TTEWD 15

Episode 15. Death Abroad or Death on Top.

The next day, I headed to the altar prepared in a secluded part of the imperial palace.

On either side of the altar, made of crimson marble, were statues of the empresses of past generations.

In front stood a massive cross symbolizing the goddess Ahala. Behind it was a wall of crystal glass.

When the stars of the night sky, especially the brightest ones, shone through, I could borrow the goddess’s power to see the future.

I wondered what the empresses thought here, in a place covered with a carpet as red as blood.

I could almost hear their pitiful voices:

*”Poor daughter of Landesta. You could not escape this path. Soon, you will stand beside us.”*

Clifford and Gillian were waiting for me in front of the altar. Gillian spoke in an excited voice.

“Your permission to attend is an honor!”

“Know that this reflects my sincere regard for Autonia,” Clifford emphasized the special treatment. Gillian bowed, as if asking whether it could be otherwise.

“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful.”

“It was not easy to sway the empress’s heart,” Clifford continued.

“She was so stubborn that she once wielded a sword in front of me. But of course, I have long forgotten that incident.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Prince Deysha must have caused you great distress… Will it not affect your visions of the future?”

Gillian asked with a nervous smile. He must have heard that Enric was imprisoned.

I fixed him with a cold stare.

“If you doubt me, you may leave.”

“I merely worry for your safety. I’ve heard that each time you use the star’s gaze, significant harm befalls Her Majesty the Empress.”

“…….”

“The previous empresses also passed away early, did they not? The goddess can be cruel indeed. Tsk tsk.”

Gillian clicked his tongue, feigning pity.

Did he think I would flinch at such provocation?

I had warned I would not forgive the mutilation of the roses, expecting a fierce retaliation.

But he was just a petty human, desperate to borrow my power.

“The empresses lived short lives. And what of it?” I said, my lips curling into a faint sneer. Gillian flinched at my gaze.

“…Are you not afraid of death, Empress?”

“Why would a soon-to-be-dead person fear it? Unless one wastes life thinking they will live a thousand years, there is nothing to fear.”

“Cough.”

“No one knows when or how they will die. Some die abroad, some atop a woman,” I said, my eyes scanning Gillian and Clifford like I could cut them down. I noticed their shoulders tense.

“What future shall I show you? Shall I show how the prince will die?”

Like a person who made eye contact with a ghost, Gillian stepped back. Embarrassed that a woman in a wheelchair frightened him, he hurriedly changed the subject.

“I wish to know Autonia’s future.”

“The Star’s Gaze is not omnipotent. You must speak in detail for me to see the future.”

“My late father is elderly, and the crown prince is weak. The people are anxious about who will be the next king.”

Gillian spoke in circles. I cut straight to the point with a sharp tone.

“So you wish to know whether Prince Gillian will ascend the throne, yes or no?”

“Huh, hm!”

“Speak properly. The goddess is watching.”

Though I despise exploiting the goddess, it was effective to pressure Prince Gillian.

Gillian glanced nervously at the cross of the goddess and stammered.

“Y-Yes. Please tell me if I can inherit the throne.”

“How surprising. I thought you’d be concerned with strengthening the nation, not worrying about who will sit on the throne,” I said.

“…!”

“Haha. The nation’s fate depends on the next king! The prince cares enough about his country, Empress,” Clifford mocked, picking up where I left off.

Gillian could only cough awkwardly, unable to offer any excuse. His ears and neck were burning red.

“I only see the future based on the present. Remember, if the present changes, the future will too.”

I warned them lowly, then rolled my wheelchair forward. The brilliant starlight awaited me.

This could be the last time. The moment I spoke of the future, my heart might harden.

I forced my fear aside. Though many things differed from my past life, I had died at twenty-six.

I still had a few chances left to use the Star’s Gaze.

Biting my lip, I glared at the statues of the previous empresses.

*‘I will not die like you. I will live my life. I will never follow in your footsteps. I will make it happen with my own hands.’*

Now, Enric’s face naturally flashed before me. My own radiant smile.

My most beautiful one. I wanted to see him alive again.

—

The underground prison was devoid of light. The guards gave Enric neither food nor water.

I could not tell how much time had passed. His arms were shackled to the walls.

Blood dripped from his legs, torn ligaments making him a gruesome sight. The royal prison guards were skilled torturers.

Enric was utterly broken. He would heal, but his body was covered in wounds enough to disgust Stella.

*‘Is my master alright? How is he holding up? He hasn’t collapsed again, has he?’*

Whenever I thought of Stella, it felt like my body was splitting in two from the shock.

When the royal knights had forced her to her knees, dragged her chained, her voice—always dignified—had sounded fragile, like a plundered village woman.

“Release Enric! He is innocent!”

Her thin, white hands flailed in the air like ivory branches. Her disheveled platinum hair. No one looked at Stella. Everyone ignored the fragile, noble woman.

*‘It’s all my fault. But if I hadn’t stepped in, my master…’*

The pain hit me harder than when guards swung nailed clubs at me. Unlike a body that feels neither death nor pain, his mind was absurdly weak. Easily shaken by fear.

Worried that my master would be hurt, that he wouldn’t eat, that he’d be defiled by his so-called husband.

“Duke Deysha. Can you hear me?”

Enric lifted his head. Joan adjusted her glasses across the iron bars.

Frowning, as if displeased to meet Enric like this.

“You seem more intact than I expected. I don’t know if that’s fortunate or not.”

“Has Master regained strength? Is he unhurt? Did he leave any message for me?”

Enric fired questions rapidly. Joan’s neat face twisted fiercely.

“Why do you speak casually to Your Majesty but politely to me?”

‘Because he is my master’s retainer. It is only proper.’ Enric kept a solemn expression.

He didn’t understand why he didn’t want to show respect to his master.

Etiquette was bothersome, but not impossible. He did not speak casually to belittle Stella.

Enric liked that his master was the empress. Anyone who insulted or opposed her would not be spared.

Thinking of Clifford’s lustful eyes, he clenched his teeth.

He could have easily broken Clifford’s neck like twisting a child’s wrist.

When Clifford’s filthy hands touched Stella, he let go of the last thread of reason he had held.

Whether he was Stella’s husband or the emperor of Angel didn’t matter. Stella was terrified.

She was in despair. The only reason he restrained his murderous intent was Stella.

If he killed Clifford with his own hands, Stella would bear all the blame.

*‘I can be imprisoned a hundred times, tortured a thousand times. But my master cannot. I must protect my master.’*

Each time the guards tortured him, Enric faintly smiled.

Relieved it was him there, not Stella.

But the fact that he could not personally care for Stella was a serious problem.

“Tell me, Joan. How is my master doing?”

Though bound, Enric exuded an overwhelming presence.

Joan would have felt he might break the shackles and bars to strangle her if she didn’t answer.

Pressed by Enric’s overwhelming aura, Joan spoke.

She did not complain that he had changed his tone.

“He used the Star’s Gaze to save you.”

“What is the Star’s Gaze?”

“And you played the role of Your Majesty’s lover without knowing that?”

“Don’t treat me like a fool. I simply didn’t ask because my master disliked it.”

“Ha… Listen carefully. I will say it only once.”

As Joan explained, Enric’s expression changed minute by minute.

Upon hearing Stella’s lifespan was short, his golden eyes reddened with anger.

“And yet you used the Star’s Gaze?! Why did you do that?”

“Didn’t I tell you? It was to save your insignificant life.”

“!”

“In exchange, you saw Prince Gillian’s future. Even though you did not know when his heart would stop!”

Joan shouted in anger. Enric understood her resentment perfectly.

If Stella were to sacrifice herself to save Joan, he would kill Joan first to prevent it.

“Because of me, my master…”

Though she barely allowed contact, she risked her life for him.

A hot, indescribable lump blocked my throat.

My eyes stung, my nose ached. Grateful, yet guilty. I wanted to die from guilt and live from gratitude—only for Stella.

*‘I thought it wouldn’t be strange if I were abandoned. But does my master care for me? Why? I’m not even really a lover.’*

No one had ever sacrificed for Enric. Even his mother sold him for a few copper coins.

Humans swarmed around him, trying to use him. Enric trusted no one.

Perhaps he had once entrusted his heart to a single person… but who was it?

The memory, black and empty, could not be recalled.

“Don’t think you are anything special. If Your Majesty discovers your identity, you’ll be thrown out immediately.”

Upon hearing “identity,” Enric clamped his mouth shut.

Had Joan realized he knew the ancient scripts of the Colontus Empire?

*‘If she knew, she would have expelled me. Even if I had to defy my master’s orders. I must be careful not to be discovered. But what if I truly am Colontus’s spy?’*

Waves surged in his chest, but his face remained expressionless.

All he could do now was swear with his life.

“I will never betray my master.”

“How can I believe that? Amnesia, you say? Do not mock Your Majesty with your filthy lies.”

“Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter. I only obey my master’s orders.”

“Is that so?”

“If I were to betray my master…”

Enric stopped speaking and moved. He wanted to show the rest with his actions.

Seeing Enric, Joan screamed.

“What on earth are you doing?!”