CH 228

“S-save…” Yuliana was crawling desperately on the floor in the empty building. Her body was a tattered mess from the burns she’d suffered from the blowback of the fireball spell. A terrible pain engulfed her every time she moved her arms.

‘Why did things end up like this? The book said she could be killed, didn’t it?’

The magic had clearly worked, and the book had stated that the spell cast would kill Empress Cecile. Instead, the magical flames had targeted the emperor before her eyes.

Wondering where her plans had taken a wrong turn, Yuliana continued to crawl until the tips of someone’s feet came into view. “Who…?” Struggling to lift her head, her expression soon brightened.

“Lady Kalia!” Yuliana exclaimed excitedly. Kalia was someone Yuliana was well acquainted with—the imperial noblewoman who had introduced her to the women who helped her at the casino. Though it was unclear why Kalia had suddenly appeared, Yuliana didn’t have the capacity to question her since she desperately needed her help. “Lady Kalia, quickly hel—”

“I suppose you could call it a talent to fail at even this.”

Startled into silence by the coldness of Kalia’s voice, Yuliana stared at her blankly. The imperial noblewoman met Yuliana’s gaze with a look of contempt.

“Then again, you never were smart to begin with,” Kalia sighed. “Still, I chose you since you were quite obedient in ‘my world.’ Unfortunately, it appears you are quite different on this side.”

Kalia had the same appearance and voice as before, but Yuliana felt an unnerving chill spread throughout her body. Who was this woman? This wasn’t the same Kalia that had promised her unending support back at the hotel. Back then, Kalia had been nothing more than an aristocratic lady trying to build connections in a bid for power. Now, the woman standing before her exuded an inexplicable aura of intimidation.

Stepping past the silent former princess, Kalia walked over to the rabbit doll that was lying in the corner. “So this was the problem,” she hummed.

“Th-that’s… The empress was holding it… It was supposed to make it more effective…”

Kalia smirked as she picked up the rabbit doll and gazed at it for a long time. For some reason, Yuliana felt like she was analyzing the doll.

“The doll was given a name. An object named ‘Estian’ was used as the medium, so it’s no wonder that the spell’s target changed to him,” Kalia muttered, before returning to stand before Yuliana.

“D-don’t come near…!” Yuliana’s instinct was warning her that Kalia was extremely dangerous, and she scrambled to put distance between them.

“Don’t run like that. I’m only trying to make you comfortable,” Kalia cooed, crouching down before Yuliana. Cupping her chin, she scrutinized the former princess and said, “Your body has suffered from burns all over because of the magic. How much longer do you think you can last in that state?”

As if noticing a change, Kalia turned to look towards the window. Screams could be heard from outside, but seconds later, there was an explosive flash of white light. Seeing this, a bitter smile crept onto Kalia’s face.

“Looks like Estian has regained his body,” she muttered sourly. “Even though ‘my Estian’ never managed to return from his second rampage.”

Yuliana couldn’t make heads or tails of what Kalia was going on about, but that was no matter to her. Her thoughts were stuck on the question she’d been asked moments ago: how long could she last in her current state? That question seemed to be constricting her throat like a rope.

“Estian regained his body again… The first thing he’ll do after finishing his business will be to come find you. When that happens, you’ll suffer so much more. Incomparable to what you feel now. Estian is merciless when he acts for my sake after all.”

Yuliana muttered blankly, “Your sake…?”

“Yes. For Cecile’s sake,” Kalia replied, smiling softly. Reaching a hand out to Yuliana’s neck, she added, “You’ve done well. Now, you can go to sleep.