I Became The Younger Sister Of A Dying Woman - Chapter 59

59. Come out of the room

Mercy.

He was a man who was never mentioned in the original story (or maybe I just don’t remember), nor was he mentioned in this world.

I had never heard his name before entering the palace, nor afterwards.

‘It’s strange that such a unique and splendid man isn’t even mentioned.’

His uncanny beauty should have made anyone stop in their tracks.

“Your highness. Aren´t you studying my face too much?”

Mercy, who was sitting on the sofa across from me, smiled.

He was not offended by my blatant stare.

“Ah. Did I? What the aide put on his eyelids. I like the color, so I stared without realizing it.”

Shall I try red eye makeup next time?

Will Hernan like it?

“Doesn’t the makeup make me look weird?”

“Not at all! Whatever you do, if the result is pretty, it’s fine. Hehe.”

Oops. I unconsciously let out a little laugh.

As I smiled awkwardly, Mercy burst into laughter.

“Pfft.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ahem, Mercy, who stifled his laughter with a fake cough, continued.

“So, you have travelled all the way to the West Palace to see His Highness Illiya today?”

“Yes. I have a sincere desire to see His Highness Illiya.”

“May I ask why?”

“Hmmm.”

I didn’t want to tell Mercy about my personal affairs.

So, I decided to follow Miller’s advice.

“I’ve never seen Prince Illiya before, so I’m curious and I want to meet him in person.”

“I see.”

“And I learned that His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Hernan are upset because of Prince Illiya.”

“Indeed.”

“So now that I’m a member of the imperial family, I wanted to personally solve that issue.”

“That’s a good intention.”

Mercy added quietly.

“…Assuming there’s no other intention.”

I felt hot.

I flicked a stray hair out of my face.

“I wish I had seen you with makeup and looking fancy like other people.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just saying that you’ve made it harder for to be so upfront.”

“That sounds slightly inappropriate, doesn’t it? ”

I frowned.

“As an apology, I will guide you to where His Highness Prince Illiya is.”

“…….Really? Seriously?”

“Yes. Since I’ve been rude.”

“…….”

I had a feeling he was being deliberately rude.

Even though it was obvious he wasn’t.

“You’re here to see His Highness Illiya anyway, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes, but…….”

“I mean no offence, and I have no ulterior motives.”

I sensed no malice from Mercy either.

Despite being just as suspicious, it felt different from the unease I felt with Miller.

Maybe Mercy wasn’t evil?

“Wait a moment. There’s something I want to ask before we go to his whereabouts.”

“Please ask.”

“Does Mercy… know the reason why Prince Illiya severed ties with the world?”

A bitter smile formed on Mercy’s lips.

“If I knew the reason, His Highness’s seclusion wouldn’t have lasted for ten years.”

“…….Right?”

Mercy nodded his head.

It was a simple acknowledgement.

Illiya’s quarters were on the top floor of the West Palace.

He occupies a large room that connects two chambers by breaking down a wall.

All is well, but why does Illiya live at the very top?

“Um, wait a moment. Huff, huff. Let’s take a little break.”

When we reached the third floor, I was so out of breath that it felt like my lungs were tearing apart.

I leaned against Mini and gasped for air.

‘On my way to meet Illiya, I might die first.’

I couldn’t shake off the thought that it was fortunate Hernan, and my bed were on a lower floor.

Mercy, who had been walking ahead, approached me.

With each step he took, a jingling sound echoed, creating a cheerful melody.

It was coming from the accessories hanging on his body.

I thought the sound was strangely pleasant.

It evoked a feeling of nostalgia…

“Your Highness. Are you okay?”

Mercy’s call snapped me out of my momentary daze.

I moistened my dry lips.

“I’m fine. It’s just that I’m out of breath. My health isn’t great.”

“I see. Are you taking any medicine?”

“I’m taking a lot of them. I’ve probably tried almost everything that’s supposed to be good for the body.”

“Still, if you look carefully, there might be something you haven’t tried yet…”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Enough about medicine. Let’s catch our breath.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mercy tightly sealed his lips.

He listened well, and he was quick to express his concern for me, someone he had just met.

By all accounts, Mercy didn’t seem like a bad person.

There wasn’t a trace of negativity on Mercy’s handsome face.

After a few minutes of catching our breath, I felt the energy to walk again.

“Phew. Let’s continue now!”

“Yes.”

“But didn’t you mention that we still have to go up a few more floors?”

Mercy looked apologetic.

“…You’ll need to go up about three more floors.”

Illiya…

If I meet him, I’ll probably start by suggesting that he move to the first floor.

Ugh.

“Challenge accepted.”

I resumed my steps.

This time, the goal was to reach the third floor without stopping.

Upon reaching the sixth floor, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

It was like reaching the summit of a rugged mountain.

I let out a deep breath.

“Haaah. I’m dying.”

The attendants who accompanied me on this journey – Mini, Jackson, and Mercy – all had the same reaction.

Clap, clap, clap.

As if we had accomplished something great, they all applauded unanimously.

“Impressive.”

“Well done.”

“Awesome, awesome, Lady Linzel!”

…I have a strong feeling that I know who said the last line, don’t I?

I winked at Mini.

Receiving so much praise for reaching the sixth floor felt a bit surprising.

I wonder if I really looked that tired.

Once again, I raised my hand to the air.

“Thank you for the compliments, everyone.”

Among several doors, Mercy stood in front of one and gestured.

This is Prince Illiya’s chambers. He might be inside, but… there won’t be a response if you call.”

After catching my breath, I walked slowly to that place.

I knew I wouldn’t get an answer, but I still wanted to speak.

Knock, knock.

“Prince Illiya. I am Linzel Valencia, who married Prince Hernan and became a princess consort.”

I waited for Illiya’s reaction.

Perhaps there was a chance of getting a response… I held onto that tiny glimmer of hope.

However, what surrounded me was stillness, silence, and quietude.

No one among us made a sound.

Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for Illiya’s response.

I tried speaking again.

“Your Highness. If it’s not too much trouble, could we have a cup of tea?”

And once again, there was silence.

“Your Highness. If it’s not inappropriate, would you like to take a walk with me?”

Silence once more.

“Your Highness. If you have any grievances with the palace, could you please confide in me?”

Silence.

“Your Highness.”

This guy, seriously. He doesn’t listen at all.

Being completely ignored made something boil up inside me, I don’t know why.

I slammed on the door.

“Your Highness! I almost died coming here to meet you! Do I have to die for you to meet me?”

…Was I being too extreme?

But those words weren’t an exaggeration, they were true.

I had a frail body that I didn’t know when would give out on me.

And Illiya refused to meet with any kind of people.

I thought this level of persistence was unavoidable. It was our first meeting, after all.

Yet, there was no response coming back.

I slammed on the door again.

Bang, bang!

“Your Highness, isn’t it crazy that a woman you’ve never met is kicking the door and trying to get you to move?”

Bang, bang, bang!

“And you must be furious, right? Well then, come out and scold me. I’m ready to face your punishment, Your Highness.”

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

“So, just come out already!”

I stood defiantly.

Since gentle persuasion didn’t work, I tried the opposite approach, provoking him roughly.

If he still didn’t come out even after all this… Did I have to wait endlessly until Illiya appeared?

“Mercy. Illiya comes out of his room at least once a day, doesn’t he?”

Mercy shook his head.

“I think he comes out once a week.”

“What? Once a week?”

“…Yes. But even that isn’t on a fixed schedule, and the moments are so fleeting that we can’t predict when.”

“…….”

“We leave items and food in front of the door, so he can grab them when we’re not around.”

I couldn’t afford to wait for a week.

I looked around belatedly.

Though they tried to act nonchalant, the surprised expressions on their faces revealed their astonishment at my drastic behavior.

I let out a sigh.

‘I had no other choice!’

Because I wanted to live.

It was a matter of life and death for me.

I couldn’t explain that to them, though.

There wasn’t enough time for me to convince and soothe Illiya… That was the truth.

A deep sigh slipped out.

I hung my head.

Did I have to break down the door to meet Illiya… I wondered.

“Y-Your Highness!”

A surprised voice from Mercy reached my ears.

I lifted my head.

“What?”

“Look at this!”

I looked where Mercy’s index finger pointed.

It pointed to a gap under the door.

From that gap, a small piece of paper was sticking out.

It was clear that it was a note pushed from the inside of the room.

“Could it be… a reply from Prince Illiya?”

“It seems like it!”

Mercy’s expression brightened.

“Many visitors have come before, but this is the first time His Highness has replied. It’s probably because someone as forceful as you are a first for him…”

What? Is that supposed to sound like a compliment?

I shot a glare at Mercy.

“So, was my approach wrong?”

“…No. I simply realized that sometimes excessive actions are necessary to achieve certain things.”

“So, I gave you a good lesson, didn’t I?”

Mercy nodded slowly.

It was a modest agreement, though not wholehearted.

But right now, what mattered most was checking the contents of the note.

I didn’t have time to argue with Mercy any further.

I picked up the note and read the words written on it.