Translator: Missme
Editor: Missme
Caleb had informed me that Vivian was being held in the imperial prison. And the prisoner was not allowed to be seen until the trial.
Even if they are a family.
That is why I inquired of the Archduke and his wife.
The Archduke and his wife were the only people who were not bound by Empire laws. Furthermore, the Archduke is close to the Emperor.
With their assistance, we could make exceptions.
Not only the Archduchess was perplexed by what I said.
Even Caleb, who was standing next to me, looked surprised.
“Elena, what are you talking about……”
It was an understandable reaction.
Even after hearing Caleb’s explanation, I had never expressed my intentions in such a way.
“May I inquire as to why you’re attempting to meet her? It’s difficult to understand why you want to meet the lady who tried to harm you.”
“I’d like to know why she attempted to kill me. So I’d like to meet her in person.”
“Wouldn’t that be revealed during the trial? I don’t think there’s any reason to go talk……”
“She can lie in court, right? I’d like to ask her directly and hear her answer.”
I wanted Vivian to tell me the truth. The fact that she speaks directly from her mouth.
The Archduke and Caleb were vehemently opposed.
But it was easier for them to grant my request than it was for me to break my stubbornness.
Instead, the emperor had to agree to it, and on the condition that Caleb accompany me to the cell door when I met Vivian.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
I examined the iron door in front of me. It was such a thick door that just looking at it made it look difficult to open.
And back there would be Vivian.
Despite the fact that I wanted to meet her, the thought of meeting her made my mouth dry.
“If you’re ready, please give me a signal. I’ll go ahead and open the door.”
The soldier was polite. I nodded and the soldier opened the cell door after a short deep breath.
As expected, the iron door opened with a very heavy sound.
Vivian was thoroughly detained, as I learned from the jailer on my way down.
Vivian’s wrists and ankles were shackled while she sat in the chair. Furthermore, the end of the iron shackles was attached to the wall.
Vivian raised her head and stared at me before bowed her head helplessly.
Vivian’s face was a shambles as if she hadn’t washed her face since she was arrested.
Her dress was splattered with blood, both mine and the demonic beast’s. Her unruly hair was strewn about.
“Wouldn’t leaving you alone with her be dangerous?”
“As you can see, nothing will be dangerous because we have her in bondage. And it won’t happen, but you can blow this flute if you think it’s dangerous.”
The guard presented me with a flute.
Caleb, on the other hand, urged me to rejoice.
“I’ll be standing in front of the door, so if you notice anything strange, knock or blow the flute. I’ll come right in.”
“I certainly will.”
I smiled at Caleb after nodding to let him know not to worry.
However, it did not appear to provide much credibility.
Caleb returned my stare until the guard closed his eyes.
I sat across from Vivian after everyone had taken their seats.
Vivian remained motionless, as she had hung her head earlier.
“Lady Vessel… no, I think I should call you ‘Elena,’ right?”
I put Vivian’s guardian necklace on the table.
“This necklace is yours, isn’t it?”
Then Vivian raised her head.
Her light green eyes, with a hazy focus, moved through her tangled hair and fixed on me.
“I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Would you like to ask something?”
Vivian tapped her lips together.
Her voice was as dry and rough as her parched and bloodless lips.
“Why did you try to kill me?”
“Because I intended to murder you.”
“Is that all? Isn’t there a reason for this?”
“Reason? There is, indeed. However, why should I tell you that?”
Vivian’s eyes, which had returned to focus, were filled with mockery.
In fact, it was an expected response.
As she was a person who even harbored an intent to kill me, there was no way she would answer my question easily.
“I heard that at this rate, you will be disqualified from being a nobleman and will be forced to work in the countryside for the rest of your life. Even the marquis’ family will not help you.”
I said what I had just heard Caleb say.
The trial hasn’t even started yet, but such punishment was usually meted out in the past.
Her family was unable to assist her. If it was proven that the family had assisted, the imperial family would inherit all of the family’s property and position.
So they couldn’t help even if they wanted to.
“… So what?”
Vivian smirked.
“What’s the point of saying that?
”If you tell me why you tried to kill me, I’ll tell the Archduke and his wife that you are their true daughter, not me.”
“Do you think those people will believe you?”
“They could believe it.”
“……”
“It was only a short time, but I thought they were very nice people; if it’s them, they’re not going to throw their daughter in jail, even if she’s a criminal.”
It is assumed that when we reveal our circumstances, they will believe us.
“You have a choice. Whether you will live the rest of your life miserable or like a human being, even if only for a short time.”
There was no response. The longer the silence, the more intense the tension.
My grip on the flute tightened as I worried Vivian would close her mouth like this.
I’m curious how much time has passed.
“……do I just have to tell you the reason?”
She was persuaded.
For a brief moment, I nearly let out a joyful scream.
I, on the other hand, shook my head as if nothing had happened.
“I have a few other questions besides that. Please respond to my questions until they are all answered.”
“……I get it.”
Vivian looked hesitant, but she eventually accepted my offer. She opened her mouth after a brief silence.
“I… I wanted to return.”
“Where?”
“To the time before I changed my body for the first time.”
Something odd struck me about Vivian’s words.
“First time?”
“Yes, for the first time.”
Don’t they usually express a desire to return to their bodies?
Vivian continued as if she had guessed my question.
“I thought I could go back if you died. When I died, our bodies changed.”
“What did you mean when you died……?”
“I’ve already died from that body. I was murdered.”
I was taken aback by the unexpected words.
I was at a loss for words.
“You were murdered!?”
“That’s correct.”
The response was unequivocal.
“That damn crown prince had murdered me.”
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
Vivian, no, Elena remembered the first day the Crown Prince visited her.
It was the same day every year.
Because of her adoptive parents’ debt, she worked as an actor in a theater company, and when she was anxious and in pain, the Crown Prince presented her with a proposal.
The crown prince proposed to her, saying, “That face of yours is what keeps the sponsor going, isn’t it?”
Then he instructed her to approach and seduce the Duke.
When she saw the portrait of Caleb and the large sum of money in front of her, she accepted it without hesitation.
She suspected it would cause problems later, but she didn’t want to be too concerned.
Elena was well aware of her beauty and attractiveness.
Naturally, she was confident in her ability to fulfill Crown Prince’s request.
‘Even if he’s a duke, a man is still a man.’
There were dozens of men who adored her and came to see her on a regular basis.
She reasoned that even if the opponent was changed to a duke, nothing would change.
Elena joined the Royal Knights as an adjunct after leaving the troupe, thanks to Count Van Der.
There was a lot of sarcasm and the occasional harassment, but Caleb was the one who stopped it.
She initially mistook it for a crush.
“As expected, the Duke is indeed a man,” she thought, hoping it would be easier than she expected.
It took a long time for her to realize that it was all an illusion and that it was a really stupid idea.
Curious about the safety of her friends, Veloka and Rael, she cautiously snooped around the troupe, where she saw Vivian and Caleb emerge, so she unknowingly hid her body.
And Vivian didn’t seem to notice.
But she was taken aback by the smile that appeared on Caleb’s face.
He was the kind of person who couldn’t even smile at himself.
Elena, who returned as if on the run, felt betrayed. That, however, was her own emotion.
Looking back, she recalled, Caleb’s behavior was just a line that did not go against “politeness.”
But she mistook it for her own crush.
She never expected to fail, and the fact that she was mistaken was tragic in and of itself, but she thought it didn’t matter.
She liked Caleb, but she didn’t think it was necessary if it wasn’t him.
Soon, the Crown Prince calmly accepted her failure. He never even requested his advance payment. He told her she could do whatever she wanted with it.
Because of that, Elena was able to give up her lingering attachment to Caleb more easily.
To say it is not regrettable would be a lie. However, the situation itself was positive.
Elena had paid off her debt and was no longer required to work as an actor.
She had enough money to start over.
Elena was overjoyed by the news and grateful to Crown Prince for giving her the opportunity to paint the future.
Until the next day, when she was kidnapped by the Crown Prince’s minions.
The kidnapping occurred in an instant. A cloth was suddenly placed over her face as she walked down the street.
Her mouth was muzzled and her limbs were tied when she opened her eyes again.
Elena did everything she could to figure out what was going on. But all she could hear was the movement of wheels.
She was trembling in fear, but at least the carriage carrying her came to a halt, and strong hands emerged to hold her.
She sat on the ground, as if she had been thrown there, her hands and legs muddy from the snow melting on them.
The cloth came off as soon as she realized she was outside.
“I apologize, Miss Lena.”
Her kidnappers were a man she had never seen before and Count Van Der.
Elena sensed her death as soon as she saw the knife in the man’s hand.
In fact, Count Van Der even gagged her, saying she would grant her last will.
Elena screamed as soon as the gag was released.
After hearing her scream, she wished for someone passing by to run or call a guard.
The only thing that returned was a calm voice that reminded her of reality.
“Even if you scream that loud, it’s pointless. Because it is a royal hunting ground, only those with permission are permitted to enter. And today, the only ones allowed are me and the escort knight.”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes for you to disappear.”
Translator: Missme
Editor: Missme
Caleb had informed me that Vivian was being held in the imperial prison. And the prisoner was not allowed to be seen until the trial.
Even if they are a family.
That is why I inquired of the Archduke and his wife.
The Archduke and his wife were the only people who were not bound by Empire laws. Furthermore, the Archduke is close to the Emperor.
With their assistance, we could make exceptions.
Not only the Archduchess was perplexed by what I said.
Even Caleb, who was standing next to me, looked surprised.
“Elena, what are you talking about……”
It was an understandable reaction.
Even after hearing Caleb’s explanation, I had never expressed my intentions in such a way.
“May I inquire as to why you’re attempting to meet her? It’s difficult to understand why you want to meet the lady who tried to harm you.”
“I’d like to know why she attempted to kill me. So I’d like to meet her in person.”
“Wouldn’t that be revealed during the trial? I don’t think there’s any reason to go talk……”
“She can lie in court, right? I’d like to ask her directly and hear her answer.”
I wanted Vivian to tell me the truth. The fact that she speaks directly from her mouth.
The Archduke and Caleb were vehemently opposed.
But it was easier for them to grant my request than it was for me to break my stubbornness.
Instead, the emperor had to agree to it, and on the condition that Caleb accompany me to the cell door when I met Vivian.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
I examined the iron door in front of me. It was such a thick door that just looking at it made it look difficult to open.
And back there would be Vivian.
Despite the fact that I wanted to meet her, the thought of meeting her made my mouth dry.
“If you’re ready, please give me a signal. I’ll go ahead and open the door.”
The soldier was polite. I nodded and the soldier opened the cell door after a short deep breath.
As expected, the iron door opened with a very heavy sound.
Vivian was thoroughly detained, as I learned from the jailer on my way down.
Vivian’s wrists and ankles were shackled while she sat in the chair. Furthermore, the end of the iron shackles was attached to the wall.
Vivian raised her head and stared at me before bowed her head helplessly.
Vivian’s face was a shambles as if she hadn’t washed her face since she was arrested.
Her dress was splattered with blood, both mine and the demonic beast’s. Her unruly hair was strewn about.
“Wouldn’t leaving you alone with her be dangerous?”
“As you can see, nothing will be dangerous because we have her in bondage. And it won’t happen, but you can blow this flute if you think it’s dangerous.”
The guard presented me with a flute.
Caleb, on the other hand, urged me to rejoice.
“I’ll be standing in front of the door, so if you notice anything strange, knock or blow the flute. I’ll come right in.”
“I certainly will.”
I smiled at Caleb after nodding to let him know not to worry.
However, it did not appear to provide much credibility.
Caleb returned my stare until the guard closed his eyes.
I sat across from Vivian after everyone had taken their seats.
Vivian remained motionless, as she had hung her head earlier.
“Lady Vessel… no, I think I should call you ‘Elena,’ right?”
I put Vivian’s guardian necklace on the table.
“This necklace is yours, isn’t it?”
Then Vivian raised her head.
Her light green eyes, with a hazy focus, moved through her tangled hair and fixed on me.
“I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Would you like to ask something?”
Vivian tapped her lips together.
Her voice was as dry and rough as her parched and bloodless lips.
“Why did you try to kill me?”
“Because I intended to murder you.”
“Is that all? Isn’t there a reason for this?”
“Reason? There is, indeed. However, why should I tell you that?”
Vivian’s eyes, which had returned to focus, were filled with mockery.
In fact, it was an expected response.
As she was a person who even harbored an intent to kill me, there was no way she would answer my question easily.
“I heard that at this rate, you will be disqualified from being a nobleman and will be forced to work in the countryside for the rest of your life. Even the marquis’ family will not help you.”
I said what I had just heard Caleb say.
The trial hasn’t even started yet, but such punishment was usually meted out in the past.
Her family was unable to assist her. If it was proven that the family had assisted, the imperial family would inherit all of the family’s property and position.
So they couldn’t help even if they wanted to.
“… So what?”
Vivian smirked.
“What’s the point of saying that?
”If you tell me why you tried to kill me, I’ll tell the Archduke and his wife that you are their true daughter, not me.”
“Do you think those people will believe you?”
“They could believe it.”
“……”
“It was only a short time, but I thought they were very nice people; if it’s them, they’re not going to throw their daughter in jail, even if she’s a criminal.”
It is assumed that when we reveal our circumstances, they will believe us.
“You have a choice. Whether you will live the rest of your life miserable or like a human being, even if only for a short time.”
There was no response. The longer the silence, the more intense the tension.
My grip on the flute tightened as I worried Vivian would close her mouth like this.
I’m curious how much time has passed.
“……do I just have to tell you the reason?”
She was persuaded.
For a brief moment, I nearly let out a joyful scream.
I, on the other hand, shook my head as if nothing had happened.
“I have a few other questions besides that. Please respond to my questions until they are all answered.”
“……I get it.”
Vivian looked hesitant, but she eventually accepted my offer. She opened her mouth after a brief silence.
“I… I wanted to return.”
“Where?”
“To the time before I changed my body for the first time.”
Something odd struck me about Vivian’s words.
“First time?”
“Yes, for the first time.”
Don’t they usually express a desire to return to their bodies?
Vivian continued as if she had guessed my question.
“I thought I could go back if you died. When I died, our bodies changed.”
“What did you mean when you died……?”
“I’ve already died from that body. I was murdered.”
I was taken aback by the unexpected words.
I was at a loss for words.
“You were murdered!?”
“That’s correct.”
The response was unequivocal.
“That damn crown prince had murdered me.”
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
Vivian, no, Elena remembered the first day the Crown Prince visited her.
It was the same day every year.
Because of her adoptive parents’ debt, she worked as an actor in a theater company, and when she was anxious and in pain, the Crown Prince presented her with a proposal.
The crown prince proposed to her, saying, “That face of yours is what keeps the sponsor going, isn’t it?”
Then he instructed her to approach and seduce the Duke.
When she saw the portrait of Caleb and the large sum of money in front of her, she accepted it without hesitation.
She suspected it would cause problems later, but she didn’t want to be too concerned.
Elena was well aware of her beauty and attractiveness.
Naturally, she was confident in her ability to fulfill Crown Prince’s request.
‘Even if he’s a duke, a man is still a man.’
There were dozens of men who adored her and came to see her on a regular basis.
She reasoned that even if the opponent was changed to a duke, nothing would change.
Elena joined the Royal Knights as an adjunct after leaving the troupe, thanks to Count Van Der.
There was a lot of sarcasm and the occasional harassment, but Caleb was the one who stopped it.
She initially mistook it for a crush.
“As expected, the Duke is indeed a man,” she thought, hoping it would be easier than she expected.
It took a long time for her to realize that it was all an illusion and that it was a really stupid idea.
Curious about the safety of her friends, Veloka and Rael, she cautiously snooped around the troupe, where she saw Vivian and Caleb emerge, so she unknowingly hid her body.
And Vivian didn’t seem to notice.
But she was taken aback by the smile that appeared on Caleb’s face.
He was the kind of person who couldn’t even smile at himself.
Elena, who returned as if on the run, felt betrayed. That, however, was her own emotion.
Looking back, she recalled, Caleb’s behavior was just a line that did not go against “politeness.”
But she mistook it for her own crush.
She never expected to fail, and the fact that she was mistaken was tragic in and of itself, but she thought it didn’t matter.
She liked Caleb, but she didn’t think it was necessary if it wasn’t him.
Soon, the Crown Prince calmly accepted her failure. He never even requested his advance payment. He told her she could do whatever she wanted with it.
Because of that, Elena was able to give up her lingering attachment to Caleb more easily.
To say it is not regrettable would be a lie. However, the situation itself was positive.
Elena had paid off her debt and was no longer required to work as an actor.
She had enough money to start over.
Elena was overjoyed by the news and grateful to Crown Prince for giving her the opportunity to paint the future.
Until the next day, when she was kidnapped by the Crown Prince’s minions.
The kidnapping occurred in an instant. A cloth was suddenly placed over her face as she walked down the street.
Her mouth was muzzled and her limbs were tied when she opened her eyes again.
Elena did everything she could to figure out what was going on. But all she could hear was the movement of wheels.
She was trembling in fear, but at least the carriage carrying her came to a halt, and strong hands emerged to hold her.
She sat on the ground, as if she had been thrown there, her hands and legs muddy from the snow melting on them.
The cloth came off as soon as she realized she was outside.
“I apologize, Miss Lena.”
Her kidnappers were a man she had never seen before and Count Van Der.
Elena sensed her death as soon as she saw the knife in the man’s hand.
In fact, Count Van Der even gagged her, saying she would grant her last will.
Elena screamed as soon as the gag was released.
After hearing her scream, she wished for someone passing by to run or call a guard.
The only thing that returned was a calm voice that reminded her of reality.
“Even if you scream that loud, it’s pointless. Because it is a royal hunting ground, only those with permission are permitted to enter. And today, the only ones allowed are me and the escort knight.”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes for you to disappear.”
