Chapter 19
Helicia straightened her posture and asked the same question she had asked in every life.
“Where is the person who came with you before?”
“You mean Arpessian? He won’t come.”
Arzen answered immediately, without hesitation.
His voice sounded cold.
Helicia widened her eyes, pretending to be surprised.
“Really? Did something happen again, like during the coronation?”
Let’s see what excuse you give this time.
There was no injury this time.
No attack. No missing limbs.
And unlike one of her past lives, she hadn’t sent assassins to the palace either.
There was no way he could say Arpessian was sick.
She had even checked his body herself.
“No. He just doesn’t like places like this.”
Arzen smiled bitterly.
If she didn’t know the truth, she might think he was just a brother who misunderstood his sibling.
But—
the answer had changed.
So all those past excuses about injuries were lies.
Helicia forced herself not to curse.
Her jaw tightened.
Seeing her expression, Arzen seemed to misunderstand and quickly pointed to the side.
“You seem worried because he is your age. Then how about meeting my fiancée instead?”
A woman who had been quietly waiting stepped forward.
“Hello, Saintess. I am Viela Hail.”
Under the bright chandelier, her long dark blue hair shined.
Her pink eyes looked calm and elegant.
Arzen introduced her proudly.
“She is sixteen, a bit older than you. She is very knowledgeable about herbs and also good at treatment.”
“Wow, really? That’s amazing!”
After the civil war began, Viela became even more famous.
Since Helicia had hidden herself during that time—
Viela’s position had risen even higher.
“When divine power becomes weak, doctors become more valuable.”
By the time Helicia was executed in one of her past lives—
Viela was treated like a Saintess.
Many believed that Viela was one of the main reasons the Emperor’s army won the war.
Viela smiled shyly.
“I only helped a little while the Saintess was absent. It’s nothing compared to divine power.”
But that wasn’t true.
She was actually very talented.
Born as a commoner, she saved many lives with herbs—
and even received a noble title from Emperor Pero at the age of fourteen.
Now, at sixteen, she stood proudly as Arzen’s fiancée.
Helicia smiled brightly at her.
“That’s perfect. Can I speak more comfortably?”
Viela nodded, slightly surprised.
Helicia’s expression suddenly became serious.
“This is difficult to say… but I believe both Prince Arzen and Prince Arpessian are seriously ill.”
Her clear voice echoed across the hall.
The music stopped instantly.
Emperor Pero, who had been drinking lazily, finally looked at her.
He smiled coldly.
“So the Holy Nation finally sent a Saintess… and she can’t even take responsibility for her words.”
“I wasn’t sure during the coronation. But after seeing Prince Arzen again today, I’m certain. Have you been feeling dizzy lately?”
Silence.
The Emperor’s golden eyes sharpened.
Because—
it was true.
But the illness itself was a lie.
Arzen’s dizziness was just fatigue.
In the future, he would fall from a horse because of it.
Helicia continued calmly,
“It’s a hereditary disease. Prince Arpessian is in greater danger. Prince Arzen is still in the early stage.”
She exaggerated on purpose.
This way, I can stay close to both of them under the excuse of treatment.
Her real target was Arpessian—
but she needed Arzen to make it possible.
After a long silence, Emperor Pero sat up.
“Hereditary? Then that means I could have it too.”
“Yes. That’s why I wanted to see Prince Arpessian…”
Helicia lowered her head slightly, pretending to worry.
Her letters about “health” were finally useful.
Arzen asked carefully,
“Is that why you kept sending letters…?”
Empress Libel spoke urgently,
“Arzen… can he be cured?”
Helicia clasped her small hands and looked humble.
“Of course. If he receives regular treatment at the temple, he will be fine.”
Even though she said Arpessian was in greater danger—
no one mentioned his name.
As if only Arzen existed.
Even now, the Emperor only cared about himself.
Helicia continued,
“Right now, Prince Arpessian must be in great pain… like his body is breaking apart. Severe headaches… and it may feel like someone is calling him from far away…”
She added more frightening details.
The Emperor’s face slowly hardened.
Then Viela stepped forward.
“Excuse me, but I heard you only recently became a Saintess.”
She raised her head calmly.
“The Saintess position has been empty for 20 years. Shouldn’t we have clearer proof?”
Emperor Pero leaned back again.
Empress Libel watched sharply.
Viela continued politely,
“I have some knowledge of herbs and have been checking Prince Arzen. I have never seen such symptoms. Could this be a misdiagnosis?”
Behind them, Baron Potten nodded eagerly.
Helicia blinked calmly.
“Prince Arzen is still in the early stage. Then… check Prince Arpessian instead.”
The Empress interrupted coldly,
“You misunderstand. That child simply does not like banquets. He has never attended. It is not a health issue.”
That’s a lie. I already saw him.
Helicia forced herself to stay calm.
Then she spoke firmly,
“What if he didn’t come because he’s sick? By now, he must be in so much pain that he can’t even move!”
