Chapter 10: The Nightmare of the Past
──Why, why, why…
“Marcel Marquis’s daughter, it is said that you poisoned the Saintess and attacked her with water.
Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
“Your Highness, that woman is at fault!
She tried to steal you from me, so this is only her just punishment!”
“I do not recall being something that can be stolen.
I merely had many discussions with the Saintess for the sake of the nation.”
“But you spoke with her in the courtyard many times…
You even invited her to the palace!
My friends saw you together intimately again and again!”
With coldly gleaming eyes and an expression void of emotion, His Highness looked at me as though I were a disappointment beyond words.
“Are these the same friends who brought reports and evidence of your repeated harm toward the Saintess?”
“What?
That cannot be!”
“Regrettably, your engagement to me has been annulled.
This decision has been agreed upon by His Majesty and your parents.”
As though I were not even worth a glance, he turned away without meeting my eyes.
His retreating figure made my entire body grow cold.
No, wait!
Please do not go!
“Your Highness!
Please wait!”
♢
“What do you mean by this?!
What did you say to His Highness?!”
“Hehe, we merely told him the truth when he asked.”
“The circumstances have changed.
There is no longer any need for us to remain by your side.”
“You were chosen as fiancée for your magic alone.
Since this is the end, we shall tell you.
You were in everyone’s way.”
They laughed cruelly, their faces twisted.
These were the same girls who once showered me with convenient praise.
Now their eyes glittered sharply, their lips warped, their faces appearing blackened with malice.
What had I been seeing all this time?
Their mocking words did not cease.
I do not know these people.
And yet…
I, too, had spoken down to others just as they were doing now.
Had my face been just as ugly?
♢
“Rashel, what have you done?”
“Father, I…”
“What were you looking at when you stood beside His Highness?!
To harm the Saintess—what were you thinking of the nation?!”
“No, I… I…”
“Tomorrow, you will be sent to the convent in our territory.
There you will reflect upon your actions.”
Father covered his face, looking worn and aged.
Mother sat silently on the sofa, her eyes swollen from crying.
♢
The carriage rocked gently as it moved.
“Milady, Sarah is happy to have met you.”
“Sarah… I have made mistakes in everything.”
“Milady was always kind.
Perhaps you were simply influenced in the wrong direction.”
“No, it was I who chose that path.
Even when I would not apologize, the Saintess told me that anyone can make mistakes.”
“As expected of the compassionate Saintess.”
“…When I reach the convent, perhaps I can grow closer to her.
To become like that woman who carries such beautiful light.”
“Of course you can.”
“Sarah, you truly are too gentle.
I know I can never become like her.”
──Crash.
The shrill neigh of horses and the coachman’s scream rang out as the carriage lurched violently.
“Milady, what is happening?”
As trembling Sarah and I clung to each other, the carriage door was thrown open.
And before my eyes, dull silver blades gleamed.
♢
“…Milady, Milady!”
Sarah’s voice pulled my consciousness back.
Before me was not the terrified Sarah clutching me in the carriage, but the present Sarah peering anxiously into my face.
“Milady, you seemed to be having a terrible nightmare.”
“I am fine.
It was only a dream… yes, a bad dream.”
“I see.
You are sweating as well, so I shall bring a cloth to cleanse you.”
Sarah smiled in relief and turned to leave the room.
“Sarah, thank you.”
“Yes, Milady.”
She no longer widened her eyes in surprise when I thanked her.
She simply smiled happily.
A letter from His Highness rests beside my bed.
It must have arrived today.
I sit up and open it.
Along with words of concern for my health, it reads:
“I will bring a chef to introduce to the Marquis household regarding the matter we discussed.”
Ah… the matter of my appetite?
And from there, a chef?
I truly do not understand how His Highness’s mind works.
Still, these exchanges, unlike anything in my past life, make that dreadful nightmare feel distant.
That alone brings me comfort.
Now then, I must compose myself.