For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 70

The second day in Sutra Castle dawned.

Aura looked out the window at the scenery of Sutra. The world, covered in snow, was stunningly bright. The gloomy atmosphere of last night seemed to have disappeared completely.

Breakfast was simple bread, coffee, potato salad, and some salted bacon. The maid who brought the food tasted it, as if to show that it wasn’t poisoned. At that point, Aura had no reason to starve herself.

She ate while replaying the conversation she had with Ryan last night.

“What if I tell you a way to break the seal on Finn without your sacrifice…?”

“!”

“Will you stay here for one more day?”

“That would be impossible, wouldn’t it? No matter how much I think about it, I am the only person who fits that condition.”

“So this is… just a mind game.”

“I don’t like mind games, Your Grace.”

“You’ll like this one when you hear it. Please, just give me one more day.”

No matter how much she mistrusted Ryan, she couldn’t help but be tempted. If she had to die, she would. But it didn’t mean she wanted to.

Knock, knock.

Aura put down her utensils. Is that Ruan?

“Come in.”

But the person who opened the door was not Ruan. A man with a friendly face bowed respectfully.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty the Empress. I am Syndion, the attending physician of Sutra Castle. I came here because I heard you hurt your ankle.”

“Ah, I see. Please go ahead.”

“Thank you for your permission.” Syndion sat in front of her and placed a footrest down. Aura placed her foot on it. She then handed him the bandage from the windowsill.

“I would appreciate it if you could wrap my ankle with this.”

“That may not be necessary.”

Not necessary? Sprained ankles take at least a few days to heal, don’t they?

“How is the pain?”

“It’s just a little bothersome when I walk.”

“I’m glad it’s just a minor injury. I can fix this with magic.”

Magic?

Before Aura could even ask, Syndion placed his hand on her ankle. A red glow seeped into her ankle. “It’s done. Try to stand on it.”

Aura got up. To her surprise, her ankle was completely healed. “This is… are you a mage?”

Mages were rare in the Casa Empire. If he knew how to use magic, he wouldn’t be working as a doctor in a remote area.

“I am a mage, but I am not a Casa. I used to live in Silcia, beyond the border, but a few years ago, His Grace Archduke Ryan recognized my abilities, and I came to live in the palace.”

It’s a similar case to Julius. The magic in Silcia is better than I thought. I shouldn’t underestimate it.

“Where is the Archduke? I need to see him quickly, as I am short on time.”

“I don’t know for sure, but he does like to take walks here and there.”

Syndion smiled amicably and left the room. Aura had only one thing to do. She had to find Ryan in this huge castle.

Aura left her room and started walking around. He wasn’t in Ryan’s room or his office. No servant knew where he was, either.

I wonder if they truly don’t know, or if they’re pretending not to.

In the end, she left the castle. She walked around the garden and even looked at the large greenhouse in the corner. The plants in the greenhouse were all rotted or withered. She then found a door at the end of the greenhouse.

Does this door… lead to the back of the castle?

Aura opened the door and went out. There was a steep slope outside. Aura held her skirt and climbed the slope with difficulty.

“!”

Her eyes widened. A large number of soldiers were training below.

Are these the Archduke’s soldiers? The number is too big. It’s far more than the Imperial family has permitted.

“Your Majesty the Empress?”

A voice from behind made Aura turn around. Ryan was standing there.

“Your Grace, this is…”

“Please don’t look at me like that, Your Majesty.” Ryan’s eyes shone coldly. “Since you’ve already seen it all, I’ll be frank with you.”

“Please do.”

“Even if it means using all these soldiers, I will help Zenia gain its independence. I will protect your life and also help you break the seal on Finn.”

“…”

“As a sign of my loyalty, haven’t I been helping the Zenia people all this time?”

It sounded like a sweet dream. And that’s why Aura couldn’t trust it.

…It’s a trap.

Ryan, observing Aura’s expression, said, “Ah, are you afraid of Karl? If he were to seek revenge…” He gestured to his soldiers. “I will wholeheartedly protect you.”

“That’s treason, Your Grace.”

Ryan didn’t deny it. Aura took a step back and asked, “What do you want from me?”

“When Karl dies, marry me.”

“…Are you toying with me?”

“Do I look like I am?” He smiled faintly. Aura swallowed hard. It was not a good idea to show that she was flustered. She had to somehow get out of this situation.

He said, ‘When Karl dies.’ That means he’s planning a rebellion. Of course. Otherwise, what would he do with all these soldiers?

Aura spoke calmly. “If I don’t agree to that, you won’t tell me how to break the seal without my sacrifice?”

“Hmm… I haven’t decided on that yet. It seems a bit petty, don’t you think?”

“Then, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Give me some time. Some time to think.”

“You’re going to think about it. I am honored.” Ryan smiled brightly. “I thought you were going to run away or slap me.”

“…Of course not. In any case, I’ve understood what you’ve said, Your Grace. I’ll consider it.”

“Your words are so… cold.”

“…”

“You have no feelings for me, to the point of being hurtful.”

“Do I have to give you my feelings, too? Even if I were to accept your proposal, that would be impossible.”

“I thought you gave them to Karl.”

“…I did not.” Aura turned around and began to walk down the slope. Just as Ryan was about to follow her, “Your Grace.”

A soldier came up the slope and called for Ryan. “What is it?”

The soldier whispered, “The Emperor has arrived at the monster region.”

“…What’s the situation?”

“He’s killing the monsters at an incredibly fast pace. There seems to be very little loss of power.”

“Is that so? The monsters there are quite strong… The Emperor’s Guard is impressive.” Ryan looked at the army gathered below the slope and smiled. “It’s not a bad idea to use them a little early.”

“Pardon?”

“Take the army and stop the Emperor. If possible, kill him.”

Aura walked down the slope in a hurry. She passed the greenhouse and quickly walked in front of the castle. I have to leave this place. Now.

Ryan was a dangerous man. Even if she were to save her life with his help, she would just end up being used by him.

Even if there is a way to break the seal without my sacrifice… I will find it myself. I won’t accept his help.

First, she had to tell Ruan about this. But just as she was about to go into the castle, someone approached her.

“Your Majesty the Empress?”

She was a middle-aged woman. She was beautiful but looked frail. Her complexion wasn’t very good, either.

“Do you remember me? I am Lillian Casa.”

“Lillian… Casa…” Aura was shocked. She was Isen’s mother and the last consort of the former Emperor.

Lillian smiled gently and said, “I saw you at the wedding. We only exchanged one greeting.”

“I remember, Lady Lillian. But what… what brings you here?”

“I was traveling with Isen when I fell ill, so I’m staying here.”

She’s sick. That’s why she doesn’t look well.

“I am waiting for Isen, who went back to the capital, to return.”

Aura’s heart sank. It seemed Ryan hadn’t even told her about Isen’s death.

Lillian gripped her hand. “If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to offer you a cup of tea. The tea in Sutra has a very unique taste.”

Aura was about to refuse. This was not the time for a leisurely cup of tea. But Lillian’s hand felt different.

…She’s trembling. It was a desperate tremble, as if she was begging Aura to listen to her.

The guards were slowly approaching the two of them with suspicious looks. Aura smiled faintly. “That would be lovely. Would you be so kind as to serve me?”

“Of course. Let’s go to my room.”

Lillian’s room was on the top floor of the castle. It was not a suitable location for a sick, middle-aged woman. It was as if someone had intentionally made it difficult for her to move around.

Aura and Lillian went into the room. Lillian took out a teapot and cups.

“Please sit at the table by the window, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, thank you.”

A moment later, the two of them were sitting across from each other at the table. Lillian poured the tea and made small talk. Aura became anxious.

She’s not saying anything important. Am I just wasting my time?

“The magic in this place is truly amazing. I wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for magic. I don’t know how to repay His Grace’s kindness.” As she said that, Lillian began to write something on a piece of paper.

‘The guards might be listening to us. If we stay here for too long, they might get suspicious. Can I ask you just one question?’

Aura nodded. She then took Lillian’s pen and wrote, ‘We can exchange one question each. You can go first.’

Lillian quickly took the pen. ‘Is Isen alive?’

Aura was at a loss for words. Her reaction seemed to have given Lillian the answer she needed. Lillian covered her face and began to cry silently. Aura, after much thought, wrote, ‘Prince Isen was involved in the Archduke’s treason. But the fact was kept a secret. A grand funeral was held for him.’

Lillian read the words slowly, then squeezed her eyes shut as if swallowing her pain. “That’s a relief. It’s a relief that things turned out that way,” she said, as if she were mindful of the guards outside. But her words were not empty. The fact that the treason was kept a secret and that he was given a grand funeral must have been a comfort to her.

“The tea tastes wonderful. Where is it from?” Aura asked. Lillian talked about the tea. Aura quickly wrote on the paper, ‘I am trying to leave this place. Please tell me a secret way to escape.’

Lillian nodded.

Support For the One Who Hates Me