Chapter 3 – Part 2

Cedric still didn’t appreciate the High Priest’s praise of Eliana’s aura. Conversely, Eliana was wary that his words might serve as a catalyst for pushing forward with the marriage. Cedric picked up his teacup and downed the remaining tea.

“I hope the day comes soon when I can bless your marriage,” the High Priest said, watching Cedric’s reaction.

“Cough.”

Cedric choked, coughing violently.

“Your Highness, please use this,” Lydell quickly handed him a handkerchief.

“The tea must be hot.”

“No, the temperature is fine. It’s just that your words were sudden…“

“Sudden, Your Highness? How can you say that? The entire empire, including our temple, is eagerly awaiting your marriage. It is a promised event, is it not?”

Somen emphasized. The mere mention of the marriage made Cedric want to spit out his tea. Eliana also felt uncomfortable but did not show it openly in front of the High Priest.

“A promised event, indeed…”

Cedric repeated Somen’s words, digesting them slowly.

“I have a question, High Priest. Please answer it for me.”

Cedric requested of Somen.

“Does it have to go exactly as promised?”

Cedric subtly expressed his unwillingness to marry Eliana, hoping for a different answer. Somen gave a knowing smile.

“No, Your Highness. Sometimes, people’s actions can change the future. Nothing in this world is completely fixed.“

Somen’s clarity pleased Cedric for the first time in a long while. A small smile curved on his lips.

“I see. Well, in that case, there is no need to rush. It hasn’t been long since the engagement.”

Cedric cut off decisively.

“There are things to set right first.”

He added with firm determination, glancing briefly at Eliana.

Their audience with the High Priest concluded. Back in their original place, Rachel was nowhere to be seen; only Noah awaited them. Eliana had intended to explore the temple a bit more.

‘I thought I might hear the voice that revived me if I came here. But instead, I encountered unwelcome guests, and my schedule got messed up.’

Eliana exited the temple with Cedric, Lydell, and Noah.

“Travel safely back, Your Highness.”

Lydell bid farewell and disappeared into the temple. As Eliana turned away after exchanging farewells with Lydell, she noticed something moving near a tree by the temple.

‘What is that?’

She looked closely and recognized Rachel. She had not left but was waiting for the Crown Prince.

“…”

Eliana saw her but did not acknowledge her. Cedric also noticed Rachel hiding there, and his posture showed his regret.

‘Why does Rachel have to hide to see me…‘

Cedric’s heart ached to see Rachel hiding.

‘He looks utterly heartbroken.’

Eliana thought as she observed Cedric’s back.

His pity for Rachel Slonian, the same compassion he had never shown even when Eliana was being killed, was now abundantly evident, making her heart grow colder.

Cedric suddenly turned around, glaring down at Eliana with a face full of fury.

“We need to finish our conversation, Eliana.”

He growled.

“Yes. Go ahead. We’re no longer in the temple, so you can raise your voice if you like.“

“Apologize for your disrespect earlier.“

“I have nothing to apologize for, Your Highness. Everything I said was sincere and something I’ve wanted to say for a long time.“

“…!”

“I’m tired of being criticized and suspected just because I attend events I’m supposed to. I will no longer attend events with you if His Majesty passes away. Wouldn’t that be reasonable for both of us?“

Eliana’s refusal to apologize submissively, unlike before, enraged Cedric.

“Do you really mean that?“

“Yes, I do. There’s not a hint of falsehood in my words.”

Cedric bit his lip at Eliana’s response.

“Fine! Let’s go to the palace immediately. I’ll tell His Majesty exactly what you said without missing a word. Don’t come crying and begging later.“

Cedric’s voice dripped with anger.

“Be prepared for severe punishment.“

“Your Highness.”

Noah called out, trying to stop him. But Cedric’s face was resolute. The High Priest’s blessing for their marriage, Rachel’s pitiful expression, and Eliana’s defiance all combined to spur him into action.

There was no reason not to go to the palace. Eliana looked at Mila, who was standing aside and gestured.

“I’m going to the palace. You return to the mansion.”

She conveyed her intentions.

* * *

The unplanned visit to the palace. Cedric intended to see if Eliana would maintain her defiant attitude before the Emperor.

Naturally, Eliana wouldn’t. Cedric had grown tired of dragging out time with Eliana. High Priest Somen’s words had empowered him.

“Sometimes, people’s actions can change the future.”

The future…

‘In my future, there is only Rachel.’

Unaware of this, Eliana’s persistent defiance had grated on his nerves. He was determined to convey her wishes to the Emperor.

“We’ve arrived at the palace.”

The coachman announced. Cedric instructed Noah to find out where His Majesty was. He intended to wait in the outer garden until Noah returned with an answer.

That was the plan until he suddenly felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest.

‘Ha……’

The pain was all too familiar. Starting from his heart, the agony quickly spread to his solar plexus. The sharp pain made it impossible to breathe for a moment. He hated it most when the pain struck in an open space. He hated it even more if anyone saw him like this.

‘D*mn it. Why am I in pain again, especially at such an important moment?’

Cedric always aimed to appear strong. Therefore, whenever the pain surfaced, he had to hurry to his room or a private room he had prepared in the Western palace.

Cedric realized he couldn’t wait here until Noah arrived. His room was too far away. The answer was the western palace.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

It was Eliana’s voice. The last thing he wanted was for Eliana to see him in pain, especially when he had reprimanded her moments ago.

‘Especially in front of Eliana, who firmly believes she can help me.’

Cedric leaned against the wall and then grabbed Eliana’s arm. It was the only thing he could hold onto while enduring the pain. Eliana stared at him as he suddenly clutched her arm.

“To the western palace… I must go. Now.“

Cedric’s face was turning pale.

‘It’s the pain again.’

His illness always struck suddenly. There was no apparent cause or specific treatment, so resting was the best he could do.

As much as he loathed his illness, Eliana wanted to cure it. She tried to find a solution, even if it meant searching the entire empire and neighboring countries.

But despite the passage of time, finding a method seemed far off. While doctors and healers could ease the pain, they couldn’t completely cure the illness.

Emperor Davon was aware of his son’s condition. In addition to Cedric, he had a second son, Elesio, and a youngest daughter, Cynthia. Two more candidates could potentially ascend to the throne.

Despite Cedric’s illness, Emperor Davon did not change his decision to designate him as the future Emperor. However, he never mentioned his son’s illness publicly. His policy was to treat it as if there were no issues. Thus, Cedric had always been desperate to hide his pain.

“You… help me quickly.”

He ordered Eliana as if it were only natural, despite having yelled at her moments before.

“……”

Eliana watched him, looking as if he might collapse at any moment.

“What are you… looking at… Help me… I said.”

He groaned as he commanded.

‘I’ll just help him to the western palace.’

Eliana supported him at the Western palace but didn’t say anything further about his pain. Since Cedric had eradicated even the worry from this world, Eliana had nothing to say.

Eliana’s heart beat with a very unpleasant feeling as they entered the western palace. Her body seemed to remember the bad memories associated with this place.

“Just lie down here for a moment. I’ll go get Noah and the doctor……”

As Eliana tried to leave him on the bed and go out, Cedric grabbed her arm again tightly. He seemed to be having a hard time enduring the pain.

“I’ll go get the doctor.“

“Just… stay.”

Cedric said, lying down and covering his face with his hands. Groans intermittently escaped through his tightly clenched lips. In the past, all she could do when he was in such agony was to nurse him.

‘Because I don’t have healing abilities…….’

Back then, she would cry while taking care of him. Those tears were always sincere and heartfelt. But now, Eliana’s heart felt colder than a winter night. She could feel it herself. Her expression would be stiff even without looking in a mirror.

Cedric would probably feel it, too. That everything had changed.

Cedric groaned for a long time. As time passed, the intensity of his groans gradually lessened. The intense pain seemed to have subsided quicker than expected.

“If you’ve calmed down, I’ll get the doctor.”

Eliana didn’t want to be alone with him. But Cedric did not allow it this time either.

“Wait.”

He supported himself on the bed with his arms and sat up, glaring at Eliana. His forehead was drenched in cold sweat, and his hair was disheveled. His eyes held a resentful look as if it were Eliana’s fault that he was in pain.

“Are you… a parrot?”