Chapter 28
Elyra stormed into the room and slammed the door shut behind her.
Bang!
The sound echoed through the corridor. A second later, the lock clicked into place. It was such a small sound, yet it felt as though she had shut out the entire world.
Her breathing came in uneven bursts, her chest tight with emotions she couldn't untangle—anger, frustration, disappointment... and something deeper that she refused to acknowledge.
For several seconds, she remained standing there, staring at the wooden door. Then her trembling legs finally gave way, and she slowly slid down until she was sitting on the floor with her knees pulled tightly against her chest. The room was silent—too silent.
Damn you, Damnern...
The words echoed inside her mind.
If this keeps up, I'll always be a burden.
The thought repeated itself over and over again, echoing relentlessly through her mind—again, and again, and again—until it hurt more than anything else.
This is the first time he's ever refused me...
Her chest tightened, and a strange ache spread through her heart.
Elyra remembered Ferwel Noxes's words…
"Don't become useless, Ryudien… This world has no need for the useless," Ferwel Noxes said, his golden eyes cold and unfeeling.
Doesn't Damnern need me anymore...?
The thought appeared without warning. Elyra froze, her eyes widening slightly. For a moment, she couldn't believe she had even considered such a thing. Without realizing it, tears began gathering at the corners of her eyes, and one slowly rolled down her cheek.
The warmth startled her. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand.
"What am I even thinking?"
Her voice came out as a whisper.
"Cwying(crying) again?"
Disgust rose within her.
USELESS BODY!
I HATE THIS BODY!
The scream never left her lips, remaining trapped inside her mind as her small fingers dug into her sleeves. Eventually, her breathing steadied—the anger faded, the tears stopped—but the heaviness in her chest remained.
Even without him...
I'll train on my own.
No matter what it takes.
Slowly, she lowered her head as strands of blonde hair fell over her face, the shadows beneath her bangs hiding her expression. Then memories began resurfacing—dark memories, painful memories—the life she had once lived as Ryudien: cold rooms, hungry nights, bruises that never fully healed, days spent wondering whether anyone would care if he simply disappeared, a world where survival mattered more than happiness, where affection was something other people received, not him. Elyra clenched her clothes tightly, the fabric wrinkling beneath her fingers as she forced those emotions back into the deepest corner of her heart.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Elyra, open the door."
Elina's gentle voice came from outside.
"I don't want to!"
The answer flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself, the sharpness of her own voice startling even her as it echoed in the quiet room.
"...Huh?"
Elyra blinked, even she hadn't expected to sound that angry. Outside the room, silence followed—then another voice spoke.
"But… this is my room."
Eldern sounded genuinely troubled.
"Eldern need to go in and take a bath..."
Outside, Elina let out a helpless sigh.
"Just leave her alone for now. She'll come out when she's ready."
There was a brief pause, and then she added, "I'll have Gabnor buy you some new clothes later, Eldern."
"...Okay."
Their footsteps gradually faded away down the corridor, leaving Elyra alone once more. She buried her face into her knees, and for the first time that day, she felt a little guilty.
That evening, the dining hall glowed beneath a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Hundreds of tiny crystals reflected the warm light, casting golden patterns that danced across the polished floor. The long dining table had already been set with fine porcelain plates resting on embroidered tablecloths, crystal glasses sparkling beneath the chandelier, and silver cutlery arranged with perfect precision.
The rich aroma of dinner filled the air—creamy soup, herb-roasted meat, fresh baked bread, and beautifully crafted desserts that looked almost too perfect to eat.
Elina and Eldern were already seated.
"Rina, please go call Elyra."
"Yes, Countess."
The maid bowed respectfully before making her way upstairs.
Outside Eldern's room—
"Young Lady! Dinner is ready!"
Rina called through the door.
Inside, Elyra stirred.
At some point, she had fallen asleep. The emotional exhaustion from earlier had drained what little energy her young body possessed. Her eyes slowly opened, but she didn't answer.
"Count is not at home," Rina added.
Elyra immediately froze. A moment passed, then another. Slowly, the door creaked open.
"...Weally?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Rina nodded.
"Really."
Only then did Elyra step out.
Rina gently took her hand.
"Come. Let's go eat."
As they walked through the corridor together, Elyra stared at the floor.
After several seconds, she quietly spoke.
"Big Sistew Wina..."
"Yes, Young Lady?"
"Wewe(where) did he go?"
Rina already knew who she meant.
"I'm not sure."
She shook her head.
"I heard he went into the forest and hasn't returned yet."
Elyra lowered her gaze.
Neither of them spoke again.
A few minutes later, Elyra was seated at the dining table. The moment the food entered her mouth, she realized just how hungry she actually was, and her small hands moved surprisingly quickly.
Across the table, her eyes drifted toward Elina, and she immediately noticed.
"Feeling better now?"
Elyra paused, then quietly nodded. But inside her heart—
I'm really sorry, Mama...
She felt guilty for raising her voice, especially toward Elina. After swallowing another bite, Elyra suddenly looked toward Rina.
"Dis is delishous, Big Sistew Wina!"
The maid blinked for a moment before smiling warmly. Across the table, Elina couldn't help but smile as well—relieved, thinking her daughter was finally feeling better.
Encouraged by the praise, Rina gently pinched Elyra's cheek, something she would never have dared to do if Damnern had been present.
"Oh my, you're too sweet, Young Lady."
Elyra puffed her cheeks in protest, yet she didn't pull away. The sight only made Rina's smile grow wider. Across the table, Elina rose from her seat.
"Rina, take Elyra for a bath after dinner. I'll be heading to my room."
"Yes, Countess."
Elina then turned toward Eldern.
"Make sure you choose a short story tonight."
She pointed a finger at him.
"Nothing too long for her age."
Eldern immediately nodded.
"I will! I'll pick something fun!"
I like anything anyway.
Elyra continued eating.
Elina sighed, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"And don't force her if she's tired. Elyra still needs plenty of rest today."
Eldern instantly straightened his posture, his expression turning serious—as though he had just been entrusted with an important royal mission.
"Understood!"
Midnight arrived. Moonlight spilled quietly through the windows. Elyra shifted beneath the blankets as a dull ache spread through her legs—the soreness from today's training finally catching up to her.
"Ow..."
She winced.
"It huwts..."
The pain was enough to drag her fully awake. Slowly, she sat up. The room was dark and peaceful, with Elina sleeping soundly beside her. Damnern still hadn't returned.
Elyra looked at the empty space on the bed, her lips tightening slightly.
This body's so useless...
The pain pulled old memories from the depths of her mind.
A dimly lit facility belonging to Noxes.
Cold. Silent. Bleak.
Ten children, all around nine years old, lay side by side on a hard concrete floor. That was their bedroom. That was their home.
Ryudien had once been among them. He remembered staring at the ceiling night after night while pain coursed through his body, clenching his teeth to stop himself from making noise, and forcing himself not to move too much so he wouldn't wake the others.
Back in the present, Elyra lowered her gaze.
This pain...
...is nothing.
Compared to that, this was barely worth mentioning.
Slowly, she climbed out of bed, the cool floor sending a slight chill through her feet. Maybe some fresh air would help clear her thoughts. Quietly, she made her way toward the bathroom, the room remaining silent except for the faint sound of her footsteps.
As she passed by the large window overlooking the backyard, something outside caught her attention.
Elyra stopped.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. Someone was in the backyard, standing under the pale moonlight.
End of Chapter 28