The World Without My Sister Who Everyone Loved

Chapter 11: Healing Flame

At that moment.

Something like light flashed in Ashiel’s eyes.

‘Huh…?’

It was quicker for Ashiel to speak up than for Loreina to back away in confusion. 

“You seemed to be mistaken, but Sienna…”

A smirk was smeared on his lips.

“…wouldn’t beg me to kiss her.”

His goddess, his heart; she never wants him.

That absolute truth chilled Ashiel’s brain, and his misty delusion was removed at once.

‘How can I be deceived?’

He was very angry with himself.

There were various penalties that he suffered because he didn’t have a heart, and Loreina cleverly dug into those gaps… 

Still, it was so terrifying that he mistook this woman for Sienna even for a moment, and he could not stand it.

Loreina, who was close to him, could tell.

Just how angry he was.

His skin was trembling, and powerful veins were popping from his forehead, neck, arms and hands.

Anger like a razor sharp blade.

He had no intention of forgiving the person who mimicked Sienna, the very same person who had used and killed her to the bone marrow.

But Ashiel wasn’t stupid.

He knew why Loreina deceived and brought him now, and he knew very well what she feared the most.

So, instead of breaking Loreina’s slender neck with one of his hands, he gently pushed her body away.

And he said it clearly.

“I’m sorry, Lady Minangsi, but I’m just following your request for help because you’re dizzy and can’t walk.”

“Oh, no…”

“This kind of contact is difficult. Please seek help from others. Or, if you are not feeling well, you should go back today.”

Loreina’s complexion turned pale blue.

A new buzz quickly spread among the people.

In the words of Ashiel a while ago, Loreina pretended that her body was weak to flirt with him, thus she became a woman who knew no shame.

This was the kind of scandal that would follow her to her funeral… 

‘No…!!’

Loreina knew this better than anyone.

Ashiel coldly left her behind, who was standing still, stunned.

The whispers of people flew like arrows and pierced her ears as she stood alone.

“Such a low…”

“I thought she was almost engaged to Duke Euros, but seeing that she behaves like that, I guess not?”

“She must have been desperate. Anyway…”

People were giggling and laughing.

“By the way, this could put the Grand Prince at a disadvantage in the competition with the Admiral?”

“Uh, I don’t think so. Look over there…”

Loreina saw it too.

On the other side, Sienna was approaching Ashiel.

‘I failed…’

She failed, and she was only dishonored.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

“My lady!”

Again, the servant of the Duke of Euros, who was also her chaperone, supported Loreina, who staggered.

Loreina trembled all over, barely steadying her legs.

The trembling wasn’t just out of anger.

It was because she had used too much power to dazzle Ashiel.

As Loreina lost strength, she leaned her body into her chaperone’s arms, almost as if hiding.

* * *

Sienna was watching her from afar.

‘What…?’

It was just a moment, but at a glance, Loreina’s face as she left the hall protected by her chaperone…

‘It looked distorted.’

She looked worse than a patient who had been severely burned, and her face seemed to have melted like candle wax.

But it was too quick and sudden to see clearly… She couldn’t be sure.

“Sienna…”

At that moment, Ashiel staggered slightly, trying to get away from her. But Sienna held him firmly.

“Let’s go to the balcony over there.”

Now, this seemed more urgent than checking what happened to Loreina’s face.

Sienna and Ashiel took refuge on a balcony meant for relaxation on one side of the hall.

“Sienna, I…”

Ashiel weakly held his head and tried to say something.

Sienna said monotonously.

“I know. You fell for Loreina’s magic.”

Red eyes, drunk with pain, looked up at Sienna blankly. Sienna made Ashiel lean against the wall.

At first, even Sienna was fooled.

‘No, rather than being deceived, I couldn’t afford to think of any other possibility.’

Loreina entered the banquet hall with arms folded with Ashiel’s. It was a scene that perfectly stimulated the trauma in her memory.

As soon as she closed her eyes tightly and was about to leave the hall, Ashiel’s voice was heard.

The cold voice that separated himself from Loreina.

Without realizing it, Sienna looked back as if possessed. It was then that her eyes caught on to something she hadn’t been able to recognize because of her shock.

‘Loreina… She used magic.’

Something barely recognizable by her, a Terraformer.

She didn’t know the exact details, but Ashiel seemed to have fallen for Loreina’s enchantment and succeeded in destroying it with his own will without any help.

Ashiel’s expression and footsteps, which had shaken off Loreina, seemed to be composed as usual.

But it was visible in Sienna’s eyes.

That Asiel’s condition was not normal right now.

As Sienna expected, Ashiel appeared to be suffering from a shattering headache in the aftermath of waking up from delusion with his own will.

Maybe if she had noticed earlier and helped him, he wouldn’t have had to go through this pain…

“Stay still.”

Even in the midst of it, Ashiel, perhaps instinctively, was not quiet and relaxed, but tried to stand up straight.

Sienna kicked her tongue and grabbed Ashiel’s shoulder, making him sit down on the bench. And she advised,

“Sit down. It’s a side effect of forcibly breaking the magic, so it won’t get better anytime soon.”

“Sienna…”

Ashiel raised his head. Perhaps because of the moonlight, his face turned pale, and there was a pleading expression that she had never seen before.

Sienna was startled. It seemed crazy, but she had this thought.

‘I knew he was a good-looking person, but…’

Was it because of his begging eyes? Was it because the tears were pooling in his moist eyes?

For the first time, she thought, ‘He is such a beautiful person.’

“I have something to tell you… So…”

Suddenly, the tears trickling down his cheeks fell on the back of Sienna’s hand, which was resting on his shoulder.

Surprised by the sensation, Sienna swept her hand away without realizing it.

Then Ashiel’s expression became urgent.

“Sienna…!”

“I’m not going away, so sit down. Don’t get up.”

At the quick command, Ashiel lowered the waist he had been trying to straighten up.

Still, he was restless and looking at Sienna with tears in his eyes… 

‘…Apparently, the side effects of breaking the magic seems to affect the mind as well…’

The current Ashiel was more than usual, very, very much… 

…An ’emotional’ person.

Unfortunately, time was the best medicine in this case.

As Sienna bit her tongue, Ashiel’s eyes trembled nervously. She once again warned firmly.

“I said I’m not going, so don’t get up.”

“…….”

“Lean your back against the wall.”

Ashiel didn’t hide his anxiety, but he did as Sienna told him to.

“Close your eyes too.”

“Sienna.”

“Hurry.”

At the cold command without emotion, Ashiel’s wet eyelashes fluttered like butterflies.

But soon he quietly closed his eyes.

Perhaps it was because Ashiel was enduring the pain, sweat was forming on his smooth forehead.

Sienna wanted to wipe off that sweat, but…

She didn’t know how Ashiel, who was currently in a ‘very emotional’ state, would react.

Using that as an excuse, Sienna waited a little. After a while, Ashiel slowly opened his eyes.

“Are you feeling better?”

“…Yes.”

Fortunately, the headache seemed to have improved a bit.

The unfortunate thing was, looking at him being so fidgety, it seemed that his emotional state had not recovered.

Probably… Sienna sighed.

“I have something I want to say.”

It didn’t seem like it would end if she didn’t listen to it.

“That…”

Even after giving permission, Ashiel hesitated. Sienna urged.

“Hurry up and say it. Just sit there.”

“…You may not want to hear this, but…”

Ashiel took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Tears rolled back down from his closed eyes.

‘I think I’m probably seeing all the tears this man will shed for the rest of his life today.’ 

“I want to say I’m sorry to you… for every moment of my life.”

Ashiel was connected to the castle of Nacht, and therefore was most affected by the magic that hung throughout the castle.

In that state, he loved Sienna, yet gave her the cold shoulder.

Nacht Castle, the contractor of the millennium box, hated Sienna… 

Those feelings, too, implicitly colored the people who lived in the castle, without their knowledge.

‘So if I hadn’t dared to love you.’

It would have made her situation a little bit easier.
[TL/N: ‘magic that hung throughout the castle’ referring to the first timeline, which includes the fraud/judicial law. And if you remember what the first timeline Loreina said before she died (chapter 10), one of the laws was to make Ashiel indifferent to the person he loves.]

Sienna was at a loss for words in front of his unbelievable confession. She had never thought of the possibility that magic could have worked so deeply and viciously in this way.

“…It’s my fault, nobody else’s.”

“……”

“For saving you despite that… you won’t be able to forgive me…”

Ashiel tilted slightly, but brought his body up. And went on his knees, kneeling before Sienna.

“… Please live.”

He didn’t dare seek forgiveness now.

“It would be terrifying to have to be involved with someone like me, but please, just for the time being… I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to find a way to fix it, please.”

It was okay not to be forgiven forever. It was still cheap.

But what if Sienna refused to continue with her life because she didn’t like it?

From his head to his toes, as if everything in his body was scratched raw and filled with ice… His whole body trembled with cold pain.

Ashiel was terrified of it.

‘Just that, please.’

But Sienna didn’t answer.

Ashiel’s mouth was dry. He became increasingly desperate.

He began to talk nonsense to persuade Sienna.

“If you want, I’ll come wearing someone else’s skin…”

“…What price did you pay?”

Sienna finally spoke up, asking a question.

“…?”

Ashiel did not understand the question at first.

Sienna silently raised the man who was in a mess, teary and letting out harsh breaths. Ashiel, like a lost man, stood up at her instructions, even though he could not understand.

“Sienna…”

“I asked what the price was.”

Ah. Ashiel then understood Sienna’s question.

“Heart…”

Sienna thought, looking at him with a mysterious gaze.

‘That’s why he was deceived.’

Because he sacrificed his heart, the essence of his magic, to save her.

If he was Sienna’s time-axis, Sienna was his heart.

It meant that Sienna wasn’t the only one who suffered losses as they got further apart.

“… How did Loreina cast her magic this time?”

“That, S-Sienna…”

Ashiel’s face turned red. He hesitated, saying that it might not be what she wanted to hear, but Sienna was immovable.

In the end, Ashiel confessed. He was prepared to be hated.

“That… was the magic that made me recognize her as you.”

In Sienna’s mind, the scene where Loreina and Ashiel entered together in a friendly manner was re-drawn again.

But it wasn’t as shocking as the first time.

Why?

Was it because Ashiel saw himself to be with her, not Loreina?

This man, the moment he was deceived, maybe… 

…Was he happy?

Her lips felt dry. As Sienna stared at him, Ashiel groaned as if he couldn’t stand it, and mumbled that he was really sorry.

Sienna asked again, not paying attention.

“So how did you break the spell?”

“…She asked me to kiss her.”

Ashiel gave up and revealed everything.

“But, you can’t make such a request to me…”

“……Well done.”

“?”

Ashiel’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected compliment.

But Sienna was sincere.

A small smile spread across her lips. Just like the other day, she grabbed his collar and pulled him lightly.

She whispered to the gigantic man who was forced to draw closer without strength.

“Do you want to not be deceived again?”

“…How…?”

Sienna kissed Ashiel on the lips.

Without hesitation, she glued her own lips to his lips, which were wet with tears.

Her warm lips bit his cold lower lip, as if torturing him a little. Next, as if hesitating, as if exploring, the tip of her small tongue tickled the inside of his mouth, just slightly… Then she parted slowly.

Ashiel blinked his eyes in disbelief.

Sienna asked.

“Why were you still?”

“It’s… because you… you don’t like…”

“You haven’t done that before.”

When Sienna figuratively stabbed Ashiel, he held his breath. Before he could say he was repenting, she struck first.

“What if I don’t hate it?”

She continued.

“If I don’t hate it… what would you like to do?”

“That’s… absolutely.”

It meant he would never say it. Sienna laughed.

And she ordered, “Get rid of those useless worries…”

“Try it like that.”

…Ashiel’s eyes darkened.

‘Now, this is…’

‘Is my understanding correct?’

Sienna was looking at him with a very slight smile.

To Ashiel, the figure looked like a goddess trying to test how this little idiot in front of her eyes would respond.

It seemed that he would fail no matter what answer he gave.

Sienna closed her eyes in front of Ashiel, who hesitated.

Slowly, watching the long eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks, Ashiel shuddered and swallowed involuntarily.

So… He thought desperately. Sienna told him… What did she say?

“What if I don’t hate it? What if I don’t hate it, what would you like to do?” 

And…

“Try it like that.”

…He would have to try that.

That was Sienna’s order, and again… It’s an opportunity that probably wouldn’t come again.

Ashiel lowered his head towards Sienna, who still had her eyes closed.

But still a bit unbelieving about this reality, Ashiel affectionately bumped his nose against hers before his lips touched. As if asking if it’s really going to be okay.

Sienna laughed a little at his cute behavior. She didn’t refuse.

‘Really…’

His goddess seemed really willing to be worshiped by this lowly man, Ashiel turned around, thinking.

Then he mustered up his courage and slowly touched Sienna’s lips.

At that moment, the unbelievable happened. Sienna slowly opened her lips to him.

The unqualified worshiper trembled with joy. Just the fact that Sienna had allowed him sent a trembling and excitement that burned his head out of control.

It was his heart. It was his heart that no one could break now.

Ashiel carefully embraced the lovely person with both arms.

Sienna received Ashiel’s emotions from the lips and from the desperate gestures of hugging her whole body.

The unfathomable deep passions, the great emotions, which had long been entangled in chains, coveted her.

“Ummm… mm.”

Her head was dizzy at his eagerness to swallow even the sound of her breathing.

But she didn’t want to refuse.

Sienna admitted.

It’s terribly seductive for Ashiel, no one else, to crave her.

Sienna, who was rejected by the whole world, could not be relieved by the warm smiles and friendliness for her.

Because…

…Loreina loved her that way too.

When she needed Sienna, Loreina, too, gave her a smile as much as she could.

She said ‘thank you’ and ‘glad you were here.’

But what about when Sienna lost her worth?

“I hate you enough to kill you, Sienna.”

At that moment, Sienna was ruined. She was thoroughly shattered, so that she could not be relieved by the ordinary, tender love of an ordinary person.

Every time she received a friendly favor, she was forced to cool down a corner of her heart.

The only thing that could gather Sienna that had been so fragmented was a strong craving.

Rather than treat her with kindness, she wanted him to be greedy for her.

He wanted her as intensely and terribly as a madman, a feeling closer to adoration than love.

Ashiel wanted Sienna so much.

Apparently, Ashiel Nacht wanted Sienna like that.

Thus, Sienna became frightened and shook wildly.

Because Asiel had already once been possessed by magic and had a history of being cold towards her.

Hence, Sienna had been gripped by the irrational fear that she would be thrown once again at the most reassuring moment for this man.

If she gets rejected again, she thinks this time she won’t be able to survive.

With her shattered and broken, she feared that she would never be able to put herself back… 

‘However…’

Ashiel Nacht did not give himself up twice to sanity-shattering magic.

Sienna admitted. That fact meant something to her.

She couldn’t say that it wasn’t thrilling for a man who had been cold to her kneeling at her feet. Sienna smiled bitterly at him.

‘For the time being.’

It seemed okay to accept that the two were tied to the fact that they absolutely needed each other.

It was still just that.

* * *

After a long time, how much did they kiss?

As the skin that had been heated by the hand ripping through the hem of his clothes felt cool and trembled, clarity began to return to Ashiel’s eyes.

“Are you okay now?”

Sienna asked calmly, raising the collar of her uniform, which had been ripped open at the nape of her neck.

Ashiel blankly stared at the white nape of Sienna’s neck that was visible through her disheveled collar while she was tidying up, and at her plump lips that were slightly swollen than usual, then he quickly nodded his head.

“Now… It’s fine.”

The voice saying it was okay was hoarse. “Hmm?” Sienna uttered as she looked into Ashiel’s eyes.

“Why…”

Ashiel’s cheeks turned red. He felt ashamed at the thought that he was crying and showing disgracefulness all over again.

“I don’t think everything is okay yet.”

“…Just a little longer and it’ll be okay.”

“Then you have to be honest with me.”

As Sienna poked, Ashiel apologized in a crawling voice.

“I’m sorry…”

Seeing Asiel’s lips, which were still ‘uncontrollable with emotion’, Sienna burst into laughter.

“One more thing before we go.”

“……?”

Ashiel tilted his head with a slightly sullen expression. When Sienna gestured with her finger, Ashiel meekly bowed his head towards her.

Sienna rolled up Ashiel’s disheveled bangs. Then her lips touched his forehead.

“……!”

“A brand.”

A flame clearly drew a pattern on Ashiel’s forehead, then slowly permeated and disappeared.

‘This…’

Ashiel’s shoulders trembled for a moment at the warmth that ran through his body.

At that time, he remembered how Sienna guarded the Duke of Ferrato in the gorge of Elbara.

The brand of protection that Sienna bestowed on him that he thought he would never receive.

Shocked at the unexpected gift, Ashiel rubbed his forehead with his hand. Sienna explained.

“Keep an appropriate distance from her, and periodically, like before… umm, well. If you do that, you won’t be deluded again, but still.”

“…Yes.”

Yes, this was not a gift. Sienna was probably offended that she saw him with Loreina, and most likely just wanted to prevent that.

No personal feelings mixed, just a precautionary measure.

However… 

“Ashiel?! No, why again…?”

Ashiel’s eyes, ‘still unable to calm his emotions’, reddened in an instant. Almost immediately, thick tears began to fall.

Seeing the man dripping with tears as thick as grapes (with a little exaggeration), Sienna became confused.

‘I can’t get used to it just by looking…’

However, even knowing that Sienna was put in a difficult situation, Ashiel could not easily stop his tears.

Sienna’s protection was as innocent as Admiral Ferrato, so he thought that only those who could approach her confidently could receive it.

He was thrilled, grateful, and so guilty. He remembered the self-defense amulets of Sienna’s he had shed in his foolish days, those precious things that now he did not know where they had gone.

He thought she would never give it to him who lost it like that.

“Why are you crying?”

His goddess with a wide heart asked.

Ashiel managed not to sniffle and said, “Thank you…”

Sienna was absurd.

‘Have I been so cold-hearted all this time?’

It’s nothing. Ashiel and she were on the same team. Sienna only took measures to prevent important team members from going over to the enemy. But she didn’t know he would be so moved.

However, it was difficult to keep doing this. The victory banquet had just begun, and the emperor was scheduled to appear shortly thereafter to congratulate those who contributed to the annihilation war of Elbara Gorge.

She couldn’t let him keep crying like this.

“Stop, can’t you stop?”

It was the tone of the Room 6 teacher, Sienna.
(TL/N: the orphanage room 6.)

Ashiel exhaled and inhaled. At Sienna’s words, he tried hard to swallow his tears. Meanwhile, his nose was red.

‘Gosh…’

Fortunately, Ashiel soon managed to calm down. Although his eyes were a little red, and somehow, his expression was tearful and pitiful instead of the usual cold and dry expression… 

‘Still, compared to the tears pouring out until just before, indeed, he’s a nobleman.’

Just then, a voice was heard outside.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

Sienna wished he could calm down a little more, but they really don’t have time right now. She gave him a firm warning.

“When you go outside, don’t say anything, and when someone asks you to say something, only respond with a short answer.”

“…I will do that.”

“If you ever get emotional again, let me know right away.”

‘This is an unexpected reward,’ Ashiel thought.

Actually, the emotional side effects had already been resolved by crying, and except for Sienna, no one could make Ashiel cry like this no matter how upset he was.

Before that, he could solve the situation by solidifying his expression and making it obvious that ‘Grand Prince Ashiel Nacht was in a bad mood so don’t approach him.’

However… 

Ashiel lowered his eyebrows as much as possible and nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

Sienna nodded her head with a look of relief.

It seemed inconceivable that, under her mercy, Ashiel would have done some clever work in his head.

“Come on, let’s go out then.”

Sienna dragged Ashiel, who appeared with Loreina, onto the balcony, and after a while, she took Ashiel, whose eyes were slightly puffy, back to the venue.

It would be like feeding people who were anxious to make a rumor, but there was no choice.

“Oh my goodness…”

“Oh my god…!”

Indeed.

Sienna kept her face indifferent to the gaze focused on them rather than the emperor, and tried very hard not to get convulsions in the eyes.

After a while, rumors spread in the venue that ‘Lady Loreina was vulgarly flirting with the Grand Prince Ashiel, and Dame Sienna was offended by that, so Ashiel knelt down and prayed with tears to relieve her mood. 

This time too, it was a rumor that was both strangely true and not true.

“Oh right.”

Sienna suddenly began to look around.

When Ashiel asked why, Sienna replied as if it was nothing.

“I brought a sponsored cadet child as a partner. This must be the first time he had a position like this, but he’s left alone because I was worried about Grand Prince…”

Remnants of emotions that had not yet been calmed darkly surfaced over Ashiel’s red eyes that were pretending to be serene.

The first word that stuck in his ear like an arrow was…

‘Partner.’

A typical banquet required a partner. In particular, a greater responsibility was still traditionally placed on women.

Loreina, who appeared at a banquet in the center of the country after a long time, did not have a partner, but the excuse of ‘I am not used to the social world and am accompanied only by a chaperone’ worked.

Sienna, of course, needed a partner.

In fact, that was one of the reasons why, even after Ashiel arrived, he could not set his feet in the banquet hall and went round and round.

Naturally, he didn’t even dare to ask Sienna if he could be her partner.

He couldn’t bear to do such a shameless thing.

But when he enters, Sienna would be present with someone.

For example, Admiral Ferrato… 

Ashiel did not have the confidence to face the situation.

Though the thought alone made his fist clenched by jealousy, he was in a position where he should not dare to harbor jealousy.

Belatedly, the memory of wandering around the garden while groaning between the pain of a burning conscience and jealousy came to mind.

Those were emotions that he completely forgot because he was so moved by the kiss with Sienna and the fact that he got a mark on his forehead.

Ashiel came to his senses as if he was covered in cold water.

‘…This is not the time to just rejoice.’

Still, he was a sinner, and Sienna had another partner at the banquet.

“I can’t see him? He said he’d be around the other cadets, but…”

As Sienna muttered, Ashiel furiously rolled his head.

‘She said that the sponsored cadet was a child, definitely.’

That meant, at least, that her partner wasn’t Admiral Ferrato.

‘I’m happy, but…’

Ashiel knew Admiral Ferrato’s personality well. Although he looked good and simple, he was not a man who hesitated to get what he wanted.

‘Perhaps at this banquet as well…’

He likely applied to be Sienna’s partner.

Ashiel clenched his teeth in secret. In principle, it was customary for the ward to marry the eldest son of the guardian family. With that in consideration, Admiral Ferrato’s actions were extremely rude and out of the ordinary.

‘I can’t just leave it alone…’

But Asiel Nacht dared not exercise any power over Sienna.

Was he asking Sienna to marry him for a frivolous ‘common practice’?

‘…How dare I think like a brute.’
(TL/N: I used ‘brute’, but the full meaning of ‘인두겁’ is ‘a person whose conduct or background is not human-like.’)

He suppressed himself like that, but in Ashiel’s true heart, he already wanted to use it a hundred times or a thousand times.

All sorts of excuses ran through his mind.

For example, as the eldest son of a guardian, if he doesn’t marry the ward, people in the world might think that he has a big flaw.

Even just a few years or even a year was fine, so please marry him just once. Even if he signed a contract to give up everything he had, and even if he could not touch Sienna in any way throughout the marriage except for the contact she needed to survive.

Merely in that way, he wanted it to be imprinted on the world that Ashiel Nacht was Sienna’s husband, even just once.

If only they could dress up in robes and swear a sacred marriage in front of a priest, and have no one else dare to ask Sienna to be their partner when these banquets were held, and he could take the role of holding the hand of such a precious person and bringing her into the venue.

Even if that was all he could do, he thought it would be okay to give all his breath for the rest of his life… 

“Ashiel.”

Sienna awakened Ashiel, who was so deeply engrossed in his thoughts that he did not breathe, gripped by jealousy and unfulfilled longing. 

“Are you okay?”

Sienna was looking at him worriedly and suspiciously.

It seemed that she was more concerned about Ashiel’s condition than looking for her partner.

…He couldn’t help but feel good about it. Ashiel felt that he was pathetic, he who had become incapacitated, but couldn’t say ‘it’s okay’.

“…Just a little.”

Sienna looked at him worriedly and said,

“If you think you can’t stand it, tell me.”

Ashiel silently nodded his head. But he actually had nothing to say. Loreina’s magic damaged his mental barriers, so he had a bit of madness and was lost in crazy thoughts. 

He was fully in control of himself now.

Yet, he could barely catch Sienna’s gaze and say, ‘I’m okay’ and be distant again.

It was then.

“Lieutenant Hesaros.”

“Lou!”

While Sienna was briefly distracted by Ashiel, Lou found her.

“This person is…?”

“This is Grand Prince Nacht. Say your greetings.”

“…Is this the Grand Prince?”

The blue eyes staring at him in this short time were sharp.

Ashiel felt a familiar sense of dread in those eyes.

At that moment, Lou saluted first.

“Greetings! Cadet Lou Melanche is meeting the deputy commander of Hell’s Army.”

At first, when Sienna said that ‘the cadet she sponsored as a child was brought as her partner’, Asiel thought about it as a young boy from an orphanage.

However… 

Lou, who stood in front of him, was clearly a boy, but there were many things that could not be dismissed as simply a ‘young boy’.

It’s said he grew up in an orphanage, but thanks to Sienna’s support, he didn’t grow up hungry.

Sienna was tall for a woman, and he was even taller than her, dressed in uniform as she was now, and his shoulders were so angled that it was hard to tell that he was a boy at that young age.

Besides, he was quite courageous, enough to look directly at Ashiel.

The hands, restrained posture, momentum.

From all of this, it was evident that this boy had not neglected his training in many ways.

It seemed to Ashiel that… the boy was hastily whipping up his own growth to look like a grown-up to someone.

Maybe that someone…

“Sir Ashiel?”

Sienna sent Ashiel a puzzled gaze as he didn’t accept Lou’s greeting; he was thinking she was very likely to be that ‘someone’.

Ashiel wordlessly motioned for Lou to relax. In response, Lou uttered his thanks and relaxed his posture.

And… 

“Your Highness, if you don’t mind, may I take my partner?”

…It was a bombshell.

“I’m not used to a position like this yet, so I need a partner.”

It was very provocative, but… undeniably valid.

“…You’re not used to this kind of place?”

Ashiel asked in a dry voice where emotions could not be guessed. Lou shamelessly nodded his head and answered without much change in expression.

“Yes. Lieutenant Hesaros said that she would give me an experience, so I followed her with gratitude, but it was my first time in this kind of position.”

Ashiel’s face, looking at the boy who did not lose, was just as dry and cold as usual.

“Lieutenant Hesaros also said that today she’s my partner, so of course she will be by my side.”

“Um, yes, that’s what I said…”

…She said ‘Of course she’d stay by his side?’

Under Ashiel’s terrifyingly cold-looking face, jealousy boiled wildly up to the top of his neck.

The sudden appearance of the boy claiming to be Sienna’s partner and the deep feelings in his eyes stimulated Ashiel.

Furthermore, Sienna seemed to have no idea about this young man’s black heart.

‘He must have secretly filled his heart by wandering around because he is young and receiving support.’

Ashiel did everything he could to keep his teeth from clenching.

In fact, since they had the same determination, Ashiel and Lou could guess the depths of each other’s hearts as soon as they saw each other.

There was no choice but for a spark to fly between the two of them.

However…

Ashiel was full of jealousy, but that was all.

“…You don’t have to ask for my understanding, please ask your partner, Dame Hesaros.”

This was a small first time he would rather bite on his tongue while talking and hope that he wouldn’t be able to spit out all the words he needed to say.

But there was no choice.

He… He was madly mad at him, but he didn’t deserve it.

Staring at Sienna’s partner with jealousy was something he shouldn’t have done.

“So, Lou. I—”

The moment Sienna was about to answer more.

“His Majesty the Emperor is calling for those who have contributed to the annihilation of Elbara Gorge!”

The servant, who opened a scroll on the podium, shouted loudly.

In turn, four names were called.

Duke Frederick Ferrato, the Master of the Ocean.

Ashiel Nacht, the Grand Prince of the Underworld.

Damn Sienna Hesaros, the Knight of the Emperor.

And Lady Loreina Minangsi.

“…You should go.”

“Lou.”

Sienna put on a very apologetic expression. Lou shook his head.

“It’s okay. I’m not used to it, but there are friends over there, and His Majesty is calling, so you should definitely go.”

From her public position to her usual non-verbal and respectful comments, Sienna felt sorry for Lou.

She brought him as a partner at her convenience, and though it wasn’t her intention as there was an accident, she didn’t treat him properly as a partner.

“Instead…”

“Yes?”

“Sienna, His Majesty has called you.”

Ashiel interrupted then.

“I think it would be better not to delay.”

“Ah, yes. Lou, first of all…”

“When you come back, please dance with me.”

However, Lou did not lose despite the obstacles. He jumped to the point right before Sienna left.

“Because I’m your partner, right?”

As the boy expected, Sienna nodded easily.

“Okay. I’ll be back. I’m waiting.”

Sienna first turned her body towards the emperor’s podium. For a second, Ashiel and Lou’s eyes met behind her back.

Even if they didn’t say it out loud, many things were conveyed through their gaze.

* * *

The meritorious people gathered under the podium.

Admiral Ferrato was the first of them to arrive, and he was having few words with the emperor with a smile on his face.

“Ah, Dame Hesaros!”

The face that became more cheerful after discovering Sienna… 

“…Oh, where did you come from with such a large shadow?”

…The tone he used when referring to Ashiel as if he was new to him was still humorous and pleasant, but there was a subtly aggressive energy oozing out of his eyes.

…Just enough that only Ashiel would notice.

Ashiel simply stood in front of the emperor, silently, without even replying.

Sienna stood between them and thought.

‘Since I met up with Lou, the atmosphere has been somewhat tense.’

It was a great development for Sienna to have noticed that far, but… 

‘Well, it’s probably because Ashiel’s condition is not good because he’s just been enchanted.’

The fact that Sienna did not have the ability to guess more than that was actually the biggest mountain the three of them had to climb.

‘Oh.’

His Majesty the Great Emperor of Feyenoord looked upon these scenes with great interest and delight.

With keen and sharp eyes, he scrutinized the two tall, handsome men.

And when he looked at Sienna… 

“……? Your Majesty. Do you have anything to say to me?”

“No, no. It’s because it’s so pretty to see my baby grow up like this after a long time. Baby, are you enjoying your school life?”

Sienna didn’t know when she was young, but now she knew. In order to give more power to Sienna, who had a certain status, the emperor was deliberately giving off the impression that she was cute in such a public place.

Sienna nodded her head with her smile; more than the fact that her emperor empowered her, she liked how he cared for herself enough to do so.

“Yes, it’s fun… it’s the truth, but it’s good to be able to live a life faithful to the duty of protecting the Empire.”

The emperor’s face that met with a model student-like answer softened. This was an expression he had never shown before in front of his own grandchildren.

“I’m really proud of my baby. Come to think of it, your rank is still second lieutenant.”

“It’s rare to get promoted while attending school.”

The emperor moistened his lips and frowned.

“You’ve worked so hard all this time.”

“I am Your Majesty’s knight.”

She became a knight after receiving the last name ‘Hesaros’ from the emperor.

Sienna was completely happy with it in two ways.

First of all, she was grateful that there was an adult like a grandfather who loved her, who didn’t exist in her precious life…

‘Additionally, if I use this name and become famous, I will keep my promise to Hesaros.’
(TL/N: reference to chapter 4 – where Sienna promised she would become the strongest wizard as the owner of Hesaros, because Hesaros said that she is his owner and he would stay by her side even if she lost all her magic powers :”)

It was all thanks to the emperor.

Sienna solemnly saluted, then replied with a twinkle in her eyes. She was sincere.

“That alone is reason enough for me to do my duty.”

“Right!”

The emperor hit his knee.

“How can our Dame Hesaros know nothing but how to please me in everything like this? What a blessing you are in my old years!”

The roar of the emperor’s booming laughter filled the banquet hall.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

At that moment, the servant spoke carefully.

“Lady Loreina Minangsi has also arrived.”

Behind him, Loreina stood quietly, like a painting.

The emperor was embarrassed that he had alienated Loreina while he was in the midst of praising Sienna.

But Loreina only silently lowered her green eyes, and quietly offered her greetings to the emperor.

“…This humble person dares to attend an audience with His Majesty. I’m Loreina of Minangsi.”

“Um, yes. Come here.”

Naturally, the emperor did not apologize for keeping Loreina waiting for a while.

Loreina naturally stretched out her lightly folded knees and stood where the emperor was instructed. Coincidentally, she was next to Asiel.

Sienna unconsciously glanced at Loreina’s side.

Because she remembered Loreina’s horribly melted face that she had seen earlier before she went to the balcony with Ashiel.

‘…Was I… Was I mistaken?’

Now, Loreina’s cheeks were just beautiful, powdered and finely pink.

If her expressionless face was somehow creepy, was it just a matter of Sienna’s personal feelings?

Anyway, as soon as Loreina stood by Ashiel’s side, people started murmuring about what had just happened. But Loreina seemed to be determined not to be conscious of those things now.

It must have been a great shock that she failed to dazzle Ashiel, but it seemed that she had managed to organize her mind violently in the interim.

It was not strange. Loreina, who Sienna had been dealing with until seven years ago, was a young girl, who was embarrassed and anger-stricken when all her plans were twisted and failed even before it began due to Sienna’s change.

Since then, seven years have passed.

Age was fair to all. As Sienna grew up, it was only natural that Loreina, who had gone through the same amount of time, would become stronger than then in any way.

…Even so, it was difficult to understand how she became the owner of a Named.

‘Loreina is connected with outside powers through the Duke of Euros. The possibility of not knowing how to steal people’s magic is low now.’

But there was a day Hesaros said:

[The kind of evil secret technique that steals other people’s magic can never be effective.]

It was. Even after taking away Sienna’s magical power, Loreina had never exerted as much power as the present Sienna.

Her fame stemmed mostly from her good political use of being a rare healing wizard.

Hesaros also said that even if she took everything away, she may or may not be able to utilize just 10% of it.

That was why Sienna looked down on the chances that Loreina would reappear with really strong skills.

However, Loreina, who had once taken Sienna’s magic powers, was now the owner of a Named.

If it was because she stole magic, then… 

‘…Maybe she stole the magic of so many people.’

Hesaros said that the use of golden arts would come with a terrible price.

[There is no way she can pay the price for stealing the magic of not one person but several people.]

‘Still, I can’t ignore the possibility.’

Anyway, didn’t Loreina appear in front of you with a Named?

It was possible that many people were sacrificed… 

While Sienna was analyzing, the emperor’s crowning began.

“Then, the new owner of the Named, Loreina Minangsi. Come forward.”

Loreina’s name was called first, according to the rule that the awards start from the lowest position.

“It was your first appearance and you showed more courage than I expected. I knight the owner of Esperanza who, despite being covered in blood from head to toe, did not retreat from the battlefield.”

It wasn’t like Sienna’s ‘Knight of the Emperor’. It was just plain knighthood.

Moreover, the congratulations were also filled with words that Loreina could not be pleased with.

Though the bloody nightmarish memories were recalled, Loreina bowed her head deeply and managed to hide her emotions.

However, because of that, she was not able to respond with splendid and elegant words befitting her usual skills.

“…It’s a pleasure, Your Majesty.”

“Like the name of your Named, Esperanza, I hope that you will become a new hope for the Empire.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Well then.”

Named Esperanza, a wand that amplifies magical power, was an item that had several masters in history.

However, it did not fit well with Euros, who rode drakes and fought with lances among the Named’s own processing, so it did not stand out much.

Ranking enthusiasts used to order the strength of the Named, but the wand of Esperanza was always mentioned last.

Naturally, the ripple effect itself was different from Sienna’s becoming the owner of Hesaros, the flame of purification, for the first time in history.

It was said that the owner of Named was great, but how many Named owners were already in this venue?

So, the congratulations and applause for Loreina ended in an appropriate way.

The following names were called at the same time.

“The Duke of Ferrato, and Grand Prince Asiel.”

Only their names were called, but the crowd exclaimed at two dashing and handsome unmarried men.

Admiral Ferrato scratched his head a bit shyly, but it was fundamentally not unconfident.

Ashiel’s face, as usual, did not show any emotion and was calm.

Sienna sighed a little.

Compared to the time a while ago where he had shed thick tears in front of her, she thought that he was doing really well now.

‘Is it because I had seen him collapse so thoroughly before?’

‘That I am even proud he’s being like this.’

The emperor continued.

“My personality is quite eccentric, but the fact that you two are the pillars of this empire cannot be denied.”

Thanks to the emperor who was deliberately mean-spirited, a little laugh came out.

“Anyway, I’m proud that you made a great contribution by joining forces to defeat the catastrophe that appeared in the form of a water serpent. In particular, Duke Ferrato, according to the laws regarding spoils, this heart jewel is yours.”

“Your Majesty, the jewel belongs to me, but I am fully aware that it is controversial.”

It was. In fact, Ashiel was the first to inflict a near-death blow to the water serpent.

“Doesn’t everyone know about Grand Prince Ashiel Nacht’s Named?”

Ashiel’s name is Thanatos.

Like its nickname ‘invisible’, it’s a bow that shoots invisible power, but the original effect of this Named was that it could send a blow that ‘if it hits, it will 100% causes death’.

If Ashiel made up his mind and shot an arrow with enough power and hit it, in theory, no one could survive without dying.

The water serpent collapsed after that ‘death’, and Admiral Ferrato only succeeded in decapitating the monster who was about to cause a riot just before his death.

However, the law was on the side of Admiral Ferrato.

Ashiel didn’t object because he simply wasn’t greedy for heart jewels.

However… 

“I am a sailor, so I know it well. A person who is greedy and does not know his place will become a beast’s meal.”

Duke Ferrato smiled and nodded as he smiled as he replied like a humorous clown.

“So, please take good care of it. As I said earlier, my ‘heart’ is…”

“….…”

“It belongs to Dame Sienna Hesaros.”

“Oh my god…!

Everyone knew. Admiral Ferrato just… He must have said that on purpose!

‘His heart belongs to Sienna Hesaros.’

The people were all astonished at the declaration of war so clear that even a fool could understand it. The same goes for the emperor.

‘This guy?’

In front of a lot of people pretending to be a civil servant, Admiral Ferrato expressed his feelings first.

Ashiel couldn’t help but instinctively put pressure into his teeth.

If only he had known that the heart jewel, which he was not greedy for at that time, would be used in this way.

If he had known?

Even if he knew, there was nothing he could do.

Ashiel knew it well. He knew it deep down.

Ashiel Nacht’s love was the kind of love that caused Sienna to suffer and die miserably.

The fact that he gave his all and gave the breath back to Sienna was no excuse for him.

Rather, Sienna was put in a situation where she had to endure contact with him in order to survive.

When he recalled the face of Sienna who was in prison, where she looked relieved after leaving everything behind…

In a situation where even his saving of Sienna was considered a terrible sin.

Love?

If he had any sense of shame, he should at least shut up.

Duke Ferrato or that little guy likes Sienna?

All he should do is open his eyes and watch!

Admiral Ferrato’s confident gaze was clearly treating Asiel, who could not step forward with confidence, as an idiot.

While that idiot had his eyes open, he could clearly see his intention to steal someone in front of him.

But, nevertheless… 

Ashiel couldn’t do anything.

But then.

“…Thank you for your generosity, Your Excellency the Duke of Ferrato. And His Majesty the Emperor…”

Sienna opened her mouth.

Sienna gestured to the emperor for permission to speak, and the emperor graciously granted him.

Sienna first asked Admiral Ferrato.

“Duke, can I take it as saying that giving me the heart jewel means that you entrust all ownership of it?”

At the complicated words, Duke Ferrato scratched his head roughly and nodded his head.

“Yes, well. Wouldn’t that be the case?”

“Great.”

A small smile appeared on Sienna’s lips.

Ashiel’s heart, which had been burning with her jealousy, cooled down.

“Then, Your Majesty.”

‘No, I couldn’t.’

On the outside, Ashiel was looking calmly with his eyes slightly lowered, but inside, he was falling apart to such an extent that he even wanted someone to scream for him.

Sienna’s words continued.

“It was the Guardians loyal to His Majesty that killed Epic Elbara. So, if I’m fortunate enough to be given the right to exercise ownership of the heart jewel…”

“…If given?”

The emperor smiled. Sienna smiled similarly.

“…It belongs to Your Majesty, of course. I am your knight.”

“Hahahaha, haha! Yes, Dame Hesaros is my knight. Her spoils deserve to be offered to me.”

A laugh escaped the emperor’s mouth. But after laughing, something very strange happened in the Emperor’s eyes.

“…But Ashiel, are you crying?”

It felt like a single tear had just fallen on his icy cheeks… 

‘Is my presbyopia getting worse as I get older…?’

It was such an incredible sight.

Ashiel answered without moving the tip of his eyebrow.

“… No. I didn’t cry.”

“It must be because of your usual disgusting attitude.”

The emperor thought.

‘Yes. It must be an illusion of the eye. If true, it may be a sign of the collapse of the country.’

The emperor erased the scene from his mind. But Sienna just couldn’t get over it.

“…Are you okay?”

Sienna whispered the question quietly, and Ashiel softly lowered his eyes further and answered in a small way.

“…It’s bearable.”

If it’s bearable, it means it might not be bearable, right?

‘It seems that Admiral Ferrato’s words touched his heart more than I thought…’

Sienna wasn’t stupid. It was not difficult to infer what the man who said ‘his heart belongs to Sienna’ in this place was aiming.

‘I’m grown up, and there still weren’t any talks about Ashiel, so I guess he wonders if he’s allowed to intervene.’

However, rather than her personal charm, Sienna thought that it was because of the formidable power she had in herself.

‘Especially for Ferrato, they’ve always struggled with the supply and demand of decanto trees.’

Sienna, who had grown five decanto trees in an instant, must have become the number one talent for the Ferrato family to recruit.

‘Marriage just happens to be the easiest way.’

So she didn’t think it was anything for Ashiel to be upset about…

It must have been her misunderstanding.

The man who sacrificed his heart to save her seemed to have a hard time even by her receiving such a political offer.

‘Well… When that overly emotional state is resolved… He’ll be okay, right?’

It was uncomfortable, but it seemed that she had no choice but to believe so.

Sienna turned to the admiral. Now, it seemed that a quick clean-up was necessary for Ashiel’s mental stability.

“Your Excellency.”

Duke Ferrato smiled. But he wasn’t as lively as before.

“Yes, Dame Sienna.”

“Thanks to the honorable gift you conceded, I was able to fulfill my duty as a knight to His Majesty the Emperor. I sincerely thank you.”

It was like a fish gracefully passed the bait thrown with all its might without even glancing at it once.

It was a situation that could be called a fool, but Admiral Ferrato burst into laughter.

‘Yes, it can’t be that easy.’

Today, the admiral thought that he would be satisfied with revealing his feelings publicly.

Of course it was his mistake. Far from conveying his feelings, Sienna thoroughly misunderstood that Duke Ferrato ‘wanted to acquire her as a strategic resource’.

Had the admiral known, he would have pounded the ground for three days and three nights in heartbreak. But he didn’t know, thus he passed through it peacefully.

In any case, the emperor was satisfied.

‘Sienna, I thought that child was a bit ignorant and would only be caught up in men’s arrogance, however now I don’t have to worry about that!’

How wonderful it was that she didn’t care about those prominent men, and that she only gives glory to him.

The emperor thought so and cleared his throat.

“Duke Ferrato and Grand Prince Ashiel. I grant you the honorable commemorative title of ‘The Adversary of Elbara’.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And Dame Sienna Hesaros!”

At last, finally.

It was Sienna’s turn.

“How could I compare your loyalty to what I have? You are the blessings and joys of my years. I will give you half of the country…”

The emperor stared at Admiral Ferrato as if speaking to him, and continued his speech.

“…It would be better to reconsider the gift you would reject in the first place.”

“You’re wise, Your Majesty.”

“As a defender of the Great War, I’m glad to be able to say that a child like you is like my blood.”

It was the second time the emperor mentioned Sienna as his blood. Moreover, the message was clearer than the first.

However, it being the second time did not mean that it was ever less shocking.

“Just now, did His Majesty call Dame Hesaros his ‘blood’?”

“It’s not the first time…”

“Where is the Crown Princess?”

People hurriedly searched for Arandier. Arandier was sipping champagne not far away, and as the eyes focused, she leisurely raised her glass to the crowd.

“…The Crown Princess seems to know.”

It was not an ordinary issue.

Needless to say, in this empire, Feyenoord, there was no successor after the crown princess.

In a country where the emperor had to become the master of the confrontation system from generation to generation and become the protector of the empire, this was, in fact, a very big problem.

In the midst of it, a Terraformer girl who suddenly appeared was as strong as if she were from the imperial family.

And the emperor who loved that girl as if she was his real granddaughter, and mentioned many times that she was like blood.

Someone in the crowd said this.

“Since Grand Duke Nacht is the Emperor’s nephew, Grand Prince Ashiel also has royal blood.”

If Ashiel and Sienna marry, the blood of the imperial family and the qualities of a Terraformer who protects the confrontation system would be combined.

“As expected, His Majesty the Emperor…”

In front of the murmuring crowd, unable to continue speaking, the emperor leisurely looked at Sienna and smiled.

“Dame Sienna Hesaros, from this time on, I will call you ‘Master of the Spring Garden’. I grant you the castle of Ysent, which I own, and the title of ‘Count’ according to that castle, and at the same time I order you to be promoted to major.”

Unprecedented and unconventional rewards poured in one after another.

However, none of them could exceed the ripple effect of the ‘blood family’ mentioned by the emperor.

What’s more, no one could argue against it, as they had seen Sienna show her allegiance to the emperor by handing over ownership of the heart jewel right before their very eyes.

It was the emperor’s intention. Things were so much easier thanks to Sienna’s ignorance and cooperation!

‘So how can I not love this child?’

The emperor commanded.

“My knight and Master of the Spring Garden, Sienna Hesaros, the Count of Ysent!”

“Oh, yes!”

Sienna was dizzy. It must be said that the pouring of the emperor’s favor was excessive, and when he said that, she wondered if she should protest, but when her name was called, she reacted like a soldier.

The emperor laughed.

“Today is your day. I wish for a toast and dance. Master of Spring.”

At the emperor’s command, the servant handed Sienna a glass of champagne. The emperor was given the same cup.

According to custom, the emperor first took a sip then made a toast.

The moment Sienna was about to drink…

“…Keuk!!”

When she raised her eyes to the sound of a sudden cough… 

“Your Majesty!!”

With the cough, blood was dripping down the emperor’s long robe.

Sienna ran straight up to the podium, regardless of the consequences.

And while he vomited blood, she gripped the throne firmly and supported the falling emperor.

“Si… en… na…”

Sienna shook her head blindly. All she could think in her white-blank mind was—

‘No.’

‘No way.’

Then, the emperor slipped from Sienna’s arms. Sienna’s strength could not fully support the emperor, so the best thing she could do was to put his head on her knees.

Then someone screamed.

“Lady Loreina!”

……The name of the healing angel.

A cold sweat ran down Sienna’s already ice-cold spine.

‘…Who?’

Sienna’s green eyes looked down from the podium. However, the scream had already spread through the whole venue without being able to identify the source.

“Yes, Lady Loreina!”

“If it’s Lady Loreina, she can do it!”

“Certainly, the healing angel, the saint of the people, was her nickname, right?”

“Hey, I’ve read her articles about her before!”

“Lady Loreina! The Emperor, please!”

A maniacal buzzing.

Sienna made eye contact with Loreina just then.

Loreina raised her head proudly and was gazing up at Sienna on the podium.

A dazzling golden dress like midnight sunlight, and white blonde hair reminiscent of an angel.

A beautiful fair face with a strangely expressionless look…

“Lady Loreina!”

“His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Come on, hurry up!”

“Dame Sienna, what are you doing over there? Quickly, make space for Lady Loreina!”

…Now Loreina was like a goddess with fanatics.

Sienna understood.

‘This was it.’

Even after being humiliated, Loreina showed up in front of people once again after managing herself.

The eerie, expressionless sides of her passed through Sienna’s mind one after another.

It was this.

Her true purpose today was not Ashiel Nacht. Rather, her work with him must have been more of an impromptu.

This, right now, must have been Loreina’s real purpose.

The plot that had already failed once because of Sienna.

Rescue the emperor, raise Loreina’s reputation, and at the same time… 

…Killing the emperor.

Loreina’s lips twitched towards Sienna.

‘Come down.’

She was saying this

‘That place is mine.’

Thousands of people were screaming behind her.

“Dame Sienna!”

“Come down!”

“Aren’t you supposed to pull out?”

“Give way to Lady Loreina!”

Loreina did not urge.

She just looked at Sienna with a calm expression.

She knew that her own attitude would make the crowd more irritable and even more hostile to Sienna.

Furthermore…

‘The time she could endure is not long anyway.’

Sienna Hesaros was definitely a rare genius, a blessed Terraformer that would never be forgotten. But she had no power to heal anyone.

‘You can’t.’

Eventually she would give up that place to her and come down.

Loreina would heal the emperor in the sight of all these people.

‘Of course, the emperor will die soon.’

Loreina’s healing would take away his vitality.

Although strong, the emperor was an old man. After treating that level of poison, would the remaining life expectancy be at most one month?

The one who protected the empire’s confrontation system would face his death.

Loreina’s lips began to draw an arc slowly.

It was then.

“Baby.”

Her emperor called Sienna like a moan. Then he raised his trembling hand and grabbed her arm.

Like in response to Sienna saying she wouldn’t go down from here. 

People’s shouts stopped for a moment.

“I k-know what you… you are on your guard for… e-everything.”

“…!”

“D-Don’t let the child of Euros… let her… come closer to me…”

The emperor said, and red blood spurted from his mouth again.

The moment people started screaming to Sienna to come down like their eyes were turned over again.

“…Hesaros!”

Sienna shouted like a thunderbolt, like a scream.

[Yes, I’m ready!]

Her Named answered.

[Start now!]

Above the podium, flames circled Sienna and the Emperor.

A huge magical energy began to swirl around Sienna’s core.

Loreina’s face changed color.

“It couldn’t be…”

She couldn’t.

‘What is she thinking?!’

Instantly, she remembered the injury of the grand duke, whom she was supposed to heal a long time ago.

‘But she was a better Terraformer than I thought, so it must have been that she had released the law that obstructed recovery and treated him separately…’

That’s why this time, she took the risk and gave the emperor poison instead of law!

Loreina bit her lips.

It was ominous. It was insanely ominous!

However, Loreina’s side still had higher ground.

With the power of the crowd, she only had to convince Crown Princess Arandier. Her gaze at Sienna compared to the emperor was neutral, so, as fast as possible!

“That’s treason…!”

At that moment, just as someone from the crowd was about to shout that.

Thud!

A huge sword smashed down to cut through the marble floor of the banquet hall.

The people who had raised their voices squeaked at the sound of deep cracks and retreated back.

That huge sword was more likely to crush people than to cut them…

“Shut up everyone.”

It was the Named of Crown Princess Arandier.

“Named Destroyer, Calred…”

“….…”

“The first heir of Feyenoord, with the blood of the silver deer and the heart of Kainosia, I, Crown Princess Arandier, command!”

Arandier’s shout was more than enough to silence the entire banquet hall.

She declared,

“Do not disturb the Master of the Spring Garden.”

She wasn’t the only one.

Behind the crown princess, there was one more creepy being closer to Sienna.

It was Ashiel Nacht who suddenly called out his Named.

He was staring straight ahead with his motionless red eyes, with his back to Sienna.

His Named was the one who sentenced the invisible death.

It was clear that if anyone crossed the boundaries he had declared, that one would be doomed to death.

Loreina thought.

‘You’d rather risk the emperor’s life than give me a chance to heal?’

Then it was obvious where she had to attack.

Loreina raised her voice. As if this situation was very embarrassing.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess! Dame Hesaros has no healing powers. I will see His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possible…”

“Who said that?”

The road was already opened up in the crowd.

What appeared was a middle-aged man dressed in an all-black armor.

…Holding a spear

“The Master of the Spring Garden doesn’t have healing powers?”

It was Grand Duke Nacht.

“The Grand Duke…”

People gasped.

The owner of the underworld with the Named that once killed the Epic Loraxar.

The crown princess with a huge sword, which was said to cut off the waist of Taesan.

Even the grand prince of the underworld, who could kill anyone.

They were also the emperor’s closest blood relatives.

No one could cross the borders they had drawn, neither by force nor by cause.

Loreina clenched her teeth. And she looked towards Sienna.

‘Yes, do whatever you want!’

‘But even after this is over, you won’t be able to just move on.’

Sienna Hesaros would be guilty of assassinating the emperor.

Those who blocked her would be charged with the crimes of being accomplices!

‘I will do that, for sure!’

* * *

On the podium, a huge flow of magic was churning.

Sienna’s long hair was fluttering fiercely in the air with the flow of golden magic.

[The poison is terrible. Death is too close! Hurry up!]

Looking at the pale old man’s face, Sienna clenched her teeth.

‘Faster!’

Following the circuit Hesaros had drawn beforehand, Sienna diligently sent her magic.

The moment when the magic of the sparks finally arrived at the end of the circuit.

Fwoosh!!

A gigantic flame erupted.

Sienna poured all the power of the flame into the emperor.

Through his feeble breath, through his lungs and into his heart.

The heart, which had lost its strength due to poison, was burned with a flame to cleanse it, and Sienna was briefly bitten.

‘Now…!’

Like a blacksmith pounding the hammer, she poured out magic in one breath straight into the heart!

The emperor coughed and spit out a black liquid. It was a liquid mixed with dead blood and poison.

‘Done!’

Thump, thump.

The dying heart started beating again.

Sienna took over his heart and sent her magical energy rapidly through the veins that spread throughout his body.

Wherever her power passed, the turbid tainted blood was cleansed.

The purified blood began to revive the dying flesh and bones.

A miracle that should be called a resurrection

“S-Si, enna…”

An old man who was almost called from death spoke to Sienna in disbelief.

“W-Why… are you crying…”

But the emperor’s first words were not to rejoice in his survival.

The emperor’s helpless hand staggered across Sienna’s cheek, wet with her dripping tears.

Sienna, who didn’t even realized she was crying, forced a smile.

It’s okay. It’s okay now. He was healed. She could do it before it was too late.

‘I have not lost His Majesty.’

Sienna raised her hand and slowly closed the emperor’s eyes. Now the emperor was not afraid to close his eyes.

Sienna knew more than anyone else in the world that he lived.

“…Rest a little, Your Majesty.”

“I……”

“There’s the Crown Princess, and there’s the Grand Prince.”

“Baby…….”

With his eyes closed, merely moments before he fell into a deep sleep for recovery, the emperor said,

“I’m going to take a rest…”

A whisper that could only be heard by Sienna, who was close by and listening.

“…Wait, don’t cry…”

Rather, at those words, the hot tears that she had barely endured ran down her face.

Sienna answered through sheer perseverance.

“……Yes…….”

A smile appeared on the emperor’s lips. As if he was relieved then.

The flames subsided. Then the crown princess, who came closer, checked the condition of the emperor.

“…He’s alive.”

Hearing those words, a breathless astonishment quickly spread through the hall.

Sienna Hesaros…

She saved the emperor!

The grand duke murmured as he watched the flames flutter and slowly faded away.

“…Is it the second flame that bloomed in this world?”

The first time it saved his life… 

It was a healing flame.

Kekekek wasn’t that fun?

Ame: Grandpa Emperor, you have to survive TT_TT 

ZZZZ: Yes, Grandpa Emperor, you have to survive! You’re one of my favorite characters!