Chapter 21
‘I should’ve listened properly back then.’
Right now, she was uncharacteristically regretting something.
At the time, she had been just an ordinary person, far removed from magic. There had been no reason for her to be interested in any banned books on magic.
Because she had let the words go in one ear and out the other, she couldn’t clearly remember the location of the bookstore that sold collections of such books. But she remembered roughly where it was.
It was near a jewelry shop she sometimes visited with her mother when they came to the capital, which is why it stuck in her memory.
“Should I start from there?”
Now, Ella had a time limit — three years. She had to finish everything before divorcing Diasi.
She had never planned to waste time, but having a strict deadline set her heart racing with impatience.
Suddenly, Ella lifted both hands and smacked her own cheeks hard enough to make a sharp sound. The slap was so strong that her fingertips, which had hit her cheeks, turned faintly red.
“Calm down. Calm down.”
The last thing she needed right now was impatience. The more impatient she became, the greater her chances of failing in her revenge.
“Phew.”
Letting out a deep sigh that was almost like an exhale of frustration, Ella rose from her seat and walked over to the window.
Outside, young maids tending the flowerbeds laughed and played together.
Sunlight poured over their bright smiles, making the scene dazzling to behold.
Ella, too, had once smiled that innocently. In fact, until just a few weeks ago — before she lost everything and woke up in Ella’s body — she had worn such a smile every day.
But now, she had forgotten how to truly smile.
Sometimes, when she saw Ariane, Lina, or Eve, she would find herself smiling unconsciously — but it was only the reflexive smile of someone feeling a sibling-like affection.
Sadly, she could no longer remember what it felt like to smile out of happiness.
Come to think of it, in the past, every smile had been because she was happy. She had smiled because she was happy. But now, even when she smiled, she wasn’t happy.
It had been so natural that she never realized how much of a blessing it was — to feel joy and express it freely.
‘Why didn’t I know back then…’
Now, she might never again smile because she was happy. Perhaps for the rest of her life.
“…”
As that truth crossed her mind, her hand, resting on the hem of her dress, clenched tightly.
She had once asked herself why such things had to happen to her.
Was it back when she lived as Louise, or after she entered Ella’s body? She couldn’t even remember anymore.
But now, there was no need to look back on the past. And so she had stopped doing so.
There was something far more important than recalling a past that could never be changed.
In an instant, Ella’s pale blue eyes grew sharp.
Once, they had been like a clear stream on a sunny spring day, but now they looked cold enough to freeze at a touch.
Just then—
Knock, knock.
A knock broke her train of thought.
“Come in.”
The moment Ella gave permission, Ariane stepped inside.
Holding something in her hands, Ariane hesitated, unable to speak, fidgeting awkwardly — which was unusual for her.
Ella approached and asked gently,
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… um…”
Avoiding her gaze, Ariane trailed off. That was when Ella realized what she was holding.
“It’s fine. Give it to me.”
“…Here.”
Lowering her eyes and unable to meet Ella’s, Ariane extended her hands.
Ella’s eyes narrowed as she accepted the item.
It was a letter — sealed with the crest of the Meyer family.
There was no need to read it. Whether from Lilia or Logan, there was only one reason they would send a letter to her at the Myers estate.
‘Good thing I secured my freedom from Diasi last night.’
Her thoughts were as calm as her expression.
Ella stood before the Meyer Ducal residence, staring silently at the door.
Ariane had insisted on accompanying her to the end, but Ella’s firm refusal stopped her.
Step by step, she approached the entrance, a faint smile on her face.
Ariane had thought Ella wouldn’t be pleased by a letter from the Meyer family — but she was mistaken.
Ella had actually been waiting for her parents to summon her. To take the first step in the revenge she had long planned.
As she neared the entrance, the guards stepped aside. With a heavy clunk, the thick doors swung open.
Her footsteps echoed alone in the vast front hall.
It was her parents who had called for her, yet the very people who summoned her were nowhere to be seen.
Ella wasn’t surprised — she had expected this.
During her time living here, she had rarely left her own room.
As a result, she barely knew the layout of the house or the faces of the servants.
Not knowing where to go, she stood still until a maid approached.
“I’ll take you to Madam.”
Without waiting for an answer, the maid turned and walked away.
It was an unreasonably rude attitude, but Ella didn’t bother pointing it out.
The maid’s steps eventually stopped. Looking around, Ella saw an unfamiliar door.
The maid knocked lightly, and as if waiting, the door opened.
Through the gap, Ella saw Lilia. Her lips curved into a soft arc.
“It’s been a while, Mother.”
Ella had long known that Lilia hated being called “Mother.”
It was impossible not to notice, given the disgusted expression Lilia always made when she heard it.
She had even once corrected Ella, telling her not to use that term — but Ella had no intention of stopping.
“That wretched girl…!”
The sight of Lilia’s face twisting every time she called her “Mother” was far too amusing.
When Ella entered, everyone except her and Lilia left the room.
It was the start of a private meeting between a mother and daughter who had no desire to see each other.
Lilia looked Ella up and down. Of course, it wasn’t out of any motherly sentiment.
She was simply surprised that her daughter appeared to be living in relative comfort.
As if to emphasize her lack of maternal warmth, she didn’t even tell Ella to sit.
Lilia herself remained standing, her body language making it obvious she didn’t want to face her across a table. Ella chuckled faintly.
“I see you’ve been doing well.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Since neither of us wants to see each other, I’ll get straight to the point.”
Her voice was curt and decisive. Ella signaled for her to continue.
“Report to me on the Duke of Myers’ activities you observed while staying there.”
It was exactly what Ella had expected.
And naturally, she had already prepared her answer.
‘No matter what, I should at least see the face of the person I plan to take revenge on. No need to tell you.’
Ella’s expression hardened slightly.
“No.”
“…What?”
It hadn’t even occurred to Lilia that Ella might refuse.
Eyes wide in surprise, she quickly raised her voice.
“Are you insane? Did you not understand what I told you before you went to that house?!”
“I understood perfectly. I’m fully aware of the purpose of my marriage.”
“Then what nonsense are you talking about?!”
“I just… think I’m a bit tired.”
“What?!”
Meeting her gaze without flinching, Ella spoke boldly.
“If I report the Duke’s activities to you, you’ll pass them on to His Holiness the Pope, won’t you?”
“….”
Lilia stayed silent — which was as good as admitting it.
“I’ve thought for a while now… wouldn’t it be better to skip the middleman?”
“….”
“From now on, I’ll report directly to His Holiness. That way, you won’t have to see my disgusting face either.”
Every word Ella spoke was logically sound, but Lilia couldn’t agree.
Her daughter was a mage. Even with a magical restraint device suppressing her powers, that fact didn’t change.
And the Pope… was the polar opposite of a mage — a man of holy power, the supreme authority in the land.
She could never, ever allow Ella to meet him.
‘So, marrying into the Myers family has made you think you have protection now, has it?’
This was nothing like the Ella from five years ago, who had trembled in fear before her. Now, she stared straight into Lilia’s eyes — and even dared to talk back.
Blood vessels stood out in Lilia’s eyes.
“You should know your place! With that filthy body, who do you think you are to face His Holiness?!”
Furious, Lilia stepped toward her, ready to slap her across the face.
But Ella had already anticipated such a reaction. Everything was going according to her plan.
“Well, that’s too bad. Because I have no intention of coming here to report on the Duke’s activities ever again.”
“Y-you…!”
Lilia’s hands trembled with rage. She was furious beyond words — that Ella would defy her orders, that she would dare to refuse.
But in the blink of an eye, the flush in her face drained away.
Unclenching her fist, she took a deep breath, her expression smoothing over.
“I hadn’t planned to resort to this…”
“…?”
“I’ll send word to the Myers estate — that after seeing your parents again, you decided to stay here for a few days.”
Lilia’s next words rang out sharply.
“Come in!”
