Chapter 13

Via's condition gradually showed signs of improvement after that.

Fortunately, she did not develop a severe infection, and by the next day, her confusion had cleared.

The day after she was out of critical condition, Celtes returned to the Antole Knights' quarters.

Via, who had been confined to the small hospital room and had been sleeping on the sofa, felt a bit relieved to hear that he was returning to the quarters.

As the doctor had said, time was the best medicine, and her body seemed to be getting better day by day.

She had been unable to even lift her arm slightly, but now she was gradually regaining strength in her hands.

She still couldn't turn over by herself, but compared to the day before yesterday, and yesterday, she was gradually able to move her body more today.

Aleks visited Via on the evening of the day Celtes returned.

With a thin cushion behind her back, Via was sitting up slightly, and Aleks whispered, "I'm glad," upon seeing her.

He then took her hands in both of his and pressed them to his lips, remaining silent for a while.

"I thought you were going to die."

The shadows under his eyes told Via that she had caused His Highness a great deal of worry.

His face looked as if he hadn't slept for days, and his complexion was poor.

She wanted to tell him that she was fine, but her throat, worn out from fever, could only produce a hoarse voice.

When she tried to speak, he kissed her forehead and told her not to strain herself. "Just get better. That's all I ask."

Via's condition continued to fluctuate, and she often spent the day in bed with a fever.

Because of this, she rarely got to see Prince Aleks properly.

She often felt frustrated when she was told that he had only peeked in after she woke up.

The three maids seemed to know the situation vaguely but were hesitant to say anything, repeating that they couldn't speak carelessly.

When she heard that Ebeck was waiting by the door during the day, she had called him in to question him, but he answered hesitantly, saying that he knew the truth but couldn't speak of it himself.

When Celtes, who hadn't shown his face for half a month, heard Via's complaint, he started to chuckle.

Seeing her face, he seemed relieved, and his expression was bright.

"Prince Aleks must have been very distressed when he thought you were going to die, Sister," Celtes continued, his voice no longer that of a boy, which surprised Via.

He seemed to have grown taller as well.

When she sighed, thinking, "My little, cute Celtes..." he pouted and replied, "I'm an adult now, so you should be happy about that."

Eidam, with whom she was connected, and why Celtes had almost been killed, were completely unknown to Via, who was bedridden and severely injured.

When she glared at Celtes, demanding an answer, he readily provided one.

"It's essentially the Empress's jealousy."

"She's a troublesome woman," Celtes wrinkled his nose.

"Her jealousy of Empress Tsity, who stole her husband, and the girl who captured her son's heart, made her lose her mind.

She must have thought that if she killed me in my room, His Highness wouldn't be able to make it public once the truth was known, so she tried to get rid of me forcefully."

He said it with a wry smile, but it was Celtes who had nearly been killed. Via couldn't bring herself to laugh.

"To protect me and Sister, Prince Aleks must be doing his best. He probably can't come here often to avoid provoking the Empress's jealousy."

The younger brother, who was originally perceptive and intelligent, must have seen through many things.

Despite his delicate appearance and somewhat shy personality, Celtes, who was optimistic and broad-minded like his mother, was talkative in front of Via.

Or perhaps, the facade of the knights was starting to peel off.

In any case, Via nodded inwardly, understanding why the Prince rarely visited.

"Chief Lady Amelie, her son Eidam Fork, and the girl... I think her name was Julia.

These three were involved in the conspiracy.

Although they were restrained, if they were punished arbitrarily, it would fuel the Empress's suspicions, and yet, His Highness couldn't keep them around. So, he presented them to the Empress.

I don't know what kind of talks took place between them, but according to Amon, the deputy, the Empress promised not to call Sister to her chambers again."

Via's eyes widened.

This was unexpected. Such an action would greatly damage her reputation as a concubine and would be a significant relief for the Empress.

"Amazing, to think of such a move."

Via was genuinely impressed, but Celtes seemed to have different thoughts.

"As a man, I feel a bit sorry for my brother," he said with a complex expression.

Clearly, Prince Aleks was deeply in love with this sister. The fact that he couldn't touch the woman he loved in the future must have been a bitter decision for him.

"Well, at least this ensures a certain level of safety.

The Empress is a terrifying person, Sister.

The three people His Highness presented to her were found floating in a river on the outskirts two days later. It was ruled as a robbery, but..."

"What a thing to do."

Via frowned in pain.

The Chief Lady was not a bad person. She had been efficient and considerate of the inexperienced Via as a concubine.

She must have been forced into the conspiracy by the Empress.

"Sister, you should focus on getting better."

Celtes said this as he stood up.

"You might feel lonely because His Highness can't come often, but please understand the situation and don't blame him."

As Celtes had said, even after Via's condition improved, Aleks rarely visited her.

While it could be said that there was no need for him to come since her condition had stabilized, the environment around Via changed according to Aleks's instructions.

First, the maids who had served as the Empress's attendants in the Crystal Palace returned to Via.

Sera and Luna, who had been temporarily borrowed from the Purple Jade Palace, stayed with Via, and Mrs. Barak, who had been the head maid, became the new Chief Lady. Eimi took the position of head maid.

During changes of clothes and medical examinations, only the three maids who knew the situation were present, and the others were dismissed. Since Via was said to be ill and bedridden, this was natural.

Ebeck, the guard, continued to stand outside the door, and the bored Via began to invite him into the room from time to time.

Via's life was saved because Ebeck and the two guards assigned to Celtes had immediately apprehended Eidam at that time.

When she praised their efforts, Ebeck said bitterly, "In the end, we couldn't protect her."

Ebeck, who had been patient about not delving into the affairs of the nobility, finally decided to ask Via about the incident after being called several times.

"Why did the Empress think that His Highness Celtes was in danger at that time?"

Ebeck was the only person who knew that Via had not visited Celtes's room by chance but had returned in anticipation of the disaster.

"I was the one who secretly retrieved the shoes in the corridor that night. Can't you tell me in return?"

Via had completely forgotten about the shoes she had left in the corridor.

"Nobody saw them? Or nobody said anything?"

If it became public, it would be a bit problematic.

Looking at Ebeck worriedly, she received a confident response: "It's fine." He looked up at her, expecting an answer.

He seemed like a puppy waiting for a treat, Via thought. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging.

"Fine, I'll tell you."

Ebeck knew many things that could be problematic. Telling him a bit more might ensure that he would overlook her un-ladylike actions in the future.

"Sometimes, I have strange dreams."

"Strange dreams?"

"I'm different. Sometimes, I see things that will happen three or four months in the future as if I've already experienced them."

Via shrugged.

"Most of the time, they are very trivial.

Like a young boy walking down the street and getting splashed by a carriage, or a middle-aged, overweight woman walking with a bag of apples that breaks and scatters everywhere...

People I don't know appear in my dreams and suffer, and I feel sorry for them, but that's all.

But sometimes, I have dreams that I can't ignore."

She spoke quickly, knowing how absurd it sounded.

"A while ago, I had a dream where Celtes was killed.

When I have such dreams, unlike normal dreams, I remember every detail clearly. It's as if I've experienced it myself.

I remember what Celtes was wearing, what the man's face looked like, and what he was wearing.

After that dream, I became the Prince's concubine. I believed that with the Prince's protection, Celtes would be safe.

I had almost forgotten about the dream, but then I saw the same man, dressed the same way, heading towards Celtes.

So, I hurried back."

Noticing Ebeck's wide-eyed stare, she smiled awkwardly.

"I don't expect you to believe me. You can laugh and forget it.

But this is my truth, and I won't say anything more."

Ebeck clearly remembered the words of the Empress that night.

"Dark blue jacket, two-star medal..." The Empress had muttered, her face tensing as if she had realized something.

She had discarded her shoes and run back down the corridor, rushing into her brother's room without hesitation.

"What other dreams do you have?"

When he asked, Via laughed. "Trivial dreams, as I said."

"But, it's a good thing. Never tell anyone else. If this gets out, I might be killed."

"I won't tell anyone."

Ebeck said hurriedly.

"In fact, I shouldn't have asked. You shouldn't tell anyone! It's too dangerous!"

"Right," Via smiled.

"Prince Aleks has also told me never to speak of this ability. I think I should follow his advice. There are many people who would desire such power.

In Ancheize, only Prince Aleks and three of his close aides know about this ability. I didn't intend to tell anyone else, but I thought it might be okay to tell Ebeck."

Via paused and looked straight at Ebeck.

"You have sworn loyalty to the Prince. You know everything about the incident and have kept silent for the Prince. That's why I trust you."

Ebeck looked solemnly at Via and nodded.

Ebeck had attended the torture of Eidam that night and was one of the few who knew all the details.

The torture was conducted by the Antole knight who had been guarding Celtes, and all the information obtained was suppressed by Deputy Antole.

The only others who knew the truth were the Prince's close aides, Gruuk Morgan and Luitas Ladus, and the Chief Steward of the Crystal Palace.

"Isn't it hard for you?"

Ebeck asked, lowering his voice.

"Of course, this incident should not be made public. But..."

The fact that Celtes had almost been killed and that Via had been severely injured to the point of risking her life was erased, and the Prince's visits to the Empress became less frequent.

To protect the Empress, this was probably the best method, Ebeck thought, but the fact that the Prince's favor had moved away from the Empress was already a known fact in the Crystal Palace.

It must have been unpleasant for Via to be seen in such a light by those who served her.

"Both Celtes and I are alive because the Prince is protecting us."

Via looked straight at Ebeck and said firmly.

The Empress's goal was for her to be abandoned by the Prince and to wither away in obscurity.

The Empress, who held a power that the Emperor could not ignore, was essential to the current Prince.

Therefore, she would accept this position.

"Besides, the one who is probably suffering the most right now is not me."