Chapter 21
The reason Silian could not escape from the Imperial Temple.
A contract he had to make under the pretense of protecting his sister. Now, Cecenia was about to do the same.
“Do you think you have multiple lives?”
“Of course not. But not right now.”
“So, you’re backing down? Now that you’re actually about to do it, are you scared?”
“No. I’m not scared. But at the very least, I have to show you. Show you how useful the person you’re about to make a contract with is. You should decide after seeing that. A contract should be made carefully, more than you think.”
He was someone who had lived as royalty.
Though he was on the run, no one was trying to use him. So, even though he understood the weight of the contract he was making, he still went through with it. That’s why he couldn’t understand this situation.
“Don’t be foolish and just rush into a contract. Since ancient times, contracts should be carefully examined before being signed.”
“…Are you treating me like a fool right now?”
“Yeah. There aren’t many kind people like me. Look carefully before you decide.”
Cecenia spoke with sharp words without hesitation, yet her bright smile made it even more bewildering.
“Hah…”
But Cecenia felt sorry for him.
‘He must have been that desperate. He wanted to protect his sister. Unlike himself, his sister had been sealed away, and he must have wanted to save her no matter what.’
That was all Cecenia knew.
The twins of Salmond, whose very birth was considered a sin. The kingdom of Salmond believed twins were a sign of divine wrath. They were born with unprecedented strength as royals, but their existence was seen as ominous. So, they sealed away Pepe just because she was a girl, leaving only Silian. After all, a male heir was more suitable to inherit the throne.
Continuing the royal bloodline, marrying a strong partner, and having children—since men were considered more suitable for this role, they made their decision. Silian and Pepe were separated at birth and raised apart. However, Silian was overwhelmed by deep loneliness. Then, he discovered that he had a twin.
He had always believed she was growing up well. That’s what he was told, and that’s what he believed. But when his father died and he inherited the throne, Silian learned the truth.
His twin sister, Pepe, had lived a completely different life from him. She wasn’t just sealed away—adults, driven by selfish desires, had tried to extract her power. She was neither dead nor truly alive.
‘That’s why he sought help from the Empire.’
Knowing this, Cecenia couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Silian’s only mistake was being too reckless.
He was so desperate to save his sister that he would make a contract with anyone who could help him. Cecenia didn’t want him to repeat the mistakes of the past.
“Then let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“We’ll stop by my business, then go to the place you want. I also need to go there to finalize a proper contract. Shouldn’t I be a reliable contractor?”
Silian smiled as if amused. He seemed as though he didn’t care where they went, as long as he could leave this place. Without saying much, he naturally sat next to Cecenia.
Teddy, unable to kick him away since his master was making a contract with him, naturally inserted himself between the two.
“Move aside, will you?”
“My place is beside my master.”
“…So you’re sitting there like a child, just because you’re next to your master?”
It did look ridiculous. Teddy, who had a naturally broad frame, had been training in swordsmanship and exercise recently, making his already large shoulders even broader. Now, with him squeezed between them in the narrow space…
“It’s cramped.”
Still, Teddy had no intention of moving.
“You don’t even have a reason to be next to the master. The contract hasn’t even been made yet. Why don’t you go hide in a corner like before?”
“No thanks. Unlike you, I have noble blood.”
“Hah. You’re just a thief.”
“Tch. And you’re just a slave.”
The two bickered, neither willing to back down. Finding it amusing, Cecenia chuckled and got up, moving to sit next to Lisbet.
“You two look good together.”
“Master!”
“I’m moving too.”
“No. Stay there and get along. That’s an order. I hate cramped spaces.”
“Then I’ll—”
“I’ll move.”
“No.”
Like a dog and a cat fighting to protect their owner, neither of them was willing to yield. But Cecenia firmly stopped them.
“If even one of you comes over here, it’ll be too cramped. Stay put. You actually look good together.”
“…But, Master…”
“I refuse to sit with someone who can’t control their strength and reeks of sweat.”
Perhaps realizing there was no winning, Silian got up and disappeared into the darkness. Despite the small carriage, he vanished completely.
“W-where did he go? Did he leave? Miss?”
“No, he’s still here.”
“Ah…”
Lisbet glanced at Cecenia with a disappointed look, as if she had something to say. Seeing her lips part slightly, Cecenia gently held her hand.
“Don’t worry. He won’t harm me.”
“But Miss… No, never mind.”
Lisbet hesitated before closing her mouth. She didn’t know much about Silian, yet she acted as if she did.
‘For some reason… Lisbet seems to know something.’
But even if she knew everything, Cecenia had no intention of revealing her secret. If Lisbet found out she had already died once and was reliving her life, her heart would surely break.
‘Like mine did. That pain is mine alone to bear.’
If Lisbet knew she had returned from the future, that time had rewound…
Cecenia shook her head.
‘No matter what, I have to believe in myself. I’ve already changed so much. This time, I will change the future.’
She clenched her fist.
Iar Trading Company.
“Stay here for a moment.”
She left the carriage, not caring whether he followed. Teddy and Lisbet naturally followed her inside.
“You’ve arrived.”
Rohan greeted her with a knowing smile.
Cecenia simply smiled back.
“Let’s begin.”
