Checking herself in the long mirror, Celestina nodded at her reflection with a pleased smile.

"Oh my! You look like an angel sent from the heavens!"

"More like a goddess!"

"Indeed, you look stunning, Your Highness."

At the constant stream of compliments from the tailor, the courtier, and Sir Henrik, Celestina felt deeply satisfied, though she didn't show too much of it on her face.

To Celestina, the praise wasn't mere flattery. In her own eyes—and in the eyes of others—she was objectively beautiful and striking, and what was beautiful and striking should be complimented and praised, right? It was only natural. Perhaps she had a bit of a spoiled mindset, maybe even a touch of narcissism, but to Celestina, these were simply facts.

The dress didn't exactly increase her beauty; it merely framed and highlighted it.

Her gown was long and flowing, made from silky white fabric that draped in soft waves. The bodice was form-fitting and intricate, decorated with silver filigree patterns that resembled stars—matching Celestina's eyes and hair. Off-the-shoulder sleeves widened into long, transparent, ethereal drapes. The skirt extended into a wide, trailing cloak-like train. Delicate silver embroidery along the lower hem and bodice hinted at the shape of wings.

Sir Henrik, however, looked slightly doubtful.

"Your Highness, is it truly a good idea to go out in such an eye-catching dress?" he asked.

Celestina simply shrugged.

"All the kings and leaders and whatnot are already at the summit, which starts tomorrow. The Saintess will soon be heading toward the palace of Ismyr, and that alone will cause plenty of commotion there. That means there's no real point in any of us hiding our identities anymore. By the end of tomorrow, if all goes according to Lioren's plan, everything and everyone will be in total chaos. Besides, there are no downsides for me in following his plan—for now, at least. It's better not to tarnish the reputation of our great clans. And I was already feeling a bit too stiff staying in this estate longer than I wanted to."

Henrik sighed, unable to find a proper argument against that. He bowed his head.

"As you wish, Your Highness. Though please do rein in your curiosity. I understand this festival is from another world for us... but we are still in another world."

"You worry too much, Sir Henrik. That's how you'll start getting wrinkles all over your face."

"...Am I getting wrinkles?" he muttered, a bit dazed, as Celestina turned away.

The other two in the room watched their exchange with stiff smiles, clearly confused by parts of the conversation, but too polite and scared to say anything.

Finally, Celestina headed for the door, Henrik quickly falling into step behind her as they left the room.

"We should probably head to the servants' quarters first," she said. "Check on some of the participants, see how they're doing..."

"Doesn't the Saintess usually do that regularly?" Henrik asked.

"She does, but she won't have the chance today, so she requested I take her place."

"You are as generous as always, Your Highness," Henrik said respectfully, prompting Celestina to smile for a heartbeat.

They walked through the halls, passing servants who bowed when they saw them—respectfully... and fearfully.

It seemed the example Caleus had made at the dinner had reached every corner of the estate, making everyone extremely cautious around the children of the four great clans. Celestina, at least, was somewhat better known within these walls, so not everyone was too wary of her. Still, she was certain that people like Jasmine, Azriel, Lioren, Veronica, and Caleus would now be receiving far more fearful, meek greetings.

Even though Jasmine and Caleus had been here longer than Azriel and Veronica, they hadn't interacted with the servants as much as Celestina had.

Eventually, they stepped out into the garden reserved for the servants. The Count might not have been as rich as the dukes, but he was still far, far wealthier than other counts, it seemed.

"Your Highness?"

Before she could go any further, a familiar voice called out to her. Celestina turned her head, raising an eyebrow.

"Instructor Ranni?"

Ranni walked toward them, looking a bit surprised, before giving a wry, tired smile.

"What brings you here?" Ranni asked.

"Just checking up on the participants. The Saintess asked me to do her a favor," Celestina replied.

"I see."

Ranni nodded in understanding.

"What about you, Instructor? Here to check on the participants as well?"

"Yes, that also..."

"Also?"

Repeating the word that stood out, Celestina frowned slightly as Ranni started glancing around with a worried expression.

"Where could she have gone... How did she even manage to escape my senses..." Ranni muttered under her breath—but Celestina caught it.

"Are you searching for someone?" she asked.

Looking a bit hesitant, Ranni nodded.

"Have you perhaps seen a little girl? She has brown hair and brown eyes."

Celestina's brows knit together.

"No, I haven't. But do you mean the girl you brought back with you when you returned with Prince Azriel, Princess Veronica, Nol and the two cadets?"

"Yeah."

"Well... it is a big estate, but—"

"I do not wish for her to be found by someone she shouldn't be found by," Ranni said, cutting her off.

There were, indeed, some participants here who were far too dangerous to have a little girl wandering around freely in the same walls as them.

"What is the deal with that child, actually?" Celestina suddenly asked, looking at her with curious eyes.

That put Ranni in an uncomfortable position—to answer truthfully or not...

"Well... she was part of the village in the Forest of Eternity," Ranni said slowly, "but it seems she doesn't have a family, and the orphanage doesn't seem to like her much. She also doesn't seem to be in the best health, since we found her running away from a doctor. So I thought it was best to keep her with me temporarily, at least until she returns to perfect health."

"Oh."

Celestina's expression softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"You really are a kind person, Instructor," she said with a gentle smile.

Ranni averted her gaze, hiding the guilt of not telling the whole truth... like how Azriel might try to kill the child if he saw her.

"If you'll excuse me, Your Highness, I'll continue searching for her now."

"Of course."

Celestina stepped aside with a composed smile as Ranni passed her. Only after Ranni had taken a few steps away did Celestina call out again.

"Oh, by the way, Instructor."

"Hmm?"

Ranni turned, confused, looking at Celestina's back. Celestina didn't turn around.

"The next time someone asks you about that child," Celestina said calmly, "do try to come up with a more believable excuse."

"...!"

Ranni froze, eyes widening.

Celestina turned her head just enough for Ranni to see her grey eyes—eyes that seemed to glow, filled with an intensity that made Ranni's blood run even colder.

Someone weaker than her... yet she didn't feel weak at all in this moment.

"You came back from that village with that child," Celestina continued, "but it was also Prince Azriel Crimson and Princess Veronica Nebula who returned. It was also Azriel who said during the dinner that he had taken the 'core' of the Immortal Eyepatch. Those timings cannot be a coincidence. Especially not when he said it, and you had the same dark expression on your face back then that you have now."

Already on alert, Ranni looked at Celestina with a tense, cautious expression, ready to fight if she had to.

Especially with the way her instincts reacted to the Frost Princess right now... and to the Frost Knight standing farther behind Celestina, watching Ranni with cold eyes, ready to move.

The air around them grew noticeably colder. People outside shifted uncomfortably.

"Anyone even mildly curious could connect the dots and realize that child is the core of the Immortal Eyepatch," Celestina said.

"So? What are you going to do now that you know?" Ranni asked, trying to probe her intentions.

All she got in return was a smile.

"Nothing. I simply wished to give you a warning. That's all."

Her words only confused Ranni further.

"You... won't do anything else?"

"Is there a need?"

Trying her luck, Ranni said,

"What if I were to tell you that Prince Azriel is planning to kill that child?"

"Isn't that only natural?"

Celestina's expression remained eerily calm as she asked it. Ranni's face hardened.

"What..?"

"The Immortal Eyepatch is an extremely dangerous and unpredictable enemy, blessed with the space affinity," Celestina said. "We couldn't risk him at all, so we had to use Princess Jasmine against him, just so we wouldn't be caught off guard. If the child's life is the key to taking him down, isn't it natural for Prince Azriel to kill her?"

"...You... Are you really okay with that? Letting a child die, knowing you could prevent it?"

"Are you okay with risking the lives of everyone else here because of that child?"

Celestina's eyes flared brighter, taking on a silvery sheen, and her voice turned much colder.

"What you're doing is precisely why Prince Caleus gave that warning," she said. "Taking a child's life is something I hope and wish to never do, but unfortunately, reality will never be so kind. I know a day will come when I must make a difficult choice... as I am right now. It pains me to decide not to save that child. But I am finally growing closer to Jasmine again, and I do not wish to risk our progress, nor the bond between the Frost Clan and the Crimson Clan, by openly opposing her little brother. I also do not wish to risk keeping the Immortal Eyepatch alive and then become responsible for anyone dying to that man in the future."

"So it isn't just Prince Azriel who thinks like this, huh..." Ranni murmured.

"You make it sound as if our logic is evil," Celestina replied quietly.

"But it is simply to—"

"Prevent a greater tragedy," Ranni finished for her.

Celestina fell silent.

"Those are the exact words Prince Azriel used to justify his actions," Ranni said.

For a moment, there was only silence between them.

They were outside, so of course they had been noticed. Many participants watched them with nervous expressions, whispering among themselves as they saw the glow in Celestina's eyes and the dark look on Ranni's face. But the two women stood far enough away that their words couldn't be overheard.

"...He is a monster, isn't he?" Celestina said suddenly, so quietly that only Ranni heard. "Having heard how you praised him back at the dinner, and seeing your reactions when you looked at him, I imagine you've seen it for yourself..."

Ranni pressed her lips together.

"Surviving two years in the void realm. Coming back. Destroying a terrorist organization's grand plan. Becoming an Advanced, and then becoming an Expert through ridiculous means in such a short amount of time..." Celestina went on. "Even within the great clans, many are now starting to see him as a serious threat. He just suddenly shot up in front of everyone's eyes after being nonexistent for so long."

Then Celestina sighed.

"But from what I know of him... he is both logical and illogical."

"What do you mean?" Ranni asked.

"...He said he would kill the child," Celestina replied, "but he hasn't done so yet, has he? If I'm being honest, I don't think even you could stop him from killing that child if he truly wanted to. I've seen him do things that don't even make sense... but all he's done so far is remind you."

"Remind me of what? That he's playing with a child's life?" Ranni asked bitterly.

"No," Celestina said softly. "To remind you that the life of that child is on a timer. And until that timer runs out, you still have time—not to hide her—but to find a way to save her. All Azriel did at that dinner was remind you. But that reminder, of course, came at a price. Jasmine probably knows by now what that child is. It won't be long before Caleus or Lioren figure it out as well. Your 'timer' is now that. The moment Caleus or Lioren learns the truth about why this child is here, the result will likely be her immediate death—or Jasmine's or Azriel's patience finally running out with the Immortal Eyepatch, which will also end with the child's death. And don't forget the others in this estate who can serve as their eyes and ears—or the ones who won't bother reporting anything at all."

Ranni stared at her, sinking deeper into her thoughts.

"And you?" she asked at last.

"You won't get involved? You won't help find a solution?"

"I told you already. My hands are tied."

The glow in Celestina's eyes finally dimmed.

"But I do sympathize with the little girl..."

Then she turned to Henrik.

"Help her find the child," Celestina ordered.

"Don't come back to me until you've done so."

Henrik bowed immediately.

"As you command, Your Highness."

Ranni's eyes widened again, not expecting the sudden help.

"This is the least I can do," Celestina said.

Ranni pressed her lips together once more and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Celestina gave a small hum in response and walked away.

Ranni watched her back as Henrik approached her. She looked down at her own hands.

"...To prevent a bigger tragedy, huh..."

Maybe... Azriel was right.

Maybe... she was too indecisive.

Or maybe… they're the ones who are too decisive.

*****

Lying on the roof of the servants' quarters was a boy with silver hair and closed eyes.

He lay right at the edge. If he rolled even a little, he would fall...

Right into the garden of the servants' quarters.

"That child is the core, huh..."

Nol muttered quietly.

"See? He cares more about that child than you. It is as I've said."

A voice drifted to his ears. He kept his eyes closed, but his expression twisted in displeasure.

"What? Just because Master has decided to prolong the life of another doesn't mean he cares about a little girl more than me."

"Well, from the looks of it, it seems he's given more thought to that little girl than he ever has to you..."

Nol's face darkened, his displeasure growing as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Shut up... Master cares about me. You don't know anything about him."

The voice scoffed, irritated.

"Sure, sure... 'Master, Master'... How long are you going to keep this up? You're not his servant."

"Yes, I am..."

"And yet he has not once treated you like one, has he? I can tell from your face that I'm right... Heh, I bet he hasn't really treated you much at all. Not even taken you seriously. Ever."

"Shut up!"

Nol's voice rose.

"Sure, sure... I will, Mister Servant. I'll shut up while you run behind his back for the rest of time, praying he'll finally turn around and acknowledge you."

"SHUT UP!"

Nol's eyes snapped open as his right hand shot forward, trying to grab the owner of that voice...

Only...

He was too late.

Nol clicked his tongue, anger and frustration simmering as he stared at the empty rooftop.

No one was there.

"...Master does care about me," he whispered.

"He does..."

"...He must..."

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