chapter_0236

235 – Found

235 – Found

The child did not fully understand Bertam’s story.

It was not the kind of tale that one could simply accept after hearing an explanation.

However, the sadness and guilt reflected in Bertam’s eyes were unmistakable.

Despite not knowing what Bertam might do to him, the child calmly parted his lips.

“…You look sad. Very much so.”

It was a statement filled with compassion.

Bertam, momentarily taken aback by the child’s composure, opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into my sorrow. But you will save everyone. At least, I want to believe in such a future. And also…”

Bertam’s hand, which had been gripping the child’s shoulder, slowly slipped down.

“I will think of you and act as if you were my own daughter. I believe that is the only atonement for the sins I have committed.”

With those words, Bertam rose from his seat.

He felt that if he continued talking with the child, he might reverse his decision.

Looking back at the physician, Bertam nodded as if to signal to proceed.

“…Understood.”

Reading Bertam’s intentions, the physician took the child’s hand and entered Selvia’s room.

Soon, the door closed, and the memory transfer took place.

During that time, Bertam stood by the door, waiting for the memory transfer to finish.

After waiting for half a day in the empty corridor, the closed door finally opened.

Beyond the open door stood the child who had just been conversing with him.

The child slowly raised his head and witnessed Bertam looking down at him with a significant expression.

The child, blinking his blue eyes in confusion, opened his plump lips.

“…Father?”

Upon hearing that word, Bertam collapsed.

In that moment, hearing the child call him father made him acutely aware of how deep and ugly his sins were.

“Father? What’s wrong?”

The child slowly approached Bertam, who was in distress.

Bertam, lifting his head amidst his sobs, looked into the child’s innocent eyes.

Without a word, Bertam gazed at the child and raised his trembling hand to embrace him.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry…”

As Bertam wept, the child appeared slightly startled.

However, soon after, the child hugged Bertam back and parted his lips.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s okay. That’s how it is…”

Recalling the ‘memories’ shared with Bertam, the child continued speaking.

“I am here before you, Father.”

–

Daniel, who had witnessed all the memories, slowly opened his eyes.

In shock from the truth he had witnessed, Daniel turned to look at Selvia.

Selvia was frozen, her eyes wide open.

Words failed to escape her slightly parted lips, and her gaze wandered aimlessly.

Daniel wanted to calm her, but he felt that no words would provide comfort at that moment.

“Ah? Ah…”

Selvia, sounding foolish, began to tremble.

Sensing that she was not well, Daniel tightened his grip on her hand.

“Your Majesty.”

Startled, Selvia turned to Daniel.

As if she was experiencing hyperventilation, Selvia gasped for breath for a while before lowering her gaze.

“Stop. Please stop…”

Selvia’s hand wriggled in Daniel’s grip.

Since she was making sounds of discomfort, Daniel released his hold.

For a moment, it seemed her condition had improved, but Selvia’s breathing remained ragged.

“…Are you alright?”

No answer came.

She merely took a step back, her eyes still filled with confusion.

“Your Majesty?”

After wandering for a while, Selvia became aware of Daniel’s gaze and lifted her head.

“Ah, yes? Did you call? Ahaha…”

Finally regaining her composure, Selvia laughed as if nothing was wrong.

“Hmm. I understand now. Why you called me a monster, dear brother. It is indeed shocking, but I am, after all, the…”

The smile that had been on Selvia’s lips faltered.

“The…”

The rest of her words were never spoken.

The smile Selvia had desperately maintained vanished.

Unable to wear her mask any longer, Selvia murmured in a low tone.

“…I need time to think.”

With that, Selvia walked past Daniel toward the entrance of the Imperial Palace.

The red cloak symbolizing her status as the Emperor fluttered sorrowfully today.

Though Daniel wanted to follow her, he could not bring himself to do so.

He believed she needed time to accept the truth.

It was three hours after Selvia left the Imperial Palace that he realized his judgment had been wrong.

“Excuse me? Wasn’t Your Majesty with Brigadier General Daniel?”

When Selvia, worried, went to find the head of the Inner Court, she received a shocking answer.

Daniel could only shake his head as he was about to ask why the Inner Court was unaware of the Emperor’s whereabouts.

Selvia knew how to use spatial movement.

If it was within her line of sight, she could move anywhere in an instant, making it easy to evade the Inner Court personnel.

‘The Imperial Guard as well…’

Since she had said she didn’t need protection when visiting the Imperial Palace, it was no wonder they didn’t know her location.

With a headache, Daniel spoke to the head of the Inner Court.

“Head of the Inner Court, the Emperor is currently missing.”

“Wait a moment. M-missing?”

“Yes. The last time I saw the Emperor was three hours ago inside the Imperial Palace. Since then, her whereabouts have been unknown, so it would be wise to search urgently.”

The head of the Inner Court nodded, albeit in a fluster.

“I will inform not only the Inner Court but also the Imperial Guard. I’m heading out right now; will you accompany me, Brigadier General Daniel?”

Daniel shook his head.

“I will search personally.”

He had a few places in mind where Selvia might be.

–

An emergency was declared in the royal family, and numerous personnel poured out to search for Selvia.

The news of Emperor Selvia’s disappearance was equally shocking.

Yet, they had no idea where Selvia could be.

While the royal personnel were bustling about, Selvia found herself in an abandoned outdoor garden.

It was a place where no one tended to the flowers, which had wilted, and only weeds grew abundantly.

There was no better place to hide and continue her thoughts alone.

As the moonlight illuminated the desolation of the abandoned garden, Selvia slowly walked through it.

With each step, her expression sank lower.

‘I am…’

Selvia was recalling memories from the past.

─ Princess! You learn one thing and grasp two! Your skill with the sword is so proficient that I have nothing more to teach you!

─ Have you already read this book? There are many sentences that would be difficult for someone your age to understand; it’s truly impressive.

─ You said that politics is not just a simple logic of power but understanding the hearts of people? Hahaha! How can you think such thoughts at such a young age? It’s truly admirable!

Selvia had shown her genius from a young age.

Perhaps she worked even harder because she enjoyed receiving praise.

─ Selvia. My daughter. Seeing you grow more beautiful each day fills me with concern. It seems there will be no shortage of men rushing to you.

─ Who do you take after to be this beautiful? Surely it must be because you resemble me?

─ Hmm. I cannot deny that.

Selvia had been loved since she was young.

The Emperor and Empress were ideal parents, and Selvia considered it a blessing.

However, those were not Selvia’s memories.

They were merely the memories of the ‘dead Selvia.’

But the Selvia who inherited those memories had no way of knowing that.

So, to maintain her genius, she reduced her sleeping hours to read books and practice swordsmanship, always behaving politely towards the Emperor and Empress to receive love.

While living as if she were the ‘dead Selvia,’ an incident occurred.

In the year she turned ten, Arno killed one of Selvia’s maidens.

Before Selvia could recover from the shock of losing her beloved maiden, Emperor Bertam came to her and whispered.

─ My beloved daughter. Your brother Arno feels no guilt in killing people. What do you think will happen to the Empire the moment he becomes Emperor?

Before she could even recover from the shock of losing her cherished maiden, Bertam whispered.

Become the Emperor.

Stop your brother and become the Emperor to lead the Empire into a peaceful era.

With Bertam’s heartfelt words, Selvia nodded.

From that moment on, Selvia became the Emperor she had never wished to be.

The most noble being, respected by all and ruling the Empire beneath her feet.

That was Selvia von Amberg.

‘But…’

Selvia did not know whether that was a continuation of the ‘dead Selvia’ or ‘me.’

She could not discern whether the life she was currently enjoying was the result of ‘Bertam’s decision’ or ‘my decision.’

Thus, everything felt chaotic.

Feeling a heaviness in her chest, Selvia’s steps halted at the railing of the outdoor garden.

In the distance, many people were running around searching for Selvia.

Watching that scene, Selvia suddenly felt sadness wash over her.

Who were they truly searching for?

An unanswered question lingered in her heart.

Amidst unprecedented emotions, the pit of despair within her heart deepened.

As terrible thoughts began to seep out from the deepening pit, a voice echoed like an illusion.

Startled, Selvia shook her head.

She thought no one would come to such a place.

Yet, as if to contradict Selvia’s thoughts, the voice grew louder.

“Edelweiss!”

Startled, Selvia raised her head and slowly turned around.

There stood a man, panting heavily as if he had struggled to reach her.

“…Daniel?”

At Selvia’s question, the man chuckled softly, even while gasping for breath.

“Finally, you’re looking this way. I thought you were deaf.”

Though it was a light-hearted remark, his voice was enough to halt Selvia’s crumbling world.