Chapter 49
Interrogating the terrorist was still proving difficult.
Conducting a respectful interrogation without resorting to inhumane torture, cowardly threats involving one’s own life or family, or the power of fear and violence was far from easy.
The negotiations for the criminal’s extradition weren’t going smoothly either.
The woman named Reina kept cheerfully insisting, “Since he’s from the North… shouldn’t he be punished there?” — refusing to engage in any real negotiation or discussion.
It almost felt like this was exactly the purpose of the North in sending her.
“For now, we’re making sure to protect his personal safety and persuading him to surrender, with the promise of reduced punishment if he does.”
Iago rubbed his temple, clearly troubled, as he spoke.
“We’ve also strengthened the security of the underground prison. The Northern delegation…”
Iago’s calm tone faltered slightly as he made a vague expression, then continued.
“Well, they don’t exactly seem capable, but there’s a chance they might try to approach the criminal.”
“Hmm.”
“You said that lion was Ilena’s childhood friend. Doesn’t anything come to mind?”
“No. But… it feels like something is on the tip of my memory… yeah.”
Ilena’s gaze went blank for a moment as she tried to recall.
Strangely, whenever she looked at her, she felt a flutter near her chest. Especially when she saw that sunflower-like bright smile, it stirred something like a sudden, nostalgic ache near her heart.
“Suddenly came to see a friend…”
Whether that was true or not could be confirmed firsthand.
“Iago. Tonight, loosen the security in the underground prison.”
“What?”
“And arrange a dinner for the delegation that came all the way from the South.”
“…You’re up to something.”
Ilena’s lips curved into a sly, villainous smile as she answered Iago’s suspicion.
“Yes. Forgot? I am a monster, after all.”
The next day, a dinner was prepared for the delegation.
Since Reina was the only one, naturally only Iago, Ilena, and Reina attended the meal.
“I really like the South. I was worried it might be too hot, but the weather is perfect. Ah, I want to see the desert too—when can I go? There’s no desert in the North.”
Reina spoke cheerfully, unfazed by the unfamiliar company.
Even while diligently cutting and eating her food, she chattered nonstop, smiling even as she chewed.
It was a stark contrast to Ilena, who picked at her food expressionlessly.
“I thought all Southern people were mean red pigs… even His Black Majesty! But seeing you in person, you’re so handsome—I was shocked… oh.”
Reina’s chatter paused as she glanced at Iago with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“Excuse my rudeness.”
“It’s fine. Let’s move on.”
Iago answered smoothly without even looking at her.
Focused on carefully extracting meat from a large lobster shell, he placed a thick piece on Ilena’s plate.
“Just eat this for now.”
Though his tone was deliberately curt, it carried a softness entirely different from how he treated Reina.
“…So what was I going to say? Oh, right.”
Reina, whose gaze wavered as she watched the scene, resumed speaking cheerfully.
“Ilena, you don’t know what’s been happening in Manoa, right? After you left, the North has been hit by strange weather again.”
“…Really?”
“Yes! So many people froze to death because of the sudden cold. People had forgotten the cold for ten years.”
“That was all thanks to you, Ilena.”
Iago interrupted Reina’s babbling.
“Of course! That’s why everyone loves Ilena!”
‘And yet, when I lost the ability to control the weather, everyone hated me.’
Ilena repeatedly blocked Iago from sneaking food onto her plate with her knife and asked,
“The delegation is leaving tomorrow, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
“The extradition negotiations failed. Are you okay with them leaving like that?”
Ilena pretended to be worried, but Reina’s face twisted honestly.
“Well… His Majesty said it must succeed… if it doesn’t…”
For the first time, Reina’s ever-cheerful expression darkened.
“…Your Majesty, I wanted to speak with you briefly tonight.”
“Tonight? Hmm, that would be difficult. The palace guards have night training.”
“Ah, the training where all the palace guards gather. Then I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“….”
“Reina.”
“Uh, yes?”
Ilena called to the pensive Reina, who jumped slightly at the sound.
“You said you wanted to talk to me yesterday. If we talk about old times, maybe your memory will come back.”
Ilena smiled warmly.
“We said we’re friends, remember?”
“Uh? Uh, yes. But… oh, could we do it tomorrow instead of tonight?”
“Tomorrow? What’s happening today?”
“I… I’m a little tired… haha. Guess I’m still worn out from yesterday.”
Reina said awkwardly.
“Alright. Then I’ll go rest today as well.”
Ilena nodded quietly, drinking the black tea served for dessert.
‘Sending such a suspicious person as a delegate is just too weird.’
Ilena thought again.
“Ilena… could it be… you tricked me? How could you do that to me?”
Ilena glared at Reina.
They were now in the empty underground prison.
Reina trembled, her face full of betrayal.
‘What are you saying to me in this situation?’
Ilena, stunned and momentarily speechless, soon smiled sweetly.
“Oh, Reina. So I tricked you.”
Her tone was silk-soft.
Watching her, Iago muttered to himself.
‘Ah. Ilena’s mad.’
“You called me your only old friend, yet behind my back, you sneaked into the prison, tricking me.”
Reina had indeed taken advantage of the reduced security to hide in the prison, and was caught by soldiers when trying to get the terrorist.
It was obvious to her that everything was a trap set by Ilena and Iago.
“Th-That’s… not it.”
She stammered, her face pale.
“Not it? Then what?”
Ilena asked coldly.
“I… I came to protect you. You… you’re my sister.”
‘Still with the sister act.’
“If you came just to play sister and little sister…”
Ilena furrowed her brows irritably.
At that moment, Reina suddenly drew a small dagger hidden at her waist.
“Reina!”
Iago immediately stepped in front of Ilena.
“…Reina?”
Reina drove the dagger into her own abdomen, not Ilena’s, almost simultaneously.
Her small body collapsed onto the cold prison floor.
“What?”
Ilena’s eyes widened in shock.
“Hey…”
“Ilena, don’t go near her!”
Iago blocked Ilena with his strong arms, still wary.
“Ilena. Trust me. I… I…”
Reina, bleeding, reached out to her.
Yet even faced with such a grim sight, Ilena didn’t lower her guard.
“Why did you do this?”
Even as she clutched her bleeding abdomen, Reina smiled brightly.
“I’m your sister.”
‘Even bleeding out of her stomach, she’s saying such nonsense.’
Then, pale and bleeding, Reina murmured softly:
“I’ll… protect… you. Number… 21…”
Ilena opened her mouth to ask what she meant, but no words came out.
From the moment she heard “Number 21,” her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
“Ilena?”
Iago’s worried low voice seemed distant, almost like it was coming from far away.
It felt like a heavy stone had dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples outward, centered on the word “21.”
“Number 21.”
A strange voice spoke from the darkness.
It was clearly a voice she’d never heard before… yet it felt familiar.
Cold and emotionless… yes, that’s it.
Ilena suddenly realized why it felt familiar. It was like the voices of her father and brothers—cold, detached from emotion.
“Answer me! Number 21!”
“Yes, sir!”
A high, thin voice came out of her mouth, almost childlike.
‘What? Whose voice is this?’
“Report your condition today.”
The red-haired woman in front of her ordered sharply.
She was incredibly tall. A giant, maybe?
Ilena realized only then that the red-haired woman wasn’t a giant—the problem was that she herself was the child.
