READING GUIDANCE

" This is a direct sentence in the present time."

" This is a direct sentence in the past time."

' This is inside character's mind sentence in the present time.'

'This is inside character's mind sentence in the past time.'

[ This is direct sentence in sign language in the present time.]

[ This is direct sentence in sign language in the past time.]

HAPPY READING!

"Your Grace!" Ray exclaimed in surprise as he rushed toward the charismatic man who had just entered the Royal Palace. The sight of him only heightened Ray's anxiety. Not long ago, this very man had caused a scene in his own room, injuring several people before leaving. The memory of that chaos made Ray's heart race even faster now.

"You're back!" Ray continued, trying to steady his voice despite his nerves. The sight of the Crown Prince, drenched and exuding a commanding presence, only intensified his apprehension.

"Prepare a bath for me," the Crown Prince said calmly.

Ray frowned in confusion. "... Yes, Your Grace," he replied, his mind racing to understand why the prince was so wet. "I'll also prepare for your blood transfusion, Your Grace," he added, bracing himself for a potential outburst.

But instead of reacting angrily, the Crown Prince sighed deeply, running a hand through his semi-wet hair. "Ya, ya. I don't even care anymore," he said nonchalantly as he walked with Ray trailing behind him.

"There is also something I should tell you, Your Grace," Ray said, seizing the chance to address the urgent matter.

"What?" The Crown Prince's voice was a sharp demand, and Ray's heart skipped a beat.

"Eh?!"

"I said, what?!" The Crown Prince's irritation was evident.

"Ah! The International Minister asked me to schedule a meeting for you due to the Empress's request," Ray hurriedly explained. It seemed the peculiar situation hadn't dramatically shifted.

The Crown Prince paused for a moment, contemplating. "... The meeting didn't go through, huh?" he inferred correctly. It was no surprise; his absences from Imperial meetings were well-known and expected.

"... Then schedule it," he said with a dismissive wave.

"Y-yes! Yes!" Ray responded quickly, though he was visibly puzzled by the prince's calm demeanor. After years of serving the Imperial family, Ray was familiar with the pattern of those with the dragon's blood—the rage, the madness, the terror. It was unusual for such intense emotions to subside so rapidly. The Crown Prince's behavior was baffling, and Ray couldn't shake his confusion about the sudden change.

"Ray watched from a distance as the Crown Prince leaned back in the opulent bath, surrounded by the luxurious dragon statues and the extravagant black-and-silver accents. The glass roof above revealed the stunning night sky, its twinkling stars reflected in the still water.

Splash!

The sound of water was soothing, a sharp contrast to the chaos earlier. The Crown Prince, his sturdy frame and perfect muscles glistening in the dim light, was using the hot water to calm his turbulent thoughts. Despite the calming effect of the bath, his mind was still occupied by the vivid memories of the day.

As he ran his fingers through his wet hair, he replayed the encounter in his mind. The woman—so tiny, her hands so delicate that they felt like they could break under the slightest pressure. Her presence had been an anomaly, especially given her deafness and muteness. She had no place in his world, yet she had managed to affect him in a way he hadn't anticipated.

She was utterly helpless, her expression one of despair and confusion when she saw his blood. Her pale face, her trembling hands—everything about her had screamed vulnerability. Yet instead of feeling anger or annoyance, he felt a strange sense of restraint. He hadn't wanted to kill her.

"What a stupid woman," he muttered, leaning against the edge of the massive bath while closing his eyes. The memory of her touch lingered, her trembling hands against his skin, their eyes meeting in an unspoken exchange.

Despite the warmth of the bathwater, the sensation of her touch remained vivid in his mind, unsettling and persistent.

'It's still so vivid,' he thought as he submerged himself in the comforting water, trying to drown out the lingering emotions. The encounter with her had left an imprint that was proving difficult to erase.

***

.
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It was a long-forgotten dream that had resurfaced with disturbing clarity.

The scene was deeply unsettling. The vain smile on that woman's face, the agonizing noises, and the horrifying moments were etched so vividly in her mind that it felt like she was reliving them.

"I BEGGED YOU! I BEGGED YOU! I BEGGED YOU SO MUCH!" The screams were a relentless echo, haunting her with their dreadful intensity. The mixed expressions of agony and desperation cut through her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

The misery, disappointment, rage, and sense of loss in that woman's expression were excruciatingly torturous. Each emotion seemed to pierce through her, a stark reminder of the pain and regret that had once been buried deep within.

"... It's all because of you."

"All of it is because of you."

...and that woman cried, painfully with the disturbing words that she said repeatedly. Holding her chest as she wanted the pain to go away so badly. Yet, she could not. Then, with her miserable eyes, that was hiding an ounce of agony, she looked at her. After that very second while muttered the same word, A loud sound was heard and that woman's blood splattering and scattering all over her body. Gave a very strong disturbing blood scent and it was so disgusting. The shattered flesh was felt vividly in her skin and a sudden nausea attacked her in a second to her throat. She then threw up.

"... Ngh." she gasped, can not breathe, and it is so painful to breathe. Even though she holds herself so tight, curled herself on her bed, scratches her skin with her nails- she could not stop the regretful feeling of her sin. She is trembling after waking up from the long-forgotten nightmare. 

'I am sorry.'

Her heart screams these words in silent agony, a plea for redemption that she cannot fulfill. The weight of her unfaceable sin presses down on her, a burden so immense it feels almost physical.

'It's so painful.'

She longs to cry, to let the tears cleanse the torment from her soul, but no tears come. She wants to scream, to release the anguish trapped within, but her voice remains choked, silent.

'Please help me.'

Yet, who could offer help for a sin so deeply entwined with her being? She knows that this is a cross she must bear alone, a dark secret that must remain hidden, buried deep within her. No one can—nor should—know of her past. It is a solitude she must endure, carrying the weight of her sin until the end of her days.

.

.

.

"Sister!" Arisha's voice was bright and filled with concern as she bounded over from her seat at the breakfast table. Her big, charming smile was a stark contrast to the worry etched on her face. She ran to her and reached up on tiptoes, gently placing her small hand on her sister's forehead. "How are you feeling? Is your fever still high?"

The woman returned Arisha's affectionate gesture with a warm, reassuring smile, her hand softly brushing the girl's hair. [I am okay. I'm really fine right now.]

"You were unconscious, and your fever was so high," Arisha continued, her voice tinged with anxiety. "Please don't do that again..."

Rosan, who had been sitting across the table, joined them and approached with a serious expression. She reached out to touch the woman's forehead as well. "To be specific," Rosan said firmly, "you're banned from going to the lake alone from now on."

The woman smiled resignedly, nodding in agreement as she took her seat at the breakfast table. Despite the warmth of the morning and the care surrounding her, she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth about what had happened at the lake. What could she say? That she had been trying to save someone who seemed to be on the verge of taking their own life? Even now, she wasn't entirely sure if the man who had leaped from the high hill had intended to end his life, especially considering how he had appeared so composed and unscathed. It seemed that in this world, there were people strong enough to survive such a fall.

So, she remained silent, accepting the breakfast with a heavy heart and the weight of her untold story pressing upon her.

At the time, she was too disoriented to fully grasp what had happened. Her thoughts were consumed by the man's injuries, overshadowing everything else. She had lost herself in the chaos of the moment, unable to think clearly. The sensation of his hand touching hers was vivid, and his bright golden eyes seemed to draw her in, almost hypnotizing her.

'It was truly dangerous, wasn't it?'

Indeed, it had been a perilous situation, and she felt compelled to keep the details of that incident to herself. The man had left an implicit threat, hinting that she should not delve further into the matter. This lingering unease was what occupied her thoughts now.

Due to her high fever, Rosan had insisted that she take sick leave for several days. She ended up using more time off than she had anticipated and returned to work with an overwhelming stack of tasks. The busy workload helped her to push the incident to the back of her mind, but the memory of the man's eyes remained etched in her thoughts.

While reviewing some documents related to gold mines, she couldn't help but reflect on those peculiar eyes. [ It seems there are people with such eccentric and rare eye colors in this world,] she mused aloud.

Haya and Rosan, who were in her office, noticed her sudden change in focus and saw her sign language. They looked at her with curiosity as she continued, [Blue, green, red, and golden... there seem to be many people with these particular and rare colors.]

Her colleagues listened attentively, intrigued by her observations and the peculiarities she had encountered. The unusual eyes of that man lingered in her mind, a striking reminder of the mysterious and extraordinary world around her.

"I think they're not that eccentric or rare," Haya said. "We could easily find them, couldn't we?"

"Most people in Althera have brighter colors," Rosan added.

Irisha frowned. [Really? But you—] She stopped, noticing their bright brown eyes. [Ah... okay.]

"Well, if we're talking about rare eye colors, yours is quite unique, isn't it?" Haya remarked.

[Me?] Irisha looked at Haya awkwardly.

Rosan approached her and examined her closely. "Yes, your eyes are definitely more black than brown," she said. "Black is indeed rare."

[Why?] Irisha asked, surprised. In her previous world, black eyes were quite common.

"Not many people have such eye color," Rosan explained. "And if they do, they often hide it because black is considered cursed by some. In the northern regions, past the Solisa Empire, people with black attributes are shunned and discriminated against."

Seeing Irisha's concerned expression, Haya added, "Don't worry too much. While some people hold such beliefs, it doesn't lead to severe discrimination here. We face enough terror every day as it is."

Rosan nodded and handed Irisha a silver envelope with the Imperial seal. "Speaking of terror, this reminded me of something," she said. "I received an Imperial invitation, and you should read it."

Haya frowned at Rosan. "How can you so casually connect my words to Imperial matters?"

"Am I wrong, though? They're all connected to terror," Rosan said with a casual shrug, prompting Haya to fall silent for his own safety.

[What is it about?] Irisha asked.

Rosan sighed and explained, "Our country seems to be on the brink of war with the Jahar Empire, which controls the eastern border. They've blocked and cut off our trade routes. All businesses operating in the northern regions are being coerced to support them."

Irisha nodded in understanding. [Ah, so... it's quite troublesome.]

"Exactly," Rosan confirmed. "That's why I want you to accompany me."

Irisha looked at her, a frown forming. [Me?]

"Yes. I believe you understand the situation better than I do," Rosan said, recognizing the pressure she was putting on Irisha. "I'll be there to support and protect you, so you don't need to worry."

Irisha saw the genuine trust and confidence in Rosan's eyes, which were both reassuring and pressuring. She couldn't deny the weight of the responsibility, but she decided, [If you're okay with me, I will go. But I need to learn more about the problem first.] There was nothing else to do but move forward, right?

Rosan smiled. "Yes. I'll provide all the details later," she said, fully aware that Irisha would accept her request. Rosan knew Irisha well enough to understand that she would move forward as she always did. It wasn't arrogance or ambition driving Irisha; it was a deep understanding of her own limitations and the inherent challenges she faced. Irisha didn't focus solely on one perspective or solution. Instead, she adapted and overcame obstacles with creativity and resilience, much like she had when she first joined the company.

Rosan recalled how Irisha's high position had initially been met with disdain. Many were displeased with her rise, avoiding her, rejecting her, and even mocking her. They had no idea that the system they worked within was largely the result of Irisha's innovative ideas. Irisha faced more challenges than most, often dealing with hostility and unfair treatment.

Rosan had once been tempted to intervene, but Irisha had stopped her. [If you do that, they will only resent me more. The situation will worsen.] Irisha's calm acceptance of her plight had saddened Rosan, but it had also sparked a cunning smile. [I'll handle it in my own way. At the right moment, they will need me, and I might just exploit your power a bit.] Irisha's confident words had surprised Rosan and shifted her anger into heartfelt laughter—a big, genuine laugh.

Rosan wasn't there to witness the transformation, but she had heard about it from Haya. When Rosan had been away on business for a month, Irisha had stepped in as her temporary replacement. Haya recounted how Irisha had hired a mercenary for protection and faced a barrage of frustrated and angry people demanding her signature to proceed with their projects. Irisha had mirrored their disdain by avoiding them, which only fueled their anger further. Despite the chaos and physical attacks, Irisha remained unshaken.

Rosan was impressed by Irisha's resilience. Her ability to handle such situations without losing composure demonstrated her strength and adaptability. This was precisely why Rosan trusted Irisha to handle the forthcoming challenges.

"What did you two talk about?" The question hung in the air as the employees, puzzled and curious, watched the man emerge from Irisha's office. There had been an air of intrigue surrounding her ability to grant access to certain people, leaving many to wonder about her requirements for meetings.

The man, visibly shaken, seemed lost in thought. He had entered with the intention of manipulating and deceiving, having assumed that Irisha was a naive and easily fooled young woman. But the conversation he had just endured had left him disoriented.

"What—what?" he stammered, his mind reeling from the encounter. His expectations of exploiting her had been upended by her unexpected understanding and professionalism.

"Ms. Irisha said she would approve the proposal if you can provide the land's legalized certificate," Haya explained. "You have one day to get it sorted."

The man blinked in surprise. 'This woman actually understands my situation?' he thought, astonished. "O-okay..." He left the office dazed, unable to fully grasp what had just transpired.

Once outside, he was quickly surrounded by others, but he could only mutter vague responses as he rushed to meet the deadline. Unfortunately, the project partner was unable to produce the genuine certificate, only providing a fraudulent one. As the pressure mounted, he found himself embroiled in a potential scandal.

Embarrassed and at a loss for words, he had expected Irisha to reprimand or ridicule him for his failed project. Instead, she had approached the situation with a calm demeanor, focusing on finding solutions rather than pointing fingers. She didn't belittle his efforts but worked alongside him to resolve the issue.

Her approach was a stark contrast to what he had anticipated. Rather than scolding or mocking him for his shortcomings, Irisha offered her assistance in navigating the problem. Her willingness to collaborate and address the issue constructively left him both humbled and impressed.

"Ms. Irisha said that you need to meet this man at noon in his office," Haya conveyed with a reassuring nod.

The man, still puzzled by the contact details he was handed, glanced at Irisha, who was waiting patiently for Haya to interpret her instructions. "Ah, yes, so this is the contact for the landowner," he said, trying to piece together the information. "Ms. Irisha has already spoken with him, so you can handle the rest. The land is smaller than initially planned, but Ms. Irisha believes you can resolve the issues."

The man's eyes widened in shock and confusion. He had underestimated Irisha but now found himself admiring her more than he ever expected. "I—I WILL!" he declared with renewed enthusiasm and hurried to the appointed meeting, driven by a newfound motivation to meet her expectations.

The contact Irisha had recommended turned out to be an excellent partner, far superior to the previous one. With this new alliance, the project proceeded smoothly without further complications.

"Ms. Irisha!" he called out excitedly when he spotted her entering the company. "The project is complete! We just need to wait, and the profits will follow!"

"Hey, speak a little slower. I'm having trouble keeping up with the interpretation!" Haya responded, trying to manage the rapid-fire excitement.

The man nodded eagerly and handed over the project report. As he waited for Haya to read it, he watched Irisha's face light up with a bright smile. His pride in their accomplishment was palpable. "We did it, Ms. Irisha," he said, his voice brimming with satisfaction and gratitude.

"You're doing a good job, but you should inspect them once a week and then provide the reports to her," Haya instructed. "Mr. Norman is a capable businessman, so she hopes you'll build a strong relationship with him."

The man, brimming with enthusiasm, nodded eagerly. "I will! Also, there's something I'd like to discuss with you. Is that alright?"

Haya smiled and jotted down a note. [Just come by. If I'm free, I'll be glad to discuss it with you.]

"Additionally, Ms. Irisha mentioned that you need to make a few revisions to your other proposal. She thinks it's a good proposal but requires some tweaks."

"Absolutely! I'll take care of it!" he replied with renewed excitement. Irisha's laughter rang out, reflecting the positive change in her perception.

That day marked a turning point for everyone. Some began to reflect on