“Are you thinking of going to the Emperor and reporting it?”
“Well, maybe it could be done to prevent rebellion.”
Accusing treason was actually a method I had considered. I just couldn't do it because I didn't have any evidence.
Because I wanted to confess everything to Ernest right away if only I had the evidence.
'Who would believe you if you said there was treason on your wedding day without any evidence?'
I wonder if I would be treated like a crazy person.
It was when I started laughing without realizing it.
Isaac's voice was heard once again.
“So, what do you think the Empire is like now?”
“...”
The empire of today is a bit unconventional.
The sight of nobles treating people like dogs and enjoying strange games still gives me goosebumps.
But that would have been better if Ernest had become the Emperor and I had become the Empress.
'I can change it.'
I was confident.
If Ernest and I join forces, those bad habits will disappear one day.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts and answered.
“There are some problems, but this country can change.”
“So, once you find the traitor, you will stop him?”
“Yes. Somehow.”
There was a resolute will in my eyes as I answered.
After Ellie left like that.
Isaac flopped down on the sofa and tilted his head back.
Then he asked into the empty space where there was no one.
“Is it okay to leave it like that?”
Then, a shadow moved cautiously behind the wall where no one seemed to be present.
He answered calmly as if he had been listening to Ellie and Isaac's conversation from the beginning.
“Just watch for now.”
With an unknown look in his eyes.
The once clear sky was now dyed an orange sunset.
But as the sky turned red, my face turned pale.
'It's late...!'
I should have gone back to my room before dinner.
Because I wasn't yet familiar with the road, I ended up arriving at the mansion later than expected.
I crawled into the hole, my heart pounding, fearing that I might be caught.
“Ah. I can’t do this twice.”
The Duke's young daughter's reputation was ridiculous.
It's like crawling through a hole in the wall while the main gate is intact.
If Louise saw this, she might scream and collapse.
I crawled out of the grass and shook off the weeds and dirt from my clothes.
“I haven’t already been caught, have I?”
If I get caught, what kind of nagging will I get?
I shrugged my shoulders as if I didn't even want to think about it.
'If I get caught, I'll just say I was napping in the garden and was late.'
I don't know if they'll believe me.
Before making excuses like that, I should have changed these clothes first.
Because anyone who saw me now would see that I was a young, reckless girl who had sneaked out of the mansion without anyone knowing.
I quickly changed into the clothes I had hidden in the bushes.
Then, I pretended to have gone out for a walk and leisurely strolled around the mansion.
The Duchess spoke in a tearful voice.
'Lost me again?'
At the same time, my body froze.
What does it mean to lose again?
Then the Duke approached his wife and tried to comfort her.
“Madam, calm down. Ellie came back safely.”
“Sob. I... I thought that nightmare was going to happen again.”
"Ma'am."
Now, I blinked as if I didn't understand the situation.
“Ellie, I’m sorry I got angry earlier. You might be feeling embarrassed about what we’re doing now.”
“Well, maybe it could be done to prevent rebellion.”
Accusing treason was actually a method I had considered. I just couldn't do it because I didn't have any evidence.
Because I wanted to confess everything to Ernest right away if only I had the evidence.
'Who would believe you if you said there was treason on your wedding day without any evidence?'
I wonder if I would be treated like a crazy person.
It was when I started laughing without realizing it.
Isaac's voice was heard once again.
“So, what do you think the Empire is like now?”
“...”
The empire of today is a bit unconventional.
The sight of nobles treating people like dogs and enjoying strange games still gives me goosebumps.
But that would have been better if Ernest had become the Emperor and I had become the Empress.
'I can change it.'
I was confident.
If Ernest and I join forces, those bad habits will disappear one day.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts and answered.
“There are some problems, but this country can change.”
“So, once you find the traitor, you will stop him?”
“Yes. Somehow.”
There was a resolute will in my eyes as I answered.
***
After Ellie left like that.
Isaac flopped down on the sofa and tilted his head back.
Then he asked into the empty space where there was no one.
“Is it okay to leave it like that?”
Then, a shadow moved cautiously behind the wall where no one seemed to be present.
He answered calmly as if he had been listening to Ellie and Isaac's conversation from the beginning.
“Just watch for now.”
With an unknown look in his eyes.
***
The once clear sky was now dyed an orange sunset.
But as the sky turned red, my face turned pale.
'It's late...!'
I should have gone back to my room before dinner.
Because I wasn't yet familiar with the road, I ended up arriving at the mansion later than expected.
I crawled into the hole, my heart pounding, fearing that I might be caught.
“Ah. I can’t do this twice.”
The Duke's young daughter's reputation was ridiculous.
It's like crawling through a hole in the wall while the main gate is intact.
If Louise saw this, she might scream and collapse.
I crawled out of the grass and shook off the weeds and dirt from my clothes.
“I haven’t already been caught, have I?”
If I get caught, what kind of nagging will I get?
I shrugged my shoulders as if I didn't even want to think about it.
'If I get caught, I'll just say I was napping in the garden and was late.'
I don't know if they'll believe me.
Before making excuses like that, I should have changed these clothes first.
Because anyone who saw me now would see that I was a young, reckless girl who had sneaked out of the mansion without anyone knowing.
I quickly changed into the clothes I had hidden in the bushes.
Then, I pretended to have gone out for a walk and leisurely strolled around the mansion.
However.
'What?'
The atmosphere in the mansion was somewhat ominous.
By now, the mansion should be in disarray with people preparing dinner, but it's strangely quiet.
Just then, a bad feeling began to creep up her ankles.
My eyes met with those of May, who was running busily down the hallway, looking around with a serious expression.
"Miss!"
May ran towards me with a face like a yaksha.
“Where the hell have you been!”
“I was taking a short walk and fell asleep in the garden...”
“Don’t lie! I searched not only the mansion, but the entire garden, and you weren’t there!”
“Ah, that’s...”
Damn it. I guess it's too late.
I avoided May's gaze, giving up on trying to come up with another excuse.
“Sorry. Actually, I...”
The moment I was about to say, 'I wanted to get some fresh air alone before going to the palace,' May grabbed my wrist.
“Now is not the time. You should go see Madam!”
“...To Mother? Why?”
An ominous feeling I had a while ago.
“The lady has collapsed!”
Perhaps the premonition was speaking of this situation.
The Duchess' room was reached by May's hand.
There, Dr. Kaylan was examining the Duchess.
“Elizabeth!”
As I entered the room, the Duke, who had been holding the Duchess' hand, stood up.
The Duke seemed surprised to find out that I had disappeared and ran to my side.
“Where on earth have you been!”
He shouted, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to take a quick look around the city...”
“Then you should have told me in advance!”
"That is..."
I was going to come up with some other excuse.
I shut my mouth as I felt the Duke's hands tremble slightly.
'It's strange.'
It only disappeared for about half a day.
I was very embarrassed by the Duke's attitude as if a three-year-old child had disappeared.
But that didn't mean it was not my fault. I looked down.
“...I’m sorry. I’ll be careful next time.”
The Duke sighed, his heart weakening as I slumped my shoulders.
“Make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“...Yes. Father. But is Mother okay?”
“It’s okay. She just had a seizure because she thought you disappeared again.”
'Disappeared again?'
Before I could question it, Kaylan stood up.
“She only fainted for a moment due to the strong impact. There is no problem with her health, so you don’t have to worry.”
No way. Because I was away for a moment...?
I was worried, but couldn't hide my wonder.
I, who was sitting next to the bed, looked at the Duchess.
It was heartbreaking to see the Duchess' face so pale.
'It's cold.'
The Duchess' hand, which I held carefully, was as cold as ice.
And at that moment.
The Duchess's closed eyes slowly opened.
“...Ellie?”
"Mother."
“...Really, is this our Ellie?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ve caused you both great trouble...”
Before I could even finish speaking, the Duchess stood up from her seat and hugged me tightly.
“Ellie! My baby. You’re safe!”
"Uh..."
Anyone who saw this would think that her daughter, who she thought was dead, had come back to life.
I just couldn't get used to this atmosphere.
Until the Duchess uttered her last words.
“I thought I lost you again, baby...”
'What?'
The atmosphere in the mansion was somewhat ominous.
By now, the mansion should be in disarray with people preparing dinner, but it's strangely quiet.
Just then, a bad feeling began to creep up her ankles.
My eyes met with those of May, who was running busily down the hallway, looking around with a serious expression.
"Miss!"
May ran towards me with a face like a yaksha.
“Where the hell have you been!”
“I was taking a short walk and fell asleep in the garden...”
“Don’t lie! I searched not only the mansion, but the entire garden, and you weren’t there!”
“Ah, that’s...”
Damn it. I guess it's too late.
I avoided May's gaze, giving up on trying to come up with another excuse.
“Sorry. Actually, I...”
The moment I was about to say, 'I wanted to get some fresh air alone before going to the palace,' May grabbed my wrist.
“Now is not the time. You should go see Madam!”
“...To Mother? Why?”
An ominous feeling I had a while ago.
“The lady has collapsed!”
Perhaps the premonition was speaking of this situation.
***
The Duchess' room was reached by May's hand.
There, Dr. Kaylan was examining the Duchess.
“Elizabeth!”
As I entered the room, the Duke, who had been holding the Duchess' hand, stood up.
The Duke seemed surprised to find out that I had disappeared and ran to my side.
“Where on earth have you been!”
He shouted, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to take a quick look around the city...”
“Then you should have told me in advance!”
"That is..."
I was going to come up with some other excuse.
I shut my mouth as I felt the Duke's hands tremble slightly.
'It's strange.'
It only disappeared for about half a day.
I was very embarrassed by the Duke's attitude as if a three-year-old child had disappeared.
But that didn't mean it was not my fault. I looked down.
“...I’m sorry. I’ll be careful next time.”
The Duke sighed, his heart weakening as I slumped my shoulders.
“Make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“...Yes. Father. But is Mother okay?”
“It’s okay. She just had a seizure because she thought you disappeared again.”
'Disappeared again?'
Before I could question it, Kaylan stood up.
“She only fainted for a moment due to the strong impact. There is no problem with her health, so you don’t have to worry.”
No way. Because I was away for a moment...?
I was worried, but couldn't hide my wonder.
I, who was sitting next to the bed, looked at the Duchess.
It was heartbreaking to see the Duchess' face so pale.
'It's cold.'
The Duchess' hand, which I held carefully, was as cold as ice.
And at that moment.
The Duchess's closed eyes slowly opened.
“...Ellie?”
"Mother."
“...Really, is this our Ellie?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ve caused you both great trouble...”
Before I could even finish speaking, the Duchess stood up from her seat and hugged me tightly.
“Ellie! My baby. You’re safe!”
"Uh..."
Anyone who saw this would think that her daughter, who she thought was dead, had come back to life.
I just couldn't get used to this atmosphere.
Until the Duchess uttered her last words.
“I thought I lost you again, baby...”
The Duchess spoke in a tearful voice.
'Lost me again?'
At the same time, my body froze.
What does it mean to lose again?
Then the Duke approached his wife and tried to comfort her.
“Madam, calm down. Ellie came back safely.”
“Sob. I... I thought that nightmare was going to happen again.”
"Ma'am."
Now, I blinked as if I didn't understand the situation.
“Ellie, I’m sorry I got angry earlier. You might be feeling embarrassed about what we’re doing now.”
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