Chapter 38

Upon arriving in the capital, I booked a room at a luxurious hotel. Sarah, unfamiliar with the city, cautiously observed her surroundings.

I didn’t scold her for her curiosity and even gave her a small room. Though modest, it was a room fit for the children of nobles, and Sarah was touched beyond measure.

“My lady, can I really use such a nice room?”

“Just keep it a secret from the other maids.”

“Yes, of course!”

“I’m here to unwind, so I’d like to be alone today. Is that alright?”

Sarah nodded enthusiastically, happy with her accommodation. Fortunately, I chose a young maid; an older one might have sensed something was amiss.

While Sarah enjoyed her time in the small room, I changed into the men’s clothes I had prepared and slipped out of the hotel.

I boarded a carriage stationed near the hotel and headed towards Marquis Amber’s estate. I was anxious about how things would unfold and trembled at the thought of meeting Kazak.

After paying the coachman, I looked up at the Amber estate. Though not the front gate, I was very familiar with the place. I had been the lady of this house, paying attention to every brick in the wall and every blade of grass in the garden.

Sneaking into the estate was easy for me. I still remembered how the guards were posted around it. I had suggested tightening the security.

At that time, Kazak was pretending to be a good husband and had gladly accepted my suggestion.

Of course, he later criticized me, saying,

“That woman tries to take over even the husband’s role.”

I set aside my gloomy thoughts. The important thing was that, thanks to that experience, I could easily sneak into Kazak’s mansion now. I walked through the corridors I could navigate with my eyes closed until I reached Kazak’s bedroom without encountering anyone.

“What is it? No one called for you.”

Kazak spoke from the bed, sensing my presence. I approached slowly and placed a knife at his throat just before he could lift his head. The blade pressed sharply against the scar I had inflicted.

“Kazak, your wound has healed nicely.”

At my affectionate greeting, Kazak gasped as if he would faint. Just seeing my face seemed to remind him of the horrifying events in the basement. I smiled, thoroughly pleased.

“Again, again…”

“Yes, it’s me again.”

“You crazy woman. Why are you here? I told you I know nothing!”

I pressed the blade deeper and harshly accused him.

“Nonsense. I know how much you’ve done for Prince Cain.”

“Listen…”

Kazak, trembling, began to plead with me.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but it can’t be just because you dislike me. If it were, you would have killed me already.”

“You’re smart.”

“Then tell me what you want!”

Kazak shouted desperately, his voice grating like metal on the floor in terror.

“Don’t yell. Even if I get caught, I’ll kill you first.”

I whispered menacingly, and Kazak nodded quietly in understanding. I nodded back and slightly eased the pressure. When someone is too scared, even threats don’t work.

“I’m not interested in you. We have a common enemy, don’t we? You must feel betrayed by Prince Cain, too.”

Anger flickered in Kazak’s eyes, not towards me but towards Prince Cain, to whom he had been loyal.

He had never betrayed Prince Cain. He thought they were in the same boat even if they were not wholeheartedly loyal. But Prince Cain had treated him contemptuously over trivial rumors.

“What exactly do you want to do?”

Kazak’s attitude changed. Where there had been fear of an uninvited guest, now there was calculation and a willingness to cooperate. Though still wary of the knife at his throat, he seemed ready to talk.

I lied calmly.

“I want to ensure the Crown Prince ascends the throne without discord. It’s only natural to want to eliminate Prince Cain.”

“The Winsley family has always been loyal to the Emperor.”

“I find that boring.”

Kazak didn’t doubt my words much. In his worldview, there was no room for familial or inherited loyalty, making my words seem plausible.

As Kazak wavered, I pressed on with the crucial matter.

“I need a weakness for Prince Cain. Something so decisive that even the Emperor can’t protect him.”

“Prince Cain has Princess Abigail. While Cain himself might not be, Abigail is cunning. It’s not that easy.”

As I tightened my grip on the knife, Kazak hastily raised his hands in surrender.

“There is a way. Prince Cain has been trying to bring all the families loyal to the Emperor under his control. This required enormous funds, which he diverted from various taxes.”

“Like the funds meant for Sasha’s territory that were supposed to go to the Glary slums?”

Kazak laughed bitterly.

“You know that much.”

“It was a mistake to think your crimes would remain buried forever.”

Kazak didn’t hesitate long. His quick-thinking, profit-driven nature took over.

“What do I get if I help you?”

“I’ll help you escape safely.”

“Like Marian?”

“Yes.”

Unlike Marian, however, you will meet your end wherever you run. I looked at him with a brazen expression as if there was nothing more to say.

Kazak glanced down at his arm, where his hand had been severed, and burn marks marred his flesh. Following Prince Cain further would offer no benefit. It would only drag him deeper into the flames.

“Fine,” he said calmly.

“But I won’t be satisfied with just Marian’s fate. I need something safer, more luxurious.”

“You’ll have to arrange the wealth yourself,” I replied.

Not that he’d take any of it with him to the afterlife.

Taking my words as acceptance, Kazak finally began to speak.

“Prince Cain is currently setting a trap for the Crown Prince. I’ll make sure it proceeds quickly.”

“So that the truth comes to light.”

“You’re sharp.”

Feigning to remove the knife, I then tapped his cheek with the flat of the blade. Kazak’s smile froze.

“Don’t act superior to me,” I said, bringing the knife close to his throat again, this time drawing a thin line of blood. He shivered, silently signaling his understanding.

“Let me be clear: I can enter this mansion anytime without anyone knowing. Killing you in your sleep would be effortless, understood?”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll remember.”

“Good.”

I grabbed his hair and pushed him away, wiping the knife on the bedding before standing up.

“Finish the task by the end of the week.”

I left the mansion, Kazak still lying frozen on the bed.

I stopped a carriage and climbed in, heading back to the hotel. As we traveled, I noticed a distant white building that seemed familiar. I watched until it was out of sight before realizing it was a temple of the goddess.

How could I have forgotten? That was where I met my end in my previous life.

* * *

Before dawn, I knocked on the small room door to wake Sarah. She opened the door, her face gleaming from enjoying the luxuries.

“Did I oversleep? I’m so sorry, My Lady!”

“It’s fine. I came early.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. We have somewhere to go. Could you get ready?”

“Where are we going?”

“To the temple…”

I wasn’t particularly devout in my past life, but only the goddess could have resurrected me. It felt right to visit her temple and pay my respects.

As she prepared my accessories, Sarah tilted her head in thought.

“I heard His Grace the Grand Duke also visits the temple often.”

Her words reminded me of meeting Julian at the temple. When I had no one to trust and no one to save me, Julian had helped. Despite his appearance, he was kind and couldn’t ignore my cries for help. The priests weren’t surprised by his presence, suggesting he visited frequently.

“Is that so?”

I replied as if hearing it for the first time.

“He must be very pious.”

“Perhaps. Could you prepare a veil? We’re going to a crowded place, and I don’t want to draw attention.”

“Oh, I talk too much. I’ll hurry.”

Sarah quickly got to work.

Given we were going to a temple, a modest dress seemed appropriate. I chose a navy dress and a simple veil. Sarah, dressed in a neat maid’s outfit, carried my parasol.

Unlike yesterday, I was going out as a noblewoman, so I used the Grand Duke’s carriage that had brought me here.

Sarah, fascinated by the capital, kept chattering and then apologizing. Unlike the sly Anna, she was endearing, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Listening to Sarah’s careful chatter, the trip to the temple didn’t take long. As we arrived, she opened the parasol for me. I thanked her with a smile, and she blushed, holding the parasol more diligently.

I looked up at the white building, feeling a sense of awe. Was the goddess really here? If so, why had she brought me back?

As I pondered, stepping forward, a priest approached and stopped me.

“My Lady, you cannot enter right now.”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.