episode_0078

Gently combing through her disheveled hair and applying perfume on top of it, Oejeni. Despite being in pain, Eleanor did not refuse Oejeni’s touch, even though she wondered if it was necessary to adorn herself so meticulously.

Well, now she had to live as a woman. There was no need to show an unsightly appearance to the men standing behind the door.

After making a final check of her white nightdress, Oejeni walked out the door, signaling to the men that Eleanor was ready.

The tightly closed bedroom door soon creaked open.

Following Oejeni into Eleanor’s room, the two men were visibly taken aback by Eleanor’s appearance, despite their recent encounters with her. Her face and body bore signs of suffering, yet Eleanor, with a subtle lift of her lips, seemed like a heroine who wouldn’t yield to adversity in a classic tragedy.

Especially striking was the grace and freshness exuded by the smile on her youthful face.

Eleanor’s welcoming smile was so elegant that it was hard to believe she had just been rescued from captivity moments ago.

“Master Yulian and Dmitry, thank you for all you have done for me.”

As the two men gaped at Eleanor, she gently inclined her head towards them.

Sitting upright on the bed, with her hand resting on her chest above the white nightdress, Eleanor’s demeanor was vastly different from what they remembered.

The platinum-haired woman before them was not the cute young lady they knew but a flawless and elegant lady.

Eleanor raised her head cautiously to meet Yulian and Dmitry.

Her heartbeats ceased.

The palpitations that she couldn’t control whenever she stood in front of the silver-haired man vanished as if by magic when faced with his crimson eyes.

Eleanor gazed steadily at Yulian’s face.

His face beneath the silver hair was as fair and unblemished as a woman’s skin, complemented by the white complexion and the striking red irises.

Indeed, Yulian possessed a face that could enchant women.

“I apologize for the delayed gratitude, Master Yulian. I was quite overwhelmed at the time.”

Once again, Eleanor bowed her head slightly.

“Thank you for rescuing this wretched woman.”

Yulian, receiving the belated thanks, still appeared bewildered.

“Oh, no, Eleanor. It is I who should apologize for being late.”

However, his confusion didn’t last long. Just like Eleanor, Yulian’s eyebrows twitched slightly with unease as he deeply inclined his head.

He now realized that the same emotions he once felt in her voice, attitude, and gaze were no longer present.

“Despite your busy schedule, you took such care of me.”

Whether aware of Yulian’s sentiments or not, Eleanor lifted her head once more to face him.

“Master, how is he doing?”

Yulian replied calmly, “He has been beheaded.”

“I see. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I appreciate your concern, but I am not so easily defeated by such scoundrels.”

In the eyes that met each other, there was no tension as before.

Before long, the sky-blue eyes departed from Yurian without a trace of regret.

“Dmitri, thank you. I heard that you’ve been through a lot since early morning with Father.”

Rather, it was because she could find a hint of the gaze that had been directed towards herself just a while ago in her eyes looking at Dmitri.

“What suffering? Rather, Eleanor must have suffered more than me. Are you okay? Anywhere hurting?”

Dmitri smiled broadly as he looked at Eleanor. A faint blush began to appear on Eleanor’s fair cheeks under that smile.

“I’m fine.”

Watching the conversation between the two, all Yurian could do was bite her lower lip to hide her angry expression.

Eleanor’s rescue spread through Lutesia as quickly as news of her abduction had.

There were many aspects to this incident that made it a topic of discussion.

The abducted was none other than the daughter of Baron Beaurne, known as the lord of the west, and moreover, his youngest daughter whom he cherished dearly.

The abductor was none other than Louis Edmund, the disinherited eldest son of the Earl of Edmond.

Furthermore, the fact that Eleanor was rescued by none other than Yurian de la Vallière, the Emperor’s illegitimate child and the head of internal security, added to the intrigue.

Any one of these details would have caused much gossip among the nobles for quite some time. And unfortunately, the three were gathered together.

Rumors about the Eleanor kidnapping case circulated as widely as the spreading gossip in shabby taverns and inns.

In addition to the spreading rumors, various discussions regarding the Eleanor kidnapping case were circulating among people’s lips.

The fact that a noble lady had been kidnapped alone was a significant scandal for herself. Only the victim herself and the kidnapper knew what had happened between them.

Issues regarding her chastity could arise, not to mention various speculations about her usual behavior.

Fortunately for Eleanor, the fact that the one who kidnapped her was none other than the younger brother of Edmund Viscount was somewhat of a relief.

Just a short while ago, until the Empress ascended to her position, Edmund Viscount was simply a figurehead of an unremarkable family.

Edmund Viscount, who had been lucky enough to have his younger sister become Empress and was taking advantage of her newfound power, had garnered resentment throughout the noble society.

Therefore, the stories flowing from their mouths were focused more on Louis Edmund and Edmund Viscount, rather than Eleanor, and even further on Prince Felix, who was vying for succession.

“Hah, that red-haired fellow! Knew he’d cause trouble someday.”

“She just followed him around like a puppy. Ended up causing a big mess.”

“By this, the west will support the princess. Poor Prince Felix.”

Additionally, there were quite a few stories circulating about Yurian, mainly among unmarried noble ladies.

“Have you heard the news? Eleanor, that woman, was splendidly rescued by Lord Yurian!”

“He held a knife to the lady’s neck and swiftly dealt with Louis Edmund’s threats, didn’t he?”

“Truly… Not only in appearance but also in swordsmanship. Sir Yulrian seems to lack nothing.”

In contrast to the noble society, the topics of conversation among commoners were somewhat different.

“Even the refined nobles are engaging in such malicious deeds.”

“Nevertheless, isn’t it too severe to slit someone’s throat in that situation?”

Those voicing such opinions belonged to the newly emerging capitalist factions due to the development of the Majungseok industry. Despite being commoners, they possessed wealth and knowledge comparable to most nobles, yet harbored resentment towards nobles who looked down on them based solely on their status.

“To use force so recklessly without proper procedure as a security official of the Ministry of Interior.”

“Although of noble descent, once expelled from the family, they should be of the same commoner status as us…”

As the grand event of the founding ceremony approached, the atmosphere in the capital flowed noisily in a direction unrelated to it.

However, amidst the tumultuous atmosphere in the capital, the townhouse of the Beaurne family, the focal point of the story, remained remarkably calm and quiet.

The sky was filled with thick, cloudy weather.

Behind the garden where the farewell martial arts ball of the Byeonchangbaek couple had been held, the large annex stood solemnly, its atmosphere settling like the overcast sky.

“For those who have returned to the goddess’s embrace, let us offer a prayer for a moment.”

The voice of the clergyman, dressed in a black cassock covered by a red cape and a square hat, gently filled the large hall. Four large coffins placed in front of the clergyman, containing knights dressed in full armor with closed eyes.

At the clergyman’s gesture, Eleanor, dressed in a simple black dress, cautiously approached the knights lying in front of the stone coffins.

Even if healed, there was no way to erase the scars scattered all over. Especially, a large wound remained on the neck of the fallen knight who had fought alongside her until the end.

“Violette, thank you.”

Gently placing a rough hand, calloused over time, gathered above the knight’s chest, Eleanor softly set down a white chrysanthemum she held in her hand.

“I will never, ever die as hopelessly as the original Eleanor. So please remember that.”

Beneath her peacefully closed eyes, almost as if responding to Eleanor’s determination, a tender smile graced Violette’s stern face.

#12. At the Edge of a Dream – End