IRATBP I Chapter 07

Chapter 07

“That’s good news.”

I could feel Russell’s gaze on my skin. He was probably watching to see how I’d respond.

In contrast, the Emperor’s gaze was filled with curiosity and interest.

“What do you mean by that?”

I forced my stiff facial muscles to smile.

If Russell was of imperial blood, I could roughly guess what kind of cards he held.

A man with an unknown background becoming the lord of the entire North doesn’t make sense—unless he had noble blood to begin with. That would explain a lot.

And me?

I had to appear like I believed I could gain practical benefits from being the Grand Duke of Glacies’ fiancée—because he was the Emperor’s son.

“This engagement might change my life and even the Empire’s future. Isn’t that a blessing? I probably couldn’t find a more reliable partner than him.”

Smile. I have to smile.

Because I’m not used to smiling, my lips trembled from nervousness. But I had to do it anyway. He’s the Emperor. It’s too late to take back what I said.

“That’s an interesting thing to say. Then how do you plan to help govern the North?”

The Emperor was asking what value I had as his son’s fiancée.

I had to convince him by using everything I knew.

“I plan to start from the lowest place.”

“What do you mean by the lowest place?”

I had to prove that I could be useful to the North.

“The North shares a border with the Kingdom of Kasus, and there’s always military tension. While the current Kasus king seems friendly, who knows what he’s really doing behind the scenes?”

“And what exactly do you mean by that?”

The Emperor seemed intrigued. I could feel his gaze heating up.

The Kingdom of Kasus and the Empire had a long history of conflict. After a brutal war, the Empire won, and Kasus gave up the North to avoid being completely taken over.

It may look peaceful now, but the reality is different.

“For example, there could be secret organizations disguised as relief shelters in the North or even in the capital’s slums.”

This wasn’t just a theory—it was something I had actually seen.

When I lived as a slum rat, I saw a spy from Kasus pretending to be a resident while gathering information from the capital. But no one reported it to the guards.

Because those who knew were paid off with food or water for the next day.

Of course, I had other abilities too.

But even if I could hear the voices of trees, that might not be enough to prove my worth.

It’s too risky to talk about that here.

The only value I could prove now was what I learned while living in the slums. And since it was a national security issue, it couldn’t be ignored.

“Fascinating. Now I understand why Duke Kalidus kept someone as clever as you hidden.”

“…It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

But, Your Majesty… my father locked me away because he saw me as a disgrace. He was ashamed of having a blind daughter—and in the end, he traded me away.

But I can’t say that.

So I had to bury the truth deep behind a smile.

To prove I was useful—no matter what.

“I thought you were just weak, but you’re more surprising than I expected.”

Russell mumbled, barely audible. I quickly glanced at the Emperor.

Thankfully, he didn’t seem to react.

He didn’t hear it…

Just as I felt relieved, the Emperor turned to me.

“Perhaps it’s true what the sages said—that those who cannot see are often the most compassionate.”

“It’s an honor to be seen in such a light, Your Majesty.”

Russell said nothing. Maybe he was surprised or lost in thought.

I wished he’d give me a sign that I’d done well. But we’d never discussed such signals before.

“Well, I didn’t come here for much… I just heard that Russell—who always said he wasn’t interested in women—finally found a proper fiancée. I wanted to meet her myself.”

That was a joke.

An emperor wouldn’t move just for that, but it was a good excuse.

Even outsiders would find it natural that the Emperor was curious about his son’s fiancée.

I heard Russell getting up from the sofa, so I followed and stood up too.

“I’ll guide you to your room myself.”

“No need. Just ask your aide.”

He meant Frater.

The two of them left the parlor slowly, talking. I stood there like a plant, wearing my smile mask.

Did I do well?

Did my smile look natural? Did I hunch my shoulders too much or sit with a crooked back?

Did I play the role of Grand Duke Glacies’ fiancée properly?

That thought echoed in my mind—and suddenly, a ringing sound filled my ears. I clutched my ears without realizing it.

My legs tangled, and I lost my balance.

Where was my cane?

I reached toward the sofa where I had placed it, but I lost my balance and fell.

“My lady!”

“Asha…”

My cane hit my back with a soft thump. Asha must have heard the noise and rushed in.

“My lady! Are you alright?”

Asha’s voice began to sound distant. My barely held consciousness began to sink into darkness. I forced myself to speak.

“I’m… fine…”

“Get a priest! Hurry!”

Ah… this isn’t good.

Her voice faded away. The lovely dress Asha had dressed me in stuck to my skin from cold sweat—it felt gross.

Ah, really.

Why won’t this body listen to me in this life?

***

In the hazy fog of my mind, I heard familiar voices.

“…She probably suffered from too much stress in a strange place. She needs to rest for a while…”

“…How long until she recovers?”

“…At least five days. And no stressful issues in the meantime…”

I stirred slightly, fingers twitching. But then a cold chill swept over my body—and pain like needles stabbed through every part of me.

I barely held back a scream and forced my foggy, heat-dazed thoughts to stay focused.

How much time had passed since I collapsed? I couldn’t even tell if it was day or night since I was indoors.

The bed I was lying on felt softer than the floor but harder than the one I used to sleep in, so this probably wasn’t my usual room.

Maybe they had prepared another room just in case something like this happened? But the air was so hot and stuffy that it was hard to breathe.

“…She’s passed the critical point, so don’t worry too much. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Alright. Go ahead.”

Ah, that was Russell’s voice.

He let out a sigh and pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. I wanted to say something, but my throat wouldn’t open—probably because I’d been unconscious for a while.

A heavy silence followed. Then, in a calm voice, he called my name.

“Fiana Lucianos.”

Why is he saying my name?

What is he thinking while watching me lie here like this?

Does he think I’m a weak, troublesome girl?

Or maybe… just a useful body full of spare parts?

“…A blind girl, with a small and thin body that looks like it hasn’t been properly nourished…”

His large, warm hand gently held my arm. His hand felt full of life, and I didn’t want him to let go. I felt like I was drawing warmth from him, like I was stealing his energy to keep myself going.

So that’s how he saw me…

“…But you have some extraordinary ability you’re not telling anyone about. You’re quick on your feet, and you have the potential to survive even in tough situations.”

No way.

I’m only like this because I carry the painful memories of a terrible past life. I just want to survive. I’m desperate not to die in the same horrible way I did before.

But he couldn’t hear my silent screams.

Russell kept talking.

“Why did the Duke of Kalidus hide you? What are you hiding?”

I could faintly smell mint.

Ah, he’s leaning in close. I can feel his breath on my neck.

I wanted to answer, but I couldn’t.

I was too scared to reveal what I’d buried deep inside.

Too scared that I’d be trapped in the same cruel cycle as before.

Too scared that he’d find out how truly worthless I really was.

All I could do was wish for this moment to pass quickly. I wanted that faint mint scent to fade, for him to move away from me.

But even as I drifted back into unconsciousness… the scent of mint stayed with me.

Ironically, it never left.