Chapter 6. A Foolish Choice
Late at night, long after Wontil had left and everyone else had gone to sleep, an unexpected visitor came to see El. Seeing who stood before her, El asked in a low voice,
“You must not have been poisoned too severely, Lady Shenil, if you’re already up and moving.”
“Well, yes. I was careful with the dosage.”
At that, El rose from her seat and stood facing Shenil through the iron bars. Shenil glanced around the prison cell El was in and sneered mockingly.
“I suppose you understand your place now? This is what happens when you forget your station. Honestly, I never liked you from the moment Terban brought you in.”
“I doubt you’re here just to tell me that. What brings you here?”
“I came to kindly inform you that your time is up.”
“That’s not very surprising. I suspected as much ever since poison was found in my room.”
El’s composed demeanor only further enraged Shenil. She had come hoping to see El break down and scream—but El’s reaction was the exact opposite.
Even after being told she was going to die, she remained calm and indifferent.
“A mere knight. If you had just been satisfied with your place, none of this would’ve happened. Blame your own stupidity.”
“Then why did you care about me at all, Lady Shenil? As you said, I’m just a knight.”
“That’s—”
“If I’m just a knight and you’re at His Majesty’s side, none of this should matter. What exactly were you so afraid of?”
Shenil unconsciously took a step back when met with El’s piercing gaze. Sensing that, El didn’t hold back and pressed harder.
“And even now, the only thing I worry about is that someone like you is by His Majesty’s side. He knows nothing and probably only worries about you.”
“You’ve got a lot to say for someone about to die. I wonder if you’ll still be so proud when death comes for you. You’re making a mistake.”
Shenil’s threats meant nothing to El. After all, Shenil had started this whole thing without knowing anything.
“No, the mistake was yours. You could’ve left things alone, but instead you pushed it this far. The foolish one here is you.”
Having said everything she wanted to, El turned her back on her. Shenil, swallowing her frustration, stormed out of the prison.
Just wait. You’ll die in agony—in front of the very person you so desperately longed for.
“The capital seems quite chaotic.”
“Yes. In fact, this is the perfect time. No one will be paying attention to a place this far from the capital.”
“You’re right.”
In the dark room, instead of the main lights, only a small lamp dimly lit the space. The room wasn’t clearly visible, but the voices of two men were distinct.
One man sat behind a large desk at the center of the room, while the other stood across from him.
“From what I hear, it’s quite serious—even the nobles are getting involved.”
“Yes. From what I’ve gathered, His Majesty’s closest knight attempted to poison Lady Shenil Reymil.”
At the unexpected name, the man sitting at the desk looked intrigued.
“Shenil Reymil?”
“Yes, the legitimate daughter of Duke Hisben.”
“Hm, that’s a bit of a shame. If she had just died, we might’ve profited from it.”
The man leaned back in his chair, genuine regret in his voice.
After all, such an unexpected incident could have played into their hands. But soon, his interest shifted to the knight who had supposedly tried to poison Shenil.
“Still, that knight must be something else—to go after her, knowing who she is.”
“They say the palace is in turmoil over it. Duke Hisben and other nobles are demanding an execution.”
“As expected. So, what’s the verdict?”
“Well, the evidence is overwhelming, and there’s even testimony. It’ll be hard to avoid the death penalty.”
The man, having briefly shown interest, soon seemed bored again. He stood from his chair and drew the curtains aside.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, faintly illuminating the room. But what it revealed was horrifying—dark stains of dried blood splattered across the floor and walls. Anyone could tell what it was.
“Let’s move quickly while we can. Once things are settled here, we can finally go see the face we’ve longed to see.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the man’s face emerged from the shadows, his strange teal eyes gleamed like those of a predator spotting prey—completely at odds with his words about wanting to “see someone.”
As evidence that El had tried to poison Shenil began to surface, even Terban had no choice but to set a trial date for her.
But everyone knew it would only be a formality. The outcome—execution—was all but guaranteed. And that day had already arrived.
Unable to sleep, Terban worked late into the night, perhaps because of El’s impending trial.
He stared at documents filled with writing, but the words made no sense to him anymore.
Suddenly, someone entered the emperor’s office without knocking. Terban recognized the intruder and spoke coldly.
“That was rude, Sir Vandel. What do you think you’re doing?”
“I heard El’s trial is tomorrow.”
“Yes. She’s a criminal now.”
“El would never do such a thing. Please, investigate once more—”
Vandel walked up to Terban and pleaded sincerely, but Terban’s tone remained firm.
“The investigation is already complete. According to Shenil’s testimony and the circumstances, the only one who could have poisoned her was Sir El.”
“But, Your Majesty, there must be someone else behind this—”
“That’s enough, Vandel. The same poison found in the tea was discovered in El’s room.”
Even faced with such undeniable evidence, Vandel refused to give up.
He believed with all his heart that El was innocent. And he was desperate to convince Terban of it—to save her, no matter what.
“You know better than anyone, don’t you, Your Majesty? El would never do this. She was more loyal to you than anyone.”
“But we can’t know what lies in someone’s heart. Maybe she got used to her position and started plotting something behind our backs.”
“Your Majesty…”
“It’s already decided. Leave now, Vandel.”
Terban’s final, icy command forced Vandel to bite down his rage, his fists clenched so tightly they went numb. But he had no choice but to leave.
The moment he was gone, Terban let go of the pen he’d been holding and sighed deeply, pressing a hand to his forehead. His mind was just as clouded as Vandel’s.
In truth, more than anyone, Terban wanted to ask El himself. Why? Why had she done it?
That thought drove him from his seat. He couldn’t bear it anymore. Leaving his office behind, he walked with purpose through the palace, even at that late hour.
Soon, he arrived in front of a building. Iron bars lined the windows, giving the place an ominous feel. Guards were stationed firmly at the entrance.
When they saw Terban, the knights immediately bowed their heads, and he walked inside without hindrance.
That night, the prison was almost empty. Terban walked all the way to the far end, stopping in front of a familiar figure behind the bars.
Perhaps sensing his presence, the person leaning against the wall slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze.
“Your Majesty?”
Startled, El stood up. Silence fell between them. Realizing it wasn’t a dream, El bowed her head to the man she hadn’t seen in days.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has.”
Their conversation didn’t suit the situation. It sounded like something between friends meeting after only a day apart.
Terban took his time looking at El. Her face was noticeably thinner, and she looked like she hadn’t slept properly.
He still couldn’t believe it—that they were speaking with prison bars between them.
“What brings you here at this hour? I’ll be seeing you tomorrow anyway.”
For the last time, she thought.
El already knew tomorrow would be her end. So she couldn’t understand why Terban had come now.
“I came because there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Ask, then.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Why…?”
At last, Terban voiced the question he had long held in his heart. He wanted to hear it from El herself. Why had she done it?
El saw the sincerity in his eyes—and it pained her. Because to him, she truly was guilty.
The question felt like a cruel joke to El, who had been framed. Still, after a long pause and deep thought, she resolved to give the answer she had already decided on.
Just this once, she would speak from her heart. Even if it played into Shenil’s scheme. Even if everything that came after was a lie. Even if it meant the end of her life.
All she hoped for, more than anything, was that she’d be allowed to share this feeling—just this once.
