Chapter : 160
I couldn’t bring myself to reveal the peculiar habits of my family’s ancestors, so I just smoothed my prickly expression and guided them along.
“It’s not as hot as I thought, so we set up seating outdoors. Is that alright?”
“Of course.”
“It’s my first time seeing Bastion’s garden.”
Mercedes glanced around with curious eyes.
Hmm, that makes sense. We’ve never hosted a party at Bastion before.
As I considered maybe inviting my friends for a small tea party someday, we arrived at the tables in the garden.
White lace parasols blocked the sunlight, and smooth carpets were laid out. Around us, summer flowers bloomed vibrantly—not extravagant, but fresh and colorful.
The garden, which had been almost neglected, only started to be well-maintained because two summers ago during vacation, I had mumbled that I wanted to see the greenhouse in my estate.
“Wow, it’s so pretty!”
“Eh, it can’t compare to the flashy royal gardens.”
“I personally prefer this one.”
As always, Mercedes, with his graceful manners, gestured to me and pulled out a chair.
Technically, he should have sat first due to his status, but he was being considerate toward me as the host…
Thud!
Levi intercepted that courtesy.
With a sulky expression, he plopped into the chair Mercedes had pulled out and tugged me onto his lap.
Caught off guard, I forced a smile, hiding my embarrassment, pretending this kind of fuss was expected.
“…Sorry, I haven’t been trained for separation anxiety yet.”
Perhaps it was partly because Levi knew Mercedes was my ex-husband.
Franz was already gagging in disgust.
I couldn’t let this awkwardness linger in front of the guests, so I placed my hand under Levi’s chin and pushed him back—but he didn’t budge.
What? Is this guy challenging me?
No matter how much I trembled and tried, I couldn’t win a strength contest.
Yes, persuasion is needed in situations like this.
Sighing, I whispered into Levi’s ear. With a brightened face, he lifted me and placed me in another chair.
Of course, he insisted on sitting in the chair Mercedes had offered. Sigh, such is my fate.
While grumbling, Sophie, who sat beside me, leaned in and whispered:
“What did you say?”
“Just…”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
Don’t try to find out—it’ll only hurt.
Perhaps sensing my sincere caution, Sophie didn’t ask further.
Soon, Mercedes and Franz took their seats, and the maids began serving tea. I quietly observed Sophie.
I had been worried when I last saw her crying, but now her expression was refreshed, as if she had sorted through her thoughts.
‘She seems strangely more mature.’
Actually, not just Sophie—everyone had changed. They had grown so much since we first met. Back then, I never thought we’d all become friends.
Recalling various moments from my past lives made the scene even more moving.
Feeling unexpectedly sentimental, I looked around, and Mercedes, gracefully sipping tea, spoke to me.
“So, what’s this surprising secret you want to share with your best friend?”
“…It was supposed to be the invitation I sent to Sophie.”
“I’m afraid that all correspondence to my palace is inspected before passing through the gates.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, who cheerfully prattled about my letter.
Of course, I had expected this. I didn’t intend to exclude Mercedes, but his comment annoyed me nonetheless.
Naturally, I hadn’t sent him the invitation because I assumed he’d be busy.
“Why didn’t you make time for me before?”
“Eh?”
Perhaps I would’ve felt less lonely.
Well, I understand now. Even though he cared for me, living as the perfect crown prince all his life, he couldn’t act freely.
It was fortunate that he now seemed to have some joy and emotional leeway. I held no hatred or resentment toward him.
The past is the past. I had no intention of sharing my confusing past life with Sophie and Mercedes.
But I wouldn’t hide anything about the future—not if I needed their help.
“…I don’t even know where to start.”
I exhaled deeply and pulled the Mirror of the Holy Spirit from my chest.
“Sophie, can you take a look at this?”
“Yes.”
Sophie obediently leaned forward, and her reflection appeared in the pale mirror. Golden smoke shimmered on the mirror’s surface, a sight I hadn’t seen in a long time.
I stroked the golden light, still small but remarkably pure.
“So, it’s not broken after all.”
“Uh, what is that?”
“A relic.”
“…Pardon?”
“Specifically, it’s a relic left by the assassins sent from the Holy Empire to our home.”
Both Sophie and Mercedes froze at my calm revelation.
I mentioned the Holy Empire right away to give them a choice.
“Will you listen to the truth or not?”
Belief would come later. If they didn’t want to be involved in this world’s overturned logic, I had to respect their choice. Sadly, even the past connection would have to be severed.
After a moment of silence, Sophie suddenly pointed toward the mountain connected to the garden.
“…Is it over there?”
“Huh?”
“The hillside behind the garden where Asha mentioned a wonderful cabin exists.”
Curious, I nodded.
Sophie smiled brightly and continued:
“I want to have a picnic there next time.”
“….”
“You’ll invite us again, right?”
Blinking, I smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
“I want to be the uninvited guest at that picnic.”
“…Then I’ll invite Mel too.”
The past is the past. And now, this moment is purely present, making it all the more precious.
I genuinely smiled at Mercedes too.
Though Levi immediately blocked me with his hand.
No more than 3 seconds of eye contact with a smile? Fine, I accept.
I slapped Levi’s hand away and began explaining everything.
From the recent kidnapping, my true identity and awakening, the births of Lumi and Nua (though they aren’t here now), to the secrets of Bastion and the Holy Empire—everything.
Sophie, who had been pondering quietly, raised her hand.
“Um…”
“Yes, Sophie?”
I answered like a strict literature professor, and she straightened her back.
“Ah, it’s nothing much, but I want to try something. How about using your purification ability publicly? Wouldn’t it at least stop people from suspecting you’re a witch?”
Top student as always—quickly giving a wise suggestion.
I nodded but then frowned.
“No.”
“Eh?”
“It doesn’t work.”
I had tried purifying contaminated water several times, but it never became clean.
I thought that after awakening and recalling fragments of past lives, I might at least mimic the ability, but nothing.
In the past, it worked instantly, without effort.
Even before meeting Bastion in this life, my purification power had often leaked uncontrollably.
But after awakening, it felt… blocked. Like a faucet finally shut off after being broken.
If anyone discovered I couldn’t purify, suspicions of witchcraft would only increase.
As I fretted, Mercedes raised his hand.
“I have a question too.”
“Go ahead, Mel.”
“I heard that the Holy Empire began sending personnel to support Bastion’s winter campaigns after this pontiff ascended. From Asha’s account, I assume it was to deal with or monitor the World Tree. Why did Bastion allow such blatant actions?”
True to form, the crown prince is concerned about territorial disputes.
I nodded and scratched the back of my head.
“Ah, that. I even asked my father about it…”
Should I honestly tell him?
I hesitated, cleared my throat, and whispered:
“He thought it was ridiculous.”
“Excuse me?”
“Every year they can’t find anything despite being so close, so he just left it be…”
Seeing the atmosphere tense, I quickly waved my hand.
“No, it’s a joke! If you tried stopping them, assassination attempts might increase. Once they visit in winter, it stays quiet for a while.”
“Indeed. Rather than letting them sneak in repeatedly, better to open the main gate publicly when everyone is watching. Wise choice.”
“Y-Yeah, haha…”
While admiring that, sorry, Mercedes—honestly, I think the former is the real reason.
Seeing Wolfgang’s face filled with sincerity as he called it ridiculous, I quenched my burning throat with some refreshing iced tea.
