Chapter 26: “There is no paradise where a traitor arrives.” (3)

“I will bring you some food that won’t be a burden on your stomach now that you’re feeling better.”

Zichelle, who was heading downstairs with Esil, said this suddenly. Esil couldn’t help but be surprised.

Every day, at lunch and dinner, Zichelle personally brought her bread and milk.

She hadn’t spoken much, nor had she treated Esil poorly, but neither did she view her as anything beyond a servant.

However.

Just now, she had addressed Esil with respect.

Even the housekeeper, Gellion, always spoke to her in a condescending manner.

No matter how high-ranking the noble, or how low the status of the commoner, a servant was still seen as something lesser, akin to livestock.

Thus, Zichelle’s formal tone felt burdensome to Esil.

“…Please, there’s no need to speak so formally.”

At Esil’s request, Zichelle continued walking quietly.

The conversation she had overheard earlier between Esil and Viela still lingered in her mind, unresolved, and echoed in her ears.

Step by step, the sound of their footsteps filled the hallway, which was cool with the night air.

Thinking Zichelle might be angry due to the incident in the hallway, Esil hurriedly apologized.

“I-I’m sorry… for causing a disturbance in the hallway. I’ll clean it up, I promise…”

Yet, Zichelle remained silent.

Esil, who had shut her mouth and lowered her head, thought, Maybe she’s angry.

It was only natural to be upset. After all, Esil had disturbed the peace at a time when everyone else was asleep.

She assumed Zichelle would be annoyed and quietly followed her.

Step by step.

The red lanterns, installed on the walls every two meters, dimly lit the hallway.

Under the dim light, Esil’s anxious face and Zichelle’s unreadable expression passed by, flickering between shadow and light.

And as the shadows and light continued to pass, Zichelle’s stern expression began to soften.

The unresolved conversation between Esil and Viela finally settled into a single thread and penetrated her heart.

Zichelle opened her previously tightly shut mouth.

“…Thank you.”

“Eh…?”

Esil raised her head and glanced around, confused by the sudden gratitude.

But no one was there.

There was no reason for someone to thank her.

Thinking she must have misheard, Esil was about to lower her head again, but then she heard the gratitude once more, and couldn’t bring herself to look away.

“Thank you for saving the kingdom, Hero Emilia. Though late, I wanted to express my gratitude.”

“…Me? Really…?”

Esil’s eyes widened in surprise.

“There is only one Emilia Hero in this world. Though you were sentenced for treason, it is an undeniable fact that this peace was preserved thanks to you. I wanted to thank you for that.”

“…Zichelle…”

Esil had not known Zichelle long, but she had always been stiff and unyielding.

Her mouth was as heavy as if made of iron, and her face, marked by experience, seemed as solid as a steel helmet.

Zichelle never gave unnecessary gestures or showed emotions, making Esil wonder if she even had any.

And yet, Zichelle had just thanked her.

Esil was stunned.

Moreover, the gratitude caused something to rise in her throat.

Back in the northern mountains of the kingdom, when she had defeated the Demon Lord and returned to the capital, she had heard countless thank yous.

Words of praise and adoration.

At the time, she had felt joy.

But now, she didn’t feel the same happiness.

Though the words were the same, though the meaning was the same, it no longer brought her joy.

Back then, she had taken the thanks for granted, enjoyed it even.

But now, it felt like an unexpected act, and the insincere gratitude came to her as a bitter, poignant emotion.

Perhaps that’s why.

Her tears clouded her vision, foolishly.

Like stones thrown into a pond, her tears rippled, causing the lantern’s light to flicker.

But she didn’t let the tears fall.

She had made a promise to her master.

Sniffling, Esil raised her chin, opened her eyes wide, and blinked, shaking off the moisture that had gathered in her eyes.

Zichelle, standing straight and stiff, walked ahead toward the medical room without looking at her.

She offered a warm greeting to Esil, but her expression remained professional.

“If there’s anything you’d like to eat in the future, please tell me. I will prepare it with care.”

“…Ah, no. It’s really fine…”

“Don’t refuse. If the master is to eat comfortably, it seems that Emilia must also eat properly.”

“…Eh? What do you mean…?”

Esil looked at Zichelle in confusion.

Of course, only her neatly tied grayish hair could be seen from behind.

“The meals you’ve been eating, Emilia, were originally meant for the master of the house.”

“Eh, what…?”

Roselle had always spoken in a rough tone, saying that he had simply brought the leftover food after dinner.

Although it had seemed strange that no one had touched the food with a fork, Esil had assumed it was just one of the many dishes that had been placed on the lord’s table.

Therefore, Zichelle’s words were like a bolt from the blue to Esil.

“When you ate in the office, you always ordered only one dish at a time, as you ate at your desk. And ever since you arrived here, you’ve continued to have your meals in the office.”

“Th-That…”

In other words, since Esil had arrived, Roselle had been skipping his dinners.

Esil was so shocked that she couldn’t close her mouth.

Who would ever skip their own meals for a servant? It almost felt like something to resent.

Someone who would sacrifice so much for someone as insignificant as herself.

How was she supposed to repay this kindness? Esil both resented and felt deeply moved by his sacrifice.

“Why…?”

“It was likely to avoid drawing attention within the estate. Well, even though no one would dare oppose the esteemed decisions of the master of the house.”

“As you’ve probably experienced, Duke Roselle is a different sort of noble compared to the others. A noble like the master of the house is rare, indeed. Even if the master had kept Emilia by his side, no one within the domain would raise an objection.”

“But… I’m a traitor…”

“The master’s decision to bring Emilia here must have been made with deep reasoning. After seeing today, I think I understand what that reason is.”

Esil, who had been carefully taken care of by Roselle despite his own hunger, and who had resented Viela on the third-floor stairs—Zichelle could understand both situations.

She could gauge the cruel nature of King Brikal.

She could sense what had happened to Emilia.

Of course, this was all just her own understanding, based on her full trust in her master, but Zichelle had no doubt.

“You can speak freely with me. I am the head servant in charge of the estate’s meals and convenience. It’s my responsibility.”

“…Zichelle…”

“Meals should be tasty and filling. That’s how you’ll regain your strength, right?”

Esil had tried not to cry.

She wanted to keep her promise.

She had been holding it in.

But when she remembered Roselle smiling and offering her food, tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t stop them.

And she was so grateful to Zichelle, who was taking care of her despite the fact that she was a traitor.

Zichelle, offering to take care of her meals, felt like a mother to Esil, and she finally allowed the tears that she had been holding back to fall.

It felt as though a mother had appeared before her.

“Sniff…”

Even without going to the infirmary, everything felt as though it were being healed.

The bitter pain in her stomach, which had scraped against her insides, now felt comfortable, and the frustration that had risen like a tidal wave seemed to calm, as though the harsh storm had passed.

It was too much. She didn’t know where to put herself in the face of such overwhelming comfort.

Finally, all these mixed emotions turned into tears, and even though Esil hadn’t reached the infirmary yet, it felt as though all her pain had been healed.

Zichelle’s back seemed as warm and soft as a mother’s back.

She felt the warmth, like a little girl who wanted to run and hug her tightly. That comfort was now visible in Zichelle’s back.

“Sniff…”

“Ah.”

At the sound of a faint sob behind her, Zichelle stopped walking.

She turned around and looked at Esil.

Her gaze was still as stiff as ever.

“…Did I say something unnecessary? You don’t have to cry anymore.”

But the words that came from her mouth were warm.

Esil hastily wiped her tears and, with a shaky voice, looked at Zichelle, who had become as comforting as a mother.

“Sniff… Ah, no… I just… I miss my mom…”

Seeing the delicate daughter calling for her mother, Zichelle’s iron-like lips softened into a gentle smile.

As the head servant, she had vowed to “restrain from expressing emotions,” yet now she was breaking that vow.

“You must have had a wonderful mother, just like our master.”

In the quiet night hallway, Esil once again let the kindness of Roselle and Zichelle heal her aching heart.

On the sofa in the office, Viela, hiding her fear, watched Roselle.

She was already overwhelmed by his commanding presence.

And when he asked her if she was looking for the Lapellon, it sent a chill down her spine.

“How… how do you know?”

It was a question that puzzled her.

Dalton and Gleon had both sworn to keep the secret with their lives.

“No… It must have been a probe.”

She had enough excuses to make if necessary.

With that, Viela straightened her back and put on a composed expression. One should never be the first to falter in a battle of wits.

Though she didn’t know how Roselle had found out, she decided to shift the atmosphere for now.

“…You’re being rather kind to a traitorous s*ave, Duke.”

She was the one to make the first move, attempting to regain the upper hand.

Being kind to a traitor was equivalent to showing disrespect to King Brikal, after all.

Roselle calmly accepted her attack.

“Lady Viela, do you truly believe Emilia was planning treason?”

“Why even ask? As I said in court, she had been scheming to take over the kingdom the entire journey, didn’t she?”

Viela answered somewhat irritably.

It wasn’t just because she didn’t want to be overpowered in this mental battle, but she was also bitter at how Roselle, who had been harsh toward her for years, now smiled at Esil. It made her want to die from frustration.

Roselle smirked and leaned back against the chair.

“I was at the court too. However, one of the witness seats was empty.”

“Are you talking about Lapellon? I don’t know the reason, but he disappeared the day before we arrived in the capital.”

“So you’re looking for him? The servant?”

The discussion about Emilia’s treason inevitably led to an uncomfortable question.

Viela swallowed hard.

She had been on guard, but now she found herself cornered.

Of course, she had survived in the noble world where dirty tricks were common, enduring without scandal.

This kind of pressure was nothing to her.

“Yes. I’ve been looking for him. Dalton and Gleon as well.”

“Curious, isn’t it?”

Roselle’s eyes narrowed sharply.

He already knew the answer, but he pretended to be unaware, as in noble power games, one must always hide their hand. That way, it’s easier to land a checkmate.

Viela prepared her excuse.

“It’s pitiful. Once we reached the capital, there would have been a generous reward, but then he suddenly disappeared. And if he was kidnapped, we have to save him, of course.”

“So, that’s why you’re searching… for him.”

“Of course. He was a comrade.”

“Pfft.”

But Roselle suddenly burst into laughter.

It was a ridiculous, despicable lie, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

How could he not?

Viela frowned slightly at his mocking laughter, but she quickly withdrew her displeasure when Roselle leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and pulling himself up.

His gaze.

It seemed as though he was searching for some hidden, dark secret.

Like a beast hunting its prey, Roselle’s eyes were fierce as he revealed his hidden fangs.

“…How utterly disgusting. I know you’re searching for Lapellon to cover up your filthy truth.”

“…What?”

“I know you’re looking for Lapellon to kill him and bury the ugly truth about you all.”

“…!”

Suddenly, as if biting her by the neck, Roselle’s grip tightened, sending a tremor through Viela’s pupils.

Roselle, pulling out that “ugly truth” only known by Esil and five others, was not just testing her; he was about to strike.

No.

He had already clamped down on her neck, ready to strangle her.

In the end, Viela found herself in checkmate.

It was all due to the sudden ‘King’ that had entered the game.

“Why did Lapellon disappear the day before reaching the capital?”

“…W-What are you saying…”

A victor’s smile lingered on Roselle’s lips.

At the same time, there was a cold malice in his eyes.

And then.

Viela could finally understand.

How foolish she had been to challenge him in a battle of wits, completely unaware of how ignorant and naïve she truly was.

“…N-No way…”

The nightmare that had crushed Esil began to close in on her as well.