I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

“Miss, is it that you are so happy to see me? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Ah, no. How did you get here?”

“The Empress Dowager said Miss Eliana was going to see the princess, so I came this way. The lady-in-waiting helped me out.”

Fin winked at Sophia, who was next to her.

Sophia was with Fin, she realized.

“Thank you, Miss Sophia.”

When Eliana thanked her, Sophia nodded indifferently.

“Thank the Empress Dowager.” She said bluntly and held out a letter.

As Eliana stared blankly, Sophia added, “It’s from the Empress Dowager.”

“Ah…” 

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

When Eliana nodded and took the letter with confusion, Sophia turned and walked away.

Eliana stared at her retreating figure, still stunned, and opened it.

It was brief.

[ I heard that you’ve been having a difficult time staying alone.

  You’ll be leaving the palace anyway, but please make yourself at home while you’re still here. ]

This was something that other people would think Hera did for Eliana.

But Eliana has fully read into her intentions.

‘So, it’s true. She sent Fin just in case I didn’t want to leave the palace.’

Just by writing this, it was clear that she would leave the Imperial Palace.

She expected this, but for some reason, she felt emotional confirming it again like this.

Eliana peered at Fin.

Does Fon know that Fin is here?

She was a little skeptical, knowing how deeply Fon cherishes his younger sister.

Eliana asked with her face full of doubt, “Does Fon know? That you’re here?”

“My brother doesn’t know yet.”

“So, did you come secretly?”

When Eliana was surprised, Fin shook her head.

“I couldn’t tell him because he hasn’t been home in a few days, since he’s busy with work. Besides, you’ll be leaving the palace soon, so don’t you think it’ll be okay?”

Then, she replied casually, not worried that Fon hadn’t contacted her.

“…” 

Eliana was silent.

‘Did she send Fon on a mission just to bring her here?’

Hera seemed to have brought Fin into the palace while Fon was away.

No, maybe Fon would never come back.

Of course, she just hoped that was not the case.

Eliana stumbled as if she were dizzy.

It’s hard to keep her body healthy, but she keeps getting hit by these burdens.

However, she knew well that she was not cold-hearted enough to remove those same burdens.

Eliana looked at Fin with pity without realizing it.

Fin gave Eliana a worried look and supported her as she wobbled.

“My lady must’ve had a hard time. What can I do?”

“No, I’ve been doing really well.”

“What do you mean, ‘well’! Your face has gotten thinner!” Fin argued, sadly staring at Eliana’s face.

Eliana smiled awkwardly.

Now, she had to protect Fin with her life.

What would Verkley say when he sees Fin?

Eliana touched her head, a splitting headache making her hurry toward the Central Palace.

* * * 

“Princess, Young Lady Mussieux requested me to deliver this.”

“What is it?” Mary asked, looking at Cherdi with dim eyes.

Cherdi put the basket down on the table.

Mary’s gaze was naturally drawn to the basket.

Inside the basket were colored yarn, bamboo needles, and books.

A small letter was also placed in the middle.

Mary’s hand inched toward the letter.

Eliana had already come to see her several times, but she sent her back each time.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her; she was just scared. She thought that the moment she saw Eliana, she’d sob.

Mary didn’t want her tears to be seen by others.

The letter was quite long. Mary read the letter, her eyes following down the paper.

[ Princess, this is Eliana Mussieux.

  How are you feeling?

  Were you surprised at the ceremony?

  It’s only natural for you to be heartbroken. You went through something like that in a palace where you deserve to be celebrated. 

  I was upset.

  We worked really hard to prepare it.

  But I’m glad the princess was not hurt.

  After all, being healthy is what’s best! You need to have a strong body to have a strong mind!

  I heard you’ve been hauled up inside your room.

  You’re not blaming yourself for what happened that day, are you?

  If that’s the case, then you’re greatly mistaken.

  It was an accident, not the princess’s fault.

  Still, I know you can’t help but feel upset.

  Princess this may sound a little presumptuous, but… if you deny your emotions, they’ll only get more intense.

  Admit that when you’re tired, you’re tired, when things are hard, things are hard, and when you’re sad, you’re sad. If you read through these emotions enough, you’ll feel better.

  So, after you’ve had enough of going through a hard time, being tired and sad, please be brave and stand tall again.

  I can keep waiting until then!

  Simple tasks help when you’re depressed. Wouldn’t knitting make you feel a little better?

  I hope my present will help you, Princess. ]

“She seems like a better person than I thought.” Cherdi hinted at Mary, who had just read the letter.

Mary folded the letter and put it back into the envelope, taking a deep breath.

It was the first time she had received a letter that worried about her.

She had never received a handwritten letter from Kallius.

Most of the letters from Kallius were written by someone else’s hand.

He was so busy that he didn’t think much of it.

Maybe that’s why she felt strange receiving this caring letter from Eliana.

Eliana’s kindness was unfamiliar and heart-warming.

Her support somehow cheered her up.

“Yeah, she’s a really good person.” Mary smiled in response to Cherdi’s words.

This thing that had been clogging her chest seemed to loosen just a little.

‘Yeah, as Eliana said, it was just an accident.’ Mary reflected.

It was natural to feel upset about the accident.

It’s only natural that things are hard.

All of this wasn’t because she was a mixed-blooded child. It just happened.

She was a little unlucky.

‘So, let’s get through this with a little pain. I’ll say things are hard when they’re hard and admit that it’s natural to be sad when I’m sad.’

It was strange how Eliana’s letter was much more comforting than sweet candy.

Cherdi breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Mary smile.

She felt a little energized.

After a while, Mary spoke calmly. 

“Cherdi, I was upset.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. I was upset.”

Mary mumbled the same thing over and over again and smiled with a huge glow.

Cherdi smiled along as Mary got up from her seat.

“The weather looks nice. I want to take a walk. Will you accompany me?”

“I’d love to,” Cherdi answered brightly and followed Mary out of her bedroom.

* * * 

“Hello, Your Majesty. My name is Fin.” Fin grinned, introducing herself in a cheerful tone.

Next to her, Eliana stared in astonishment.

That’s because Fin’s greeting did not fit the royal etiquette at all.

The etiquette for “blind” Verkley was a little more special.

After an introduction, she had to put his hand on her forehead to prove that he was not in any danger.

But Fin’s greeting was simple.

Since she is a commoner, she cannot have known the proper etiquette.

‘Why do you have such a cheerful expression?!’

Fin didn’t seem to sense her incongruity on her own.

Eliana poked Fin’s side and whispered, “Hello? Why are you saying hello to him like he’s your neighbor?”

“What? What should I do?”

“Don’t just look at him like that. Bring his hand to your forehead and say, ‘I greet the sun of the empire,’ and be respectful.”

“Ah!” 

Fin was startled and panicked.

Then, Verkley opened his mouth.

“It’s all right, Lili. The girl just seems to be a little clumsy in etiquette.”

Fin’s expression went blank when Verkley called Eliana “Lili” with a certain warmth.

Fin immediately looked around to see if there was anyone else.

Eliana glanced at Verkley, careful not to let Fin notice.

It was because his tricks were too obvious.

After their contract, Eliana was very much impressed with his two-faced façade.

He was only friendly when they were with others.

But when they were alone, he showed his true personality.

The gap between his two personas was truly enormous. Every time, he’d tease her, saying he’d kill her in a mean tone or growling mercilessly.

Even though she knew his true intention was the latter, she couldn’t help but feel the former was intense.

He was fairly communicative and had not done her any harm yet, but he was a tyrant in the novel.

Of course, she was starstruck every time she witnessed his acting skills.

How can he say things without changing his expression?

Eliana stared at Verkley like he was incredible.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty!”

Fin bowed her head and thanked Verkley for his generous attitude.

Verkley smiled kindly and nodded.

Anyone watching would think he’s a saint.

Verkley smirked as Eliana strangely grimaced behind Fin.

It was a very foolish expression.

He seemed to be dying of annoyance with Fin’s appearance attracting something quite troublesome.

Having been around Verkley for a while now, she has only improved her ability to read his expressions.

Eliana hurried up to him and whispered in his ear.

It was because she could see that if she didn’t explain things right now, it would be very distressing for her later on.

T/N: Hello! I’m nieye, the translator/editor for this novel. If you’d like to support me, head over to my Ko-fi (っ˘ω˘ς ). Thank you for the love <33

P.S. I start school in 2 days, so updates will be less frequent (╥_╥) I’m sorry!