Chapter 49: I, Theresa, seek revenge, v50

Pera choked.

Teresa’s helpless loneliness stirred pity—she wanted to defend Isabelle, reverse her image.

But…

Isabelle was the villain saintess.

In her eyes: tools for salvation. Broken—replace. No repair.

No words for Isabelle. Thought Celis.

“Even if Isabelle won’t—Lady Celis will!”

“Pera—no more trouble for Lady Celis.”

Teresa:

“Power breeds struggle. Preston, Aust, Oracle—no exception.”

“Lady Celis center. Trouble—lose saintess title.”

“Preston divine kin—countless strong. Pressure…”

Unsaid clear.

Celis not sole saintess. Yield—demoted.

Isabelle capable.

Pera no reasons. Pleaded:

“Wait family come? Lady Celis wants retain—you.”

“Not just her—whole Knights.”

Behind Pera: corridor shadows.

Teresa cold softened.

Rubbed Pera head. Resolved smile.

“Fine—wait family, decide.”

“Really?!”

“True.”

Child-coax. Doting.

Pera unreal change—pinched cheek. Pain—not dream!

Excited jump.

Night dorm: Pera dreamed.

Begged—Teresa stayed. Cold Isabelle helped block Preston.

Gradual: dream.

Dreams opposite reality.

Phrase echoed. Panic—eyes open.

Sun glare. Window: Teresa silhouette—butterfly vanish.

Rush—Teresa bed: badge, letter, folded quilt. Empty.

Heavy loss. Badge: Rose pin. Letter: farewell.

[To cherished Rose Knights:

Letter seen—lone return. Forgive unannounced, last night lie.

‘Rose Knights’: sole warmth cold life. Cannot shatter glass…

No search, no sorrow. My share—live, happy…

—Forever loving, Teresa]

“Liar…”

Finished. Pera fist tight. Eyes red.

Next: letter, badge—left dorm.

Find Celis. Only hope return.

…

Crimson Forest town. Teresa hooded black. Tavern.

Pera plead—leave anyway.

Simple: stay harm.

Wait family—too late.

Escape then—Oracle hold.

Cannot caught.

Revenge.

Parents smile flash. Forehead scar touch. Fist.

Preston divine—internal strife.

Parents naive—kin killed.

Dead: goddess power stripped. Freedom chained. Suicide impossible.

Spared: marriage pawn.

Greed: escape chance. Empire recruit—Knights.

First Isabelle: tiger to wolf.

Girls: paradise.

Revenge: lone.

Last night leave: carriage Isabelle.

Lamp dim. Gold light—jeweled beauty.

Teresa arms wrapped—wretched.

Pass: no glance.

Saintess strength—impossible miss.

Cold only.

Expect retain? Better escape, revenge.

Self-mock. Ordered water.

“Guest—clear water.”

Sipped. Faces: Leanna, Pera, Melin…

Fate meet—later.

Knights live.

Gulp.

Cup heavy. Life: bitter water. Divine—no favor…

Water bitter?

Wrong. Cup—eyes black. Head table crash. Faint.

Fade: distant sneer.