~Chapter 21~
“Since the Empress Dowager requested the baptism, it will be held regardless of whether the princess receives holy power or magic.”
“Do you think the princess will receive holy power?” Eliana asked.
“Well… only Lord Elzer would know that.”
Ruby answered while quietly gazing at the mural of Elzer on the wall.
Eliana followed his eyes and looked at it too.
The god with a beautiful face was holding a huge hourglass in one arm. Inside it seemed to hold the entire universe, a symbol fitting for a god who ruled time and space.
While Eliana stared blankly at the mural, Ruby asked,
“Then what do you think the princess will receive, Eliana?”
“It might sound disrespectful, but if I knew that, wouldn’t I be Elzer himself?”
She replied with a playful smile.
At her slightly blunt answer, Ruby let out a small laugh.
“You’ve changed a lot from before.”
“Yes?”
Since the explanation seemed to be over, he brought up a topic unrelated to the ceremony.
Eliana gave an awkward smile, not knowing what he meant.
Seeing her, Ruby spoke with a slightly bitter expression.
“You said you don’t remember anything at all, right?”
“Yes…”
She answered quietly.
But Ruby suddenly smiled brightly, as if he had never been bitter at all.
“Even if you don’t remember, I’m glad. Because we’ve met again like this.”
“So you don’t need to feel sorry for not remembering.”
His tone was gentle and warm.
Eliana felt strangely burdened by his kindness.
She wasn’t always this wary of people’s goodwill. She used to accept it gratefully.
But that changed after meeting Senior Soo-hyuk.
‘If I hadn’t met him, I probably wouldn’t doubt people like this.’
She gave a bitter smile at her own dark thoughts.
“I may not remember, but I’m sure you treated me kindly back then too.”
“I was the one who received more help.”
“Really? That’s surprising. I don’t think I’m the type to help others… especially my past self.”
Thinking of the original Eliana, she smiled wryly.
Ruby laughed out loud at her honest words.
When the explanation was over, he spoke carefully.
“Since you’re already here, would you like to look around the sanctuary?”
“Oh! I was hoping to ask that.”
Eliana’s eyes lit up.
She wanted to learn more about the Itteoni myth anyway.
Ruby saw her bright expression and smiled faintly.
5 – I Met the Original Main Characters
Based on Ruby’s guidance, the preparations for the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Eliana carried the sample dresses for Mary and headed to the main palace.
She felt slightly excited at the thought of meeting the original female lead in person.
Mary Owen.
The tragic heroine of The Princess Blind for the Emperor and the only princess of the Owen Empire.
Born to a foreign dancer, she was called a ‘mixed child’ and grew up with many scars.
Yet despite her unhappy childhood, she was bright and gentle, just like a true heroine.
It was only after Velkirei revealed his true nature that she slowly started to lose her smile.
Her life completely changed when his tyranny began.
And when her fiancé Callius Hafons sided with Velkirei, the story spiraled into tragedy.
The woman who once smiled brightly lost all hope because of betrayal and her mother’s death.
By the end of Part 1, there were almost no scenes of Mary smiling.
Callius realized his true feelings too late and was filled with regret.
He only understood his heart when Mary no longer smiled at him.
‘Too late. How foolish…’
The maid guiding Eliana stopped in front of the reception room where she had once met Hera.
After announcing her arrival, a clear voice came from inside.
“Come in!”
The door opened, and Eliana’s gaze naturally went to the red-haired girl.
Her twin braids were lovely, and her face was beautiful.
Her eyes, the special blue only passed down in the Owen royal family, reminded Eliana strangely of Velkirei rather than Hera.
“Welcome.”
Mary greeted her with a bright smile.
Eliana stepped forward and bowed politely.
“I greet the star of the Empire, Princess Mary Owen. I am Eliana Musieux.”
“Nice to meet you, Lady Eliana.”
Mary replied warmly.
Eighteen years old and about to debut, she was as beautiful as a flower in full bloom.
Eliana handed her a bouquet of roses.
“Oh my, you didn’t have to bring anything… Thank you.”
Mary smiled shyly as she accepted it.
Even though she was a princess, she spoke humbly and kindly.
“I thought red would suit you well, Your Highness. I’m glad you like it.”
“Your words are sweeter than the roses themselves.”
Mary said softly, smelling the flowers.
She truly suited flowers, both in appearance and temperament.
Their conversation continued over light refreshments.
Yet as they spoke, Eliana began to feel something strange.
‘Why does this feel so comfortable? It’s like she’s adjusting herself to me…’
Even though Eliana should have been the cautious one, Mary kept trying to match her mood and words.
It made the atmosphere friendly, but also oddly unnatural.
When they began discussing Mary’s preferences, the discomfort became clearer.
Mary agreed with everything Eliana suggested.
“This is the design for the ceremony dress?” Mary asked.
“Yes. His Holiness said the symbolic colors are white and blue, and to avoid purple. I think Type A would suit you best. What do you think?”
“It’s perfect! I like A too.”
She answered cheerfully.
But no matter what Eliana suggested, Mary always said yes.
She left every decision to Eliana, even though she was the one who should decide.
Finally, Eliana asked seriously,
“Your Highness… are you truly okay with this?”
“Of course. I trust your sense completely.”
Again, the same response.
Eliana’s face cooled slightly.
Now she understood the discomfort she had been feeling.
Mary was too accommodating. Almost compulsively so.
She had grown up knowing people called her a ‘mixed child.’
She knew they despised her origin.
So she worked hard to prove she had no desire for the throne.
She smiled even when sad, even when angry, even when hurt.
She believed that was the only way to survive peacefully.
A survival method that protected everyone had become poison to herself.
Eliana looked at Mary with pity, then seemed to make up her mind.
She flipped through the designs and deliberately pointed at a pair of lace-up boots that clearly did not match the dress at all.
And then she said…
