Chapter 70
<“Prince Ruans has become the Emperor. I am finally free.”>
At that time, Lorencia couldn’t understand what Carleien meant by saying he had become free.
<“Today will be our last meeting. I came to bid you farewell.”>
<“Are you leaving Prince Ruans? Just like that, so suddenly?”>
<“Yes.”>
<“But soon the war will begin. Your abilities, Sir Carleien, will be needed.”>
<“What do you mean? A war?”>
<“His Majesty, Emperor Ruans, has said he will start a war.”>
<“War is a disaster that must not happen.”>
Carleien tried to persuade Ruans to prevent the war. Lorencia had no curiosity about why he was trying to stop it. At that time, war was something Ruans desired, and she mistakenly thought that if he won, his love for her would deepen.
She didn’t understand the severity of war or the suffering of those who would experience it. All that mattered to her was that the person she loved wanted war. Her ignorance, not realizing that love isn’t just about receiving, extinguished many lives like sparks.
Then:
<“Lorencia, haven’t I told you to be careful with your words? Don’t you know that war matters are top secret?”>
<“I’m sorry. But Sir Carleien serves His Majesty Ruans, so I thought it was okay to speak.”>
<“Didn’t I tell you not to argue? Do you know why you are so thoughtless?”>
<“I’m sorry.”>
<“You’ve never taken my words seriously even once. Lorencia, just do as I say.”>
<“But Sir Carleien…”>
<“That ‘but’ again! You have a natural talent for annoying people, I swear.”>
<“I’m sorry.”>
<“You keep disobeying me, so you’ll continue to earn my hatred and punishment.”>
Angry, Ruans told Carleien to see the future and find out whether he would be useful to him. Lorencia then learned everything about Carleien. If he lived, Ruans’ life and the emperor’s throne would be at risk. Though she felt pity for him, she told Ruans the truth for the sake of the person she loved.
She was foolish—caring only about Ruans’ feelings, ignoring others’ suffering. When she later heard that Carleien had been cruelly tortured to death as the would-be assassin of the emperor, she felt remorse. If she hadn’t mentioned the war to the now-free Carleien, perhaps he and his family would have left the Ishtar Empire safely.
<“I should tell you about Prince Ruans’ dream.”>
And now, with him free from Ruans’ grasp, she could twist the present to save him.
<“Yes. I was told to find out about Lady Lorencia’s dream.”>
<“If it’s about her dream, then tell him this: She became the lover of Marquis Spencer for the hunting competition.”>
<“Is that all I need to say?”>
Carleien tilted his head, puzzled.
<“If Lady Teishar’s confession is rejected, he will return to the Polloide Empire. If he goes back, the miracle of the hunting competition will disappear. So tell him she became his lover, and that she loves only Prince Ruans. She became his lover painfully, but had no choice—it was to create a miracle for you… He’ll be pleased if you tell him that.”>
<“So this miracle is what Prince Ruans desperately wishes for?”>
<“Yes, Sir Carleien. This is what he wants most.”>
The thing Ruans wanted most was the death of Crown Prince Adrian. Only then could Ruans claim the throne. The thought made Carleien’s hair stand on end.
<“Yes, Sir Carleien. You’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking.”>
Lorencia’s words, as if piercing his mind, made Carleien’s eyes widen. Seeing her serene smile, his heart began pounding with exhilaration. Just knowing that Lorencia could see the future filled him with joy. Perhaps there was a way out of his frustrating situation.
<“I also know that Sir Carleien wants to escape Prince Ruans. He told me himself often.”>
<“Lady Lorencia, I have a question.”>
<“Yes.”>
<“What did Prince Ruans say about me to Lady Lorencia?”>
<“He said I was a bird that would never fly.”>
A bird that cannot fly has no freedom.
<“I’ll tell you only, Sir Carleien. I can see the future in my dreams. That’s why Prince Ruans is obsessed with me. Of course, I’ve also seen your future.”>
<“My future?”>
After Carleien was executed, his family either ended their lives or scattered.
<“Sir Carleien will not find freedom in his future.”>
So now, Lorencia intended to give him the freedom he sought—along with his family.
<“I will help Sir Carleien find the freedom he’s searching for. I’ll even ensure his family is free.”>
Carleien shivered as he thought of his family’s smiles. In the past, he had dreamed of freedom with them.
<“I don’t need freedom anymore. As long as my family is free, that’s enough.”>
<“What you’re asking, Sir Carleien, is to give up your freedom so your family may be free.”>
<“Exactly. I don’t care what happens to me, but please grant freedom to my sick mother and younger sister.”>
Lorencia quietly gazed at the pleading Carleien.
<“In the future I’ve seen, Prince Ruans will rise to the throne and start a war.”>
<“A war? That must never happen.”>
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Carleien flinched when he saw who entered.
<“Marquis Spencer!”>
With Teishar’s arrival, Carleien tensed.
<“I was summoned, Sir Carleien.”>
Teishar only nodded to Carleien and sat next to Lorencia.
<“Here’s the information you requested about Saint Ella’s temple.”>
<“Thank you, Marquis Teishar.”>
Lorencia carefully read through the documents Teishar brought. Carleien was surprised—he had heard from Ruans that Lorencia had never learned to read.
<“I just recently learned to read.”>
<“Sir Carleien, aren’t you curious about what I’m reading?”>
She handed him the documents.
<“May I read this?”>
<“Yes. These documents are about Saint Ella’s temple and relate to the war.”>
Carleien’s expression shifted to shock as he read. He flipped through the pages faster and faster.
<“The last page mentions the high priestess who will be Prince Ruans’ partner.”>
<“This is absurd. After all this time, just for a war?”>
<“It’s not just about the war. It’s a huge plan. We must stop it.”>
Carleien lowered his head. His green hair fell messily over his clenched jaw and trembling body.
<“If this is the truth, I can never accept it.”>
<“I want to prevent the war that will begin when Prince Ruans becomes Emperor.”>
Carleien crumpled the documents in disbelief. He could not believe the cruel acts in Saint Ella’s temple.
<“It’s unbelievable, but it’s true. Duke Daniel of Greycan has been using the temple for a long time.”>
Carleien felt nauseous. His face turned ashen. Lorencia, using visions of the future, had Teishar investigate the temple. The truth was horrifying.
<“I’ve twisted the present to prevent the war. I summoned Sir Carleien here to prepare for it.”>
Carleien suppressed his surging emotions.
<“What should I do?”>
<“Thank you for your efforts, Lady Lorencia.”>
<“Not at all, Marquis Teishar.”>
Carleien was forcibly held by Ruans and Daniel.
<“They spoke freely about their rebellion plan in front of me. They involved me in it. Every day was difficult. Thank you, Lady Lorencia. I will fully play the double agent role.”>
Adrian welcomed Carleien turning against Ruans but warned that someone who betrays their master cannot be fully trusted.
<“When you two are together, please call him by his nickname.”>
<“I’m not used to it yet.”>
<“Then you don’t have to force it.”>
<“Ter.”>
Blushing, Lorencia said Teishar’s nickname. His eyes curved like half-moons, smiling at her reaction. He moved slightly closer to sit beside her.
<“Roa.”>
