Chapter 50

‘In the original story, the one who became the Count’s pawn was Sofia.’

And she was the only one who wasn’t controlled by the artifact and ended up being exiled.

Reina understood that much and drew in a shaky breath.

“Th-Then… was Sofia exiled?”

“Not yet. She’s being held in the underground prison for now.”

“…Th-Then…”

Can I meet her. That was the question she needed to ask, but her mouth went dry.

‘It might be an impertinent request.’

That a mere maid had even reached this position was already an act of great mercy.

She was a criminal who had conspired of her own will with someone who tried to swallow this estate and use the young lady.

Reina swallowed hard and lightly shook her head.

Damian, who had been quietly watching her, spoke.

“And Boni. Peter mentioned that the person who was providing meals for the prisoners took sick leave.”

“…?”

Though he was speaking to Reina, his tone sounded almost like he was thinking out loud.

“The underground prison unsettles most people, so no one really wants to go in.”

Then he glanced at Reina.

“Reina Botn, would you be willing to handle that task for just one day tomorrow?”

It was Damian’s consideration.

Reina’s eyes trembled slightly as she bowed deeply.

“I understand, My Lord. Thank you.”

“This is the first time I’ve been thanked for assigning work in the underground prison.”

“Th-Then… I’m sorry?”

“…”

Damian fell silent for a moment.

“Thank you is better than I’m sorry.”

Reina gently lifted her head and looked up at him.

He wore the same expressionless face as always, but it no longer felt frightening.

Winter sunlight fell over him.

Just as Reina was about to speak, the sound of children laughing reached them.

Reina and Damian both turned their gaze toward the children.

“Looks like they’re alright now.”

“Seems so.”

“That’s a relief. I was really worried.”

“About whom?”

“About whom…?”

Damian was reflected once more in Reina’s eyes.

The sunlight caught in her yellow irises, and she thought that even in the light, they were still unmistakably yellow.

Damian thought those eyes were both ordinary and strangely unique.

“Between Estelle and your daughter.”

“…”

“Which one were you worried about?”

At that question, Reina….

…couldn’t answer.

* * *

The underground prison of the Winternight ducal estate was infamous.

Some said anyone who entered never came out alive. Others claimed the spirits of nobles who had died long ago wandered the halls, or that strange cries echoed at dawn.

Because of that, not only the servants but even the knights found the place deeply unsettling.

Even if you didn’t believe in ghosts, it wasn’t somewhere you’d like.

Logically speaking, no one liked a prison.

And yet, right now

at this very moment

“Haah…”

there was one knight who looked oddly excited before entering the underground prison.

He wasn’t even someone who would normally be assigned to this place.

He tugged at his uniform sleeves, checked for wrinkles, brushed at his hair to see if there was dust, and kept inspecting himself.

Each time he checked, everything was perfect.

“Sir Dean, what are you doing over there?”

“…Ah, A-Ah.”

Hearing the voice he’d been waiting for so suddenly, Dean jumped like he’d been burned.

“Yes, Reina.”

“I heard from Peter. You said you’d accompany me just in case. You must be busy with knight order duties. I’m sorry.”

“N-No. Reina, I’m originally assigned as escort for you and Boni.”

Seeing Reina’s slightly drooped expression, Dean shook his head.

“You’re really kind, Sir.”

“…N-No, I’m not…”

He thought he was decent with words, but whenever he ended up alone with Reina, Dean froze like a fool hopelessly in love.

Dean glanced at the basket Reina was holding.

“Is that the meal you’re delivering?”

“Yes. There are only two prisoners in the underground prison right now. As for Count Embron, I was told there’s no need to go.”

Meaning she only needed to see Sofia.

Already knowing the location, Reina once again felt Damian’s consideration and headed toward the prison entrance.

Dean followed behind her, watching her carefully.

‘Something like that happened while I was away.’

Even so, she looked composed now.

Can someone really recover that quickly. Or maybe she was so bold it bordered on recklessness, going to meet one of the culprits in person.

From what Dean had seen, Reina did have that tendency.

‘She never really considers her own safety.’

Dean’s gaze settled calmly on her back.

After receiving several warnings from the gatekeeper, Reina spoke.

“There are spells placed here too. It must take an enormous number of mana stones.”

“Only a place like the Winternight ducal estate could afford that. It’s probably second only to the imperial palace in terms of mana stone deployment.”

Reina accepted a lantern from the gatekeeper.

Dean took it from her instead and said,

“Since there are criminals inside, mana stones are embedded throughout. If you bring a mana powered light source inside, mana interference is likely.”

“Ahh…”

To be honest, Reina didn’t fully understand.

She’d only studied the basics of mana stones so far.

‘Besides, I don’t have any mana at all.’

She rubbed her fingertips together and headed deeper into the underground prison.

Dean walked ahead holding the lantern.

“What is mana interference?”

“When too many mana stones exert power at once, it causes a runaway reaction.”

“Does the stone explode?”

“Yes. It explodes.”

“Ah, that I get.”

Reina recalled the mana stone refinery where she’d worked before.

“There was a big explosion once at the place I worked. A storage area full of high grade mana stones blew up, and the manager had a terrible time.”

“You weren’t hurt then?”

“No, thankfully. I worked at a low grade refinery.”

Low grade mana stones had almost no mana. They were basically just hard rocks.

‘Why did it explode?’

Reina searched her memories.

She went back not only to her memories as Reina, but even further, to those of her original body.

Normally, she avoided revisiting memories unrelated to Bonita or daily survival.

Except when Reina’s memories forcibly intruded.

Otherwise, she felt like she’d lose her real self.

Separate from loving Bonita, Reina didn’t want to lose the self she barely remembered.

If she became accustomed to being Reina without knowing why, then returned to her original self, she’d probably experience the same confusion again.

“Huh?”

As she searched her memories, Reina realized something strange.

“What is it?”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

Even the previous Reina hadn’t really used magical tools.

She sometimes bought low grade mana stones, but it was Bonita who activated magical devices, not Reina.

‘So it wasn’t because I took over this body?’

Any citizen of the Eisen Empire should possess at least a trace of mana.

That was certain.

It was basic knowledge she’d learned early on in lessons with Peter.

Until now, Reina had believed that because she wasn’t originally from this world, she couldn’t use mana after inhabiting this body.

‘Reina was never an outsider…’

She couldn’t hide her troubled expression.

The cold wind of the underground prison, the sound of something moving quickly, the drip of water from above, and the echo of footsteps all faded into the background as she remained lost in thought.

‘Things diverging from the original story can’t be helped anymore. It doesn’t really matter.’

As long as it didn’t cause serious harm to Estelle or put Bonita in danger, it was fine.

But with every action Reina took, another uncomfortable truth from the original story surfaced in her mind.

“…”

Her footsteps stopped.

Dean, who had been walking ahead, gently took hold of Reina’s arm.

“Reina, there’s a stone here. Be careful.”

“Ah, s-sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. You almost got hurt.”

The lantern light illuminated Dean.

Within the faint glow, there was gentle concern.

Without asking further, he handed the lantern back to Reina.

“Reina, you can go on from here. Everything ahead is locked with mana stones, so it won’t open unless a mage or Mage Examiner comes. It’ll be safe.”

“Yes.”

“But if it feels dangerous, call for me. I’ll come right away.”

Dean pointed to the sword at his waist and forced a smile.

Reina looked at him and slowly nodded.

She moved in the direction he indicated, slowly, quietly, and with a tight feeling in her chest.

“…What.”

Where Reina stopped, Sofia was looking up at her with shattered eyes, her former gentle smile nowhere to be found.

Seeing the woman who looked like a completely different person, Reina felt her heart crumble.

She crouched down, set the lantern on the floor, and asked,

“Sofia, why did you do it?”

“…”

“You were kind to me and to Boni. Why…”

Sofia snorted at Reina’s words.

Then she said,

“I hated you from the very beginning.”