Chapter 82
Because of the unsettling nature of the dream, Raylenne decided to check just in case, and to her surprise, there really was something there. She stretched out her hand and managed to grab the book.
The book, with a light green cover labeled “Nadia,” seemed to be a diary.
‘What Raylenne said in the dream was true…’
Raylenne hurriedly opened the book. The pages inside were quite faded. Fortunately, there were no damaged parts, so she quickly turned the pages.
The contents of the diary’s beginning weren’t particularly special. Mostly, they contained stories about the children. Helis crying a lot after falling while playing outside, Raylenne adorably eating vegetables just to get some chocolate—such small and happy anecdotes.
However, Raylenne’s hand stopped at a certain point towards the back of the diary.
“December 3, 1905, Imperial Calendar. Today, I had a big fight with my husband. I cannot understand the things he does. He thinks it’s natural for someone to sacrifice themselves for his rise. I fear our children will learn from such a father.”
It seemed Nadia did not get along well with Duke Ergen. The reason was that she was aware of the sinister things Duke Ergen was doing behind the scenes. Any sensible person would naturally dislike having someone like Duke Ergen as their spouse.
From that entry onwards, the diary’s content gradually became darker.
“February 13, 1906, Imperial Calendar. I feel unwell. Even though I called for a doctor, they can’t find the cause. Day by day, it becomes harder to lift even a finger, and I frequently lose consciousness due to high fever. I feel terribly sorry for the children. We were supposed to go on a picnic with Raylenne this week…”
Raylenne’s eyebrows slightly rose.
‘No cause for the illness…’
It felt similar to when Raylenne had fallen ill. Suddenly losing strength with no apparent cause.
An uneasy thought crossed her mind.
The next page contained something akin to Raylenne’s suspicion.
“June 17, 1906, Imperial Calendar. Lately, I suspect that my illness is because of my husband. Every time after a quarrel with him, my condition worsens. It might just be my imagination, but… that’s how it feels.”
Raylenne’s brow furrowed.
‘That’s why the original Raylenne said that in the dream.’
Although the diary only described Nadia’s suspicions, knowing the Duke’s vile nature made it believable.
Raylenne continued reading the diary.
“April 8, 1908, Imperial Calendar.”
It seemed Nadia hadn’t written in the diary for a long time. Two years had passed between pages.
“If one is confined to bed, there isn’t much to write about.”
Raylenne felt pity for Nadia’s situation as conveyed by the diary.
“Today, I finally told my husband. I said I would tell my father about the things he’s been doing. He was furious, fearing that the funds my father provides would be cut off. His gaze scared me, as if he would do something terrible.”
The last sentence left a strong impression.
‘As if he would do something terrible.’
The foreboding words made even the reader tense.
Raylenne felt her heart pound as she turned the page.
But the pages were blank.
That was the last entry.
So, this was the content that had been hidden in her memory. Usually, the parts of her past that she couldn’t remember were those that the original Raylenne didn’t want to recall.
Like Nadia’s and Belle’s accidents.
Raylenne felt guilty about those incidents, which is why she couldn’t recall those memories.
But she couldn’t understand why she hadn’t remembered the contents of this diary.
Raylenne thought she should ask the original Raylenne in her dreams why she had forgotten this.
“It wasn’t just a simple dream…”
The diary hidden in the shrine contained significant information.
At that moment, what Raylenne said in the dream crossed her mind.
[After reading it, I thought maybe the reason for Mother’s illness was because someone had plotted against her.]
The person the original Raylenne suspected was Duke Ergen.
Judging the truth based solely on the diary’s contents might be difficult, but Raylenne couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.
Earlier, Duke Ergen had been exceedingly polite to the person who seemed to be his father-in-law. He even pretended to be a loving husband who couldn’t forget his deceased wife.
Reading the diary made it clear why he was acting so well. Nadia’s family was financially supporting Duke Ergen’s household, and Duke Ergen couldn’t afford to lose those funds.
“So Nadia’s family must be quite wealthy.”
The situation fell into place like puzzle pieces.
If Nadia left or they divorced, Duke Ergen knew he would lose the funding, which he couldn’t accept.
So Duke Ergen must have…
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Raylenne hesitated about what to do with the enormous truth contained in this diary.
‘I need to uncover the truth about Nadia’s death as Raylenne asked…’
But Raylenne had something more urgent at the moment—Aiden’s situation.
Duke Ergen was trying to kill Aiden, and Raylenne still hadn’t found a perfect way to help Aiden escape.
Aiden managed to evade the knights Duke Ergen sent after him, but it became tricky when dealing with Caverion.
She wasn’t too worried about Aiden evading the knights, but Caverion was a different story. She never imagined her gentle brother would become such a formidable obstacle.
Raylenne furrowed her brow as she worried, then suddenly had a different thought.
‘…No, wait.’
Her blue eyes glinted through her narrowed gaze.
[Make a deal with your brother using the contents of the diary. He would surely be curious about Mother’s diary.]
As the dream Raylenne had said, there was another person desperate to know this truth besides herself.
* * *
Knock, knock.
There was no response to the knocking. Raylenne decided to try the doorknob, just in case.
With a click, the door opened. The room was dark. She saw a figure sitting on the bed.
The figure’s head turned slowly.
“Raylenne?”
“Why didn’t you say anything while you were in here, Brother?”
Raylenne had come to find Caverion. She expected him to be in his room, and indeed, he was.
She hadn’t anticipated finding him sitting in the dark like a lifeless corpse.
Raylenne approached and stood in front of Caverion.
‘I knew he’d be struggling on the anniversary…’
Caverion looked up at Raylenne and gave a weak smile.
“Even though I told you I was fine, it’s embarrassing to show you this side of me.”
“I expected as much. Grief doesn’t disappear overnight.”
Raylenne sat down beside Caverion on the bed. It shifted softly under her.
Caverion attempted to put on a gentle expression.
“What brings you here?”
Raylenne, observing Caverion’s sorrowful demeanor, wondered if it was appropriate to speak about what she had come to say on a day like this.
The diary’s contents were undoubtedly sorrowful and harsh.
However, she didn’t take long to come to a conclusion.
Convincing Caverion was a matter of Aiden’s life. She had to be resolute.
Raylenne gathered her thoughts and slowly began to speak.
“Brother, I have something to discuss regarding Mother.”
Caverion looked puzzled at Raylenne’s somber expression.
“Are you talking about our deceased mother?”
“Yes.”
Raylenne swallowed nervously and spoke.
“What I’m about to say might be shocking, or you might find it unbelievable.”
“Go ahead.”
Seeing Raylenne’s serious demeanor, Caverion’s expression grew serious as well.
Raylenne felt her lips dry. She steadied herself and continued.
“Before Mother died in that accident… she might have been in another kind of danger.”
A heavy silence settled between them.
Caverion finally parted his lips.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just what it sounds like. I found Mother’s diary.”
“Diary…?”
Caverion clearly had no knowledge of the diary’s existence. In the original story, Raylenne had never shared such information with Caverion, as their relationship was strained.
“The diary contains information we didn’t know.”
“Where is the diary?”
Caverion’s gaze became sharp for a moment. Raylenne masked her nervousness and replied.
“Before we discuss that, there’s something I need to ask of you.”
Raylenne knew from her dreams that the truth about Nadia’s death would have a significant impact on Caverion.
As she had been told, Raylenne needed to use this knowledge wisely, even if it seemed a bit cold-hearted.
“Are you suggesting we make a deal with Mother’s diary?”
“…Yes.”
Caverion’s gaze grew distant.
Raylenne felt a pang of anxiety.
Proposing such a deal to Caverion, who had always been her ally, was undoubtedly a gamble.
If he rejected the offer, it would only cause emotional strain.
But Raylenne couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
Caverion let out a deep sigh.
“If you’re willing to use Mother’s diary as a condition, it must be something incredibly urgent for you.”
“…”
Raylenne didn’t respond, but Caverion’s softened voice indicated he had noticed her tense demeanor.
“Raylenne. Tell me what you want.”
She had overcome one hurdle.
But now, a new challenge began. She had to bring up Aiden to Caverion.
“Brother.”
Raylenne felt her mouth go dry again.
“I cannot let Aiden die. To prevent that, I need your help.”
At the mention of ‘Aiden’, Caverion’s expression hardened slightly.
“Are we discussing Aiden again?”
Raylenne nodded slightly.
“I intend to help Aiden escape from this castle. Please, Brother, assist me.”
“…You want to help Aiden escape.”
Caverion closed his eyes as if deep in thought.
Raylenne ignored the pounding of her heart as she waited for his response.
A few seconds felt like hours.
Soon, Caverion opened his eyes.
“What makes Aiden so important that you’re willing to go this far?”
“…”
Raylenne found it difficult to answer. Even she couldn’t clearly define Aiden’s significance to her.
“Even if he escapes, he’ll be caught soon.”
As Raylenne remained silent, Caverion, seemingly giving up on getting an answer, spoke again.
“That’s why I’m asking you, Brother.”
Caverion looked at Raylenne silently.
As Caverion hesitated, Raylenne grew anxious.
“I know you don’t understand why I’m doing this. But I must save Aiden. I can’t stand by helplessly knowing he’ll die.”
Raylenne knelt before Caverion and grasped his hands with both of hers.
“Brother, please…”
