In endless darkness, she repeatedly relived her unhappy past. In that place, first Raoul, then Erzhe, and finally Khalid mocked her misery. Valia was helpless, like a person trapped in a swamp.

“Blinded by love, she became the ultimate villain who sacrificed her own country to the empire…”

Raoul’s words left an indelible mark on her memory. She wanted to shout that he was the one who ruined everything. However, from the moment she took Raoul’s hand, a dreadful realization took hold – perhaps his words were true, weighing heavily on her entire being.

Although Khalid claimed it was taken away, it wasn’t hers from the start.

“I simply coveted what was never mine.”

In the silent and desolate Imperial Queen’s Palace, Valia stood alone. No one remained by her side.

The neglected palace seemed to be scrutinizing Valia herself. Regret, as painful as wounds, was engraved everywhere in the palace – the moment Raoul brought Erzhe, the moment she should have let him go first, the agonizing regret lingered like scars.

“Valia.”

It felt foreign. For the sake of their happiness, her misery became fertilizer, and the forsaken ones were isolated, gradually descending into the abyss.

If there were hell, could this be it?

Why can’t I find happiness?

Tears streamed down Valia’s cheeks, burning her cheeks.

“Valia, please…”

Red blood flowed down her cold cheek, forming a pool on the floor. Following the flow of blood, when she shifted her gaze, she saw her lifeless self, lying there without even closing her eyes.

Everything on the floor came from her own body. Valia let out a silent scream.

Please.

Someone put an end to this endless nightmare.

In the depth of despair, Valia’s consciousness gradually blurred.

“Please don’t cry, Valia.”

A cool sensation brushed Valia’s cheek. At that moment, in this despair-ridden place, she could sense someone watching her.

Even in the pitch-black darkness where nothing was visible, the trajectory of that gaze was warm and bright.

Valia wanted to follow that light. She wanted to escape from this hellish place.

So, rejecting the curse-like words clinging to her, she struggled one last time to grab hold of that light.

And when she finally seized the light.

“…”

Returning to reality and lifting her heavy eyelids, Valia was greeted by the moist blue eyes of Khalid filling her hazy vision.

“Why are you crying?”

As he asked with a voice strained from exhaustion, a single tear rolled down Valia’s cheek.

“Huh? Khalid.”

“…I got a bit scared, thinking you might not wake up.”

“But that’s impossible.”

Valia weakly smiled and reached out to Khalid.

Taking her hand, he leaned against her cheek.

The warmth on her palm felt comforting.

“I’ve been in bed all day.”

“You’ve been lying down for too long.”

“It was exhausting.”

So that’s why. Valia nodded slightly.

“I was planning to rest once I finished urgent matters… but it seems embarrassing now.”

Valia said with a half-smile, but Khalid’s expression was somewhat serious. It seemed like he was a bit angry.

He squinted one eye as if displeased, then opened his mouth heavily.

“According to the maids, you haven’t been taking care of yourself unless it’s time to eat with me.”

“Well…”

It wasn’t that she didn’t eat at all. However, Valia decided to swallow any excuses and quietly listen to his words. She knew he was worried about her.

“You should stay away from work for a while. Most urgent matters are settled now.”

“But…”

“Your office will be closed for a while.”

It was a shocking revelation that dropped like a heavy weight.
There are still a few things I haven’t finished.

However, Valia sighed softly and agreed with his words.

“……Okay.”

She was aware that she had been exceptionally sensitive lately. With a busy schedule, her physical strength might have been lacking, leading to a weakened mental state.

The negative emotions she felt when looking at Erzhe were, in fact, fears hidden deep within Valia. Thinking that these fears had found a way to surface, she couldn’t refute Khalid’s suggestion that she needed rest.

“For the time being, go to the library you like, read a book, grab a snack, and have dinner with me. Also, deliberately make time for walks, especially in the evenings.”

Khalid gently swept Valia’s head and lightly kissed her forehead.

“I’ll do that.”

“Good. You’re kind.”

His tone was as gentle as if he were coaxing a sulking child. Finding it amusing, Valia chuckled.

“What about Lady Kinetra? She must have been quite surprised yesterday.”

“She’s been coming every hour, asking about your well-being. But if you’re not inclined, you don’t have to meet her.”

Valia appreciated that he said she didn’t have to do anything she disliked.

“…Just for today, then.”

Valia replied with a compliant tone.

“If I feel better tomorrow, we should drink tea together in the garden. We promised that before.”

“If you want to, we can do that.”

His gaze was filled with affection.

“…I’ve gone too deep.”