Chapter 37. [Let Not Sorrow and Despair Consume You]
Apart from the disasters triggered by Cantio’s death, the Empire had never experienced extreme droughts or monsoon seasons. Once a certain threshold was crossed, divine protection would activate and regulate the weather. Thanks to this, even when neighboring countries suffered severe food shortages, the Empire could maintain a stable level of food production.
So, during times of drought or monsoon, envoys from other countries frequently lined up to request food aid.
If Regis became Emperor, he would undoubtedly boast about this and taunt Shavia every time. Regis had nothing to boast about except being born a prince, and Shavia had no desire to bow her head to someone like that.
As Shavia took a sip of tea, Regis eagerly chimed in, “That’s true.”
“What remains are the imperial nobles. There’s only one duke and two marquis families in the Empire. The other marquis family, Locke, is a pro-Emperor faction. And they support the fifth prince, so they’re not an option. If it’s not the Duke of Spes, Shavia’s status is bound to fall.”
The Duke of Spes was an admirable man, so charming that one wouldn’t even notice the age gap.
“But the Duke of Spes doesn’t even glance at you.”
Regis, for once, hit the point. But Shavia replied in a soft tone.
“It’s not just me. He’s uninterested in all women. It’s fair, isn’t it? Better than tiring oneself out with multiple mistresses.”
“I don’t get it.”
Shavia smiled gently, as if she had never expected him to understand. Then she turned to the Empress and spoke.
“There’s a child who just became a Holy Body. If we use that child, they won’t suspect us. And there’s a viscount family that was about to be disposed of—might as well take care of it at the same time. I’ll show you the results of my research.”
“Can you handle it without issues? Your opponent is the Duke of Spes.”
As the Empress asked with a satisfied look, Shavia’s eyes curved softly.
“That’s why, instead of risking everything, I’ll move in a way that allows me to completely cut off the tail and extract myself. Even if something goes wrong, our names won’t come up. And if that happens, I think it would be good to seriously consider it—taking that girl as a princess consort.”
Sensing that she had annoyed the Empress, Shavia added with a sweet smile,
“If we fail, that means the Duke cares for her that much. Then it’ll be even harder to eliminate her. If we can’t remove her, shouldn’t we make her ours instead? Imagine the blood of the Fortuna imperial family mixed with that of the Spes family. Don’t you wonder what kind of child would be born? Though she’s already fifteen and can’t properly use alchemy from now on, she’s still the perfect candidate for succession.”
“Indeed, that’s true.”
The Empress began calculating in her head.
Seeing how Regis had pushed her forehead with his fingers yet was still sent away safely, it was obvious she wasn’t his real daughter. Maybe he just wanted to treat someone who resembled him kindly.
“Not a bad idea.”
Even as an adopted daughter, being married into the Spes family would greatly strengthen Regis’ position. Since the imperial family and the Spes family had never formed a marriage alliance before, it would carry symbolic significance.
And since she wasn’t the Duke’s real daughter, there was no need to worry about his reaction. Once she was made the prince’s consort, they could discipline her and make her obedient. After disciplining, they could even call a priest to remove any traces.
The problem was that the Duke of Spes was highly unlikely to accept this marriage. He had overflowing wealth and showed no interest in the power the imperial family offered. The Empress had no way to persuade him. And considering Regis’ reaction, Elua’s would be even worse.
The Empress let out a small sigh as she looked at her son sitting idly by. That problem could be solved later.
“Do as you wish.”
Waiting for the Empress to finish her calculations, Shavia whispered sweetly,
“My wish? Everything will go exactly as Her Majesty desires.”
The space, blocked off on all sides by brick walls, was dark and reeked of mold. This was a dream. Even knowing that, Elua was terrified. Just moments ago, the bell had tolled twelve times.
Just the thought that Regis might come made her whole body tremble. Elua hid herself in the deep shadows of a corner. Her only comfort was the fact that there were no entrances—just walls on all sides—so no one could enter.
But what if someone did?
“I don’t want that.”
Her trembling grew worse. Her heart pounded and her breath caught in her throat. Just as her mind was about to be pulled into a suffocating darkness—
“Noona.”
A gentle voice wrapped around her.
‘Huh?’
Elua opened her eyes and, feeling a small warmth squirming under the blanket, gasped. It had been a dream. Thank goodness.
After catching her breath a few times, Elua called the name of the warmth cuddling into her.
“Louis?”
“Yeah. I want to sleep here.”
Peeking his eyes out from under the blanket, Louis replied.
“Okay. Let’s sleep together.”
Elua hugged Louis and gently patted his shoulder.
She had woken up in the lavender room’s bedroom. Soft bedding, elegant decorations, and Louis. This cozy place was far removed from any danger.
Louis pressed his ear to Elua’s chest and said,
“Your heart’s beating fast.”
“I had a dream.”
“What kind of dream?”
Uh, um…
“…A dream where I was running?”
She lied, not wanting to burden Louis with fear. He mumbled, “Oh, I see,” and closed his eyes. Then whispered,
“I’ll run with you.”
“Really?”
“I want to do everything with you.”
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
After fidgeting a bit, Louis quickly fell back asleep. Elua buried her face in his pink hair.
‘He smells like a baby.’
Sniffing, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes to the sound of Louis’ calm breathing.
Since the day Regis visited the duchy, Elua had been having nightmares every night. The formless fear only grew stronger. She knew she was safe now, but also understood that danger could return at any moment.
She didn’t want to be imprisoned again. She hated the beatings. The darkness was terrible. But what she hated most was herself—powerless, doing nothing but waiting for death.
“I hate being helpless.”
Her faint murmur dissipated into the night air.
Clink. At the sound brushing her ear, she opened her eyes and saw a steel marble placed at her bedside begin to roll slowly. She had been practicing every day, but could only move it about a span.
From the size of a fingernail to a span—still, that was progress. The Duke of Spes had told her it was impressive, though she suspected it was just encouragement. After all, moving a marble that small couldn’t do anything.
How long would it take to wield it freely like the Duke?
“I want to be strong.”
Strong enough that trash like Regis couldn’t control her fate.
In Aiden, Elua had always been full of confidence. She had the characteristic boldness of a child who was loved. Regis had scarred her spirit in just 18 days.
Elua found this timid, shrinking version of herself unfamiliar. She was fine during the day. But every night, she kept falling into nightmares.
Tomorrow, they would depart for Aiden. She knew she had to sleep more to ride the carriage at sunrise. But she couldn’t fall asleep again and greeted the morning sun with sleepless eyes.
Blinking her dry eyes, she felt a surge of emotion.
Regis, who had beaten her, was probably sleeping peacefully while she was still trapped in fear. Watching the sun dye the world red, Elua made a decision to change.
As the Duke of Spes had said—no more limits. She would become someone who could do anything.
The journey back to Aiden as Elua Vita Spes was different from before.
First, the carriage the Duke of Spes provided was incredibly smooth. Even after a whole day of riding, her back and hips didn’t hurt. But the biggest change was the people with her.
Inside the carriage was Singh. Outside, Alex and four knights of the 1st Spes Order rode alongside. Behind them, a staggering thirty soldiers followed on horseback. And this was after leaving behind several maids.
They mostly spent their time inside the carriage, so there wasn’t much conversation, but everyone treated Elua and Louis with utmost respect.
“Wowww! It’s my first time passing through a teleportation gate. Amazing. I’m going to brag to the knights when we get back. Oh wow, look at the gloomy weather. It’s still chilly in the west.”
Before she could even register the clattering of hooves, Singh’s voice rang out.
She had a gift for describing a simple morning routine in three full hours.
‘Should I ask for a different escort?’
Elua considered it multiple times. But Louis adored Singh too much. Usually so mature, he showed bright eyes and clapped like a child around Singh.
So Elua decided to get used to her.
Aside from the never-ending talking, Singh’s stories were surprisingly engaging and made time fly. After passing through the teleportation gate, the carriage stopped at a nearby territory. Though they arrived in the afternoon, the next village was too far, so they decided to stay the night.
As they unpacked at the inn, Louis asked,
“Noona, can I go check out the shopping street?”
“From what I saw, this place didn’t look very safe…”
When Elua voiced her concern, Louis’ shoulders drooped. He must’ve been restless from staying in the carriage all day, yet he never once complained. Elua changed her mind, placing the steel marble in her pocket.
“Then let’s go together—with Singh.”
“Really?”
Louis’ face brightened just as Singh burst through the door.
“I’ll let the next room know!”
She opened the door to the knights’ room and shouted, “We’re heading out!” and closed it right away. As Singh turned lightly, a knight quickly rushed after her.
“I’ll come with you. Even though it’s a village, you never know what might happen.”
The one who followed in a fluster was none other than Alex.
