Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 11-3

Chapter Title: Leona's Confession

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The next morning, joyous news arrived at the border fortress.

The Katago Tribe had formally declared their surrender.

The imperial army let out cheers of victory that echoed for a long time.

In the midst of the chaos gripping the entire fortress in celebration, Makia's unit alone maintained its composure and calm.

It was because the atmosphere around Stan, the unit's vice commander, was far from normal.

Jonathan and the soldiers exchanged wary glances while keeping an eye on Stan's expression.

Seeing his usually stern face even more rigid than usual, his subordinates guessed that he must have been harshly rejected by the maid supervisor.

They hovered around him, waiting for a chance to offer words of comfort.

But Stan himself was too preoccupied with other matters to even think about his "failed confession."

Last night, the Crown Prince had given him no explanations. He had only issued a strict order to forget everything he had seen.

Stan had many questions he wanted to ask the Crown Prince.

But the Crown Prince allowed none of them.

Out of countless curiosities, the only answer Stan received was about Leona's well-being.

He had racked his brains through the night, but with his common sense and intellect, he couldn't make sense of the previous night's events at all.

And now, with the news of the Katago Tribe's surrender on top of it all, his head felt like it might explode.

The moment the Crown Prince heard of the Katago Tribe's surrender declaration, he summoned Count Hunt and the commanders.

While the Crown Prince was in the meeting with the commanders, Barts assigned Noel to clean the Crown Prince's room.

It was normally a task for him or Leona, but now that he had to attend to the Crown Prince alone, he had no time.

Officially, Leona was down with a severe cold and resting.

Noel followed Barts' instructions without objection, grabbing cleaning tools and heading to the Crown Prince's room.

Since the Crown Prince was in a meeting, the room inside and out was completely empty.

Noel stood there blankly for a moment, glancing around, then suddenly locked the door and closed the windows.

He began diligently searching every corner of the room.

He rummaged through the Crown Prince's coat pockets and desk drawers, checked under the desk and bed.

But the item he was looking for didn't turn up.

Noel paced the room anxiously, biting his nails.

Then, his eyes fell on a certain chest.

He knew well that it was the box where important documents were kept.

The Crown Prince used it without a lock because it was a hassle, so its security was always laughably lax.

Noel doubted it would be there but checked inside anyway.

To his surprise, the item he sought was indeed inside.

Suppressing his excitement, Noel pulled out the secret pact document.

The moment he unfolded it to verify its authenticity, a heavy blow struck the back of his head.

Noel lost consciousness instantly and collapsed to the floor.

Behind the fallen Noel stood Jahankun.

Nacha flicked her ears and brought her head close to the bedside.

The person lying on the bed let out a faint groan.

Nacha whinnied in sympathy and nudged the pillow with her nose.

As if on cue, Leona's eyelids fluttered open.

Nacha stared at her intently with wide eyes.

Leona blinked slowly at the ceiling before turning her head to meet Nacha's gaze.

"Hello... Nacha."

Nacha let out a short response and rested her head on Leona's chest.

Leona stroked Nacha's head.

"You were worried about me, huh?"

"Prurrk."

"I'm okay now."

As Leona tried to sit up, Nacha supported her with her head.

Once propped up, Leona slowly felt her shoulder.

The injured shoulder was wrapped in clean white bandages.

Leona recalled the events before she lost consciousness.

Various scenes flashed through her mind in succession.

Among them, the one etched deepest was the Crown Prince's terrifying power.

Leona let out a long sigh and cradled her head.

In her previous life, he had hidden that level of skill and strength perfectly until his deposition.

Why?

"Does Your Highness have secrets you can't tell anyone?"

Hearing Leona's words, Nacha whined uncomfortably.

"I wasn't asking you. It was just to myself—don't mind it."

Leona stroked Nacha's snout and got out of bed.

She surveyed the room as she walked to the window.

Judging by the furnishings inside and the view outside, she guessed where she was.

"This seems like Jahankun's room... Why am I here?"

Even losing consciousness over such a minor wound was puzzling.

As she tilted her head and rubbed her shoulder, a sudden knock came from the door.

"...Yes. Come in."

The door opened at Leona's response, and Phil entered.

"Perfumer?"

"You're awake. That's a relief."

"Uh... how did you...?"

Phil explained that Jahankun had brought her to him last night, carrying her in his arms.

"You were poisoned, Leona. Luckily, I had the ingredients to neutralize it... You almost had a close call."

"You saved my life. How can I ever repay this kindness...?"

"It's nothing—don't worry about it."

"Still..."

"Then, just one bag of cherry candies. Those you gave me before were delicious."

Phil quipped cheekily, and Leona laughed, her heart lightening.

Phil checked her complexion before cautioning her.

"You got lucky this time. I don't know what happened, but be more careful from now on. Stay out of dangerous situations."

"Yes. Thank you for worrying."

Phil suddenly clapped as if remembering something.

"Oh, right—no more dangers now. We're heading back to the Imperial Palace."

"Pardon?"

"The war's almost over. The Katago Tribe surrendered."

Leona's face showed surprise, then curved into a smile.

A flood of thoughts raced through her mind, but outwardly, she showed only simple joy.

"That's great news. Returning to the palace soon means I should get back to work right away."

"What? Already? Your wound hasn't healed yet."

"I'm fine. I can move."

Leona grabbed a cloak from the wall and draped it loosely over herself.

"Don't rush. The army surgeon will come soon. Get treated by him first before moving."

"Later. I need to go now."

She muttered softly under her breath.

"...His Highness is waiting."

Despite Phil's repeated dissuasion, Leona refused and left the room with Nacha.

She first sent Nacha outside, then found the guards to ask where His Highness was.

Upon hearing the Crown Prince was in a meeting, Leona returned to her room and changed clothes.

After a long meeting, the Crown Prince decided to accept the Katago Tribe's surrender and end the war.

Hunt was tasked with assessing war damages, Makia with fortress repairs, and Glenn with receiving imperial prisoners and drafting the war report for the palace, wrapping up the meeting.

As it was lunchtime, the commanders decided to eat in the meeting room.

Kamin left them to dine alone and exited.

Heading to his room with attendants, Kamin paused in front of Leona's door.

He sensed movement inside.

He stared at her door for a moment before continuing to his own room.

As he entered, Jahankun, who had been looking out the window, turned.

"We had a burglar."

"...Caught him?"

"Yes."

Jahankun held out the secret pact.

"Just as you said—he was after this."

Kamin frowned and took the document.

Jahankun glanced toward the wall adjoining Leona's room.

"How did she... know all this?"

"We'll find out soon enough."

Kamin signaled Jahankun to leave, and he vanished out the window.

Soon, a knock sounded, followed by Leona's voice.

"Your Highness. It's Leona."

Kamin slowly walked to the desk and sat.

"Enter."

At his permission, the door opened, and Leona entered with her head bowed.

Kamin placed the secret pact on the desk and leaned back in his chair.

"Your Highness."

Leona stood by the door and raised her head.

Kamin saw her pale face and unwittingly scolded her.

"Why are you up already without resting more?"

"I'm much better."

"Pale as a ghost, yet your tongue wags fine."

"Your Highness."

Kamin clicked his tongue and waved her off.

"Enough. Come back when you're recovered."

"Your Highness. Is the secret pact safe?"

Kamin froze mid-gesture.

He glanced at the document on the desk and straightened up.

"You..."

Kamin struggled to speak.

He drummed his fingers on the desk in prolonged silence.

Leona waited quietly but soon showed impatience.

"Is the secret pact safe? Please, just tell me that."

"Is that important to you?"

"Yes. Very."

"Why?"

"Forgive me, but answer first. Is Your Highness's secret pact safe?"

"Come closer."

As Leona approached the desk, Kamin picked up the document and shook it.

"See? Thanks to your warning, it's safe. Satisfied?"

Leona exhaled deeply.

"Thank goodness. Your Highness, you must protect it carefully from now on."

"Now, answer my questions?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Ask anything. I'll tell the truth."

She spoke with resolute eyes, as if steeling herself.

Kamin tossed the document back down.

And posed the question he had harbored for so long.

"What exactly are you?"

Leona looked momentarily stunned, as if caught off guard.

"I am... Your Highness's close attendant maid."

Kamin scoffed.

"Playing word games? You know that's not what I meant."

"...Your Highness, I have no other hidden identity. Truly, I am only Your Highness's maid."

Kamin shot up from his chair and approached Leona.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her close.

"Fine. Then answer this. How did you follow me last night? How did you know about the secret pact? How did you know it would be stolen? Answer that!"

Kamin bombarded her with questions.

Leona took a deep breath, then spoke calmly.

"Your Highness, I died once and came back to life, reversing time."

"What?"

"I... died once in 534, four years from now. Inexplicably, after death, I lived again. I went back several years, to what is 'now' but 'the past' for me. This life is my second time experiencing it. That's why I've been predicting events since before the war."

"Ha... You expect me to believe that nonsense?"

"Your Highness, I'm telling you only the truth. Please believe me."

Leona pleaded earnestly.

Kamin shook his head vehemently in denial.

"Impossible. How could such a thing happen?"

Leona hesitated, touching her abdomen.

Soon, she steeled herself, lifted her top, and exposed her stomach.

"Your Highness, look."

Kamin's eyes widened in shock.

A large, vivid dark red scar marred Leona's abdomen.

"No maid could enter the palace with a scar like this. More than that, how many survive such a wound? Do you remember the day we first met in the Crown Prince Palace garden? I must have seemed mad. That day, I returned from death and time."

Kamin tentatively touched the scar on Leona's stomach, his face dazed.

Leona bit her lip, enduring the unfamiliar sensation.

"A stab wound... Who did this?"

"...I don't know. Probably one of the alliance soldiers."

"Alliance?"

"The eastern kingdoms allied to invade our empire. We had no strength to stop them. They reached the palace easily, and I died that day."

Kamin let out a hollow laugh.

"Fallen to this alliance? Haha... I wondered how long we'd last... To crumble like that."

"Your Highness. Do you believe me?"

Kamin withdrew his hand from her stomach.

He stared into space with darkened eyes and asked back.

"Where was I then?"

"Pardon?"

"What was I doing when you died?"

"Your Highness... had been deposed and exiled."

"Exiled... So I wasn't at the palace."

"Your Highness, don't worry. It won't happen this time. Nothing like my previous life will occur. That's why I followed to the battlefield desperately, why I protected the secret pact—to prevent your deposition."

"What do you mean?"

"Your Highness..."

Leona's throat tightened suddenly, her voice failing.

Despite preparing herself, confessing her crimes proved hard.

She fiddled with her clothes to buy time.

Even as she tried to compose herself, urges to fabricate excuses surged.

Leona mocked and scolded herself inwardly.

Where do you think you're running to now? Get a grip!

Finally, Leona lifted her head and met the Crown Prince's eyes squarely.

"In my previous life, Your Highness lost the secret pact. It fell into the Empress's hands."

"Empress?"

"Biota Helsian. You'll meet her soon enough. In my previous life, she gained His Majesty's favor and became Empress. And I... was the chief maid of the Empress Palace and her confidante."

Leona swallowed dryly and continued.

"The Empress wanted you ruined. So, for her, I forged your secret pact. I altered it to claim you conspired with barbarians in rebellion. When that fake was exposed, Your Highness... you were deposed."

Leona slowly bowed her head.

She braced for his reprimand.

Silence fell briefly, then Kamin snorted lightly.

"So this time, you protected the pact to save me?"

"...Yes."

"Why?"

"What... do you mean?"

Kamin gripped her chin and tilted it up.

"Why help me this time?"

"After Your Highness was exiled... the empire rotted. The Empress wielded unchecked power, and His Majesty lost his wisdom. If Your Highness had been there..."

"You think the empire wouldn't fall, so you sided with me this time?"

"......"

Kamin chuckled, shoulders shaking.

"Your Highness..."

"So all your actions 'for me' were really to save the empire?"

As Leona didn't reply, Kamin grabbed her throat and pressed.

"Answer. Is that the only reason?"

"Y-Yes."

"Impressive loyalty. A fine maid."

Kamin released her throat and smirked dryly.

"Pitiful, really. Think protecting me stops the empire's fall?"

"Your Highness...?"

"Should've run away. Fled the palace far off. Would've been easier."

His mocking tone stung Leona deeply.

"Run where? I have nowhere. The palace is my home and hometown. My friends and comrades are there. Forgive me, but I have no such loyalty as Your Highness mentions. In my past life, I was selfish, and I still am. I act only for myself. Yes, I chose Your Highness for my own survival. Is that wrong?"

Leona confronted him with indignant voice.

Kamin stared at her silently before turning away.

"Leave."

Leona clasped her hands, biting her lip.

She regretted snapping at him in anger.

"Your Highness... What I said just now..."

"I don't want to hear it. Out."

Cruelly, the Crown Prince denied her apology.

Leona bowed weakly and left.

As the door closed, a loud crash of something breaking echoed from inside.

Barts and the guards in the hall looked at Leona in surprise.

She gave an awkward smile and hurried to her room.

Once inside, she clutched her stomach and curled up on the floor.

"I thought confessing would bring relief..."

The scar on her abdomen throbbed like it was burning.

Knock knock knock.

Leona startled awake.

She must have blacked out again, as she was now lying on the floor.

The knock repeated.

Leona hastily composed herself, stood, and opened the door.

Barts and the army surgeon stood there.

"May we come in briefly?"

"Ah... Yes."

Leona let them in.

The surgeon examined her face gravely.

"Your color is terrible. Cold sweat too... Pain in the wound?"

"No. I'm fine."

Leona touched her face unwittingly, feeling embarrassed.

Her forehead was slick with sweat.

"I need to check the wound."

While the surgeon inspected, Barts stood by the door with his back turned.

"Good, no infection. But you have a fever. Take this antipyretic and rest well."

"Yes."

The surgeon applied medicine to her shoulder and rebandaged it.

After finishing, he reported to Barts and left.

"Barts."

Leona didn't know how to explain her injury to him and felt troubled.

Seeming to understand, Barts smiled softly and shook his head.

"No need to say anything. Focus on recovering—ignore everything else. The surgeon says three days bed rest, no moving. Stay here and recuperate."

"His Highness..."

"It's His Highness's order."

As Leona looked surprised, Barts whispered playfully.

"His Highness worries about you a lot. Recover quickly for his sake."

Leona bowed slightly, a bitter smile on her lips.

"Please take good care of His Highness in my place."

"Yes. I'll cover for you—don't worry."

Barts reassured her and left.

As he emerged, eyes in the hall fixed on him.

The guards looked at him pleadingly.

Casey stepped forward.

"Leona's cold is serious?"

Barts answered awkwardly.

"Yes. Needs three more days rest."

"Three days?"

Casey wailed and clung to him.

"Then who looks after His Highness? The fortress mood is tense—scary even. Who fixes it if not Leona?"

"Haha... If Vice Commander Casey behaves and stops upsetting His Highness."

"Huh?"

"Haven't seen Noel?"

"Noel? No."

"If you do, tell him I'm looking."

Barts shook off Casey and entered the Crown Prince's room.

Despite afternoon sun through the window, the room felt dark and icy.

Barts glanced at the shattered desk, then hurried to the sofa.

The Crown Prince lay sprawled, arm over his eyes.

Barts approached and reported Leona's condition.

The Crown Prince didn't stir even after hearing it all.

With no orders, Barts quietly left.

Soon, Jahankun entered through the window.

Kamin spoke as if expecting him.

"Back sooner than thought. Loose lips?"

"He's dead."

Kamin slowly removed his arm, growling darkly.

"Dead?"

"Suicide. Hid poison somewhere. Dead when I got there."

Kamin cursed and sat up.

"Kills himself to avoid spilling? Trained well."

"Some faction targeting you. Contact your friend for background check?"

Kamin shook his head.

"Trained to suicide preemptively. Investigating him won't reveal the tail."

"Then..."

"If after me, they'll show again. Better wait. Drop Noel's body down stairs—fake an accident."

"Understood."

"Jahankun."

Kamin stopped him as he headed to the window.

Jahankun waited silently; Kamin ran a hand through his hair, face complex.

"You... heard her story. Believe it?"

"Hard to, but... her actions make sense."

"Makes sense... So you believe her."

"Don't you?"

Kamin fell silent, changing topics.

"Remember what you said? Leona has no aura."

"...Yes."

"No aura okay?"

"Pardon?"

"Dismissed it then, but now it's serious. No aura? All living have aura, right? Something wrong from dying and reviving? Her death scar remained—maybe it'll worsen later?"

Jahankun tilted his head thoughtfully.

Kamin paced frustratedly.

"Looks fine, but something's off. How else no aura?"

"...The dying or elderly have fading auras..."

Kamin halted, glaring.

"Leona's life short?"

"Not that. Could be inherent issue, as you say."

"...What to do?"

Seeing Kamin's anxiety, Jahankun countered.

"Weren't you disappointed in her?"

"Disappointed? Why?"

Kamin scowled, adding.

"Not disappointed. Just... angry. Thinking she clings to false hope irritates me still. I'll show her how this world ends. So she can't go wrong till I allow it."

Jahankun pondered, then suggested.

"Tribe has a sharp-eyed friend. She could diagnose Leona. Have her check?"

"Good idea."

"I'll summon her to the capital."

"Thanks."

"Just keep your promise to our tribe."

"...Don't worry. You'll have what your tribe wants once back."

Jahankun left relieved through the window.

That evening, Noel's body was found at the stairwell base, neck broken.

The sudden death of an Imperial Palace attendant threw the fortress into chaos.

But the Crown Prince ruled it an accident, quelling the uproar quickly.

He had Noel's body dumped outside the fortress.

The next day, the Crown Prince accepted the surrender and declared imperial victory.

Five days later, Hunt and Makia units held the fortress temporarily; the Crown Prince departed for the capital with Glenn's unit only.

That same day, Rasin and Chahu secretly sent envoys to the North Lrman, South Lrman, Seyovi, and Saya tribes, requesting a council of five tribes.