The causes of leptospirosis were discovered shortly before Emilia's mother passed away, so she understood how to treat the disease and the steps the government planned to take to address the issue. Though it seemed like a manageable challenge, those who had already died couldn't return to life, as was the case with her mother.
For a moment, Emilia felt sadness and discouragement as she sat by her bedroom window, rereading the letter countless times. She was there to prevent others from dying, yet her mother had died once again. However, this time felt different.
Her mother had not been murdered by the government as she had been in Emilia's past life; instead, she had passed from what could be considered natural causes—a disease. This realization somewhat comforted Emilia, reminding her that she still had Oliver and her father to protect. They were now her primary mission, fueling her desire to leave. She no longer had any reason to remain in the kingdom of Dracondia, especially since Edward had made it clear she was just a piece in his game. Reflecting on Arthur's words, she felt his honesty and regret.
It was likely that Phillip also retained memories of their past lives and aimed to exact revenge on his brother, Arthur—an outcome Emilia could not dismiss.
After realizing she had been lost in agonizing thoughts of life and death for too long, Emilia decided to step outside and enjoy the light rain falling at dusk. As she walked out, she saw servants running in all directions, carrying trays and preparing the hall. King Edward was hosting a grand ball to celebrate his alliance with the Otonto Empire, which some saw as a prelude to war.
Emilia had no intention of attending the ball, much less of seeing Edward, so she didn't mind getting wet in the rain or ruining the hairstyle her maid had spent hours perfecting. She wandered slowly through the empty woods until she sensed a presence nearby. She looked around but saw nothing, yet the feeling persisted.
Suddenly, a gust of wind threw her against a tree, causing a hard impact. A pale shadow darted between the trees, too fast for human eyes to follow. Python approached, standing directly before Emilia.
"At last, you're alone so we can talk properly, human," Python said.
"What do you want from me?" Emilia asked, standing up. But Python sent another blast of wind, pinning her against the tree.
"You're in my way," Python began. "It's impressive how a human can influence the affairs of the Dracondia kingdom. Edward is making a mistake, and canceling our engagement is the biggest one he could make. I need you to change his mind about this, and I'll let you go afterward."
"You're wrong," Emilia murmured softly.
"What?!" Python exclaimed, her eyes blazing.
"You're wrong about Edward," Emilia said firmly. "He's on the right path. Only Arthur can lead the Dracondia kingdom toward true peace."
"It seems you're quite close to this Arthur… why not go with him and leave me alone?"
"I'm not close to him; we simply share a similar goal," Emilia replied, her fingers tracing her neck involuntarily—a habit since seeing the elf's wounds. "Edward shouldn't marry someone he doesn't love. He has the right to decide his own fate."
Contrary to Emilia's expectations, Python merely laughed.
"You don't know everything, then," Python said, glancing toward the distant castle. "It's not a choice; it's a necessity."
"Everyone can choose their own path."
"Except Edward and me," Python replied thoughtfully. "Before we were even born, our destinies were already shaped. I grew up knowing I'd be queen of my kingdom and of Dracondia. You wouldn't understand what it means to lose everything you've ever dreamed of."
Emilia felt the urge to cry. She knew what it was to lose far more than a kingdom or something material; she knew what it meant to lose a family.
"Power is nothing compared to what you stand to lose if you don't agree to support Edward's decision."
"If Edward and I don't marry…" Python began, her lips curling into a strange smile. "He will die, or did you truly know nothing of the prophecy?"
"He… dies?" Emilia asked, her eyes wide with shock. Python nodded and began to recite the ancient prophecy that bound the elf to the dragon.