Only then did the overwhelming sense of guilt seem to lift.

Jane cried and clung to her, but it was in vain.

Another carriage wheel rolled, making a sound.

“Miss.”

Even when Helena called, Isabella didn’t lift her head.

She sat huddled in a corner, burying her head between her knees.

Isabella seemed frozen like that.

Only the small rising and falling of her back indicated Isabella’s survival.

“I will go to the island.”

Helena spoke slowly.

“I’ll try to find something I can do there. This useless body must be able to serve somewhere, right?”

Isabella blinked.

Now tears wouldn’t come out even if they wanted to.

Outside this room, reality awaited.

Brixton, whose time of death was uncertain, and the empty mansion.

Lenisha, who was supposed to return soon, wasn’t coming back, and Halin…

‘Horrible.’

This place was more horrible than the battlefield.

Laughter from the lively city outside could be heard.

Isabella was losing everything she held dear, but the world continued to move on.

Isabella must have wanted something significant.

She only wished to live happily with her beloved family.

“Once again, Miss, it’s not your fault.”

Isabella’s shoulders trembled.

To save Isabella, Halin was kidnapped, and to save her, Brixton was dying.

Everything felt like it was Helena’s fault.

She couldn’t eat, couldn’t breathe.

Afraid that if she closed her eyes and opened them again, Brixton might leave as well, she couldn’t sleep properly.

“I was wrong.”

Helena bit her lip.

“Miss, I’ll handle everything. So don’t worry.”

“…How?”

Isabella asked with a cracked voice.

In an unexpectedly stern expression, Isabella opened her mouth again.

“Can Helena save Father? Or, Mother…”

“I’ll pull out the more fundamental issue.”

“…Fundamental issue?”

“I will address everything to do with the Emperor.”

Hatred filled Helena’s eyes.

Helena decided to attribute the cause of all this to the Emperor.

Lenisha’s unjust suffering, Henry freely roaming like a young calf, and Isabella’s current state—all these events stemmed from Lexus.

“The Emperor…? What are you going to do?”

Isabella asked uncertainly.

Crawling on the floor, Isabella grabbed a corner of Helena’s skirt.

Pulled down by the child’s strength, Helena, who had knelt down, hardened her expression.

“Tell me what to do.”

Only Isabella’s eyes shone with a brilliant vitality.
“I will make you die most miserably and painfully, using any means necessary.”

“Auntie hasn’t done it yet. What can you do? That great aunt has just been watching without doing anything.”

“Lenisha should be the one to think about what comes next. She is the one who will become the future of the empire. However, it’s okay if people like me disappear.”

“…That’s not true. I don’t wish for that.”

“You’re a kind person.”

Helena hugged Isabella.

Emotions surged within the frail body like dry firewood.

Helena kissed Isabella’s forehead.

“May the protection of the three snake gods be with you.”

Helena stood up.

“You must stay well, Miss.”

Helena bid her final farewell.

Isabella couldn’t possibly hold onto Helena.

Isabella seemed to understand that feeling.

Helplessly watching her loved ones getting hurt, Isabella felt the same way.

Even on the battlefield, children wield swords.

Isabella did the same.

She was undoubtedly under the protection of the knights, but if an emergency arose, she had to escape on her own.

However, Isabella was too powerless in this place.

“I don’t want to…”

Isabella shook her head. She wanted to follow Helena.

However, Isabella would only be an obstacle on the path Helena was taking.

Isabella nervously bit her fingernails.

For such a child, salvation arrived.

“Miss, Miss!”

The urgent knocking on the door made Isabella turn her head.

Although no answer was given, the words could still be heard.

“Halin-nim has returned! She’s looking for you right now.”

“Mother…?”

“Yes, yes. Mother has returned.”

It was Jane.

Isabella’s door opened.

Seeing Isabella lying on the floor, Jane burst into tears.

Everything was truly in chaos.

Jane supported Isabella and helped her up.

“Helena has left.”

“…I know.”

“She might not come back.”

“I know…”

Holding Isabella, Jane cried for a long time.