Volume 1 part 3
Volume 1 part 3
“Cornelia.”
Devaron’s voice, which was already low by nature, sank even lower. It made me shrink back instinctively.
‘Why is he so angry? No way…’
“I heard you caused a scene on the street today.”
So it was about that. The incident from just a couple of hours ago had already reached Devaron’s ears.
It wasn’t surprising. The streets were lined with shops owned by the Astolphe Duchy, and today was the Akteil Festival.
The streets were packed with people who adored the heroes.
When I couldn’t answer and just lowered my head, Devaron sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face. His expression and voice were filled with deep fatigue and a nameless emotion.
Those emotions felt like shards of ice, piercing straight into my heart.
“I’ve told you so many times not to cause a scene.”
“I didn’t… I didn’t do it on purpose…”
I looked up sharply and tried to defend myself by habit—but then I shut my mouth.
‘Why should I have to explain myself?’
It was a habit. A habit built over the two years I spent trying to win his favor.
But I didn’t have to do that anymore.
I took off the suffocating veil that had hidden my face. My long hair, once tied up, fell loose and fluttered in the night breeze.
“…So what if I did?”
“What?”
“I said, what’s the big deal if I caused a scene on the street?”
Devaron looked genuinely taken aback, as if he never expected me to speak so boldly.
But I didn’t avoid his gaze. There was no reason to anymore.
“Are you saying I should’ve just stood there and let that man mock me, Devaron?”
“…Cornelia.”
He took a deep breath and finally looked me in the eye. How long had it been since we’d met each other’s gaze? Every time I’d looked at him before, he always looked away.
“I told you before, didn’t I? I asked you not to cause a scene because I wanted to protect you.”
“Really?”
When I asked again, Devaron went silent.
Right. That wasn’t it, was it? What mattered to him wasn’t me.
“Isn’t it really to protect yourself, Lady Beatrice, and this duchy?”
If I caused a commotion, it would tarnish the name of the Astolphe Duchy. That, in turn, would affect Lady Beatrice’s standing in the imperial palace as the crown princess.
As I blinked, a tear—one I didn’t even realize was there—slid down my cheek.
Hurriedly, I wiped it away with my sleeve. I didn’t want him to see me cry.
But when I looked up, I saw him awkwardly reaching out, as if unsure of what to do.
When our eyes met, he quickly lowered his arm and looked away.
Did he… mean to wipe away my tears?
No way.
This was the same man who stood by and watched me get mocked, who didn’t lift a finger even when I was about to fall.
With his head slightly bowed, Devaron touched his lips.
“…Let’s talk later.”
“Later? When, exactly?”
What did “later” even mean? You were never around—not in this duchy, not in the capital.
You left me to be ridiculed and scorned, and you never once responded properly to my letters or listened to my voice.
“A year from now? Two? Or maybe after I wither and die?”
Whether it was after I died or not, that “later” would never come. I smiled bitterly as I looked at him. He didn’t say a word.
Devaron’s eyes looked shocked. Was it because I talked back? Or because I’d caused a scene? I shook my head slightly.
After a long silence, Devaron opened his mouth as if to say something, then finally spoke my name.
“Cornelia…”
This time, I was the one who cut him off.
“Yeah, like you said, let’s not talk. Enjoy the rest of your night walk, Devaron.”
I answered indifferently and turned away. Whether or not he really had been out for a walk didn’t matter to me.
Devaron didn’t try to stop me, and that was how our conversation ended.
***
The sunlight on my eyelids felt heavy. Curling up, I let out a small groan.
I’d slept a lot, but the fatigue from yesterday hadn’t completely faded.
“Lady Cornelia.”
When I barely managed to open my eyes, Bell, dressed in a maid’s uniform of the Astolphe Duchy, was standing at my bedside.
“…Bell.”
My voice was completely hoarse. Embarrassed, I rubbed my throat and cleared it with a few coughs. Bell giggled quietly at the sight.
“You came in quite late last night, didn’t you?”
She handed me a glass of iced tea, brewed cold with ice cubes.
As I took it carefully, she smiled as if to urge me to drink it.
“Please try it. It’s good for fatigue. And great for waking you up.”
I didn’t know what kind of tea it was, but maybe she was right, my heavy body started to feel a little lighter. Holding the cup tightly, I looked at her.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just worried since you came back so late, Lady Cornelia.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be out so long.”
Lying back with a wet cloth over my eyes, I responded to Bell’s worried voice.
I really hadn’t meant to be late. It was just that too many unexpected encounters had happened.
As Bell stood up to fetch breakfast…
“Good morning. I have a letter for Lady Cornelia.”
A knock came with an unfamiliar voice.
A letter, for me? I hadn’t heard anything more unfamiliar than that. Honestly, it was the first time I’d received one since coming to the capital.
As I tried to sit up out of curiosity, Bell shook her head.
“I’ll get it for you! You just rest.”
Bell left the room, and I pressed the cloth firmly against my eyes. I could hear her talking to the unfamiliar maid through the door.
‘What could it be about?’
I had a bad feeling. If it were just an ordinary letter, the maid would have tossed it to Bell and left right away.
No servant ever wanted to stay here long.
“Um, Lady Cornelia.”
After a long while, Bell returned, cautiously handing me the letter while watching my reaction. As soon as I saw the letter, I narrowed my eyes.
Just as I expected. Another tiresome issue had arisen.
A pale lavender envelope, stamped clearly with the seal of a tree and staff. It was the seal of Tevius, the family of Feriel.
“A letter has arrived from Tevius’ household. That maid doesn’t look like she’s leaving without a reply.”
“…Give it to me, Bell.”
With a blank expression, I tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter. I saw her just yesterday, what could it be now?
As much as I wanted to ignore it, I had no habit of leaving people standing outside. And it was bothering me too.
The elegant letter was written in neat handwriting and to the point:
[Sorry for the sudden letter, Cornelia. But I want to see you. Can we meet today? The maid will guide you to the place. I’ll be waiting until you come.
– Your friend, Feriel.]
I sighed involuntarily as soon as I read it.
‘Can we meet today?’—and yet, the contents gave me no real choice.
Whether it was Feriel’s intention or not, that maid wouldn’t leave until she had escorted me there.
Who would dare return to the mansion after their master waited at a store, just saying, ‘She’s not coming’? No one would.
If the maid didn’t return and remained here, even the butler and Devaron would hear of it.
No, the butler probably already knew she had visited. My face contorted at the thought of the trouble to come.
“Bell, I’ll have breakfast later.”
With that, I stood up. Looking at Bell’s flustered face, I gave a bitter smile.
“I’m off to see the Hero.”
***
Following the maid, I froze in front of the teahouse. I had no idea why Feriel had called me here.
Surely the Tavius family owned their own teahouses. Wouldn’t those be more appropriate for avoiding attention?
I felt the maid who opened the door glance at me strangely, but I had no desire to move forward.
This was the place where I first heard the rumors about myself.
“Lady Cornelia. Lady Feriel is seated over there.”
The maid urged me in, pointing to the innermost corner seat.
Indeed, someone sat there, cloaked in a cape.
Gulping, I took a step inside the teahouse.
Instantly, the sounds and sights of the people talking inside disappeared. Instead, mocking laughter echoed in my ears.
“Pfft, isn’t she that commoner?”
Like a play, the scene from when I first came to this teahouse was being replayed.
The many people seated at tables glanced at me and then turned away.
But their mouths still crushed me with harsh words. As I took another step inside, their conversation continued.
“Yes, she is the commoner who guided the lost Heroes at the village entrance and clung to Duke Astolphe.”
“And she was not even alone, she brought her family, too.”
“I hear the cost of her grandmother’s medicine and the donations to the temple from Duke Astolphe’s estate are no joke.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
‘This was the past.’
I reminded myself with every step.
‘It’s already over. So there’s no reason for me to hurt now.’
But as if to mock me, the voices grew louder, and the emotions from that time crept back.
“She’s got a decent face for a commoner, but… to think she seduced Duke Astolphe with just that—it’s unbelievable.”
“That just proves how kindhearted the Duke is.”
Sticky rumors. Twisted stories, blending truth and lies. Maybe the only truths were the medicine for my grandmother and the donation to summon a priest.
But that money was given in exchange for a place I rightfully deserved. I gave up my role as a Hero, and in return, I received treatment for my grandmother. I wasn’t ashamed of that.
Yet people twisted the truth, added lies, and mocked me. And they raised their voices as if they wanted me to hear.
“And I heard she even goes around calling herself a Hero?”
“Heavens! A Hero? She dared put herself among the real Heroes?”
“How thick-skinned must she be…?”
“I think it’s impressive! With that shamelessness, she’ll survive anywhere!”
Hahaha.
Laughter poured over me like a waterfall. My breath caught in my throat as if I were being strangled.
‘Why do I have to hear this?’
The same sadness, the same anger from that day welled up again. My steps quickened.
Blinking, I realized I was only a few paces away from Feriel’s table. She sat with her back to me, fiddling with a teacup.
I just wanted to get out of here. That was all I could think as I took another step.
‘A commoner, calling herself a Hero—what a joke.’
I’d once approached a man who had said that, not even realizing I had dropped the bread I’d bought for Grandma.
‘Excuse me.’
‘What is it? Ah! Did you call for me to receive the great Hero’s grace? Yes, yes. I greet the Hero.’
What had I said to the man who mocked me with exaggerated bows?
I remember…
‘Are you done laughing?’
‘Huh…?’
Without slowing down, I’d walked up to him, glaring.
Whether it was the pressure or surprise, the man stumbled back and fell over with the table.
I bit my lip as I looked down at the fallen man. I was about to spit out a sharp remark.
Because if I didn’t, this fury wouldn’t be quelled—and those rumors needed to be corrected.
“Haa…”
Before I knew it, I was standing right in front of Feriel’s table. Just a bit more, and she would see me.
I paused for a moment, then took the final step. No matter how I felt, the outcome of that day was already decided.
‘Why would you say things like that…?’
Before I could finish, someone blocked my way. Knights from House Astolphe, officially here as my escort.
‘Lady Cornelia. The Duke wishes to avoid any commotion.’
That was Devaron’s true intent.
I let out a bitter smile, and at the same time, a cold sweat dripped to the floor. A pang of pain throbbed in my chest.
Even after two years, it could still hurt this much. I thought I was used to it—but apparently not.
“Ah, Cornelia!”
As I wiped my cold sweat, Feriel spotted me and waved brightly. Her cheerful voice drew all eyes.
Like in the past, the sudden attention made me hold my breath.
‘Would that scene replay again?’
But unlike my anxiety, the people quickly lost interest, distracted by my mourning attire and black veil.
Once I confirmed the gazes were gone, I exhaled deeply.
‘It’s the first time I’ve been glad to have such a common name.’
I sat across from Feriel, who had gone to lengths to disguise herself.
She wore her hood low to hide her lavender hair and had even used magic to change her eye color.
“Thanks for coming even though I called you so suddenly, Cornelia.”
Above Feriel’s head hung a frame depicting the Four Heroes.
It seemed they hadn’t taken it down since the Akteil Festival.
I sat down silently and got to the point. We weren’t exactly close enough for small talk.
“What is it?”
“Well…”
Feriel glanced around and suddenly bowed her head.
I widened my eyes at the unexpected apology.
“I’m sorry!”
Her voice again drew attention to the two of us.
Worried that her lavender hair might slip out from under her hood and reveal our identities, I quickly pulled her upright.
Lavender hair was a unique trait of the Tavius family. And the painting above practically invited comparison.
“Stand up. Everyone’s staring.”
At my urging, Feriel reluctantly raised her head, looking like she wanted to say something. But her lips remained closed.
“What are you even sorry for? We’ve already talked about not being able to be there when Grandma passed.”
Lately, nothing good came from meeting my old comrades, so my tone came out sharper than intended.
Noticing her lips press together more tightly, I felt I might have gone too far—but then she finally spoke.
“W-Well, that too… but I’m also sorry about the central temple burial…”
“…”
“I completely forgot. I just assumed, like us, you’d be able to go in freely too…”
Just before leaving the Duke Leonif’s residence, the word ‘commoner’ that was spoken last seemed to have given Feriel her answer.
Tears began to fall from her large eyes, which had been forcing a smile.
“I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I didn’t mean to separate you from Grandma Hibi on purpose. Leonif’s suggestion just sounded reasonable to me. As you know, being enshrined at the Central Temple is considered a great honor.”
Feriel continued speaking, tightly clasping her hands together. Her tearful voice wavered, fading and sharpening repeatedly.
“And… I’m sorry I haven’t treated you properly all this time. No matter how busy I was, I should have paid more attention to you…”
Feriel paused, then let out a sigh-like breath, mixed with sincerity.
“I’m truly sorry, Cornelia.”
The clarity in her voice made it impossible to doubt her sincerity.
I let out a small sigh at Feriel’s desperate apology. Indeed, if it were Feriel, she might have thought that way.
She was easily swayed and often influenced by others’ opinions. Probably because of her childhood experiences and her family environment.
I stood up. I hadn’t forgiven her, but there was no harm in accepting her apology—and more than anything, I just wanted to get out of this situation.
‘Who knows when or where someone might recognize me?’
“I’ll accept your apology. I have to go through, I’m returning to the village tomorrow, and there’s a lot to do.”
“C-Cornelia!”
As I turned to leave, Feriel grabbed my wrist and pulled something out from her pocket, placing it on the table.
They were three scrolls tied with a red ribbon, something I recognized instantly.
“Scrolls?”
“Yes! They’re essential for travel. I brought a few good ones from our family’s collection.”
Magic scrolls were expensive enough that even the cheapest one could match a commoner family’s monthly expenses. The ones Feriel took out now were top-grade, bearing the seal of House Tevius.
House Tevius was a family specialized in magic, and the presence of their seal could cause the same-quality scroll to cost several times more.
Moreover, the scrolls on the table now were top-tier, worth dozens of times more than cheap scrolls, at the very least.
Feriel, having placed such expensive scrolls on the table, pushed them toward me as if insisting I take them. Her sudden generosity made me shrink back, and suspicion welled up.
“Why are you giving these to me?”
“…The road to Yorkven Village is rough. Monsters show up, too. Of course, Devaron will probably send knights from the mansion, but still, just in case. Take them. They’re for self-defense! This one’s for attack magic, and this one has teleportation magic.”
There was a brief pause before Feriel answered, but her reasoning wasn’t wrong.
There was a well-maintained and commonly used safe route from the capital to Yorkben, but there were also forests where goblins and orcs appeared.
I looked down at the scrolls in silence.
“Please take them. Okay? Consider them a token of my apology.”
Maybe she noticed my hesitation, because she hastily shoved the scrolls into my hands.
She looked determined not to let me go until I nodded. Eventually, I gave in and nodded.
“Alright. Thanks. I’ll use them well.”
“Yes! Come see me after your trip, Cornelia!”
Fearing she’d try to stop me again, I turned quickly and left the tea house—unaware that Feriell’s gaze was still fixed on me.
***
‘She’ll be alright… right?’
After following Cornelia until she disappeared around the corner, Feriel collapsed in front of the tea house.
She could feel the maid looking at her strangely. Normally, she would’ve stood up quickly, feeling self-conscious, but right now, she didn’t care. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
‘Should she run after Cornelia and tell her the truth?’
Feriel bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.
‘No… it can’t be.’
She shook her head and blinked, trying desperately to shake off something.
‘…There’s no way Luke would try to kill Cornelia.’
The events from yesterday in the reception room of Marquis Leonif’s residence surfaced in her mind.
After Cornelia rejected the enshrinement of Grandma Hibi at the Central Temple and left the Marquis’s house, chaos erupted.
After a long moment of frustration, Luke seemed to realize something after talking with Leonif, and his eyes sparkled with understanding.
Even from a distance, the chilling glint in his eyes was unmistakable, and Feriel had instinctively focused on him. Thanks to that, she managed to read the words he had muttered quietly.
‘If she goes near the Granden Forest…’
Granden Forest. A place known for frequent monster sightings.
One would have to go fairly deep into the forest to encounter monsters, but the communal cemetery in Yorkven Village, located near the remains of the old village, was uncomfortably close to the monster territory.
Cornelia had mentioned that people often talked about having to move the cemetery because of that.
‘What if Cornelia goes to the cemetery and…’
“No!!”
As if to deny her own thoughts, Feriel shouted. Luke and Cornelia were comrades, after all.
Comrades who had faced life and death together. Yes, there’s no way Luke would think like that.
She must have given the scrolls just in case. In case monsters suddenly appeared. Feriel nodded to herself.
‘Yes, that’s it. I gave them not because I suspected Luke, but purely for Cornelia’s safety.’
Trying to comfort herself, Feriel stopped walking as she neared the carriage stop. Then, she overheard someone gossiping cruelly about Cornelia.
Cornelia’s unfocused, pale green eyes came to mind, eyes that once sparkled so brightly during their adventures together.
‘We’re… still comrades, right?’
The tears she had barely held back began to fall again.
***
“Hoo… almost done.”
I looked around the room in the eastern annex of the Duke’s mansion where I had been staying. I had nearly finished packing.
Bell had offered to help, enthusiastically rolling up her sleeves, but I had smiled and declined.
This was something I had to do myself. From beginning to end, it had to be done by me. And so, I went about erasing every trace of my grandmother and me from the Duke’s estate.
Books and a few clothes I’d bought in the capital, gifts for Isaac and Adele, and Grandma’s favorite sachet that had hung in the room…
All these traces were carefully packed into a small bag or thrown away. By evening, only a few items remained.
“What should I do with these?”
At the end of my gaze lay a necklace and a hair ornament that looked expensive at a glance.
Sunlight fell on the large jewel embedded in the necklace, scattering in all directions and highlighting its beauty.
These two ornaments were birthday gifts from Devaron.
Ever since I came to the capital, he had sent a gift each birthday, without a letter or a word of congratulations. I quietly stared at the two gifts I had received this way.
“…”
As I ran my fingers over the necklace, I brought it in front of the mirror and held it up to my neck.
The necklace, adorned with diamonds, a large ruby, and smaller jewels, was extravagant and beautiful—like something out of a fairytale princess’s jewelry box.
And yet, it still didn’t suit me. The necklace shimmered in the sunset light so brilliantly that it seemed to erase my presence entirely.
When I first received this necklace, I had been so happy I nearly cried. But it hadn’t taken long for that joy to turn into despair.
‘It doesn’t suit me…’
The words slipped out the moment I stood before the mirror wearing the necklace.
This necklace, a gift from Devaron, was painfully ill-matched to me.
‘Why doesn’t it suit me?’
The fact that it didn’t suit me was what made it so despairing.
I tried everything—pulling my hair up, putting on makeup, dressing up in new clothes—and yet the necklace always looked like too much for me.
Almost every day, I’d try it on, only to feel the same disappointment and despair. And that despair gradually turned into self-blame.
Why wasn’t I beautiful enough for this necklace?
‘Back then, I thought that if it suited me, then maybe I could stand beside Devaron…’
