After I Died, He Died After Me Too - Chapter 50

Chapter 25.2

“It seems His Highness the Crown Prince has assigned you someone reliable. I worried endlessly about how you’d adjust to the palace so suddenly.”

Lesillia smiled as she studied her daughter’s appearance. As the daughter of a count, they had feared she might not even be granted proper attendants in the palace, but judging by her appearance and outfit, it didn’t seem like she was being neglected or mistreated.

“His Highness treats me well, so you needn’t worry.”

Bianca offered a small smile.

“But why do you still look troubled? Is something bothering you?”

“Ah…”

There was something weighing on her. The resurgence of a memory she’d tried to forget.

Family…

To her, family had once meant something different—a presence that gnawed away at her happiness, a relationship where she could only breathe freely when apart. Perhaps that was why she’d buried those memories.

But now, her family fretted over the smallest things and cared deeply for one another.

Maybe it was because she had been living surrounded by love for so long that the darkness of her past hadn’t come back to her until now. And of all days, why had she dreamed of that memory on the same day she was seeing her family? It felt too unsettling to be a coincidence.

‘And because of that dream, I didn’t suffer through the awakening fever.’

Because of this, she’d managed to save one pill. But she almost wished she had suffered through the fever. The resurfaced memory refused to fade, circling relentlessly in her mind.

“Bianca?”

Her mother called her name.

Bianca looked at her mother, who was holding her hand tightly, and spoke. The warmth seemed to ease her lingering headache.

“I’m fine. I’m just not used to things here yet, so I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“If you ever need help, promise me you’ll ask. Your father will do everything he can. It really bothers me, leaving you here all alone.”

“Yes, I will. Father, I have a favor to ask. I don’t know much about being a Guide, and I’m worried I might cause trouble for His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“You’re right. It seems we’ve been too complacent. This is the first time we’ve seen a case of awakening after reaching adulthood.”

Her father’s face darkened with worry. If only her powers hadn’t awakened, none of this would have happened…

“Still, thanks to you, a lot has changed. We’re moving the estate to the capital. I think we’ll be able to visit you more often now.”

As he spoke, he pulled documents from his coat and showed them to her. Bianca’s expression shifted subtly as she read the contents. An estate in the capital, a salary three times higher than the average Guide’s, and even an extra allowance under the title of ‘exclusive Guide’…

The problem was how this would shift the Astri family’s standing. Ripples had begun to disturb the quiet, peaceful life she’d known. She couldn’t let her family face danger because of her.

“Father, we can’t accept this. If we take it…”

“Bianca, we have no choice. How could we refuse a gift from His Majesty the Emperor? We know this will change things, but rejecting it might put you at risk.”

This was nothing short of shackles meant to bind her. Bianca sighed.

It was a poisoned chalice.

“Don’t worry about us, Bianca. Honestly, it got overwhelming with so many people visiting our old estate, but ever since we moved to the capital, it’s been a lot easier. Oh! I brought this because I thought you might need it.”

“Why were so many people visiting the estate?”

“It seems Young Lord Cavelle has been spreading rumors here and there.”

The memory of him following her at the banquet hall and asking to be introduced resurfaced.

‘He must have realized that I awakened as a Guide.’

Snap.

At the sound of fingers snapping, Bianca snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Asilian.

“We’re fine, so stop worrying and take this.”

He handed her a notebook and a book. She felt grateful to her brother for bringing them, even though she hadn’t asked.

“I was trained by Father, but you don’t know anything. If you need anything else, just send a letter.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s best if you stay inside the Crown Prince’s palace for the time being. Anywhere else might be dangerous for you. You’re still going through the awakening fever, right? I hope this helps. It wasn’t easy to get.”

Asilian gave Bianca a playful wink as he placed something into her hand.

“It’s time to return.”

At the attendant’s words, Bianca looked at her older brother with a regretful expression before hugging her mother and father.

“Don’t worry about us. It’s time.”

Once the drawing room fell silent and she was alone, Bianca finally looked down at the glass vial in her hand.

“This is…”