RAL 18

chapter 18

After returning to her room with Melsi, Celestine followed her advice and soaked herself in very warm water before heading back to her bedroom.

“Devaltin… and Greg… why are they suddenly taking turns doing things that make no sense…?”

As for Devaltin, there was no way to find out anything since he had already returned to the mansion. Asking about it recklessly might only make him glare and get annoyed, just like last time.

Celestine had hoped to figure out Greg’s intentions, but Vien had already left. Moreover, Greg had quickly finished getting ready and then collapsed, apparently exhausted.

“Alright. Let’s call it a day for now. Tomorrow, I really have to go see Asha.”

The unplanned time spent imprisoned had been quite a blow to Celestine as well. Once the anxiety that had tormented her all afternoon vanished, her entire body felt limp, and her tension released so completely that her eyes closed almost immediately.

Thus, in a half-dreaming state, Celestine fell asleep.

Meanwhile, the scariest villain in this world was oblivious, not realizing that she was being investigated.

“Ugh… I slept well, but my ankle still hurts.”

Celestine muttered softly in the carriage, rubbing her ankle.

“I can’t exactly go back and demand an explanation… sigh…”

It was the cursed shackle from the underground prison that was causing trouble. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a sprain, but her muscles were stiff and sore.

“No, still… better my ankle hurting than my head being chopped off.”

That was true. Celestine stretched her arms and tried to think as positively as possible.

Soon, the dazzling palace came into view outside the window.

She had noticed it before, but it was the kind of building that could crush a person’s spirit just by standing there.

“Hmm…”

As the carriage slowly stopped, Celestine quickly adjusted her clothing and checked that the hair Melsi had carefully styled remained in place.

“Milady, we have arrived. I will wait here until you return.”

With the coachman’s voice, the door opened. Celestine stepped down with a slightly tense expression, lifted her chin, and began walking forward.

The reason was simple.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everyone in the palace already knew Celestine and Greg had been dragged to the underground prison yesterday. If she walked around timidly now, it would likely lead to even worse treatment.

So Celestine forced herself to keep a neutral expression as she stepped into the palace.

Fortunately, the guards did not stop her or ask the reason for her visit, nor did they try to drag her away like yesterday.

“The Princess Asha’s residence is that way.”

Instead, they bowed slightly and escorted her with proper respect.

‘Did Devaltin give them a heads-up?’

Anyway, this was far better than being dragged to prison like a dog. Celestine finally relaxed a little and walked with noticeably lighter steps.

After a short while…

“…What is this?”

She stopped abruptly, wearing a dumbfounded expression.

“They said this was the Princess’s residence…”

Had she gone the wrong way? But no matter how she looked around, the only building in sight was this one.

Amid the dazzling palace, it was a small, old castle that looked completely out of place.

“…Right. Asha grew up without ever receiving proper treatment. Even the novel mentioned her impoverished life several times…”

Celestine, finally understanding the situation, gazed at Asha’s modest residence.

“But still… this is too much.”

Compared to the other buildings, Asha’s castle looked almost like a stable. In fact, the palace horses probably received better treatment than this.

“Anyway, you unlucky little…”

Celestine barely suppressed the curse that almost escaped her lips and entered Asha’s castle without showing any reaction.

Soon, a maid appeared and guided her to a small reception room where Asha was waiting. Celestine deliberately wore a bright expression as she opened the door.

“Celestine!”

Asha, who had been sitting on the sofa, jumped up and smiled warmly at her.

Poor Asha… I was shocked by the treatment you’ve received, yet here you are, still beautiful and kind.

“Hello, Your Highness!”

Celestine hurriedly greeted Asha as she approached.

“I didn’t expect you’d be waiting like this. I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll come earlier so I can be the one waiting for you.”

“No!”

Asha waved her hands.

“I’m just… happy to meet you like this, Celestine. That’s why I came first. You’re not late at all. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me.”

There was no need for her to say all that. But Asha’s awkward earnestness was rather endearing, and Celestine smiled softly.

“Shall we sit and talk now, Your Highness?”

“Yes, of course.”

The two sat across from each other at a small table. The maid brought simple refreshments and tea.

Once the maid left, Asha immediately spoke.

“I heard about what happened yesterday. Were you hurt?”

“No need to worry. It seems it was just a small misunderstanding.”

Technically, it wasn’t a misunderstanding, but Celestine decided to tell a white lie to keep Asha from worrying.

“Oh, it had nothing to do with you, Your Highness, so don’t concern yourself with it, okay?”

“How did you know I was going to say that?”

Asha smiled bitterly.

“Eriel had high expectations of Prince George and sometimes acted unpredictably, just like with what she did to you, Celestine.”

“…”

“But at least you won’t have to go through that anymore. Perhaps that’s a relief.”

Why? Did Hela finally deal with Eriel?

Celestine tilted her head, puzzled.

“It’ll be noisy for a while, but after the funeral, everything will return to normal as if nothing happened.”

“The funeral? You mean Prince George’s?”

“This morning, Eriel was found dead.”

“….”

“Unable to bear the grief of losing Prince George, she left a will and slit her wrists.”

My intuition was right.

…Though I didn’t expect her to be dealt with so swiftly.

It was absurd. Such immediate punishment—completed in less than a day.

Celestine knew Hela held all the power and was terrifying, but reading it in the novel and seeing it happen in reality was a very different experience.

Because someone like Eriel—or even I—could die in a short time.

…If I’m going to die, I should avoid being involved with Hela.

Celestine made a resolute mental note.

“That must have been shocking… for you as well, Your Highness.”

In this era, Asha feared everything happening in the palace. Devaltin had been the one to protect and guide her through such fears.

“Well…”

Celestine intended to offer the standard words of comfort, but Asha’s response was unexpected.

“When I was younger, I used to be afraid of these little things and had many difficult days. But not anymore.”

“…?”

“Because now I know very well that fretting over such matters brings nothing in the end.”

“…”

“I’ve grown tired of such things.”

For a moment, Asha’s teal eyes, filled with a quiet intensity, gleamed eerily.