“You leaving this land is the reason.”

When I glanced up, Tyreen’s blue tail swayed above my head.

“Why are you showing up now?”

“Isn’t it because you’ve exhausted your strength? Besides, there was the Sun and the Fire Tribe. So, I told you to gather strength sooner. Because you couldn’t, I ended up in this predicament.”

Interrupting Tyreen’s grumbling, I asked, “Is my exile to the desert related to the current situation?”

“The energy of water diminished. Since the barren land can’t sustain life, wouldn’t it be chaos to handle? Already, half of the spirits belong to you. You are already the embodiment of the water’s power that protects this land.”

“So that’s why the atmosphere is so ominous.”

Nevertheless, not all my questions were answered.

“Why did they accuse me of being a witch?”

That question could be answered thanks to an unexpected figure.

“Why didn’t you listen to me?”

Approaching the reception carriage that entered the royal palace, Hubert, who had come closer, stared at me with piercing eyes.

I looked back at him with a calm expression.

Carcytuna’s words that he was trying to rescue me from prison were likely false.

“He probably wanted to use me to create another rumor.”

Regardless, there was no reason to look favorably upon him now. I wanted to ruin not only Aris but also Hubert, but it was regrettable to meet in such a situation.

When I kept my mouth shut and didn’t respond, Hubert stepped closer.

Soon, the scent of the perfume he liked permeated the air.

“Ig.”

“Don’t call me that way.”

“Why?”

“It bothers me.”

“Why are you angry with me? I’m the one to be angry with.”

Hubert glared at me with a frustrated face.

“This is ridiculous.”

“If you had listened to me and stayed quiet, you wouldn’t be in this situation. I told you to stay away from the prince.”

“Is it because of the prince that I ended up like this?”

“Because you were close to the imperial prince and fell out of favor with the queen’s eyes.”

“…”

“The atmosphere is strange. I can’t guarantee what will happen to you.”

“How can you say something like you’ve done something great for me before?”

With a wry smile, Hubert approached the bars.

His beautiful and dazzling green eyes sparkled solemnly.

“This time, I can do it. I will make a request to the queen on your behalf. So, you can avoid the worst punishment.”

I had an idea of what the worst punishment might be.

The guillotine reserved for special carriages.

And that carriage was the reception carriage I was riding.

Following the treatment as a foreigner, now they treated me as a witch.

“This is probably why they say not to speak recklessly.”

While having such a leisurely thought, I stared at Hubert waiting for my response.

“Instead, do you have something you want from me?”

He seemed momentarily surprised. Then he broke the silence and said, “Not everything you want. Just write a contract.”

“A contract?”
“I will put it in writing so that I can trust you again. It’s nothing special. It’s a pledge that you will dedicate yourself to me, just like you have done so far.”

He said in his characteristic gentle voice when I just stared without saying anything.

“The reason I can’t trust you anymore is largely your responsibility. But I’ll give you a chance. If you swear to live for me again.”

“…”

“Ig?”

“I told you not to call me that way.”

As I expressed my irritation, Hubert narrowed his eyes.

“Igrene, the situation hasn’t been fully understood yet…”

“No.”

“What did you say?”

Hubert opened his eyes wide in disbelief. To make it clear to him, who was suspecting his ears, I said it again.

“I said no.”

Hubert’s perplexed face turned blank. Soon, a guard approached and bit him.

“Lord Viscount, the time is up.”

“Just a moment, wait. Igrene! Is it sincere?”

The carriage began to move. Although I could hear Hubert’s footsteps following, he was soon stopped by the guards.

“How can I trust you and write a slave contract for you?”

I chuckled, but he seemed not to hear me because of the guards.

“Igrene! Igre!”

Ignoring Hubert calling my name from behind, I looked ahead.

Drurururur.

The carriage entered the royal court tribunal. Unlike the worn-out reception carriage, the entrance of the tribunal was smooth and clean.

The carriage wheels glided on the marble floor as if slipping.

Soon, a door with an intricately carved eagle appeared, and the guards signaled inside.

Then, the door began to open with a heavy sound.

Light poured through the gap in the opened door. Since the entrance was dark, I couldn’t open my eyes properly for a moment.

After getting used to the light, I opened my eyes completely.

The giant tribunal greeted me solemnly like a formidable monster.

Drurururur…

Sharp glances from people flew towards me, piercing through me.

Though I received such stares when I was sold as a foreigner, perhaps due to the escalated crime of being a witch, just the glances alone felt like my whole body would be torn apart.

While the outside stares were angry as they were, here, they were silent but chilling, like a snake.