Chapter 185

“No... That’s not me—”

“Your people still live on, scattered and waiting for you. A true warrior does not cower from war like a coward.”

As Ivonne whispered to him, images of Delman’s past glory flashed through Eckles’ mind. In truth, unknown to him, there was a glowing, blue mirror fragment thrust into his face.

Eckles’ eyes relaxed, drooping half-shut. He had been the king’s illegitimate son, but he had never experienced discrimination because of it. In fact, he hadn’t been burdened with heavy responsibilities like his brothers and instead been allowed much freedom growing up.

He pictured the vast plains, the greenery, and the beautiful grasslands of his home. When the empire had destroyed everything, his father and brothers erased his name from any records and disguised him as a slave. He’d saved his own pathetic life, only able to do so by turning his back on his family and his people. He was no longer royalty, now he was just a lowly slave. How could he go back and use that name once more?

“You already said it, Eckles, this is the end. If you don’t seize this opportunity now... you’ll never have Penelope,” Ivonne said earnestly. “Go north. Meet with the rebel forces. Kill the crown prince and take the empire for yourself.”

“My mistress... doesn’t want that.” Her prey resisted weakly, no doubt because the artifact was still incomplete. But when the fragment’s blue light filled his eyes, dark desire rose within him again.

Ivonne patiently repeated the same words over and over. “Penelope wants a peaceful life.”

“A peaceful life… She doesn’t want to be the crown prince’s wife, a mere orphan abandoned by the duke. Do you think she could bear to live like that, her position so fragile?”

The blue light intensified.

Does Penelope want to be the crown prince’s wife? Eckles considered Ivonne’s question for a moment. If that was what she desired, he could kill the crown prince and take his place in order to give her what she wanted. But the mistress he knew didn’t covet such things.

Ivonne continued to whisper. “You can prevent any further misfortune from touching her, can you not?”

“She... should be happy. She’s been sad all her life, trapped in this manor, because of those bastards...”

“Then do as I say, Eckles.”

Eckles finally nodded, his eyes completely consumed by the blue light. Ivonne softly bit her lip. Eckles had run amok, ruining her plan to snatch the fragment without anyone noticing.

I thought things would be easier now... She had no idea what had happened before she arrived, but nothing seemed to be going her way. The situation had changed so much, it was hard to comprehend. The duke’s adopted daughter was capable of using powerful ancient magic and Ivonne’s many prey refused to willingly enter her webs.

They all seemed so desperate for Penelope’s approval for some unknown reason, and to add insult to injury, the girl had stolen a fragment of the mirror like the little rat she was.

She recognizes me, I’m sure of it. The day the island had collapsed, their eyes had met as her mask had fallen off. The girl had seen her. Penelope knew her true identity. She knows, and yet amusingly enough...

She was filled with intense anxiety as she thought about how Penelope continued to feign ignorance, avoiding her at every turn. There wasn’t any time left. She would have to cast aside all her stupid prey and leave them to their despair as they realized they couldn’t have Penelope’s love.

I’ll have to take care of things myself.

* * *

“Oh god...” I slowly lowered my hand from my mouth. The mirror fragment I’d been gripping tightly dug into my skin, but I couldn’t move or feel any pain. I was standing near the furnace, behind the building Eckles had supported himself against, which was a warehouse.

I’d searched the surrounding area, trying to find a way to get rid of the fragment without anyone knowing, but I hadn’t known that lingering would prove to be so useful. Since I’d witnessed Ivonne brainwashing Eckles the last time I’d confronted him, I’d deemed it necessary that I attempt to listen in. And I’d been right to do so. Having successfully eavesdropped on their conversation through the thin wall, I only left long after it had fallen silent within.

“M-my lady!” Emily greeted me as I returned to my room. It seemed as if she had just finished tidying up.

“Why are you so late—my goodness! What’s wrong with your hand? It’s bleeding!”

“Emily,” I called, hoping to keep her from kicking up a fuss.

“Bring me a hammer.”

“Huh? B-but your hand—”

“I said go and bring me a hammer,” I repeated, glowering at her.

“I’ll go get one right now!”

She rushed from the room. I finally opened my hand, casting the mirror fragment down against the floor. It clattered loudly. My palm had been torn open by its sharp edge, and it stung badly. But my fear was greater than my pain.

The female protagonist—that monster—was looking for the fragment. And it seemed as though she might know my every move, even as I tried to get rid of it. I need to dispose of it immediately!

Thankfully, Emily soon returned clutching a large hammer. “My lady! Here you go. Why do you need it, though?”

“Stand back. This could get dangerous.” I snatched it from her and lifted it above my head right away. I swung it down as hard as I could onto the fragment. The fragment clanked loudly under the force of the blow.

“My lady! Eek!” Emily screamed in fright as I suddenly started striking the floor.

I didn’t stop. I swung the hammer down over and over again as if trying to grind the fragment to tiny bits. I struck it on its edge accidentally, and it flew into the air before clattering to the floor again.

Huffing, I begged, “Please!”

When I saw that there wasn’t even a crack in the mirror, I scowled.

“Oh, goddamn it! What is this made of? Steel?” Filled with terror, I cast the hammer away, and it clattered loudly against my bedroom floor.

“My lady, p-please calm down! We need to take care of your hand first!” Emily said, quivering as she tried to convince me to stop.

My palm was sticky with the blood that was now also dripping from my fingers. I’d swung the hammer using that same hand, forgetting that my palm was cut open.

“Emily.”

“Y-yes?”

I took several deep breaths, trying to regain my cool. “I need you to run an errand for me right now.”

“Huh? I don’t—”

“Take that thing and go directly to the Guild of the White Rabbit. Make sure nobody sees you.” I gestured at the fragment with my chin.

Emily scurried over and picked it up.

“Go and tell him to store it somewhere safe and secret until I come for it.”

It couldn’t be burned and a hammer didn’t so much as crack it. The only option available to me seemed to be to get it out of the manor for the time being.

“Yes! I’ll do that, my lady!” she said, nodding emphatically.

“And one more thing,” I said. “Tell him to do the favor I asked of him the night the island vanished once more.”

“I’ll tell him!”

“Okay. Be safe.”

Emily rushed out of the room without asking any further questions, perhaps because she’d become well used to this kind of errand.

The maid had no idea that she would be asking Winter to erase her memories. I gritted my teeth, watching her leave. I need to get out of here quickly. I had to make my way north.

* * *

“My lady, I’m back!” Emily returned later that evening, having successfully completed the mission I’d given her.

“You’re sure nobody saw you?”

“Yes, and I told him exactly what you told me to say. The merchant said he’d keep your things safe.”

“Good work.”

“Don’t mention it! Did you have someone tend to your hand?” she asked, peering pitifully at the bandage wrapped around my hand.

I ignored her question, instead asking, “Tell me, Emily, did you give him the item I asked you to?”

“Huh? What item?” Emily asked, eyes wide.

I could tell she wasn’t lying. Winter had erased all memories of the fragment from Emily’s mind.

“No, never mind. I was just confused for a moment.”

Now all that remained was for me to find the right time to escape.

* * *

The next day, I left my room early in the morning, having not slept a wink. Emily would no doubt be shocked by my disappearance, so I’d arranged some pillows under my sheets to fool her. She would think I was still asleep.

The estate, filled with the hazy morning fog, was so quiet it gave me the chills. Trudging through the cold morning dew, I walked along the forest path that led to the training grounds. The knights had not yet gotten up to begin training, and the forest seemed much darker than it did later in the day. I walked quickly.

The first thing I needed to do in order to get away was find myself an escape route. It had been a while since I’d used the hole in the wall and I needed to confirm its exact location again. I slowed down a little, trying to calm my racing mind, and soon arrived at the familiar location.

I guess the poison didn’t mess with my memory or anything. Pleased that my mind hadn’t failed me, still seemingly in working order, I approached quickly. Trying to remember the exact bush that had hidden the hole, I checked multiple similar clumps of vegetation.

When I’d found the right one, I pushed it aside and bent down.

“Huh?” The hole was nowhere to be seen. The only thing in front of me was the wall enclosing the estate.

This is the right bush, I’m sure of it. Puzzled, I looked at the bush, then at the wall, smooth without so much as a dimple on its surface.

Is this not the right place? Wondering if it was a little more to the left or right, I crouched down and began feeling along the wall. I found the hole nowhere.

“Where’s it gone? Why isn’t it here?” I muttered to myself, confused.

“There’s no gap there anymore,” I heard someone say.

“Then where is it?” I asked.

“And what will you do with that information?”

“Well, run away... Of course...” I suddenly froze, a chill running down my spine.

No... Hoping this wasn’t really happening, I slowly turned around. The pink-haired brother I dreaded to see, even in my dreams, was standing right behind me wearing a demonic grin.

“Of course?” he repeated.

“Ack!”