Louella immediately disappeared, as if she was gone from the wind. Ernst’s gaze did not fall from the door. Louella, who was coloring the banquet hall like a scarlet tulip in full bloom, kept on being noticed by everyone.

Phillia had brown hair with a reddish tinge in her sunset colored eyes. There was definitely a difference from Louella’s olive hair, but she still had that resemblance.

I should have it.

Everyone knows that Louella has a good relationship with Gerald Logan. But Gerald and Louella were both Imperialists of the Arena Empire.

If Ernst wants it, they won’t be able to do anything. Of course, there will be a lot of problems along the way, but..

Louella was also showing interest in Philia. She seemed to have doubts about Philia’s death.

Does she know anything about the secret of Nisephor? Does she know about it?

It seemed like a decoy and her ultimate goal was to unravel the story of Philia. There was a bit of fascination, but it was as if she wanted to give off an atmosphere that she knew something.

So that he would think of Louella whenever he would need someone’s help.

[You have me, Ernst] A low voice encouraged Ernst.

[God is with you. Does it make sense if I don’t get you what you want? I’ll let you have her.  What’s wrong with having a sweet dream for a while?]

Sweet dreams that you can have even for a moment.

[All you have to do is give her to me when the time is right. Until then, I’ll let you have her. Just for you]

Was there anything that White Uroboros had hoped for that could not be achieved? Louella would surely disappear from the world if he was to sacrifice her to the White Uroboros.

Doesn’t it matter if Ernst enjoys the illusion she gives him, even if it was just a momentary thing? Gerald would have no choice but to lose Louella anyway.

[After all the fun, bring her to the temple, Ernst. Just like you did before. She’ll be a good offering for me.] Ernst’s face hardened.

He turned around in the banquet hall. There was nothing left to do there.

* * *

Gerald watched Louella smiling awkwardly at him.

“Oh, I didn’t do anything. I only danced with the Crown Prince!”

“Just dancing?”

“Is the story a little complicated? Anyways, I ended up hearing about the late Crown Princess.” Louella smiled bashfully.

“You’re not even scared of him?” Gerald asked in a subdued voice.

Whenever he saw Louella, he used to be afraid. Louella was like a flame that burned splendidly and quickly lost its light.

“Isn’t there anything you’re afraid of?” He asked with a sigh.

“Why would I?” Louella asked back. “It was a crowded place. It’s the perfect reason why I chose the banquet hall on purpose. In the end, nothing dangerous happened?” Louella protested with a slightly unjust face.

[It’s better for you to see it in person than to just hear from her, don’t you think?] Black Uroboros suggested to Gerald.

Gerald showed signs of discomfort, and Black Uroboros said in a laughable voice.

[Why are you so scared? I’m just trying to show you a little bit. It’s a lot better than letting you throw yourself into the fire without knowing much about it, right?]

Gerald said in a sigh. “Are you curious about what happened between the Crown Prince and Phillia? Will you stop seeing the Crown Prince if you find out?”

“Do you happen to know Gerald?”

Gerald shook his head. He also didn’t know the details. Black Uroboros also said he could not tell what had happened between them. But there was an exception.

“I can show you something else.” Gerald reached out to Louella.

Louella put her hand on his with a curious face. The darkness permeated Louella.

It appeared that they traveled into a distant past that neither of them seemed to remember.

* * *

“Lulu! I told you not to go there!””

“Zeze is a fool. Zeze is a scaredy cat!” Young Louella and Gerald, who looked like they were about five years old.

It was the day when they had to gather in the temple to pray for the new year. All the nobles living in the country were gathered.

All the children came together to receive God’s blessing. As there were many children gathered, it often occurred to them to leave their seats like this. As Louella was a curious child from an early age.