Chapter 11: Healing Flame
Something like light flashed in Ashielâs eyes.
It was quicker for Ashiel to speak up than for Loreina to back away in confusion.
âYou seemed to be mistaken, but SiennaâŠâ
A smirk was smeared on his lips.
ââŠwouldnât beg me to kiss her.â
His goddess, his heart; she never wants him.
That absolute truth chilled Ashielâs brain, and his misty delusion was removed at once.
âHow can I be deceived?â
He was very angry with himself.
There were various penalties that he suffered because he didnât have a heart, and Loreina cleverly dug into those gapsâŠ
Still, it was so terrifying that he mistook this woman for Sienna even for a moment, and he could not stand it.
Loreina, who was close to him, could tell.
His skin was trembling, and powerful veins were popping from his forehead, neck, arms and hands.
Anger like a razor sharp blade.
He had no intention of forgiving the person who mimicked Sienna, the very same person who had used and killed her to the bone marrow.
But Ashiel wasnât stupid.
He knew why Loreina deceived and brought him now, and he knew very well what she feared the most.
So, instead of breaking Loreinaâs slender neck with one of his hands, he gently pushed her body away.
âIâm sorry, Lady Minangsi, but Iâm just following your request for help because youâre dizzy and canât walk.â
âThis kind of contact is difficult. Please seek help from others. Or, if you are not feeling well, you should go back today.â
Loreinaâs complexion turned pale blue.
A new buzz quickly spread among the people.
In the words of Ashiel a while ago, Loreina pretended that her body was weak to flirt with him, thus she became a woman who knew no shame.
This was the kind of scandal that would follow her to her funeralâŠ
Loreina knew this better than anyone.
Ashiel coldly left her behind, who was standing still, stunned.
The whispers of people flew like arrows and pierced her ears as she stood alone.
âI thought she was almost engaged to Duke Euros, but seeing that she behaves like that, I guess not?â
âShe must have been desperate. AnywayâŠâ
People were giggling and laughing.
âBy the way, this could put the Grand Prince at a disadvantage in the competition with the Admiral?â
âUh, I donât think so. Look over thereâŠâ
On the other side, Sienna was approaching Ashiel.
She failed, and she was only dishonored.
But that wasnât the only problem.
Again, the servant of the Duke of Euros, who was also her chaperone, supported Loreina, who staggered.
Loreina trembled all over, barely steadying her legs.
The trembling wasnât just out of anger.
It was because she had used too much power to dazzle Ashiel.
As Loreina lost strength, she leaned her body into her chaperoneâs arms, almost as if hiding.
Sienna was watching her from afar.
It was just a moment, but at a glance, Loreinaâs face as she left the hall protected by her chaperoneâŠ
âIt looked distorted.â
She looked worse than a patient who had been severely burned, and her face seemed to have melted like candle wax.
But it was too quick and sudden to see clearly⊠She couldnât be sure.
At that moment, Ashiel staggered slightly, trying to get away from her. But Sienna held him firmly.
âLetâs go to the balcony over there.â
Now, this seemed more urgent than checking what happened to Loreinaâs face.
Sienna and Ashiel took refuge on a balcony meant for relaxation on one side of the hall.
Ashiel weakly held his head and tried to say something.
Sienna said monotonously.
âI know. You fell for Loreinaâs magic.â
Red eyes, drunk with pain, looked up at Sienna blankly. Sienna made Ashiel lean against the wall.
At first, even Sienna was fooled.
âNo, rather than being deceived, I couldnât afford to think of any other possibility.â
Loreina entered the banquet hall with arms folded with Ashielâs. It was a scene that perfectly stimulated the trauma in her memory.
As soon as she closed her eyes tightly and was about to leave the hall, Ashielâs voice was heard.
The cold voice that separated himself from Loreina.
Without realizing it, Sienna looked back as if possessed. It was then that her eyes caught on to something she hadnât been able to recognize because of her shock.
âLoreina⊠She used magic.â
Something barely recognizable by her, a Terraformer.
She didnât know the exact details, but Ashiel seemed to have fallen for Loreinaâs enchantment and succeeded in destroying it with his own will without any help.
Ashielâs expression and footsteps, which had shaken off Loreina, seemed to be composed as usual.
But it was visible in Siennaâs eyes.
That Asielâs condition was not normal right now.
As Sienna expected, Ashiel appeared to be suffering from a shattering headache in the aftermath of waking up from delusion with his own will.
Maybe if she had noticed earlier and helped him, he wouldnât have had to go through this painâŠ
Even in the midst of it, Ashiel, perhaps instinctively, was not quiet and relaxed, but tried to stand up straight.
Sienna kicked her tongue and grabbed Ashielâs shoulder, making him sit down on the bench. And she advised,
âSit down. Itâs a side effect of forcibly breaking the magic, so it wonât get better anytime soon.â
Ashiel raised his head. Perhaps because of the moonlight, his face turned pale, and there was a pleading expression that she had never seen before.
Sienna was startled. It seemed crazy, but she had this thought.
âI knew he was a good-looking person, butâŠâ
Was it because of his begging eyes? Was it because the tears were pooling in his moist eyes?
For the first time, she thought, âHe is such a beautiful person.â
âI have something to tell you⊠SoâŠâ
Suddenly, the tears trickling down his cheeks fell on the back of Siennaâs hand, which was resting on his shoulder.
Surprised by the sensation, Sienna swept her hand away without realizing it.
Then Ashielâs expression became urgent.
âIâm not going away, so sit down. Donât get up.â
At the quick command, Ashiel lowered the waist he had been trying to straighten up.
Still, he was restless and looking at Sienna with tears in his eyesâŠ
ââŠApparently, the side effects of breaking the magic seems to affect the mind as wellâŠâ
The current Ashiel was more than usual, very, very muchâŠ
âŠAn âemotionalâ person.
Unfortunately, time was the best medicine in this case.
As Sienna bit her tongue, Ashielâs eyes trembled nervously. She once again warned firmly.
âI said Iâm not going, so donât get up.â
âLean your back against the wall.â
Ashiel didnât hide his anxiety, but he did as Sienna told him to.
âClose your eyes too.â
At the cold command without emotion, Ashielâs wet eyelashes fluttered like butterflies.
But soon he quietly closed his eyes.
Perhaps it was because Ashiel was enduring the pain, sweat was forming on his smooth forehead.
Sienna wanted to wipe off that sweat, butâŠ
She didnât know how Ashiel, who was currently in a âvery emotionalâ state, would react.
Using that as an excuse, Sienna waited a little. After a while, Ashiel slowly opened his eyes.
âAre you feeling better?â
Fortunately, the headache seemed to have improved a bit.
The unfortunate thing was, looking at him being so fidgety, it seemed that his emotional state had not recovered.
Probably⊠Sienna sighed.
âI have something I want to say.â
It didnât seem like it would end if she didnât listen to it.
Even after giving permission, Ashiel hesitated. Sienna urged.
âHurry up and say it. Just sit there.â
ââŠYou may not want to hear this, butâŠâ
Ashiel took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Tears rolled back down from his closed eyes.
âI think Iâm probably seeing all the tears this man will shed for the rest of his life today.â
âI want to say Iâm sorry to you⊠for every moment of my life.â
Ashiel was connected to the castle of Nacht, and therefore was most affected by the magic that hung throughout the castle.
In that state, he loved Sienna, yet gave her the cold shoulder.
Nacht Castle, the contractor of the millennium box, hated SiennaâŠ
Those feelings, too, implicitly colored the people who lived in the castle, without their knowledge.
âSo if I hadnât dared to love you.â
It would have made her situation a little bit easier.
[TL/N: âmagic that hung throughout the castleâ referring to the first timeline, which includes the fraud/judicial law. And if you remember what the first timeline Loreina said before she died (chapter 10), one of the laws was to make Ashiel indifferent to the person he loves.]
Sienna was at a loss for words in front of his unbelievable confession. She had never thought of the possibility that magic could have worked so deeply and viciously in this way.
ââŠItâs my fault, nobody elseâs.â
âFor saving you despite that⊠you wonât be able to forgive meâŠâ
Ashiel tilted slightly, but brought his body up. And went on his knees, kneeling before Sienna.
He didnât dare seek forgiveness now.
âIt would be terrifying to have to be involved with someone like me, but please, just for the time being⊠Iâll spend the rest of my life trying to find a way to fix it, please.â
It was okay not to be forgiven forever. It was still cheap.
But what if Sienna refused to continue with her life because she didnât like it?
From his head to his toes, as if everything in his body was scratched raw and filled with ice⊠His whole body trembled with cold pain.
Ashiel was terrified of it.
But Sienna didnât answer.
Ashielâs mouth was dry. He became increasingly desperate.
He began to talk nonsense to persuade Sienna.
âIf you want, Iâll come wearing someone elseâs skinâŠâ
ââŠWhat price did you pay?â
Sienna finally spoke up, asking a question.
Ashiel did not understand the question at first.
Sienna silently raised the man who was in a mess, teary and letting out harsh breaths. Ashiel, like a lost man, stood up at her instructions, even though he could not understand.
âI asked what the price was.â
Ah. Ashiel then understood Siennaâs question.
Sienna thought, looking at him with a mysterious gaze.
âThatâs why he was deceived.â
Because he sacrificed his heart, the essence of his magic, to save her.
If he was Siennaâs time-axis, Sienna was his heart.
It meant that Sienna wasnât the only one who suffered losses as they got further apart.
â⊠How did Loreina cast her magic this time?â
Ashielâs face turned red. He hesitated, saying that it might not be what she wanted to hear, but Sienna was immovable.
In the end, Ashiel confessed. He was prepared to be hated.
âThat⊠was the magic that made me recognize her as you.â
In Siennaâs mind, the scene where Loreina and Ashiel entered together in a friendly manner was re-drawn again.
But it wasnât as shocking as the first time.
Was it because Ashiel saw himself to be with her, not Loreina?
This man, the moment he was deceived, maybeâŠ
Her lips felt dry. As Sienna stared at him, Ashiel groaned as if he couldnât stand it, and mumbled that he was really sorry.
Sienna asked again, not paying attention.
âSo how did you break the spell?â
ââŠShe asked me to kiss her.â
Ashiel gave up and revealed everything.
âBut, you canât make such a request to meâŠâ
Ashielâs eyes widened slightly at the unexpected compliment.
A small smile spread across her lips. Just like the other day, she grabbed his collar and pulled him lightly.
She whispered to the gigantic man who was forced to draw closer without strength.
âDo you want to not be deceived again?â
Sienna kissed Ashiel on the lips.
Without hesitation, she glued her own lips to his lips, which were wet with tears.
Her warm lips bit his cold lower lip, as if torturing him a little. Next, as if hesitating, as if exploring, the tip of her small tongue tickled the inside of his mouth, just slightly⊠Then she parted slowly.
Ashiel blinked his eyes in disbelief.
âWhy were you still?â
âItâs⊠because you⊠you donât likeâŠâ
âYou havenât done that before.â
When Sienna figuratively stabbed Ashiel, he held his breath. Before he could say he was repenting, she struck first.
âWhat if I donât hate it?â
âIf I donât hate it⊠what would you like to do?â
âThatâs⊠absolutely.â
It meant he would never say it. Sienna laughed.
And she ordered, âGet rid of those useless worriesâŠâ
âŠAshielâs eyes darkened.
âIs my understanding correct?â
Sienna was looking at him with a very slight smile.
To Ashiel, the figure looked like a goddess trying to test how this little idiot in front of her eyes would respond.
It seemed that he would fail no matter what answer he gave.
Sienna closed her eyes in front of Ashiel, who hesitated.
Slowly, watching the long eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks, Ashiel shuddered and swallowed involuntarily.
So⊠He thought desperately. Sienna told him⊠What did she say?
âWhat if I donât hate it? What if I donât hate it, what would you like to do?â
âŠHe would have to try that.
That was Siennaâs order, and again⊠Itâs an opportunity that probably wouldnât come again.
Ashiel lowered his head towards Sienna, who still had her eyes closed.
But still a bit unbelieving about this reality, Ashiel affectionately bumped his nose against hers before his lips touched. As if asking if itâs really going to be okay.
Sienna laughed a little at his cute behavior. She didnât refuse.
His goddess seemed really willing to be worshiped by this lowly man, Ashiel turned around, thinking.
Then he mustered up his courage and slowly touched Siennaâs lips.
At that moment, the unbelievable happened. Sienna slowly opened her lips to him.
The unqualified worshiper trembled with joy. Just the fact that Sienna had allowed him sent a trembling and excitement that burned his head out of control.
It was his heart. It was his heart that no one could break now.
Ashiel carefully embraced the lovely person with both arms.
Sienna received Ashielâs emotions from the lips and from the desperate gestures of hugging her whole body.
The unfathomable deep passions, the great emotions, which had long been entangled in chains, coveted her.
Her head was dizzy at his eagerness to swallow even the sound of her breathing.
But she didnât want to refuse.
Itâs terribly seductive for Ashiel, no one else, to crave her.
Sienna, who was rejected by the whole world, could not be relieved by the warm smiles and friendliness for her.
âŠLoreina loved her that way too.
When she needed Sienna, Loreina, too, gave her a smile as much as she could.
She said âthank youâ and âglad you were here.â
But what about when Sienna lost her worth?
âI hate you enough to kill you, Sienna.â
At that moment, Sienna was ruined. She was thoroughly shattered, so that she could not be relieved by the ordinary, tender love of an ordinary person.
Every time she received a friendly favor, she was forced to cool down a corner of her heart.
The only thing that could gather Sienna that had been so fragmented was a strong craving.
Rather than treat her with kindness, she wanted him to be greedy for her.
He wanted her as intensely and terribly as a madman, a feeling closer to adoration than love.
Ashiel wanted Sienna so much.
Apparently, Ashiel Nacht wanted Sienna like that.
Thus, Sienna became frightened and shook wildly.
Because Asiel had already once been possessed by magic and had a history of being cold towards her.
Hence, Sienna had been gripped by the irrational fear that she would be thrown once again at the most reassuring moment for this man.
If she gets rejected again, she thinks this time she wonât be able to survive.
With her shattered and broken, she feared that she would never be able to put herself backâŠ
Ashiel Nacht did not give himself up twice to sanity-shattering magic.
Sienna admitted. That fact meant something to her.
She couldnât say that it wasnât thrilling for a man who had been cold to her kneeling at her feet. Sienna smiled bitterly at him.
âFor the time being.â
It seemed okay to accept that the two were tied to the fact that they absolutely needed each other.
After a long time, how much did they kiss?
As the skin that had been heated by the hand ripping through the hem of his clothes felt cool and trembled, clarity began to return to Ashielâs eyes.
Sienna asked calmly, raising the collar of her uniform, which had been ripped open at the nape of her neck.
Ashiel blankly stared at the white nape of Siennaâs neck that was visible through her disheveled collar while she was tidying up, and at her plump lips that were slightly swollen than usual, then he quickly nodded his head.
âNow⊠Itâs fine.â
The voice saying it was okay was hoarse. âHmm?â Sienna uttered as she looked into Ashielâs eyes.
Ashielâs cheeks turned red. He felt ashamed at the thought that he was crying and showing disgracefulness all over again.
âI donât think everything is okay yet.â
ââŠJust a little longer and itâll be okay.â
âThen you have to be honest with me.â
As Sienna poked, Ashiel apologized in a crawling voice.
Seeing Asielâs lips, which were still âuncontrollable with emotionâ, Sienna burst into laughter.
âOne more thing before we go.â
Ashiel tilted his head with a slightly sullen expression. When Sienna gestured with her finger, Ashiel meekly bowed his head towards her.
Sienna rolled up Ashielâs disheveled bangs. Then her lips touched his forehead.
A flame clearly drew a pattern on Ashielâs forehead, then slowly permeated and disappeared.
Ashielâs shoulders trembled for a moment at the warmth that ran through his body.
At that time, he remembered how Sienna guarded the Duke of Ferrato in the gorge of Elbara.
The brand of protection that Sienna bestowed on him that he thought he would never receive.
Shocked at the unexpected gift, Ashiel rubbed his forehead with his hand. Sienna explained.
âKeep an appropriate distance from her, and periodically, like before⊠umm, well. If you do that, you wonât be deluded again, but still.â
Yes, this was not a gift. Sienna was probably offended that she saw him with Loreina, and most likely just wanted to prevent that.
No personal feelings mixed, just a precautionary measure.
âAshiel?! No, why againâŠ?â
Ashielâs eyes, âstill unable to calm his emotionsâ, reddened in an instant. Almost immediately, thick tears began to fall.
Seeing the man dripping with tears as thick as grapes (with a little exaggeration), Sienna became confused.
âI canât get used to it just by lookingâŠâ
However, even knowing that Sienna was put in a difficult situation, Ashiel could not easily stop his tears.
Siennaâs protection was as innocent as Admiral Ferrato, so he thought that only those who could approach her confidently could receive it.
He was thrilled, grateful, and so guilty. He remembered the self-defense amulets of Siennaâs he had shed in his foolish days, those precious things that now he did not know where they had gone.
He thought she would never give it to him who lost it like that.
âWhy are you crying?â
His goddess with a wide heart asked.
Ashiel managed not to sniffle and said, âThank youâŠâ
âHave I been so cold-hearted all this time?â
Itâs nothing. Ashiel and she were on the same team. Sienna only took measures to prevent important team members from going over to the enemy. But she didnât know he would be so moved.
However, it was difficult to keep doing this. The victory banquet had just begun, and the emperor was scheduled to appear shortly thereafter to congratulate those who contributed to the annihilation war of Elbara Gorge.
She couldnât let him keep crying like this.
âStop, canât you stop?â
It was the tone of the Room 6 teacher, Sienna.
(TL/N: the orphanage room 6.)
Ashiel exhaled and inhaled. At Siennaâs words, he tried hard to swallow his tears. Meanwhile, his nose was red.
Fortunately, Ashiel soon managed to calm down. Although his eyes were a little red, and somehow, his expression was tearful and pitiful instead of the usual cold and dry expressionâŠ
âStill, compared to the tears pouring out until just before, indeed, heâs a nobleman.â
Just then, a voice was heard outside.
âHis Majesty the Emperor is entering!â
Sienna wished he could calm down a little more, but they really donât have time right now. She gave him a firm warning.
âWhen you go outside, donât say anything, and when someone asks you to say something, only respond with a short answer.â
âIf you ever get emotional again, let me know right away.â
âThis is an unexpected reward,â Ashiel thought.
Actually, the emotional side effects had already been resolved by crying, and except for Sienna, no one could make Ashiel cry like this no matter how upset he was.
Before that, he could solve the situation by solidifying his expression and making it obvious that âGrand Prince Ashiel Nacht was in a bad mood so donât approach him.â
Ashiel lowered his eyebrows as much as possible and nodded.
Sienna nodded her head with a look of relief.
It seemed inconceivable that, under her mercy, Ashiel would have done some clever work in his head.
âCome on, letâs go out then.â
Sienna dragged Ashiel, who appeared with Loreina, onto the balcony, and after a while, she took Ashiel, whose eyes were slightly puffy, back to the venue.
It would be like feeding people who were anxious to make a rumor, but there was no choice.
Sienna kept her face indifferent to the gaze focused on them rather than the emperor, and tried very hard not to get convulsions in the eyes.
After a while, rumors spread in the venue that âLady Loreina was vulgarly flirting with the Grand Prince Ashiel, and Dame Sienna was offended by that, so Ashiel knelt down and prayed with tears to relieve her mood.
This time too, it was a rumor that was both strangely true and not true.
Sienna suddenly began to look around.
When Ashiel asked why, Sienna replied as if it was nothing.
âI brought a sponsored cadet child as a partner. This must be the first time he had a position like this, but heâs left alone because I was worried about Grand PrinceâŠâ
Remnants of emotions that had not yet been calmed darkly surfaced over Ashielâs red eyes that were pretending to be serene.
The first word that stuck in his ear like an arrow wasâŠ
A typical banquet required a partner. In particular, a greater responsibility was still traditionally placed on women.
Loreina, who appeared at a banquet in the center of the country after a long time, did not have a partner, but the excuse of âI am not used to the social world and am accompanied only by a chaperoneâ worked.
Sienna, of course, needed a partner.
In fact, that was one of the reasons why, even after Ashiel arrived, he could not set his feet in the banquet hall and went round and round.
Naturally, he didnât even dare to ask Sienna if he could be her partner.
He couldnât bear to do such a shameless thing.
But when he enters, Sienna would be present with someone.
For example, Admiral FerratoâŠ
Ashiel did not have the confidence to face the situation.
Though the thought alone made his fist clenched by jealousy, he was in a position where he should not dare to harbor jealousy.
Belatedly, the memory of wandering around the garden while groaning between the pain of a burning conscience and jealousy came to mind.
Those were emotions that he completely forgot because he was so moved by the kiss with Sienna and the fact that he got a mark on his forehead.
Ashiel came to his senses as if he was covered in cold water.
ââŠThis is not the time to just rejoice.â
Still, he was a sinner, and Sienna had another partner at the banquet.
âI canât see him? He said heâd be around the other cadets, butâŠâ
As Sienna muttered, Ashiel furiously rolled his head.
âShe said that the sponsored cadet was a child, definitely.â
That meant, at least, that her partner wasnât Admiral Ferrato.
âIâm happy, butâŠâ
Ashiel knew Admiral Ferratoâs personality well. Although he looked good and simple, he was not a man who hesitated to get what he wanted.
âPerhaps at this banquet as wellâŠâ
He likely applied to be Siennaâs partner.
Ashiel clenched his teeth in secret. In principle, it was customary for the ward to marry the eldest son of the guardian family. With that in consideration, Admiral Ferratoâs actions were extremely rude and out of the ordinary.
âI canât just leave it aloneâŠâ
But Asiel Nacht dared not exercise any power over Sienna.
Was he asking Sienna to marry him for a frivolous âcommon practiceâ?
ââŠHow dare I think like a brute.â
(TL/N: I used âbruteâ, but the full meaning of âìžëêČâ is âa person whose conduct or background is not human-like.â)
He suppressed himself like that, but in Ashielâs true heart, he already wanted to use it a hundred times or a thousand times.
All sorts of excuses ran through his mind.
For example, as the eldest son of a guardian, if he doesnât marry the ward, people in the world might think that he has a big flaw.
Even just a few years or even a year was fine, so please marry him just once. Even if he signed a contract to give up everything he had, and even if he could not touch Sienna in any way throughout the marriage except for the contact she needed to survive.
Merely in that way, he wanted it to be imprinted on the world that Ashiel Nacht was Siennaâs husband, even just once.
If only they could dress up in robes and swear a sacred marriage in front of a priest, and have no one else dare to ask Sienna to be their partner when these banquets were held, and he could take the role of holding the hand of such a precious person and bringing her into the venue.
Even if that was all he could do, he thought it would be okay to give all his breath for the rest of his lifeâŠ
Sienna awakened Ashiel, who was so deeply engrossed in his thoughts that he did not breathe, gripped by jealousy and unfulfilled longing.
Sienna was looking at him worriedly and suspiciously.
It seemed that she was more concerned about Ashielâs condition than looking for her partner.
âŠHe couldnât help but feel good about it. Ashiel felt that he was pathetic, he who had become incapacitated, but couldnât say âitâs okayâ.
Sienna looked at him worriedly and said,
âIf you think you canât stand it, tell me.â
Ashiel silently nodded his head. But he actually had nothing to say. Loreinaâs magic damaged his mental barriers, so he had a bit of madness and was lost in crazy thoughts.
He was fully in control of himself now.
Yet, he could barely catch Siennaâs gaze and say, âIâm okayâ and be distant again.
âLieutenant Hesaros.â
While Sienna was briefly distracted by Ashiel, Lou found her.
âThis is Grand Prince Nacht. Say your greetings.â
ââŠIs this the Grand Prince?â
The blue eyes staring at him in this short time were sharp.
Ashiel felt a familiar sense of dread in those eyes.
At that moment, Lou saluted first.
âGreetings! Cadet Lou Melanche is meeting the deputy commander of Hellâs Army.â
At first, when Sienna said that âthe cadet she sponsored as a child was brought as her partnerâ, Asiel thought about it as a young boy from an orphanage.
Lou, who stood in front of him, was clearly a boy, but there were many things that could not be dismissed as simply a âyoung boyâ.
Itâs said he grew up in an orphanage, but thanks to Siennaâs support, he didnât grow up hungry.
Sienna was tall for a woman, and he was even taller than her, dressed in uniform as she was now, and his shoulders were so angled that it was hard to tell that he was a boy at that young age.
Besides, he was quite courageous, enough to look directly at Ashiel.
The hands, restrained posture, momentum.
From all of this, it was evident that this boy had not neglected his training in many ways.
It seemed to Ashiel that⊠the boy was hastily whipping up his own growth to look like a grown-up to someone.
Sienna sent Ashiel a puzzled gaze as he didnât accept Louâs greeting; he was thinking she was very likely to be that âsomeoneâ.
Ashiel wordlessly motioned for Lou to relax. In response, Lou uttered his thanks and relaxed his posture.
âYour Highness, if you donât mind, may I take my partner?â
âIâm not used to a position like this yet, so I need a partner.â
It was very provocative, but⊠undeniably valid.
ââŠYouâre not used to this kind of place?â
Ashiel asked in a dry voice where emotions could not be guessed. Lou shamelessly nodded his head and answered without much change in expression.
âYes. Lieutenant Hesaros said that she would give me an experience, so I followed her with gratitude, but it was my first time in this kind of position.â
Ashielâs face, looking at the boy who did not lose, was just as dry and cold as usual.
âLieutenant Hesaros also said that today sheâs my partner, so of course she will be by my side.â
âUm, yes, thatâs what I saidâŠâ
âŠShe said âOf course sheâd stay by his side?â
Under Ashielâs terrifyingly cold-looking face, jealousy boiled wildly up to the top of his neck.
The sudden appearance of the boy claiming to be Siennaâs partner and the deep feelings in his eyes stimulated Ashiel.
Furthermore, Sienna seemed to have no idea about this young manâs black heart.
âHe must have secretly filled his heart by wandering around because he is young and receiving support.â
Ashiel did everything he could to keep his teeth from clenching.
In fact, since they had the same determination, Ashiel and Lou could guess the depths of each otherâs hearts as soon as they saw each other.
There was no choice but for a spark to fly between the two of them.
Ashiel was full of jealousy, but that was all.
ââŠYou donât have to ask for my understanding, please ask your partner, Dame Hesaros.â
This was a small first time he would rather bite on his tongue while talking and hope that he wouldnât be able to spit out all the words he needed to say.
He⊠He was madly mad at him, but he didnât deserve it.
Staring at Siennaâs partner with jealousy was something he shouldnât have done.
The moment Sienna was about to answer more.
âHis Majesty the Emperor is calling for those who have contributed to the annihilation of Elbara Gorge!â
The servant, who opened a scroll on the podium, shouted loudly.
In turn, four names were called.
Duke Frederick Ferrato, the Master of the Ocean.
Ashiel Nacht, the Grand Prince of the Underworld.
Damn Sienna Hesaros, the Knight of the Emperor.
And Lady Loreina Minangsi.
Sienna put on a very apologetic expression. Lou shook his head.
âItâs okay. Iâm not used to it, but there are friends over there, and His Majesty is calling, so you should definitely go.â
From her public position to her usual non-verbal and respectful comments, Sienna felt sorry for Lou.
She brought him as a partner at her convenience, and though it wasnât her intention as there was an accident, she didnât treat him properly as a partner.
âSienna, His Majesty has called you.â
âI think it would be better not to delay.â
âAh, yes. Lou, first of allâŠâ
âWhen you come back, please dance with me.â
However, Lou did not lose despite the obstacles. He jumped to the point right before Sienna left.
âBecause Iâm your partner, right?â
As the boy expected, Sienna nodded easily.
âOkay. Iâll be back. Iâm waiting.â
Sienna first turned her body towards the emperorâs podium. For a second, Ashiel and Louâs eyes met behind her back.
Even if they didnât say it out loud, many things were conveyed through their gaze.
The meritorious people gathered under the podium.
Admiral Ferrato was the first of them to arrive, and he was having few words with the emperor with a smile on his face.
The face that became more cheerful after discovering SiennaâŠ
ââŠOh, where did you come from with such a large shadow?â
âŠThe tone he used when referring to Ashiel as if he was new to him was still humorous and pleasant, but there was a subtly aggressive energy oozing out of his eyes.
âŠJust enough that only Ashiel would notice.
Ashiel simply stood in front of the emperor, silently, without even replying.
Sienna stood between them and thought.
âSince I met up with Lou, the atmosphere has been somewhat tense.â
It was a great development for Sienna to have noticed that far, butâŠ
âWell, itâs probably because Ashielâs condition is not good because heâs just been enchanted.â
The fact that Sienna did not have the ability to guess more than that was actually the biggest mountain the three of them had to climb.
His Majesty the Great Emperor of Feyenoord looked upon these scenes with great interest and delight.
With keen and sharp eyes, he scrutinized the two tall, handsome men.
And when he looked at SiennaâŠ
ââŠâŠ? Your Majesty. Do you have anything to say to me?â
âNo, no. Itâs because itâs so pretty to see my baby grow up like this after a long time. Baby, are you enjoying your school life?â
Sienna didnât know when she was young, but now she knew. In order to give more power to Sienna, who had a certain status, the emperor was deliberately giving off the impression that she was cute in such a public place.
Sienna nodded her head with her smile; more than the fact that her emperor empowered her, she liked how he cared for herself enough to do so.
âYes, itâs fun⊠itâs the truth, but itâs good to be able to live a life faithful to the duty of protecting the Empire.â
The emperorâs face that met with a model student-like answer softened. This was an expression he had never shown before in front of his own grandchildren.
âIâm really proud of my baby. Come to think of it, your rank is still second lieutenant.â
âItâs rare to get promoted while attending school.â
The emperor moistened his lips and frowned.
âYouâve worked so hard all this time.â
âI am Your Majestyâs knight.â
She became a knight after receiving the last name âHesarosâ from the emperor.
Sienna was completely happy with it in two ways.
First of all, she was grateful that there was an adult like a grandfather who loved her, who didnât exist in her precious lifeâŠ
âAdditionally, if I use this name and become famous, I will keep my promise to Hesaros.â
(TL/N: reference to chapter 4 â where Sienna promised she would become the strongest wizard as the owner of Hesaros, because Hesaros said that she is his owner and he would stay by her side even if she lost all her magic powers :â)
It was all thanks to the emperor.
Sienna solemnly saluted, then replied with a twinkle in her eyes. She was sincere.
âThat alone is reason enough for me to do my duty.â
The emperor hit his knee.
âHow can our Dame Hesaros know nothing but how to please me in everything like this? What a blessing you are in my old years!â
The roar of the emperorâs booming laughter filled the banquet hall.
At that moment, the servant spoke carefully.
âLady Loreina Minangsi has also arrived.â
Behind him, Loreina stood quietly, like a painting.
The emperor was embarrassed that he had alienated Loreina while he was in the midst of praising Sienna.
But Loreina only silently lowered her green eyes, and quietly offered her greetings to the emperor.
ââŠThis humble person dares to attend an audience with His Majesty. Iâm Loreina of Minangsi.â
âUm, yes. Come here.â
Naturally, the emperor did not apologize for keeping Loreina waiting for a while.
Loreina naturally stretched out her lightly folded knees and stood where the emperor was instructed. Coincidentally, she was next to Asiel.
Sienna unconsciously glanced at Loreinaâs side.
Because she remembered Loreinaâs horribly melted face that she had seen earlier before she went to the balcony with Ashiel.
ââŠWas I⊠Was I mistaken?â
Now, Loreinaâs cheeks were just beautiful, powdered and finely pink.
If her expressionless face was somehow creepy, was it just a matter of Siennaâs personal feelings?
Anyway, as soon as Loreina stood by Ashielâs side, people started murmuring about what had just happened. But Loreina seemed to be determined not to be conscious of those things now.
It must have been a great shock that she failed to dazzle Ashiel, but it seemed that she had managed to organize her mind violently in the interim.
It was not strange. Loreina, who Sienna had been dealing with until seven years ago, was a young girl, who was embarrassed and anger-stricken when all her plans were twisted and failed even before it began due to Siennaâs change.
Since then, seven years have passed.
Age was fair to all. As Sienna grew up, it was only natural that Loreina, who had gone through the same amount of time, would become stronger than then in any way.
âŠEven so, it was difficult to understand how she became the owner of a Named.
âLoreina is connected with outside powers through the Duke of Euros. The possibility of not knowing how to steal peopleâs magic is low now.â
But there was a day Hesaros said:
[The kind of evil secret technique that steals other peopleâs magic can never be effective.]
It was. Even after taking away Siennaâs magical power, Loreina had never exerted as much power as the present Sienna.
Her fame stemmed mostly from her good political use of being a rare healing wizard.
Hesaros also said that even if she took everything away, she may or may not be able to utilize just 10% of it.
That was why Sienna looked down on the chances that Loreina would reappear with really strong skills.
However, Loreina, who had once taken Siennaâs magic powers, was now the owner of a Named.
If it was because she stole magic, thenâŠ
ââŠMaybe she stole the magic of so many people.â
Hesaros said that the use of golden arts would come with a terrible price.
[There is no way she can pay the price for stealing the magic of not one person but several people.]
âStill, I canât ignore the possibility.â
Anyway, didnât Loreina appear in front of you with a Named?
It was possible that many people were sacrificedâŠ
While Sienna was analyzing, the emperorâs crowning began.
âThen, the new owner of the Named, Loreina Minangsi. Come forward.â
Loreinaâs name was called first, according to the rule that the awards start from the lowest position.
âIt was your first appearance and you showed more courage than I expected. I knight the owner of Esperanza who, despite being covered in blood from head to toe, did not retreat from the battlefield.â
It wasnât like Siennaâs âKnight of the Emperorâ. It was just plain knighthood.
Moreover, the congratulations were also filled with words that Loreina could not be pleased with.
Though the bloody nightmarish memories were recalled, Loreina bowed her head deeply and managed to hide her emotions.
However, because of that, she was not able to respond with splendid and elegant words befitting her usual skills.
ââŠItâs a pleasure, Your Majesty.â
âLike the name of your Named, Esperanza, I hope that you will become a new hope for the Empire.â
âThank you for saying that.â
Named Esperanza, a wand that amplifies magical power, was an item that had several masters in history.
However, it did not fit well with Euros, who rode drakes and fought with lances among the Namedâs own processing, so it did not stand out much.
Ranking enthusiasts used to order the strength of the Named, but the wand of Esperanza was always mentioned last.
Naturally, the ripple effect itself was different from Siennaâs becoming the owner of Hesaros, the flame of purification, for the first time in history.
It was said that the owner of Named was great, but how many Named owners were already in this venue?
So, the congratulations and applause for Loreina ended in an appropriate way.
The following names were called at the same time.
âThe Duke of Ferrato, and Grand Prince Asiel.â
Only their names were called, but the crowd exclaimed at two dashing and handsome unmarried men.
Admiral Ferrato scratched his head a bit shyly, but it was fundamentally not unconfident.
Ashielâs face, as usual, did not show any emotion and was calm.
Compared to the time a while ago where he had shed thick tears in front of her, she thought that he was doing really well now.
âIs it because I had seen him collapse so thoroughly before?â
âThat I am even proud heâs being like this.â
âMy personality is quite eccentric, but the fact that you two are the pillars of this empire cannot be denied.â
Thanks to the emperor who was deliberately mean-spirited, a little laugh came out.
âAnyway, Iâm proud that you made a great contribution by joining forces to defeat the catastrophe that appeared in the form of a water serpent. In particular, Duke Ferrato, according to the laws regarding spoils, this heart jewel is yours.â
âYour Majesty, the jewel belongs to me, but I am fully aware that it is controversial.â
It was. In fact, Ashiel was the first to inflict a near-death blow to the water serpent.
âDoesnât everyone know about Grand Prince Ashiel Nachtâs Named?â
Ashielâs name is Thanatos.
Like its nickname âinvisibleâ, itâs a bow that shoots invisible power, but the original effect of this Named was that it could send a blow that âif it hits, it will 100% causes deathâ.
If Ashiel made up his mind and shot an arrow with enough power and hit it, in theory, no one could survive without dying.
The water serpent collapsed after that âdeathâ, and Admiral Ferrato only succeeded in decapitating the monster who was about to cause a riot just before his death.
However, the law was on the side of Admiral Ferrato.
Ashiel didnât object because he simply wasnât greedy for heart jewels.
âI am a sailor, so I know it well. A person who is greedy and does not know his place will become a beastâs meal.â
Duke Ferrato smiled and nodded as he smiled as he replied like a humorous clown.
âSo, please take good care of it. As I said earlier, my âheartâ isâŠâ
âIt belongs to Dame Sienna Hesaros.â
Everyone knew. Admiral Ferrato just⊠He must have said that on purpose!
âHis heart belongs to Sienna Hesaros.â
The people were all astonished at the declaration of war so clear that even a fool could understand it. The same goes for the emperor.
In front of a lot of people pretending to be a civil servant, Admiral Ferrato expressed his feelings first.
Ashiel couldnât help but instinctively put pressure into his teeth.
If only he had known that the heart jewel, which he was not greedy for at that time, would be used in this way.
Even if he knew, there was nothing he could do.
Ashiel knew it well. He knew it deep down.
Ashiel Nachtâs love was the kind of love that caused Sienna to suffer and die miserably.
The fact that he gave his all and gave the breath back to Sienna was no excuse for him.
Rather, Sienna was put in a situation where she had to endure contact with him in order to survive.
When he recalled the face of Sienna who was in prison, where she looked relieved after leaving everything behindâŠ
In a situation where even his saving of Sienna was considered a terrible sin.
If he had any sense of shame, he should at least shut up.
Duke Ferrato or that little guy likes Sienna?
All he should do is open his eyes and watch!
Admiral Ferratoâs confident gaze was clearly treating Asiel, who could not step forward with confidence, as an idiot.
While that idiot had his eyes open, he could clearly see his intention to steal someone in front of him.
Ashiel couldnât do anything.
ââŠThank you for your generosity, Your Excellency the Duke of Ferrato. And His Majesty the EmperorâŠâ
Sienna gestured to the emperor for permission to speak, and the emperor graciously granted him.
Sienna first asked Admiral Ferrato.
âDuke, can I take it as saying that giving me the heart jewel means that you entrust all ownership of it?â
At the complicated words, Duke Ferrato scratched his head roughly and nodded his head.
âYes, well. Wouldnât that be the case?â
A small smile appeared on Siennaâs lips.
Ashielâs heart, which had been burning with her jealousy, cooled down.
âThen, Your Majesty.â
On the outside, Ashiel was looking calmly with his eyes slightly lowered, but inside, he was falling apart to such an extent that he even wanted someone to scream for him.
Siennaâs words continued.
âIt was the Guardians loyal to His Majesty that killed Epic Elbara. So, if Iâm fortunate enough to be given the right to exercise ownership of the heart jewelâŠâ
The emperor smiled. Sienna smiled similarly.
ââŠIt belongs to Your Majesty, of course. I am your knight.â
âHahahaha, haha! Yes, Dame Hesaros is my knight. Her spoils deserve to be offered to me.â
A laugh escaped the emperorâs mouth. But after laughing, something very strange happened in the Emperorâs eyes.
ââŠBut Ashiel, are you crying?â
It felt like a single tear had just fallen on his icy cheeksâŠ
âIs my presbyopia getting worse as I get olderâŠ?â
It was such an incredible sight.
Ashiel answered without moving the tip of his eyebrow.
â⊠No. I didnât cry.â
âIt must be because of your usual disgusting attitude.â
âYes. It must be an illusion of the eye. If true, it may be a sign of the collapse of the country.â
The emperor erased the scene from his mind. But Sienna just couldnât get over it.
Sienna whispered the question quietly, and Ashiel softly lowered his eyes further and answered in a small way.
ââŠItâs bearable.â
If itâs bearable, it means it might not be bearable, right?
âIt seems that Admiral Ferratoâs words touched his heart more than I thoughtâŠâ
Sienna wasnât stupid. It was not difficult to infer what the man who said âhis heart belongs to Siennaâ in this place was aiming.
âIâm grown up, and there still werenât any talks about Ashiel, so I guess he wonders if heâs allowed to intervene.â
However, rather than her personal charm, Sienna thought that it was because of the formidable power she had in herself.
âEspecially for Ferrato, theyâve always struggled with the supply and demand of decanto trees.â
Sienna, who had grown five decanto trees in an instant, must have become the number one talent for the Ferrato family to recruit.
âMarriage just happens to be the easiest way.â
So she didnât think it was anything for Ashiel to be upset aboutâŠ
It must have been her misunderstanding.
The man who sacrificed his heart to save her seemed to have a hard time even by her receiving such a political offer.
âWell⊠When that overly emotional state is resolved⊠Heâll be okay, right?â
It was uncomfortable, but it seemed that she had no choice but to believe so.
Sienna turned to the admiral. Now, it seemed that a quick clean-up was necessary for Ashielâs mental stability.
Duke Ferrato smiled. But he wasnât as lively as before.
âThanks to the honorable gift you conceded, I was able to fulfill my duty as a knight to His Majesty the Emperor. I sincerely thank you.â
It was like a fish gracefully passed the bait thrown with all its might without even glancing at it once.
It was a situation that could be called a fool, but Admiral Ferrato burst into laughter.
âYes, it canât be that easy.â
Today, the admiral thought that he would be satisfied with revealing his feelings publicly.
Of course it was his mistake. Far from conveying his feelings, Sienna thoroughly misunderstood that Duke Ferrato âwanted to acquire her as a strategic resourceâ.
Had the admiral known, he would have pounded the ground for three days and three nights in heartbreak. But he didnât know, thus he passed through it peacefully.
In any case, the emperor was satisfied.
âSienna, I thought that child was a bit ignorant and would only be caught up in menâs arrogance, however now I donât have to worry about that!â
How wonderful it was that she didnât care about those prominent men, and that she only gives glory to him.
The emperor thought so and cleared his throat.
âDuke Ferrato and Grand Prince Ashiel. I grant you the honorable commemorative title of âThe Adversary of Elbaraâ.â
âThank you, Your Majesty!â
âThank you, Your Majesty.â
âAnd Dame Sienna Hesaros!â
âHow could I compare your loyalty to what I have? You are the blessings and joys of my years. I will give you half of the countryâŠâ
The emperor stared at Admiral Ferrato as if speaking to him, and continued his speech.
ââŠIt would be better to reconsider the gift you would reject in the first place.â
âYouâre wise, Your Majesty.â
âAs a defender of the Great War, Iâm glad to be able to say that a child like you is like my blood.â
It was the second time the emperor mentioned Sienna as his blood. Moreover, the message was clearer than the first.
However, it being the second time did not mean that it was ever less shocking.
âJust now, did His Majesty call Dame Hesaros his âbloodâ?â
âItâs not the first timeâŠâ
âWhere is the Crown Princess?â
People hurriedly searched for Arandier. Arandier was sipping champagne not far away, and as the eyes focused, she leisurely raised her glass to the crowd.
ââŠThe Crown Princess seems to know.â
It was not an ordinary issue.
Needless to say, in this empire, Feyenoord, there was no successor after the crown princess.
In a country where the emperor had to become the master of the confrontation system from generation to generation and become the protector of the empire, this was, in fact, a very big problem.
In the midst of it, a Terraformer girl who suddenly appeared was as strong as if she were from the imperial family.
And the emperor who loved that girl as if she was his real granddaughter, and mentioned many times that she was like blood.
Someone in the crowd said this.
âSince Grand Duke Nacht is the Emperorâs nephew, Grand Prince Ashiel also has royal blood.â
If Ashiel and Sienna marry, the blood of the imperial family and the qualities of a Terraformer who protects the confrontation system would be combined.
âAs expected, His Majesty the EmperorâŠâ
In front of the murmuring crowd, unable to continue speaking, the emperor leisurely looked at Sienna and smiled.
âDame Sienna Hesaros, from this time on, I will call you âMaster of the Spring Gardenâ. I grant you the castle of Ysent, which I own, and the title of âCountâ according to that castle, and at the same time I order you to be promoted to major.â
Unprecedented and unconventional rewards poured in one after another.
However, none of them could exceed the ripple effect of the âblood familyâ mentioned by the emperor.
Whatâs more, no one could argue against it, as they had seen Sienna show her allegiance to the emperor by handing over ownership of the heart jewel right before their very eyes.
It was the emperorâs intention. Things were so much easier thanks to Siennaâs ignorance and cooperation!
âSo how can I not love this child?â
âMy knight and Master of the Spring Garden, Sienna Hesaros, the Count of Ysent!â
Sienna was dizzy. It must be said that the pouring of the emperorâs favor was excessive, and when he said that, she wondered if she should protest, but when her name was called, she reacted like a soldier.
âToday is your day. I wish for a toast and dance. Master of Spring.â
At the emperorâs command, the servant handed Sienna a glass of champagne. The emperor was given the same cup.
According to custom, the emperor first took a sip then made a toast.
The moment Sienna was about to drinkâŠ
When she raised her eyes to the sound of a sudden coughâŠ
With the cough, blood was dripping down the emperorâs long robe.
Sienna ran straight up to the podium, regardless of the consequences.
And while he vomited blood, she gripped the throne firmly and supported the falling emperor.
Sienna shook her head blindly. All she could think in her white-blank mind wasâ
Then, the emperor slipped from Siennaâs arms. Siennaâs strength could not fully support the emperor, so the best thing she could do was to put his head on her knees.
âŠâŠThe name of the healing angel.
A cold sweat ran down Siennaâs already ice-cold spine.
Siennaâs green eyes looked down from the podium. However, the scream had already spread through the whole venue without being able to identify the source.
âIf itâs Lady Loreina, she can do it!â
âCertainly, the healing angel, the saint of the people, was her nickname, right?â
âHey, Iâve read her articles about her before!â
âLady Loreina! The Emperor, please!â
Sienna made eye contact with Loreina just then.
Loreina raised her head proudly and was gazing up at Sienna on the podium.
A dazzling golden dress like midnight sunlight, and white blonde hair reminiscent of an angel.
A beautiful fair face with a strangely expressionless lookâŠ
âHis Majesty the Emperor!â
âDame Sienna, what are you doing over there? Quickly, make space for Lady Loreina!â
âŠNow Loreina was like a goddess with fanatics.
Even after being humiliated, Loreina showed up in front of people once again after managing herself.
The eerie, expressionless sides of her passed through Siennaâs mind one after another.
Her true purpose today was not Ashiel Nacht. Rather, her work with him must have been more of an impromptu.
This, right now, must have been Loreinaâs real purpose.
The plot that had already failed once because of Sienna.
Rescue the emperor, raise Loreinaâs reputation, and at the same timeâŠ
Loreinaâs lips twitched towards Sienna.
âThat place is mine.â
Thousands of people were screaming behind her.
âArenât you supposed to pull out?â
âGive way to Lady Loreina!â
She just looked at Sienna with a calm expression.
She knew that her own attitude would make the crowd more irritable and even more hostile to Sienna.
âThe time she could endure is not long anyway.â
Sienna Hesaros was definitely a rare genius, a blessed Terraformer that would never be forgotten. But she had no power to heal anyone.
Eventually she would give up that place to her and come down.
Loreina would heal the emperor in the sight of all these people.
âOf course, the emperor will die soon.â
Loreinaâs healing would take away his vitality.
Although strong, the emperor was an old man. After treating that level of poison, would the remaining life expectancy be at most one month?
The one who protected the empireâs confrontation system would face his death.
Loreinaâs lips began to draw an arc slowly.
Her emperor called Sienna like a moan. Then he raised his trembling hand and grabbed her arm.
Like in response to Sienna saying she wouldnât go down from here.
Peopleâs shouts stopped for a moment.
âI k-know what you⊠you are on your guard for⊠e-everything.â
âD-Donât let the child of Euros⊠let her⊠come closer to meâŠâ
The emperor said, and red blood spurted from his mouth again.
The moment people started screaming to Sienna to come down like their eyes were turned over again.
Sienna shouted like a thunderbolt, like a scream.
Above the podium, flames circled Sienna and the Emperor.
A huge magical energy began to swirl around Siennaâs core.
Loreinaâs face changed color.
âIt couldnât beâŠâ
âWhat is she thinking?!â
Instantly, she remembered the injury of the grand duke, whom she was supposed to heal a long time ago.
âBut she was a better Terraformer than I thought, so it must have been that she had released the law that obstructed recovery and treated him separatelyâŠâ
Thatâs why this time, she took the risk and gave the emperor poison instead of law!
It was ominous. It was insanely ominous!
However, Loreinaâs side still had higher ground.
With the power of the crowd, she only had to convince Crown Princess Arandier. Her gaze at Sienna compared to the emperor was neutral, so, as fast as possible!
âThatâs treasonâŠ!â
At that moment, just as someone from the crowd was about to shout that.
A huge sword smashed down to cut through the marble floor of the banquet hall.
The people who had raised their voices squeaked at the sound of deep cracks and retreated back.
That huge sword was more likely to crush people than to cut themâŠ
It was the Named of Crown Princess Arandier.
âNamed Destroyer, CalredâŠâ
âThe first heir of Feyenoord, with the blood of the silver deer and the heart of Kainosia, I, Crown Princess Arandier, command!â
Arandierâs shout was more than enough to silence the entire banquet hall.
âDo not disturb the Master of the Spring Garden.â
She wasnât the only one.
Behind the crown princess, there was one more creepy being closer to Sienna.
It was Ashiel Nacht who suddenly called out his Named.
He was staring straight ahead with his motionless red eyes, with his back to Sienna.
His Named was the one who sentenced the invisible death.
It was clear that if anyone crossed the boundaries he had declared, that one would be doomed to death.
âYouâd rather risk the emperorâs life than give me a chance to heal?â
Then it was obvious where she had to attack.
Loreina raised her voice. As if this situation was very embarrassing.
âYour Highness the Crown Princess! Dame Hesaros has no healing powers. I will see His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possibleâŠâ
The road was already opened up in the crowd.
What appeared was a middle-aged man dressed in an all-black armor.
âThe Master of the Spring Garden doesnât have healing powers?â
The owner of the underworld with the Named that once killed the Epic Loraxar.
The crown princess with a huge sword, which was said to cut off the waist of Taesan.
Even the grand prince of the underworld, who could kill anyone.
They were also the emperorâs closest blood relatives.
No one could cross the borders they had drawn, neither by force nor by cause.
Loreina clenched her teeth. And she looked towards Sienna.
âYes, do whatever you want!â
âBut even after this is over, you wonât be able to just move on.â
Sienna Hesaros would be guilty of assassinating the emperor.
Those who blocked her would be charged with the crimes of being accomplices!
âI will do that, for sure!â
On the podium, a huge flow of magic was churning.
Siennaâs long hair was fluttering fiercely in the air with the flow of golden magic.
[The poison is terrible. Death is too close! Hurry up!]
Looking at the pale old manâs face, Sienna clenched her teeth.
Following the circuit Hesaros had drawn beforehand, Sienna diligently sent her magic.
The moment when the magic of the sparks finally arrived at the end of the circuit.
A gigantic flame erupted.
Sienna poured all the power of the flame into the emperor.
Through his feeble breath, through his lungs and into his heart.
The heart, which had lost its strength due to poison, was burned with a flame to cleanse it, and Sienna was briefly bitten.
Like a blacksmith pounding the hammer, she poured out magic in one breath straight into the heart!
The emperor coughed and spit out a black liquid. It was a liquid mixed with dead blood and poison.
The dying heart started beating again.
Sienna took over his heart and sent her magical energy rapidly through the veins that spread throughout his body.
Wherever her power passed, the turbid tainted blood was cleansed.
The purified blood began to revive the dying flesh and bones.
A miracle that should be called a resurrection
An old man who was almost called from death spoke to Sienna in disbelief.
âW-Why⊠are you cryingâŠâ
But the emperorâs first words were not to rejoice in his survival.
The emperorâs helpless hand staggered across Siennaâs cheek, wet with her dripping tears.
Sienna, who didnât even realized she was crying, forced a smile.
Itâs okay. Itâs okay now. He was healed. She could do it before it was too late.
âI have not lost His Majesty.â
Sienna raised her hand and slowly closed the emperorâs eyes. Now the emperor was not afraid to close his eyes.
Sienna knew more than anyone else in the world that he lived.
ââŠRest a little, Your Majesty.â
âThereâs the Crown Princess, and thereâs the Grand Prince.â
With his eyes closed, merely moments before he fell into a deep sleep for recovery, the emperor said,
âIâm going to take a restâŠâ
A whisper that could only be heard by Sienna, who was close by and listening.
ââŠWait, donât cryâŠâ
Rather, at those words, the hot tears that she had barely endured ran down her face.
Sienna answered through sheer perseverance.
A smile appeared on the emperorâs lips. As if he was relieved then.
The flames subsided. Then the crown princess, who came closer, checked the condition of the emperor.
Hearing those words, a breathless astonishment quickly spread through the hall.
The grand duke murmured as he watched the flames flutter and slowly faded away.
ââŠIs it the second flame that bloomed in this world?â
The first time it saved his lifeâŠ
Kekekek wasnât that fun?
Ame: Grandpa Emperor, you have to survive TT_TT
ZZZZ: Yes, Grandpa Emperor, you have to survive! Youâre one of my favorite characters!