It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 98

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Erich’s laughter echoed loudly. He shook his head and even clapped lightly with both hands.

“Oh, really? You’ve decided to choose that esteemed family. Good, very good.”

I stared at the back of Giscal’s head with my mouth agape, then shook my head.

Why? What’s the point of feeling betrayed now?

Giscal and I were never anything to each other. No, more than just being unrelated—he was the object of my resentment. He had finally cast off the heavy burden he’d been carrying. He had finally abandoned me.

“I knew you’d choose your family. As the head, it’s only right to take responsibility. Since you’ve cooperated with me now, I’ll overlook the fact that you once dared to raise your sword against me.”

“Yes, then I’ll take Yun Seha to Perlo and Elliot.”

“That won’t do.”

Erich curled his lips into a crooked smile.

“What if she escapes?”

“The imperial guards have surrounded the mansion. How could she possibly escape?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Isn’t Motus’s power meant for moments like this?”

“I assume His Majesty has already placed a teleportation-blocking barrier around the mansion.”

“Of course. But now that we know about the Transparent Stone, we can’t rely solely on that barrier.”

Erich and Giscal fell silent, watching each other closely. They understood each other as much as they distrusted one another.

“Then you must know that forcibly dragging Yun Seha away is meaningless.”

“That’s different. That girl hasn’t mastered her powers yet. No matter how powerful she is, if she can’t use them properly, it’s pointless. The Transparent Stone is a greater threat.”

“I’ll prevent that.”

Erich tilted his head.

“I’ll make sure Yun Seha doesn’t escape. And since His Majesty’s will is firm, no one else will dare help her. Anyone who does will be branded an enemy of the Empire. Who would be foolish enough to do that?”

“Ha, I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“If Yun Seha can’t escape on her own, everything will go according to His Majesty’s plan.”

Giscal placed one hand over his chest and bowed his head.

“What if you fail to stop her?”

“If I fail to uphold my word, I’ll accept whatever punishment His Majesty sees fit.”

“Good. Then if you lose Yun Seha, I’ll have every member of the Edelheit family, including the servants, executed. Even the soldiers you brought from abroad. Surely, you can’t teleport all of them with the Transparent Stone.”

“…Understood.”

There were dozens of servants in the Edelheit mansion alone. Giscal bowed obediently to Erich, who treated those lives like ants.

With Erich watching, Giscal led me across the Edelheit garden once more.

Instead of heading upstairs where everyone was gathered, he took my wrist and led me to the basement. I followed silently.

Though I had regained my will to live, the moment Giscal chose his family over me, I despaired in a different way.

So I followed him in a daze, hoping he wouldn’t abandon me—even though there was no reason he wouldn’t.

I didn’t even know there was a space below the basement where the servants fetched food. The stairs leading down had no lanterns, so Giscal grabbed one from the hallway.

The lower level resembled a massive cave. Thick wooden crates were scattered like a maze, and the walls were lined with tall bookshelves.

Relying on the lantern, Giscal navigated the maze of crates and pried one open. Inside was a metal rod. He approached a bookshelf and inserted the rod into a gap.

Thud thud thud thud

The tall bookshelf, too heavy for one person to move, groaned as it slid aside. Behind it wasn’t a thick wall—but a long, hollow tunnel.

The weak lantern light couldn’t reach the end. The tunnel was just wide enough for a person to pass through hunched over. It was clearly man-made.

“This tunnel connects to a shop near the western plaza. Kick open the wooden panel at the end and you’ll find an empty store. There’ll be clothes and some gold coins to help you survive. Change and hide there.”

I stared at the dark tunnel, unable to comprehend. Then I asked:

“You’re helping me escape?”

“Yes.”

“Alone? Through that tunnel?”

“Yes.”

His answer was firm and without hesitation. I clenched my fists.

“You just chose your family over me in front of the Emperor! You said you’d stop me from escaping, even prevent others from helping me!”

“That was the answer His Majesty wanted.”

“Right! You said you’d persuade Perlo and Elliot? Go ahead. Persuade them to use my soul for experiments and summon Arne.”

I sneered, but Giscal looked at me calmly and asked:

“Do you really think Perlo and Elliot would do that?”

“What?”

“You know they wouldn’t. Perlo may be arrogant, but he has his pride. And Elliot… I actually respect him. Those two wouldn’t sacrifice you.”

I couldn’t respond. Perlo had been like a comrade, helping me explore the idea of traveling to another world. His testimony had saved me multiple times in court.

And Elliot… though he had deceived me, his past was admirable. I couldn’t deny that.

I looked up. Giscal was still watching me quietly. I met his gaze and asked:

“Then you too, Giscal?”

The lantern flickered in his hand.

“I lied, knowing it would hurt you. I’ve only ever caused you pain.”

The fact that he understood my emotional wounds made it hurt even more.

“Why? Why did you do it?”

“I had to give His Majesty the answer he wanted to buy us time. I couldn’t let him take you. But we don’t have much time. His whims are short-lived.”

“Whims?”

I recalled Erich’s light laughter. His mouth smiled, but his eyes were cold.

“He didn’t take you immediately because he wants me to hit rock bottom.”

I still didn’t understand. Giscal hesitated, then said:

“His Majesty hates me.”

Of course, everyone has likes and dislikes. But the hatred Giscal spoke of wasn’t petty—it was deep and consuming.

Erich truly despised, loathed, and scorned Giscal.

“I betrayed Arne. Since His Majesty loved her, it’s only natural he detests me.”

“But Giscal, you’ve done so much for the Empire.”

I couldn’t help but protest. Giscal smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“He sent me to war to keep the noble faction in check, but secretly wished I’d die on the battlefield. I don’t resent him—it’s my karma. But…”

Giscal looked at me as if trying to memorize my face one last time.

“But now, even my death isn’t enough. He wants me to abandon you completely. He wants my soul to wither in despair.”

“What do you mean?”

I asked, but Giscal didn’t answer. He simply reached toward the tunnel with his pale hand.

“Go. There’s no time.”

I forced myself to move and stood at the tunnel’s entrance. A cold breeze flowed from within.

“It’s too dark to see, but just keep going forward. There’s only one path. I’ll stay here and buy you as much time as I can.”

Giscal spoke quickly, like reciting memorized lines.

“You’ll survive for a while with the gold, but His Majesty’s pursuit will be relentless. You must master teleportation. You’ve done it once—you can do it again.”

The lantern flickered. Having said everything, Giscal turned away completely, as if he didn’t want to see me go.

“Really? You want me to leave?”

“Go.”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll stay. I must take responsibility as the head of the family.”

“Are you planning to die?”

Giscal didn’t answer. I screamed:

“What about your relatives in Edelheit? The servants in the mansion? Even the soldiers who followed you through death? You said they’d all be executed! How will you protect them?”

“Even if you stay, His Majesty will attack the mansion.”

“What?”

“What do you think is in those wagons behind the imperial guards?”

I hadn’t thought about the black wagons lined up behind the guards.

“Judging by the covers, probably barrels of gunpowder and bundles of arrows. His Majesty came prepared to burn Edelheit to the ground.”

“But if I go to the palace…”

“Whether you stay or leave, he’ll burn the mansion. I raised my sword against him—he has his justification. And if Arne wished for Edelheit’s downfall, His Majesty won’t miss this chance.”

“Still! That’s just speculation. If I stay, there’s at least a chance to save them!”

Giscal lowered his eyes expressionlessly.

“Even so, I’ll send you away.”

The same Giscal who tried to minimize casualties on the battlefield, who treated every servant fairly, now sounded shockingly irresponsible.

The cold wind from the tunnel blew out the lantern. In the darkness, Giscal continued:

“More than anyone else, I must protect you.”

“Why? I mean nothing to you.”

I wasn’t his sister, the Emperor’s concubine, or even a maid. But in the darkness, I felt Giscal shake his head.

“Because I like you.”

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