Chapter 6

As cherry blossoms petals danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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"Please pack your things right away! Ah, you don't need bulky or luxurious items."

However, Corinna, bewildered by Eilis's angry entrance into the room, raised her hands in front of her chest.

"What's going on? Are you going out on a sudden trip or inspection?"

"Unfortunately, it's not such a graceful matter. I've just decided to divorce and leave the palace."

"What! Why such a thing!"

Clearly, it was too sudden. Despite still tidying up the makeup accessories she had been using for the party, Corinna hurriedly ran to Eilis.

"What happened? Why are you suddenly running away..."

So, Eilis sat in the chair next to the desk and clenched her nails.

"Hanako... I always thought she was bright and innocent, but to think she would set me up...!"

"Set you up!? So, that vixen did something to you as well as to His Majesty!?"

"Thanks to her, I'm now seen as a queen who, after losing the king's favor, tried to kill a rival. And to think, even Leinhart believed her lies...!"

Just thinking about it made her blood boil.

"What!"

Clearly, the content was too shocking. Corinna, surprised, leaned forward from the other side of the desk.

"So, I've made up my mind! If that woman is setting me up and Leinhart believes her, I have no more use for this place! I'm leaving right now! Before I'm locked up for the ridiculous crime of attempted murder of a saint."

Eilis's situation must have been serious. Corinna's face turned pale, and she looked at Eilis anxiously.

"But where will you go? If there's anything I can do... Our territory is small, but my father owes you a great debt, so hiding you should be possible."

"Even if you're family, I can't impose such a burden. If I hide you recklessly, your family might be accused of a crime."

Feeling sorry for Corinna's worried face, Eilis smiled.

"So, I'm sorry for the sudden request, but I need your help with packing. I don't need fancy dresses. Just a few simple ones, the plainest ones, and the minimum essentials for escaping."

"Yes! I'll gather cosmetics and travel necessities! And, if possible, items that could be used as travel money."

"I want to leave behind as many items as possible from Leinhart. I don't think they'll blame me, but just to be safe."

"Understood. I'll focus on the items you brought when you married into the family!"

With that, she ran to the inner room. The sound of drawers being pulled out was all that could be heard. Given her quick thinking, she must have understood the risk of Eilis being accused of embezzling royal property from Eilis's few words.

Relieved, Eilis opened the drawer of her usual desk and took out a white sheet of paper.

She placed it on the desk, which had a maple leaf design. It was the official paper used for formal documents, with the royal crest of three eagles embossed on it.

Taking the familiar paper, she picked up a quill and opened the inkwell.

With a steady hand, she wrote without hesitation:

'Based on the laws of the Rienline Kingdom, I report to the gods the dissolution of this marriage.

Eilis Eulalia Zehilde'

All that was left was for Leinhart to sign his name below, and the divorce would be official.

She had written it in one go, but even on rereading, she felt no regret.

(This is for the best.)

At least, she had endured until now because she believed there was trust between them. But if Leinhart's feelings had shifted to Hanako and he was even trying to frame her, there was no reason to stay.

"But, maybe it's a bit too blunt..."

More than that, she couldn't calm down without leaving a message.

So, she took out another sheet of paper, this one with a delicate lily watermark, and began to write:

'Thank you for everything.'

"What for..."

She thought, but Hanako had been feeding her for six years, even though she had nowhere else to go. She should at least show some gratitude before writing something nasty.

'You and Hanako no longer need me. I'm leaving, so please be happy together.'

"Perfect!"

It looked polite, but her true feelings were clear.

'What a nuisance I've been! I don't want anything to do with you two anymore, so do as you please!'

She thought it was the ultimate subtle insult.

"Alright! Now for the packing!"

She had to escape before being confined or secretly sent to prison.

"Well, how is Corinna doing—"

(Given her efficiency, she must have already decided what to pack.)

Just as she was about to check, a loud noise approached, and Gitt burst into the room.

"Your Majesty...! I heard about the incident..."

His face was drenched in sweat, and it was clear he had run here desperately. Eilis smiled at the flustered priest.

"Incident? Hanako just slipped and fell down the stairs. But for some reason, they say I pushed her."

"Of course! Vili! I knew you wouldn't do such a thing, Eilis-sama!"

However, as soon as Eilis answered, Gitt clenched his fists and trembled.

"That guy! He must want a higher position in the temple to go so far as to frame you like this!"

Surprised by Gitt's immediate belief, Eilis was taken aback.

"You don't doubt me?"

So, she asked, puzzled.

"Unlike everyone else. That I might have pushed her..."

Gitt, tilting his head in confusion, cleared his throat and straightened up, looking directly at Eilis.

"The Eilis-sama I know would never demean someone in such a petty way, no matter the reason. You always fight with honor. I've seen you for a long time, so I can confidently say it's different."

"Thank you..."

She hadn't expected someone to believe her so easily.

"Even Leinhart didn't believe I didn't do it..."

"That's because I've seen you brilliantly refute your enemies every day. Your straightforward nature makes such tricks unnecessary!"

"What to do. It sounded good, but now I feel like I'm just a simpleton..."

However, Gitt, not understanding the word, tilted his head.

"Simpleton?"

"Ah, never mind."

Explaining it might hit too close to the mark, so she hurriedly brushed it off. Gitt, however, rushed to Eilis's side.

"But, if that's the case, we should explain the situation to everyone as soon as possible and let them know Eilis-sama was framed."

"I want to, but His Majesty has ordered me to stay in my room."

"What!?"

Gitt leaned forward in disbelief.

"So, His Majesty believed them! How outrageous!"

"That's why I don't want to leave my future in the hands of Leinhart, who doesn't believe me. If they think I'm in the way, it's convenient! I'll leave this palace on my own!"

"What! What!?"

Gitt was clearly confused by her sudden decision.

However, from the inner room, Corinna emerged with the hastily packed luggage. She held a slightly large travel bag.

"I packed the minimum for escaping. I couldn't reduce it any further."

"That's enough. For escaping, bulky items are unnecessary."

"Eh? It's almost ready...?"

Gitt, with a pale face, reached out as if to stop her, but she had no intention of stopping.

"If Leinhart doesn't believe me, no matter how much I explain, the best I can hope for is confinement. At worst, prison or execution. Rienline, which has been trying to monopolize the saint's knowledge under the guise of a queen, won't let go of a saint easily."

So, she lifted the bag. It was heavy, but she could manage it.

"If it comes to that, I'll leave on my own. Gitt, thank you for everything. And Corinna too. Corinna, tell them you were dismissed by me before packing. That way, you won't be accused of helping me escape."

"Your Majesty..."

Corinna, wiping away tears, looked at her.

"Gitt, stay under the temple's protection for a while. The palace won't dare to interfere with the temple."

"I don't want to."

However, his firm refusal made her turn back in surprise.

"I've served Eilis-sama as my only master, my saint. If Eilis-sama leaves the country, I, Gitt, will accompany you wherever you go."

His sincere words made her blink in surprise.

What a loyal response. Yet, his fists were trembling with frustration and sadness, showing how deeply he felt her situation.

(To be more upset than me...)

Suddenly, she felt a smile break through.

"If you come with me, you'll only suffer."

"I don't mind. If necessary, I'll beg for alms to ensure Eilis-sama doesn't go hungry..."

He must be worried about her uncertain future.

So, she couldn't help but smile.

"No, I don't want that. From now on, I won't be a queen. Let's be travel companions, not master and servant."

"Then, Eilis-sama—"

Gitt looked up, startled.

Looking at him, Eilis started walking with the bag in hand.

"Let's go. First, we'll leave the palace without arousing suspicion and take a long-distance carriage in the city."

"Yes!"

"Please be careful. If anything happens, write to me. I'll do my best to help."

She was about to board the carriage. From there, she would start a new life, leaving behind all the pain of the past. Imagining the future ahead, Eilis walked out confidently.