A flash of light suddenly pierced the endless darkness filling Evelyn's vision.
'Where is this? I definitely...'
For a moment, she couldn't even remember who she was or what time it was.
Instinctively, she wanted to run away, but there was no strength in her legs.
Her entire body felt so heavy that it was like a massive boulder, completely unable to move.
'Ah... it's hot!'
Startled by the incomprehensible sensation, Evelyn looked down, and her eyes widened uncontrollably.
A fierce blaze was raging beneath her feet as she stood tied to a large wooden stake.
At the same moment, someone's stern voice echoed out.
[Hear this, witch who sold her soul to the devil! The crime of bringing tragedy upon the Empire cannot be repaid even with your life! You are hereby sentenced to immediate death by burning!]
Evelyn flinched and frantically looked around.
A witch? Burning at the stake?
I caused the Empire's tragedy?
She was bewildered, but she couldn't continue thinking.
The choking smoke filled her lungs, making it impossible to breathe.
[Filthy bitch!]
[Look at her! She isn't even screaming in those flames! She's definitely an evil witch!]
[Don't even meet her eyes! Kill her now!]
The people glared at her with bloodshot eyes.
Large and small stones flew toward her without mercy.
It hurts... I want to run away.
Terrified, Evelyn struggled desperately.
'No! I'm not a witch...'
She tried with all her might, but it was as if someone were choking her throat. Not a single sound escaped her lips.
Only the furious cries of the crowd and the crackling of burning firewood painfully rang in her ears.
Her chest tightened until she couldn't breathe.
It hurts... it hurts so much... Please save me!
No... just kill me instead. It's too hot... please...!
[Aaaahhh!!]
The moment she finally screamed—
Whoosh!
The flames instantly surged higher, melting her feet and mercilessly engulfing her silver hair and the hem of her voluminous dress.
"Hah... haaah...!"
Evelyn's eyes flew open.
Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat.
Her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her ears still rang.
As her shattered senses slowly returned to normal, she instinctively realized—
'It was a nightmare...'
Staring blankly at the antique ceiling above, she felt immense relief knowing what she had just experienced had only been a dream.
Even so, the trembling of her body refused to stop.
Looking down at her shaking fingertips, she recalled how vivid everything had felt, so real that she hadn't even realized she was dreaming.
Then reality suddenly came rushing back.
'...Where's Kallian? And where am I? Is everyone safe?'
With those questions, her final memories gradually resurfaced.
The sudden appearance of the Plague Mors.
The groans of the knights and the sound of bodies collapsing.
The metallic smell of blood.
The crimson, chaotic battlefield.
And...
Countless scenes swept through her mind like a panorama.
'Don't tell me... I died and returned to the past again?'
Just as she sat bolt upright, her heart pounding anxiously—
Click.
"Oh my! You're awake? Doctor! Miss Evelyn has awakened!"
The door suddenly opened, and after the loud shout, several people led by a young man with red hair hurried into the room and surrounded her.
"Lady Evelyn! Are you alright? We'll perform a few examinations first!"
They checked her pulse, examined her pupils, and inspected her condition before quickly leaving like the receding tide.
Still too dazed to understand what was happening, Evelyn looked at the only man who remained carefully examining her and asked,
"Excuse me... where am I?"
"Ah, this is Duke Paminion's castle. Do you remember collapsing?"
"Yes. I remember. My name, my identity... everything."
"That's fortunate. You haven't lost your memory. Your vital signs are stable, and your recovery is remarkably fast, but you'll need to be careful for a while."
He looked serious, yet somehow carried a playful air.
His blue eyes were mysterious, and his dark red hair—distinctive of the Montagne royal family from the Nora Continent across the sea—gleamed vividly beneath the sunlight streaming through the window.
If her guess was right...
"Could you be Count Bernard?"
"I'm honored that you recognized me. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Count Leonhardt Bernard."
Smiling brightly, Leon politely pretended to kiss the back of her hand.
"I've wanted to meet you for a long time. You saved not only my younger sibling but countless lives. Everyone in my territory, myself included, is deeply grateful for your wisdom."
Stepping aside, Leon gestured toward a silver tray on the table.
Colorful cards and gifts were neatly arranged upon it.
As she stared blankly at the heartfelt presents, emotion welled up inside her.
Why is everyone thanking me?
I only did what I had to do.
Relief that everything had turned out well washed over her like a wave, making her heart feel warm.
Suppressing the lump rising in her throat, Evelyn spoke carefully.
"It's nothing, really. Ah, by the way..."
Then she asked the question she wanted answered most.
"…Where is His Grace the Grand Duke now?"
"He went to Marden. He said he had urgent business. As for the knights, they're helping rebuild the village."
That meant they were all safe.
Feeling relieved, Evelyn let out a small sigh.
Then another concern suddenly came to mind.
The knights could use the purification medicine...
But without a healer's treatment, Kallian would eventually lose control.
Remembering the flesh torn from his side, she hurriedly asked,
"Is His Grace alright? He was badly injured..."
Leon paused briefly at the sight of her worrying about someone else before herself.
Then his blue eyes curved into a smile.
"Shouldn't you worry about your own body first? You only woke up after an entire week. I'll answer the rest after you've had something to eat."
Instead of Leon, Leah entered the bedroom.
The moment she saw Evelyn, she burst into tears like a child who had finally found her missing mother.
"Do you know how worried I was? I spent days wondering if you were ever going to wake up!"
"Don't cry. I'm perfectly fine now. What about you? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No. Just like you told me, I stayed completely out of danger. I did well, didn't I? Anyway, thank goodness you're alright."
Her nose still red as she remembered the day the Gate had opened, Leah suddenly recalled why she had come into the room and quickly picked up a spoon.
"Oh, right! You must be hungry. Come on, say 'ah.'"
"I'm fine. I can hold a spoon myself."
"I'm not fine. My arm hurts, so hurry."
When Evelyn reluctantly opened her mouth, a little warm liquid meal suitable for patients and the elderly was gently fed to her.
After finishing the simple meal, she soaked her exhausted body in the bathtub.
She dismissed everyone for a moment before slowly closing her eyes.
"Ha..."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn gathered the scattered sensations throughout her body into her core.
She felt a pale green aura swirl together inside the snow-white space within her body, like untouched snow.
Focusing on the refreshing yet comforting sensation, she looked down at the cluster of light gathered at her fingertips.
'Huh...?'
For some reason, the white light seemed stronger than before.
Well... I guess it doesn't matter.
At least I didn't lose all of my power.
When she'd heard her mana had been completely exhausted, she'd felt as though the sky had fallen.
Simply feeling vitality return to her weary body the moment she gathered her strength was enough.
As she gazed at the rippling water, a faint voice echoed in her mind.
『Will you sacrifice your life for the author?』
『Pray, foolish one.』
What was that light back then?
And whose voice did I hear?
It had been far too vivid to dismiss as an illusion.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"Miss, may I help you finish getting ready?"
As soon as her bath ended with Leah's help, Evelyn changed into a dress.
Duke Paminion had heard she had awakened and invited her to lunch.
'Duke Paminion? He only cares about money. He's unbelievably greedy. If it made him a profit, he'd sell even his own country.'
She suddenly remembered a conversation among nobles in the Countess's salon long ago.
They said he'd do anything for money.
The image Evelyn had of Duke Paminion wasn't much different.
Even now, she still shuddered whenever she remembered the vicious curses the Duke had hurled at his grandson while pointing a sword at him after the Imperial Army had completely burned down Paminion Territory.
'So you really intend to take everything from me! You damned bastard! I'll make sure your death is as miserable as possible!'
Meeting such a man alone made her nervous.
Still, she soon steadied herself.
Without the Grand Duke's Knights, the western continent, including Paminion Territory, would have been completely devastated.
So even if he still bore resentment toward the Orpheus family, perhaps things had changed now.
'A terrible end for enemies, and rewards beyond measure for benefactors.'
That was the Paminion family's creed.
'Pull yourself together. I can't let this opportunity slip away!'
By the time she had finished strengthening her resolve while watching her hair being intricately braided in the mirror, everything was ready.
A light purple dress decorated with layers of flowing lace.
Small pearl earrings and a matching necklace.
And finally, a floral hair ornament woven like blooming blossoms.
Altogether, she looked every bit the lovely young noble lady.
"Oh my!"
Placing both hands on Evelyn's shoulders, Leah repeatedly gasped in admiration at her reflection.
"I can say this with confidence—among all the noble ladies on the continent, you're the most beautiful. It's such a shame His Grace the Grand Duke can't see you like this."
Startled by Leah's attitude, which seemed to suggest she'd realized the relationship between her and Kallian, Evelyn's eyes widened.
"...How did you know?"
She was sure she'd only told Leah he was her guardian.
"How could I not? There was a huge picture of your back on the front page of the newspaper."
"Mine?"
A flash of light suddenly pierced the endless darkness filling Evelyn's vision.
'Where is this? I definitely...'
For a moment, she couldn't even remember who she was or what time it was.
Instinctively, she wanted to run away, but there was no strength in her legs.
Her entire body felt so heavy that it was like a massive boulder, completely unable to move.
'Ah... it's hot!'
Startled by the incomprehensible sensation, Evelyn looked down, and her eyes widened uncontrollably.
A fierce blaze was raging beneath her feet as she stood tied to a large wooden stake.
At the same moment, someone's stern voice echoed out.
[Hear this, witch who sold her soul to the devil! The crime of bringing tragedy upon the Empire cannot be repaid even with your life! You are hereby sentenced to immediate death by burning!]
Evelyn flinched and frantically looked around.
A witch? Burning at the stake?
I caused the Empire's tragedy?
She was bewildered, but she couldn't continue thinking.
The choking smoke filled her lungs, making it impossible to breathe.
[Filthy bitch!]
[Look at her! She isn't even screaming in those flames! She's definitely an evil witch!]
[Don't even meet her eyes! Kill her now!]
The people glared at her with bloodshot eyes.
Large and small stones flew toward her without mercy.
It hurts... I want to run away.
Terrified, Evelyn struggled desperately.
'No! I'm not a witch...'
She tried with all her might, but it was as if someone were choking her throat. Not a single sound escaped her lips.
Only the furious cries of the crowd and the crackling of burning firewood painfully rang in her ears.
Her chest tightened until she couldn't breathe.
It hurts... it hurts so much... Please save me!
No... just kill me instead. It's too hot... please...!
[Aaaahhh!!]
The moment she finally screamed—
Whoosh!
The flames instantly surged higher, melting her feet and mercilessly engulfing her silver hair and the hem of her voluminous dress.
"Hah... haaah...!"
Evelyn's eyes flew open.
Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat.
Her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her ears still rang.
As her shattered senses slowly returned to normal, she instinctively realized—
'It was a nightmare...'
Staring blankly at the antique ceiling above, she felt immense relief knowing what she had just experienced had only been a dream.
Even so, the trembling of her body refused to stop.
Looking down at her shaking fingertips, she recalled how vivid everything had felt, so real that she hadn't even realized she was dreaming.
Then reality suddenly came rushing back.
'...Where's Kallian? And where am I? Is everyone safe?'
With those questions, her final memories gradually resurfaced.
The sudden appearance of the Plague Mors.
The groans of the knights and the sound of bodies collapsing.
The metallic smell of blood.
The crimson, chaotic battlefield.
And...
Countless scenes swept through her mind like a panorama.
'Don't tell me... I died and returned to the past again?'
Just as she sat bolt upright, her heart pounding anxiously—
Click.
"Oh my! You're awake? Doctor! Miss Evelyn has awakened!"
The door suddenly opened, and after the loud shout, several people led by a young man with red hair hurried into the room and surrounded her.
"Lady Evelyn! Are you alright? We'll perform a few examinations first!"
They checked her pulse, examined her pupils, and inspected her condition before quickly leaving like the receding tide.
Still too dazed to understand what was happening, Evelyn looked at the only man who remained carefully examining her and asked,
"Excuse me... where am I?"
"Ah, this is Duke Paminion's castle. Do you remember collapsing?"
"Yes. I remember. My name, my identity... everything."
"That's fortunate. You haven't lost your memory. Your vital signs are stable, and your recovery is remarkably fast, but you'll need to be careful for a while."
He looked serious, yet somehow carried a playful air.
His blue eyes were mysterious, and his dark red hair—distinctive of the Montagne royal family from the Nora Continent across the sea—gleamed vividly beneath the sunlight streaming through the window.
If her guess was right...
"Could you be Count Bernard?"
"I'm honored that you recognized me. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Count Leonhardt Bernard."
Smiling brightly, Leon politely pretended to kiss the back of her hand.
"I've wanted to meet you for a long time. You saved not only my younger sibling but countless lives. Everyone in my territory, myself included, is deeply grateful for your wisdom."
Stepping aside, Leon gestured toward a silver tray on the table.
Colorful cards and gifts were neatly arranged upon it.
As she stared blankly at the heartfelt presents, emotion welled up inside her.
Why is everyone thanking me?
I only did what I had to do.
Relief that everything had turned out well washed over her like a wave, making her heart feel warm.
Suppressing the lump rising in her throat, Evelyn spoke carefully.
"It's nothing, really. Ah, by the way..."
Then she asked the question she wanted answered most.
"…Where is His Grace the Grand Duke now?"
"He went to Marden. He said he had urgent business. As for the knights, they're helping rebuild the village."
That meant they were all safe.
Feeling relieved, Evelyn let out a small sigh.
Then another concern suddenly came to mind.
The knights could use the purification medicine...
But without a healer's treatment, Kallian would eventually lose control.
Remembering the flesh torn from his side, she hurriedly asked,
"Is His Grace alright? He was badly injured..."
Leon paused briefly at the sight of her worrying about someone else before herself.
Then his blue eyes curved into a smile.
"Shouldn't you worry about your own body first? You only woke up after an entire week. I'll answer the rest after you've had something to eat."
Instead of Leon, Leah entered the bedroom.
The moment she saw Evelyn, she burst into tears like a child who had finally found her missing mother.
"Do you know how worried I was? I spent days wondering if you were ever going to wake up!"
"Don't cry. I'm perfectly fine now. What about you? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No. Just like you told me, I stayed completely out of danger. I did well, didn't I? Anyway, thank goodness you're alright."
Her nose still red as she remembered the day the Gate had opened, Leah suddenly recalled why she had come into the room and quickly picked up a spoon.
"Oh, right! You must be hungry. Come on, say 'ah.'"
"I'm fine. I can hold a spoon myself."
"I'm not fine. My arm hurts, so hurry."
When Evelyn reluctantly opened her mouth, a little warm liquid meal suitable for patients and the elderly was gently fed to her.
After finishing the simple meal, she soaked her exhausted body in the bathtub.
She dismissed everyone for a moment before slowly closing her eyes.
"Ha..."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn gathered the scattered sensations throughout her body into her core.
She felt a pale green aura swirl together inside the snow-white space within her body, like untouched snow.
Focusing on the refreshing yet comforting sensation, she looked down at the cluster of light gathered at her fingertips.
'Huh...?'
For some reason, the white light seemed stronger than before.
Well... I guess it doesn't matter.
At least I didn't lose all of my power.
When she'd heard her mana had been completely exhausted, she'd felt as though the sky had fallen.
Simply feeling vitality return to her weary body the moment she gathered her strength was enough.
As she gazed at the rippling water, a faint voice echoed in her mind.
『Will you sacrifice your life for the author?』
『Pray, foolish one.』
What was that light back then?
And whose voice did I hear?
It had been far too vivid to dismiss as an illusion.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"Miss, may I help you finish getting ready?"
As soon as her bath ended with Leah's help, Evelyn changed into a dress.
Duke Paminion had heard she had awakened and invited her to lunch.
'Duke Paminion? He only cares about money. He's unbelievably greedy. If it made him a profit, he'd sell even his own country.'
She suddenly remembered a conversation among nobles in the Countess's salon long ago.
They said he'd do anything for money.
The image Evelyn had of Duke Paminion wasn't much different.
Even now, she still shuddered whenever she remembered the vicious curses the Duke had hurled at his grandson while pointing a sword at him after the Imperial Army had completely burned down Paminion Territory.
'So you really intend to take everything from me! You damned bastard! I'll make sure your death is as miserable as possible!'
Meeting such a man alone made her nervous.
Still, she soon steadied herself.
Without the Grand Duke's Knights, the western continent, including Paminion Territory, would have been completely devastated.
So even if he still bore resentment toward the Orpheus family, perhaps things had changed now.
'A terrible end for enemies, and rewards beyond measure for benefactors.'
That was the Paminion family's creed.
'Pull yourself together. I can't let this opportunity slip away!'
By the time she had finished strengthening her resolve while watching her hair being intricately braided in the mirror, everything was ready.
A light purple dress decorated with layers of flowing lace.
Small pearl earrings and a matching necklace.
And finally, a floral hair ornament woven like blooming blossoms.
Altogether, she looked every bit the lovely young noble lady.
"Oh my!"
Placing both hands on Evelyn's shoulders, Leah repeatedly gasped in admiration at her reflection.
"I can say this with confidence—among all the noble ladies on the continent, you're the most beautiful. It's such a shame His Grace the Grand Duke can't see you like this."
Startled by Leah's attitude, which seemed to suggest she'd realized the relationship between her and Kallian, Evelyn's eyes widened.
"...How did you know?"
She was sure she'd only told Leah he was her guardian.
"How could I not? There was a huge picture of your back on the front page of the newspaper."
"Mine?"
A passionate storyteller who loves creating immersive worlds and captivating characters.
