As we didn’t know what side effects the powder capable of creating ice creatures might have, Hadel entrusted it to me personally.

Sitting in the carriage, I cautiously examined the pouch of powder. After filling my body with flame, touching it confirmed even more clearly.

‘This is Espen’s heart.’

A pure feeling of ice. There was no doubt that it was made from a heart.
“If it’s this amount, in the end, almost all of Espen’s heart has been turned into powder like this.”

Once I discovered the powder, my deduction returned to square one. Evelyn claimed that one of the creatures awakened in the body of a jokjeibi, among those where she transplanted my heart, was me.

I was suspicious that the Bird Prince and Espen might be the same person. The gestures of the Bird Prince, who seemed to recognize me, and the ice attribute mana he possessed were the basis for my suspicion. However, for that to be true, the Bird Prince’s heart must belong to Espen.

“If all of them are turned into powder, Espen and the Bird Prince can’t be the same person, right?”

Deciding that the Bird Prince and Espen are the same person is too hasty.

I stroked my chin. Of course, it was more natural to assume that they were different people. The Bird Prince could be Hadel’s younger brother.

Moreover, just because Hadel has my heart doesn’t mean I became Espen.

“It’s difficult to assume that everything is the same situation.”

Evelyn had heard from Yulnysia about Marian’s appearance several times, and she recognized me when she saw me.

“The Bird Prince could be in that situation too.”

Whether way, the Bird Prince would be the one receiving Espen’s orders. No, not just the Bird Prince but the entire royal family.

“If Hadel conducted heart experiments, the consent of the king and queen would have been necessary. Moreover, Hadel doesn’t remember the experiment itself.”

That story would only be about Hadel’s early childhood.

“If the king and queen are controlled by Espen? Then what did they gain in return?”

What could be the benefit for a monarch to subject his son to such a reckless experiment?

“Ah, I don’t know.”

As I nervously swept my hair aside, the carriage door opened. Instead of me, who didn’t have clothes, Hadel, who had gone to the farm and confiscated all the evidence, was there.

“I’ve sorted everything out, Marian. And my subordinates are guarding the farm to prevent anyone from entering.”

“Did you check how many beasts there are?”

There were a tremendous number, according to Hadel. There were all kinds of animals, to the point where it was unclear how they managed to feed them.

“Oh, so that’s why there was so much food in the warehouse?”

Although I hadn’t seen the underground storage where meat like ham was stored, there was already quite a bit in the warehouse. If I thought it was the food for the animals, it made sense.

After briefly conveying the situation on the farm, Hadel handed over a bundle.

“And here are some clothes. The steward prepared and sent them.”

“Ah, brought from the castle?”

Having called subordinates from the castle to guard the farm, they also sent my clothes along. It seemed like they were being annoying when I was a jokjeibi.

“He’s quick-witted.”

Appreciating the steward’s consideration, I raised my eyebrows. After conveying that to me, Hadel closed the carriage door.
“I’ll ride a horse and go, so take your time changing inside the carriage.”

“Oh, okay.”

As Hadel frighteningly closed the door, the carriage began to move. There was a sense of determination not to waste any time. Given what had happened in the Grand Duke’s residence, it was natural for Hadel to be serious.

“Hadel must be thinking a lot. There must be a lot to command.”

However, now that I was alone in the carriage, I felt a hollow emptiness. I already knew why I felt so complicated and subtle.

“My head is complicated.”

Even though I was pushed forward, constantly moving amidst the ongoing situations, I, too, was shocked by the revealed truth.

I let out a deep sigh. Ultimately, at the end of all these situations, there was the purpose of saving myself, and there was Espen, who was moving for that purpose.

“It won’t be resolved until I meet Espen in person.”

I already knew the conclusion. Yet, I hesitated.

“…But can I meet Espen now?”

Espen, my colleague who used to dislike me.

He might have become something unknown to me, just like Yulnysia.