episode_0006

It was a night more beautiful than the day.

The sky was entirely black, but thanks to the brilliant cluster of light, it wasn’t pitch black where nothing could be seen.

However, expressing it as beautiful would likely be an expression lacking in humanity.

It was because beneath the sky, it was entirely filled with death.

The light fell to the ground like a bomb.

The lives on the ground struggled according to their instincts to survive, but only an irrational end awaited them.

Is the world coming to an end?

I was looking down at everyone from the hill. What’s strange about the dream is that I can see myself in the third person, not the first person. Of course, my appearance was the seductive body of Beatrice de Dalia.

My face seemed emotionless, just gazing at the world full of death. As if there were no feelings, no interest at all.

Someone approached me.

I turned my head to look at him.

Karl Mayner, the protagonist of the novel, no! Another reader who was drawn into this world like me. A dazzling blond handsome man was staring at me with eyes full of anger…

Looking at him, I sadly smiled. My lips were smiling, but my eyes seemed like they could well up with tears at any moment.

If any man were to look at my face, they could only pity me. However, Karl Mayner didn’t care. He just glared at me with disgust beyond anger.

“Kill her.”

“Please get rid of her.”

“Disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear!”

A cry-like scream was heard. It was unclear where it was coming from.

Just, I knew that numerous voices were simultaneously echoing in my head to the point of stirring it up.

“Oh God, please save me from that evil…”

“I curse you forever! There will surely be a place in hell just for you!!”

“You!! You shouldn’t exist. Your very existence is a tragedy. So please, just die. I beg you.”

“This damn woman!”

There were so many shouts that my head was ringing, but I seemed to ignore them. Just as if the man in front of me was the whole world.

The man suddenly raised his sword and aimed it at me.

But it was a sword filled with hesitation.

Swish-

I gestured towards the sky as if mocking that sight. A multitude of light emerged in the dark sky, like a galaxy woven with stars. Flames and lightning poured down according to the gesture.

Once again, the sound of life fading was heard. Sighs and screams filled the earth.

My eyes, regaining vitality, emitted turquoise glows. It was a sinister light, almost provocative toward the man.

The hesitant man rushed towards me.

There was no resistance. The tip of the sword aimed for the heart, and I surrendered.

What he wanted, no, what everyone wanted.

My death.

***

“Ugh!”

Startled by the dreadful sensation of the blade piercing the flesh, I woke up from sleep.

The dream felt unreal and insensible, but one thing, the piercing of the heart, was too vivid and intense.

Struggling to gather my senses, I reminded myself that everything was just a dream.

Then, drenched in sweat, I threw off the tangled sheets and got out of bed.

Spluttering

I poured water into a glass on the table and drank it down. The burning thirst was quenched.

Sigh…

My legs gave way, and I slumped into the chair next to the table. My body, already exhausted before falling asleep, now felt completely drained, leaving me unable to do anything.

“Sob… sniff…”

Unbeknownst to me, tears like chicken droppings streamed down my cheeks.

I deluded myself into thinking I was strong. But looking at myself now, it seems not.

Separated from everyone who knew me, brought to a strange world, trapped in a body that wasn’t mine, I felt an overwhelming uncertainty about whether I could ever return.

I thought I had been holding up well until now…

Was it because of the dawn sentiment or the pitiful content of the dream? The burst of tears wouldn’t stop.

In my dream, I felt like a monster who could harm people without feeling any guilt. The thought that it might be my future self was too terrifying to bear.

Above all, everyone hated me. Well, it’s natural, because in my dream, I was a monster. Still, it was so sad. I wouldn’t want to become like that…

What kind of experiences did I have in this world that led to such a future unfolding?

No, is it really the future? It could just be a nightmare, couldn’t it?

But the emotions I’m feeling right now are real, purely sincere.

That’s why my heart was so painful and bitter. I don’t want to face such a lonely end.

Knock, knock

“Miss Beatrice? May I come in?”

With the cautious sound of knocking on the door, Yulia’s voice was heard.

“Yeah…”

A weary response emerged.

“I heard you had a tough training today. Is there anything you need before you go to bed?”

With a click, the door opened, revealing the figure of a fair-haired beauty. The maid’s composure, unruffled by the moonlight, crumbled as she saw my desolate appearance.

“Miss Beatrice!? Are you okay?”

Yulia hurriedly approached me.

I met her worried violet eyes. Despite being a maid, she had a somewhat noble appearance. Thanks to her, I snapped out of my melancholy reverie.

“Oh…! Yulia?”

At first, I was taken aback.

“..!!!!”

Then, I was horrified.

Because of my negligee.

I hastily tried to cover myself with my hands. Of course, it didn’t work.

“You’re soaked through. How much sweat did you shed….”

As I stood there helplessly, Yulia calmly patted me.

As her hand approached my forehead, I instinctively turned away. I also turned my upper body away from her and huddled down, trying to shield myself with my arms.

“Just… don’t say anything.”

Yulia stepped back. Her surprise was palpable.

“Just… could you not say anything at all?”

A man should not shed tears. A proper noble lady should not reveal her undergarments. But I ended up seeing both. It’s the worst.

Julia tried to leave the room as quietly as possible to consider me.

“Wait, wait!”

I don’t want to be alone. Because I remember the contents of my dream.

A world full of dreams that curse me…

“Turn around and just stand there without saying a word! I’m sorry.”

Watching Julia standing still, I moved to the bed. Soon, I could wrap myself in the blanket and lie down.

“Could you stay by my side until I fall asleep…?”

She silently pulled a chair from the table and sat by the bed, looking around somewhat awkwardly, like a guardian protecting the bed.

“Am I acting strange lately?”

“You’re not acting strange. You are who you are, Beatrice.”

It was a wonderful answer, making me feel like I had found my only ally in this lonely world. However, she serves the original Beatrice, not me. So, it was regrettable.

Evil—

I reached out from under the blanket toward Julia.

As she took my hand, she politely held it.

“Just watch me fall asleep like this…”

“Yes.”

Her small, delicate hand felt fragile compared to mine…

The warmth transmitted through her hand melted the unease within me.

Ah. I’m really not alone.

“Julia, will you… stay by my side until the end…?”

Am I expecting too much from the servant-master relationship? Unintentionally, I placed excessive expectations on Julia, who served the Beatrice in the novel. Even though I am different from Beatrice… can Julia treat me as preciously as she did Beatrice?

With these excessive thoughts, I confused Julia with a difficult question. This is how terrifying emotions at dawn can be.

“Of course.”

Contrary to my anxious heart, an unwavering response came back. Her eyes were filled only with conviction.

“Right… Thank you.”

With Yulia’s response, the tension eased, and sleep poured over him. When he gently closed his eyes, consciousness blacked out, and he fell into a deep slumber.

Fortunately, this time he could welcome the morning without having any dreams.

*

Early morning.

Count Daliah got on the carriage.

His elegant attire, displaying the dignity of a count, seemed to indicate his destination.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the palace.”

“The king may need to report in accordance with the Imperial Academy enrollment.”

The count spoke with his wife, Blair, who had come to see him off.

“That’s true. They probably want to know who from this country is applying to the academy…”

The Imperial Academy accepts students regardless of status or nationality. Moreover, numerous talents seek admission. The history and prestige of the academy were so significant that they even concerned leaders of all nations.

“Will you convey what we have prepared to the king as planned?”

“Yes. Nothing has changed. Only the department of application.”

“I hope that worm doesn’t take too much interest in Beatrice – no, in Beatrice.”

There was no trace of respect or loyalty in Blair’s attitude towards the king.

“It’s only natural to have an appropriate level of interest in Daliah’s successor. After all, we can’t know much before enrollment.”

As the carriage door closed, the count spoke to his wife through the window.

“Well then, please take care of things here while I’m gone, Blair.”

“Is it okay not to tell Beatrice separately?”

“There’s no need to create unnecessary concerns. It would be better for Beatrice to focus on training rather than starting swordsmanship late.”

In response to the count’s words, Blair nodded.

“I was more surprised than anything. To think we reached such a close place…”

“That’s why we should cut it off quickly. Even if the king didn’t summon us, we would have handled it together.”

“It can’t be helped. There’s no need to attend and make things worse.”

“Take care of yourself. Blair, I’m not worried if it’s you.”

The viscount kissed his wife’s hand and bid her farewell.

The horse pulling the carriage clattered as it slowly pulled the carriage.

Watching the carriage move away little by little, Blair turned towards the mansion, thinking about the given mission and the tasks to be handled.