After eating hearty meals, receiving steamed massages, and exercising – which was actually only a stroll around the castle – the day passed quickly. It was the same the next day. Evony followed Marsha into the drawing room on the first floor for Sanko’s amazing meals, then she returned to her room to receive the doctor’s treatment.

Within a week, Evony's open wounds had somewhat healed, allowing her to officially start rehabilitation. The old scars could not be removed, but regenerative salves were applied to minimize scarring. Massages and hot towels were used to relax the muscles and stimulate the nerves on the places where it hurt or felt numb.

Evony was at a point where she could wash herself without Marsha’s help and now, even if she were to pace and worry before going on the bed, she slept comfortably on the soft mattress.

The menu had also changed. Before, small portions of soft food were served, whereas now, more meat and raw vegetables were on her plate.

Surprisingly, the person most dedicated to Evony was neither Marsha nor Sanko, but the doctor. It didn’t take long for Evony to realize that her dry and cold manner of speaking was just a habit and did not reflect her intentions.

“It’ll take some time to get better. A posture corrector would be good for your curved spine, but I don’t think you would have the strength to support it. The scabbed wounds will show signs of improvement in a few days.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“You know that your pelvis is twisted, right? That’s why the lengths of your legs are different. We’ll correct this as well during the rehabilitation. Don’t eat as much as you can just because the chef recommends it. Stop when you’re full enough, and it’ll be best to ask for lighter snacks.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure to do that.”

She was in bad condition but cooperative, which made her a relatively easy patient. That day, the doctor gave her a handful of medicine. Evony didn’t so much as flinch as she swallowed the bitter pills.

While busily going about her work, the doctor stopped and lowered her gaze to study her patient’s face. The doctor was in her early 40’s and a few traces of white were mixed in her short hair.

“Were you always this quiet?”

“Sorry? What do you mean?”

“I know you can’t help it right now, but you wouldn’t have been this quiet before, right? Every girl has had a time when they were as noisy as they can be. How about you, Lady Evony?”

The reason she stayed quiet was because she didn’t want to make a mistake. It was something she’d picked up during her time in prison.

She replied obediently. “I can’t remember the past that well.”

That was a lie. The exact opposite was the problem. But there was no reason to bring it up in front of another person, so she stayed quiet.

It seemed that the doctor was not expecting to chitchat, as she sat there, sipping tea. And as if not a big deal, she lightly added, “Did you know that the majority of people in this castle are foreigners?”

“Pardon me?”

“Well, of course, you wouldn’t know. Marsha, Benjamin, Sanko, and myself. We’re all foreigners. Most of the grand duke’s knights are from foreign lands as well, though you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet them.”

She wasn’t aware of this and was truly surprised. Karcass was a reclusive kingdom with an exceedingly small foreign population. Evony recalled Danté telling her that he lived abroad for a long time.

“At least in this castle, there is no need to be afraid,” the doctor said. “The people here probably don’t know of the complicated rules of Karcass. What I mean to say is, even if you walk around barefooted or spill all your food, no one is going to accuse you of anything.”

“That’s… No, never mind.”

“It’s not just that. You can talk loudly like men, or wear pants and spread your legs widely apart and no one will care.”

“Excuse me?” Evony made a face as if that were the most scandalous thing she had ever heard.

The doctor laughed and continued, pointing at her heavy briefcase. “In Karcass, they say a woman dare not become a doctor. Because the noble task of saving lives cannot be entrusted to women who are so foolish and emotional.”

It was true. That was the real reason Evony was shocked when she saw that the doctor was a woman.

“It’s ridiculous. I studied medicine at the major university affiliated with the Odeum Union. I entered as the top of my class and graduated as valedictorian. There was not a single man who had better grades than me. But just because I was a woman, I could not become a doctor in this kingdom. They say even if a person walking by me gets stabbed, I cannot perform their surgery. Just because I am a woman.”

“Then why did you come to this kingdom?” She was so curious that she blurted out the question.

The doctor put a hand on her forehead theatrically and let out a big sigh. “That damned duke turned out to be part of the Karcassian royal family. A servant must follow her master. When I first heard of the news, I screamed for three days without sleeping.”

That damned duke? Evony gaped in shock.

“Anyways, that’s not what is important. You don’t need to mind your behavior, is what I’m saying. Lady Evony, you need to be more forthright.”

That was the end of the day’s treatment. The doctor let out a small chuckle, saying that it was not her intention to talk this much, and exited the room.

Evony thought about Doctor’s words over and over. Every last word. Her tone, her gaze, everything. Could she trust her? Was she being sincere?

She couldn’t conclude anything for sure. But at least it seemed like they didn’t view her with contempt or disgust. This beautiful room which once the wretched Evony would dare not touch, now had traces of her in it. The clothes and shoes, her medicine and bandages, and the crumpled blanket.

If anyone had asked what she liked the most about this room, she would say it was the crumpled blanket. The wrinkles that formed when she sat. They were a symbol that showed her she belonged in the room, so when she would look at it, a peculiar sense of stability washed over her.

After that day Evony cried in Danté’s arms until she had almost fainted, he was nowhere to be seen. He was no doubt buried with work, given his status in society. But every night before she went to sleep, she would always recall what happened that day.

How he’d asked if she felt wronged. And how he’d asked if her crime had not been in self-defense.

In Evony's fading heart of stone, this lit a small fire. For now, the ember was small and fragile, but the heat from it was enough to warm her cold thoughts — so much, that she could not sleep at night.

***

It was impossible for Danté to not be curious about Evony.

There was little difficulty in researching her status and what had happened to her. All he had to do was pay the right price or hire someone to do it for him.

One particular piece of information Danté learned drew his attention. It was about her dead fiancé, Victor Sedille. As the previous head of the family, Victor had acquired the title of marquess at an early age. Who took his place now that he was dead?

Danté felt the need for further research and set out to discover the truth. His chosen method was to participate in the Cloister, the symbol for Karcassian politics of the nobility.

The rumor that recent home bound Grand Duke Schneider had become the guardian of the murderer Evony Vonieck quickly spread. Danté easily met the curious stares.

In the Karcassian noble society, becoming a guardian was something of a game that rich nobles played to boast their privilege. They would select a person of humble origins, young age, or of beauty — similar to choosing a toy — and turn them into obedient servants.

But the case with Evony was completely different. Her release after many years in prison had occurred due to a complex web of interests. The most important event that led to the outcome was Karcass’ crushing defeat in its war against Babel, its enemy kingdom. The queen of Babel hand-picked Evony Vonieck to be set free.

Karcass had to accept all terms set out by the victor. It was that painful of a defeat. Aroa Fenrir, the queen of Babel, mentioned land, compensation, a few other benefits and constraints, and lastly brought up the release of Evony.

It was not because the queen knew Evony well. The mischievous queen must have pondered how she could leave a foul taste in the mouths of Karcassian authorities. With its history of male dominance, how would they take it when the female murderer branded as an evil witch had to be released?

How unpleasant would that be for them?

“It’s because Babel is a kingdom where women’s rights are recognized and protected in many ways. The queen of Babel must genuinely find it amusing. During an actual battle, when the queen was swinging her big sword and leading her warriors on the battlefield, the Karcassian soldiers who witnessed this shouted that a witch had appeared, pointing their fingers at her. One of our generals who had challenged her to a duel proclaimed he would capture her and publicly burn her at the stake. That night she took his head,” Danté’s Chief Secretary told him.

That wasn’t all of it. It was difficult enough to believe that they had lost the war, but the fact that the ruler of the enemy was a woman sent the Karcassian army in a scurry to prepare charms. The charms were supposed to protect them from the witch’s curse.

As he listened to his Chief Secretary’s report, Danté let out a sharp laugh. Thinking how these cowards never change in their behaviors, and how they were a sight to see.

“I feel like I can hear the queen’s laugh.”

“Does Your Excellency know her well?”

“No. I know someone who does. Anyways, why are those vultures following us?”

After finishing his work, a few nobles hung around and followed Danté out of the Cloister. They couldn’t publicly grovel as there were gazes on them.

“They want to introduce themselves to Your Excellency.”

“Aha.”

“The private requests I have received in this past month number just under a hundred. Since there were no responses, they’re coming in person so you would remember them.”

So, in the end, they wanted Danté’s favor. They wanted to stay close to his power and have their share of his weapons and secrets. That was their purpose. The equilibrium between boredom and annoyance on Danté’s face broke to favor the latter.

The eyes of his Chief Secretary, who was standing just as calmly beside him, began to gleam. “It’s Marcus Sedille.”

Danté, who was striding along, stopped in his tracks. He narrowed his cold eyes and looked at where his secretary was pointing. There was a man standing with his head held high.