Chapter 28

“…A book that shows the future?”

“Is such a thing even possible?”

“Yes. There’s a record of a book that vividly shows the future.”

From the moment she first met the Saintess, the small crack in Edelis’s heart had been growing wider and wider.

‘No, it’s still the temple. The temple was capable of receiving oracles and predicting the future even without a saintess. This book must be the same thing. I’m just overreacting.’ 

She hoped that was the case. Edelis asked with a trembling voice, unable to ignore the creeping anxiety. Fortunately, many others were just as curious about the Saintess’s story, so no one found Edelis’s reaction strange.

“How exactly does it show the future?”

“Though it’s a book, it shows the future as vividly as if it’s unfolding right before your eyes.”

There was one particular book Edelis knew of that matched that description perfectly—the very book that had shown her being stabbed and her family’s destruction.

‘A book that shows you things…’

Not something you read and understand, but something the book itself shows to you. That meant it conveyed its contents like a moving image—just like the book she possessed.

“That’s quite a… unique book.”

She didn’t want to believe it, but she couldn’t imagine that there would be two books in the world with such identical traits.

“Right? Apparently, only the person who possesses the book can see its contents. Even if someone else gets their hands on it, they won’t be able to view the future.”

The more the Saintess spoke, the clearer it became. It could only be that book. There was simply no alternative. It was impossible to deny any longer.

“By any chance, do you know the title of the book?”

“The palace library is vast—perhaps we might be able to find it there.”

The Saintess smiled as she spoke, but Edelis couldn’t smile along. The contents of that book were far too heavy for that.

“Unfortunately, the title wasn’t passed down. If it had been, I probably would’ve searched for it myself.”

<The Fate of the Flower>. That was the title. Edelis knew it clearly, but she couldn’t say it aloud to ask if that was the one. Piecing together everything the Saintess said, Edelis reached a single conclusion:  

The book the Saintess referred to was the very same book she had seen.  

No matter how much she wanted to deny it, there was no other possibility.

“But…can we really be sure what the book shows is the future? Isn’t it just what’s written in the book?”

Edelis still clung to a shred of hope. Even if it was the same book, perhaps the content wasn’t real.

“As I said—it shows the future. A future that is already set in stone.”

“Th-that’s ridiculous! Are you saying such a thing really exists?”

Most people couldn’t believe such a book could even exist. It was just an interesting tale from the Saintess, something to be amused by.  

But Edelis had already opened that book several times. She knew what “vividly shown” meant.  

If what the Saintess said was true, then the death-by-stabbing she’d refused to accept… would truly become her fate.

“Yes. It was recorded in the temple’s archives.”

“Is there a chance the record was mistaken…?”

“Are you… questioning the temple right now?”

The Saintess’s voice turned cold without warning. Edelis immediately realized she had denied and doubted everything the Saintess said, and quickly apologized. She had neither the heart to believe the story nor the courage to refute it in front of so many onlookers.  

Besides, temples relied on faith, and anything that cast doubt upon them was taken very seriously.

“I didn’t mean to doubt. I apologize if my words caused offense.”

“It’s alright.”

The Saintess smiled brightly again—but Edelis could no longer return the smile.  

How could she? What the Saintess had just told her was less a “fun little story” and more a death sentence.  

Her trembling gaze dropped to the floor.

“If such a book exists, I’d like to see it someday.”

“They say even fire can’t burn it. If I ever find it, I’ll show it to you.”

Edelis could no longer hear their conversation clearly. It felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling. She could barely stay standing.  

Lehan quickly noticed how pale her face had turned.

“Edelis?”

“…Yes.”

“Would you like to rest for a moment?”

“Th-that might be a good idea.”

She accepted his offer—not because she wanted to, but because she couldn’t endure this moment any longer.  

When Lehan tried to help her walk, Edelis gently refused.

“I’m alright, Lehan.”

“You’re this pale. How is that alright?”

“But… I can’t leave the banquet for too long.”

Without another word, Lehan swept her into his arms and started walking to the rest area.

“Put me down!”

“No.”

Everyone’s eyes were on them, but Lehan didn’t care.

“Have you forgotten why I became Emperor?”

“…”

“It was to be with you. Leaving you alone now would go against everything.”

“But still…”

The grand banquet hall was filled with envoys from across the continent.  

Thanks to all the attention going to the Saintess, Lehan had hardly had a chance to speak with the other delegations.  

He should go back soon.

“Don’t worry. Do you really think something like this could cause me trouble?”

Lehan smiled confidently and laid her gently on the couch in the resting area.  

But Edelis’s worried gaze made him give in.

“I’ll return quickly then. If you’re still not well, you can rest in our chambers.”

“I’m fine. I’ll just rest here for a bit and head back.”

‘Our chambers?!’  

His earlier words came rushing back—something about wanting to leave the banquet early.  

She blushed again.

“You don’t have to push yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

Lehan looked displeased but went to summon the palace physician.  

Only then did Edelis finally lie down and relax.

‘What do I do? What if that book is real?’

She’d been too shocked earlier to think properly. But now, with a moment of peace, the questions flooded in.

‘Some things have already diverged from the book. How do I explain that?’

If the book truly showed the future, then why had the present already deviated?

‘Does that mean only the ending will remain unchanged? Then what is that ending?’

Was it her death? Her family’s downfall?  

Or the main couple falling in love?

Perhaps it was all of them—or none.  

In truth, Edelis knew very little about the book. And she had no access to the temple’s records.

‘What do I do… What should I do?’

Lately, she’d let her guard down, enjoyed some peace.  

But time had kept ticking toward her death.  

She thought of Lehan—how he had just looked at her with concern.  

The image of him with a sword, stabbing her.  

That vision brought someone else to mind.

‘…Sir Pasis. I have to find him.’

It was shameful to think so, especially when Lehan had tried to keep them apart.  

But now she understood his heart—and that only made her feel guiltier.  

Even worse was the guilt toward Sir Pasis, who had confessed his feelings.  

But he might be the only one who could protect her.

At least, he had tried to protect her once.  

More than Lehan, who would one day kill her.

Yet Pasis was due to be suspended for a month.  

Given Lehan’s recent behavior, that suspension could easily be extended.

‘It’ll probably last even longer.’

She needed a plan—but nothing concrete came to mind.

‘Then I’ll start with what I can do.’

Edelis had long grown used to surviving.  

So she stood up and ordered her maids to fix her appearance.  

Her hair was redone, her crumpled dress exchanged for another just as stunning.  

Her pale face was covered with makeup, and she headed back to the banquet.

‘Nothing has changed. It’s just like before.’

She tried convincing herself.  

As if she’d returned to the time before opening her heart to Lehan.

But his gaze kept flashing in her mind—so full of love, his whispers, his kisses.

‘I wish I had never known any of it.’

The hope had only made the fall that much harder.  

Edelis shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts and quickened her pace.

‘All the envoys are gathered today. This chance won’t come again.’

As she had told Lehan, this banquet had drawn delegations from every corner of the continent.  

She had once made a plan—abandoned it—but now reconsidered.

She needed connections. Escape routes.

‘If I ever have to flee, I’ll need allies.’

She had barely arrived at the banquet when she saw the Saintess surrounded by noblewomen.  

Lehan was speaking with foreign dignitaries.  

So Edelis made her way to them.

‘Just as I planned. I need to build rapport with the envoys. I don’t know which country I might end up in.’

Just yesterday, she’d dreamed of a peaceful life in the palace with Lehan.  

Now she was planning her escape.  

How ironic.

“Lady Edelis! Are you alright?!”

“Yes, I’m fine. I feel much better now.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit longer?”

“No. So many came to celebrate with us. I should be here.”

As she looked around, she met the eyes of several people.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Just as Lehan moved to translate, Edelis stepped forward.

“Thank you, Marquis Kante.”

“You know me? And you speak Sernieran so fluently…!”

“It’s an honor to meet the famed war hero of Serniere.”

“Ooooh!”

Marquess Kante was moved beyond words.  

He hadn’t expected anyone to remember his old glories—especially not someone from a faraway land.

“I never imagined anyone here would remember those days. It’s been over twenty years.”

“I’ve always been interested in Serniere.”

“You must have studied hard. I’d believe you were a native speaker!”

“My only regret is that I’ve never visited. I hear the scenery is breathtaking…”

She spoke wistfully, her tone tinged with longing.

“Edelis, would you like to go with me?”

‘You idiot! I’m planning to flee—why would I go with you?!’