Chapter 25

[Hahaha… Ah… hahaha… Betrayer of the friend who saved your life. 

Do you think the fruit of your betrayal will taste sweet? 

Do you think the bloodied face of the friend you abandoned will fade easily from your memory? 

Each time you take another life, thirsting for happiness you could never have, Estelle’s bloodstained face will grow clearer in your mind. 

Do you think Estelle won’t resent you because you’ve suffered and lived a pitiful life?  

Look at you. Estelle was the only friend in this world who truly loved someone as wretched as you. 

You will be unhappy. No matter how much you take or steal, you will never truly have anything. No matter how hard you try to take it, you will fail. Your entire life will be nothing but loneliness.]

Evelyn experienced a Soul Link. 

Holding Estelle’s shattered Stone Killer, broken into two pieces, she experienced her first Soul Link in life, and it was horrifying. 

Estelle’s stone, just before its destruction, cursed Evelyn. 

And even though Evelyn stood there for a long time, waiting, no further words came. 

It had vanished. 

Fine. 

But I am different. 

Once I become the Lion Priestess, I will be eternally happy. 

Nothing can stop me now. 

The divine artifact known as the Stone Killer is traditionally passed down from one Fleur woman to her daughter, and then to her daughter, continuing forever. 

If a daughter is not born to inherit it, the artifact stays with the connected Fleur until her death, waiting indefinitely to find its destined Fleur. 

However, like Estelle’s stone, it can burn all its divine power for its master and shatter. 

If that happens, it is… gone. Forever. 

Estelle’s stone saved both Estelle and Evelyn, only to be destroyed in the process. 

On her way back to Ingénes, Evelyn threw her now-useless friend’s Stone Killer into the Jar River, also known as the “Eastern Black River.” 

She erased all memories of her friend. 

Or so she thought. 

That was until years later, when none other than Estelle’s niece, Lady Jenna, threatened her. 

The antics of that little girl were sharper than expected. 

The hand that had quietly stroked Evelyn’s cheek stung more than she anticipated. 

But the immature antics of someone with little experience end here. 

Evelyn quickly calculated in her mind just how much Lady Jenna might know. 

Perhaps some kind lady had opened her mouth to teach Jenna something. 

If not Lady Biona, then perhaps one or two of the other older women. 

The women who had witnessed Estelle’s radiant brilliance up close, even after nearly 20 years, still believed Estelle would return to revive the legacy of the Stone Killer and recreate its golden age. 

So, when Estelle’s niece, Lady Jenna, first came to the Lion’s Seat, they had high hopes. 

However, the miracle those old women had been waiting for never happened. 

Lady Jenna was not a genius like Estelle. 

She was, instead, a dullard, just like her mother, Olivia. 

Even five years after receiving her stone, she still couldn’t create anything. 

Feigning pity, Evelyn inwardly rejoiced. 

This young girl, however, had astonishingly inherited her father Morgan Herbon’s wit and wisdom, as well as Estelle’s iron will. 

She was an enemy Evelyn could never let her guard down against. 

Evelyn had thought that if she killed Jenna’s precious younger brother, the girl wouldn’t be able to overcome her grief. 

I underestimated you, Lady Jenna. 

Now, I will face you with everything I have. 

Forcing a smile onto her stiff lips, Evelyn spoke. 

“Lady Jenna, this old Emperor’s concubine has overstepped and disturbed your mood. Please forgive me, Your Lordship.” 

Naturally, the cautious Chancellor merely stood there, smirking at Evelyn’s sudden change in demeanor, her expression mocking. 

“Did you mention the Red Stone to the Emperor?  The Red Stone that the Emperor has been desperately searching for to fulfill his dream of uniting the continent?  It wouldn’t be difficult to find it myself, destroy it, and bring the Red Stone back, as I’ve seen how the Stone Killers of Lucus captured it.” 

“…” 

“But, Your Lordship, if rumors spread that the Red Stone has appeared, the four nations of the continent will undoubtedly be thrown into upheaval, and war will break out. Would you be alright with that?” 

“And why wouldn’t I be? There are already countless large and small wars happening every day. 

If the Red Stone appears and Ingénes seizes it, all those wars will finally come to an end.” 

Foolish child. 

“No, Your Lordship. While that may be fortunate for the entire continent, it would not benefit you at all. Because, Your Lordship…” 

“…”

Evelyn spoke with a sharp tone. 

“Your Lordship, you have a beloved fiancé out on the battlefield! As long as His Highness, Prince Adrian Henrique, remains there, the Red Stone must not appear. That way, Your Lordship, you can remain happy, and His Highness can at least preserve his life, don’t you agree?”

Evelyn’s words carried a heavy implication. She thought to herself how easily a man on the battlefield, like Jenna’s brother, could die at any moment—whether it was a death caused by her or a death that Graham was inevitably destined to face. Evelyn’s gaze hardened as she silently warned Lady Jenna Fleur.

Step away from the Red Stone. That belongs to me, Evelyn Fleur.  

Her voice turned icy as she added.

“Unless, of course, you’d like to see your beloved Adrian Henrique meet an untimely death as well.”

Jenna remained silent, momentarily stunned by Evelyn’s words. The clever Lady, despite her sharp wit, had been rendered speechless by the elegance of Evelyn’s threat. 

Evelyn smirked inwardly.

See that, child? This is how you make a threat—not by openly declaring you’ll cut someone down to their face, but by planting fear that lingers in their heart.

Feigning politeness, Evelyn continued.

“I’m just an old concubine hoping to quell your curiosity about the Red Stone, Lady Jenna Fleur. Ahaha, your face has turned pale. Why is that? Is it because of the threats of this old woman with neither position nor affiliation to her name? Or is it because you’ve only just now realized your love for Adrian Henrique?” 

Evelyn’s eyes glinted with malice as she observed Jenna’s expression.

Lady Jenna Fleur, didn’t your father ever teach you? You must hide your love. The moment someone learns about the person you love, that person becomes your weakness. 

The pitiful young Lady’s expression shifted as she realized the gravity of Evelyn’s words. Jenna had unwittingly exposed her vulnerability. Evelyn had not thought that Jenna truly cared for Adrian Henrique. She had assumed their engagement was nothing more than a political performance. But now, Evelyn understood the truth. 

That engagement… it was real!

Evelyn’s heart leapt with triumph at the revelation. 

However, Jenna, refusing to back down, lifted her head high and responded with surprising composure. 

“Lady Evelyn, I’ll be honest with you. I recently lost my beloved Graham. If carving out my chest with a blade would allow me to see him again, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to do so. Loving someone hurts that much.” 

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she listened.

What nonsense is this girl spouting? Is she trying to say she won’t act recklessly anymore?

Jenna’s calm tone did not falter. 

“It hurts so much that I want to convey my resolve to never lose another loved one again.” 

The young Lady let out a deep sigh, her composure cracking slightly as she gritted her teeth and whispered coldly. 

“Listen carefully, Lady Evelyn. Make sure you don’t touch Adrian Henrique. You’re quite good at making threats, aren’t you? Well, here’s my response to your threat.” 

Evelyn watched Jenna intently, her expression unreadable. 

“If Adrian Henrique so much as breaks a nail, I will personally cut you down. From now on, you’ll ensure that Adrian is protected so I don’t have to worry about him. After all, you just admitted with your own mouth that you’re the only one on this continent who wants him dead.” 

Evelyn’s composure finally cracked.

“Do you think… do you think the Emperor would tolerate such insolence?! You arrogant—!” 

Her voice rose as she found herself cornered, resorting to shouting in frustration. 

Jenna’s lips curved into a mocking smile.

“Hehe, Lady Evelyn. I never act carelessly. If I do cut you down, I’ll divide your body into four pieces, scatter them in different places, and hide it well enough that the Emperor will never find out. So don’t worry about that.” 

Jenna’s voice turned sharp as she added.

“Why are you just standing there glaring at me? It’s so easy for you to talk about killing the only Imperial Prince, despite your insignificant background. Now, get out.” 

Evelyn froze, her mind racing. Jenna’s temperament reminded her of someone.

Looking back, Estelle had exactly the same temperament.