Chapter 105

The Blanchard Baron’s Office, filled with the bitter scent of medicine and the breath of the sick. The usual elegant and tidy atmosphere was nowhere to be found, replaced by a heavy, oppressive air.

“Baron, I’ve brought your tea.”

Renihael, with a face full of concern, handed the tea to Artasha. Having served as the head maid of the Blanchard household for years, she had never seen the Baron so frail.

“Cough… Thank you.”

Artasha coughed painfully as she slowly sipped the steaming tea. The warm, soothing liquid moistened her throat, and her ragged breathing eased for a moment.

Renihael frowned as she watched Artasha.

“Baron, the doctor said you need to rest. If you keep working like this, your condition won’t improve.”

Despite the maid’s gentle plea, Artasha managed a weak smile but didn’t let go of the pen in her hand.

“It’s fine. I feel better doing this than just lying around.”

“But—”

“Renihael, please focus on your duties.”

Her firm tone made it clear she didn’t want further interference.

Understanding her intent, Renihael swallowed her complicated emotions and, with a short sigh, bowed and quietly left the room.

Left alone, Artasha began moving her pen again. All she could do now was process these documents.

There was no longer a need to accumulate more wealth for the family or cling to the work she once poured her passion into. Yet, a lifetime of burying herself in work kept her holding the pen.

It was too late to start something new now.

The trembling lines of ink on the paper mirrored her life. With no way of knowing how many days she had left, repeating familiar tasks was her only solace.

“…When I die, will that child sit in this seat?”

The Saintess had promised to restore the child’s life to normal after defeating the demon.

Then, ultimately, this seat would belong to that child. Whether it was Tina herself or not, the fact remained that someone would continue the Blanchard legacy.

How utterly devoted.

What is it about that child? Why do the great Merdelia Ducal Family’s princess and the Saintess, hailed as the world’s savior, pour so much time into her?

What is it about that child? How can she, who took away the daughter I loved, the center of my world, still deserve happiness?

What is it about that child? Why does she drive me to drag this dying body to this office every day?

What is it about that child?

No matter how much I harden my heart…

Why can’t I hate her?

“Cough…!”

A sudden, choking sensation rose in her chest, and she quickly pulled out a handkerchief to cover her mouth. After several coughs, the corner of the handkerchief was stained with bright red blood.

A sickness of the heart that even the Saintess couldn’t heal. Or rather, a sickness she refused to let be healed.

Soon, this illness would take her life.

Death itself wasn’t frightening. There was no reason left for her to stay in this world.

All that remained was a faded resignation. She would simply move her pen as usual and quietly pass into eternal sleep.

But if there was one small wish left in her, it was—

*Knock knock.*

A polite knock gently interrupted her deep thoughts.

Soon after, the head butler, who oversaw the affairs of the mansion, entered and carefully placed a thick envelope on her desk.

“A letter from the Merdelia Princess.”

“From the Princess?”

Her gaze naturally shifted to the envelope.

The ducal family’s crest, stamped on the smooth envelope, drew her weary hand.

—

*Clank clank.*

The eerie prison was filled only with the sound of rattling chains.

In this dark space where not a single ray of sunlight could penetrate, I sat hunched over, biting my nails.

“When… when will she come…!”

Anxiety gnawed at me.

Lillian always appeared with warm soup just as I was on the verge of starvation. Each time, she would hold me and whisper that she loved me, and in those moments, I could soothe my loneliness.

But now, even as the pain of hunger gnawed at my stomach, Lillian was nowhere to be seen.

I’m cold. I’m hungry. Above all, I’m lonely.

In this closed, gloomy space, all I could do was wait. This powerless reality was slowly breaking me.

She promised to protect me with love for my entire life.

She promised she would never leave my side, no matter what.

“Liar.”

It was all a lie.

“Liar, liar, liar…!”

See, I was right.

Even that noble Saintess couldn’t keep her promise.

The one who whispered love to me has left me in this dark, lonely place.

Is this still real love?

“I want to die.”

My wrist itched. I dug my nails into it, and a faint trickle of blood seeped out along with a sharp pain.

But it was only for a moment. Soon, a pure white light seeped into my wrist, instantly erasing the nail marks.

I hated that sight. Gritting my teeth, I bit my lip and dug my nails deeper.

But nothing changed.

As always, my body healed itself, and I remained a powerless being in this prison.

“Let me die…! Please…!”

Just as I was about to lose half my sanity and continue scratching my wrist,

“Don’t do it, Tina.”

A firm yet gentle voice reached me. At the same time, someone grabbed my wrist tightly.

The hand was white and slender, almost delicate, but its palm was calloused in places.

I looked up and saw a familiar face.

“Viviana…?”

“I’m sorry, I’m late. There was something I had to take care of, so I couldn’t come right away.”

I stared at her blankly.

Why was Viviana here instead of Lillian? Would I have to do those embarrassing things with her too?

“Where’s Lillian?”

“From now on, Lillian and I will take turns visiting you. This time, it’s my turn.”

“…You’re going to take care of me?”

“Yes.”

Well, what does it matter if it’s Viviana or Lillian?

In my ruined life, who feeds me or takes care of my physiological needs doesn’t matter.

There’s only one thing I want.

“You’ll stamp it, right?”

In response to my question, Viviana slowly pulled out a stamp card from her pocket. It was filled with the stamps I had accumulated so far.

“Yes. I’ll stamp it at the end of today.”

“…Then it’s fine.”

With a short decision, I dragged my body, heavily bound by chains, toward Viviana on all fours.

With every movement, the grating sound of chains scraping the ground echoed through the prison.

Finally, I managed to climb onto her lap.

“Ti… Tina…?”

Viviana looked at me with a surprised expression.

I couldn’t understand why that expression felt so unfamiliar and strange.

Why is she making that face?

“…Isn’t this why you came to see me?”

After sitting on Viviana’s lap, I wrapped my arms around her waist. The firm muscles I felt under my fingertips felt oddly unfamiliar.

“I’m hungry. Feed me.”

From a distance close enough to feel her breath, I slightly opened my mouth and looked at her.

If it were Lillian, she would have already covered my lips and fed me by now.

So I thought Viviana wouldn’t be any different.

But her face quietly turned red. Her trembling gaze fixed on my lips, but she didn’t approach like Lillian.

“…I’m sorry, but there’s no food. Tina.”

“Huh?”

“But I can take you somewhere where there is food.”

For a moment, I was speechless and looked up at her. What on earth was she talking about?

Instead of answering, I silently demanded an explanation with my eyes. Viviana smiled faintly and gently stroked my head.

“I’ll take you outside.”

A completely unexpected statement.

I stared at her with wide eyes.

—

Inside the rattling carriage.

Viviana, with her hands clasped together, looked at the adorable girl sitting in front of her. Despite having been locked in that dark prison for a month, the girl’s eyes shone like stars.

Her skin was so flawless that anyone who saw her now would never believe she had been imprisoned.

“The Empire…”

Tina looked out the carriage window with trembling eyes. Outside, the familiar and bustling streets of the Empire’s downtown stretched out.

Tina, touching the window and gazing outside with bright eyes, was so adorable that a smile naturally formed on Viviana’s lips.

“Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll take you wherever you want.”

At those words, Tina’s eyes sparkled.

After a moment of thought, she shyly smiled and whispered softly.

“Pasta… I want to eat pasta.”

Ah, as expected, she’s adorable.

Even Viviana, who prided herself on her exceptional self-control, found it hard to resist the urge to pat her head.

“Alright.”

Viviana knew well about the special space Lillian had created. A prison formed by vast holy power, a kind of immortal realm.

Even if her head were cut off, it would heal instantly. That space was created solely for Tina.

‘Just like this collar.’

Viviana slowly looked at the collar in her hand.

The collar Tina had worn during her bath.

That small, sturdy collar contained the same vast amount of holy power as the prison.

As long as she wore this collar, all her wounds would heal, just like in the prison.

And it would also suppress that damn demon.

“Tina.”

She quietly called her name and fastened the collar around her neck.

Perhaps because it wasn’t the first time, Tina accepted the collar without much resistance.

The carriage had stopped. As they stepped outside, the vibrant streets of the Empire stretched out before them under the bright sunlight.

Holding Tina’s hand, they walked slowly toward the pasta restaurant. With each step, countless sharp gazes turned toward them.

Of course, those gazes were directed at Tina, not herself.

But unlike herself, Tina, with the senses of an ordinary person, was too excited about eating pasta to notice the hostile gazes directed at her.

They soon arrived at the pasta restaurant. Viviana gently stroked Tina’s head and spoke.

“Tina, can you wait here alone for a bit? It’ll only be about 10 minutes. I need to talk to the owner, and I’ll be right back.”

“Te… ten minutes?”

Tina hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a stiff smile.

“…Alright.”

Leaving her behind, Viviana entered the restaurant and closed the door. Immediately, the head chef came rushing over.

“Me, Merdelia Princess, it’s an honor!”

“In about an hour, two people will be dining here.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of them with all my heart!”

The chef’s attitude was unwavering. Seeing that he didn’t hesitate, it seemed like a trustworthy restaurant.

Leaning against the wall, Viviana closed her eyes and quietly counted the time.

One minute, two minutes, five minutes… and then ten minutes.

A short while later, she left the restaurant under the chef’s puzzled gaze.

And just as expected.

The spot where Tina had promised to wait was empty.

Yes, just as expected.

“…I’m sorry, Tina.”

She muttered softly and bowed her head.

But this time… I really hope you understand that this is for your sake.

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