Episode 10
Eiryn was anxious and carefully went through the stairs, checking the information gathered from the servants to be sure about that moment.
Even while hiding in the dark, she couldn’t help but hope things would go smoothly.
“…Was that building safe?”
No one answered.
She had to press her hand against the cold wall to stay balanced, but she didn’t stop moving forward.
Lord Illiard quietly followed her with a serious expression.
Maybe Porti’s actions had already been reported to Eiryn.
“Please keep it a secret.”
A person’s heart is so fragile.
The moment something is labeled “secret,” people become even more curious.
Although Porti’s behavior wasn’t explained in detail to Eiryn, it wasn’t completely hidden either.
Because if they told her even a little, it would only make her more suspicious.
“Yes, Your Highness. We have arrived at the Western Palace.”
Lord Illiard replied, stepping aside and bowing slightly.
Halli gently pulled open the heavy wooden door of the Western Palace for Eiryn to enter.
Inside, there wasn’t much—just a simple greeting. However, the atmosphere was strange, and time felt like it slowed down.
Though he didn’t say it, the silence and tension around them were clearly unnatural.
Eiryn’s steps slowed. She looked at Lord Illiard.
He kept holding the door open with his hand until she walked all the way through.
Though only a few seconds passed, the heavy silence filled with nervous energy made it feel much longer.
She had promised to meet Lord Illiard here again today.
He had firmly grabbed her hand not long ago to protect her.
She had been asking the maids to help her look her best until now.
They said it wasn’t to impress the Emperor of Taguk, but to present her appearance properly.
Still, seeing Eiryn’s nervous face, the maids seemed to realize her feelings.
They carefully adjusted her dress one last time.
Her mind was full of thoughts and imaginations.
Is she really okay now?
Was she not being ignored?
Was there still something she didn’t know?
Did time just move forward like this without her noticing?
Eiryn took a deep breath and looked around the room.
“Eiryn, Her Highness the Princess has arrived.”
With the maid’s announcement, the golden silk curtain was pulled back.
The light pouring through the skylight shimmered over the white marble floor and the bright stars scattered above.
A tall figure wearing a gold cloak stood in front of her.
Eiryn instinctively realized who he was.
Even though they hadn’t met face-to-face in a few years, she knew immediately—this was Prince Eosha.
“Did you wait long? I’m sorry, I was delayed by the meeting…”
He smiled warmly and approached her.
The maids who had been standing quietly quickly bowed deeply to Eiryn.
That was the symbol of respect they showed toward someone they recognized as the princess.
Even the maid’s neat greeting looked very formal.
Her dress was carefully tailored to match her position.
Looking at all this, Eiryn’s heart began to race slightly.
She couldn’t help but feel tense in front of everyone.
She realized this wasn’t a dream—it was real.
Here is the full English translation of the Korean webnovel excerpt you shared:
—
Eiryn’s knees dropped powerlessly to the floor.
Did she do something wrong?
Meeting Eiryn again at this time made her emotions uncontrollable.
Even when she had bowed deeply earlier in front of the emperor, she had managed to stay composed.
The resolve of a criminal facing judgment…
However, the later events forced her to reconsider whether she truly remained composed.
From Illiard’s lips came a cold, firm command.
As if to pierce her heart, the man’s voice harshly broke the silence.
A sound escaped Illiard’s lips once more.
“…You.”
He had to call her name.
But his mouth wouldn’t open easily.
Like trying to spit out a lump of iron, the voice that eventually escaped revealed that the girl was not Eiryn, but Illiard.
Just looking at her face was enough to make his heart pound painfully.
A cold sweat ran down his back as his memories clashed chaotically.
He raised his hand to cover the trembling of his lips and closed his eyes tightly.
Still, the silence with the person in front of him grew longer and more suffocating.
Finally, a sound emerged from Illiard’s mouth.
At the same moment, Phirty, standing above, reacted quickly to the situation.
A thick layer of invisible magical power surrounded Eiryn.
Her body was enveloped in a bluish transparent dome.
Surrounded by the guards and nobles in attendance, she had no way to escape or resist.
She simply looked up at Phirty with wide eyes.
Phirty quietly lowered his hand and explained in a calm voice.
“Phirty has called for the doctor, so please endure this pain for a little longer.”
Then he gestured to a nearby palace guard to bring a medic.
Illiard remained still.
He didn’t even move to stop the flow of blood from the wound.
It was as if he had become completely immobile.
Perhaps because he feared that even a slight movement might disrupt something delicate, the surrounding knights hesitated to intervene.
The tip of Illiard’s shoe was wet with blood.
A dark pool of crimson slowly spread beneath his feet.
Even his silver shoes began to take on a reddish tint.
They followed in silence.
Without asking any questions or receiving any orders, they simply bowed their heads with expressions of grief and sorrow.
That sorrow deeply infected the surroundings, as Eiryn’s blood soaked the palace floor.
“Let the others know of this situation immediately.”
After confirming the situation, Chairua gave instructions and began to organize the chaos.
“This, too, must be cleaned.”
She gestured toward a pile of scrolls on the table and muttered.
Phirty stepped forward to sort through them and found one document soaked in blood.
He flipped through the paper, which had become wet and crinkled, then handed it to Illiard.
It was unclear why, but the unnatural sensation left behind in the bloodstained letter could not be easily ignored, and it made Eiryn’s blood run cold.
“Perhaps this is a trap,” he muttered.
Chairua nodded after confirming the seal and markings.
“This may also be connected.”
She pointed toward a stack of documents on the desk.
Phirty silently looked at her and changed the subject in a calm tone.
Illiard’s energy shifted slightly.
He appeared ready to accept the weight of responsibility for the information presented to him.
His expression darkened as he stared at the letter for a long moment.
Then, with slow movements, he carefully placed it inside a drawer at the corner of the desk.
The last page of the document had blood stains from Phirty.
Wet and soaked in red, the once clean paper distorted like a twisted emotion.
The sticky texture followed.
Though he didn’t ask the reason, the sorrow and despair lingering in his throat made it difficult to bear the pain.
That hopeless feeling swept through him like a wave, making Eiryn’s blood flow more bitterly.
“Please inform Her Majesty the Empress of this situation.”
After confirming the support from Chairua and seeing no further resistance, Eiryn began to organize the situation.
“This, too, is not a coincidence.”
She examined the stamp on the document before her and spoke.
Phirty quietly murmured a prayer, and the atmosphere grew solemn.
The story that had been shared turned into a dark and painful revelation.
A difficult-to-swallow truth poured forth, stinging even more because of the emotional wounds it inflicted.
