Chapter 52: Aftermath

“Elyra, I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry…”

The girl with dark green hair hugged Elyra tightly, her voice trembling with sobs as she kept apologizing.

Huff—

Elyra opened her eyes, the familiar ceiling coming into view.

Since her relationship with Lilian had started improving, she rarely dreamed about her past life anymore.

Maybe it was because of Ophelia’s kiss yesterday?

Elyra propped herself up and scratched her smooth silver hair.

After pressing Lilian for answers yesterday, the two had silently returned to the Count’s mansion and then gone back to their rooms to sleep.

Thinking about Lilian’s expression last night made Elyra feel a bit unsettled.

She didn’t agree with what Lilian had said.

It was one thing for Ophelia to help her, but forcibly kissing Lilian was entirely different.

She couldn’t just ignore Ophelia’s mistake against Lilian just because Ophelia had helped her.

Even if she went back to that night, she wouldn’t hesitate to take action against Ophelia.

But Elyra understood what Lilian meant.

She was putting herself in Ophelia’s shoes.

Silly Lilian was always like that.

Always thinking of others.

Elyra couldn’t figure out how Lilian’s personality had developed.

Was it because she had been a physician?

Elyra wished Lilian could be a little more selfish.

But then, she wouldn’t be Lilian, would she?

If Lilian weren’t like this, in her past life, Elyra wouldn’t have been saved by her…

If only Lilian were like this only toward herself.

That thought inexplicably rose in Elyra’s heart.

No, no.

She had to keep in mind that she still wanted Lilian to hate her.

Elyra patted her cheeks.

And…

After what she said in front of so many people yesterday, “what they did to me,” that must have already spread around, right?

Elyra knew that the forces fixated on the Kohn family in her past life included one: the nobles of the First Prince Faction, and two: the cult.

If they heard what she said, Lilian would definitely be targeted.

Maybe now was the time to push Lilian away.

But without the protection of the Count’s mansion, Lilian would certainly be taken away by Ophelia.

Whether she pushed Lilian away or not, danger awaited her.

The cult was powerful, and her own strength hadn’t fully recovered yet; it was nearly impossible to oppose the evil gods summoned through sacrificial rites.

Fortunately, the cult wouldn’t focus on the Kohn family until a few years later, so she didn’t need to worry about that for now.

The main threat came from the nobles of the First Prince Faction.

Honestly, Elyra didn’t consider herself skilled at scheming.

In her past life as the Demon King, she just crushed her enemies with strength.

The demon race spoke only through power.

There were none of these human complications.

That was precisely why she had suffered losses in this regard.

And why Lilian and she ended up…

Elyra shook her head to dispel the unpleasant memories.

The Kohn family’s influence was here, and anyone who dared to touch Lilian, she would kill on the spot.

No one would dare speak against her.

Elyra estimated her own power: aside from the Church’s bishops, some strong soldiers, and elders from certain noble families,

as long as she didn’t face evil gods, her strength should be enough against most enemies.

As for the political considerations and feelings among nobles—

Elyra didn’t understand them much.

In any case, if they dared to act, she dared to kill.

She would kill until they were too afraid to make a move.

Could she strike at Ophelia but not at a soft target?

From now on, she just needed to focus on dealing with Ophelia.

As for Lilian…

“Hehe.” Elyra gave a foolish little laugh.

Creak—

The door suddenly opened, and Elyra instinctively buried herself under the covers, only leaving a pair of ruby-like eyes visible.

Lilian and Irene quietly stepped inside.

Seeing Elyra awake, Irene stuck out her tongue and sensibly went to prepare clothes.

She had to hurry; today she would be accompanying the head maid on errands, and Irene had been bursting with energy these past few days.

With anticipation, Irene quickly finished her work.

Leaving the young mistress and Lilian in the room, she rushed off to find the head maid and others.

Today was just a normal shopping trip for food, nothing important.

Since Lilian could handle the morning service for the young mistress, Irene begged the head maid to bring her along.

People came and went nearby, while merchants on both sides shouted loudly.

The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and spices.

Humph humph~

Irene carried a moderately heavy basket, her steps light as she followed the head maid, occasionally picking out items to buy.

Today, the air felt a bit strange?

“Hey, hey, did you hear? Yesterday the Princess Royal…”

“What happened? What happened?” another voice asked eagerly.

“Tsk tsk, at the birthday banquet, she forcibly kissed the Kohn family’s daughter’s lover!”

Irene’s ears perked up like a rabbit’s, and she stopped in front of an apple stall, pretending to select apples.

“Who was that person?”

“I heard she has green hair, named Lilian or something?”

Irene couldn’t help but gape.

“Whoa, really?”

“Why lie? That daughter’s lover is apparently even pregnant with her child.”

“Ah?”

Irene covered her mouth with her hand.

Lilian pregnant with the young mistress’s child?

“When the Kohn family’s young mistress saw the Princess Royal kiss her lover, she immediately drew her sword and pointed it at the Princess, saying, ‘Lilian already carries the heir of the Kohn family! You won’t touch her!’ How fierce!”

A group of people nearby sighed in admiration.

Did Lilian really sleep hugging the young mistress?

Irene remembered her mother warning her that girls sleeping together could result in pregnancy.

After having slept on Lilian’s bed once, she had worried for a long time: if Lilian got pregnant with her child, she would lose her job…

Wait…

Lilian’s child—is it hers?

Irene felt her mind go blank.

“Irene, let’s go!” The head maid had had enough of the gossip and dragged Irene away.

“Bella sister…” Irene was dazed as she was pulled along, “Shouldn’t we prepare something to help Lilian… replenish her body?”

Bella staggered, feeling a slight headache.

How could this child believe such nonsense?

After explaining for a long time, Irene reluctantly doubted the rumors and focused on buying ingredients, though a silly smile still lingered on her face.

“Sis, can you give me something to eat? My little brother’s about to collapse…”

A ragged, skinny child stopped Bella.

Bella frowned slightly and sighed, pulling two pieces of bread from her basket.

The child knelt, bowed a few times in thanks, and then limped away.

Bella watched his figure fade into the distance and remained silent for a long moment.

“What’s wrong, Bella sister?”

Irene was busy picking out items and hadn’t noticed what had happened.

“Nothing.” Bella shook her head.

Lately, it seemed like the number of homeless children in the Imperial Capital had increased…