episode_0096

“It seems you’re misunderstanding something… Whether you can truly cure this illness or not, it’s none of my concern.”

Her eyes were hollow. The girl, who had been silent for a moment, then poured out her bitter feelings. It was a terribly painful sentence.

“I told you from the beginning. I have no intention of getting treated.”

In other words.

“I have no desire to live.”

Was it because of a life filled with despair? She suffered from a terrible curse.

The Imperial Family, which should have been her family’s embrace, mercilessly abandoned the girl. She was confined to a palace no different from a cage, completely isolated from the outside world, forced to spend lonely days.

Only endless torment remained by her side. In the agony of her insides being torn to shreds, the girl spent ten years unable to live or die. It was enough time to break her.

‘Because she lived like that her whole life.’

The girl didn’t know about peace. Because she had never experienced it.

Although I had somewhat guessed, Rose’s inner self was festering even more than that. My heart ached at her pitiful words.

But at the same time. I also knew that her words were a lie.

-Ah, ahh…? -How… it doesn’t hurt, but why, suddenly, me…?

I remembered. Our first meeting. The moment her seizure miraculously stopped. Even though it passed by like a mirage, her eyes shone transparently during that brief moment.

Her green pupils were sparkling. Those were clearly the eyes of someone who wanted to live.

“You are afraid.”

The words “I don’t want to live” were merely a lie. Elize was simply afraid of hope. After suffering countless dawns with nightmares and being betrayed by shallow expectations, even a glimmer of hope had now worn away and disappeared.

I silently confronted the girl’s despair.

“Shut up.”

“Will that truly be enough for you?”

“Don’t talk as if you know me. Just let me die peacefully.”

“Charlotte Princess-nim will be saddened.”

“……” Rose suddenly fell silent. It was as if she had been caught off guard. She probably hadn’t expected me to bring up her sister’s name here.

I added more words without giving her a chance.

“Because Princess-nim cherishes you.”

Although she had been confined in a lonely cage her entire life, Elize was not completely alone. Because the young prince had never once given up on Rose. Even though there was an imperial decree forbidding entry to the detached palace, his affection for his younger sibling was so strong that he disregarded it outright. Later, he even went as far as to search for a cure for the illness himself. Knowing about such dedicated actions, Elize couldn’t help but feel a pang of conscience regarding her older sister.

Even if she usually maintained a cold demeanor.

‘Because she’s her only ally for now.’

She didn’t truly dislike her either. There was a separate mention that before her personality became twisted as it was now, she used to follow her older sister well, so it was difficult to see Rose as truly hating her. She was probably refusing to accept it for some reason.

“……Why are you suddenly bringing up that person?”

Elize spoke with her brows furrowed. She mumbled as if indifferent, but there was an unwitting sharpness in her tone.

“I merely voiced my concern.”

Rose, her thorns fully raised. To break down her solid wall, it was necessary to provoke her in this way.

I subtly pushed into the opening that had appeared.

“What will you do if she truly leaves?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Charlotte Princess-nim. Hasn’t she already sacrificed so much for you? Yet, despite all her efforts, you say you’ve even given up the will to live, so I’m simply worried that her heart might become exhausted and she might leave.”

“That’s what I want. I don’t need troublesome people like that.”

“Are you serious?”

I smiled lightly. That smile, mixed with a hint of bitterness, was a blatant form of mockery.

“If that happens, truly no one will be left by your side.”

Just as I said. If even the young prince leaves, nothing will remain on this star. Only a humble rose will be left.

Even Tanya, who was currently in charge of Elize, was someone Charlotte herself had assigned, so if she left this place, it was highly likely Tanya would leave with her. In that case, no one would set foot in this place anymore.

“Are you truly saying you wish for such an outcome?”

“……Yes.”

The answer came back unusually late. Ultimately, the girl did not back down from her stance, but her green eyes were trembling.

I spoke as if pouring oil on that agitation.

“Understood. I will report this matter directly to Charlotte Princess-nim. Respecting your wishes, I will try my best to persuade her.”

“Persuade…?”

“To ensure she no longer seeks you out. She will probably comply if I say it’s for your treatment.”

I wasn’t joking. She had said she would completely follow my opinion, so if I brought up treatment, she would grant the request without hesitation. Thus, I had the means to isolate Rose.

“Think about it for a moment.”

Of course, I had no intention of tormenting her like that, but I spoke as if deliberately pushing her hard. Because otherwise, she wouldn’t bat an eye.

I smiled faintly and raised my head. Bandages were already rewrapped around her delicate wrist.

“I’ve applied all the ointment. If you touch it carelessly, the wound might worsen, so you must endure it for at least one night.”

“……”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

The red-haired girl lay motionless. Leaving behind the heavy silence, I exited the room entangled with thoughts.

Even until that moment. Elize did not open her mouth.

***

When I finished the examination and left the room, the view outside the window was already completely steeped in night.

I walked for a moment down the dark corridor. The unusually cool air brushed past me like a gentle breeze.

As I walked, lost in various thoughts, a captivating scene soon appeared in my sight. It was the detached palace garden, which extended to the end of the corridor.

Thump, thump—. I proceeded with familiar steps. For the past few days, after my schedule was finished, I would enjoy a light stroll like this. It was perfect for clearing my complex thoughts.

‘Has another day passed?’

I slowly crossed over the bushes. It felt somewhat modest for a princess to reside in, but precisely because it wasn’t extravagant, there was a beauty to it.

A faint rustling sound echoed whenever the blades of grass brushed against my legs. The haven of life, where various plants were intertwined haphazardly, seemed alive in the tranquil moonlight.

Rustle, rustle—. “Haa… I hope it turns out well.”

I lamented with a complicated sigh. Naturally, the thoughts replaying in my mind were about Rose, whom I had left alone in the room.

I took a step, recalling the plan I would proceed with. As I was once again deeply engrossed in thoughts of work, a sudden gust of wind ruffled my hair.

I unconsciously looked up at the sky.

“……”

A background painted in jet black. Tiny, sparkling specks were tightly embedded across that vast expanse. As I gazed at a star that shone particularly brightly today, a voice hidden in the depths of my memory seeped into my ears.

It was a memory now rusted.

-Oppa! I want to make a wish to the stars too!

Should I call myself foolish? To still cherish a memory from at least five years ago, never forgetting it.

Old memories burned like a cigarette. It was then, as I was exhaling a sigh instead of smoke from between my lips.

Thump—. “……?” I sensed an unfamiliar presence. Reacting to it, I turned around and saw a man walking into the garden. He looked around for a moment, then approached me.

Our gazes, which had already crossed, were now scrutinizing each other.

‘Entry to the detached palace should be strictly controlled.’

A secret personally covered by the Emperor. As it was the space where Princess Rose resided, it was difficult for anyone of ordinary status to even set foot in it. Nevertheless, the man was walking with a confident stride.

As I examined his moderately wrinkled face, discernible features appeared here and there. He appeared to be middle-aged or older.

‘That person… surely not.’

His blue eyes shimmered with light. Platinum blonde hair that immediately brought someone to mind. The dignity that accompanied every step, and an unshakeable aura even in the darkness. Lastly, clothes embroidered with the imperial crest.

Combining these clues one by one, I had no choice but to kneel down on the spot immediately. It was, above all, a most respectful movement.

Thud—. The man’s footsteps stopped before me. I bowed my head as I was, paying my respects in an upright posture and offering my greeting. My parting lips held solemnity.

“I greet the Supreme Sun of the Empire.”

The Supreme Sun. The man, thus addressed, nodded.

“Mm.”

Valkaros Rantana von Staufen. The princesses’ biological father. The master of this empire stood before my eyes.

‘What.’ Why did he pop out here?