followed you.”
“…”
“I won’t leave you again. I don’t want to go through that again.”
From the look of it, I was convinced that they were going to follow her to death.
‘…Let’s postpone saying it for now.’
A young servant in a maid uniform who stood beside Ulysse rebuked him.
“Young Master! Why would you say such a scary thing? There are so many things to show to the miss.”
The young servant spoke while folding her fingers one by one.
“We can walk around to see the flowers in the garden, and we can have an outing to a nice scenic area. We can roam around the local streets, too.”
The young servant held her hands together.
“Maybe she’ll be making her debut in the social world and attend the banquet in the palace. It’s the beginning of our miss’ life.”
“What? Walk? Palace?”
Ulysse interrupted in a bleak voice.
“We can’t do that. You know the empire’s situation.”
“The palace may be too much, but at least we can take a walk. It’s not like we’re going to hunt-”
“No walking, either. I need to make sure that the ground in the garden was even and there were no protruding branches and stones.”
“…The miss has eyes, though.”
“How can a child who’s having a hard time walking avoid a stone?”
The young servant answered in a dissatisfied voice.
“That’s too much. The miss finally in good health, and you won’t let her do anything. I want to play with the miss, too!”
“Still, she can’t go outside, ”
Anna, who silently listened to the conversation, suddenly spoke.
“I feel the same way as Mary.”
“Anna!”
“The fact that his aide is here means that the miss and His Highness may encounter someday. We can’t put it off any longer. Now is the time to build up her stamina.”
“….”
“So we can be prepared for whatever may occur.”
Then I asked.
“What’s going on?”
Ulysse answered with a disturbed face.
“It’s about the Crown Prince of this empire.”
“If it’s The Crown Prince…”
“It’s His Highness Signus.”
I opened my mouth wide.
“Don’t tell me, you don’t know?”
“….”
“Understandable. It’s because you’ve been sick and unconscious all this time.”
I barely tried to open my mouth.
“When did he…become the crown prince?”
“Exactly today, one year ago.”
“Is that so..”
I lowered my gaze. My heart was crammed with happiness.
‘That’s great.’
I smiled in excitement. It was worthwhile to save him by sacrificing my life.
Signus lived and became the Crown Prince. I’ve finished my job.
‘Now he’ll become a wise emperor and rule the empire well.’
I quietly rejoiced and turned my eyes.
Because there was a heavy silence in the room.
“Is there something wrong?”
There was no answer.
I felt like there was something wrong in everyone’s expression.
‘I don’t understand what Anna just said.’
She said we need to ‘prepare’.
It sounded like Signus was going to do something.
‘The Crown Prince of Avita is Signus. He’s not the first prince. Then the empire should be peaceful, isn’t it?’
Something must have been wrong.
‘It’s strange that I’m alive.’
Although I’m in somebody else’s body, my mind was still intact.
‘Don’t tell me, there’s something wrong?’
But the future was certainly changed.
Then why?
“His Highness Signus has changed.”
Ulysse’s green eyes became dark.
“He became a tyrant that endangered the empire.”
Chapter 3
Ulysse’s outrageous remark went on.
“From the day he seized the crown prince’s seat, the Empire turned into a bloodbath.” At his own words, Ulysse’s eyes were sunken low.
“Those who dared to go against him wind up dead. His hands are always stained with blood.”
That couldn’t be true. It was too unthinkable, so I pulled up all my strength and got up from my seat.
“You can’t get up yet!” I pushed myself to stand up despite his dissuasion.
“Navian!”
“Miss!”
The wrists that grazed the floor were sore. I only got up for a split second, but my legs trembled and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
“Lie down, quick!”
Ulysse came in an instant and hugged me. In a blink of an eye, my body was already returned to the bed.
“No, but….”
“Miss, uhuuh…please don’t die!”
My urgent words were completely hushed up among the cries of young maids whilst Ulysse delicately massaged my wrists with tears in his eyes.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Your muscles are only startled. Trust me and put yourself at ease.”
‘Yes, but why are you looking at me like I’m about to die?’
“Oh Great Avita, please protect and take care of our miss…”
Eerily, Anna’s prayer sounded somewhat similar to an exorcism ritual now.
‘I only wanted to walk, that’s all.’
As the vice-general of the Knights, there was no way I was clueless of this body’s state. Her stamina was nearly depleted, her muscles were non-existent, and her strength was poor.
No matter how much I took a stroll or went on an outing, I highly doubt it was possible.
‘I’m not even exaggerating now.’
My head was tangled in a chaotic mess, so I laid down and closed my eyes.
I bet my whole life on Signus.
I swore to God that I would protect him.
It’s true, death was my own choice. But the fact that I lived right now was neither my will nor my fault.
Truth be told, I wanted to live. I wanted to avoid death.
Signus and Ayaran, my teacher, and the knight’s order. I wanted to live alongside my precious people. I sacrificed my life for a great cause and believed in Signus. I thought I could leave the rest to him.
‘But what have you become? A Tyrant?’
Such an amazing role, wasn’t it?
‘This is ridiculous.’
I shared 10 years of my life with him. I shouldn’t judge others by their words.
Did they say an aide sent by The Crown Prince was waiting?
‘Let’s see if I can ask the aide.’
Then I saw Ulysse and the maids were anxiously looking at me.
‘Same goes for these people.’
I wanted to confirm it myself, but my main obstacle was this weak body that couldn’t even walk. So I could only sigh at my helpless future.
“Are you surprised? Don’t worry, as long as you don’t go outside, you won’t bump into him.”
He wanted to prevent me from bumping into Signus at all cost.
‘Just how much has he changed?’
I couldn’t fully trust what they had said, nor could I imagine such a thing.
Because the Signus in my memory….
-Flashback-
“Li.”
Signus ran to me after my patrol duty.
“Did you return safely? Are you hurt anywhere?” He frowned as I shook my head.
“Let me see. You look tired. You look pale, and you have wrinkles on your white forehead.” He said, with a worried expression on his face.
“Just pick someone else to do the patrol.”
“Then what else should I do?” At my word, Signus’ golden eyes bent to half a moon.
“You have to stay by my side and protect me.”
“But you’re strong enough by yourself.”
“No way, I’m just the third prince.”
“Rather than that,” the gloomy-faced Signus grabbed my arm and murmured, “Can’t you just stay here?”
-End of flashback-
Thus, I closed my eyes quietly.
‘What am I going to do if I think of this? I can’t do anything right now.’
Not long after, I heard a kind voice from the bedside.
“Are you tired? Of course, you are. You’ve been through a lot.”
Then Ulysee opened his bag.
“Please wait. You need to take the medicine before you sleep…”
“Should I prepare the rice gruel?”
How timely!
“No, not rice gruel. I would like something that I can chew properly.”
My body has been troubling me, so I might collapse if I eat rice gruel.
***
“I’ve prepared your favorites as well today. Please eat a lot.”
I opened the lid, thinking it would be soft bread. And I’m at loss for words.
‘Is this grass?’
It was a dish full of grass.
‘Red grass, yellow grass, white grass, green grass…’
The color was different, but it was all grass. Furthermore, there was a small dish filled with clear honey, which made me even more wordless.
Anna, who saw me staring blankly at the dish, said.
“I want to give you something else, but I can’t help it. Except for vegetables, you’re allergic to fruits and raw food.”
My mouth dropped open.
You’re weak, and you’re allergic to something?
Come to think of it, Ulysse said something about it before. Her airways were swollen because of allergy, and she was put between life and death.
‘This isn’t right. It will take a lifetime to recover if you’re being picky with your food despite your impaired body.’
So I lifted my head while clasping my fork.
“Ulysse,”
“Just now…did you just call me?” He replied with a shocked face.
Of course. You were the only Ulysse here.
“Yes, tell me. I’ll listen to everything.”
Why did you have to make it as if I’m about to bequeath my final words? I was a little upset, but I forgave him as I had a request.
“Can you come up with a diet that suits me?”
“A diet?”
“Yes, please include everything that’s good for my body and remove everything that didn’t fit my body. You know my body better than I do, after all.” At my resolute words, Ulysse looked puzzled.
“That’s not a problem but…there are a lot of things you hate. You hate the texture of bread or meat, and you hate the fishy smell coming from an egg or dairy products.”
Only now I finally understood about this body’s state.
‘It’s only natural to get sick when you refuse to eat anything.’
I quickly regained my distorted face and asked sternly.
“I’m okay now. I don’t want to be picky about my food anymore.”
I opened my mouth, looking at my slender forearms.
“Now that I’m alive, I want to be healthy.”
The room fell into deep silence at my resolute voice.
“Yes, trust me. I’ll discuss it with the chef and prepare the best meal.”
Ulysse, whose eyes had turned moist, jumped up from his seat.
“I’ll be right back. Rest well!”
I made up my mind as I watched his disappearing back.
‘Let’s be healthy enough to walk.’
An average person who could take a walk, That was my current goal.
***
Elaine ran down the stairs from the room on the second floor.
‘Just how did you hold out running back and forth like this?’
Elaine, who was unable to fathom the butler’s mind, asked with a nervous look.
“Are you sure he’s not upset?”
“It seems so.”
“You never know. What if he pretends to be okay and rat on us later?”
“I’m sure it’ll be alright.”
Elaine, who went down like a madman, raised his head. There was someone standing at the end of the stairs.
The dragon insignia, the symbol of the empire, was stuck in his chest. He was the Crown Prince’s aide. At the sight, Elaine and the butler only looked at each other before whispering in low voices.
“Why is he waiting in here?”
“I’m not sure, either. I’m certain I’ve led him to the parlor.”
Elaine quickly arranged his disheveled clothes and greeted the guest.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Despite his lip service apology, the aide calmly responded.
“Pardon my discourtesy. It’s an urgent matter.”
How urgent it must be for him to wait on the stairs instead of the parlor. Then the aide spoke, as if he read Elaine’s mind.
“His Highness was looking for the Marquis, but you didn’t come, so I have come to find you in person. I beg your understanding.”
There was a subtlety in his word, which put the blame on the Marquis for making him come all this way.
‘Where do you want me to go when my daughter is in trouble? Anyway, I have to hear what urgent matter that you want to deliver since you came all the way here.’
“Then let’s go to the parlor and have a talk.”
Elaine’s attitude was very relaxed. Solely because his precious daughter was alive. Even if he was dealing with an aide of the Crown Prince who set this empire ablaze and turned it into a bloodbath, there was nothing to be afraid of.
“Please don’t trouble yourself .”
The aide put his hand on the Marquis’ arms.
“I’m here to deliver The Crown Prince’s edict to the Marquis.”
The splendid parchment paper with a brilliant golden seal.
“The head family of house Yeronimo, stand upright and listen to His Highness’ words with sincerity and fervency.”
Elaine hurriedly kneeled down at his words.
“I see The Sun of the Empire.”
Not only the butler, but also all the servants who were hiding in the mansion to witness the scene, bowed down. Because the handwritten letter of the ruler of Avita, was the same as facing him directly.
“Elaine Lu Yeronimo. I’m ready to hear His Highness’ words.”
The aide opened the parchment wide and read it out loud.
“By the order of Signus D. Avita, The Crown Prince of The Empire. The royal family will accept the esteemed daughter of Yeronimo as the Crown Princess.”
The servants were shocked. And Elaine’s head slowly rose.
“This is to return to the family who supported the Empire’s founder and my forefather, Creavo D. Avita, and a stepping stone to return the glory of the past.”
The aide lowered the parchment with an expressionless face. The aide’s voice swept the whole mansion like a typhoon and rendered everyone speechless.
“What does that mean….!”
Elaine’s vision became blurred before he was able to spit out a harsh curse. Instead of Elaine, the butler went closer to the aide and said,
“Pardon me, but right now, miss…”
The aide who was looking at the watch, cut him off.
“I’ve heard she’s awake.”
The butler’s level-headed face crumbled away in an instant.
“We’ll proceed with the engagement first. Marquis, please visit the palace and follow the procedure.”
The aide, still holding the parchment, looked at Elaine. His warning gaze made Elaine’s face distorted.
“I believe you’ll make a wise choice.”
Then the aide left the mansion. Elaine only looked up at the tightly closed room on the second floor.
“Navian…”
His voice trembled anxiously.
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