chapter 24.
But Gaia was glaring at Free with anger, as if they were strangers—no, worse than strangers.
‘Unni… hasn’t changed at all.’
That was why, even after Gaia left, Free couldn’t move from the spot.
She had hoped that her sister would at least be a little happy to see her after so long.
‘Did she come here against her will? Is that why she hates me so much?’
She wasn’t stupid.
If someone acted that harshly, there had to be a reason.
“Don’t worry. She said she was tired today. That’s probably why she reacted that way.”
“You’re concerned about my sister.”
“Because she’s your sister, isn’t she?”
“Is it because she’s my sister? Or because she might replace me? Or… because she’s the one you wanted to bring from the start?”
“It could be all three—or none.”
More than Gaia’s coldness, it was Argent’s words that weighed heavy on Free’s chest. Was she really that unwanted?
“Don’t lay a hand on my sister.”
“Oh? All of a sudden?”
“My sister… my sister is to become the Empress of the Beheport Empire.”
“Are you saying that because you truly care? Or because you’ve been conditioned to believe that? Is that really how you feel?”
“Of course, it’s because I care…”
She was about to say that it was out of concern—that it was how she truly felt about her sister—but at that moment, something inside Free cracked.
‘Why… do I worry about her? Why do I want her love? Why do I want my family’s affection? Do I really… care about her?’
She couldn’t even understand her own feelings.
And so frustration bubbled up inside her, as if a hidden weakness had been exposed. Her chest felt tight.
“Don’t hide your feelings.”
It was just a single sentence. And yet, instead of denying it, Free’s lips only trembled.
“Your sister will likely rest today. You should do the same.”
It was a considerate remark, but Free couldn’t move, tangled in the emotions rising within her.
As if his business was done, Argent turned to Ian, who had been standing behind her, and walked away.
“Let’s go back now, Lady Free.”
“…Alright.”
After all that, it felt awkward to keep standing there.
“I was planning to go in anyway.”
She added, deliberately.
Was it pride that made her say it? Or a desire not to obey him so easily?
Free muttered the words and turned back to her room.
✧
A few days later.
During those days, Free barely touched her food and spent her time staring out the window.
“Lady Free. Are you alright?”
“Cathy.”
“Please eat this, at least. I went out to get it just for you!”
Only then did Free slowly turn her head.
It was a small cake. A plump strawberry sat atop snowy whipped cream. Cathy set it down before her with some tea.
“There’s a famous cake shop. I went there myself.”
“Thank you for the thought.”
“It’s my purpose to serve you, Lady Free!”
Looking at her beaming smile, Free was reminded of Zell, whom she had left behind in the Kingdom of Ezan.
He always acted like he’d do anything for her. Though there were subtle differences, Free felt comforted.
“Thank you.”
Raising the silver spoon, she took a small bite of the cake, appreciating the gesture.
Contrary to its simple appearance, the cake melted gently in her mouth.
“It’s really good.”
“I’m glad!”
“Cathy, you really do take good care of me.”
“Oh no, it’s nothing! But Lady Free, what’s that in your hand?”
Only then did Free realize she was fiddling with a doll. The one Ian had given her a few days ago.
“Oh, this? It’s a guardian doll.”
“Is it a bird? Its eyes are so mysterious.”
“Right? What kind of doll do you have, Cathy?”
“Me? I don’t have one of those.”
“Really…?”
Free looked at her curiously. She had assumed everyone in this country owned one—guardian dolls or worry dolls, as they were called.
“Nope! Maybe that’s something from your homeland. Fascinating!”
“They don’t have them in the Empire of Intelia?”
“Nope!”
Why not? Free quietly tucked the doll back into her pocket.
“I see.”
“It looks unique though. Was it a gift?”
Why was she so curious? Free wiped the smile from her face and nodded lightly.
“His Majesty gave it to me.”
“…Lady Free.”
Was it because Seth wasn’t around? Cathy seemed to be crossing the line today. Though Free had tried to maintain friendly relations with her, she couldn’t help frowning in discomfort.
“His Majesty seems like a very considerate person.”
That single comment snapped something inside Free.
“Didn’t you talk badly about him with me just a few days ago?”
“Well, yes… but I’m sure he had his reasons! That’s what I think now!”
Was this the unease she had been feeling?
‘So in the end, Cathy pretended otherwise, but she’s on Argent’s side.’
Even if they weren’t directly connected, she was clearly someone who harbored good feelings toward Argent. Everything she had done for Free must’ve been an act.
The moment that became clear, Free felt strangely relieved.
‘She’s exactly what I needed.’
Free had chosen to play the villain. And Cathy fit that role perfectly. It confirmed her instincts weren’t wrong—Cathy had a loose tongue and liked Argent.
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right. Argent is always such a wonderful person.”
Just then, as if he sensed that Free no longer wanted to continue the conversation, Seth walked in. Cathy, perhaps content after hearing what she wanted, stepped back, but Free just idly tapped her cake with her spoon.
Seth approached her, concern written on his face.
“I heard you skipped another meal today. I’m worried you’ll fall ill.”
“Cathy brought me some cake.”
“Still…”
Free had lost weight over the past few days and looked weak.
“Is it because of the guest you said was your sister?”
“…Yes. I wonder if she’s alright.”
“Shall I look into it for you?”
She had clearly been wary and hostile. And because of what happened on the first day, Free hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask how Gaia was doing. But Seth’s offer felt like a balm to her restless heart. The people here really were kind.
“Would you, please?”
No matter how badly Gaia had treated her, they were family. She couldn’t help but worry. She missed her.
Was she eating well? Why had she been so angry?
‘It must be the fatigue from travel.’
Even as she tried to comfort herself, Free couldn’t muster the courage to visit her. In the past, she would’ve accepted such treatment without question, but not anymore.
In fact, during her time in the Kingdom of Ezan, Free hadn’t even realized she had been emotionally abused—like mud quietly staining a clean hem.
It had been so natural, so constant, she thought everyone lived like that. They never did it in front of others—only when it was just family.
But in this place, she hadn’t been mistreated even once. Everyone called her “Your Majesty” and treated her warmly. As those days piled up, Free began to feel emotions she couldn’t name.
She hadn’t fully realized that what had happened before was wrong, but one thing she knew for certain—
Her instincts didn’t want to return to that place. The feeling in her chest, this tightness, was anxiety.
‘It’ll be okay. She’s my sister. My unni.’
Trying to suppress her unease, Free waited for Seth.
✧
“Your Majesty, I was told she didn’t want to see anyone these past few days because of travel fatigue.”
“Really?”
A small smile bloomed on Free’s face. She had worried that Gaia had rejected only her.
“Yes. It seems you can go see her now. I checked myself.”
“Then I’ll go right away.”
She had been struggling to read a book, but now, delighted, she stood up and began to prepare.
“Shall we prepare anything for the visit?”
Tea to share, perhaps? Cathy had been excited about a new tea that had arrived.
Or maybe she should bring some jewelry Gaia might like?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Free stopped herself.
“It’s fine.”
Whatever she brought, she knew Gaia wouldn’t appreciate it. A hint of sadness flickered on her face.
“I’ll accompany you.”
“I’ll go with Ian today. Ian, you know the way, right?”
“Yes, probably…”
“But Lady Free, even if Ian is a knight, the two of you going alone is a bit…”
“Cathy! How dare you speak that way to Her Majesty!”
“No, Seth. Don’t scold her. I’d like to hear Cathy’s reasoning too. Tell me, Cathy. Why can’t I go?”
Unlike Seth, who snapped, Cathy remained composed.
“When Lady Free goes anywhere, we should accompany you. Besides, he’s a man! What if someone starts a bad rumor… And remember what His Majesty said last time. I’m just worried.”
She said it was concern, but her words didn’t sit well with Free.
She was bringing up things that didn’t need to be said.
