Volume 7, Chapter 4 – Past Resentment

“Don’t worry, the person in this world who can harm me hasn’t even been born yet.”

“With those words from you, I can rest easy.”

Chinatsu’s voice gradually faded away, and Fia finally had time to look after Anastasia. The voice from outside snapped Anastasia out of the terror of her nightmare. Fia could clearly feel Anastasia’s body stiffening. She gently released her and, while using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Anastasia’s forehead, asked as tenderly as possible.

“Did Anastasia have a nightmare?”

Leaning on Her Highness like a child who hasn’t grown up… what have I done?

A crimson flush dyed her cheeks, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. Anastasia stole a glance at the others out of the corner of her eye, fearing that Claire and the others would mock her. She lowered her head and answered in a small voice.

“I dreamed of you—I dreamed that you were struck by the magic of the Unsinkable Moon, while I could only watch from the side, powerless to do anything…”

“So it was that dream after all.”

The expected answer made Fia breathe a sigh of relief. Seeing Anastasia’s awkward state, she subconsciously treated her like a child, patting her head and saying with a smile.

“That’s all in the past now. Am I not sitting right here in front of you? Though I’ve lost my memories, maybe even this was part of the previous Eldest Princess’s scheme. For example, by being attacked by the Unsinkable Moon, her strength would take a massive leap forward. If the people of the Holy Kingdom understood that logic, they’d surely regret why they didn’t use the Unsinkable Moon on themselves.”

This was, of course, a deliberate joke. As the national treasure of the Milcandis Holy Kingdom, the Unsinkable Moon had killed countless people, and there had never been an instance like Fia’s, where strength improved by leaps and bounds after being attacked by it.

Furthermore, there was one inexplicable thing in the whole affair. The Eldest Princess knew she would be replaced, yet she had made no preparations for the newcomer, not even explaining to those around her that she might lose her memory. Setting aside why the Eldest Princess would be willing to give everything away to someone else, any normal human should have at least explained the situation to their closest family and confidants. The fact was, the Eldest Princess had done none of those things—it was incomprehensible.

According to the legends of this world, the souls of the dead go to the Kingdom of Death to wait for reincarnation. Fia wondered if she could enter the Kingdom of Death as a living being to speak with the Queen there; that might be the simplest and most direct way to find out where she came from and who she truly was.

“I like the current Sister more than the old one. The old Sister liked books more than me, but the current Sister likes me more than books.”

Kicking her legs clad in white stockings, Liti took the water Milu had just poured and gulped it down.

Claire joined in on the teasing.

“Come to think of it, does Anastasia like the current Fia or the previous Fia? I don’t know what little Fia was like before, but according to Colita and the others, she always had a cold expression, like an emotionless doll.”

“That…”

Anastasia, who had already sat up straight, went stiff all over, filled with embarrassment. Claire’s question was like a wife asking her husband who he would save if she and his mother both fell into the water—it was impossible to answer.

Rеαԁ oո KаtReаԁiոgСаfе

In all fairness, if not for the cold Fia of the past, the current Anastasia would not exist. It was that indifferent Fia who had dragged Anastasia out of a world filled with mire, like the sun breaking through the clouds.

But back then, Fia was always stony-faced. As her personal maid, Anastasia had never even seen Fia smile. Sometimes she would impolitely wonder if Fia suffered from some condition where she was born without facial expressions. Especially when she handed reports and suggestions to Fia, that expressionless face and cold gaze truly terrified her, making her worry if she had displeased her.

Compared to that, the current Fia was much better. Not only was she expressive, but her emotions were also very delicate, allowing her to keenly perceive the feelings of others. She had become more like a living human—it was truly a difficult choice.

“Hm?” Her silky silver hair swayed slightly as Claire’s eyes filled with mischief. “So, is it the current little Fia or the previous little Fia? This question is very important, you know. Look, even little Fia is staring at you with concern.”

“I am not!”

Fia immediately retorted, but her slightly reddened cheeks betrayed the fact that she really did care.

“Sister Claire has a mischievous side too, I see.”

“It’s a Queen’s composure.”

Having caught the attention of Liti and Milu, Claire shifted her mischief toward Liti.

“If the little Fia from before her memory loss heard little Liti’s words, she would surely be so sad she’d cry. She clearly loved everyone in her heart, yet she couldn’t get everyone’s understanding.”

“She wouldn’t. The old Sister didn’t like me. She’d hit me just for spilling water on her books. The current Sister would at most scold me a bit. Plus, the current Sister is soft and warm when I hug her. If I grew up to be like Sister Anna and became Sister’s older sister, I’d definitely hug her to sleep every night.”

After finishing her proud declaration with her chin tilted up, Liti seemed to remember something, and she frowned in deep thought.

“But to tell the truth, I think the old Sister was like an emotionless monster. She even called Father by his name, and her feelings for those around her were very thin. If not for Father favoring her, she definitely would have been exiled long ago in any other country. I don’t know how to describe the atmosphere around her… a puppet? Or something else.”

“Her Highness had feelings back then; she just didn’t know how to express them!”

Anastasia denied Liti’s words without hesitation, but the moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoken. Her expression became quite nervous as she stiffly turned her neck, worried that Fia would be angry.

“Your Highness… I…”

“It’s fine. Anastasia is just telling the truth. I’m curious why Anastasia feels that way.”

“Because—because if Her Highness didn’t have feelings back then, you wouldn’t have visited Veronica regularly, nor would you have gone out of your way to bring me and Lady Erin Slate back from the Land of Exile. It was because Veronica didn’t treat you well or teach you how to recognize your own emotions that you became like that. If only I had met you sooner…”

Then I could have replaced Veronica and taught you how to recognize your feelings.

Rеаԁ οո КаtRеаԁіոɡСаfe

Anastasia blamed herself in her heart, but unfortunately, there was no medicine in the world that could turn back time. And even if time could flow backward, the difference in status would have prevented her from approaching Fia.

“The past is the past. Sister Anna doesn’t need to blame herself. More than that, I’m more concerned about Lady Erin Slate and Grand Duke Herr. When Grand Duke Herr was exiled, I wasn’t even born yet.”

“Ah, that was a long time ago.”

At this, Anastasia glanced toward the back of the carriage. Although it was blocked by the door and she couldn’t see anything, she knew that Erin Slate and Grand Duke Herr were in that direction.

Earlier, when Erin Slate had pointed her longsword at Grand Duke Herr’s brow, it was she who had stopped her. Grand Duke Herr’s family had shown her kindness; back when she was first exiled, Erin Slate had invited her to their home, and Grand Duke Herr had hosted her.

Even if it was just a single meal—and later, to cut expenses, Grand Duke Herr had forbidden Erin Slate from taking things out of the house—Anastasia did not hold a grudge against him for it. Giving her food was a favor, and not giving it was his right; the Land of Exile had no room for kindness.

An act like Erin Slate’s—constantly giving things to outsiders when supplies couldn’t be replenished—was something that could kill an entire family. By helping Grand Duke Herr and preventing Erin Slate from killing him on the spot, she had repaid the debt of that meal. Whatever happened after that was none of her concern.

As for the aftermath, a total of thirty-one people would be treated as deserters and publicly hanged in the Land of Exile—those were the rules of the place. There were only two ways to leave the Land of Exile: the first was to establish undeniable merit and receive a royal pardon, and the second was to be brought out by a member of the royal family, like Anastasia and Erin Slate. It should be noted that only Fia dared to bring political prisoners out of the Land of Exile, as doing so was equivalent to slapping the King in the face.

“…That’s roughly how it went. In the end, Lady Erin Slate was kicked out of the house by Grand Duke Herr because of the Darkborn disease. Although the Grand Duke did it to protect the entire family, the contrast between before and after was too heartless, and Lady Erin Slate came to resent him for it.”

At this, Anastasia’s eyes dimmed.

“If I hadn’t reminded Lady Erin Slate about the marks on her body back then, she could have stayed with Grand Duke Herr and the others for a bit longer. It might have ended differently. It was I who harmed Lady Erin Slate…”

“That isn’t something Anastasia should blame herself for.”

Fia placed her hand on Anastasia’s. She understood Anastasia’s way of thinking, even if it was flawed.

“Even if Anastasia hadn’t reminded her, it wouldn’t have changed the fact that Erin Slate was already infected with the Darkborn disease. Besides, as far as the outcome is concerned, there certainly couldn’t be a better ending than now. Erin Slate’s Darkborn disease has vanished, and she’s even become the Chief of the Imperial Guards and a Sword Saint. Maybe the Darkborn disease never existed at all back then, and Grand Duke Herr and the others just saw wrong.”

“If Sister Anna hadn’t reminded Lady Erin Slate, the Darkborn disease on her might have infected others. Wouldn’t that be even worse? Although these heartless fellows deserve to die.”

“Mm…”

Answering softly, Anastasia lowered her head, her shimmering blue eyes deep in thought.

Chinatsu’s voice came from outside the carriage, accompanied by a clear clamor, as if they had reached a crowded area.

“Sitting in this carriage are the Eldest Princess and the Third Princess of the Kingdom! Move aside if you don’t want to die! Oh wait, I mean kneel! See that winged army behind us? They’re all the Eldest Princess’s people!”

Rеαd on ΚаtRеadіոɡСαfe

Chinatsu’s tone was filled with joy, as if using Fia’s identity to order others around gave her great pleasure. She came to the side of the carriage and lightly tapped on the wooden panel.

“Princess, according to your orders, we have arrived at the Land of Exile.”

Fia lifted the carriage curtain. Blocking the way in front of the carriage was a group of elven soldiers clad in silver armor with steady gazes—the look of battle-hardened veterans. These were the soldiers stationed in the Land of Exile responsible for reconnaissance.

When the undead from the south attacked, they would flee north to the wall between the Barony of Yuraidon and the Land of Exile to warn the people there to prepare for the enemy. As for the exiled criminals used as cannon fodder to stall the undead, whether they lived or died was of no concern to them. Placing the prisoners outside the wall was itself a strategy to slow the undead’s advance.

Fia’s gaze drifted into the distance. She could already see the filthy alleys, which were even worse than the worst slums. The entire Land of Exile was shrouded in a gray fog.

“Yes, I understand. Tell the driver to stop. I’m going in to take a look.”

“Huh? Princess, did I hear that right? Walk in? There’s mud everywhere; it’s hard to even find a place to step. It doesn’t matter for us rough folk, but you’re a Princess. If your feet get dirty…”

“It’s fine. I want to see exactly what kind of place this is.”

While speaking, Fia stood up and had Anastasia open the rear door of the carriage.

“I’m coming too.”

“Even Milu… Although it’ll get my dress dirty, I’ll go with Sister too.”

“Liti doesn’t have to force herself.”

“I want to! At most, I’ll just use [Flight]. I’m a Fourth Rank magic chanter now!”

Taking out her magic wand, Liti puffed out her chest proudly. While Nola was being charmed by Fia, Liti had advanced from a Third Rank to a Fourth Rank magic chanter in the Weeping Mountains. The process sounded easy, but it was all predicated on Claire being able to accurately capture monsters suitable for Liti; ordinary people didn’t have such treatment, so their levels naturally increased incredibly slowly. As for Milu, her strength had also increased to the Near Fourth Rank, only a step away from being a true Fourth Rank by using magic that matched the rank.

“What about Claire?”

Claire brushed back the silver hair that had drifted by her ear and smiled gently.

“I’ll go with little Fia too. This place reminds me of when we were in the slums of Aurora City.”

“It’s still quite different…”

The slums of Aurora City were much better than this. The knights of the Holy Kingdom were terrible to elves but very good to humans.

Rеαԁ οn ΚatRеαԁiոɡСαfе

“Your Highness, you’re going to enter the Land of Exile on foot?”

Seeing Fia and the others stepping out of the carriage one after another, Erin Slate, who had been leading the army from the rear, immediately came forward. After the incident with Grand Duke Herr, her expression wasn’t very good.

“Yes. Erin Slate, tell the army to bypass this area and head to the Barony of Yuraidon. I’m just looking into the situation here and will leave shortly.”

“Yes.”

“Wait, there’s one more thing,” Fia suddenly called out to Erin Slate. “Among those thirty-one people, are they all members of Grand Duke Herr’s family? Your blood relatives?”

Unmoved by Fia’s words, Erin Slate answered expressionlessly.

“They are all members of the Herr family. They didn’t recognize me, but I recognized them long ago. Your Highness needn’t concern yourself with my feelings. I am one who was cast out of the house; furthermore, as the Chief of the Imperial Guards, I should lead by example and must not violate the laws of the Kingdom for personal matters. I should arrive at Baron Yuraidon’s estate before you and will notify him to prepare accommodations for you.”

The subtext was that she didn’t even care about the execution process and had no desire to waste time on Grand Duke Herr.

Fia fell silent for a moment. As an onlooker, she didn’t want to see a family turned against each other, but Erin Slate was different from Anastasia. She had been driven out of her home by Grand Duke Herr because of the Darkborn disease. Grand Duke Herr was suffering the consequences of his own actions; he had reaped what he had sown. According to the laws of the Kingdom, as the organizer of a “prison break,” Grand Duke Herr deserved to be executed—that was an undeniable fact.

She let out a long sigh.

“Very well. Lead the army to the Barony of Yuraidon first. But before you leave, call Grand Duke Herr over. I have something to discuss with him.”

“You’re going to save him?” Erin Slate frowned, a look of disapproval appearing in her golden eyes. “You don’t need to violate the laws of the Kingdom for my sake. I have no feelings for him whatsoever. He values his family, and I value my principles. If you save him for my sake, I will only feel humiliated.”

“I’m not saving him, nor will I. I won’t violate the laws of the Kingdom because of a few words from him. I just have something I want to know. I promise you, the outcome of the execution will not change.”

“You want to know—”

Before she could finish, Erin Slate caught herself. She was constantly reminding herself that she was Fia’s subordinate and should never be too nosy. Continuing to ask would be detrimental to Fia’s dignity.

She hesitated for a moment, then finally bowed.

“Thank you very much.”

Without lingering, Erin Slate headed straight to the rear of the column to summon Grand Duke Herr.