“Th-This is……”

The Grand Priest’s face, mumbling with lips covered in scabs, looked like he was about to faint.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Sinclair, who had already bent his knees, answered while meeting the Grand Priest’s eye level.

“The ledger showing that the temple, or more precisely you, have been embezzling the donations provided separately by the Imperial Palace and the Crown Prince’s Palace all this time.”

“……”

“What would happen if the Emperor and Hister found out about this?”

Sinclair continued speaking.

“No, perhaps they already know. Otherwise, how could you have stayed by Hister’s side all this time without any benefit?”

Then let’s change the question, Sinclair smiled.

“What if all the royals and nobles of Edenbell, even the street gypsies, found out about this?”

“……”

“And moreover, because of documents that you failed to keep properly.”

Where on earth did he get those documents? The Grand Priest’s wrinkled eyes twisted hideously.

‘Did he… plant someone in the temple?’

Was it that Glen person?

But everyone in the priesthood knew that Glen had turned his back on the temple and become Sinclair’s man. That’s why the Grand Priest had openly discriminated against Glen.

‘Then is there someone else…?’

How? How dare someone like Sinclair do such a thing in my temple?

The Grand Priest stared at Sinclair with a blank expression.

“I’m quite capable, more than you think, Grand Priest.”

And as if he had already seen through the Grand Priest’s thoughts, Sinclair said in an amused voice.

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have survived this long. Knowing that and still being so careless. How foolish. Anyway, shall we paint an interesting picture?”

Sinclair shrugged his shoulders and parted his lips.

“First, all the imperial bloodlines except me and the youngest prince Chase were daringly connected to the Grand Priest of the temple through money.”

“Th-That’s……”

“The Grand Priest took their money and continued to help Hister, and the same was true for the incident at this founding festival. So it’s no exaggeration to say that the Emperor and Crown Prince ordered the assassination of Prince Sinclair Butler.”

The Grand Priest flinched.

“But unfortunately, the plan fell through, and the Emperor and Crown Prince killed everyone involved to silence them. Right here in the underground waterways of this temple. And the Grand Priest turned a blind eye to that as well.”

“……”

“Do you know what will happen first if this becomes known to people, Grand Priest?”

“L-Lord Hister will……”

“Lord Hister will?”

“K-Kill me……”

Oh. Sinclair let out a short exclamation.

“It seems you’re not as thick-headed as I expected. How fortunate. I won’t have to keep flapping my mouth then.”

“……”

“Now, it’s time to choose.”

Sinclair glared at the Grand Priest with a completely different, coldly frozen face and said.

“Victim or perpetrator. Choose which one appeals to you more.”

“I-I……”

The Grand Priest, who had now fully realized his situation, let out a sobbing sound, but Sinclair paid no attention. Rather, he only uttered more cruel words.

“Honestly, whatever you choose, your end will be the same. You’ll die.”

“……”

“But dying while maintaining your position as the esteemed Grand Priest until the end, or having all your filthy deeds exposed to the world and being stoned even after you’re buried in your grave. Which do you think is better?”

Sinclair placed something small he had been holding onto the Grand Priest’s palm and said.

“Come on, tell me. Anything. What do you want to do more?”

At the sneering question pouring down on him, the Grand Priest tightly shut his eyes instead.

And unfortunately, the answer he would give was already decided.

[This is the timeline separator]

Sinclair’s words about leaving the Imperial Palace for a while seemed to be no lie.

As soon as day broke, Judith and Anna seemed quite busy packing Elaina’s belongings.

Schuler brought the new medicine prescribed by the doctor, and even the ‘ointment that leaves as few scars as possible’ that Elaina had mentioned in advance.

Elaina was unnecessarily worried that the Emperor and Hister might become suspicious, but she soon realized that was a completely misplaced concern.

[They seemed quite pleased when I said I’d be leaving the palace for recuperation.] [……They were pleased?] [Of course, you’re right. The Emperor and Hister aren’t completely thoughtless, but their hatred for me comes first.] [……] [And they might think it’s even better since they can send assassins anytime when I’m outside the palace.]

Assassins.

Sinclair’s shoulder was already uncomfortable. Even with Schuler and Sinclair’s knights accompanying them, what if they were attacked? What should she do then?

[There’s nothing to worry about.] [……Pardon?] [They might have the intention to attack me, but soon they’ll lose even the mind for that.]

Sinclair snickered as he said this, and Elaina once again realized that something was definitely going to happen during their absence.

Anyway, Sinclair’s decisiveness and ability to act were beyond imagination. Before noon the next day, Elaina was already leaving the Imperial Palace with him in a carriage.

“……”

Elaina, sitting quietly with her legs together, stared silently at Sinclair, who was sitting opposite her with his arms crossed.

She was worried if he was really alright since it hadn’t been long since he was injured, curious about what this person was up to, and also wondering where they were going now.

“Are you trying to bore holes in my face?”

And Sinclair, who had been closing his eyes as if asleep, asked while looking at Elaina.

“No, it’s not like that.”

“We’re not going far. We’ll have to return to the palace soon anyway.”

So what is that about? Elaina glanced slightly at Sinclair, but he seemed to find her reaction amusing and didn’t say anything about it, as if teasing her.

“We’ll arrive in half a day. Try to get some rest until then.”

“Where are we going?”

“……One of the few places I own in Edenbell.”

Sinclair murmured with a face that was somehow tinged with regret.

“My mother’s villa.”

“……”

“It’s located near the Hilden River. Not too far.”

……Hilden River.

Elaina’s expression became subtle upon hearing Sinclair’s words.

“We’ll just rest there for about a day before returning. I haven’t had many occasions to go there directly, but I’ve been consistently managing it, so it should be quite comfortable to stay in.”

Come to think of it…

What kind of person was Sinclair’s mother?

Why hadn’t she felt curious about it until now?

All Elaina knew about her was that she had died in an accident a very long time ago.

And as soon as she passed away, Sinclair’s position within the Imperial Palace plummeted to the worst.

“……It’s raining.”

At Sinclair’s casual remark, Elaina slowly turned her head. Then she looked at the window, which had already started to fog up with moisture.

It was spring rain that had begun to fall in a drizzle.

But the raindrops were quite heavy for spring rain.

Sinclair seemed to feel this too, as he silently looked out the window like Elaina for a moment.

‘Rain……’

Come to think of it, it rained like this on that day too.

To be precise…… at the moment when Ren, who had cowardly fled leaving Elly behind, somehow survived and returned to that valley in a terrible state.

[Elly…… Elly……]

Soaked by rain and valley water, he seemed to vaguely recall himself endlessly banging his head against that monstrous boulder where Elly’s leg had been trapped.

“……”

Sinclair very slowly bit his lip. Why was he reminded of that time again? As if it wasn’t enough to haunt his dreams tirelessly?

He was no longer the weak boy Ren who had nothing. He had the power to protect Elaina in any way, and he was confident he could overcome even if Hister sent assassins this time.

……Is this perhaps because I’m forever trapped in that day?

Is that why I keep feeling this miserable?

No matter how much he thought about it, Sinclair couldn’t understand.

He was just trying his best to escape from the memory and emotions of that day that remained as trauma, constantly stirring and rearing its head…

And it was at that very moment.

Elaina, who had been sitting opposite, came and sat next to him with a very careful movement.

“You look tired.”

“……”

“You took medicine this morning too, so that could be why. Get some sleep, Sinclair.”

Elaina said, patting her own shoulder.

“I can do this much, can’t I?”

Come to think of it, since becoming the Prince Consort and entering the palace, this might be the word Elaina has said to him the most.

That she can do this much.

It was quite amusing. He had always approached Elaina repeating the same words to himself, yet he had always been as sharp as a blade to Elaina’s kindness.

……Then perhaps, is your heart the same as mine?

Can you only approach me after rationalizing to yourself like this?

Sinclair had such fleeting thoughts as he lightly rested his head on Elaina’s shoulder.

“It’s too low.”

Then he said in a small voice.

“Your height is surprisingly short.”

“……Sinclair Butler, you’re surprisingly tall and big. I’m taller than average women.”

Elaina turned to look at him with an expression of disbelief, but Sinclair didn’t make any more replies.

Just in an awkward posture.

But with a mind more subdued and peaceful than ever, he slowly closed his eyes.

And not long after, they arrived at a place that was not their destination.

Not the Hilden River…

But the very valley where Elaina had permanently lost her leg.