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**\<Episode 24>**
Edel didn’t wake up until evening.
“Kia…”
“Your Highness! You’re awake!”
As soon as Edel opened her eyes, Kia grabbed her hand and cried.
Edel tried to sit up slowly, but a splitting headache and dizziness made her body sway. This time, Mei stepped in to support her instead of Kia.
“What brings you here?” Edel asked.
“Do you think I could stay still after hearing that Your Highness collapsed?” Mei replied bluntly, letting out a sigh.
Looking around, Edel noticed not only Mei but also Geneva and Yana. With the three of them glaring at her together, Edel couldn’t help but laugh.
She tried to step forward to greet them, but her body gave out, and she lay back down on the bed.
“Kia, the world is spinning.”
“Please stay lying down. I’ll bring you dinner.”
“That would be kind of you.”
Her vision darkened and blurred. It was hard to even keep her mind clear.
Once they saw she was safe, the three grumbled and left.
While eating the dinner Kia brought, Edel asked for an explanation.
“Why did I suddenly collapse?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I think it has something to do with this earring.”
“Earring?”
“You fainted right after removing it. But once you put it back on, your color returned.”
“Hmm…”
Edel touched the earring. Cassian had said that as long as she wore it, one day it would protect her. But Edel never fully believed him.
It seemed more believable that the earring was cursed. Especially since it came from Cassian, who might want to harm her.
But if that were true, why did she faint when she took it off? Didn’t that mean the earring was the only thing keeping her conscious?
For now, Edel decided to trust Cassian just this once.
“Kia, I think you’re thinking the same as me.”
Kia looked awkward but nodded.
There was only one possible reason for this in the old Wervel region.
Magic.
“I think so too, Your Highness. I believe your magic and Wervel’s magic clashed.”
The magic cast on Edel.
“…Regression.”
A chill ran through her. A terrifying thought passed her mind.
Could Cassian have already known? Was that why he gave her the earring—to protect her, knowing she was under magic?
“…”
And another thought—could Cassian’s own illness be caused by the clash with Edel’s magic?
Edel pressed her head silently.
“Where did Duke Dwelsen get this from? The Empire hardly has any magical relics left.”
“Asking him directly would be fastest.”
“So that’s the only way…”
Even though things were tense between her and Cassian, Edel wasn’t the type to let it bother her. She exhaled slowly, setting aside her unease. It was too early to give up. She had to talk to Cassian—but the problem was time.
Cassian was too busy. Even when she attended meetings with him, he quickly moved on to other matters before she could speak.
Edel frowned at the three friends visiting her room.
“Your Highness, you look very annoyed.”
“Yes.”
“Is it because you don’t get to spend enough time with Duke Dwelsen?”
The three looked at her with mixed expressions—teasing, surprised, and pitying.
Edel didn’t mind. Let them misunderstand however they liked.
It would help later, when the scandal with Rowen broke out. People needed to believe she and Cassian were close, so it would seem like Cassian abandoned his poor lover and ran away.
Of course, they weren’t really close. Edel kept a strange distance—cold enough to make him feel a sense of loss, while giving warmth to Rowen so that he could recover. That was her plan.
“Want to join us?” Geneva asked, still playing her little gambling game.
Edel rubbed her forehead in irritation, then joined in.
It wasn’t illegal, and it was a good chance to grow closer to them. She had no reason to refuse.
—
Once the urgent problem was dealt with, the Ez River region slowly began to calm down.
They couldn’t stay away from the capital too long, so the day of their return drew near.
“Going out again, Kia?”
Since the day Edel collapsed, Kia often went out. Even when Edel asked, she wouldn’t explain what she was doing.
Watching Kia leave with an awkward smile, Edel couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever she was searching for wasn’t something good.
—
Before leaving, Cassian made one last inspection of the Ez River with regret in his heart.
Most people were still struggling. Rebuilding the destroyed houses would take a long time.
But the biggest issue left was slavery.
Recently, slave trading with outsiders had rapidly increased. Life was already difficult, and those near the Ez River, who lost everything, had no choice but to borrow money.
That meant more people were in debt. And those who were poor in Imperial language skills were easily tricked and dragged into debt slavery.
This was also the last issue discussed in meetings. They would give as much aid as possible, but the limits were clear. Besides, Imperial citizens didn’t take this issue very seriously anyway.
\[Please, I leave this to you, Jim.]
Cassian looked at Jim with desperate eyes, as if he were his last hope.
Jim bowed deeply and answered in a firm voice.
\[“I’ll do my best. But I hope you’ll also create a future without regret, my lord.”]
\[“Of course.”]
\[“…For your sake, I will make sure Wervel rises again.”]
\[“What did you say?”]
Cassian tilted his head at Jim’s muttered voice, but Jim quickly shook his head stiffly.
\[“It’s nothing. More importantly, Princess Edel is arriving.”]
As their conversation ended, Edel could be seen in the distance. Cassian still felt uneasy, but he quickly hid his emotions before she reached them.
“Is the work wrapping up well?” Edel asked, her words edged with sharpness.
Cassian swallowed nervously. He was grateful he had calmed himself earlier—otherwise, his conflicting feelings might have eaten him alive.
He had promised himself not long ago: he would treasure Edel more from now on.
“Your Highness,” he said in a gentle voice.
Edel looked a little surprised, but quickly returned to her calm expression.
“It’s time for me to return.”
“I see. By the way, about the issue discussed in the recent meeting…”
“You mean the debt slaves?”
“Yes. You seemed to oppose it.”
Most nobles liked owning slaves to show off their wealth. The more slaves they had, the higher their status.
But Cassian thought differently. His expression sank even darker.
“I’m usually neutral, but this time I can’t stay that way. Neutrality won’t solve this.”
“I understand.”
“…Do you have more to say?” Cassian asked when Edel didn’t leave.
“Just one thing. Where did you get the earrings you gave me?”
“…”
This was the one topic Cassian could never compromise on: magic and Wervel.
Hearing Edel say the one thing he wished she wouldn’t, his whole body stiffened and his mind grew hazy.
“Your Highness, it might be better if you don’t know. If you found out, you would refuse to wear the earrings.”
“So you’re saying you put a piece of jewelry of unknown origin on me?”
“No. I can guarantee your safety completely. But…”
“But you still can’t tell me where it came from?”
“…Please trust me. Please.”
Cassian’s habit of speaking in riddles hadn’t changed.
Edel decided there was no point pressing further. She ended the conversation and walked away firmly. She could feel his gaze burning into her back, but she had no interest in someone who only hid things and told lies.
Soon, they prepared to return and left the Ez River.
—
It was about time the Crown Prince returned too, after finishing his inspection of the Empire.
But Edel hadn’t expected to meet him here, in Iksha territory.
Cassian’s group was surprised as well when they encountered the Crown Prince. Everyone quickly bowed.
“We greet Prince Sisan.”
“What brings you here?” Sisan asked.
“As you may have heard, the dam collapsed in my territory near the Ez River. I came to handle the situation,” Cassian answered.
Sisan turned away coldly without a word.
“Make sure you don’t return to the capital at the same time as me. His Majesty won’t take it well.”
“Of course,” Cassian replied.
Cassian was about to order his group to slow their pace, but Edel spoke first.
“Your Highness, isn’t that too harsh toward your sister you haven’t seen in so long?”
Sisan, about to mount his horse again, stopped and turned back with a bored look.
Edel was used to that look, so she continued calmly.
“We can simply return separately. Until we reach the capital, there’s no harm in traveling together.”
“You don’t understand how dangerous appearances can be.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“…”
Sisan stared at her with emotionless eyes.
Unlike Rowen, who resembled the Empress, Sisan and Edel both looked like the Emperor. Though they had different mothers, they still looked very much alike.
Edel thought her gaze toward Cassian must look the same as Sisan’s gaze toward her.
“I was originally planning to leave once you returned to the capital, but it’s lucky we met here in Iksha.”
“And so?”
“If you return like this, His Majesty won’t welcome you. After all, you’ve done the inspection that should have been his duty. Who will the people favor then? You, or His Majesty?”
“Princess Edel.”
“At the very least, you must show His Majesty that you mean no harm.”
The reason Rowen could act so arrogantly was because no heir had been decided yet.
If Sisan returned with higher favor than the Emperor, then the Emperor might support Rowen instead.
That was something neither Edel nor Sisan could allow.
Sisan didn’t respond, but he didn’t deny her words either.
“So you understand. What will you do?” Edel asked with a faint smile.
Sisan stared at her, realizing the situation in the Empire had completely changed while he was gone.
His eyes lingered on Cassian’s group, then returned to Edel.
Sisan wasn’t the type to discard someone who could benefit him. And Edel’s words weren’t wrong.
Finally, Sisan agreed to meet with her.
—
“Fine. It seems you have more to say.”
As soon as they settled in the castle, Sisan called Edel.
Edel arrived lightly, as if she had expected it.
Sisan hadn’t prepared the tea to suit her taste—only his own. But for him, this was already unusually considerate.
Edel sat down with satisfaction and greeted him casually.
“How was your inspection?”
Since it was a private meeting, she could speak comfortably. Of course, that didn’t mean he felt the same way.
“What problem could there be?”
“I’m asking if the people liked you.”
“Princess Edel. Watch your tongue.”
Whenever it seemed someone might support him, Sisan always warned them to be careful. He was determined never to fall from the Emperor’s favor.
In most things, Sisan was brilliant. But in front of the Emperor, his reason always faltered—because of childhood trauma.
That was probably why, when Edel had been sentenced to death, he hadn’t even thought of voting against it. It was the Emperor’s decision, after all.
Edel didn’t resent him completely, but if she had to choose one brother to support, it would always be Sisan.
Even without affection, she still remembered the faint trace of sorrow in his eyes the last time he looked at her before she died.
Though his gray eyes were the same as Rowen’s, Edel had seen in them a faint trace of care for her.
But that was all. In the end, Sisan too would only be another card for her to play.
‘You need to overcome your trauma if you want to move forward, brother…’
Edel decided she had to change his attitude somehow. Losing such a valuable piece over this would be a much greater loss than anything else.
“Let’s get to the point. I came to propose a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“I’ll stop Rowen.”
“…”
Sisan’s face twisted with disbelief. For the first time, he let out a laugh. His calm eyes pierced through Edel like the Emperor’s own intimidating gaze.
Edel felt her legs tremble slightly, but she calmly continued.
“In return, you support me. If you want to safely become Emperor, you have to get rid of her anyway.”
“Princess Edel.”
“If you support me, I’ll use everything to help make you Crown Prince.”
“…”
“Well, maybe I’m not clever enough to do everything. But at least I can stop Rowen. Isn’t that enough?”
Sisan stayed silent, only sipping his tea.
The clock ticked, birds chirped outside, but the air between them was heavy.
“Is that all?”
Of course it wasn’t. Edel also planned to abandon Cassian eventually. But there was no need to say that now.
When Sisan finally opened his eyes again, Edel looked at him with hopeful anticipation.
“Rejected.”
“….”
The word that left Sisan’s lips was a clear refusal.
—
