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CHAPTER 77………
A few days later.
Ilya and Mullin, who had been imprisoned, returned safely to my side.
I was unusually overjoyed when I saw them step into the room, but their appearances were a mess, as if they had not been treated kindly in the prison.
Even so, Ilya and Mullin smiled when they saw me.
But then, their faces suddenly turned pale, and both of them moved their lips soundlessly, as if they had lost their words.
Ilya, forgetting her dignity, staggered toward me.
“Y-Your Highness…!”
Mullin was the same.
She didn’t cry out as loudly as Ilya, but she looked considerably shocked.
They rushed forward in a panic, quickly kneeling by my bedside.
“W-What happened to you…?”
“Y-Your head… were you injured? Are you alright? Do you still remember us?”
They both looked like they were about to collapse.
Well, to be fair, even I think I look terrible right now.
Pascal had said:
“Your internal injuries are severe. You have multiple broken bones. It seems your leg was fractured when you hit the rocks under the waterfall during the fall. Treatment is possible, but there will be aftereffects.”
On the outside, I looked fine, but inside, I was a wreck, like shattered glass.
My mother was horrified, and the Emperor glared at Pascal as if he would tear him apart on the spot.
“Until the temple sends a reply, you are to care for the First Princess with utmost devotion.”
I had truly feared the Emperor might kill Pascal.
After all, Pascal was so skilled that he had been appointed as the Emperor’s personal physician. He even owned several hospitals in the capital.
It would be a huge loss if someone like him died because of me.
But contrary to my fears, Pascal was calm.
Even under the Emperor’s murderous gaze, he simply gave me painkillers with a light laugh.
“Please take care of yourself.”
—That was what he said.
“Don’t cry, why are you both crying?”
“B-Because Your Highness suffered like this because of us…!”
“It’s my fault. Even though Ilya was worried, I insisted on inviting Prince Emin for tea…”
When Ilya burst into tears, Mullin also began crying, tears streaming like chicken droppings.
Rubbing her eyes with her sleeve, Mullin stammered:
“I’ll accept punishment… from the First Princess… But Ilya is innocent. If I hadn’t been so stubborn… Your Highness wouldn’t be like this—”
“Enough.”
That was as far as I let them go.
I can’t listen anymore.
I shook my head and looked at Ilya and Mullin. Grown girls, crying so pathetically… it almost looked cute.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s fine. What’s done is done, and you both said you’d leave my service if I asked, didn’t you?”
“T-That’s true, but…”
“Then that’s enough. Besides, it was also my fault for naively following the assassin.”
“But Your Highness… your leg is broken… and your head…! We heard bits and pieces about what happened while in prison, but not in detail. Now that we see you like this… we worried you might have forgotten us… or suffered too much pain…”
As she spoke, Ilya’s tears spilled over again.
“I’m sorry. I want to comfort you, but I don’t have the strength right now.”
Instead, once I healed, I resolved to do anything for them.
They are the people I struggled to find, after all.
When I smiled faintly, Ilya and Mullin sniffled and tried to hold back their tears.
It was then—
“Sir Blonmind should be able to return next week. His Majesty has reinstated him as your guard, on the condition that he first reclaims his former position as Commander of the Red Horse Division.”
Rina, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and spoke.
She continued:
“So he’s currently leading the operation to subjugate the bandits in the western region. His Majesty said it may take longer than expected.”
“I see.”
I had hoped to see Cecil soon, but nodded with a slightly sulky face.
Seeing this, the three maids exchanged glances, then smiled and tried to cheer me up.
“Fortunately, the Second Empress has sent new desserts for Your Highness. I’ll bring them in.”
“Have you been bored? Should I fetch a book from the library?”
“I heard you’ve stayed in this room all this time. Once you recover, let’s go for a walk!”
They tried their best to lift my spirits.
I nodded, and all three beamed.
Afterward, they left, and Rina soon returned, pushing a trolley of desserts.
She unfolded a table over the bed so I could eat easily, and placed the sweets before me.
Though I insisted I could eat by myself, the three maids adamantly refused, taking turns feeding me cake.
And that evening, a reply arrived from the Temple of Iridium.
The Temple of Iridium, which serves the Goddess of Light, is divided into three major ranks:
- The Central Temple in the capital, led by Pope Maridris, who, along with the First Division priests, serves directly under the Goddess.
- Ordinary temples across the empire, overseen by the Second Division priests and papal envoys.
- Churches, where the Third Division priests reside.
The hierarchy existed because the First Division priests possessed divine powers nearly equal to the Pope’s.
According to theology texts, First Division priests can even regenerate organs.
They could mend broken bones, and if a limb was severed, they could reattach it instantly.
Because of that power, during wartime, the first place imperial citizens rushed to was the Central Temple.
This was one reason the temple could rival the authority of the imperial family.
But no matter how unmatched their healing powers, they cannot resurrect the dead.
And… there was something suspicious.
“The Pope himself has offered to heal you.”
“….”
I raised an eyebrow at the Emperor’s words.
The Pope? Why him…?
Even as a princess, it wasn’t easy to meet the Pope. Not even the Emperor could casually summon him, for countless people sought his aid.
Receiving treatment from the Pope or the First Division required astronomical donations to the Central Temple.
It was clear the temple wanted to put the Emperor—and me—in their debt.
The Emperor seemed to understand this as well. He gently stroked my hair and said:
“You’ve suffered much. With Pope Maridris himself, your leg will heal perfectly, without aftereffects.”
“Yes…”
“You seem displeased at the thought of being treated directly by him.”
Of course I was!
I can’t figure out his intentions for treating me personally.
The temple had, on occasion, tried to challenge the imperial authority—using their divine power as leverage in negotiations.
Some past emperors, proud and stubborn, had put the Pope in his place when he overstepped.
Maridris… what kind of man was he again?
Mikhail Maridris.
Even his name suggested he was divinely chosen by the Goddess.
In my past life, I had no direct dealings with him…
But I do remember he adored Evgeni. Or rather, the money her mother gave him.
I let out a faint sigh.
Maybe I can turn him to my side.
Just as I had that thought—
“What are you thinking about?”
“Ah, n-nothing!”
“Are you nervous about meeting the Pope?”
“Y-Yes. He’s such a lofty figure… If I make a mistake, I might tarnish the imperial name…”
—Ouch!
I winced, clutching my forehead where a sudden flick of pain struck. Startled, I looked up, locking eyes with the Emperor.
“Such useless worries. Who told you to think like that?”
“N-No, I didn’t mean—”
“Of course you did. I may not be able to accompany you personally, but if anything happens at the temple, come straight to me.”
“….”
“Tell me to destroy it.”
He’s insane…!
I froze, frantically glancing around. Thankfully, no one else had heard him.
My heart is racing.
I forced myself to calm down.
“That would be disastrous, Your Majesty.”
“Who would dare accuse me of blasphemy?”
“Still… thank you for saying that.”
His words eased some of my tension. With that reassurance, I felt I could confidently ask the Pope to back me.
“….”
When I smiled faintly, the Emperor looked at me strangely, then reached out and pinched my cheek.
“Eat.”
“I already ate.”
“You’ve lost weight.”
That’s because I’m sick.
Pascal’s painkillers were effective, but their side effects were strong.
Since my injuries were severe, he had prescribed powerful narcotics.
They left my stomach aching terribly.
And once they wore off, the pain in my broken leg was excruciating.
It was too much for me to endure alone.
“You haven’t been sleeping well, either, have you?”
I stayed silent, which only made the Emperor’s face twist in anguish.
“I’ll hurry your trip to the temple as much as possible.”
“Yes.”
“If you’re in pain, call for me—or your maids. Don’t ever think you’re being a burden.”
“Yes.”
“Rest now.”
I nodded.
When the Emperor left, Ilya and Mullin hurried inside, carrying bottles of medicine and candy.
I grimaced.
Time for medicine again…
Even as an adult, taking medicine was still unpleasant.
“Mother wishes she could go with you…”
“…I’ll be fine, really.”
I smiled faintly at the woman before me. The Empress Ayla had fully recovered from her sickbed.
She wasn’t just saying empty words about helping me—she had even gone to visit my maternal grandfather days earlier.
Now, with my departure for the temple imminent, she repeated advice she had probably already given Ilya countless times.
“If anything happens to the child, report to me at once. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Never leave Lirien alone with strangers.”
“Yes.”
“And if she seems unwell in any way, you must notice immediately. Do you understand?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Ilya didn’t seem tired of the Empress’s constant worries. Instead, she smiled brightly and nodded.
She’s admirable.
My eyes were weary, but Ilya’s were always lively.
At last, seemingly satisfied, Mother sent us into the carriage.
Before leaving, I whispered to her:
“Did you send the letter?”
“Of course. I sent it the moment you mentioned it.”
“Then he will be a great help to you.”
“While you’re at the temple, I’ll also work to solidify my position.”
With those reassuring words, Mother stroked my head.
I smiled, then closed the carriage window. With everyone seeing us off, I departed for the temple with Ilya and Mullin.
“Stay away from the window—it’s dangerous.”
“…Yes.”
…And with Dmitri as my escort.
My temporary guard was him.
On the way to the temple, Dmitri replaced Ilya in carrying me.
When the coachman announced our arrival, Dmitri reached out to me.
I blinked at him, and he said coldly:
“Why aren’t you in my arms yet?”
I turned desperately to Ilya and Mullin.
What kind of lunatic would willingly get carried by him? I’d rather risk re-injury in Ilya’s arms.
But—
“We have luggage to move…”
“There are fragile items that only we can handle, so we must take care of them ourselves.”
In short, they couldn’t help me.
I groaned, then reluctantly looked back at Dmitri. With a resigned wriggle, I shifted toward him.
“Endure the discomfort.”
“…Yes.”
I was too embarrassed to lift my head. If I did, our noses would practically touch.
Back then, when I fell and Evgeni had to carry me, it wasn’t this bad—because it was piggyback. But now…
Back then, I’d been tense enough. But this time, I was even more nervous.
Should I put my arms around him, or just stay still? As I debated—
“Relax.”
He placed a hand on the back of my head, gently resting my face against his shoulder.
Since I seemed uncomfortable meeting his eyes, he was being considerate.
…He has this side to him too.
I felt silly for being so nervous. After fidgeting with my fingers for a while, I slowly lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck.
He stiffened—
“….”
“….”
We both said nothing, but Ilya and Mullin, watching us, covered their mouths with smiles and whispered, “Oh my, oh my.”
They always found perfect harmony at times like this.
The inside of the temple was magnificent—truly magnificent.
The ceiling stretched endlessly upward, a massive chandelier heavy with jewels hanging from it.
The stained-glass windows painted with radiant colors shimmered in the sunlight, casting dazzling lights everywhere.
The knights and maids gasped in awe.
I too let out a sound of wonder.
Dmitri glanced at me and adjusted his hold.
“Do you like that window?”
He pointed at a stained-glass window depicting a cherubic angel.
He’s just being polite.
I nodded.
“Then I’ll take it down for you when we leave.”
“…Excuse me?”
He said it with complete indifference.
