Chapter 5 Part 9
Abolishing slavery and usury was a noble achievement dating back two generations. To stain the freedom that the late emperor devoted his life to creating was a grave crime, one that should be punished by imperial law. When Elia spoke of the duties of a noble, the Empress hesitated, but not for long.
“I told you there must have been a misunderstanding. Violet’s tears could form a river. If Sir Kanus gets into trouble, she might make a terrible choice!” The Empress clutched her chest as if the mere thought pained her. She appealed to Elia with tears in her eyes.
“She’s your sister, Elia. Do something about it.”
Her well-manicured hand gripped Elia’s tightly, the touch soft to the point of being unsettling. Elia looked into the Empress’s gleaming eyes and asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“Of course, you should help her as her sister!” Rubieno smiled brightly, as if Elia finally understood.
“Why not take the blame for this unfortunate incident yourself?” Her grip tightened painfully.
“You’re already married. If Sir Kanus’s honor is tarnished, it will cast a great shadow over Violet’s marriage.”
The newspapers weren’t just covering Sir Kanus’s misdeeds. Elia had also become a hot topic recently. The development of the desert oasis, the achievements of Elia Amarantha Richard—these articles praised her good deeds and her efforts in creating new life. Citizens who read these reports applauded Elia’s virtuous actions. This marked the first time since her grand wedding that Elia, the First Princess, began to shine.
‘And now they want me to take the blame for all of this?’
It was a ridiculous suggestion. If she accepted, not only would her honor plummet, but the Mahart family would also be affected.
“You’ll do that for me, won’t you?” Rubieno’s voice was filled with confidence, as if Elia would comply with this unreasonable request.
“I don’t understand why I should,” Elia replied with genuine curiosity.
“What do you mean? Violet is your only sister! I thought you understood, but you’re still clueless!” The Empress erupted, enraged that Elia would even question her.
Her only sister. This phrase had been drilled into Elia’s ears both in the past and now. She couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer.
“Elia? Why are you laughing? This situation is not….”
“I can’t do that.” Elia cut off the Empress.
‘Because you are not my family.’
Not in her past life, nor in this one. To them, Violet was the only daughter that mattered.
‘How can they expect me to take the blame for my sister’s fiancé’s crimes?’
Elia had never had any expectations of them, but their audacity still made her laugh.
“Are you serious, Elia?”
“Yes. I have a duty not to bring shame to my husband and the Mahart family.”
If Elia had stayed in the palace, things might have turned out differently.
‘I would have been trapped without being able to do anything.’
This was another reason she needed to leave the royal palace. The Empress’s eyes, once gentle, now turned icy.
“You’ve truly disappointed me, Elia.”
The next words would likely be.
“I never want to see you again.”
In the past, such words would have crushed Elia’s heart.
‘Because I feared abandonment the most.’
Both at the count’s residence and in the palace, Elia never found stability. After learning she was a princess, Elia did her best to integrate into her new family, hoping to be loved, even just a little bit.
‘Foolish.’
She realized too late that it was a goal that would never be achieved. The Empress’s eyes scanned Elia, expecting her to tremble and beg for forgiveness. However, Elia asked calmly.
“Can you really do that?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Can you truly never see me again?”
A fleeting expression of regret crossed the Empress’s face. Though not a true daughter, Elia was a valuable asset. Without her, the empire couldn’t prepare for the disaster foretold by the prophet. The Empress scrutinized her, wondering if she knew something.
Elia sensed the probing gaze and moistened her eyes.
“Your Majesty, you’re being too harsh. Just because I left the palace, does it mean I’m no longer your daughter?”
Her sorrowful eyes were directed at the Empress, who stumbled over her words in genuine confusion.
“No, that’s not it…!”
“I’ve known for a long time that you disapproved of me.”
Her trembling voice echoed through the room.
“That’s why I left. Yet, I still harbored the ridiculous hope that you might miss me.”
“Elia, wait.”
“But it was just a delusion.”
Ignoring the Empress’s call, Elia laughed bitterly. Resigned, she faced Rubieno.
“I’m considering staying abroad with Aksion for a while.”
A moment of silence followed. The Empress, with a hardened expression, tried to persuade her.
“…What are you talking about? Royals can’t go abroad, remember?”
“That’s only before marriage. I’m now married and bear the Mahart name, and the Duke is still alive.”
The royal prophet had made another prophecy about Elia on her birthday.
“Princess Elia’s fortune is tied to Amarantha. Leaving this land will bring great misfortune.”
Elia accepted this prophecy because she had no intention of leaving the palace. But now, she needed to reevaluate it.
‘It means I shouldn’t leave.’
She watched the Empress’s reaction. Rubieno’s face turned pale.
‘There’s something more to that prophecy.’
Elia must not leave the empire for reasons she wasn’t aware of. She smoothed her wet dress and spoke.
“I think of it as a honeymoon.”
Elia lowered her eyes. Though she was being discarded, she pretended to accept it gracefully. The Empress’s eyes darted about, trying to find a way to prevent this. Her dry hands pressed down on Elia’s hand.
“Why don’t you think it over?”
“Why should I? I thought you’d be pleased.”
“As a mother, how could I be pleased!”
Strong denial is a form of affirmation. Elia recalled an old saying.
‘Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will abandon you this time.’
Any revenge was weak compared to the pain she had endured as their scapegoat. She needed to act meticulously and secretly to bring down the royal family, which had once been her own.
“I now belong to another family. Wouldn’t my leaving be good for Violet?”
Returning to the main topic, the Empress hesitated before Elia, who kept bringing up Violet. She feared Elia might actually leave if she pushed any further.
“That can’t be. She needs your help… No, just having you nearby will reassure her.”
“Really? I don’t know about that.”
“It’s true!”
The Empress fell into the trap, smiling awkwardly without realizing it. Elia seemed to agree, but then shook her head.
“Still, I think I need a break.”
Seeing Elia’s tired expression, the Empress became restless and eventually suggested a solution.
“If you need a break, I’ll give you an island…”
“An island? Do you mean Arban Island?” Elia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Arban Island was the largest resort island given to the Empress by the late emperor when she married into the royal family.
“Yes, you know of it.”
The Empress couldn’t hide her discomfort. She had intended to give Elia something less valuable, not such a precious island.
“Are you really giving me that island?”
Elia’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, like a woman receiving her first birthday gift.
‘Arban Island.’
Known for its bright sunshine and blue beaches, the island had been exclusively for the Empress and those she permitted to visit.
