I Helped The Imprisoned Male Lead And He Became Obsessed - Chapter 76

“Miss Employer, you’ve worked hard coming all this way,” Scarlett said as she escorted me off the carriage.

After five days of travel since leaving Laghtia, we had finally arrived in Petra.

“You’ve worked just as hard, Scarlett,” I replied sincerely.

“Not at all. I got paid handsomely for an easy job. If anything, I’m grateful to you.” Scarlett grinned as she helped me with my luggage.

Scarlett grinned and pulled a coin pouch from her pocket, shaking it playfully.

Despite her nonchalant words, she had done more than her fair share, and I responded with a small smile of gratitude.

She looked at the pouch fondly before tucking it back into her coat and said,

“Take care of yourself. And if you ever need something, don’t hesitate to find me again.”

“I will. You stay well too, Scarlett.”

Though it had only been a short time, spending the journey together had formed a small bond between us.

She extended her hand with a bright smile, and I clasped it without hesitation.

The carriage I had traveled in rolled down the winding country road, slowly disappearing into the distance.

From here on, I’m truly alone.

The thought crept up on me, and I felt a brief wave of worry—could I really handle being by myself in this unfamiliar place?

But… I can’t stay in the same spot forever.

No matter what awaited me, the only way was forward.

Turning my gaze ahead, I noticed the branches of an olive tree at the village entrance swaying gently in the breeze.

I took a deep breath, repeating to myself, I can do this, and stepped forward with resolve.

***

First, I need to find a house.

Petra was a small village nestled at the westernmost edge of the Empire.

Most of its residents were locals who had lived there for generations, and it was rare for an outsider to settle in the area. Because of this, there weren’t many houses available for sale.

Still, I was incredibly fortunate. During lunch at the village inn, the kind innkeeper introduced me to a house that turned out to be perfect.

Situated atop a gentle hill, the two-story house was adorned with creeping vines and colorful flowers that climbed its walls, giving the appearance of draped silk in vibrant hues.

Though it had been unoccupied for a long time and showed signs of neglect—dust collecting in every corner and a few broken parts—the house was still livable with a bit of care.

The spacious yard, filled with wildflowers, and the forest stretching behind the house especially appealed to me.

At the palace, most medicinal ingredients were readily available, but Petra’s isolation means I’ll need a good source of herbs. This forest will be perfect.

Petra didn’t have a resident physician or even an apothecary. Residents often had to travel by carriage for a full day to reach a nearby town for medical care.

If I open an apothecary on the first floor of this house, it’ll save the villagers from making those long trips.

Although I had left the palace in a rush, I had no intention of wasting away in hiding.

Using my knowledge to help people felt like a meaningful way to spend my time.

That same day, after carefully inspecting the house, I decided to buy it.

Standing in front of the house, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotions. This was the first home I could truly call my own.

But the satisfaction was short-lived.

If I wanted to open an apothecary, I couldn’t afford to sit idly. The accumulated dust and debris had to be cleared away, and repairs had to be made.

Besides, keeping busy was the only way to stop myself from thinking about Emilian.

Emilian… I hope you’re doing well without worrying about me.

I wished only that he would open his heart to Serena and accept her care.

Without me around, Emilian would surely turn to her. That’s what Serena had wanted all along.

By now, was she purely happy, or did she feel even a little pity for me?

I didn’t know. Either way, the thought didn’t sit well, and I shook my head lightly to dispel it.

Enough of that. There’s too much work to do.

I looked around the dusty interior of the house and rolled up my sleeves.

It was time to start cleaning—a skill I’d mastered during my childhood.

With determination, I got to work.

***

Serena paced nervously around the room, biting her lip.

The annex next to the temple served as her confinement quarters, and imperial guards stood watch outside her door, leaving no gaps in their vigilance.

Five days ago, she had been placed under house arrest, accused of aiding Dietrich’s escape.

Her status as a saintess and the High Priest’s protection had spared her from being thrown into the dungeons, but the situation was far from favorable.

Serena slumped into a chair by the window, her face pale from sleepless nights and poor appetite.

The memory of her interrogation before the Emperor replayed in her mind.

“Serena, why did you aid in Dietrich’s escape?”

“Your Majesty, I only sought to treat Dietrich’s injuries. I had no intention of facilitating his escape.”

She had pleaded her innocence with a calm demeanor, but the Emperor’s suspicions hadn’t wavered.

Her actions were questionable, as she had approached Dietrich without the Emperor’s authorization.

Still, there was no definitive proof that she had directly assisted in his escape, so her punishment had been limited to house arrest.

“I suppose that’s fortunate. The guard’s testimony alone isn’t enough to convict me.”

If no further evidence emerged, the accusations against her would eventually dissipate.

From the maid who brought her meals, Serena had learned that Anise hadn’t been seen at the research institute for five days.

This meant Emilian had failed to find her.

If she could clear her name, she could reunite with Emilian. She could soothe his pain, and with time, Anise’s absence would fade from his heart.

Serena believed that this would give her the opportunity she had been waiting for.

She was lost in thought, suppressing her growing unease, when she heard footsteps outside her door.

Someone was coming. Serena instinctively stood up.

“The High Priest said he would do everything to plead my case. I hope he’s brought good news.”

The door clicked open a moment later, and Serena’s golden eyes widened in surprise.

The visitor was someone she knew all too well.

“Emilian…? How did you get here?”

She was startled, but her initial surprise gave way to delight. Had he come because he was worried about her?

“I came because I have questions for you,” Emilian said curtly.

He sat across from her, and she eagerly served him tea. But he didn’t so much as touch the cup.

Despite his cold demeanor, Serena was thrilled by his presence.

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

“Why did you help Dietrich escape?”

The directness of his question made Serena momentarily speechless.

His piercing crimson eyes bore into her, sharp and unyielding, like an invisible blade.

Suppressing the urge to avert her gaze, Serena replied,

“…I don’t understand what you mean. I only visited Dietrich to treat his condition.”

“You’re lying.”

Emilian’s tone was cold and unwavering, a statement of fact rather than suspicion.

Serena bit her lip, holding his gaze.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because traces of your holy power were found on the restraints Dietrich destroyed,” he said bluntly.

“…!”

For a moment, the composed mask on Serena’s face cracked.

“The court mages analyzed the restraints,” Emilian said coldly. “They found that your holy power clashed with Dietrich’s magic, creating a fracture. That’s what allowed him to escape. Are you still going to claim you bear no responsibility?”

The accusatory tone made Serena’s grip tighten on her dress beneath the table, where it wouldn’t be seen. Forcing a smile, she replied calmly,

“As I said, I used holy power to treat Dietrich. Naturally, traces of it would be found.”

“So you’re saying his escape wasn’t planned by you?”

“Yes. It was simply an accident.”

Emilian stared at her in silence. Between them, the untouched tea grew cold.

“Whether that’s true or not, you’re still responsible. You contributed to Dietrich’s escape, and you can’t avoid accountability for that.”

“Accountability?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“A formal decree will be issued soon, but I’ll tell you now,” he said.

Serena’s eyes flickered with unease. A heavy sense of foreboding settled in her chest. She feared the words that would come next.

When Emilian finally spoke, his cold voice pierced her like ice.

“You will leave the palace. Your punishment is to travel across the Empire and treat the sick.”

“…!”

Her golden eyes widened in shock. Her heart raced, her hands trembled faintly.

“What… Why would I have to leave the palace? Did His Majesty order this?”

“It was the High Priest’s suggestion to His Majesty,” Emilian replied. “In exchange for avoiding harsher punishment, you’ll atone by serving the people of the Empire.”

Her chest sank as if a heavy stone had been dropped into it. The room spun faintly in her vision.

“This can’t be… It’s absurd,” she whispered.

Why had she gone to such lengths? Why had she conspired with Dietrich and risked everything?

And now they wanted her to leave the palace? To leave Emilian’s side?

Lowering her head, Serena clutched her chest tightly and muttered,

“…I can’t. I won’t….”

It didn’t matter if she was punished for the incident with Dietrich. But for Emilian—for him—she couldn’t leave.

Raising her head sharply, Serena cried out, her voice desperate,

“I can’t leave! Because you need me! Without me, no one can cure the side effects of your experiments!”

Her plea was a desperate cry for him to acknowledge her, to see her as indispensable.

But Emilian’s gaze, meeting hers, remained devoid of any emotion.

“Why do you think you’re the only one who can help me?” he said in a dry, detached tone.

The lifelessness in his voice and eyes made Serena’s heart plummet.

Even with Anise gone, he remained just as cold to her.

Why… Why is nothing different? With that woman gone, I’m the only one left for you to rely on! So why—why won’t you look at me?

Serena bit her lip hard, her frustration boiling over. A heat prickled at her eyes, threatening to spill as tears.

“Do you think Anise could cure you?” she said, her voice sharp and biting. “The woman you’re so dependent on has no power at all.”

He didn’t respond, and that silence gave Serena a fleeting, bitter sense of triumph.

“She’ll never free you from your pain!” she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair.

She wanted to hurt him. To make him feel even a fraction of the pain she endured. To force him to acknowledge her presence, her suffering.

Unbidden, her emotions surged, and the words spilled from her lips.

“Isn’t that why she left the palace of her own accord?”

The atmosphere froze.

In that instant, Emilian’s eyes grew chillingly cold, a sharp, icy stillness descending over his expression.

Serena’s breath caught. She realized her mistake too late, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

But the damage was already done.

Emilian’s voice was low and cutting, like a blade dragging across stone.

“…How do you know Anise is gone?”