Chapter 46

The young lady who defied the saint and fled was in the academy's courtyard.

The rumor quickly spread, and people's tongues moved with interest. She, who was called various names like a demon-possessed young lady, a witch, and a chicken bone, was playing with the water at a familiar watering place, splashing it around. Her heartbeat was surprisingly loud, and she occasionally placed her hand on her chest, then exhaled.

Zai was beside her. They both stood up. Zai silenced the gathering crowd with a glare. There were a few familiar faces. Fael looked at Rabi with great unease. Next to him were her parents. It had been a long time since she had seen them properly, and seeing their expressions, Rabi was deeply shocked.

(What if they think I'm an unwanted child... what should I do...)

They couldn't even look at Rabi. In the past, Rabi would have thought this was a rejection of herself. But it was different. They really couldn't "see" her. It was too painful, and their daughter was too pitiful. Perhaps it was because Rabi remembered her past when she lived under a different name, or perhaps it was because she had grown stronger. She wanted to embrace them and tell them many words of apology.

As expected, Leon was watching the scene from a high vantage point, leading a large group of students. As a chameleon, he blended into the surrounding commotion, and it was hard to spot him at a glance. Matthew was a genius in magic. If he clapped his hands, he could completely strip Rabi of her freedom, but he quietly watched over them. If he were to use magic, Zai would be there to protect her, so there was no need to worry.

It was a chaotic scene. The courtyard where Rabi and Zai had trained and shouted many times was now packed with people. The spacious courtyard that she had once felt so wide now seemed surprisingly small. The people formed a circle around Rabi and Zai, watching them closely.

"That girl is a witch. It's dangerous to get too close, isn't it?"

A murmur spread. "That's right. After all, the saint herself ordered her execution, right?" "That's true. What should we do? Who will go?" "We can't do it." "That's right, only the saint can." Saint, saint, saint!

The small voices grew louder. Nelra couldn't hide in the back anymore. (Really, Fox does a surprisingly good job...) Fox, who had led Rabi out of the Heathfen family, whispered words to stir up unease while hiding his face, moving through the gaps in the crowd. He called for the saint, changing his voice and location freely. His tail, wagging freely, was visible.

A cheer went up from the crowd. The human wall parted, and Nelra slowly stepped forward, never losing her smile. She walked gracefully, like a saint in a story, with a gentle expression, approaching Rabi.

"......"

"Oh, Zai, thank you. You caught her, didn't you?"

Before Zai could snap, "That's fine. Sir Zai, you may step down." Rabi stood firm, her chest out. Nelra's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she quickly hid it.

Indeed, it had to end this way. Rabi and Nelra had to face each other. The small Rabi looked up at Nelra. She was kind, beautiful, elegant, and lovely. She was said to have everything. In contrast, Rabi was ragged, thin, and malnourished, with short stature. She was cruel, insane, and the only thing she had was the duchess title, which was too grand for her. Even so, she had disappeared from her family and lived a small, curled-up life.

They were contrasting. Their ways of living, thinking, and positions were all different. Rabi had always looked down, wanting someone to help her, and had forgotten how to stand on her own feet.

But now, here, in front of everyone, she stood tall.

"Have you changed a little?"

Nelra asked, puzzled. Rabi smiled. "A little is enough?" Indeed, something was wrong. Nelra glared at Rabi. She was up to something.

"I have something to tell everyone here!!"

Rabi took a deep breath and shouted as loudly as she could. "This woman, Nelra Harry, is indeed a saint, but she is deceiving all of you!" Nelra's lips tightened.

"She is extremely cunning. She is using her vast magic for evil. I repeat, you are being deceived!"

"Oh, poor Lady Rabi!!"

Nelra lunged at Rabi, covering her mouth. Rabi lost her balance and fell, dragging Nelra with her. Still, Nelra continued.

"Poor thing! You don't even know what your own mouth is saying. I, as a saint, can see it. You are possessed by a demon. It is bound to your soul and will never leave you. I can only give you a blessing on your soul...!"

Tears streamed down Nelra's beautiful face. Giving a blessing to the soul meant, in other words, to die quickly. Before Rabi could make a sound, Nelra's sobs drowned her out. Everything centered around her. Even the surrounding people sobbed as if they were crying along.

I thought it was strange. Nelra whispered quietly, so only Rabi could hear. "Your magic is undone, isn't it?" Rabi trembled. "Since when? I'm surprised. With your tiny magic, how did you manage?" Nelra's tears wouldn't stop. She was laughing. She was laughing so hard that she was crying. It was chilling.

You had a small hope. Really, "Poor thing!" Nelra shouted.

"There's no way I'm letting you go."

If the magic was undone, she could cast it again. This time, she would do it thoroughly, binding her soul so she could do nothing. She would make her beg for her life just before the execution, leaving her as a foolish woman for generations to come. "You are really foolish, Rabi." Did you think that by raising your voice, you could somehow make it work?

Rabi trembled and opened her eyes wide. Nelra's magic slowly seeped into her body, binding her to the core with heavy chains. She had felt this before, ten years ago, when Nelra first bound her.

"Ugh...!"

The mark of servitude was sealed. A new mark was engraved on Rabi's body.

"You are really foolish and stupid, Rabi."

--- A slave will always remain a slave.