“I have a younger sister.”

Helia’s eyes widened. Despite all the time they had spent together, it was the first time Miel had spoken about herself.

“She has never been free to roam as she pleases. She has been coiled up in a room, cursing herself.”

Not a day went by without hearing her sister’s cries of anguish. Her self-loathing words cut into Miel’s heart as much as her sister’s. Miel’s sister had every reason to love herself; how could she not? But because of one undeniable truth, she claimed she could never do so. She cursed her own existence.

Miel’s chest ached as she watched her only sibling wither away, confined to her room. Yet what filled her with despair was her own helplessness to do anything about it.

“You have so many wonderful qualities,“ Miel had told her, trying to comfort her.

Her sister screamed in response.

“But that one truth is enough for people to throw stones at me, hate and curse me. What use are my qualities when this fact makes me someone who should never have existed?”

“No. You are someone who deserves to be loved.”

“And yet, there isn’t a single person in this world who loves me except for you, Sister.”

“Sister, just kill me instead. End my life and erase me from this world.”

Miel felt as though her heart was bleeding at her younger sister’s anguished cries. Perhaps that’s why the plea of a young princess around the same age as her sister resonated even more deeply within her. Miel couldn’t ignore the desperate plea for survival. She wanted to save someone—anyone.

“Do you understand, Your Highness?“

“No way…“

“Yes, a witch.”

Miel spoke plainly, recalling the overheard conversation between Lette and Helia. She had never imagined that Lette could be a witch. Miel had genuinely believed Lette was a saint, and she couldn’t help but think how much better it would have been if her younger sister had been born with similar saintly traits. How wonderful it would have been if that frail, tender child had been adored by all, just like a saint. But her sister was a witch too, forced to live her life hiding that truth, just as Lette had done.

Miel could only assume that Lette must possess exceptional control over her magic, allowing her to deceive others by using only white magic, which appeared to be saintly power. But her younger sister couldn’t control her magic well, so she couldn’t freely go outside. Her sister refused to accept the truth that she was a witch, and the more she denied it, the more her magic ran wild inside her as if pleading to be acknowledged. When her sister fell into a berserk state, objects around her would shatter or break, the room would shake, and all sorts of chaotic apparitions would wreak havoc. It was enough to make her gentle, delicate sister curse her existence.

After hearing the whole story, Helia’s gaze trembled violently, like a stormy sea. Lette was the only witch she had ever encountered, so she hadn’t realized how difficult life witches endured. Only then did she feel the weight of what she was attempting. The burden was so heavy it felt like her shoulders were crushed, her back involuntarily bowing.

Yet the thought of whether she could bear it never crossed her mind. I can handle this, she thought. That kind of confidence was essential to shoulder such a burden.

“What’s her name?“

“Vivian.”

Vivian. Helia murmured the name, a strong desire forming within her to meet the girl.

“Next time, bring her with you.”

At this, Miel’s face stiffened, looking troubled.

“She’s a child who refuses to leave the house.“

“Then that makes it all the more important for her to hear what I say. Try to convince her by sharing everything we’ve discussed.“

Helia’s words had been entirely confidential. Miel’s face showed she was questioning whether it was permissible to reveal them, but Helia nodded indifferently. It was her way of saying she couldn’t afford to lose Miel and was determined to create a better world.

“And bring her through the main gate in broad daylight.“

Miel’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected instruction, but then she laughed resignedly.

“As you command.”

After their conversation ended, Miel vanished into the darkness as she always did.

Even though Helia was alone, she didn’t feel lonely. On the contrary, she felt a warmth growing in her chest, a pleasant thrum filling her. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists, feeling a satisfying weight on her shoulders.

***

A few days later, late at night, Lette appeared with Ruben, following Helia’s orders. Lette greeted Helia politely, and Helia offered a brief acknowledgment, prioritizing an update on the current situation.

“So, what’s the state of the revolutionary forces?“

“Those who didn’t know I was the leader are satisfied, praising Your Highness as someone even a saint would follow.”

That much was expected, so Helia nodded. She was more curious about the reactions of the revolution’s core members, who had known Lette was the leader. Lette seemed to understand her unspoken question and continued.

“Those who supported me as their leader are quite confused. They didn’t anticipate that even I would swear loyalty to Your Highness.“

“And?“

“Most of them say they’ll follow my decision. If they discover I’m a witch, that might change.“

It wasn’t ideal, but Helia trusted Ikael to handle Lette’s concerns. She had already received Ruben’s report detailing lists of supporters and strategies for dealing with their varying loyalties.

“Don’t worry too much. Once Your Highness steps forward and asserts your authority, they’ll come around quickly.“

“I hope I’m capable enough for that,“ Helia replied with a self-deprecating sigh, brushing back her lush red hair. When her eyes met Ruben’s, he responded with a smile rather than words.

Well, even someone who had once been her staunchest opponent now stood by her side. That realization lightened her mood considerably, and she returned his smile.

“As for the timing to reveal that I’m a witch…”

Helia began, but Lette interrupted urgently.

“Please, just give me one chance. I’ll help you ascend the throne without invoking the saint’s name.”

That was already Helia’s preference. To justify building a nation with the help of a witch, it was better to be upfront about it from the beginning. The backlash of revealing it later would be far worse. Still, such an approach might lead to a less grand start, but Helia was prepared to shoulder that burden. She had never been attached to notions of a splendid beginning. Even if it was just the three of them founding the nation, it would still be better than the current state.

Rather than agreeing immediately, Helia examined Lette slowly, making her feel thoroughly scrutinized.

“Can you do it?“

Helia’s words snapped Lette back to focus. She replied with a voice full of conviction.

“Whatever you command, I will achieve and more.“

“Emperor Alexander gathered five sorcerers to establish his empire, didn’t he?”

Helia said, exchanging a brief glance with Ruben.

After discovering that Lette was a witch, she delved deeply into the founding mythology of the empire and Ruben, focusing specifically on Alexander and the legendary sorcerers who supported him. The materials Ruben brought included some rather unbelievable accounts—none of the tactical manuals mentioned Alexander devising strategies or giving orders to anyone apart from five sorcerers. 

Ruben even managed to obtain a copy of Alexander’s diary, accessible only in the royal library, which suggested that Alexander truly relied solely on the power of the five sorcerers to establish the empire.

When she asked Ruben where he had obtained such materials, he responded evasively, saying he had acquired them from a source well known to her. Helia was a little surprised to learn that he had been in contact with Miel but found it reassuring. After all, information from Miel was generally credible.

“Yes, the founding myth of the empire,“ Helia said.

“Right. Even that great man needed five sorcerers,“ Lette responded with a hint of irony.

Helia tilted her head, and Lette immediately caught her meaning. Smirking, Lette held up three fingers.

“Three,” she said.

“What?“ Helia asked, startled.

“Three witches will suffice for the current size of the revolutionary army. No need for five.”