Volume III

Chapter 1. There’s Not Just One Person Who Has Transmigrated (2)

‘It was arrogant to think there wasn’t another person who has transmigrated.’

Even if the probability was extremely low, it shouldn’t have been ignored.

The person who transmigrated from another world was Adelia herself. She didn’t think there could be another transmigrator.

No, she thought about it but dismissed it, which was the root of the problem.

‘Even in the original work, there was Her Highness who remembered her past life, but no reincarnated person. I was too simplistic. My very existence is a variable, yet I was certain there wouldn’t be another variable.’

Adelia pressed her forehead and sighed deeply at the situation where all her plans had become tangled.

Her complexion was dark, as if she was bearing all the world’s worries and concerns.

If the saintess was really a transmigrator and knew the original work, Adelia’s position would become difficult.

Since she knew the world’s secrets and future, she had managed to survive and come this far. But if a competitor with the same information appeared, it was obvious that any future actions would become more difficult.

‘Ah. This is troublesome. It’s certainly related to me.’

The Holy Kingdom was such a closed-off place that information traveled slowly. The news of the marriage announced a month ago had just reached the saintess’s ears, and if the saintess felt something was strange and decided to come to the Empire, the saintess’s target was none other than Adelia.

Then why?

Countless question marks were drawn in Adelia’s mind.

‘Why? If she trembled in fear seeing the Emperor, what’s the reason for her coming to meet? What if she’s aiming for my position or intends to reveal my secrets?’

And if the happy ending of the original work disappears because of this. If it becomes an ending full of pain instead of happiness…

‘Should I kill her?’

Adelia’s eyes sank coldly as she considered the worst option.

She had avoided getting blood on her hands, but if the saintess was going to ruin everything, Adelia was prepared to kill her personally. Even if she had to live as a criminal for the rest of her life, even if it tarnished what remained of her name, she couldn’t give up on the happy ending.

“That’s a statement that could be misunderstood as blasphemy if not careful.”

A rigid voice came out of the Emperor’s mouth, as if interrogating.

Thanks to this, the cold blue sea was warmed by gentle sunlight.

Adelia calmly raised her head to face them. Two pairs of red eyes were looking at her with various emotions.

Confusion, worry, complexity, difficulty, even annoyance – among the various emotions, fortunately, ‘distrust’ was not included.

That fact suppressed Adelia’s complicated thoughts and brought caution.

She couldn’t disappoint those who trusted her.

“I don’t have physical evidence yet, but I can guarantee it on my name. The saintess is fake. There’s a high probability she doesn’t even have holy power.”

“The saintess is a person completely in the light. Without evidence, there’s nothing we can do.”

Even the fact that the saintess skipped a meal was reported in the news, showing how much attention was paid to every move of the saintess. To move such a saintess, a justification that could convince all those people was needed.

Adelia nodded at the Emperor’s firm words.

“I know. To reveal that the saintess is fake, we’d need that much evidence. Even to manipulate the saintess to our liking, we’d need evidence.”

But–

Adelia smiled and tilted her head slightly. Then she added in a gentle tone.

“I said I don’t have physical evidence yet, not that there won’t be any in the future.”

A suffocating silence followed those calm words.

The Emperor laughed in disbelief. Lucian shook his head with a small sigh.

“You already know where the evidence is. What is this evidence?”

“I can find it quickly, so it won’t take long. I should be able to bring it to you by tomorrow morning.”

“What kind of evidence is it that makes you so cautious?”

“Ah. It’s a secret. I’ll explain everything at once tomorrow.”

Adelia winked playfully and put her straight index finger to her lips.

It was playful but clearly a refusal. Faced with this resolute attitude, the Emperor and Lucian didn’t probe further.

“Let us know if you need anything.”

“You two just think about how to handle the saintess. Whether to bring her down or use her, I’ll leave that choice to you.”

Adelia answered, half-closing her eyes. Choosing which option would benefit the Empire was the job of the two suns. Her role was to take advantage in between and handle things in a way that wouldn’t harm the original work.

Adelia stood up, pressing both hands on the sofa. Dusting off her wrinkled skirt, she turned towards the Emperor.

“Then I’ll be going now. A lot of work has suddenly come up, so time is tight. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Her face, smiling with half-closed eyes, was calm as if nothing had happened.

* * *

The place Adelia headed after leaving the office was neither her room in the Crown Prince’s palace nor the new palace she was to stay in.

As soon as she set foot in the imperial palace, she headed where she wanted to go immediately.

“Sister!”

“Your Highness!”

Ariana’s palace.

Ariana had come out early to match the time Adelia was coming. The princess, who had been pacing back and forth at the entrance with her short legs, ran out as soon as she saw Adelia.

Adelia smiled faintly as she watched the princess rushing out and the maids following behind with pale faces.

“You’ll fall if you run like that. I’m not going anywhere, so come slowly.”

“But I missed you so much.”

When Adelia held out both hands, Ariana fit snugly into her embrace. She smiled broadly, rubbing her chubby cheeks.

“You know how quiet the palace was without you? That’s why I missed you so much.”

“Me too. Every time I saw something nice, I thought of Your Highness.”

“Hehe… I prepared tea and snacks in the garden! Let’s go together!”

Ariana held Adelia’s hand tightly and led her to the garden.

The garden of the princess’s palace was filled with gorgeous flowers, making it one of the most beautiful places in the imperial palace.

It was a place where red dahlias, the favorite of the deceased Empress and the princess’s favorite, bloomed all year round.

The white outdoor terrace located amidst the red-dyed garden was where the princess often had her tea time. Adelia stopped walking and gently touched the dahlias swaying in the breeze.

“Until a few days ago, they were a bit withered, but yesterday the wizard grandfather came and replenished their magic. They were fresh for a while even if left alone, but I guess the flowers were sad because you weren’t here.”

“I guess the flowers knew that Your Highness missed me. They’re really smart flowers to sympathize like that.”

The fact that the flowers were fresh because of the magic Adelia left behind every time she came was kept secret for the sake of innocence.

Adelia plucked a fully bloomed dahlia. The red petals danced at her slight gesture.

Since preservation magic was cast on this garden itself, flowers turn to powder and disappear the moment they’re plucked.

Adelia infused white magic into the flower in her hand. Even though she plucked it, the flower remained fresh.

The purification and healing abilities of white magic prevented the flower from withering.

“Wow. It didn’t wither!”

Ariana, finding this fascinating, stood on her tiptoes to look at the flower in Adelia’s hand.

Adelia gently raised the corners of her lips as she watched the princess with sparkling eyes. Then she bent down and beautifully tucked the red dahlia behind the princess’s ear.

“It’s pretty. It suits you well.”

The red flower was inserted among the curly pink hair.

Adelia straightened up again and narrowed her eyes affectionately. She was very pleased with the gorgeous beauty that looked like spring and summer meeting.

Ariana stared at her blankly. Faced with a smile as clear as sunlight, emotions surged as if she could no longer hold back.

“Sister is really…”

Ariana lowered her head, clasping her hands tightly to her chest. Her tightly clenched hands trembled slightly.

Her heart pounded and her face flushed hot. Her cheeks, as pretty pink as her hair, puffed up.

“Too cool! Too good for our brother!”

Ariana, having spilled out the truth inside her, once again threw herself into Adelia’s arms.

Every time she smiled and showed affection like this, Ariana would helplessly fall for it.

Adelia’s clear smile had an irresistible charm. It’s not just a bright and joyful smile, but one that contained the weight of life and benevolence, yet remained untainted and pure.

Seeing such a smile made her heart warm and throb with an overwhelming sensation.