Chapter 11: The Weight of Betrayal and a Glimmer of Hope

“I secretly drew your blood, even bothering to give you medicine with every meal, all while keeping you by my side and showering you with every good thing. What else could that be but love?”

“Thanks to you, I believed I could gain magical power and transform the Imperial House of Ardia into a true family of mages. To break the arrogant Great Temple’s pride, you see.”

The words he had murmured, his golden eyes gleaming, echoed vividly in her ears. Clasping her hands over her ears, as if to shake off the lingering echoes of his voice, her lips trembled uncontrollably.

Were his words entirely truthful, without a shred of falsehood? Or were they merely fabricated to further deceive and ensnare her, especially now that she was confronting him about his engagement?

She desperately needed to confirm it.

Even now, she struggled to fully believe his declaration that he had been secretly drawing her blood all this time, especially given the crazed expression he wore, as if he were the one who had been betrayed.

“Why would he draw my blood, as if he were some kind of vampire?”

If his words were true, she would have likely wasted away and died long ago, even without the pyre. A body drained of blood for over six years could hardly have endured.

The mere thought of Alix brought back a fresh wave of betrayal and despair, causing her to grit her teeth. While fury surged through her, a faint ember of hope stubbornly persisted, tormenting her further.

If his confession had merely been a desperate lie, born of exasperation, it would at least imply that he had once, however briefly, loved her.

But what if he had approached her solely with the intention of using her from the very beginning…?

Selonia buried her face in her palms, struggling to calm her ragged breathing. Even though her body was perfectly healthy now, recalling his betrayal brought a vivid, searing pain, as if she were still consumed by flames.

She understood that her own immolation had solidified the certainty of his treachery, and she was irritated by how foolishly she still clung to him.

Yet, precisely for that reason, she needed to confirm it.

Only by witnessing with her own eyes that six years of her life had been a complete fabrication could she sever the last vestiges of her lingering attachment.

Calming her tumultuous thoughts, Selonia gazed through the window at the cerulean sky, her cool, sky-blue eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Alix was here, breathing the same air beneath the Imperial Palace’s sky, just as she was.

If his confession had been genuine, there was a high probability that he would approach and try to seduce her, just as he had in her previous life.

“I must confirm it.”

If everything he said was true, it meant Alix already possessed more knowledge about her than she herself did, information even she hadn’t known.

Her lineage, her blood, and precisely what he had done with it — she needed to know everything he knew.

Only then could she gauge her next steps.

How should she react if Alix were to approach her again? As she intensely pondered her future actions, a particular location vividly surfaced in her mind.

“…His office!”

Looking back, his office was the only place where he could have hidden such secrets. Even she, who had free access to almost every part of the Imperial Palace, rarely set foot inside it.

Moreover, she had a rough idea of where Alix kept his important documents.

Given the long years they had spent together, it wouldn’t be difficult to pinpoint the location by simply piecing together his casual remarks.

While she couldn’t be certain he would have left any secrets in document form, she might at least find some clue.

In her previous life, she had been confined to the annex palace after the witch trials began, unable to move or investigate, but this time, it might be possible.

If only she could create an opportunity to enter his office.

Between her slowly fluttering pink eyelashes, her eyes, now clear with resolve, shone with a brilliant blue intensity.

***

As if to reaffirm that she had indeed crossed the flames of death and returned, the banquet was scheduled to be held on the very same day as in her previous life.

Consequently, Selonia and the other ladies-in-waiting of the Princess Consort’s palace found themselves incredibly busy.

With no Empress currently in the Imperial Palace, Princess Consort Camilla naturally oversaw all events.

Although she feared making a mistake after more than six years away from the Imperial Palace, her worries vanished as soon as she began to move.

Her previous experience living in the palace, combined with her current knowledge, allowed her to assist with the banquet preparations even more skillfully.

From arranging tables, selecting tablecloths, curtains, and decorations, to hiring the orchestra and drafting invitations, Selonia handled everything with exceptional competence.

She performed her duties even better than instructed, causing even the usually aloof Mariam to regard her with a subtle shift in perspective.

“You’ve worked incredibly hard this time, Selonia.”

Having completed her adornments since early morning for the banquet, Camilla appeared astonishingly beautiful and vibrant, belying her age beyond forty.

Her gaze, which had been admiring her own reflection, now shifted towards Selonia in the mirror.

“Your eye for detail and your taste are both excellent. The banquet preparations have been much smoother than before, thanks to you.”

“That’s too high praise, Your Highness.”

She merely knew a little about the upcoming trends in the Imperial Palace, thanks to her return from the future.

Perhaps mistaking Selonia’s awkward smile for humility, Camilla raised an eyebrow and continued firmly.

“It’s well-deserved praise. You’ve proven that my decision to bring you in as a lady-in-waiting was not in vain, haven’t you, Mariam?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mariam, standing beside Camilla, gave a stiff but ready nod.

Though formally registered and a noble lady, Selonia was the illegitimate daughter of Count Brielle, had not made her debutante, and lacked any significant connections in high society.

When Selonia became a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Palace, it caused quite a stir in society.

While no one dared to voice their opinions directly to Camilla, many engaged in gossip, disguised as concern, suggesting that having an unqualified lady as a maid might tarnish the Imperial family’s authority.

Selonia was well aware of this, which made the Princess Consort’s compliments feel both awkward and embarrassing. As Selonia’s ears reddened and she lowered her head, Camilla simply shrugged and continued.

“I’ve taken up too much of your time helping me with my adornments. Now, you all should return and prepare to attend the banquet. I only intend to keep Mariam by my side today.”

With that gentle yet firm dismissal, Selonia, along with the other ladies-in-waiting, offered a brief curtsy before returning to her room.

The maids of the Princess Consort’s palace, who had been waiting, immediately began to adorn her.

Her hair was half-braided and swept up, and she chose to wear a deep blue dress with a wide neckline.

Having completed her adornments, Selonia gazed at her reflection, absently touching her neck.

The glittering diamond necklace and earrings, which she hadn’t seen in a long time, had been lent to her by the Princess Consort, who had noticed Selonia possessed no significant jewelry.

Since then, she had always worn this particular necklace and matching earrings.

While she was likely the only noblewoman who wore the same jewels to every banquet, purchasing new jewelry was an unthinkable luxury for someone who had yet to establish herself.

After becoming Alix’s lover, she had no occasion to wear these. It felt strange to put them on again after so long.

Though modest compared to the extravagant jewels gifted by the man who sought to exploit her, these, freely given to a lady-in-waiting in need, resonated with her far more deeply.

“You look truly beautiful today, Lady Selonia.”

Perhaps noticing her faint smile as she idly touched the necklace, the maid who had helped her adorn herself spoke cautiously.

Selonia finally tore her gaze from the necklace, turning slightly to face the maid, and a subtle smile curved her lips.

“Thank you, Dora.”

Dora, with her striking curly brown hair beneath her white maid’s cap, had been a maid who often helped Selonia in her previous life as well.

While most ladies-in-waiting at the Imperial Palace brought their own maids from their families, Selonia was alone, which often led to inconveniences.

Though she could manage her own preparations for everyday occasions, major social events like banquets always required assistance.

It was Dora who consistently offered her help, despite the maids belonging to the Princess Consort’s palace having no obligation to serve her beyond basic duties.

As a maid of the Princess Consort’s palace, Selonia had no reason to see Dora after she ceased being a lady-in-waiting.

Yet, Dora’s face, so notably sad at their parting, now resurfaced in her memory.

It struck her that a potential ally, someone she could ask for small favors within the Imperial Palace, had been so close all along.

“Dora, thank you for always helping me like this. I can’t express how fortunate I feel to have you.”

“Oh, I-I just do it because I want to, my lady.”

Unaccustomed to such sudden gratitude, Dora’s cheeks flushed crimson as she stammered.

“Truthfully, I quite enjoy adorning you, Lady Selonia. It’s like… a work of art.”

Dora’s remarkably frank confession made Selonia burst into laughter. It was the first time she had genuinely laughed since her return.

Dora, who had been cautiously observing her reaction, seemed to gain courage from the laughter, clasping her hands and looking at Selonia with renewed determination.

“Um, if it’s not too much trouble, would you allow me to continue helping you with your adornments in the future?”

“I’d be grateful if you would.”

Having a trusted confidant in the Imperial Palace was something she desired even more. She had been foolish not to cultivate any allies in her previous life, leaving her powerless and condemned as a witch without any recourse.

If only she had been able to do something, anything, perhaps things would have turned out differently. This thought had haunted her throughout her walk to the pyre.

Someone might dismiss Dora as ‘just a maid,’ but Selonia now understood how much turmoil even a single maid could incite.

After all, the first to accuse her of being a witch, and the one who gave false testimony in court, had both been ‘just’ maids.

Even if the Emperor himself was behind them.

Selonia smiled broadly, welcoming Dora’s proposition, and Dora, in turn, beamed as if she had received a gift, completing Selonia’s adornments.

Selonia received a careful adjustment of the flowers decorating her braided hair and a final touch-up of her lipstick before slowly rising.

For the first time since realizing her regression, the moment to confront the man who had betrayed her was drawing near.