“Elisia, return to Hadumsha.”

“What?”

Elisia widened her eyes.

“It happened just as Mariela said. While announcing the Emperor, I intentionally provoked the Empress.”

Lev looked satisfied, dismissing Mariela’s words.

“Heh. It was quite an entertaining expression. Anyway, throwing a bomb towards the Empress would make Sonatec move, and Lady’s manipulation seems quite useful.”

“Please don’t exaggerate, Your Highness. It’s a matter of my daughter’s life.”

“Odor suggested that it would be better for him to stay around you since his coercion couldn’t touch Oder, right?”

Elisia immediately asked what Illeon was curious about.

“That’s right. But last night, when Sonatec entered the palace to issue the trust, he found out that you were alive.”

Elisia reacted instantly to Mariela’s response.

“Th-then, he…”

“No. He didn’t have enough power left to fix the prophecy. So, I purposely pushed him to waste his power.”

Unlike before, Mariela had a calm expression.

“He probably wanted to fix the original and erase you again. But realizing that he didn’t have enough power left, he had no choice but to use less power and plan for the future. So, it was written that Elisia’s death would be erased, and you would become a priestess of Hadumsha.”

Originally, Elisia had devoted herself to Hadumsha since she was young. Writing that as a fact would consume less power, she added.

“Now that it’s written back into the original, there won’t be any danger of you being targeted by coercion like last time.”

“Wait. That’s not acceptable.”

Illeon said with a stern face.

“It’s too dangerous. We can’t predict when someone might target her and send an assassin.”

“Elisia can receive the trusts of all five gods and Oder. If someone directly targets Elisia, the gods will surely intervene. We also have our people infiltrated in Hadumsha.”

“But…”

“This is Elisia’s affair. There’s nothing without danger. Though it entered the original, Karina is still recognized as the Duke’s consort. We only bought some time.”

Marieala spoke calmly to Illeon, who seemed unwilling.

“If the Duke tries to distance Karina and try to connect with Elisia, that will also become part of the original. At that time, coercion will try to act again.”

Illeon couldn’t have known about this. He had to rely entirely on Mariela’s information. Nevertheless, Illeon felt he couldn’t let Elisia go like this.

“I feel like Elisia is getting further away from me.”
Lately, it felt like he had been keeping a distance from me or pushing me away. So, it became even more unappealing. Even when we ate and slept together in the same house, spending time face-to-face, the thought of sending Elisia beyond his reach generated an overwhelming sense of reluctance.

Originally, she was someone who didn’t belong to him.

In the Duke’s residence, he had been more than satisfied when she stayed in his territory. Now, it seemed like an impossible task to send her away from there.

“Still, it might be better to find another way.”

“I’ll return to Hadumsha.”

“What?”

Elisia, with her expressionless white face, finally opened her mouth.

“It’s my life’s problem. I have to do what’s necessary for myself. What should I do when I enter Hadumsha?”

As Elisia reluctantly agreed, Mariela’s firm attitude softened.

“The prophecy. You have to get rid of that book.”

“The prophecy?”

Surprisingly, Lev asked.

“Yes, Your Highness. The prophecy not only predicts the future but also serves as a means to correct predetermined events. If it disappears, a new prophecy will likely be needed.”

“A new prophecy?”

“I have already prepared what is necessary. This original has been irreparably damaged by me and Sonatec. If we take the pen from Sonatec and eliminate the book, all my power will be restored, and then I can rewrite the story according to the predetermined fate.”

“What about Karina?”

Elisia hesitated and asked.

“I hope Karina doesn’t lose her life. Does it have to be exactly as in the original?”

Mariela nodded in response to her question.

“I don’t intend to create a tragedy. Karina will find another happiness.”

“That’s a relief.”

Their words scattered meaninglessly into the air. Illeon felt a sense of betrayal from Elisia, who agreed to Mariela’s decision.

“Let’s talk for a moment and come back. Elisia.”

As Illeon stood up, Elisia hesitated and glanced at Mariela. She nodded as if giving permission, and Elisia stood up. Illeon clenched his fist unintentionally, feeling a surge of emotion even at that moment.

“Why are you doing this?”

Words filled with emotion slipped out involuntarily.

“What do you mean?”

“Why go to Hadumsha? How difficult was it for us to be together? Why leave so easily?”

He was originally of a relaxed temperament. Noble blood ensured many things and fulfilled promises. There was nothing that Illeon wanted that didn’t come true according to his will.

“It’s not an easy decision.”

However, looking at Elisia now, he felt angry.

A swirl of emotions that was boiling and churning became a heavy burden of resentment.