Chapter 29

"Everyone has the right to be happy—so it was written in a picture book I read long ago.

I, too, wish to be happy like everyone else. I have lived until today with this small wish.

---

And yet, even though I thought I could grasp a bright future with Lord Jade, I found myself locked in a dark and cold cage.

It's unfair.

I did as I was told.

I made sure to put the poison in Lady's wine glass.

Lord Jade is a liar. I never became happy at all.

Not only that, I was thrown into this cold prison—given only hard bread and a little water, and treated terribly.

The military police also threatened me with their scary faces, saying, 'Crying won't do any good,' and they kept repeating the same questions over and over, driving me to the brink of madness.

Because Lord Jade said that Lady Leia being the Holy Maiden is harmful to this country—I just tried to eliminate the pest that is my sister.

I acted for the sake of the country, yet to be treated like this is unjust. It must be because God hates me.

Why won't Mother and Father help me?

It's cold, my stomach is always empty, it's dirty, my body hurts, and I feel so, so miserable...

'Are you Jil Westeria? May I speak with you for a moment?'

'Y-You are Lord Dale...!'

In the dark and cold prison, where I was feeling utterly defeated, Lord Dale, the second prince of this country, came with the military police.

Lord Dale, illuminated by the lantern light, was smiling, giving the impression of being very kind.

Could he have come to save me? No, I can't. My hair is a mess, my clothes are dirty, what should I do...

'Ah, indeed, you have the look of someone who has been pampered. Perhaps Mr. Jade was desperate to use someone like you as his trump card.'

Lord Dale stared at my face and nodded to himself.

I wasn't pampered. Don't say such rude things.

'You claim that you tried to kill Lady Leia for the sake of the country, correct?'

'As you say. Lady Leia was an obstacle to Lord Jade's sacrifice for the country. As the next Holy Maiden and as a family member, I tried to eliminate her.'

Lord Dale asked the same question as always, so I answered as I always do.

No matter how many times I explain, they twist the story to make me look bad, and I end up crying in frustration, but I endure and answer...

'For the sake of the country, you say?'

'Yes. I swore to the heavens that I would do anything for the country. Lord Jade taught me that this is the way of life for a Holy Maiden.'

'That's admirable. Saying you'll do anything for the country isn't something just anyone can say.'

'Hehe...'

I have the resolve.

Even if it's a beloved sister, if it benefits the country, I have the great resolve to kill.

Lord Jade said that this spirit is what he seeks in the ideal woman.

I was all prepared to become the new Holy Maiden...

'Then, for the sake of the country, please kill yourself immediately.'

'What...?'

'No, I just meant that a hideous pest like you would be better off dead for the country. The execution process in this country takes a long time, and the kind Lady Leia might not even want the execution... So, please, die.'

'Such... such cruel things...'

I've never been spoken to so cruelly.

Calling me a pest. Saying I'd be better off dead...

How can someone say such cruel things?

'Sniff, sniff... Saying I should die is too cruel...'

'Coming here and pretending to be a victim by crying, you are indeed trash. Because of people like you... this country is on the brink of chaos.'

Despite his smile, Lord Dale showered me with harsh words.

Why must I be treated like this?

'You should see hell at least once.'

Leaving those terrifying words, Lord Dale departed.

Won't you help me? Then why did you come here...

God, why do you only torment me—?"