I immediately walked up the long, long staircase.

Though I thought I had responded as calmly as possible, my hands were trembling.

“Sienna!”

Behind me, I could still hear Foil screaming.

“Aah! Aaagh! Let me out, get me out of here!”

Then came the rough shouts of the guards. Someone seemed to be restraining Foil, but even so, his wailing continued for a while.

I squeezed my eyes shut without realizing it.

His screams felt like they were grabbing my ankles, and it was agonizing.

That’s when it happened.

“Sienna! You won’t be safe either in the end!”

When I instinctively turned my head, my eyes met with my father’s.

I clutched the hem of my dress and quickened my steps.

“……!”

Soon, quiet footsteps echoed behind me, but I couldn’t stop hurrying up.

By the time my breath reached my chin and my legs were trembling—

“Sienna.”

Ainberg’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

I tried to compose my expression, but it wasn’t easy while catching my breath.

When I looked back, he had walked up slowly and faced me.

“Sienna, you don’t look well.”

“Your Majesty.”

The emotions I had been suppressing threatened to explode. Foil’s voice cursing me until the end echoed vividly.

But I forced a smile while suppressing them.

“I feel relieved.”

He caressed my troubled face.

“Is that so.”

“……”

When I closed my eyes following his touch, what had just happened felt like a distant past.

And suddenly, the words I had spoken came vividly back to life.

Good heavens.

I told Foil to get lost.

Not even to go to hell, but to get lost.

A laugh suddenly burst out, and I covered my mouth with the back of my hand. Ainberg looked at me with curious eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, very much so.”

I faced him with a refreshing smile.

Millean was right.

If I hadn’t gone through this moment, I would have remained bound by memories from long ago, unable to move forward.

“Actually, I was worried the entire time before coming.”

The truth was, I was afraid.

“I didn’t particularly want to see him, and I wondered if anything would change if I met him.”

“It’s natural to think that way.”

“But I don’t know why I was so afraid and nervous. Looking back now, it was nothing.”

“That’s because you acted bravely.”

I looked up at him with a faint smile.

Then impulsively, I spread my arms and hugged him tightly. He flinched momentarily as if surprised, but soon embraced my shoulders.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“For what?”

“I don’t know, for everything.”

“I think it’s too early to receive thanks.”

“……?”

“Sienna, if you wish, we could end it today.”

Ainberg spoke with a somewhat chilling expression.

“To show such an ugly face to you until the very end.”

“Your Majesty.”

Foil’s reaction just now seemed to have angered him greatly.

But I shook my head.

I didn’t want to give him an excuse.

“No, I think it’s better to follow the established procedure.”

After answering that way and turning my head, I saw Oz coming up the stairs behind us with his lips pressed tightly together.

“Very well, but tell me anytime if you want it.”

I simply nodded.

Perhaps my expression wasn’t good. Ainberg turned around but then carefully grabbed my arm again.

His serious gray eyes gazed at me clearly.

“Sienna, it won’t be easy, but the moment you leave this place, forget everything.”

“……”

“So the past can’t hold us back.”

“Yes, I will.”

The difference from before is that now I’m with him.

I shook off the past that had haunted me like a ghost and took Ainberg’s hand.

Facing his warm, reassuring heat made my heart much lighter.

❀❀❀

“Presenting Her Majesty, the most dignified Empress.”

“You must be tired from your long journey. Please, sit down.”

I looked at Leonora as she sat down with a demure expression.

Until just a day ago, she had been me.

It felt very strange to face her like this, as if she were not a mirror.

“This feels really weird.”

When I muttered without realizing it, Leonora opened her eyes wide.

“Pardon?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m sorry.”

Right after meeting Foil, without even a moment to catch my breath, I had to face people from the Chadmon family.

Father and my brother simply greeted me without saying much, perhaps because the maids and Leonora were present.

Since I had only regained my body a day ago and had already had deep conversations earlier, I was able to finish our conversation without any particular crisis.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

But when my eyes met Sabine’s, it was a bit dangerous.

I almost raised my hand and greeted her cheerfully for no reason.

Why do I feel so happy to see her after just one day?

I felt happy but also melancholic at the same time.

I wouldn’t be able to treat her as comfortably as before.

I wonder if Sabine feels the same way.

“I’m glad to see Your Majesty looking comfortable.”

Leonora spoke in a kind voice.

The conversation paused for a moment, but I wanted to have a deeper conversation with her.

“I have something to discuss with Lady Chadmon, so everyone please withdraw.”

When the last child completely closed the door, only the two of us remained in the spacious and splendid reception room.

“……”

Leonora seemed a bit tense when I dismissed everyone.

“Lady Chadmon.”

I quickly opened my mouth so that Leonora wouldn’t make unnecessary assumptions or become too serious.

“Do you know about what happened during that time?”

Leonora answered with a resolute face.

“Yes, the High Priest told me, and my father also explained on the way here.”

“Ah.”

So Millean had visited.

He must have been quite busy since morning.

“Meeting High Priest Hartmann since morning must have been quite difficult.”

Leonora blinked her large eyes once.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean?”

Then she continued in a calm tone.

“I thought it was fortunate that the High Priest explained everything. He’s the best conversation partner.”

“……”

“I respect and follow him so much that I consider him my second father.”

What?

Second father?

Remembering his cold gaze and noble face, I suddenly shuddered at the thought of calling him father.

“You respect and follow him?”

“Yes.”

Well, I suppose one could respect him…

When I repeatedly questioned her, Leonora tilted her head as if thinking something was strange.

“You also heard from High Priest Hartmann, didn’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. But I find it difficult to agree that he’s a good conversation partner.”

Far from being a good conversation partner, isn’t he someone who constantly lies bluntly and acts pointedly in everything?

When I dropped those words, Leonora seemed quite surprised and shrank back.

“I wonder if I misspoke.”

“No, Lady Chadmon. High Priest Hartmann is a good person. I was just joking with him because we’re close.”

“I see.”

“If it weren’t for the High Priest, I wouldn’t be here, so he’s always someone I’m grateful for.”

I concluded with a generous smile befitting an empress, but…

Ha, the more I think about it, the more absurd it seems.

So he’s picky about people, is he?

Still, I maintained my composure until the end and put on an elegant smile.

While thinking that I must address this point the next time I meet him.

“By the way, Lady Chadmon. Were you surprised when you heard about everything that happened?”

“No, I just slept and woke up, that’s all.”

Leonora slowly shook her head. Then she carefully continued.

“But I think I had dreams sometimes.”

“You had dreams?”

“Yes, I don’t remember exactly… but they were peaceful and pleasant dreams.”

Leonora’s face was consistently bright and happy.

“I always thought I was unfortunate. I couldn’t walk or run freely. I thought I would wither away without ever leaving my bed.”

“……”

“A miracle happened to me. I still can’t believe it. I’m truly grateful.”

Leonora was smiling brightly. It was a beautiful smile that made even those around her feel happy.

“I wanted to thank you too, Leonora.”

“Not at all. I didn’t do anything.”

By then, Leonora seemed completely relaxed and began drinking the tea placed on the table.

Leonora was a good conversation partner. It was clearly evident that she was someone raised with love in a good family and consistently well-educated.

“Lady Chadmon, how about coming to spend time together occasionally?”

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

Then I suddenly thought of Soniel.

“Have you met Lady Viper?”

But Leonora’s expression wasn’t good.

She momentarily stiffened her face and said to me.