episode_0007

Katia Bart.

She had already endured four days.

Every night, she was tormented by nightmares.

It was always the same dream.

In a dream she couldn’t wake up from.

Each time, she found herself being chased by the Crown Prince, unable to move.

Whenever she screamed silently, the Crown Prince inevitably rushed in and strangled her.

No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t escape.

Only when she woke up belatedly screaming unuttered screams did she find herself drenched as if caught in a downpour.

Due to lack of sleep at night and unavoidable naps during the day,

she kept having the same dream.

The Crown Prince in her dreams was truly a cruel person.

With his brilliant silver hair. His lively green eyes.

And even his handsome face.

All of it.

An extreme beauty that an ordinary human could never possess.

That’s why it seemed all the more brutal.

Recalling past memories,

she was convinced it wouldn’t be much different in reality.

Clatter, clack.

Anxious, restless, and afraid.

Once again, she was gnawing at her bitten nails.

It had already been tough days.

But now.

She had been summoned to the royal palace.

It truly felt like madness.

She didn’t want to do it if she could help it.

No.

If she went there, she would inevitably come face to face with the Crown Prince, and she absolutely didn’t want to go.

A fervent feeling immediately pricked her mind.

Is this really true?

Does it make sense?

Think about it again.

No matter how much she thought, the same answer came to her.

There was no way the Crown Prince would want to see her.

Especially not the Emperor.

There was no way he would have made a fuss about that day unless the Crown Prince had gone mad.

Just by doing as he was told, he would be satisfied.

And she had indeed done her best to fulfill what the Crown Prince had commanded.

So there was no room for doubt.

There was nowhere to be called to the royal palace.

Then why on earth…

Why did someone come to fetch her on the Emperor’s orders…

Perhaps.

To finally give proper punishment, did the Crown Prince sell out the Emperor to summon her?

No.

That couldn’t be it.

If that were the case, the Crown Prince would have come himself. It would have been quieter and more certain.

Then, in a single moment,

She suddenly realized.

The maid who delivered the message was clearly pointing at herself. When she inquired about the young lady, she only heard, “I’ve come to take the Marquess’s son.” That’s all she said. She didn’t specify her name.

If that’s the case, perhaps it’s not herself that the emperor is looking for, but Elaine. No, if there’s someone the emperor truly wishes to meet, it would undoubtedly be Elaine, rescued by the infamous Crown Prince.

Her dark face, as dark as the night sky outside, brightened in an instant. “She’s alive. There’s no need to see the Crown Prince. I’m truly relieved.”

“Elaine!” Katia urgently called out her stepsister’s name as she rushed out.

***

Elaine felt strange. From morning till evening, she felt restless. It had already been four days. Every day, without fail, whenever she had a moment to spare, the face of a certain man came to mind. He was the infamous Crown Prince who had saved her. And every time, her heart raced inexplicably.

It was incomprehensible. His cold expression and ruthless voice were never endearing. Yet somehow, within the cold mask akin to winter carrying the promise of spring, there undeniably seemed to be warmth. He had come unexpectedly, like the last snow of early spring, then melted away.

Even so, she didn’t know how much had changed because of that man. Of course, when a day had passed since the prince left, everything felt like a dream. The next day, she cried in her dream-like state. And the day after that, the reality hit her like a falling meteor.

There was no doubt. A saving grace, like a ray of sunshine in a shadowy life, was extended by the infamous Crown Prince on one of the most agonizing days. To make sure, after much contemplation, she subtly asked her stepsister if it was alright to call her “sister” now.

“Is your change due to the prince?” Her anxious expression and cautious gestures were enough to confirm. There was no room for doubt. Every change in her life was because of that man. Her once dark world had brightened.

This morning, when I woke up, a smile naturally spread across my face. Now, it’s okay for me not to work as a maid anymore. The shabby room has been replaced with a much nicer one. Yesterday, I even had the chance to meet my mother after such a long time. Katia and her guards escorted me.

Though I was just eighteen, I knew well what was right. I had to express my gratitude once again, properly this time. It was the proper thing for a human to do. Even though I had nothing, it was only right as a person to convey a brief word of thanks. However, the path to meeting the Crown Prince again seemed distant. It was not fitting for the illegitimate child of a viscount to enter the palace without an invitation.

But then, what was this? “Elaine, at the palace… someone has been sent to fetch you.” My sister, who looked more embarrassed than usual, spoke hesitantly, unable to meet my eyes.

It seemed like a good opportunity. Today was the day to meet the prince and convey my thanks. So, I confidently stepped into the carriage waiting in front of the mansion. The crimson-painted carriage was adorned with splendid gold ornaments. Most impressive of all was the dynamic lion emblem, carved skillfully in gold, symbolizing the royal family.

As soon as the door closed, the carriage swiftly set off. The power of the four black horses pulling it was truly remarkable even to someone like her, who was riding in a carriage for the first time. The speed at which they moved made the roads, buildings, and people blur past.

Moreover, nearly everyone outside the window, upon seeing the carriage, stopped in their tracks, eyes widening and mouths agape. Some waved, and others bowed their heads. People and carriages alike made way without anyone blocking the path. Each time, Elaine’s heart raced faster than the pounding hooves.

The day had finally come for her to ride in the royal carriage. Even the simple act of riding the carriage was a powerful stimulus for her, who found everything so unfamiliar.

Perhaps it would remain in her memory until the day she died.

Her life had been nothing but torment.

As unbelievable as the sudden appearance of the prince.

She arrived at the palace, and soon after, she was led straight to the prince’s bedroom.

In front of the bedroom door,

Elaine smoothed the creases of her dress with a slightly flushed face.

It was an expensive dress that her sister, who had a similar figure, had personally dressed her in.

It felt awkward, as it was the first time she had ever worn a dress in her life.

Thinking about seeing the prince’s face again made her heart flutter and her hands sweat.

If she had known, she would have worn gloves, regretting not listening to her sister’s advice.

“Please come in.”

Swallowing her disappointment, she entered the prince’s bedroom.

She was so shocked that she had to cover her mouth with both hands.

How could this be happening?

Just a few days ago, the prince had looked perfectly fine, but now he seemed to be on the verge of death.

His pained, furrowed face was covered in cold sweat.

Pained groans naturally mixed with each breath he exhaled.

His sunken, emaciated face presented an extreme contrast from just a few days prior.

For some reason, in that moment, she was certain.

The prince, who had seemed so alive just a few days ago, was dying right before her eyes.

Beside the prince sat the emperor, but Elaine couldn’t even bring herself to greet him.

It was such a shocking sight.

The only thing that came to her mind at that moment was what the prince had said at the Viscount’s Manor.

“When I am seriously injured, I want you to heal me.”

Was it a prediction of the future?

But if it truly was a prediction of the future, there was a significant error in it.

As nothing more than a mere servant, she had no power to heal the prince.

“Are you the daughter of Viscount Bart?”

“Yes? Oh, yes…!”

Only then did Elaine, who had just seen the man next to the bed, answer in surprise.

“My son was looking for you. Can you wait a little until he wakes up?”

“Oh, if it’s your son…!”

Realizing belatedly that the man in front of her was the emperor, Elaine swallowed her astonishment and bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, I have committed a sin worthy of death…! I am in the presence of His Imperial Majesty, the most noble sun of the empire!” The Emperor chuckled and said, “Enough. Get up. If you are my son’s friend, you’re practically family.” “Yes…?” What does it mean to be practically family or my son’s friend? Elaine was so bewildered that she couldn’t even think of a response. What on earth is going on…? Her attempts to understand only made her head spin even more. And to make matters worse, she was before the Emperor. She was afraid of making a mistake in speaking and earning unnecessary anger. So, she was even more cautious, almost stumbling over her explanation. “How did you meet my son?” “I… I met him at… at home….” It was a carefully chosen answer after much deliberation. After all, since they met at the Marquis’s house, it wasn’t entirely wrong to say they met at home. Of course, it was an answer with plenty of room for misunderstanding, but in such a confusing situation, it was the most exemplary response she could come up with. “How often did you meet?” She was so flustered that even what she knew became muddled. She counted on her fingers. That’s why. And the Emperor naturally counted silently to himself. One. Two. Three. Four. “I see. Have you already gone as far as to leave?” The Emperor nodded first, depriving Elaine of the chance to answer. Her face turned crimson for a moment, but it wasn’t very noticeable in the candlelight. Of course, due to the extreme contrast created by the candlelight, her distressed expression stood out even more vividly. The Emperor looked at his son and murmured, “He disobeyed my orders not to leave the palace, despite everything, during his most difficult times, he had you by his side, and for that, I’m grateful.” His lips curved, and his eyes softened, but it was a deeply sorrowful smile. But his most difficult times…? As if it implied a long period that had persisted from the past, Elaine’s head involuntarily tilted.

Continuing to hear ambiguous words, she found herself in a situation where she couldn’t refute anything. Eventually, she gathered her courage and asked, “But why did you summon me?” The voice that had been creeping in faded away in front of the emperor’s sorrowful expression. Finally, like a trembling echo, it quietly subsided. The emperor’s gaze returned to the prince. “He was looking for you. It seems he wanted to spend the final moments together.” The soundless plea in Elaine’s eyes trembled intensely for a moment. Her suspicion was not wrong. The prince was truly fading away. Tears inexplicably welled up. Just one day. It had only been a few minutes of a brief encounter. Yet, tears kept threatening to overflow. In the midst of this, the prince woke up. “Well then, let’s have a comfortable conversation.” The emperor rose as if waiting and vacated his seat. Amidst flickering candlelight, their gazes met. “…” The dying prince couldn’t say a word. Even to her, it seemed like death was imminent. His appearance was so desolate that the pent-up tears finally began to trickle down silently. Elaine hastily wiped her tears. “Thank you for saving me.” She bowed her head as she did a few days ago. Profound silence settled in. The only things covering their meeting gazes were occasionally blinking eyelids. Then Elaine spoke again. “Even though you said that to me, I really don’t know how to heal… I’m sorry.” Elaine once again bowed in apology. When she raised her head, the dying prince’s eyes were closed. It felt strange, as if looking at a dead person. For a moment, holding her breath, she looked at the prince’s abdomen and saw it subtly rise and fall. She sighed with relief. Looking at the prince’s face, various emotions—pity, sadness, regret—swirled violently. Suppressing all those emotions, there was only one burning question: the certainty she had seen in the dying prince’s eyes when he had asked her for healing a few days ago. Heal him.

No matter how much I think about it.

It didn’t seem like the kind of person who would say such a thing without reason.

Why on earth was it?

Why did the prince at that moment, seem so convinced as if he had the ability to heal himself?

Something she could never know.

He looked so sure of something she knew absolutely nothing about.

But she was just a maid of the viscount.

She was neither a wizard nor a priestess.

There was no way she could do anything as amazing as healing.

Of course, if she could, Elaine wanted to heal the prince.

He was undoubtedly her savior.

So if she had the ability.

She felt a strong desire to help him without being asked.

I really don’t know what to do.

Unable to find a way, all she could do was watch the dying prince helplessly, unable to do anything else.

It was unbearable and pitiful to see the prince’s breathing becoming more and more labored.

There was something the prince didn’t say.

There definitely seemed to be something wrong.

But she couldn’t possibly know what it was.

Cough!

At that moment, the prince coughed up blood.

It was the final signal announcing the arrival of death.

“Oh, no, you can’t die! I-I’ll call for help!”

“Just… a moment… please…”

She hurried to the door, but upon hearing the prince’s strained voice, she turned back.

She rushed back and grasped the prince’s trembling hand with both of hers.

Her hands were shaking with fear.

It was truly heartbreaking.

To be unable to offer even a small help to the person who had saved her life was incredibly pathetic and distressing.

Please.

She truly thought that if only she had the ability to heal, she wouldn’t ask for anything more than to save him.

It was that moment.

Intense light emanated from her two hands, illuminating the bedroom brightly.