Chapter 84
Susan smiled sheepishly as if she had made a mistake. Coming closer, she gently brushed Elia’s hair. Despite Elia’s body having become gaunt beyond recognition over the years, her red hair was still beautiful and glossy.
“There’s plenty of perfume given by the palace. Besides, you’re no longer my servant. You don’t need to take care of me like this anymore.”
“I’ve been caring for you since you were nine. I do this because I want to, so please don’t feel uncomfortable.”
Elia patted Susan’s hand apologetically. Only then did she quietly gaze at her reflection in the mirror. The face that had lost all vitality in the past year looked almost unfamiliar.
“Aren’t you bored? Want me to tell you what’s been happening outside?”
When Elia’s expression darkened as if disheartened, Susan raised her voice unintentionally. Elia smiled and nodded.
“Hmm…”
But Susan hesitated to speak at first, tilting her head as if pondering something, before finally opening her lips.
“Even if I wanted to tell you, there’s really nothing good to say. It’s all stories about people dying.”
Susan’s face quickly darkened.
“Miss, do you remember? There was a very respected scholar… What was his name… Ah, Marquis Antias. That marquis died not long ago too.”
“What? Why all of a sudden? Did he have some chronic illness?”
Marquis Antias was a figure even familiar to Elia, who had spent so much time in the inner palace. He was a scholar who had once served as the head of the national library. When Elia asked in surprise, Susan shook her head, indicating it wasn’t that.
“The marquis’ youngest son is a priest of the temple. The marquis was known to be part of the pope’s faction… Seems like he rebelled against the imperial family.”
“…Good heavens.”
Most people in the Empire shared similar views about the conflict between the imperial family and the temple. Although they couldn’t openly say so, they all believed the imperial family was the root cause.
In that context, killing a respected marquis was a clear warning: Anyone who dares oppose the imperial family will meet a grim fate.
Elia’s heart tightened with fear. What on earth had been happening outside during the past year she was locked away in the palace?
“The protective barriers the temple has set up are so strong. Everywhere you go, people worry whether a war might break out between the imperial family and the temple.”
Susan sighed softly and continued. The Empire had been little short of a living hell these past few years, with the Reiffers rebellion and all.
“Could it really be like those nasty rumors? That the Crown Prince has been possessed by a devil? That he might kill the Pope, destroy the temple, and devastate the continent?”
Susan muttered the words reflexively, then suddenly looked around in alarm. But it was no surprise, these rumors were whispered widely in the central streets these days.
Susan glanced sideways, quietly watching Elia for a moment before setting down the comb. An unbreakable silence settled between them. Elia remained speechless for a while, clenching her small hands tightly.
“There isn’t much time left now. I should get going soon.”
Half of their allotted time had already passed. As if preparing to leave, Susan gathered her cloak and spoke to Elia. Elia got up with a wistful expression.
“I don’t know when we’ll see each other again.”
“I’ll definitely come back. You must stay healthy.”
Susan embraced Elia tightly as she spoke. Goodbyes were always difficult and filled with regret. Elia rested her head against Susan’s shoulder, and Susan lowered her voice to a whisper in her ear.
“The book you asked me to find a few months ago is under the blanket. Check it out.”
Elia’s eyes sparkled at the words. She quietly asked, just loud enough for Susan to hear.
“The Pope’s diary was designated as a banned book, so it must have been hard to find. How did you get it?”
“As you said, I searched everywhere in the capital but couldn’t find it. Then, I overheard the new Madam mention an old shop run by a blind man on the outskirts. Since he couldn’t sort his goods, he just piled everything together and sold it. I thought I’d try, and it was there.”
“That must have been tough. Thank you, I’ll never forget this kindness.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. At least I can move around freely. You, though, Miss…”
Suddenly, the room fell silent as a soft knocking came from outside. Susan stepped back a pace from Elia, then smiled as she said her farewell.
“Well then, I’ll be going, Miss.”
Adjusting her clothes, Susan opened the door and left. Elia, unable to follow, curled up by the door and stayed there until Susan’s footsteps completely faded away.
Slowly, the sky outside was growing darker.
“I’ll be going to bed early, so don’t come in. I won’t be eating.”
Though it was still early evening, Elia said this firmly. The palace attendants, who knew that Elia grew especially listless after Susan left, gave no response, as they were used to it.
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