Chapter 20
Ashley, looking as if she might faint at any moment, barely managed to hold herself together.
Everyone was on edge, waiting to see what she would say.
After all, it wasn’t normal for someone to attempt suicide just because a request was denied.
But given that Ashley had grown up surrounded by constant attention and indulgence, never knowing the meaning of refusal, it seemed possible.
If she acted spoiled, family or servants would always step in and fix things for her.
“…….”
But Ariadne didn’t think that way.
Someone praised as the greatest Saint in the world wouldn’t give up her life so easily.
There had to be a reason serious enough to threaten her life.
Could Ashley, who had lived a sheltered life making flower necklaces in a garden, really attempt suicide over a single refusal? No—she would have thrown a bigger tantrum instead.
Ariadne guessed there had to be a far more serious reason.
Perhaps Ashley had already realized that her powers were disappearing.
“Isn’t there another real reason?”
Ariadne pressed, her tone like she was questioning. Ashley stopped crying and shrank back, looking around nervously.
Ariadne immediately noticed the change in her atmosphere.
In the tense silence, Ariadne got up from the bed and stepped toward Ashley, who was glaring at her with all her strength.
Everyone tensed even more, wondering if they might come to blows. But Ariadne had no intention of being childish.
“Look at me, Ashley.”
She spoke in a deliberately gentle voice.
Ashley, thinking this was Ariadne’s natural way of being, met her gaze. Ariadne smiled softly.
“You know, don’t you?”
Everyone was confused by the sudden question.
“What do you mean?”
Ashley replied irritably, trying not to be swayed by Ariadne. But it was clear her mind was unstable, ready to snap at any moment.
Ariadne, seeing this, smiled and asked again.
“You know your condition, don’t you?”
This time, Ashley stayed silent, flinching visibly at the words. Ariadne didn’t back down and pressed on.
“You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?”
“You’re good at pretending you don’t.”
“Why are you doing this to me?!”
Ashley shouted. Ariadne quickly responded, thinking she had finally gotten through.
“You know about your powers, don’t you? Right?”
“……!”
Ashley froze as she recalled the meaning behind Ariadne’s question.
‘As I thought…’
She knew her powers, her healing abilities, were fading.
Ariadne pressed further.
“You knew that day too. Even the day you jumped into the lake!”
Now it made sense. Ashley had tried to take her life because her powers were disappearing. But she couldn’t just say “my powers are gone” when asked after she woke up. So she had come up with a clumsy excuse.
‘Goodness.’
It was more malicious than Ariadne had thought. If Ashley had been honest and asked for help, Ariadne would have helped her. But she had already crossed too many lines.
“Aaah! What are you even talking about?!”
Ashley began reacting violently, pressing her hands to her head and shaking it from side to side, screaming as if possessed.
But Ariadne no longer felt any sympathy.
“What are you talking about? Don’t you get it?!”
Ariadne grabbed both of Ashley’s wrists firmly, forcing her to look at her.
“Look at me. You knew that day too!”
It was clear: the suicide attempt was because she realized her healing powers were disappearing. Ariadne relaxed her grip after confirming this.
‘It’s certain. She knew her healing powers were fading.’
Ariadne considered pressing further but decided it wasn’t necessary. She only needed to know that Ashley’s suicide attempt was because of her fading powers.
After all, Ariadne would be leaving soon, and it was better for Ashley to continue fulfilling her role as the Saint for a while longer.
‘No need to push further.’
Ariadne stopped speaking, and silence filled the room. Everyone waited for her next words.
She quickly changed her tone, smiling gently as she released Ashley and stepped back. The sudden shift surprised everyone.
“I see. Now that I understand your condition, I’ll let it go. Since His Majesty is here, let’s avoid further embarrassing behavior.”
She turned toward the emperor and spoke calmly.
“My apologies for showing behavior unfit in front of Your Majesty.”
“……No, that’s fine.”
The emperor looked slightly disappointed that their confrontation ended so quickly but waved it off, unable to tell them to fight more.
He approached them.
“So, are you two reconciling?”
“…….”
Ashley stopped crying and looked at Ariadne.
“Reconciliation? I should have thought more about the Saint. My failure was not putting her before my fiancé.”
The emperor’s expression softened.
“I don’t want the most capable and beautiful sisters of my empire to be fighting.”
Ariadne quickly added, smiling.
“Of course. Ashley’s powers are unique. I should have been more considerate, but with her fiancé involved, her emotions got the better of her.”
When Ariadne praised Ashley’s powers, Ashley flinched. The count stepped in immediately.
“Yes, now she finally acts like an elder sister. Your Majesty, thank you for forgiving her rudeness.”
Ariadne stifled a laugh at the count’s formality. She thought to herself that no matter how much she spoke about Ashley’s powers, it would only make them slightly angry but not really affect them. The only person they feared was the emperor.
‘Being suspected by the emperor is worse than death for them.’
It was amusing. Ashley and the count ignored Ariadne, whom they considered insignificant, but always watched the emperor’s reactions.
Since her healing powers were fading, their little lies would soon be exposed anyway. Ariadne reflected on this but decided it wasn’t her problem. She chose not to stir trouble. Ashley needed to maintain her role as the Saint until Ariadne left.
“You don’t need to use your powers on me. You’re not well. Focus on His Majesty instead.”
“…….”
Ariadne understood there was no need to make a fuss over whether Ashley used her powers. But she wondered what they might think if the emperor grew suspicious. Smiling gently, she asked,
“By the way, didn’t you heal His Majesty last time as well?”
Ariadne deliberately left out her own involvement, letting it seem like Ashley had healed him. Ashley, aware of the truth, looked visibly uneasy and avoided eye contact.
This piqued the emperor’s curiosity. He asked cautiously,
“I’ve also heard rumors that the Saint’s powers are fading. Is that true?”
Ariadne smiled lightly and replied,
“Surely such rumors that tarnish the Saint’s honor must be stopped, Your Majesty?”
Ashley’s face darkened like ripples spreading across a still lake.
