To You Who Will Destroy Me - Chapter 238

That morning, Irel had a dream.

Scholars often called dreams a window into the depths of the unconscious or perhaps a gateway to a mysterious spiritual world. Usually, whenever she dreamt of something “special,” it was connected to Nashiva, her spiritual mother.

But today was different. Instead of Nashiva, an unfamiliar woman appeared in her dream.

“Hello.”

Who was she? Irel blinked, staring at the strange woman before her. Judging by her appearance, the woman didn’t seem like a goddess or nobility. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, dressed plainly but still exuding a quiet charm.

Irel found the woman captivating, especially the dimple that appeared on one cheek when she smiled.

“Hmm, I hoped this day would come, but now that it’s here… I don’t really know what to say,” the woman said with a shy laugh, a contrast to her confident appearance. Despite her bashfulness, her gaze was kind and warm.

‘Is there something you wanted to say to me?’ Irel asked, unfazed. She didn’t know what kind of dream this was, but it didn’t seem like a nightmare. The woman had a comforting presence.

‘And… who are you? Do we know each other?’

“No, we’re meeting for the first time… strictly speaking,” the woman answered, playing with her toes nervously.

‘…?’

The woman’s words were puzzling. Irel wasn’t one for cryptic conversations, but there was something about the woman that felt oddly familiar, like the warmth of someone long missed.

For a moment, Irel thought of Bubble, her dear friend who was likely deep in the cycle of reincarnation by now. Could this woman be someone like that—another spirit? The faint translucence of the woman’s figure made Irel wonder.

‘This might sound strange, but… are you alive?’

The woman’s slightly faded appearance seemed to answer the question before she did. She wasn’t among the living anymore.

“I know it’s odd, but yeah, I shouldn’t really be here,” the woman muttered, her demeanor that of a guilty puppy. Despite being older, she had a certain subdued vulnerability that made Irel smile.

Then, something clicked—her face, her expressions… They reminded Irel of someone. Someone she knew.

“I just wanted to see how you were doing, to make sure you’re… happy.”

Why would this woman care about her happiness? Irel wondered, but the woman’s earnestness made her respond honestly.

‘I am. I’m doing really well.’

And it wasn’t a lie. She and Varkan were safe, her family was secure, and the dangers that once threatened them had all been dealt with.

Her father, Calver, had returned to the northern stronghold to resume his duties as the border duke. Varkan had offered him a prestigious role in the capital, but Calver had refused. The north was in his blood, and he couldn’t leave it behind. With his worries about his children put to rest, his wife, Louisa, gladly followed him.

Varkan had adjusted the laws to allow the northern nobility more flexibility, so Calver and Louisa could visit the capital as often as they wanted. They could stay for weeks without disrupting their duties unless a serious issue arose.

As for Michael, Irel’s brother, he had risen higher than anyone had imagined.

Once bullied and unjustly cast out of the knightly order, he had now become the captain of the royal guard—the position once held by Philip Alswaz himself. His promotion made him the most eligible bachelor in the capital, though his personality didn’t exactly help his chances with the noble ladies.

“Tea and cake, you say? I must decline. Foods high in sugar could interfere with muscle definition. I suggest you limit your sugar intake as well for better health. Now, excuse me, today is leg day,” he’d say, leaving a trail of disappointed sighs in his wake.

While it seemed they would wait a long time for a sister-in-law, Irel found his consistency reassuring.

And then, there was Varkan. His ascension to the throne suited him perfectly, almost as if he had been born for it. He was a man who loved to control and conquer, and now that he was king, he was thriving in the role.

Though she wasn’t officially queen yet, Irel was treated like royalty. She had no obligations or duties, only the luxuries of a carefree life.

How could she not be happy?

But Irel wasn’t content with just living idly. She had decided to pursue more meaningful activities, beginning with her cherished “Risevra group.”

Using her status and abilities, Irel was planning to create an organization dedicated to Risevras, offering a space where they could support and teach each other. She wanted to share all the knowledge she had gained, like how to convert absorbed energy into safe crystal formations, how to resist forced Sevring, and how to stabilize the chaotic energy of the Masaka.

Looking at the woman in her dream, Irel felt a strange urge to share these plans.

‘I’ve been thinking about starting something for Risevras, to help them. That way, I can make sure they’re protected and can thrive. We’ll teach each other, grow together.’

The woman’s face lit up with pride.

“I knew it,” she said softly, almost as if she had always believed Irel would make such a decision.

The woman’s smile deepened, her dimple more pronounced. Though her presence was faint, there was an undeniable bond, a connection Irel couldn’t quite explain.

Suddenly, the woman’s figure began to fade even more, as if her time in the dream was running out.

―You’re doing well, Irel. That’s all I wanted to know.

Before Irel could ask more, the woman’s figure dissolved like mist in the morning sun, leaving behind a lingering warmth in Irel’s chest.

As she woke up, Irel found herself staring at the ceiling, pondering the strange, yet somehow familiar dream. The woman’s face stayed with her, like a shadow from the past.

Who had she been? And why did it feel like she had always known her?

Irel knew very well how fortunate she was. However, most Risevras weren’t nearly as lucky as she was.

Many were still treated as tools in the shadowy corners where the law didn’t reach or were sold off like commodities. Some, like Rane, were forcibly brought and bound to Masakas. Though now, due to Phaesus’s efforts to reflect on his actions, they were able to live more like friends.

In any case, Irel was determined to slowly change these conditions. She had the power to do so, and she had allies who would back her up.

‘I’ll make Rane the chairwoman, and Bianca the vice chair,’ Irel thought. ‘Then we can start growing the group.’

Recently, Rane had grown more confident. Her writing had become fluent after much effort, and her relationship with Phaesus had improved, giving her a sense of stability. Now, she was searching for new ways to contribute and discover what she was capable of.

Irel knew Rane would take on the role with hesitation but ultimately accept it. Any struggles with self-confidence or conflicts in relationships would be something Bianca, with her natural diplomatic talents, could help her navigate.

Bianca, with her gentle demeanor and quick wit, got along with everyone. However, her laid-back nature made her hesitant to take on a leadership role. Still, because she liked Rane, she would be willing to assist.

‘I’m sure she’ll help Rane run the group well.’

With Rane and Bianca managing the group, Irel herself planned to remain actively involved. Of course, once she officially became queen, it might be harder to make regular appearances, but she was committed to the cause.

Having concrete plans for the future gave Irel a sense of purpose. There was so much she wanted to accomplish, and with her position, she felt she could achieve anything she set her mind to.

There was no room for unhappiness.

‘Whoever you are,’ Irel thought as she looked back at the woman in her dream, ‘you don’t need to worry about me. I’m happy.’

At her words, the tension visibly left the woman’s face, and she beamed with relief. The transformation was so heartwarming that Irel couldn’t help but smile back.

“I’m glad. You must stay happy,” the woman said, her eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. “Because soon…”

Her voice dropped into a whisper, and the words she spoke next left Irel wide-eyed in surprise.

‘What? Really?’

The woman smiled even more brightly. “Of course! It’s wonderful news.”

She looked as if she was genuinely overjoyed, almost as if it were her own happiness she was celebrating.

‘But who are you, really?’ Irel asked, curiosity piqued. ‘Won’t you tell me?’

The woman hesitated, her expression becoming shy. “I could… but…”

She paused, biting her lip awkwardly before glancing around as if suddenly remembering something important.

“Oh dear, would you look at the time! I really must be going.”

She mimed looking at an invisible watch, backing away as she spoke. As she did, the surroundings suddenly became clearer, and Irel realized they were standing in front of a beautiful house. Flowers bloomed in a small garden filled with colored pebbles, and sunlight bathed the scene in warmth.

The woman waved at Irel as she turned to leave. “Well, until we meet again. Please take good care of ‘the child.’”

‘Wait, what child?’ Irel asked, confusion lacing her voice. ‘And you’re really not going to tell me your name?’

“Sorry about that!” the woman called as she stepped through the open door of the house. “And… if you could, let them know that I’m okay. I didn’t lose my way, and I never blamed my child.”

With one last bright smile, showing off her charming dimple, the woman disappeared inside, closing the door behind her.

As soon as she left, the dream around Irel began to fade, the colors blurring into nothing.

‘That was… a strange dream.’

Still puzzled, Irel felt a sensation tug at her consciousness, and before she knew it, her eyes snapped open.

“Huh?”

She sat up in bed, looking around. She was back in her bedroom at the palace.

“Just a dream.”

Shaking her head with a soft chuckle, Irel climbed out of bed.

As usual, a tea set was prepared on the bedside table, ready for her morning routine. She normally enjoyed a strong cup of tea before starting the day, but today, she hesitated.

Staring down into the tea, lost in thought, Irel suddenly felt an odd sense of urgency. Without another thought, she threw on her robe and walked out into the hallway.

“Chellos! Are you there?”

Moments later, her trusted steward, Chellos, appeared, his face showing concern at the unusual timing.

“You called, Lady Irel?”

Irel rarely left her chambers in the morning. She usually took her time enjoying a relaxed morning before having brunch.

“Could you summon the royal physician for me?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Chellos’s expression immediately became serious. Although she wasn’t ill, Irel felt no need to explain the truth.

How could she tell Chellos that she was concerned over something she’d heard in a dream?

“Well, it’s just that my monthly cycle is about to start, and I want to prepare some medicine in advance to ease the symptoms.”

“Oh, I see.”

Chellos, clearly uncomfortable at the mention of such personal matters, hurried off to fetch the physician without asking further questions.

Irel felt a bit guilty for the white lie but shrugged it off. It was necessary.

Once back in her room, she waited. Not long after, the royal physician arrived, slightly out of breath.

“You summoned me, my lady?”

“Yes, please have a seat,” Irel said, gesturing to a chair. After closing the door and ensuring they were alone, she lowered her voice and leaned closer to the physician, whispering something into his ear.

“Is that really… possible?” the physician asked, clearly shocked.

“It’s just a suspicion for now,” Irel said with a smile. “But I’d like to confirm it.”

With nervous hands, the physician reached out to take her pulse.