Chapter 105: I’ll take you Outside

The office of Baroness Blanc, filled with the bitter scent of medicine and the labored breaths of the ill. The usual refined and orderly atmosphere was nowhere to be found, replaced by a heavy stillness.

“Baroness, I’ve brought your tea.”

Reinhel offered the tea to Artasha, her face clouded with concern. She had served Baroness Blanc as head maid for years, but she had never seen her so frail.

“Thank you… cough…”

Artasha took the steaming cup with a trembling hand, her harsh coughing barely subsiding as the warm tea soothed her throat.

Watching her, Reinhel frowned deeply.

“Baroness, the physician said you need rest. If you keep working like this, your condition won’t improve.”

Though Artasha smiled faintly at the maid’s kind-hearted plea, she did not release the pen in her hand.

“I’m fine. Staying idle is harder on me than doing something like this.”

“But—”

“Reinhel, I’d prefer you focus on your duties.”

Her firm tone left no room for further argument.

Reinhel swallowed her complicated emotions and, with a reluctant sigh, bowed before leaving the room.

Alone again, Artasha resumed writing. This was the only thing she could do now.

There was no longer a reason to accumulate more wealth for the family or pursue her once-passionate interests. But a lifetime of being consumed by work left her unable to let go of the pen.

Starting anew felt impossibly late.

The faintly trembling strokes of her pen mirrored her life. Not knowing how many days she had left, the familiarity of her routine was her only solace.

‘When I’m gone, will that child take my place?’

The Saintess had promised to restore the child’s life to normal after vanquishing the demon.

If so, this position would inevitably pass to her. Whether she was Tina or someone else, the truth remained unchanged: the child would carry on Blanc’s legacy.

Such dedication.

What could that child possibly be?

Why would the daughter of the great Merdellia Duchy and the saint hailed as the savior of the world both devote so much of their time to her?

What could that child possibly be?

How could she deserve happiness after taking away the one I loved, the very center of my world?

What could that child possibly be?

Why does she make me drag my dying body to this office every day?

What could that child possibly be?

No matter how hard I try to harden my heart…

I can’t bring myself to hate her.

“Ugh… cough!”

Artasha clutched a handkerchief to her lips as a wave of bitter discomfort surged from her chest. With each cough, dark red blood stained the cloth.

A sickness no saint could cure—more precisely, a sickness she refused to let herself be cured of.

Soon, it would claim her life.

She didn’t fear death; there was no longer a reason to remain in this world.

All that remained in her heart was faded resignation. She wished only to quietly pass away while moving her pen as she always had.

Yet, if there was one small hope buried within her…

Knock, knock.

The gentle sound of a knock interrupted her heavy thoughts.

The butler, who oversaw the estate’s affairs, entered and carefully placed a weighty envelope on her desk.

“A letter from the Lady of Merdellia.”

“The Lady?”

Her gaze naturally shifted to the envelope.

The smooth texture and the crest of the duchy stamped at its edge drew her weary hand forward.

***

Crack-

In the eerie prison, only the clinking of chains broke the heavy silence.

In this pitch-black space, where not a ray of sunlight could reach, I crouched down, gnawing on my fingernails.

“When… when will she come…!”

Anxiety was gnawing away at me.

Lillian always appeared just as hunger began to sap my strength, carrying warm soup. Each time, she would hold me close and whisper words of love, and for that brief moment, the loneliness would fade.

But now, even as the pain of hunger clawed deep into my stomach, Lillian was nowhere to be seen.

I was cold. Hungry. Above all, unbearably lonely.

In this grim, enclosed space, all I could do was wait. This powerless reality was slowly breaking me.

She had promised to protect me with her love for the rest of her life.

She swore never to leave my side, no matter what.

“Liar.”

It was all lies.

“Liar, liar, liar…!”

See? I was right.

Even the so-called noble saintess couldn’t keep her promises.

The one who once whispered love to me has abandoned me in this dark, desolate place.

And yet, you still dare call that love?

“I want to die.”

My wrists itched. Scratching them with my nails, a faint sting accompanied a few drops of blood.

But it didn’t last long. Soon, a soft white light engulfed my wrist, erasing the nail marks in an instant.

I hated the sight of it with every fiber of my being. Gritting my teeth and biting my lip, I dug my nails in deeper.

But nothing ever changed.

As always, my body healed itself, and I remained powerless in this prison.

“Let me die…! Please…!”

Half-lost in despair, I kept clawing at my wrist until—

“Stop it, Tina.”

A firm yet gentle voice interrupted me. At the same time, someone grabbed my wrist firmly.

The hand that held me was pale and slender, almost delicate, yet calloused in places.

I looked up and saw a familiar face.

“Lady Viviana…?”

“Sorry I’m late. I had something urgent to handle and couldn’t come right away.”

I stared at her blankly.

Why was Viviana here instead of Lillian? Did this mean I’d now have to endure the same humiliating acts for her as I did for Lillian?

“Where’s Lady Lillian?”

“From now on, Lillian and I will take turns visiting you. This time, it’s my turn.”

“…You will?”

“Yes.”

Well, what difference did it make whether it was Viviana or Lillian?

In my ruined life, it didn’t matter who fed me or attended to my basic needs.

All I wanted was one thing.

“You’ll stamp it for me, right?”

In response to my question, Viviana slowly pulled out a small booklet from her coat. It bore the stamps I’d accumulated thus far.

“Yes. I’ll stamp it at the end of the day.”

“…Then that’s fine.”

With my resolve firm, I dragged my heavy, chain-bound body forward on all fours toward Viviana.

Each movement sent the sound of chains scraping against the ground echoing through the prison.

Eventually, I succeeded in resting myself on her lap.

“T-Tina…?”

Viviana looked down at me, startled.

I couldn’t understand why her expression felt so strange and unfamiliar.

Why was she making that face?

“…Why? Isn’t this what you came here for?”

Sitting on her lap, I wrapped my arms around her waist. The firmness of her muscles under my fingertips felt oddly alien.

“I’m hungry. Feed me.”

From a distance close enough to feel her breath, I slightly parted my lips and gazed at her.

If it were Lillian, she would have already pressed her lips to mine and passed the food.

So I thought Viviana would do the same.

But her face quietly flushed red. Her trembling gaze lingered on my lips, yet unlike Lillian, she didn’t lean in.

“…I’m sorry, but there’s no food. Tina.”

“What?”

“But I can take you to where there is food.”

At that moment, I was at a loss for words and looked up at her. What on earth was she saying?

When I demanded an explanation with my eyes instead of answering, Viviana gave a faint smile and gently patted my head.

“I’ll take you outside.”

A completely unexpected statement.

I stared at her wide-eyed.

Inside the rattling carriage.

Viviana sat opposite a lovely girl, her hands clasped tightly. Despite having been confined in that dark prison for a month, the girl’s eyes shone as beautifully as stars.

Her skin was so flawless that anyone seeing her would find it hard to believe she had ever been imprisoned.

“Th-The Empire…”

Tina gazed out the carriage window with trembling eyes. Outside was the familiar, splendid downtown of the empire.

Viviana couldn’t help but smile as she watched Tina, who gazed outside with big, sparkling eyes while gently brushing her fingers along the window.

“Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll take you wherever you like.”

Tina’s eyes lit up at those words.

After a moment of hesitation, she smiled shyly, lowered her head, and whispered softly.

“…I want pasta.”

Ah, how endearing.

Even Viviana, who prided herself on her extraordinary self-control, found it difficult to suppress the urge to pat Tina on the head.

“Alright.”

Viviana was well-acquainted with that special space created by Lilian. A vast, holy prison, kind of immortal realm.

Even if one’s head were severed, it would immediately heal in that space, which was crafted solely for Tina.

‘Just like this collar.’

Viviana slowly glanced at the collar in her hand.

The collar Tina had worn during the previous bath.

Small and sturdy, the collar held as much divine power as the prison itself.

As long as she wore this collar, all her wounds would heal just as they had in the prison.

It also served to suppress that damned demon as a bonus.

“Tina.”

She softly called her name and fastened the collar around her neck.

Perhaps because it wasn’t the first time, Tina accepted the collar without resistance, her demeanor calm.

The carriage came to a halt before long. When they stepped outside, a dazzling imperial street unfolded before them under the bright sunlight.

Holding Tina’s hand, Viviana walked slowly toward the pasta shop. With each step, countless sharp gazes were directed at them.

Of course, the target of those gazes wasn’t Viviana but Tina.

Unlike Viviana, Tina, who possessed an ordinary human’s perception, was too excited about the prospect of eating pasta to notice the hostile stares directed at her.

They arrived at the pasta shop in no time. Viviana gently stroked Tina’s head as she spoke.

“Tina, can you stay here by yourself for a moment? It’ll only take about ten minutes. I just need to talk to the shop owner and I’ll be right back.”

“T-Ten minutes?”

Tina hesitated for a moment, then gave a stiff smile and nodded.

“…Alright.”

***

Leaving her behind, Viviana entered the shop and closed the door. As soon as she did, the chef hurriedly ran up to her.

“L-Lady Merdellia!”

“In about an hour, two people will dine here.”

“Understood! I’ll see to it with the utmost care!”

The chef’s unwavering response showed that the establishment was trustworthy enough.

Leaning against the wall, Viviana closed her eyes and quietly counted the minutes.

One, two, five… and then ten.

Afterward, she exited the restaurant slowly, ignoring the puzzled look of the owner.

Just as expected.

The spot where Tina had promised to wait was completely empty.

As anticipated.

“…I’m sorry, Tina.”

She muttered softly, lowering her head.

But this time… I hope you’ll understand that it’s all for you.