***

Reina quickly read the words written on a very small piece of paper, then immediately lit it on fire and burned it.

“Yuta, there are a few things I had prepared—take them with you.”
“Yes. Is there anything else you want me to pass along?”
“No.”

Yuta reached out and pressed a specific sequence of patterns into the wall with practised ease. A small hidden compartment opened up. He took a fist-sized pouch out of it and tucked it into his coat. He gave Reina a slight nod.

“Watch out for any tails.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Then he left the room with a calm, unbothered stride, as if nothing had happened.

Reina watched him go quietly, then let out a short sigh and slowly rose to her feet.

‘Even if they haven’t figured it out yet, it’s only a matter of time now.’

Though she had faked her death, she had also been steadily rebuilding her influence. It wasn’t something she could keep hidden forever. The Emperor wasn’t a fool.

‘Maybe I need more money.’

Reina frowned slightly. Even the funds she had been quietly siphoning from House Berend were limited. If Kaelid or Eldan ever found out that their money was being used to support someone else — especially that woman — they would probably die of shock on the spot.

A soft, mocking laugh escaped her lips.

Reina had been secretly corresponding with the Third Princess, who had lost the fight for the throne. She had fought the current emperor to the bitter end, but her forces had crumbled in the face of Berend’s ruthless advance, forcing her to concede defeat.

Although she had bowed her head, the Emperor was not one to spare the life of a former enemy, no matter how lowly. According to the official story, the Third Princess had died in an unfortunate accident.

But the truth was slightly different.

Some were plotting to overthrow the Emperor one day. Before her ‘accident’, they had whisked her away. Their aim was to rebuild her power and one day return her to the throne.

Reina discovered this by pure chance. The moment she revealed what she knew, someone tried to kill her to keep her silent. However, instead of resisting, Reina said that she wanted to join them.

‘Earning their trust was the hardest part…’

Although he was doubtful, the man in charge was well aware of the risks involved in killing Kaelid’s beloved ‘little sister’. So, for once, he chose to trust Reina.

She had supported the cause wholeheartedly, albeit discreetly, ever since.

It had been nearly two years.

If the Third Princess were to reclaim the throne, it would be a devastating blow for the Berend family. But for Reina, that would never be enough. Toppling the Emperor, whom Kaelid and Eldan served, wouldn’t feel like justice.

She knew the princess wouldn’t go out of her way to avenge her personally either.

She had always wondered how she could deliver a true, undeniable blow to Kaelid and Eldan.

The answer came when she met Zephion.

‘One day, once he knows the whole truth, I’ll send him to the Princess.’

Although he was the last of his kind, Zephion was a blood-born Baltgar, a child of iron and war. If raised properly, he would be a valuable asset to the Third Princess.

However, given his growing resentment towards the Berends, he would make the perfect weapon.

She had considered telling the princess about Zephion beforehand, but ultimately decided it was too risky and remained silent. At that time, the only members of the Berend family who knew about Zephion were Kaelid, Reina and Yuta.

If word started to spread beyond them, it could easily spiral out of control. After all, no one could predict how people might act. It was better to be cautious.

Reina turned her gaze towards the window. In the distance, she could see Yuta riding away on horseback with the pouch of jewels tucked inside his coat.

Nobody suspected anything of the man’s frequent outings — he was known to run errands outside the estate, after all.

“Phew…”

She scanned the area for anyone who might be following him, but nothing caught her eye.

‘Even if someone does follow him, Yuta can handle it.’

After all, he’s good enough to be teaching Zephion swordsmanship.

Feeling reassured, Reina slowly resumed walking. Her cane tapped steadily against the floor with every step: tap, tap.

Initially, she found the sound unbearably awkward, but now it felt strangely natural, as though she had always lived with it.

By balancing her weight on one hand and dragging one leg slightly behind her with every step, she had somehow adapted to it. It was strange how normal it had become. Perhaps it was because she had accepted that she would never fully recover.

As she walked down the hallway, Reina suddenly paused and looked down over the railing.

She spotted Zephion down below, diligently swinging his wooden sword. Despite knowing that Yuta was away, the boy wasn’t slacking off in the slightest. He was throwing himself wholeheartedly into training, and it was that earnestness which made her stand by the window for longer than intended.

He wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve and, perhaps sensing her gaze, looked up.

She instinctively wanted to step back and hide, but her leg didn’t move quickly enough. The moment passed, and their eyes met.

“Reina!”

Zephion waved both hands enthusiastically, his voice bright and his expression delighted. Reina smiled faintly and raised her hand slightly in response.

“I’m coming up!”

“No, you don’t need—”

But she didn’t even get to finish her sentence. Zephion had already darted off. She watched his small figure disappear through the distant door.

All Reina could do was stand there, unable to stop him.

Soon, the sound of light footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Zephion appeared around the corner.

“Reina!”

He threw his arms around her waist. Remembering how he’d knocked her over before, he made sure not to put all his weight into it this time.

“Did you see me?”

“See what?”

“My training.”

Zephion’s eyes sparkled. She couldn’t quite guess what kind of answer he was hoping for. When she simply nodded, the boy beamed proudly.

“Yuta said my stance is really good. What did you think?”

“You’re doing great.”

Although she didn’t know the first thing about swordsmanship, she couldn’t think of anything else to say given his expectant look.

“He said I’m a fast learner. He said something about how blood doesn’t lie.”

“…”

“What does that mean, that blood doesn’t lie?”

It seemed that Yuta had said more than he should have. Reina gently pushed away the boy who had been clinging to her.

“It just means you’re talented.”

Zephion smiled proudly, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. As Reina started walking again, the boy followed closely behind her.

“Reina, does your leg still hurt?”

“Not right now.”

“Should I give you a massage again?”

“No need.”

“But you’re still using the cane.”

Disturbed by this, he lingered near her hand, which was holding the cane. Then he swiftly slipped his arm under hers.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ll support you.”

Suddenly, she remembered something he had said about helping her walk wherever she went. Seeing him trying to follow through on his promise made her chuckle.

Rather than turning him down, she gently rested some of her weight on his shoulder.

‘Will he try to keep that promise, too?’

She couldn’t quite picture how he would manage that. In a few years, everything would be different. Maybe he wouldn’t even remember making it. Children’s promises were usually gradually forgotten as they grew up.

Reina shook her head slightly and held onto Zephion’s shoulder.

There was a time when the slightest push would have sent him tumbling — he was so fragile.

Now, Reina glanced at the boy beside her and felt a faint sense of unfamiliarity.

He was ten now. Although barely a year had passed since she took him in, he had changed dramatically. He had grown nearly three hand-spans taller, forcing them to refit his clothes several times. The child who used to barely reach her waist could now easily wrap an arm around it.

Thanks to regular meals and constant activity, his frame had filled out evenly, and it was easy to imagine how much larger he would become. Everyone from House Baltgar is said to be big, no doubt he would soon shoot up past her.

Everything was unfolding exactly as she’d hoped.

Zephion was growing stronger by the day, absorbing every lesson like a sponge. His obvious happiness was an added bonus — the happier he was now, the deeper his eventual sense of betrayal would be.

“Reina, that book I read the other day was really interesting. Have you ever read it? It’s about Lord Prakia and…”

She watched his animated face as he chattered on beside her.

At first, she felt nothing. Even when she stared into his golden eyes, which had a steely quality despite his fear, she could only think about how to use him. She’d planned what he would become once he was grown up, imagining just how she might hurt him.

She’d once thought that watching him tremble with betrayal and hate for her would bring her satisfaction. But at some point, that thought stopped being purely enjoyable.

Maybe it was his bright, innocent smile, oblivious to her thoughts.

Or maybe it was the blind, unwavering affection he showed her, which was fitting for a child.

Reina pressed her lips together.

She tightened her grip on Zephion’s shoulder.

“Does it hurt, Reina?”

The boy froze and looked up at her, concerned, mistaking the tension for pain in her leg. She could feel his small hand instinctively reaching out to check her injured leg.

“I’m fine.”

Reina answered slowly, averting her eyes from his worried gaze.

She’d never once thought of herself as weak. Not even now, when she was using Yuta without hesitation — exploiting him for petty revenge against Kaelid, dragging him down and breaking him.

So why was Zephion the only person to whom she couldn’t remain indifferent?

‘Is it because he’s a child?’