Chapter 51: The Bluebird (1)
Ian broke off the half-crushed arm of the cookie in his hand and placed it into his mouth.
A crisp, savory scent tickled his nose.
He liked that it wasn’t overly sweet.
I swallowed the cookie while looking into Ian’s teary eyes.
“I finished it. So stop crying, okay?”
“Sniff… then the lady—”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Brushing the cookie crumbs off my hands, I placed the remaining cookies back on the tray.
I briefly debated whether to pat Ian’s blond hair as he looked up at me with wide eyes, then let out a light sigh.
I’ve noticed this before, but I seem to be especially weak toward pitiful people.
Even if someone isn’t that pitiful, when they look at me with tears like that, I just feel like doing everything for them.
Of course, I won’t actually do everything.
“I don’t plan on liking anyone, man or woman, for a while. I don’t even have time to date.”
As I wiped the crumbs from my damp palm with a handkerchief, Ian’s face lit up with a smile.
Honestly, how did this man play a possessive male lead in the original novel?
In the original story, Ian was a notorious character who used his power to kidnap and imprison Odelia.
He not only locked her up when she tried to run but also ruthlessly crushed anything that tried to take her from him—I remember those scenes vividly.
But now, the man in front of me—
“Then does that mean I have a chance someday?”
“No. Even if Your Highness were a woman, I still wouldn’t be tempted. So don’t get your hopes up.”
“Sniff…”
“Why are you acting cute?”
“Was I… cute?!”
Look at this man, forgetting he’s the Crown Prince, thinking acting cute would actually earn him affection.
Is he the Crown Prince or a giant puppy?
…Well, he is kind of cute.
I turned away from Ian, who didn’t know when to stop being adorable, and saw that the situation had settled down—Baizen was chatting amicably with Diane.
“How is Lady Odelia doing at the marquisate?”
“It may be something to be curious about, but she lives like any other young lady… probably.”
“Ah…”
Their animated conversation was oddly fascinating.
There was never a scene like this in the original, with those two sitting and talking so peacefully, so it was even more curious.
“You seem to get along well with Lady Odelia. If it’s alright with you, please visit the marquisate from time to time.”
“In that case, I’ll come by soon. I’m already looking forward to seeing how Lady Odelia is doing.”
“She’ll exceed your expectations. She’s been having a great time. By the way, Princess—”
Not wanting to interrupt the pleasant conversation, I turned away.
Luckily, Ian had left too, summoned by the Emperor, giving me some peace of mind.
And at that moment—
“Lady Odelia!”
“Lady Selene.”
Selene approached me with a bright greeting.
“I was worried since you didn’t reply to my letter, but I’m glad we met like this.”
“Letter?”
Selene said she’d sent me a letter two days ago.
But for some reason, it never reached me.
Maybe someone at the estate intercepted it, or maybe it was just a delivery error—either way, Selene simply said she was glad we met.
“It’s a relief. I got to see you here, after all.”
“It is. So, what did you write in the letter?”
“Oh! Right.”
Lady Selene smiled broadly and beckoned me closer.
When I leaned in at her gesture, her pale pink lips curved into a graceful arc.
“The Bluebird wants to meet you.”
The Bluebird.
I should’ve been moved by the name, but instead, an ache tore through my chest like my heart might collapse.
Meeting the Bluebird might be my only way back, so why did I feel so disturbed?
Hiding my unease, I smiled back at Selene.
“That’s wonderful news.”
“Yes! Do you have a moment now, by any chance?”
I glanced over at Baizen.
He seemed so engaged in his conversation with Diane that he didn’t even spare me a glance. Maybe it was a good thing.
I nodded.
“Yes, where should we go?”
Selene smiled and led me out of the banquet hall.
Unlike the noisy banquet, the outside was deathly quiet.
“Where are the others?”
The other ladies who had joined the previous tea party weren’t in sight.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen them inside either…
“They’ve already gathered.”
Selene smiled as she stood at the garden steps and held out her hand.
Her soft smile was the same as before, yet it sent chills down my spine.
Can I trust this hand?
I hesitated, but I couldn’t turn back now.
I gently took her hand and descended the stairs.
“Well done.”
As if I’d made the right choice, Selene gripped my hand tightly, praising me.
Would anyone believe me if I said her hand felt ice cold?
I had a strange certainty—this person might not be Selene at all.
“Are you afraid?”
She asked while walking through the garden.
It felt as if she’d read my mind, and my steps faltered.
More accurately, I stumbled.
Selene caught me as I tripped and smiled.
“Don’t be scared. We only want to grant your wish.”
“…What do you think my wish is?”
Her tone implied she knew exactly what I wished for.
But I could tell she wasn’t talking about that ‘crush’ I mentioned at the tea party.
I didn’t know why, but I was sure of it.
Through her grey eyelids, I saw her pupils—
Wait—
“Well, I’m not sure. But—”
Were Selene’s eyes always that blue?
A sudden, powerful pull yanked my hand, and my body collapsed forward.
Like a film cutting to black, my consciousness faded.
Just before I passed out, I faintly heard Selene’s voice.
“You can’t go anywhere. This world is your world.”
Her whisper echoed like a mocking laugh, and then everything went dark.
The warm winds of late summer scattered a bluish light through the air.
A forgotten palace deep in the imperial palace. A garden hidden even deeper within.
A cobblestone path stretched through a garden blooming with countless flowers.
There was only one path. No way back. No way to stray. Only one direction to choose.
Blue lights began to drift along the path like fireflies.
“I’ve been waiting a long time.”
Selene, walking along the path, began speaking as if addressing someone.
“Even though I knew you’d come at the end of the story, the wait felt endless.”
A chilling blue glow shone beneath her lashes in the darkness.
Jinah followed silently behind Selene, walking lightly as if drawn by the light.
The unconscious Jinah was surrounded by glowing blue orbs that gathered around her.
Selene smiled as she watched them swirl longingly around Jinah.
“After such a long time, you finally came.”
But her smile quickly faded, replaced by a cold expression.
“But why did you forget?”
At her words, the blue lights flared angrily around Jinah.
“If you were going to forget everything—”
Selene stepped forward with fury on her face.
“Then give it back.”
Her voice triggered the lights to begin choking Jinah.
“Give it back!”
Selene screamed as she gripped Jinah’s throat. Her complexion turned blue under the pressure, but Selene didn’t stop.
“…Kh!”
“Stop.”
A short cough from Jinah snapped Selene back.
The lights immediately released her.
Selene took a deep breath to calm herself and began walking slowly.
“Please understand our anger.”
At the end of the garden, she gestured toward a round table covered in blue roses. Jinah was gently laid on top.
As her body touched the surface, blue light rippled outward.
The light formed symbols, then disappeared.
Selene watched and slowly closed her eyes.
Then—someone approached from behind.
“…Is it done?”
White hair fluttered behind her.
It was Rudolf. Selene offered a faint smile.
“You’re not late.”
“…Don’t talk to me.”
Rudolf brushed past her and approached Jinah.
As he gently touched her pale face, his gaze fell to her neck.
“This… was you?”
His clipped words were filled with fury.
“I wasn’t the only one.”
Selene giggled, but Rudolf’s eyes turned icy cold.
And then—
“Ugh…”
Selene clutched her throat, gasping. The blue light in her eyes dimmed.
Rudolf didn’t avert his gaze until the light vanished.
A glowing blue orb floated above Selene’s head.
“Try touching her again. Just once more.”
Rudolf cradled Jinah and snapped his fingers.
The blue orb vanished instantly, ignored completely.
Rudolf’s gaze remained fixed on Jinah.
“I wish… I wish you never knew anything.”
He muttered bitterly, looking down at her sleeping face.
“I wish you and I could just stay clueless forever. Just live stupidly with the others.”
At his words, the blue orbs surged toward them in protest. One particularly persistent orb made Rudolf frown.
With a flick of his hand, he scattered the lights.
His eyes fell once more to Jinah’s neck.
Seeing the swelling, Rudolf’s brow furrowed.
He gently soothed the bruised skin and closed his eyes in pain.
“So don’t try to leave. Please.”
I don’t even wish to be loved.
The thought echoed briefly, and tears welled in Rudolf’s eyes.
It was sorrow at not being able to have the one thing he desperately desired.
But no matter how rare or precious the thing was, to Rudolf, nothing was more important than Jinah.
So, he opened his eyes with resolve.
And then—Jinah’s eyes fluttered open.
