Episode 86. Step by Step
When word arrived from the North that Gerard was returning to the Imperial Palace, most of the royal family, including the Empress, came to greet him through the portal.
Among them were Kelita and her maid, Rosie.
Some citizens had heard the rumors, and nobles and councilors who had come hoping to impress Gerard.
The portal entrance was unusually bustling.
“Ahem.”
Rosie glanced at Kelita, who stood beside her.
“You’ve been acting really strange lately.”
Having been by her side since she was quite young, Rosie had prided herself on knowing more about Kelita than anyone else.
However, ever since her recent trip to the North, she had become completely incomprehensible to her.
Asking her what had happened through the portal gave her a vague answer.
Was the breakdown of her marriage to Lacrahan really that shocking?
Whenever Rosie felt like Kelita was a stranger, she'd always assumed it was because she was a simple person who only cared about what she saw.
But now, looking back, she wondered if maybe she'd been hiding her true self from the beginning.
Lately, whenever their eyes met, Rosie felt like she was seeing someone else, and Kelita was becoming difficult for Rosie.
“Rosie.”
A voice calling her name brought Rosie out of her reverie.
“Yes, Princess.”
Turning, she saw Kelita blinking, her head tilted toward Rosie.
“Oh my.”
Rosie was actually surprised, since this had never happened before.
Kelita was kind, but she hadn't suddenly closed the distance.
“You really do seem like someone else.”
“Why are you so surprised? When have you ever stared at me? Why? Is there something on my face?”
“No. That's impossible.”
Rosie quickly turned her head to the side.
As she wiped the cold sweat with the back of her hand, Kelita crossed her arms in a sulk.
“The North? I hate to even think about it. What will His Majesty the Emperor look like when he returns?”
Kelita’s expression turned sullen again, as if she were thinking of Lacrahan.
When she regained consciousness after being unconscious since emerging from the portal, everyone, including Rosie, had many questions.
What on earth happened? Did someone push her through the portal? Did Lacrahan harm her?
More importantly, how did she open the portal without permission?
What on earth did she mean when she called Lacrahan’s name at the end?
In fact, it was a precarious situation where Kelita’s voice alone could lead to a rebellion in the North.
However, contrary to everyone’s curiosity, Kelita kept repeating that she had no recollection of why she had passed through the portal or why she had lost consciousness.
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
Kelita turned her head toward where Rosie was pointing.
Empress Lawrence, standing a little way away, was watching them. When her eyes met Kelita's, she smiled faintly.
Rosie felt a strange sensation.
The two people, who weren't particularly close, seemed to be growing closer lately, but it couldn't be just a feeling.
'I don't know anything.'
Rosie shook her head imperceptibly and turned away.
Just then, a trumpet sounded, and blue mana began to ripple from the portal's entrance.
"I guess they're finally here."
Kelita released Rosie's arm and clasped her hands together in front of her navel.
Rosie, too, assumed a polite posture.
With everyone's attention focused on her, the portal split in half.
"His Majesty the Emperor is coming!"
The voice of a knight, carrying a banner, boomed out.
And soon, the Emperor, Gerard, emerged from within, riding a white horse.
The people lined up on either side of the portal bowed their heads in unison.
The quiet portal entrance was filled only with the sound of Gerard's words, rustling through the air.
Soon after, Lyone appeared, slowly following behind.
And at that moment, the people who had suddenly spotted the new silhouette began to murmur and stir.
"Look over there!"
"Isn't that Bercheria?"
Among the people pouring out of the portal, she stood out.
Her long, flowing hair, her sparkling eyes, and even the golden staff she held in her hand.
"It's really Bercheria!"
Bercheria consciously braced her shoulders as she heard someone shout.
Everyone here was focused on her.
Lacrahan, who had anticipated this, had said to Bercheria before passing through the portal.
"The people of the capital will be seeing you for the first time, so you'll need to put on a show. Gerard might want to pretend otherwise, but he'll feel the greatest threat when his people follow you."
Bercheria deliberately sought out Lacrahan.
Riding alongside Groovy, he met Bercheria's eyes and smiled gently.
Bercheria lowered her gaze, taking in his smile.
It was only a fleeting moment, but even that moment seemed to calm her anxiety.
So this is what it feels like to be with someone. It's such a wonderful feeling to feel your heart filled. She realized it naturally.
Thinking back, she hadn't yet clearly grasped her reason for living.
Even as she endured those difficult times, she hadn't even known why she'd felt such a desperate desire to live.
But now she realizes it all stemmed from that one man.
She'd forgotten the past, but that didn't make the feelings that had built up inside her disappear.
She knew, however vaguely, that somewhere out there, someone who would love her was breathing.
That an unfulfilled love was waiting for her.
"Lacrahan."
And because it was that man, Bercheria felt a deeper sense of security than anyone else.
"Lacrahan Adkins."
Bercheria repeated his name like a spell, turning her head back to face him.
Just as Lacrahan had said, every action she took from now on would be directed toward reclaiming what she'd lost.
Prepare her revenge, step by step, so that no one could ever take what was hers.
"Whew."
Bercheria paused, glancing around at the crowd.
Their faces were blank, unsure of how to react to the unexpected appearance of the weather goddess.
Compared to the northerners who suffered directly from her absence, those living in the capital, having suffered less from war and drought, seemed to harbor less resentment toward Bercheria.
However, depending on how those present felt about Bercheria, the people of the capital could either be friendly or hostile.
Bercheria had a clear picture of what she must do in this moment.
She raised her golden staff high for all to see.
“Look! Bercheria’s staff!”
With a shout, a golden light burst from the staff and soared into the sky.
Crumbling.
A majestic sound, like lightning striking the previously clear sky, was heard. Then, another flash of light erupted, this time crashing down on the ground.
“Whoa!”
“Whoa! Get out of here!”
Everyone cowered in shock or screamed for escape. At that moment, a brilliant golden aura began to surround them.
And then, as if waiting, a protective energy surged through everyone. The bustling, chaotic movements of the people suddenly ceased.
A warm, gentle, yet utterly powerful aura.
It was a feeling on a completely different level from the protective aura that had briefly appeared and vanished moments before.
Even the Emperor's entourage, who had just moments before frowned and gazed at Bercheria, remained silent for a moment. It was a warm aura that seemed to comfort all the emotions: war, separation, poverty, and alienation.
'Empress Lawrence.'
It was the first time she'd seen her face.
'Is this the woman who has imprisoned me in the tower all this time?'
Perhaps not even reading Bercheria's mind, Empress Lawrence stared intently at Bercheria, her gaze never leaving hers.
'Are you really my mother?'
Her brown eyes, so innocent they almost seemed dazed, made Bercheria feel conflicted.
'I can't believe it.'
When Bercheria escaped the tower, there were things she wanted to ask her mother once she regained her lost power.
Why on earth did you hate me so much? What did you gain from it? And did that make you happy? But the answers to those questions were no longer worth hearing.
In the end, it was all just a tedious obsession dragged on from the past.
When Bercheria was a child, she had been swayed by it, but now that she knew the truth, she couldn't do it again.
"Whoa, Whoa."
Bercheria tightened her grip on the reins of the horse she was holding, and the horse, which had been leisurely weaving through the crowd, suddenly stopped mid-ride.
Patting the horse's scruff, Bercheria leaped down into the crowd following her, then walked straight towards the Empress.
Empress Lawrence simply watched Bercheria approach, a smile on her face.
As the distance grew closer and the face of the "mother" she longed to see fully came into view, inexplicable emotions surged through Bercheria's chest.
Did she even know what it meant to live trapped in that narrow tower? Did she even know?
"Empress Lawrence."
"Bercheria."
The two called each other and stared at each other silently.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon. It's a pleasure."
The Empress smiled brightly at Bercheria's words.
"I'm so happy to see you, too."
Bercheria's brow furrowed slightly.
"What is it?"
A strange, indescribable feeling came from the Empress.
She felt no different from her mother, who had been smiling, wearing a facade.
Everything felt unnatural.
"Why am I feeling this way?"
Bercheria slowly turned her gaze from the quietly smiling Empress and found Kelita standing a step away. Kelita, who always had a bright smile, was staring at Bercheria with her lips pursed.
"Ah."
Bercheria's golden eyes narrowed within her narrowed eyes.
When word arrived from the North that Gerard was returning to the Imperial Palace, most of the royal family, including the Empress, came to greet him through the portal.
Among them were Kelita and her maid, Rosie.
Some citizens had heard the rumors, and nobles and councilors who had come hoping to impress Gerard.
The portal entrance was unusually bustling.
“Ahem.”
Rosie glanced at Kelita, who stood beside her.
“You’ve been acting really strange lately.”
Having been by her side since she was quite young, Rosie had prided herself on knowing more about Kelita than anyone else.
However, ever since her recent trip to the North, she had become completely incomprehensible to her.
Asking her what had happened through the portal gave her a vague answer.
Was the breakdown of her marriage to Lacrahan really that shocking?
Whenever Rosie felt like Kelita was a stranger, she'd always assumed it was because she was a simple person who only cared about what she saw.
But now, looking back, she wondered if maybe she'd been hiding her true self from the beginning.
Lately, whenever their eyes met, Rosie felt like she was seeing someone else, and Kelita was becoming difficult for Rosie.
“Rosie.”
A voice calling her name brought Rosie out of her reverie.
“Yes, Princess.”
Turning, she saw Kelita blinking, her head tilted toward Rosie.
“Oh my.”
Rosie was actually surprised, since this had never happened before.
Kelita was kind, but she hadn't suddenly closed the distance.
“You really do seem like someone else.”
“Why are you so surprised? When have you ever stared at me? Why? Is there something on my face?”
“No. That's impossible.”
Rosie quickly turned her head to the side.
As she wiped the cold sweat with the back of her hand, Kelita crossed her arms in a sulk.
“The North? I hate to even think about it. What will His Majesty the Emperor look like when he returns?”
Kelita’s expression turned sullen again, as if she were thinking of Lacrahan.
When she regained consciousness after being unconscious since emerging from the portal, everyone, including Rosie, had many questions.
What on earth happened? Did someone push her through the portal? Did Lacrahan harm her?
More importantly, how did she open the portal without permission?
What on earth did she mean when she called Lacrahan’s name at the end?
In fact, it was a precarious situation where Kelita’s voice alone could lead to a rebellion in the North.
However, contrary to everyone’s curiosity, Kelita kept repeating that she had no recollection of why she had passed through the portal or why she had lost consciousness.
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
Kelita turned her head toward where Rosie was pointing.
Empress Lawrence, standing a little way away, was watching them. When her eyes met Kelita's, she smiled faintly.
Rosie felt a strange sensation.
The two people, who weren't particularly close, seemed to be growing closer lately, but it couldn't be just a feeling.
'I don't know anything.'
Rosie shook her head imperceptibly and turned away.
Just then, a trumpet sounded, and blue mana began to ripple from the portal's entrance.
"I guess they're finally here."
Kelita released Rosie's arm and clasped her hands together in front of her navel.
Rosie, too, assumed a polite posture.
With everyone's attention focused on her, the portal split in half.
"His Majesty the Emperor is coming!"
The voice of a knight, carrying a banner, boomed out.
And soon, the Emperor, Gerard, emerged from within, riding a white horse.
The people lined up on either side of the portal bowed their heads in unison.
The quiet portal entrance was filled only with the sound of Gerard's words, rustling through the air.
Soon after, Lyone appeared, slowly following behind.
And at that moment, the people who had suddenly spotted the new silhouette began to murmur and stir.
"Look over there!"
"Isn't that Bercheria?"
Among the people pouring out of the portal, she stood out.
Her long, flowing hair, her sparkling eyes, and even the golden staff she held in her hand.
"It's really Bercheria!"
Bercheria consciously braced her shoulders as she heard someone shout.
Everyone here was focused on her.
Lacrahan, who had anticipated this, had said to Bercheria before passing through the portal.
"The people of the capital will be seeing you for the first time, so you'll need to put on a show. Gerard might want to pretend otherwise, but he'll feel the greatest threat when his people follow you."
Bercheria deliberately sought out Lacrahan.
Riding alongside Groovy, he met Bercheria's eyes and smiled gently.
Bercheria lowered her gaze, taking in his smile.
It was only a fleeting moment, but even that moment seemed to calm her anxiety.
So this is what it feels like to be with someone. It's such a wonderful feeling to feel your heart filled. She realized it naturally.
Thinking back, she hadn't yet clearly grasped her reason for living.
Even as she endured those difficult times, she hadn't even known why she'd felt such a desperate desire to live.
But now she realizes it all stemmed from that one man.
She'd forgotten the past, but that didn't make the feelings that had built up inside her disappear.
She knew, however vaguely, that somewhere out there, someone who would love her was breathing.
That an unfulfilled love was waiting for her.
"Lacrahan."
And because it was that man, Bercheria felt a deeper sense of security than anyone else.
"Lacrahan Adkins."
Bercheria repeated his name like a spell, turning her head back to face him.
Just as Lacrahan had said, every action she took from now on would be directed toward reclaiming what she'd lost.
Prepare her revenge, step by step, so that no one could ever take what was hers.
"Whew."
Bercheria paused, glancing around at the crowd.
Their faces were blank, unsure of how to react to the unexpected appearance of the weather goddess.
Compared to the northerners who suffered directly from her absence, those living in the capital, having suffered less from war and drought, seemed to harbor less resentment toward Bercheria.
However, depending on how those present felt about Bercheria, the people of the capital could either be friendly or hostile.
Bercheria had a clear picture of what she must do in this moment.
She raised her golden staff high for all to see.
“Look! Bercheria’s staff!”
With a shout, a golden light burst from the staff and soared into the sky.
Crumbling.
A majestic sound, like lightning striking the previously clear sky, was heard. Then, another flash of light erupted, this time crashing down on the ground.
“Whoa!”
“Whoa! Get out of here!”
Everyone cowered in shock or screamed for escape. At that moment, a brilliant golden aura began to surround them.
And then, as if waiting, a protective energy surged through everyone. The bustling, chaotic movements of the people suddenly ceased.
A warm, gentle, yet utterly powerful aura.
It was a feeling on a completely different level from the protective aura that had briefly appeared and vanished moments before.
Even the Emperor's entourage, who had just moments before frowned and gazed at Bercheria, remained silent for a moment. It was a warm aura that seemed to comfort all the emotions: war, separation, poverty, and alienation.
With Bercheria now back with them, there was a certainty that everything would be alright. It was a sense of satisfaction, like having a strong parent.
"The weather goddess is bestowing protection."
"Bercheria has returned!"
For a moment, the people forgot even Gerard was there, and tears welled up in their eyes.
"Lady Bercheria!"
"Lady Bercheria has come to save us."
The crowd swarmed, some touching Bercheria's feet, others reaching up to grasp her mysterious hair. At the sight, Wyatt, Lacrahan, and the Knights flinched, but Bercheria shook her head as if to tell them not to worry. Sitting upright, she slowly pushed her way through the crowd. Bercheria left the people to enjoy her return
Bercheria, who had been moving like that, suddenly felt an unfamiliar gaze and turned her head.
'Empress Lawrence.'
It was the first time she'd seen her face.
'Is this the woman who has imprisoned me in the tower all this time?'
Perhaps not even reading Bercheria's mind, Empress Lawrence stared intently at Bercheria, her gaze never leaving hers.
'Are you really my mother?'
Her brown eyes, so innocent they almost seemed dazed, made Bercheria feel conflicted.
'I can't believe it.'
When Bercheria escaped the tower, there were things she wanted to ask her mother once she regained her lost power.
Why on earth did you hate me so much? What did you gain from it? And did that make you happy? But the answers to those questions were no longer worth hearing.
In the end, it was all just a tedious obsession dragged on from the past.
When Bercheria was a child, she had been swayed by it, but now that she knew the truth, she couldn't do it again.
"Whoa, Whoa."
Bercheria tightened her grip on the reins of the horse she was holding, and the horse, which had been leisurely weaving through the crowd, suddenly stopped mid-ride.
Patting the horse's scruff, Bercheria leaped down into the crowd following her, then walked straight towards the Empress.
Empress Lawrence simply watched Bercheria approach, a smile on her face.
As the distance grew closer and the face of the "mother" she longed to see fully came into view, inexplicable emotions surged through Bercheria's chest.
Did she even know what it meant to live trapped in that narrow tower? Did she even know?
"Empress Lawrence."
"Bercheria."
The two called each other and stared at each other silently.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon. It's a pleasure."
The Empress smiled brightly at Bercheria's words.
"I'm so happy to see you, too."
Bercheria's brow furrowed slightly.
"What is it?"
A strange, indescribable feeling came from the Empress.
She felt no different from her mother, who had been smiling, wearing a facade.
Everything felt unnatural.
"Why am I feeling this way?"
Bercheria slowly turned her gaze from the quietly smiling Empress and found Kelita standing a step away. Kelita, who always had a bright smile, was staring at Bercheria with her lips pursed.
"Ah."
Bercheria's golden eyes narrowed within her narrowed eyes.
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