Chapter 2 – Part 5

“Reconciliation?”

“Yes, sincerely asking them to maintain peace. That way… at least unnecessary sacrifices can be avoided.“

‘It must sound like utter nonsense to him.’

Coming from Eliana, who had never wielded a sword, this advice would seem naive, even ridiculous.

‘It might not sound like advice; he might think my head is filled with nothing but flowers.’

But Eliana knew that the king of Peran didn’t truly desire conflict with Moira. He had only continued the skirmishes to avoid appearing weak, leading to unnecessary bloodshed in a pointless display of pride.

‘He’ll probably dismiss it as absurd.’

But instead of laughing it off, Calix just looked down at her. His deep eyes seemed to seek answers.

‘Why is she saying all this?’

Eliana could have obtained information about the war through some means, but Calix never imagined she would be interested enough to offer solutions. He let out a short breath.

“When did you become a strategist?”

“Not too long ago,”

Eliana replied with a calm smile, turning it into a joke. She didn’t beg him to believe her; that would only make her seem less credible.

“Do I really seem like a strategist? Or does it sound like the words of a fool who doesn’t know any better?“

“There’s no need to put yourself down like that. To me…“

‘The Emperor’s orders to kill indiscriminately seem far more foolish.’

Calix left the last part unsaid. Other customers were near the entrance, so he chose to remain silent. Instead, he took in Eliana’s large blue eyes, delicate nose, and soft lips.

Eliana had finally taken her eyes off Cedric and was looking at him. She had given him advice about the future—advice she wouldn’t have offered if she didn’t care for him, and he was grateful for it.

“If you want to laugh at me, go ahead. I’m prepared for that. Just hearing you take it seriously even once is enough for me.“

‘Before I leave Moira, you’re the only person I want to share what I know.’

She had already braced herself for his reaction.

***

After parting ways with Calix, Eliana climbed into her carriage.

Calix hadn’t laughed at her advice, but he also hadn’t agreed to follow it.

‘I hope he at least considers it…‘

“Store the candles carefully, Mila. Make sure they don’t get damaged.“

“Yes, my lady.”

The carriage traveled for a long time toward the Count’s estate. Soon, the Grand Temple came into view.

“Stop here for a moment,“ Eliana ordered.

“The lady wishes to stop!“ Mila called out loudly, and the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

“I need to visit the temple.”

Eliana stepped down from the carriage and began walking toward the temple as if drawn by an invisible force.

“Are you planning to pray? You might be unable to meet with the High Priest without an appointment.“

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not here to see the High Priest.“

‘I’m here because I want to know if the voice I heard when I returned was the voice of a god.’

Eliana hadn’t heard anything since then.

‘The voice was so indistinct I couldn’t even tell if it was male or female.’

But she was sure it wasn’t a human voice. That voice had rewound her time. She had read stories in novels and religious texts about people who had died and returned to life.

‘Stories about people who stopped breathing and emerged from their graves, or those who were thought dead and came back to life. I never imagined I’d become the protagonist of such a story.’

Sunlight flooded the entire temple, creating a dazzling scene. The sounds of birds fluttering between the trees around the temple were constant.

Inside, it was cooler than outside. Even before her return, Eliana had always felt a sense of peace whenever she visited the temple. It was the one place in the Moira Empire where she could feel at ease.

‘As long as I prayed diligently, I believed no one would harm me.’

Eliana had always felt uneasy at home, so the temple became her sanctuary.

‘Of all places, the temple was the only one that acknowledged me as a suitable match for the Crown Prince. They told me I was essential to Moira.‘

Eliana’s footsteps, which had been silent as she walked, suddenly halted. She recognized the familiar figure already at the temple, praying in the spot Eliana often favored.

***

Rachel had been frequenting the temple more and more these days. When she wasn’t meeting with Cedric or attending parties, she spent most of her time there. She had one fervent prayer—one wish she held onto desperately.

‘Cedric Kynes.’

Rachel clasped her hands together, softly whispering the Crown Prince’s name.

‘Please make him mine. I will marry him and become the Empress of this Empire. I must.’

Ever since she had fallen for Cedric, Rachel prayed for him. Although Cedric was betrothed to her friend, that didn’t matter to her. And it seemed her prayers were being answered.

“Rachel, you’re even more beautiful today. Your pink hair shines like silk.”

Cedric had shown Rachel favor. He wasn’t cold to her, unlike how he treated Eliana.

‘I pity him, trapped in an engagement with someone he doesn’t want. What’s the point of a promise like that?’

Rachel had thought it over countless times, but the reality remained unchanged. Cedric was always at official events with Eliana; in those moments, Rachel couldn’t assert her presence.

With each passing day, Rachel’s hatred for Eliana grew.

‘If only Eliana weren’t here…’

Yet Eliana seemed content just being by Cedric’s side, enduring any harsh treatment with a seemingly naive happiness. Rachel’s anger swelled as she watched this, day after day.

‘You weren’t loved by your own family, so maybe that’s why you’re satisfied with this absurd situation. Smiling like a fool, unaware of how despised you are. Pathetic, really.’

Outwardly, Rachel continued interacting with Eliana as she always had, but deep inside, she despised her.

‘I’m the one who belongs beside Cedric, not someone like you.’

Rachel convinced herself that Cedric’s illness persisted because of the stress Eliana caused him. If that stress were removed, he’d be happier—happier with her.

“Rachel, just wait a little longer. I’ve never considered Eliana as my true match.”

“I can’t accept her as your match either, Your Highness.”

Accepting it would mean forfeiting her chance to become Empress.

“Yes, just a little longer.”

But contrary to those words, Cedric had not yet cast Eliana aside. The longer this went on, the more anxious Rachel became.

‘What if they actually end up getting married? I can’t let that happen.’

She couldn’t accept this situation. Eliana had to be removed, no matter the means.

‘But how? The Emperor’s decree and the temple’s approval are obstacles too immense to overcome.‘

Rachel’s prayers, once filled with love, had begun to change.

‘Please, make Eliana Leiberte disappear from this world. I beg of you. I’ll do anything if my wish is granted.’

Rachel prayed for what she knew she shouldn’t wish for in the sacred temple.

Eliana’s gaze was fixed on Rachel’s back. Rachel was so absorbed in her prayer that she didn’t even notice Eliana approaching. She prayed earnestly for something, and Eliana knew precisely what it was.

At that moment, Rachel exhaled sharply, signaling the end of her prayer.

“When did you get here?”

Rachel stood up, looked back, and was greatly surprised to see Eliana. She was startled to see the person she had just prayed would disappear standing right before her.

Usually, even a chance encounter with Eliana would result in a big show of affection, with Eliana grabbing her hands. But now, Eliana was standing still, simply watching her. Even though she wasn’t glaring, the blue eyes looking at her gave a strange feeling.

‘What’s with those eyes… is it because of that incident at the Lequizet family?’

At that time, Rachel secretly exchanged love whispers with Cedric, and Eliana caught them. Although Eliana might not have fully grasped the situation, her expression that day wasn’t good.

‘So what if she caught us?’

Rachel steeled her heart and pretended to be nonchalant.

“Did you come to pray too?”

Rachel asked, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

“Yes, you too? You seemed to be praying very earnestly. You must really want something, Rachel.“

“Well, that’s the reason for coming to the temple, right?”

“What did you pray for?”