She doubted her ears.

What exactly am I hearing right now?

The woman’s moans gradually grew more intense.

She raised her voice as though she wanted someone to hear.

“Ah, Be, Beatus… Ahh.”

When Selvia got a little closer, she immediately recognized who the voice belonged to.

The clear, pearl-like voice filled the garden with its seductive tone.

‘Leliana.’

It was a voice she had heard countless times.

She knew all too well the voice Leliana used when seducing men.

An enigmatic smile spread across Selvia’s expressionless face.

‘I didn’t expect her to act this quickly.’

She moved further inside to see the two beasts howling with lust.

She wasn’t surprised, as she had known this would happen.

From the moment Leliana opened her eyes after the accident and saw Beatus, desire had flickered in her eyes.

That greedy, gleaming gaze.

It was the same look she had shown every time she took something from Selvia.

And Leliana had the power, talent, and charm to do it all.

“Sister cannot bear your child.”

“…How do you know that?”

“Well, everything around sister loses its light and dies. Her body is no different.”

Leliana pressed herself against Beatus, her arms around his neck.

Her hands slithered like snakes across his entire body.

“Sister will die soon. Beatus, I am the child of light that the prophecy spoke of.”

She continued whispering into his ear as if trying to enchant him.

His ears gradually became deaf to everything but her heavenly voice.

“Yes, unlike Selvia, you radiate light. She couldn’t even bear a child despite receiving my seed.”

“That’s not your fault. It’s because sister is inadequate. I’m different…”

Beatus dug into Leliana’s neck like a beast, biting it.

They seemed not to care if anyone heard them.

Who would care about a queen who couldn’t even bear children?

It had been Leliana’s place from the beginning anyway.

So Beatus wouldn’t care who it was as long as they could bear a child.

All that mattered to him was having a child of his own blood.

Rustle—

Suddenly, Beatus’s movements stopped at the sound of someone’s presence.

Sweating and panting, he raised his head to look around.

Leliana grabbed Beatus’s face and kissed him, focusing his attention on her.

She already knew who was watching.

Her sister was visible not far away.

Selvia stood with her arms crossed, staring directly at Leliana and Beatus.

But surprisingly, there was a slight smile of amusement on her face.

‘…She’s smiling?’

When Leliana’s eyes opened drowsily, Selvia smiled even more broadly while staring at the two.

‘Why does she look so pleased?’

Leliana couldn’t understand Selvia’s attitude.

She looked as if she had just witnessed a scene she had been waiting for.

After staring for a while, Selvia suddenly turned and left the garden.

Selvia’s steps were incredibly light and as composed as ever.

The flowers that had bloomed fully around her path began to wither as she walked.

With each step Selvia took, they lost their life and turned to ash.

‘Child of light…’

There was one thing Leliana didn’t know.

The dying Selvia was the child of prophecy.

A child who grew by consuming darkness.

Selvia turned her head to look at the path she had taken.

She smiled faintly as she watched the life consumed by darkness disappear.

The withered flowers had already vanished, and new sprouts were beginning to emerge.

* * *

Selvia woke up early, ate breakfast, and left the palace.

“Tell His Highness I went to inspect the city for administrative duties. Though he probably won’t even ask.”

“…Yes, understood.”

“Where is he now?”

“Th-that…”

The maid bowed her head with an embarrassed expression.

She didn’t need to say it; Selvia could guess. He was probably with Leliana.

“He must be handling important matters. He won’t say anything about me going out for inspection.”

Selvia put on her outer garments and got into the carriage.

She had to go out since staying in the palace made her uncomfortable.

Nobody paid attention to her anyway, so life in the palace was easier.

Opening the window to feel the breeze, Selvia smiled faintly.

She had only one wish—that Leliana would take her place just like this.

* * *

She got out of the carriage wearing a cloak and looked around the city.

After getting out with her guard escort, Selvia spoke to him.

“Do you want everyone to know who I am? Follow me discreetly.”

“Understood.”

The guard finally stepped away from Selvia.

Selvia had always preferred exploring outside to staying in the stuffy palace.

As she was slowly walking through the city to buy necessary items, a familiar face caught her eye.

Selvia walked a bit faster forward.

‘Huh? Surely…’

She must have seen wrong?

But Selvia’s feet were already following someone.

Though he was wearing a cloak, it was definitely Ian Devorsel.

While she hadn’t completely believed Leliana’s words, she never expected to see him like this.

Although it wasn’t her business, her curiosity was too strong to stop.

“Where did he go?”

He was definitely around here.

She quickly followed the golden hair that disappeared into the crowd, but eventually lost him.

At that moment, Selvia quickly turned around as she felt a presence behind her.

“…Why are you following me?”

The languid voice that fell to her ears was quite welcome.

Selvia suppressed her twitching lips and slightly removed her hood.

Ian’s eyebrows twitched as her golden eyes sparkled in the darkness.

“I thought you were someone I knew. Isn’t that right?”

When she smiled and spoke to him, he hesitated for a moment.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a difficult situation. I just followed you because I was glad to see you.”

Fortunately, it seemed there was nothing wrong.

He looked fine for someone who had broken off an engagement, perhaps he hadn’t had feelings for Leliana after all.

“…I’m glad to see you here as well.”

Ian responded to Selvia’s words with a bright smile.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“Will you tell anyone you saw me?”

Startled, Selvia stepped back.

His scent brushing against her nose set off inexplicable warning signals in her mind.

His blue eyes curved into crescents.

Selvia composed her expression and shook her head.

“…No. Don’t worry about that.”

Leliana wouldn’t be curious anyway.

In contrast to her sister, Selvia was curious about what Ian was thinking.

Why was he here? And when she had glimpsed him earlier, he didn’t seem to be alone.

It looked like he had been with someone, but his companions had disappeared.

“But what were you doing here?”

“I was looking around the city for something I needed. Lady Flandre, or should I say Queen now?”

Selvia’s brow slightly furrowed at Ian’s words.

It felt strange to be called Queen by others.

Beatus had prevented her from even attending social gatherings until she bore a child.

He said she should only see and hear good things, but that was just an excuse.

Selvia whispered back to Ian.

“Please call me by my name, as it would be troublesome if my identity was revealed.”

“…Understood. Next time we meet, I’ll call you by name.”

Ian shrugged as he moved his face back from its close proximity.

“I’ll go first. Just to say it now, I ended things well with Leliana.”

This was sincere.

If he had married her, he might have been as unhappy as herself.

After all, Leliana would do anything to stay by Beatus’s side.

Selvia gave him a slight smile and tried to pass by.

“We’ll meet again soon.”

“…Pardon?”

When Selvia turned back to ask, Ian had already vanished.

* * *

After briefly touring the city, Selvia returned to the palace.

The palace was somewhat noisy, and the maids seemed busy.

“Your Highness, you’ve returned.”

“Everyone looks busy.”

At her casual remark, the maid’s eyes widened.

“A delegation from the neighboring country is coming in a few days. I believe it’s for diplomacy since they have a new emperor.”

“…A new emperor?”

“Recently, the emperor of the neighboring Karina Empire passed away. The crown prince has ascended as the new emperor.”

“I see.”

“It seems the new emperor plans to send a delegation. I think it’s probably for show.”

The Karina Empire…

“Ah, and I heard that the Karina Empire has absorbed Sorenpia.”

“…What?”

There were four kingdoms on the continent surrounding the Karina Empire.

Delpheron, Sorenpia, Bellori, and lastly the Kingdom of Serendel.

Though they occasionally traded and had diplomatic relations, there was no close friendship. They had lived peacefully with non-aggression treaties between them.

The Kingdom of Delpheron was quite powerful on the continent and naturally didn’t worry much about invasion.

But now the Karina Empire had broken the treaty.

“So that’s why they accepted this unprecedented friendly gesture. His Highness must have felt uneasy since the treaty was broken.”

Since nothing good would come from war, this must be an intention to maintain good relations.

Selvia changed her clothes and sat in a chair looking out the window.

“Where is His Highness?”

“Well, he must be busy attending to matters now.”

“Busy, is he? Then I’ll have to handle things myself.”

Selvia calmly drank her tea.

Since she held the position of queen, it was her authority to decide what to do.

It was also a perfect opportunity to connect with the empire. They too would need the child of prophecy.

“We’ll need to prepare for the banquet along with the delegation list.”

“Yes, I’ll bring the necessary documents right away!”

The maid bowed and quickly left the room.

It was fortunate at least. The maids listened well to her words.