“Al… right.”
The physician asked a few more simple questions, and since my voice still wasn’t cooperating, I nodded or shook my head in response.
“You seem quite shaken, but fortunately, there’s no physical damage. With rest, you should recover your strength quickly.”
After thoroughly examining me, the physician reported to Father, bowing.
“You’re certain there’s nothing wrong?”
“Yes, my lord. She was unconscious for three days, so I checked meticulously. Aside from exhaustion, she’s in good health.”
The four men—Father, Sys, Lant, and Evan—let out simultaneous sighs of relief.
The physician straightened, gave instructions to the waiting maids, and left. The maids bustled about, and soon a bowl of thin soup was brought to me.
“Bee, here, open up.”
Sys held a spoonful of soup to my mouth. I frowned, glaring at the watery broth.
“You need to listen to the physician to recover quickly. Come on, open up—”
“I’ll… do it.”
My weak protest was ignored. I looked to Father for help, but as expected, his brow was furrowed in disapproval.
“Now that Bijonne’s awake, shouldn’t you return to the palace, Your Highness?”
“How could I leave when my fiancée is bedridden?”
Sys’s sly response made a vein bulge on Father’s forehead.
“Your presence might make her uncomfortable.”
“No way. I’m her fiancée, after all.”
“Sister, here.”
While Father and Sys traded barbs, Lant held another spoonful of soup to my mouth.
“Hey, brother-in-law, that’s not fair.”
“You’re not even married yet. Isn’t it less fair for an outsider to do this?”
Lant’s pointed retort, emphasizing each word, caused a crack in Sys’s composure. Meanwhile, Father’s lips curled slightly, pleased with Lant.
Sudden exhaustion hit me. I pushed Sys’s supporting hand away, trying to lie down.
“Bee, you need to eat the soup first.”
“Sister, eat this.”
“Bijonne.”
“Enough, all of you!”
A sharp voice cut through the men’s clamor. I turned to see Mari, hands on her hips, fuming.
“How can educated men act so disgracefully around a lady who’s just woken up?”
She stormed over, snatching the spoons from Lant and Sys. Her boldness stunned us all—Father, Sys, Lant, and I stared blankly.
“I’ll take care of her. Everyone, out.”
With surprising strength, Mari herded the four men toward the door. They were too shocked to protest and were promptly shoved out.
“W-Wait, I didn’t do anything…”
Even Evan, quietly standing in the corner, was ousted. Mari slammed the door and dusted her hands as if shaking off dirt.
“Men, honestly.”
“Mari…?”
“Yes, my lady. Must’ve been overwhelming, right? They’re gone now, so eat in peace.”
She stepped forward, holding out a spoonful of soup. I stared, bewildered.
What does it matter?
Thanks to Mari, the headache was resolved. I obediently opened my mouth, letting her feed me.
“Um…”
After the bowl was empty and she helped me lie back, Mari hesitated, fidgeting nervously.
“They’re probably furious, aren’t they? What do I do? Should I go apologize?”
She hung her head.
“Pfft, where’s that boldness from earlier?”
My voice, though still rough, came out smoother after the soup. At my question, Mari looked up, teary-eyed.
“They kept bothering you, and something just snapped in my head… I think I lost it for a moment.”
She started crying, banging her head against the bedpost. I stifled a laugh, turning on my side.
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Yes, rest well, my lady.”
As Mari sniffled and stood, I heard her mutter, thinking I was asleep.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll guard the door until you’re fully recovered. No one’s disturbing your sleep.”
The thought of promoting Mari to my personal maid grew stronger.
Act 25: The Proposal
“…And that’s how we rescued Lady Pison safely.”
“Lai did well.”
With the butler’s help, Lai reached the palace, found Sys and Evan near the sealed palace fighting the fire, and guided them to rescue El.
Lai had faithfully kept his oath to protect her.
“Is Duke Daysha truly dead?”
“Yes. My sword and… that guy’s pierced his heart clean through. Even a half-Inayari can’t survive that.”
Sys grimaced, clearly still annoyed by Evan.
Ten days had passed since I woke. While I was unconscious, Daysha’s body was displayed in the plaza by the Emperor’s order.
The Inayari connection couldn’t be revealed, but his crimes—poisoning the First Prince and funding Canaan to incite war—were enough to brand him a traitor.
Irene, believed to be his only kin, was executed per imperial law. Whether she was truly his daughter or merely raised as one was now unknowable. Both Daysha and Irene were dead, and the truth died with them.
Unlike before, I felt nothing for her—not even pity.
“What about the remaining Inayari?”
“When Daysha died, they scattered. Kasan says halves, unlike quarters, act on instinct. They likely fled to the West, though they might come for you again.”
“Daysha was unique, even among halves.”
“Seems so.”
Sys’s face darkened. Having heard the full story from Kasan, he viewed Crown Prince Lloyd as a stain on the imperial family. His pride couldn’t accept that a crown prince, driven by greed, allied with the Inayari and became one.
I offered no comfort. This was something he had to overcome himself.
“And the First Consort…”
He hesitated, reluctant.
I’d already heard of her death from Father. She had set the sealed palace ablaze, igniting it the moment a knight disguised as me entered, intending to take me with her to the grave.
Having lost the First Prince, she chose me as her companion in death, wanting Sys to feel her pain.
“Haa.”
A low sigh escaped Sys. I could guess what he’d say next and waited quietly.
“His Majesty asked to cover up her crimes.”
He clasped my hand.
“I opposed it, but I don’t think I can sway him. I’m sorry.”
He bowed his head, dejected.
I recalled Father’s fury last night. Even he couldn’t budge the Emperor’s resolve to shield the First Consort. Despite her crimes, she was his first son’s mother and his longest companion. He couldn’t bear to brand her a traitor in death.
Guilt over the First Prince’s death in that barren land likely played a part.
The First Consort deserved punishment for kidnapping El and trying to kill me, but she’d perished in her own flames.
There was little to hold a dead woman accountable for. Her family was ruined, her kin gone. Stripping her from the imperial registry was the only penalty, meaningless to the dead. With El safe, there was no need to defy the Emperor.
Besides, this could be leverage for a deal with him.
My first thought upon waking was that I needed to meet the Black Priest.
There was something in my unremembered memories involving them.
Only the Emperor knew how to summon them, and I needed his help.
“…Bee?”
Sys’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“I’m fine,” I said, squeezing his hand. “We’ll deal with the Emperor’s decision.”
He nodded, relief softening his features.
“There’s one more thing,” he said, his tone shifting.
“What?”
He knelt beside the bed, still holding my hand.
“Marry me, Bee.”
