Chapter 1:
Public Funds, Personal Collection
“…Elia.”
A low, deep voice wrapped around her entire body. Wherever his ashen-gray eyes landed, her skin flushed with heat.
She swallowed dryly and looked up at him. Their heated gazes tangled instantly.
As his face slowly leaned closer, he began placing soft kisses on the back of her hand.
Then, with a cautious touch, he supported her waist and gently laid her down on the pure white bed sheets.
It was as if he were touching a sculpture made of glass.
“…This is the first time. Holding you like this.”
His already deep voice cracked slightly.
It was their first night together—and possibly their last. That made it all the more tender and heartbreaking.
‘Why… Why does it have to be now?’
Outside the window, countless torches pierced the darkness. Knights in grim expressions stood guard around the outer walls of the castle.
Today was the day they had finally touched both body and soul—sixteen years after their marriage. It was also the day the Imperial forces crossed the sea to invade Artizen, the northern island.
A bluish dawn slowly stretched its light over the two of them.
“Elia.”
A familiar breath reached her ear—urgent and fleeting.
“…Felix?”
“We have to get up now.”
As her hazy vision cleared, tears welled in her eyes at the reality she wished had never returned.
“The Emperor’s knights have invaded the Artizen estate.”
Her eyelids trembled.
“So soon…”
“You and Jeremy must get out of here. Now.”
Felix draped a robe over Elia’s chemise dress.
“What about you?”
Hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway and stopped at the bedroom door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Father! We must hurry!”
The door burst open, and Commander Lucas entered with Jeremy.
“Your Grace! The Imperial knights have breached the castle!”
“Already?!”
Felix looked momentarily flustered but quickly gathered himself. With determined eyes, he looked at her.
“Go! Follow Jeremy and Lucas!”
He lifted the pale Elia and urged her toward their son.
“Elia. Go.”
But Elia, trembling, couldn’t bring herself to let go of his sleeve.
“Felix…”
Moved by her desperation, Felix took a step closer and embraced her tightly.
“I’ll find you.”
His gaze was unwavering and resolute.
“There’s no time, Mother!”
“You…”
Hesitating, Elia was gently pulled by Jeremy.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Felix—not even for a second.
“Huff, huff… Where are we going?”
Elia was already frail. Just a little running left her breathless. Jeremy kept pulling her along, running forward.
“Hang in there a little longer, Mother.”
After a long descent down a stairwell, they reached a hidden back door to escape the northern fortress.
Lucas hurriedly unlocked the heavy lock and opened the back gate.
Only a few trusted individuals—including Felix—knew about this secret passage, so the Imperial knights hadn’t reached it yet.
Jeremy led Elia out the back door, visibly relieved.
“Go first, Mother. …I’ll return with Father.”
“No! Jeremy. I can’t let you go back there too.”
Elia hastily grabbed his hand.
She couldn’t bear to send her son after her husband.
“I’ll bring Father and follow you right away.”
“But Jeremy…”
“…You trust me, don’t you, Mother?”
Jeremy’s face was resolute.
Hearing his vow to bring Felix back, Elia couldn’t bring herself to stop him.
“Sob… Jeremy…”
Blurry tears clouded her vision, distorting the image of her son.
Creak.
The tightly shut back door opened again as Elia stepped back into the castle.
‘I can’t leave my family behind and run alone.’
Steeling her resolve, Elia climbed the underground stairs. As she neared the first floor, the sounds of shouting grew louder.
“Aaagh! My arm—!”
“Hold the line!!”
The first floor was overrun by chaos—Imperial knights and northern knights clashing violently.
The relentless clang of clashing swords, the stench of blood… Elia couldn’t bring herself to move forward. She hesitated near the stairs.
Though the Imperial forces had the advantage in numbers, the tide was turning as Lucas and Jeremy—both skilled swordsmen—joined the fray.
Then, Elia spotted an Imperial knight quietly sneaking up behind Jeremy.
Jeremy hadn’t noticed.
“No!!”
Elia forgot her fear of blades and ran toward him.
“Gasp!”
Just as she reached Jeremy’s back, the cold blade pierced her abdomen.
“Mother!”
Jeremy finally saw her and immediately cut down the knight. He caught her collapsing body.
“Gasp, gasp… Jeremy. Are you alright?”
“Why?! Why are you here?!”
Elia forced her heavy eyelids open to see Jeremy.
“Thank goodness… I’m glad…”
She smiled faintly, relieved that he was safe.
Cough!
Blood trickled from the corner of her lips.
“No! Don’t leave me like this… Mother!”
Her body sagged. Jeremy’s tearful voice grew distant.
Elia’s hand dropped limply to the floor.
“…Noooo! Mother!!”
Jeremy’s anguished scream filled the battlefield.
“Ugh…”
A ray of light trickled through her clear vision.
She felt starved and lethargic, like someone who hadn’t eaten in days.
As she slowly sat up, long, fine hair fluttered in the air.
‘What… Where am I?’
Her body felt heavier than usual. She was parched.
Elia forced herself upright.
Creak.
The bed springs let out a horrible noise.
A small, narrow room. A wooden floor full of splinters. A cracked full-length mirror.
As she looked around the familiar structure, it hit her—this was the attic room she’d lived in before her marriage, at the Marquess Arnes estate.
Elia, the eldest daughter of the Marquess and a child born out of wedlock, had lived in isolation here.
Distressed, she stumbled out of bed and stood before the mirror.
The cracked surface reflected not the Grand Duchess in her late thirties—but a young, girlish Elia.
“Th-this is…”
She stared into the mirror, wide-eyed, touching her cheeks.
She couldn’t believe it.
“…I came back?”
For reasons unknown, she had returned to the past.
Creak.
Just then, the hinges on the old door screeched as it swung open.
“Sis!”
A bright voice called out to her—Serena Arnes.
Serena was three years younger than Elia.
Unlike Elia, she had been born from the Marquess’s legal wife.
