Chapter 289

Chapter 289

Translator: yun

“No matter how hard you struggle, you cannot save the 6th Prince. And you will lose the 7th Prince and your knight in turn.”

Rusbella’s words lingered in my mind. There was not a hint of hesitation in her voice when she spoke.

Why did Rusbella say that to me? So that I would feel hopeless? Yes, I would have felt that. In the future she was aware of, everyone had died. So, it could be possible.

But things were different now. Amor, who was friendly in the novel I was familiar with, was actually quite feisty. Both due to his powers and the curse inflicted on him, Hernan had two distinct personalities. Furthermore, Rebecca didn’t love Castor at all.

The fact that even small changes in movements could cause such a twist in the future was what made the flow of time so interesting. The moment she summoned my soul and reincarnated it into this world, she had already changed the future to one different from what she expected.

‘You got me, Rusbella. Or should I say, the diary?’

If that was the case, this meant that a future set in stone did not exist.

I twisted my lips into a smile.

I whispered.

“Right?”

Just then, a blinding light burst out of the diary.

[The future will not change.]

“Lies. That is just what you want me to believe.”

Before I realised it, I found myself in the space within the diary. A woman who looked like me stared back at me.

“You had me completely fooled with Fleon.”

I trudged towards her before glaring at the taller woman.

“The moment you told me that it would not change, you made me overthink, rendering me unable to do anything. Unable to think of any other way.”

If the future was truly unable to change, I would have been stuck in a future where I would die by Castor’s hands from the start.

Any future could be changed. The difference was whether I would be able to find the key to change.

‘I hadn’t realised this fact which was why I lost Fleon.’

I glared at the diary abhorrently.

–... I’m sorry.

For the first time, the diary apologised.

“Why did you do that? Are you going to take Rusbella’s side too? Because you’re a piece of her?”

The diary did not answer. Instead, letters were slowly drawn in the air.

–You had to lose him.

“Why!”

–Your powers will only be complete when you lose something.

Ha. I scoffed loudly.

“Is that why I have to lose Dane and Lord Ray too? No, there shouldn’t be any need.”

How ridiculous.

“I don’t need powers that force me to lose people.”

I dropped the diary I had been grabbing onto the ground. Because it was a parasite. I stretched my hand out. Gradually, light rose from the ground.

“Did I have any power when I changed the future?”

I hadn’t been given anything. I had changed the entire future using just my body.

“My life is my own.”

Light continued to rise from the ground. It wasn’t the purple glow from the diary I had been witnessing this whole time. It was the strange light–one that was a mix of gold and purple–which looked even brighter than before.

Butterflies flew around me. Butterflies made out of light fluttered around me. (1)

“Yes. There is a talented templar situated near the borders. He had been the Head Templar of Asclepius, the God of Medicine and had been expelled for his position for breaking a curse the emperor had placed. That’s what I heard from rumours but if it’s true, then I can be cured.”

“So all you’ve heard are rumours...”

I didn’t manage to finish my sentence. He gave my cheek a slight pinch.

“Ashley. I’m saying that I’ll be back.”

He planted his lips on my cheek before whispering softly.

“I can’t stand next to you but being behind you is fine too.”

He then took a step back. Behind him, I spotted a large bird in the distance. One that got closer at an unbelievably rapid speed.

“Ashley, don’t get used to loss.”

Dane spoke.

“But come to terms with it.”

“Dane.”

“You weren’t able to save Fleon. Even a hero who saved countless people before has some they cannot save.”

Dane already knew what was weighing on my heart. He was trying to tell me. That I was not to be blamed for Fleon’s death.

“Really?”

Like the maids whom I was unable to save during my 40 deaths.

“Yes. So face forward and live. Ashley, even if the past holds you in confinement to repeat time. Live in the present. I am here. And you are too.”

And finally, the carriage descended. After exchanging a few words with Penne when he stepped down from the carriage, the patrols approached us again. Lord Ray and Dane stood in front of the carriage. After staring at me, Ray lowered his head. Without uttering a single word, he finally said his heavy farewells to me.

“Ashley. I have a favour to ask of you.”

During our final moments, Dane fumbled before grabbing my face.

“Become the emperor.”

He whispered softly.

“We’ve only been losing for a long time. So, now... you have to take everything.”

I stared at the cloth covering his eyes. Recalling his bright red eyes I could never see again.

“When I return, I will become the night that protects your back.”

I liked his eyes. From the moment I met him, I loved his eyes that shone like the sun, his eyes that were as beautiful as camellias in snow, the eyes that always looked towards me sweetly. I liked the eyes that looked towards me kindly and affectionately all the while I pretended to not notice his overwhelming emotions.

If I knew this was going to happen, I should have looked at them one more time. I should have faced him sooner instead of avoiding him.

Tears filled my eyes. I was glad that at least Dane was unable to see what expression I was wearing now.

“Alright, Dane.”

I smiled brightly with a whimper.

“I was thinking of doing so as well. I’ll be taking everything now.”

I once thought that peace would befall the Empire once it was handed over to the 2nd Prince, Julian. But I was wrong. Instead of giving it to him, I should have taken it.

That was what I learned after meeting you all.

“There are people who suffer from my happiness.”

Did they say they wanted the Empire ruined? Then I shall keep this Empire alive.

And I would finally be happy.

“So, I’ll be happy.”

This was the best revenge I could serve.

“After possessing everything.”

***

T/N:

(1): It repeated in the raws so I just kept it in!