HDBMTD 13

Chapter 13

The princess didn’t bother speaking to someone foolish enough to lie in front of the greatest living mental empath—she simply read Tita’s thoughts directly.

After that, everything progressed swiftly.

Once Aria grasped the full situation, she immediately chased down Cambiata with only her bonded partner and elite team. After decimating their base, she rescued Tita’s younger brother and brought him back.

Then, within just two days, she defeated the S-class monster that had been deemed an irreversible catastrophe. The citizens, realizing the legendary reputation of her and her pair wasn’t exaggerated, were filled with awe.

However, the real change began after the monster’s death.

No one knew what deal Aria made with the Duke of Swatan in exchange for slaying the beast, but it was clear that she personally led every reform that followed.

The Empire’s army was stationed in the duchy. As a result, the forced conscription of child soldiers stopped, and the corrupt leadership that had long ruled was uprooted.

“After that, my brother and I emigrated. We had no good memories of that country. The new world we met… was truly wonderful.”

“I see…”

Aria, quietly listening, touched her cheek.

“Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember. I’m sorry—before the accident, my memory wasn’t this bad.”

“Oh, no, please don’t apologize.”

Tita waved her hands hastily.

Even if the most unforgettable day of her life had faded in Aria’s memory, she didn’t feel slighted at all.

The sun can’t be expected to remember every sunflower that turns its face to it. After all, Aria, the hero of the century, had saved more people than stars in the Milky Way.

“To me, you’re like the sky… no, my savior.”

She started to praise Aria reverently, but quickly changed her wording, remembering Aria disliked being deified. Still, for someone like her, Aria really was that kind of figure.

Without her, her brother would’ve been sold off to Cambiata as a test subject for horrific experiments, and Tita herself would’ve likely been disposed of or sold to silence her.

Tita had always wanted to repay Aria. Then she’d heard the rumors…

“If I wanted to check on Your Highness’s safety, I had no choice but to become your personal maid. But at the time, only maids from families hostile to Your Highness were being hired… So I bought the identity of a little-known noble lady from a rival faction and snuck into the palace.”

“Th-that’s a huge risk… You must’ve gone through so much…”

Aria couldn’t imagine Tita had literally bought the name of someone from a noble house capable of threatening her.

What had she been doing all these years?

“Even after making it into the palace, the only thing I could do was protect you when you lost consciousness—to keep others from using their abilities on you.”

“…What?”

Aria blinked in surprise.

“You… protected me? All this time?”

“Ah, yes! I’m nothing compared to you, but I’m classified as A-rank in mental defense…”

“An A-rank Eshafe, specialized in defense?”

Mental defense abilities were even more powerful than empathic ones. The only thing that could break through A-rank defenses was an S-rank.

Now that Aria had lost her powers, no one could pierce Tita’s shield. Aria took in a sharp breath.

So that’s why Padva never tried to harm me…!

It all made sense now. Padva hadn’t realized that Aria overheard his secret conversation or that her abilities were returning.

She had thought his negligence was overconfidence—but it was actually Tita’s silent protection.

Noticing Aria’s expression, Tita sheepishly added:

“He kept trying to manipulate Your Highness, so I even stood watch during the night. He probably thinks you’re already his puppet.”

Manipulation… did he try to brainwash her? No wonder the guards had been so lax.

Without Tita, something truly terrible might’ve happened.

“Tita, you’ve more than repaid your debt. Thanks to you, I’m still alive.”

“I-I don’t deserve such words. Unlike you, I can only defend.”

“I’m sure you were popular.”

People feared powerful Eshafes, but those with defensive specialties—like Tita—were warmly welcomed. Harmless and useful.

In today’s politically charged world, where mental-type Eshafes ran rampant, someone like Tita would’ve been granted high rank immediately upon immigration.

“So why are you working as my maid?”

“Because someone like me should serve someone like you.”

Tita grinned shyly, then asked seriously:

“So… please tell me the truth. You really weren’t trying to jump?”

“You’re still suspicious? I swear.”

Aria hesitated briefly.

“Actually, I wanted to leave the palace today, but it didn’t go well. I was checking the balcony height, thinking maybe I could get past the back guards by jumping…”

“T-that’s dangerous!”

“That’s why I didn’t go through with it.”

Tita sighed in relief—then realized something more important.

“Are you thinking of escaping the palace?”

“…I was. For a while.”

“Not… for revenge?”

“Revenge? For what?”

“For those who betrayed you…”

Tita trailed off as Aria looked at her with an expression of surprise—like the thought had never even crossed her mind.

“…Still, if you ever need anything, just say the word. I’ll do everything I can.”

Aria smiled gently.

“Who’s backing you?”

Tita flinched.

She figured it out…

She’d been too excited to talk with her idol and let her guard down. Sneaking into the palace was one thing, but talking about reclaiming the throne was another—it wasn’t something a lone maid could say without help.

Just as Aria suspected, Tita had support. Her sponsor believed Aria had a good chance of reclaiming the throne.

But revealing his identity would violate their agreement. She trusted Aria, but a contract was a contract.

Still, to dodge a royal’s question could be seen as suspicious.

Aria, sensing Tita’s panic, reassured her.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to answer if it’s difficult.”

“T-thank you!”

Tita bowed deeply, and Aria smiled.

She could already guess who was backing Tita.

“I’ve been cut off from the outside world for so long. Can I ask a few questions?”

“Of course! Anything.”

“Did the rehab center construction finish well?”

“Huh? Yes…”

Aria then asked about other public institutions and how they were running. Tita had expected political questions and looked a bit puzzled.

“I thought so.”

Relieved to hear her systems were still functioning, Aria smiled with quiet satisfaction.

“I’m not going to take revenge. I’m not even that angry at Padva. He’s still my family.”

“What?! But they betrayed you!”

“Sure, it hurt. But it wasn’t enough to make me vow revenge. If anything, I’ve received more than I’ve lost.”

“More… than you lost?”

Tita’s eyes shook.

She didn’t know Padva had tried to poison Aria, but even without that, she thought he deserved death.

To cast out the rightful heir who led the Empire to victory—how could that not be a crime?

And yet, she says it didn’t hurt her… What would it even take to ‘hurt’ someone like Aria?

Tita opened her mouth, but Aria spoke again—more to herself than to anyone else.

“Let’s say I do take revenge. Then what?”

“You’d become Empress, of course! Who else but you, who built the Empire’s foundation?”

“Yes, I’d become Empress…”

Even whispering from just a few steps away, Aria’s voice sounded distant—as though she were already standing far from the palace, gazing at it from a remote mountain.

“The Empire’s entering an era of peace. From here on, all that’s needed is to maintain the military and expand welfare. Anyone can do that. These days, a healthy Emperor is enough.”

“Your Highness…”

“Don’t look so sad. Honestly, few past Emperors ever got to do things their way. I was just really lucky.”

Aria’s eyes turned toward the ceiling, as if looking back on those times.

“I overturned the system multiple times over ten years. My father, far from fearing me, protected me from the ministers and supported my reforms. I did everything I wanted without obstruction.”

“And because of that, the Empire thrived.”

“Maybe I was the one who thrived. Everything just clicked back then. The right people appeared, growth occurred like clockwork. That kind of alignment doesn’t happen often. Even if I took the throne now, could I recreate that?”

“…”

“Probably not.”

Tita wanted to shout, “Yes, you could!” But she couldn’t.

Because in front of her stood the woman who had run herself into ruin chasing that ideal.

“I don’t think I’ll live much longer.”

Aria smiled bitterly.

“In this condition, I can’t perform foreign duties. Someone would have to rule in my place… Would that really be a good emperor?”

“…”

“Retaking the throne would mean rivers of blood. I’d have to kill my only brother and countless brilliant people—just to become a puppet on the throne…”

Now she was speaking not to Tita, but to herself.

“Is it really worth it?”

Tita watched her silently, full of conflicted admiration.

She’s so pure, so selfless…

Aria’s pain and betrayal didn’t fuel her. She wasn’t the kind to run on emotion or vengeance.

Her choices were based purely on reason and compassion—a true ruler.

Even after all this, she doesn’t hate her brother. The only person Aria’s ever truly hated might just be Cambiata…

Tita respected Aria’s mercy, but also found it heartbreaking. So she asked one more question:

“Then… what about Duke Bendrix? He acted worse than any monster.”

He had cheated on his fiancée with her best friend, ignored her after she purified his madness, and treated her like nothing the next morning.

If that isn’t the worst man alive, who is?

Seeing Aria falter at last, Tita pressed harder.

“He looked that way, but Nocturne didn’t betray me.”

“Your Highness… I know it’s hard to accept, but loving someone like that will only hurt you.”

“It’s not denial—it’s instinct. I think… I think he was under pressure, or mind control, or maybe… he’s pretending to protect me.”

Tita froze in place as Aria recalled last night:

‘I missed you…’

The way he’d held her—like delicate glass. The tears that had spilled from his blue eyes.

She saw the depth of love in him—not when he was sane, but when madness stripped away every mask.

That… that was the real Nocturne.

And so, she believed the cold version wasn’t.