What Remains in the Damaged Place - Chapter 96

Lirette remained lost in her thoughts when the maid’s unexpected suggestion caught her attention.

A walk?

It was an idea she hadn’t anticipated, though in hindsight, it wasn’t entirely surprising. Lately, her health had improved significantly, thanks to Valderion’s constant watchful care. Staying in one place for too long had left her body feeling stiff and restless.

Her quick recovery was largely due to the effects of her Neim. Valderion, aside from handling the matters inside and outside the estate, spent nearly all his time in her room. Perhaps because of the time they had been apart, simply being in his presence seemed to fill the empty spaces within her.

He would read books, review urgent documents, or sip tea in her company. But more than anything, he touched her frequently.

Not with any overt sexual intent, but in an oddly tender way. Some days, he would lace their fingers together, idly tracing the back of her hand for long stretches of time. Other days, he would gently stroke the curve of her ankle, as if studying it like a piece of art.

She didn’t fully understand his intentions, but whatever his motive, every time he made contact, her condition improved. Her body recovered quickly, making her feel more like herself again.

‘If you’re bored, maybe you should go for a walk?’ he had suggested one day, while gently brushing her cheek and glancing out the window.

‘A walk?’

‘Spring is here,’ he had murmured, as if the soft breeze had carried the words from his lips.

Indeed, winter had quietly vanished.

Spring is here, she thought, echoing his words. It was a poetic remark, especially for someone who wasn’t known for sentimentality. His simple words had brought her a quiet comfort, something that made her heart feel lighter.

Perhaps the maid’s suggestion was an extension of that conversation, prompting her to take up the offer. As she stood up, something caught her eye.

A small leaf was stuck to the maid’s neck.

“Ah!”

As Lirette reached to brush it away, the maid flinched violently, as if struck by lightning.

Her reaction was far too sensitive for just being startled.

“There was a leaf on you,” Lirette explained, attempting to smooth things over. “Thank you,” the maid replied hurriedly, bowing low and stepping back.

Lirette tried to get a better look at the maid’s expression, curious if she was truly alright, but the woman kept her head down, making it difficult to see. Not wanting to make her feel more uncomfortable, Lirette decided to let it go.

After a quick wash with the water the maid had prepared, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair, which she had once haphazardly cut while trying to escape, was now neatly trimmed. The unfamiliar neatness of her hair felt strange to her, but she quickly finished getting ready and left the bedroom.

As she walked down the hallway on her own two feet, she realized just how long it had been since she had last gone outside.

She lifted her dress slightly to avoid tripping over it, her eyes drawn to her now unrestrained ankles. She had been free for some time, but seeing it with her own eyes made the feeling more tangible.

Thump!

Just as she was about to exit through the grand entrance, she heard rapid footsteps, and before she knew it, something darted between her skirts. She wobbled, grabbing the nearby railing to keep from falling.

It took her a moment to realize what had happened.

“Camon.”

She crouched down as Camon, her loyal dog, wagged his tail and panted happily. Though he had returned to the estate along with her, strict restrictions on her room had kept them apart for quite some time.

She recalled how Camon had followed her when she was planning to leave the estate and how she had scolded him sternly to stay behind.

“Have you been well?” she asked, stroking his muzzle, which made Camon spin in excited circles. He was, of course, a creature unaware of the turmoil she had faced, greeting her with pure joy, and it brought a lump to her throat.

“Shall we take a walk together?”

Her voice was soft as she whispered to him, her heart heavy with guilt for leaving him behind before. Camon perked his ears, as if understanding her.

As she started walking, Camon stayed close by her side, like a protective shadow.

It wasn’t until she stepped outside the estate, into the gentle sunlight, that spring truly revealed itself. The sky was a flawless blue, and the air was warm, with not a cloud in sight.

Perfect weather for a walk.

Lirette watched as Camon leapt playfully through the grass, careful to avoid getting her dress caught in his joyful bounds. They followed the maid deeper into the garden, eventually heading towards the edge of the estate, where the Alter Forest lay.

The further they walked, the more distant the estate became. It seemed odd to be heading so far, but just as suspicion began to creep into her thoughts, the maid finally stopped.

All doubts vanished when Lirette saw what lay ahead.

There, in a brightly lit clearing surrounded by greenery, was an elegant outdoor table set with everything needed for a tea party. The scene was so picturesque that it could have been pulled from a storybook.

The maid bowed and left them, her task complete.

Lirette sat down on one of the outdoor chairs, watching Camon excitedly explore the area. He found a small round stone and brought it to her, his tail wagging expectantly. She smiled and threw the stone as far as she could, watching as Camon darted after it like a hunting dog.

As Camon chased the stone, silence settled over the clearing. Lirette, her eyes still following the dog, slowly began to relax.

“Haa…”

The rustling leaves in the breeze, the faint fragrance of flowers carried on the air, the soft grass bending beneath her feet, and the tranquil atmosphere—it all blended together in perfect harmony.

She gazed out at the peaceful scene, lost in her thoughts. Before she realized it, her hand had once again found its way to her stomach.

The weight on her heart remained.

Despite several days of rest, the heavy feeling in Lirette’s chest remained, impossible to shake. Though the child within her had already been lost, something still felt lodged inside, like stagnant emotions unable to leave. It was less a physical sensation, more an emotional residue—grief, regret, and an overwhelming sense of loss.

“……”

Lirette bit her lip and lowered her gaze.

It wasn’t something she could let go of so easily.

She should have cared for it more, cherished it more…

Even though she tried to push these thoughts aside, they leaked through the cracks of her defenses like a flood, overwhelming her. The grief was like a storm cloud gathering within her, and no matter how hard she tried to suppress it, it kept resurfacing.

She didn’t want to show this sadness in front of Valderion. He, who already had to maintain a perfect facade in front of the world, didn’t need her sorrow to burden him further. She quietly held her grief within, but it was getting harder to bear.

But no, she couldn’t let it show.

He would be here soon.

So, she closed her eyes.

As her sight faded, the rest of her senses took over, letting spring seep into her awareness. She breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind.

Whish.

A breeze swept over her at just the right moment, carrying with it a strange sensation. An unexplainable chill crept over her skin, and her eyes opened instinctively. There, on the ground, she saw a long, dark shadow cast across the earth.

It was not hers.

The sight of the shadow alone sent chills down her spine.

“…!”

Before she could stand, a hand gripped her shoulder. She tried to twist away, but her knees buckled, and she collapsed. The strength of the hand followed her as they both tumbled to the ground.

The serene, beautiful garden scene shattered, replaced by a whirlwind of dust and chaos.

“Ugh…!” Lirette gasped as her head hit the ground. A force pressed against her throat, pushing her down. Her vision blurred with the sight of gleaming golden hair hovering above her, and she froze as if trapped in a winter storm.

Suddenly, the dull pain in her abdomen, which she had almost forgotten, came alive once more.

“How did you…?” she managed to choke out.

“Hah, crossing the forest took some effort,” the voice replied, cold and mocking. “It’s vast, but it made it easy to hide.”

His eyes, sharp and filled with killing intent, locked onto hers. The moment she let her guard down, Lirette felt the terror of being torn apart by the malevolent force before her.

‘I set up a decoy to lure him toward the Imperial Palace,’ Valderion’s words echoed in her mind. ‘We found traces a few days ago, but it seems he might have already infiltrated the palace through a secret waterway.’

But contrary to those plans, Dylan was right here, in front of her.

And in that instant, Lirette realized: it had all been a trap, set by the emperor to ensnare her.

“I told you, Valderion is nothing,” Dylan sneered. “Without you, he’s powerless. You, Lirette, you are all that matters!”

His eyes, devoid of sanity, gleamed with a madness that chilled her to the bone. The familiar weight of his oppressive presence suffocated her, and she writhed against him, trying to break free from his grip as he attempted to drag her away.

Just then—

Woof!

A ferocious bark rang out, and Dylan’s grip loosened.

Both of them turned toward the source of the sound. There, clinging onto Dylan’s leg, was Camon. The dog’s sharp teeth had sunk deep into Dylan’s thigh, recognizing him as an enemy and attacking to protect Lirette.

“Damn it!” Dylan growled, momentarily distracted by the pain.

Camon’s intervention had given Lirette a brief reprieve, and with her captor’s grip weakened, she struggled to her feet, desperate to escape.