Chapter 117

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 117

Chapter Title: No Matter What, It's You

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Truly, I was at a loss.

Arpad didn't rush me. He simply waited for my words with the gentlest gaze imaginable.

My heart started pounding wildly again, drowning out all reason.

Surprisingly, it was Ludwig who snapped me out of my daze.

"Hah... Hilia!"

Who would've thought Ludwig could actually be helpful? Wonders never cease.

The knights who had followed Arpad began dragging Ludwig away.

Thanks to them, I regained my composure and kept up the act.

Making sure Ludwig could hear every word as he was hauled off.

"...I can say it as many times as it takes. No matter what happens, the one I'll come to love is you, Arpad."

For a moment, I couldn't find the words to describe the smile that bloomed on Arpad's face.

He knew. He knew every bit of it was an act.

And yet... he was genuinely delighted.

As if hearing those words—even if false—was joy enough.

'No way. Then... does that mean Arpad actually... likes me?'

The thought I'd conjured myself left me so flabbergasted that I shook my head.

As if that could ever be. Arpad was about to get a lover soon...

That was when a question suddenly arose.

'Did Arpad really have a lover before my regressions?'

I'd regressed three times, but I'd never once laid eyes on this supposed lover of his.

Just rumors, nothing more.

The Emperor had mentioned it too, so I'd taken it as fact.

Then I recalled what Arpad had said when I'd brought up the possibility of a lover several times.

"A girlfriend? How many times do I have to tell you? I don't have a girlfriend. Just a wife."

He'd seemed a little hurt back then.

Like he couldn't believe I didn't trust him.

What if it wasn't true? What if there'd been no lover before my regression...?

No, even if there had been, what guarantee was there that the connection would form again?

Arpad himself had said he had no such intentions.

And the Arpad I knew wasn't one for empty words.

In truth, up until now, I'd deliberately ignored the overt signals he'd been sending.

Because he'd end up with another lover. To avoid getting hurt later.

Even as I'd fought and resisted through countless regressions, a layer of resignation had underpinned my attitude.

Ignoring every blatant sign of his affection because he'd get a lover someday was proof of that.

For the first time, such a thought crossed my mind.

'What if... really, if this man is sincere... then...?'

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to be a little brave.

After Ludwig was dragged away,

a palace attendant from the Crown Prince Palace was summoned to tend to the injured Sir Beltein.

He couldn't compare to Arpad, but Ludwig possessed strength far beyond any ordinary man.

The kind that could crumple armor with his bare hands.

Sir Beltein was reminded of that fact all over again.

What deepened his self-loathing even further was the parting shot Arpad left after sending Hilia away first.

"If you're going to swear a knight's oath without knowing your place, you should've at least kept scum like Ludwig from getting near her. Useless."

Sir Beltein shifted during treatment and dropped to his knees on the floor. It was rightful criticism.

"...I have no words."

Arpad's sarcasm continued.

"Don't worry my soft-hearted wife any more than you already have. Just focus on getting properly treated."

Sir Beltein couldn't help but hear Arpad mutter under his breath as he turned to leave.

"Might as well have the Muzen brat instead. At least he wouldn't have let Ludwig rampage right up to Hilia's face."

The young knight who had recently reached sword master.

He too had sworn a knight's oath to Hilia.

Arpad made no secret of his displeasure with either knight.

Yet he was saying Aaron Muzen—who was at least more skilled—would be the better choice.

Knight Renus Beltein ground his teeth. His grip tightened, reopening his wounds, but he felt no pain.

He remained kneeling, utterly still, until Arpad was completely gone.

Ludwig returned chewing only on his misery, and he didn't look good at all.

His arm was swollen and badly bruised.

Evangeline asked in a cold voice.

"Why did you go to the palace when I explicitly told you not to move a muscle until the day? And what's with that state...?"

The regenerative power of dragon blood worked on Ludwig too.

His broken bones were already knitting back together rapidly, so he waved his injured arm to fend her off.

"Not your concern, Eva."

"How could it not be! I heard you went scurrying to the Crown Prince Palace!"

Ludwig flared up like fire.

"Were you spying on me?!"

"There are still plenty of me and Mother's people in the palace. You think word wouldn't reach me if you stirred up trouble there?"

Evangeline demanded hysterically.

"What did you do when you met Hilia?"

Ludwig chuckled slyly.

"Oh? Is that what's got you worried? Afraid I'll go back to Hilia?"

Evangeline's brow furrowed.

"Don't be so jealous. I was just luring her away from that bastard Arpad. Wasn't serious."

He was admitting outright that he'd gone crawling back to Hilia.

Fresh waves of anger and disgust washed over Evangeline.

'Why is this worthless scum the original male lead? If not for that, I never would've wasted years on him.'

Then she could've acted on her true feelings from the start.

Arpad would be hers by now...

She couldn't help thinking it.

'I almost wish I could regress for real.'

But of course, time didn't actually turn back.

"Whatever. You didn't blab our plan to Hilia ahead of time, did you?"

"...Of course not. Why would I?"

He'd never been all that trustworthy to begin with.

But right now, she couldn't muster even a shred of faith in him.

"Lingering feelings for the girl who went running to Arpad for real? Don't worry so much, huh?"

Ignoring Ludwig's rambling, Evangeline issued one final reminder before leaving the Grand Duke's residence.

"Don't forget. Next week. Stay as quiet as you can until then."

The Archbishop Vio of the Temple of the Main God received an unexpected guest.

"Well, who would've thought the Ruth Marquis's Daughter would want to see me."

Evangeline turned with a radiant smile and bowed in greeting.

"May the rays of the Heavenly God shine upon you, Archbishop. It's been too long."

"You were just a girl a few years ago, and now you're every bit the elegant lady."

"And you, Archbishop, don't seem to have aged a day."

Evangeline smiled softly to herself.

'If Hilia's a possessor too, I need to prepare even more thoroughly. Including contingencies if this fails.'

Especially after seeing Ludwig's state—she couldn't just sit idle.

Evangeline pulled out her prepared gift and pushed it toward the archbishop.

"I know exactly what you truly desire, Archbishop."

A flicker of wariness crossed Archbishop Vio's face.

Evangeline opened the box and revealed its contents.

"This is what you've been searching for, isn't it? Despoina's Fruit—one of the five goddesses' relics."

A green, round gem wrapped in intricate vine-patterned metal ornamentation captured the archbishop's eyes.

"How did you...?"

The archbishop glared at her with even greater suspicion.

"And how do you even know I was looking for this?"

Evangeline smiled confidently.

"I already told you. I know not just this, but your true goal as well."

She leaned in and whispered.

"Don't you want to change this reality where divine authority grovels at the feet of dragon-blooded lineages with even greater power?"

"...!"

Evangeline knew the archbishop couldn't refuse her offer.

It was time for the possessor to take center stage.

And the following week, Ludwig filed a lawsuit at the Imperial Court.

The defendant was none other than Hilia Delphin.