She heard it. And, maybe, she realized it already. My secret.

“Do you know what she meant?”

‘Of course, how could I not?’ I just nervously gulped instead of saying that. I think my gulping was too loud. Sand, who was lying down to my left, shuffled and turned. I could hear Joanne’s rhythmic breathing from the other side.

Christelle kept her eyes on me as all of that happened. Her gaze was similar to usual. Upright, clean, and honest. There wasn’t an ounce of malice behind them.

“……”

I was the completely opposite of her. “I’m not sure.” That was all I could whisper. Thankfully, my voice came out pretty normal. I completely suppressed the flow of my ether to stop the ripples in my ether. But I did it very slowly so that it was not awkward. I pretended to be someone who was so tired that I would soon fall asleep.

Christelle silently waited for me. She should have been tired all day but I saw no fatigue on her face.

“My outside and inside are clearly different, your highness.”

“……I see.” I clenched my fists because my fingertips felt cold. ‘What would she have thought about my answer?’

“What about you, your highness?”

“I…… I’m not sure.” I really had no idea about anything. Whether today was that day… Whether it was okay for me to say something like this… And if so, how much I was allowed to say… Honestly speaking, I was scared and frantic. I had all sorts of thoughts in that short period of time.

First was self-blame.

‘I thought you said you were going to tell her, Jung Yeseo. I thought you were going to tell her your secret. But now you are going to pretend like you have no idea? Are you a big chicken? Was it all just a bluff?’

The second was avoidance.

‘Then what about this? Tell her the truth that I transmigrated here but keep the rest a secret. Christelle would step back after hearing an answer about her question. In that case……’

“……”

Then I would be the worst kind of trash in the world. It would be better not to say anything. I would just be covering one lie with another. I would need to continue to lie endlessly in order to protect that cowardly excuse. I would need to actively fool the people I like over and over. The truth would rot inside me until it started releasing its stench in all directions.

You are all characters in a novel that I’ve only heard about. Two of you are fated to get married while a few of you are people I didn’t even know. The reason I tried to keep a distance from all of you is because I just wanted to safely go back home. I wanted to remain as a lofty observer.

Because you are all not real.

“However, if you give me time……” My chest felt heavy as if a boulder was pushing down on it. I ended up lowering my gaze.

How could I say something like this?

“Excuse me?” Rustle, rustle. Christelle moved closer to me. Her large eyes were so close that our faces were about to touch.

I asked in an extremely quiet voice. “Could you just wait for me a little bit?”

I was about to say something else before I could not form any words and just closed my mouth. I couldn’t even fathom how stupid I must have looked. I felt so embarrassed and pathetic for dragging it out despite saying that I would tell them everything. I was relieved that the inside of the wagon was dark.

‘When will I be a real adult? Seriously, when?’

“Yes, your highness. I’ll wait.”

“……”

I blinked. It was because I couldn’t dare to hope for such a response. Christelle was smiling brightly in the now familiar dimness. Her pink hair touched my forehead.

“It’s almost my birthday.” She whispered. The scent of medicinal herbs and flowers came out of her mouth.

‘So, this-’

“……Thank you very much.”

“I said it is almost my birthday, your highness. I won’t wait long.” Christelle chuckled as she whispered. I finally smiled and answered ‘okay.’

Since it was past midnight, it was now March 10th. Christelle’s birthday was March 18th. It was also the first day I opened my eyes in this world. But I didn’t think ‘Ham Ga-in’ had the same birthday.

I suddenly had a thought at that moment. ‘At the one year mark, let’s ask Miss Ga-in for her birthday. Let’s not run away like this at that time.’

“But in return, right here.” She tapped her cheek.

I looked back and forth at her slender finger and white face before my jaw dropped. I got chills for a different reason at that moment. My face became flushed and my ether released out of anxiousness.

“……Excuse me?”

‘You want me to give you a kiss?!’

“Please take good care of my teeth tomorrow too, your highness.”

“Ah, phew……”

‘Wow, I was so shocked!’ Christelle squinted after seeing me being so openly relieved.

She asked, ‘what were you thinking? Why do you have such a look on your face?’ And then she started to poke me on the side.

I squirmed like a word and quietly resisted. ‘Aaaaah!’

“Ah, no! Ugh! Please stop! It tickles!”

“I’m going to tell Eva everything when we get back. I’m going to tell her you’re a pervert, your highness.”

“Ahhhh, no!”

At that moment…

– Pow! Pow!

“Ugh!”

“Ow!”

A pillow came flying at our faces! It was so strong that I wondered if the person put rocks inside the pillow. I rubbed my throbbing forehead and jerked my head up. I could see a pair of orange eyes seated on top of an elevated bed glaring at us.

My courage instantly became the size of a bean. ‘I’m sorry we were so loud, hey……’

“I’m sorry, your Royal Highness. We will sleep quietly.”

“……”

“Have a good night, your Royal Highness.”

He didn’t say anything back. Christelle quickly pulled the blanket all the way over her head. She could be upset that I was running away without even apologizing, but I was just thankful for her today. I was sure that she was curious about a lot of things. She could have been happy to know that she was not alone, before getting disappointed at my attitude toward it. But she didn’t ask anything and just said that she would wait. Hiding underneath the round mound of blanket was someone much more mature than me.

“……”

Rustle rustle. I laid down properly again. I felt like I wouldn’t fall asleep because I was so tense, but my mind quickly drifted away once I closed my eyes. It wasn’t weird since we spent so much energy in the ruins.

‘But why didn’t the Imperial Crown Prince say anything to me?

That punk should have heard as well if Christelle heard it. Last time, he told me he didn’t want to hear it when I tried to tell him the real reason I wanted to go to the neutral region. He ignored me and got up and walked away.

‘Well… I guess that punk has no reason to care that much about me……’

– Squeeeee.

‘Right, Demy……’ I petted the red panda crawling into my arm.

A pleasant breeze drifted through the enclosed wagon. The hooting of the owl slowly became distant.

*

The next day passed without much happening. At least, based on our standards. My friends and I were able to get some of our questions answered as the Rambouillet caravan headed toward the Temple of Boundaries. For example…

“Isabelle’s ability is not a normal earth attribute.”

There was the issue of Hanan Rumayyan and her avatar, Isabelle.

The caravan was currently taking a break next to an oasis. I solemnly commented while standing next to the water and the Holy Knights all agreed. Isabelle, who was covering up the red pandas’ feet, tilted her head and looked at us. The sand was hot so it was probably needed for them. ‘Thank you very much!’

“The vine I saw in the ruins was melting metal and very dark in color. It was different from Demy, Rhea, and Perry’s powers. I don’t think it is simply because she is a Cardinal.”

“That is a reasonable question, your highness. I have seen an earth attribute Cardinal as well, but he did not use his powers that way.” Sir Johann, who had been playing with Tithé, agreed with me.

The divine beasts approached me and cried. They were showing off their little boots. I told them about ten times that they were pretty before they were satisfied and headed toward crown prince Cédric. The male lead, who was leaning against a boulder, gave them a gaze that seemed to be asking, ‘what do you want?’

‘Idiot. You’re going to be attacked by fluffballs all day now.’

“The aura I feel from it is very dark as well. I don’t think anything will happen, but I am concerned that something will happen to my mother’s body.” Christelle scowled.

Isabelle had an awkward smile on her face. “Thank you very much for your concern, everyone. But I don’t think you need to worry too deeply about it. According to her Majesty……”

– It is because this Queen’s ether is rotten.

“Ahhhhh!”

“Eeeek!”

We screeched and fell back. Christelle jumped on top of the boulder the crown prince was leaning on while Joanne threw the knafeh she was eating and ran away as fast as she could. She was almost as fast as a Holy Knight. Sand turned completely pale and stiff. I patted his back multiple times, as I was worried that his heart would stop.

“Sand! You have to breathe! Balls!”

“Cough, cough! Balls! Balls!”

‘Balls’ was his new nickname. Christelle gave it to him because he became more courageous and because of the ‘rose of betrayal.’ (TL: Doesn’t really work in English but does in Korean so balls it is. It really should be ‘courage’ but balls is more fun.) He seemed to like it a lot-

– Still so rowdy.

“Aaah!”

‘Bro! A doll is moving! A doll is talking!’

This Queen’s avatar is so proper that her movements are very delicate and proper. That is very frustrating. Therefore, know that I have decided to borrow this from time to time.

A rag doll wearing a turban, golden accessories, and a beautiful outfit proclaimed. It was about the size of Christelle’s hand.

Isabelle apologized, stating that there was no better option. Honestly speaking, the doll did look similar to Hanan. But the only one of us who was amused was Sir Johann.

“My goodness.”

‘It’s basically Isabelle and Anabelle……’

“Cough cough. Balls.”

– Do you really think that a power that has been dormant in the same spot for a thousand years would be normal? It became corrupt after being buried under all sorts of emotions, unable to circulate for such a long time.

I quickly started to think despite the shock. “Then although you didn’t intend for it, your earth attribute ether…… Became a specialized poison attribute ether? Is that correct?”

– Yes. The reason that time flows differently inside the tomb and outside is probably for similar reasons.

The rag doll proudly proclaimed. Tithé flipped one of his flippers toward her. He seemed to be asking if this was a new toy. ‘How do I explain it to him?’

“Are you saying that ether affects the flow of time as well?” The crown prince was the next to ask a question. Hanan flicked her chin.

– Why couldn’t it? This Queen’s tomb was an ether swamp that condensed for a long period of time. The dimensional twist that you all mentioned should have been done by ether as well.

‘Dimensional twist.’ She was talking about how we went in circles inside her tomb when we first entered. I just assumed it was similar to being in a horror movie at the time, but apparently there was a reason for it. Basically, once the Authority of the Almighty God went beyond a certain level in strength, it could even affect time and space.

‘The Zaum Ruins should be a normal tomb now that Hanan left then. How magical.’

– This is an unsightly doll, but this is not a bad spot to get a view of the world.

Hanan stood on top of her avatar’s knees and looked down at the oasis. Her short veil fluttered in the wind. After taking a closer look, there was a finger-sized saif around her waist as well.

“Oh my goodness!”

– Crash!

“Grandfather!” Another scream screeched out.

This time, it was from Viscount Rambouillet, who was delivering some snacks for us. The man had gasped frantically after seeing the doll and threw the tray of snacks into the air.

‘The tower of lokma- oh dear! They’re all flying away!’

– Tsk. It looks like I need to increase their courage first. How could people who are going to serve this Queen be so weak?

“I will work even harder, your Majesty.” Sir Johann answered like a cool breeze from the back.

“Aarf!” Tithé chimed in as well.

Thankfully, the Viscount’s heart muscle was safe. Joanne ran over from somewhere and started picking up donuts with us. It was just a peaceful day out in the desert.

*

It was quiet for a few days after that. We finally arrived at the second lodging!

“This is the Moreno caravanserai.” Lady Marise motioned toward it. I carefully put the sleeping Percy in my arms and put on the magic glasses before getting out of the wagon.

My eyes opened wide at the unexpected sight.

“Wow……”

‘Moreno’ was completely different from ‘Zaum.’ Monica’s caravanserai felt like a luxurious resort, but this place seemed like a temple. I didn’t know much about it, but the way it was built seemed completely different. The pillars all around the building as well as the walls had beautiful pictures on them. The paintings were refreshing to look at as they mainly used bright sky blue, light green, brown, and white. The number of people walking by seemed three to four times that of Zaum as well. There really was no end to the beauty of the desert.

“There are a lot of people in armor here.” I commented in amazement. Marise cautiously explained.

“Yes, your highness. It is because Holy Knights frequently rest here. To be honest with you, our original plan was to get past here to stay in Giegold, but…… That is the closest lodging to the Temple of Boundaries so there are lots of people going to and from and it is the size of a city. I thought it would be troublesome for our esteemed guests so we chose here.”

“I see.” Sand, Joanne, and I nodded our heads.

Basically, she was saying that they picked here because they were worried about our identities getting found out and us getting in troublesome situations.

‘But if there are lots of Holy Knights here as guests, are the people looking at us from the entrance Holy Knights as well? What about that person getting off a camel? Maybe even the people on the roof looking down at us?’

“Uhh……”

I tilted my head. ‘Why are they all looking at us? Is it because Christelle and the crown prince are beauties? Can’t blame them though. That is true.’

“Close your ether.”

“Excuse me?”

I heard an extremely vicious voice behind me. The air felt cold despite it being the middle of the day in the desert. I got the chills and turned around. I looked into two sun-like eyes. His deep eyes resembled two solar eclipses. ‘What is up with you now?!’

“Immediately.”

“Me?”

“That is an Imperial order.”

‘I got it……’ I grumbled and closed the ether tap.

‘You’re growling so much that I can’t tell whether you are a human or an animal. I’m definitely not doing this because I’m scared.’

For some reason, Christelle and Sir Johann looked satisfied as well. I couldn’t help but sigh while looking at them.

‘The teacher and the students are getting more similar by the day.’

—
Translator’s Comments

She won’t wait forever, Yeseo. Get it together.