Chapter 26

The last act of kindness her mother showed as a parent was covering Mel’s feverish body with a tattered blanket.

“I hope you’re born into a better place next time.”

And then, once again, the room went dark. Mel waited in the suffocating darkness that seemed ready to swallow everything, hoping the two would return.

She kept waiting. And waiting.

Even as her body burned hotter, feeling like it would combust, she kept waiting. But the heat eventually surpassed its limits, draining from her young body until her hair turned white. By then, they still hadn’t returned. Mel realized the truth.

I’ve been abandoned.

The child, having learned resignation, let go of everything. Her consciousness began to fade, slipping into darkness. Just as her frail back touched the cold floor—

“What the hell? They left behind a useless kid that’s not worth any money?”

At the sound of the cold voice, Bleria woke from the dream.

Where am I…?

The unfamiliar room she saw didn’t belong to the Heaven estate. Blinking dazedly, she tried to gather her thoughts in the pristine, almost sterile, white space. Her body was drenched in cold sweat, but she wasn’t burning with fever as she had been in the nightmare.

The dizziness that had plagued her just before collapsing was also gone. She was alone, lying in a bare bed.

“Ah…”

Her eyes, like those of an abandoned child, scanned the room. There was a chair next to her, but it was empty. She had definitely come here with Gopher.

Where is Gopher?

She hesitated, rising slowly and walking toward the door. As she turned the knob, she came face to face with someone entering—a priest. The Priest, surprised to see her awake, quickly smiled warmly.

“You’ve woken up, believer.”

Bleria, conscious of the Priest’spriest’s gaze, steadied her voice.

“Lord Gopher, the man who came with me… Where is he?”

“He stayed by your side for a while but stepped out briefly. Apparently, someone he knows came to pray at the temple.“

“Someone he knows?”

So Gopher wasn’t by her side because he was meeting someone else. For a moment, Bleria’s eyes lost focus.

It must have been something important. He couldn’t have anticipated her collapse, which was understandable if he had urgent matters to handle.

She tried to console herself, but her heart sank. The dizziness returned, and her legs gave out. She leaned against the wall for support, alarming the Priest, who rushed to help her.

“Oh dear! Are you feeling unwell again?“

“I’m fine. It’s just a slight headache.”

She clenched her eyes shut, then reopened them.

“I should head back now. Thank you for letting me rest here, Priest.“

“Take care. May the blessings of the divine follow you.”

Exchanging formal farewells, Bleria left, her lips pressed tighter than usual.

The path outside was entirely white. The expansive, radiant temple was nearly empty, as it was early morning. The place exuded a sense of purity, but to Bleria, it felt like rejection. Her steps quickened, and a name echoed in her mind.

Gopher.

Since becoming Bleria, this was the first time she had dreamt of her childhood nightmares.

She had thought it would be better than dreaming about the real Bleria’s return. It wasn’t. Emotions spanning time churned in her chest.

She felt scared. And lonely. It was unbearable knowing no one was by her side. Gopher wouldn’t soothe her for feeling this way, nor could she speak of past emotions. Yet, she still wished he were there. She wanted to see him.

Even if he was busy with work—just for a moment. A very brief moment.

Perhaps her desperate longing had an effect. As soon as she stepped outside the temple, she spotted Gopher’s figure in the distance.

“Go…”

He was speaking with Eos Liche. Bleria clamped a hand over her mouth as Eos’s voice reached her.

“I want to find my real family as soon as possible.”

What… did she just say?

“I wish I could remember something about them, but I can’t recall anything. Why did the divine take away my memories? And now, even my pendant…”

Eos Liche’s tearful voice left Bleria frozen in place.

A real family lost memories and the pendant. And Gopher was the one listening.

Her cheeks stung as if she had been slapped. She couldn’t even breathe. Then she heard Gopher’s voice.

“Priest Romel is looking into it. There will be results soon. You’ll find them.”

He handed Eos a handkerchief as he spoke.

Gopher didn’t seem the least bit surprised. It was as if he had known all along. He even comforted Eos Liche, reassuring her that she would find her real family. He had left her—collapsed and alone—to be here with Eos.

Ah.

“Let’s talk after hearing the prophecy. I’ll tell you everything then.”

“And once again, no matter the outcome, nothing will harm you.”

“I’ve never lied to you, have I?”

“Trust me, Bleria.”

A lie.

Liar.

I trusted you. I tried so hard to trust you.

Liar, liar, liar.

Her mind went blank, the harsh, undeniable truth sinking in: Gopher had abandoned her and chosen the real one. The cruel yet inevitable reality embedded itself painfully into her thoughts.

Sensing her presence, Gopher suddenly lifted his head. Before he could turn toward her, Bleria quickly hid behind a pillar. Thump, thump. Her heart pounded in her chest as if trying to break free. She held her breath, pressing down hard to suppress the noise. The lack of oxygen was suffocating. Her fingers clenched so tightly they felt like they might tear into her skin.

“What’s wrong, young duke?“

“... It’s nothing. Must have been my imagination.”

Gopher resumed his conversation with Eos. Bleria couldn’t make out their words anymore.

Right. It was all just a misunderstanding.

Her already fragile heart shattered. Every bit of determination, defiance, and hope that maybe—just maybe—things would turn out okay crumbled to dust.

Bleria fled from the two of them.

Her steps quickened, soon turning into a near sprint. Only after creating some distance did she finally gasp for air.

A nauseating heat churned inside her. The sharp ringing in her ears erased all sense of reality.

I need to run away.

But where? Where could she possibly escape to?

Her vision blurred as panic gripped her. Turning a corner, she slammed into something solid.

Bleria stumbled back, clutching her stinging cheek. Looking up, she recognized the face before her.

In the ballroom, his eyes had seemed like deep wine; in the light, they blazed like fire. It was Mixel Luke Dice.

“This wasn’t my fault. I was just walking along, minding my own business.“

“…Count Dice.”

Why was Mixel Luke here? Ah, he must have come with Eos.

As reality slowly returned, her hazy vision sharpened.

“You always seem to be in such a hurry, like someone running away from something, Lady Bleria.“

“Move aside.“

“Still as cold as ever.”

Grumbling, he stepped aside but trailed behind her. There was no way to escape now. Frustration and anger boiled within her, but as her clarity returned, so did her reason.

Even without Mixel Luke’s interference, she had nowhere to run. No disguise, no money, no destination. If she genuinely wanted to escape, she must wait for the right moment.

To avoid suspicion, she headed toward Heaven’s carriage.

“I was looking forward to seeing you when you last visited the estate, but you didn’t ask for me. I was disappointed.“

“...”

“Have you changed your mind? Really?”

“No, I have.“

“Oh?”

“It seems you’re pursuing someone already spoken for, not Gopher, Count.“

“Not into scandalous types, I see.”

Not that I want to keep walking with him, either.

Bleria came to an abrupt stop. Mixel Luke quickly stepped in front of her as if waiting for this.

“And what about cruel types?”

His voice was cold as he continued.

“People who use others’ suffering and lives however they please and discard them without a second thought. How do you feel about them?”

Even without a direct mention, she knew he was talking about Gopher. Half of it echoed her own thoughts.

But she didn’t want to hear it. Not when Gopher had just used and discarded her this time. Bleria suppressed her bitterness and responded coolly.

“Stop.“

“Five years together—you must know everything by now. Aren’t you supposed to be perceptive?“

“I’ve made it clear I don’t want to talk. Do you find Heaven amusing, or is it me?“

“If I say it’s you, will you slap me?”

He tilted his head mockingly, daring her. So, she obliged. The slap echoed loudly.

That was definitely just venting, Bleria admitted to herself.

Mixel Luke blinked and slowly rubbed his cheek.

“Your hand stings.“

“I’ll lodge a formal complaint with the Allnight next time.”

She expected him to react aggressively, but surprisingly, he remained calm.