Chapter 8.2

A few days later, under what felt like a threat from Jeras—though he stubbornly insisted it was a “request”—I found myself going to the temple alone. The summary of his “request” was to monitor Siliya in his absence.

Going to the temple was fine. I could visit the kids and spend time with them. The bothersome part was his next request: to send him a report about how Siliya was doing and whether anything seemed suspicious. I thought he was just messing with me until he even provided an address to send the letter.

Why didn’t he just send someone himself if he was so worried about Siliya? But then I remembered that Siliya’s existence had to be kept a secret from the public, which meant I was the only suitable person for the job. Right, Jeras did send someone. It’s just a problem that the person was me. I’ll have to use this as leverage to get a rare artifact out of him later.

“Sister, listen to me! Sister! That toy carriage you gave me? Rita took it and planted it in the field.”

“Brother is a dummy. If you wait, carriages will grow like tomatoes.”

“No, you’re the dummy, Rita. A carriage isn’t a tomato, you know?”

“Rita’s not a dummy!”

“Alright, alright, kids. Stop fighting. Rita, is it okay to just take your brother’s toy without asking?”

“…No. But brother was bad! Jessie said she wanted to ride in the carriage…”

“Who’s Jessie?”

“The doll you gave me.”

Roger answered sullenly, clearly upset that his carriage had been taken. They were both so cute.

After scolding Rita and having her apologize to Roger, I headed toward Siliya’s room. My steps grew heavy as I got closer. This was my first time meeting Siliya alone without Jeras, and I had no idea what to say. Siliya probably knew I was here to monitor her, so it would feel awkward to act too friendly.

Without a plan, I knocked on the door. Siliya answered with a quiet, “Yes.” I opened the unlocked door and saw Siliya’s back as she stood by the window.

“Hello, Lady Siliya. It’s me, Eloe.”

“Hello.”

Siliya greeted me with a faint smile and slightly tilted her head, clearly looking for Jeras.

“The prince is busy with his duties, so I came alone.”

“Ah, I see. By any chance…”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing. Please, have a seat. I had you standing there.”

Siliya and I sat facing each other across a table. The atmosphere was so awkward it was suffocating. When you have nothing to say, the weather is always a good topic.

“The weather’s been really nice lately, hasn’t it?”

“Has it? I’ve been indoors so much that I don’t really know what the weather’s like.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

This is killing me. I feel like I’m going to be crushed by this invisible wall. I looked at Siliya out of the corner of my eye. Did I upset her?

Fortunately, Siliya just looked a little troubled.

“Princess, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Please, go ahead! If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do anything! Yes!”

“Could we… take a walk? Even just for five minutes would be fine.”

“Ah, hmm… a walk…”

It was an absolute promise to Jeras that she would not leave this room. I wanted to grant her request, but I couldn’t. Besides, I was sure Jeras had placed a magical spell to prevent her from leaving.

I decided to be honest about my situation and feelings.

“Although I’ve been helping the prince with his investigations, I don’t really have any authority. In my heart, I’d love to go with you for a delicious dessert, but I’m really sorry.”

“But the prince said it was okay to go out if I was with you… That’s why I asked.”

“He said what?”

That’s news to me!

My voice involuntarily rose and cracked at the end. What on earth has he been saying behind my back?

Siliya, mistaking my flustered reaction for a refusal, looked at me with a desperate expression.

“Is it too difficult? If you’re worried I’ll run away, you can bind my limbs.”

“No, I wasn’t thinking anything so scary…”

What should I do? I scratched my head and looked around the room. The books I had brought her were stacked neatly on the desk. That was about the only thing to pass the time with in this room.

When you think about it, Siliya was a victim, too, used by Empress Florese.

‘And if it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t be locked up here.’

A pang of guilt that had been bothering me ever since I met Siliya stabbed at my chest. The guilt of taking the place that should have been hers.

Oh, what the heck. Jeras said it was okay, anyway.

I grabbed Siliya’s hand. Siliya, who had been looking down at her feet, shot her head up.

“Let’s go get some fresh air. I know a place that’s safe and absolutely amazing.”

***

“Princess, are you really sure this is okay…?”

“Perfectly fine! How do you like the dress? Do you like it, Lady Siliya?”

“Yes… but still, I don’t think I can. Just taking me out is more than enough. I should take off the dress…”

“I had it made for you from the beginning. It’s the truth.”

I gave a signal to Hilda, who was standing behind Siliya. Understanding my cue, Hilda gave a resolute nod.

Hilda led Siliya to her seat in a bulldozing yet not impolite manner. No one in this mansion could stop Hilda in her “bulldozer mode,” and Siliya was no exception.

In the end, Siliya sat in the chair, dressed in a sky-blue dress. It suited her so well no matter how many times I looked at it. My fashion sense wasn’t so bad after all.

Hilda poured tea into a teacup. The fragrant scent of herbs filled the air. The spacious table was filled with light tea foods. They all looked cute and delicious. It was worth the effort of asking them to pay special attention.

“If you need anything, please call for me.”

“Okay, thank you. Please tell them the food looks delicious.”

“Yes!”

Hilda left with a bright smile, and only Siliya and I were left in the glass garden.

Siliya looked around the glass greenhouse with a sense of wonder. Sunlight passed through the glass, shimmering on her pale skin.

“Isn’t it pretty here? It’s one of my favorite places.”

“The outside is lovely, and this place is wonderful, too. Did you build it, Princess?”

“Oh no, no. I didn’t. Oh, your tea’s getting cold. Please, have some.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

Instead of tea, I took a mini brownie that I had been eyeing. As soon as it hit my tongue, I tasted sweet and slightly bitter chocolate. The bite-sized brownie quickly disappeared into my stomach.

Is this what happiness is? Something enchanting, yet fleeting and empty. That’s why those who have tasted it once crave it even more. In conclusion, I wanted another one.

“I only asked for a walk… I didn’t expect you to treat me like this.”

My hand, which was reaching for a brownie, stopped. Siliya was smiling at me. Uh, umm. The atmosphere is serious. I’ll eat it later. I slowly lowered my hand.

“It’s a shame to just take a walk after you went to all this trouble to come out. The prince won’t say anything if he hears you came to my house.”

That’s right. The amazing place I mentioned was my house. There was nothing it lacked, and safety was absolutely guaranteed, making it the best place I could take Siliya.

I showed her around the garden to help her relax after being cooped up for so long, offered her a comfortable bath, and gave her a new dress I had ordered.

Seeing Siliya looking overwhelmed but happy made me feel proud. If I had known she’d like it so much, I would have brought her out sooner.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. You’ve always helped me so much, Princess.”

“It’s nothing, really. You keep saying that, and it’s embarrassing.”

I giggled like an idiot. There’s nothing that feels better than a sincere thank you.

Siliya asked me a question with a smile as warm as the sunshine.

“Are you feeling alright, Princess? I heard you were very ill before you came to Rivai.”

“Oh, yes. I suddenly collapsed, and my parents and brother were so worried, but I’m completely fine now. How about you, Lady Siliya?”

“Thanks to everyone’s concern, I’ve recovered completely. Come to think of it, we both went through a near-death experience, didn’t we?”

Siliya was simply stating a fact, but for some reason, her words sounded significant to me.

Near-death… I did. I almost died and ended up in another world entirely.

I glanced at Siliya. She held her teacup with both hands, lost in thought. What was she thinking about? Was she thinking about her life before she was transmigrated?

‘Is it okay… to tell her that I’m also a transmigrator?’

I wasn’t sure. In the original novel, Siliya was calm, composed, and thoughtful, but I couldn’t be sure if she would welcome another transmigrator. She might see me as a rival.

I wanted to avoid making enemies, if possible. Especially if the enemy was the female lead. Only stupid villains turn the female lead into an enemy.

‘Don’t just blurt it out. Take it slow, slowly.’

“I guess so. After surviving a near-death experience, the world looks different. I’m trying to live like a different person now.”

Hearing my carefully chosen words, Siliya looked up. A faint smile, which I couldn’t quite describe but felt a little detached, crossed her face.

“Right… Sometimes I feel like a stranger to myself, too. I even think that I shouldn’t be here.”

“…Why do you think that?”

“Because my family was ruined because of me. Am I… stealing the time of someone else’s life, a time that should have belonged to them?”

Siliya’s words had a double meaning. Knowing the full story, her words resonated deeply with me.

She was thinking the same thing I was. The thought that she might be living a character’s life that wasn’t hers.

To say those words, Siliya must have been agonizing over them for a long time. Since we were both transmigrated into this novel, we were in the same boat. The only difference was that I was a little luckier than she was.

“Actually, I feel the same way.”

“You do, Princess?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t have been strange if I had died when I collapsed. My family calls it a miracle… but what if someone else died so I could live?”

After that, we fell silent. The sweet smell of the cute and adorable desserts seemed out of place in the heavy atmosphere.

I fiddled with the teacup handle. When I was struggling with these thoughts alone, I felt suffocated, but now that I’ve spoken them aloud, I don’t feel completely relieved. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t reveal my full story.

“But still…”

I broke the silence slowly. Siliya looked up and met my eyes with a calm gaze.

“Since I’m alive, I’m trying to live my best life. I don’t want to die. I want to live happily with the people who believe in me and cheer me on. Am I… being selfish? Even though this might not have been my original life…”

As I spoke, it felt like I was asking for Siliya’s permission. I didn’t mean for it to sound that way. My emotions exploded in the middle of a sunny afternoon.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I was about to dismiss it as nonsense when Siliya answered gently.

“It’s not selfish. Everyone wants to be happy. You, me, everyone.”

Siliya tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled kindly at me.

“You’re very honest, Princess. It’s also amazing that you’re doing your best despite how difficult it must be. I should try my best, too.”

“Y-yeah… Yes! Let’s do our best!”

I answered as if I was yelling and grabbed Siliya’s hand. What are we doing our best for? I was so flustered that I sounded like a complete idiot. Siliya, whose eyes widened as I grabbed her hand, laughed and nodded.

I meant to cheer Siliya up, but instead, I was the one who was comforted.

***

After Siliya came to my house, our relationship grew much closer. We were similar in age, and once we found common ground, conversations flowed naturally between us. I still hadn’t told her the one thing I most wanted to, but I hoped that as we got closer, I could bring it up naturally.

“Ugh, I’m so tired…”

On a holiday when I didn’t have to go to the academy, I became one with my bed. I was not going anywhere today. I would not get out of bed, no matter what. Hilda had been determined to get me up since morning, but she hadn’t come back since she left thirty minutes ago. She must be busy with lunchtime approaching.

I hugged a large pillow and blinked my heavy eyelids. Maybe it was because I hadn’t slept much during the week, but I was still sleepy even after sleeping in.

“…E. Elo…”

“…so soundly… now.”

“…is sick… better. Alberto…”

‘What’s with all the noise? Is someone here?’

I could faintly hear several people murmuring right next to me. Hilda must have brought the servants because she couldn’t get me up on her own.

I don’t care, I’m going back to sleep. As I turned over, a familiar voice—always a welcome sound—pierced my ears.

“I think Eloe is awake. Eloe, are you up? We’re here.”

“…Brother?”

It was as if I had been doused with cold water. My mind cleared and my eyes shot open. Sion, the Grand Duke, and the Grand Duchess were all looking down at me.

What? Am I dreaming…? As I blankly reached to pinch my cheek, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess rushed towards me at the same time.

“Eloe!”

“My daughter, my baby. Dad’s here. Let me see your face.”

‘I-I can’t breathe…!’

Embraced by the Grand Duchess, I had no choice but to let the Grand Duke examine my face. He ran his large hand all over my face, his eyes welling up with tears.

“It’s my daughter. It’s really my daughter. Not a painting or a sculpture, but my real daughter, Eloe.”

“Good heavens, Eloe. You’ve lost so much weight. Are you eating properly?”

This time, the Grand Duchess was squeezing my face. The Grand Duke patted my head, wiping his tears with a handkerchief.

What was happening all of a sudden? Why were they here?!

I looked at Sion with an expression that begged for an explanation. Sion, who had been watching us with a look of unease, brightened up.

“Can I… join in too, little sister?”

“No, no, hold on! Not right now… What are you doing, Brother!”

With Sion joining in, the four of us became one giant bundle. The Grand Duke’s tears spread to the Grand Duchess, and my peaceful room instantly turned into a sea of tears. They cried so sorrowfully that I felt a lump in my throat. How pathetic.

Still… it was so good to see them, especially my parents, after such a long time.

I reached out my arms and hugged them both, burying my face in the Grand Duke’s shoulder. His embrace was warm and comforting. The tears I had been holding back finally leaked out.

***

After the dramatic family reunion, I was able to hear the full story inside the carriage on the way to the Imperial Palace.

“How did you get here?”

“Your birthday is coming up soon, my dear. We couldn’t let you spend it alone, even if we had to miss other events.”

“Exactly. It’s unthinkable. You have us, Eloe.”

“I was going to contact you, but they wanted to surprise you.”

“Oh, Sion. You agreed to it, didn’t you? Why are you trying to pretend otherwise?”

The Grand Duchess gave Sion a sharp look. I could easily picture what their daily lives in the Duchy must have been like.

The Grand Duke, his eyes still red with tears, held my hand tightly.

“I’m relieved to see that you’re doing well. I… I was so sad. I even wanted to see you in my dreams.”

“Eloe, please understand. Your father has become more sensitive with age. Dear, please stop crying. You’re making Eloe uncomfortable.”

“My daughter, it’s not that you didn’t appear in my dreams because you hate your dad, did you? You like your dad the best in the whole world, right? Hmm?”

Hahaha, it’s been so long since I’ve heard him being so sappy. I slowly averted my gaze. Unfortunately, my favorite wasn’t the Grand Duke. It’s Sion.

“Eloe! Why are you avoiding me?!”

The Grand Duke wailed in a tragic voice. As he did, the carriage kept moving without a pause and finally entered the Imperial Palace.