EEA Chapter 9

Life in the outer castle had improved tremendously compared to before her regression.

Previously, Ailea, who had been driven out empty-handed, had spent several months just crying or suffering in her room upon arriving at the outer castle. But this life was different.

Knowing that food would not be properly provided, Ailea sold everything she had at the beginning.

In her past life, even while starving, she couldn't bring herself to sell the jewels the Emperor had given her. She thought it might become a major flaw if she were to marry the Crown Prince.

But this time, she didn't even hesitate and immediately removed the jewels to sell them. With that money, she repaired the outer castle that Clint's knights had carelessly used.

She filled the warehouse with firewood in preparation for the approaching winter. She also gathered as many magical tools used for fireplaces from the imperial palace as possible. Remembering how the reduced sunlight in winter had made her even more depressed, she put all her effort into winter preparations.

She planted potatoes and tomatoes around the outer castle where only weeds had grown wildly.

She also began reading books from Clint's study from the very beginning—a place she had only discovered just before her death. Clint possessed an enormous collection of books beyond imagination. Perhaps it wasn't just for show when he carried books around to charm women, as many of the well-read books were completely worn out.

Ailea brought fireproof leather to wrap both sides of those books, creating covers, and bound the spines with the sturdy and beautiful colored strings she had made.

She planned to live two happy years. She thought she had simply drifted here by chance.

Just one day. If she could just get through that one day safely. Just one day.

About six months into her stay at the outer castle, Roylin, unable to bear the Emperor's nagging to check on Ailea's condition, came to visit. Saying he had become curious about the ugly woman, Roylin tried to embrace her, but upon seeing Ailea with her dress removed, he spoke coldly:

"Now that I've undressed you, you're even more disgusting. I absolutely can't embrace you."

Until she heard those words, Ailea had been happy that he had come to find her.

At thirteen, knowing nothing except that she would marry Roylin, she had lived her entire life with that single fact. When he showed interest, she was simply happy as if she had achieved all of life's goals. After all, Roylin truly was her everything.

Just one day. If she could just endure that one day, she could live the remaining year and a half as freely and happily as now.

Ailea thought she wanted that day of humiliation she would have to endure anyway to pass quickly.

After driving Ailea to the outer castle, Roylin had virtually forgotten about her existence.

Sitting across from his white-haired father, Emperor Murray Theresia de Calise, Roylin wore an uncomfortable expression. Only when conversing with his father did Ailea briefly come to mind.

It was true that Ailea's father Ron had saved this country, but that man was already dead. However, Murray was excessively afraid of public sentiment. So he summoned Ron's daughter to the castle, tormenting Roylin.

Murray still believed that the wedding was being postponed because Ailea's health was poor. The Emperor spoke with a weighty voice:

"Ailea hasn't been coming to pay her respects lately."

"Her illness has worsened considerably, so she doesn't want to come."

"Her health must be quite poor?"

"It seems so."

"Take care to treat her well. When you marry that child, public sentiment will surely become yours."

"I don't think so."

Roylin spoke with a displeased expression.

"If I marry a woman afflicted with such a filthy disease, what will people think of me? They'll see me as a worthless man who married such a lowly woman."

"Clint has recaptured Castle Geneta."

"...Excuse me?"

He recaptured Castle Geneta when he was sent there to die? Roylin's expression crumpled. The Emperor spoke as if to say 'I told you so':

"That fellow's popularity is extraordinary. So you too must win public sentiment. If you take in the ailing daughter of a hero, people will admire you. You can meet other women later."

"Instead, I'll have to keep the woman I love as a mistress."

"You are a man who will become Emperor. If she receives the Emperor's love, she will be satisfied living as a mistress."

Even when sent far away, she still drove Roylin mad. That day, unable to bear the Emperor's nagging, Roylin finally departed for the outer castle.

Roylin frowned as he looked at the wasteland that had been turned into a garden. It was far more beautiful than what Roylin had known. He entered the garden.

Ailea was drawing water and pouring it into a local child's water jar as she asked:

"Is your mother still very ill?"

"Yes, she's very sick... But she's been much better since bathing in the hot spring water here!"

"That's a relief! Don't worry and come get some every day."

Ailea spoke kindly and took chocolate from the apron pocket of her maid's dress, placing it in the child's pocket.

"Here, this is a gift for taking good care of your mother."

"Wow!"

"Be careful going home. Goodbye."

The child ran far away carrying the water jar. Ailea turned her head at the sound of hoofbeats behind her.

"Ailea."

When Roylin called out, Ailea stepped back in surprise.

This wasn't the reaction Roylin had expected. He thought she would surely cry pitifully and cling to him excessively upon seeing him. But now she wasn't even crying—she was bewildered and avoiding him.

Why isn't she approaching?

Roylin furrowed his brow and dismounted his horse. The outer castle that Clint and his knights had used roughly felt strangely clean and cozy.

Trees had grown and birds had flown in. Roylin's expression crumpled further. Even when Ailea was at the imperial palace, various kinds of birds would fly in, making him secretly think it might be an auspicious sign. But after Ailea left, the birds had strangely decreased in number, and it turned out they had all flown here.

Wild rose vines that grew anywhere were withering brown as winter approached, surrounding the castle, but even that felt quite beautiful.

Ailea spoke carefully:

"The weather is getting cold, so the days are very short."

"So?"

"Thank you for coming to visit. So wouldn't it be better if you returned to the imperial palace before the sun sets?"

Right now, she was trying to send him away.

Of course, it was true that he hadn't cared for her for several years, but wasn't he still the man engaged to her? It was rude to try to drive him out without even offering a cup of tea. And what was this outfit that only maids would wear? For a noble lady to be dressed so casually...

He grabbed Ailea's wrist and dragged her into the house.

"R-Roylin, Your Highness!"

The situation was flowing in an unwanted direction for Ailea as well. Roylin dragged Ailea to the bed and roughly pinned her down.

"You look happy. Does life in the outer castle suit you well?"

As he sneered, Ailea, knowing what was to come, trembled and turned her head away. Roylin felt a strange stimulation from her trembling.

Her delicate body's flinching reactions weren't bad. He thought he might really be able to embrace her like this. He wanted to make her cry.

Roylin's expression darkened as he grabbed the shoulder part of her loose-fitting dress to pull it down. The line from her shoulders to her chest was beautiful, but the entire area was stained black. Roylin, who had been about to touch her body, finally gave up and showed his irritation.

"Now that I've undressed you, you're even more disgusting. I absolutely can't embrace you."

"..."

"You should pick one—either be black or white."

He brushed off his hands as if he had touched something dirty and picked up the uniform that had fallen to the floor.

Ailea wrapped her arms around her chest and trembled. Soon after, the sound of hoofbeats indicated Roylin was leaving.

It was the second time. Because of her regression, she had to endure this humiliation twice. Ailea was in pain, but on the other hand, she felt relieved. Because this was the end. Because this would never happen again. Because this was the last time...