Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 199
“I only realized my mistakes after reaching the very end. So this time, I wanted to be the one to help you, Saintess.”
Lani’s bright smile stirred Irene’s heart. It felt like she was truly seeing Lani for the first time.
“I see.”
Irene didn’t apologize, as she had no regrets about her pursuit of vengeance. Yet, she could finally smile sincerely at Lani.
The future still terrified her. Knowing that good things were unlikely to come made it all the more daunting. She had prepared herself for the worst, even death. And yet, Burt had stayed by her side, willing to stake his life alongside hers.
‘But here I am…’
She realized she had been cowering in fear, focusing only on what was to come, while missing out on the happiness of the present.
“Burt.”
Irene called out his name.
“Alright. Let’s get engaged.”
At her words, Burt’s eyes softened, and his face lit up with joy. It was a sight to behold.
Not long after, invitations arrived for the guests staying at the temple.
“An invitation?”
Ramiel looked down at the envelope with disinterest. The seal pressed into its surface bore the image of a conifer tree with a hawk perched upon it.
‘There’s only one person who could use this seal.’
The King of the North, Burt.
‘I thought the welcoming ceremony was already over.’
Why send another invitation now? Without hesitation, Ramiel opened the envelope. A mere maid would have faced serious consequences for doing such a thing, but she had already brought Luna and her maid Anne into her fold.
[In the season when new flowers bloom, we have joyful news to share, and thus extend this invitation to you.]
The invitation started with simple phrasing, but there was something familiar about it. Ramiel had seen many such invitations back when she was the daughter of a duke.
‘It’s an engagement invitation.’
The King of the North getting engaged? She quickly checked the accompanying name, and it was familiar—Irene. She had known the two had feelings for each other, but she hadn’t realized things had progressed to the point of an engagement ceremony.
Ramiel understood Irene’s current situation better than anyone. Conversely, Irene knew Ramiel’s situation just as well. Since sealing the goddess couldn’t be done without Irene’s involvement, the temple wouldn’t have hidden any information.
‘The current High Priest is Grein, after all.’
If it were Roxon, he would have exploited Irene’s position, but Grein wasn’t that type. She would be more inclined to actively assist her.
‘Even so, the path ahead won’t be easy.’
There would be strong opposition, no doubt. And yet, an engagement ceremony in such a situation? Ramiel glanced at the door before her, knowing that inside was a woman who truly loved Burt.
‘Stirring up someone’s emotions is never simple.’
A sly smile played on Ramiel’s lips. Her mind, which had often grown cloudy, had become clearer lately. Though recalling her past brought her pain, Ramiel did not crumble—she knew who was behind it all.
‘If only the goddess had chosen me.’
If Irene hadn’t become the saintess, things might have turned out differently. Ramiel chose to blame others rather than herself.
Knock, knock.
She rapped on the door with ill intent.
“Who is it?”
At the sound of the voice from within, Ramiel responded in a cheerful tone.
“It’s me.”
The door opened at the sound of her voice, revealing two women.
“Where have you been?”
Luna greeted Ramiel warmly as she approached. With a nonchalant expression, Ramiel handed her the opened invitation.
“An invitation has arrived.”
“An invitation? From whom?”
“Who else could it be? It’s from Lord Burt.”
“Really? Is it truly from him?”
Luna eagerly took the invitation and began to read it carefully. As her eyes moved down the page, her expression twisted in anguish.
The sight of her pained expression was quite satisfying.
“No way! This can’t be happening!”
As Luna collapsed under the weight of her despair, Ramiel whispered to her, a low murmur that pushed Luna even further into her misery.
While she watched one person fall apart, Ramiel kept smiling. Even as she committed such a cruel act, she felt no guilt. She had already fallen far deeper than the people she had shattered.
Just as Burt had said, everything for the engagement ceremony was ready, so much so that it could be held in just two days.
“But isn’t there a bit too much preparation?”
Given the circumstances, Irene had assumed the engagement ceremony would be a small affair, with fewer than ten guests. Naturally, the preparations seemed overly abundant in comparison.
