<b>Side Story: Empress Prte Rafina’s Castle</b>
Rafina, the daughter of the Duke of Belluga, adopted the title of ‘Empress Prte’. Following this decision, her first significant move was to relocate the capital, shifting her residence from the Principality of Belluga to a new location.
The Empress Prte established her new residence on the ind of Saint-Noel, the site where the continent’s greatest academic city had once flourished.
Rafina had neither friends nor family. The once-burning mes of revenge in her heart were long extinguished. She was on the verge of copse. Nevertheless, she managed to cling to sanity by secluding herself in the castle filled with nostalgic bitter-sweet memories.
That day, she was receiving a report in her office. It was a ce where she had spent most of her time as the Student Council President— a room that had been renovated from the former student council room.
“So, what were the results? Were you able to sessfully eliminate the Serpents?”
The Empress Prte asked as she sipped her favourite tea, the Princess Rose blend.
“Yes, in the regions under the control of the Holy Aquarian Army, the Chaos Serpents are being steadily flushed out. After appealing to the citizens, we received several reports one after another, and we are currently investigating their authenticity.”
“Oh? That would take a long time. Wouldn’t it be fine to execute all those who have been used?”
“Huh, no but…”
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right? Besides, the Serpents are like a gue, if you let even a single one get away, the epidemic will quickly multiply— ten, then twenty, and so on. By the way, do you know how to avoid eating a rotten apple?”
Suddenly, Rafina shed a pure smile.
“It is simple. Throw away what is rotten, and throw away everything that could be rotten. There’s no need to search for something that might be edible, something that might not be rotten. The key is not to find something edible among the doubtful items, but to ensure that you definitely do not put anything rotten into your mouth. Do you understand?”
This was the basic policy she adopted against the Chaos Serpents : To kill both the Serpents and anyone suspected of involvement.
Despite warnings from Sion, the Libra King of Sunnd, and several others regarding the severity of these measures, Rafina chose to ignore them all.
“So, how are things in the Equestrian Kingdom?”
“Yes, most of the tribes have pledged loyalty to the Holy Aquarian Army. However, it appears that the Forest n has aligned itself with King Sion of Sunnd.”
The number of ns in the Equestrian Kingdom had been reduced to half. Thergest n, the Forest n, had taken refuge in Sunnd under the leadership of Malong, the son of the deceased Chief Mayun.
“I see. Malong-san and His Majesty Sion.”
People she had once been close to—thinking about those nostalgic memories, Rafina tilted her head ever so slightly.
She didn’t have particrly strong feelings. She had lost too much to indulge in such sentimentality. Any small emotion was instantly swallowed by the void in her heart before Rafina could even sense it.
“They are quite difficult opponents to have as the enemy.”
She mumbled and let out an uneasy sigh.
“Additionally, we have received reports that the survivors of the secret vige near the border of the Equestrian Kingdom have been rescued.”
“Survivors? Don’t you mean prisoners? I believe I ordered the execution of anyone who protects the Chaos Serpents?”
The reporting soldier trembled in shock under her cold gaze.
“Yes, of course. They killed all the Serpents and anyone who protected them, and razed the vige to the ground. However, a person was discovered imprisoned in the dungeon inside the ruined castle.”
“Imprisoned?”
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, she is a noble. She imed to have been held captive by the Chaos Serpents for a long time, so I brought her here…”
“I see. She must have endured a lot. How pitiful.”
Suddenly, the Empress Prte’s expression transformed into one of pity. This change was not unexpected, considering Empress Prte Rafina was the Saint. As apassionate saint, she could empathise with those who had suffered misery and feel sympathy for their wounds.
The woman imprisoned by the Chaos Serpents had endured terrible suffering and, as such, was worthy of receiving thepassion of the Saint.
Rafina’s heart had cracked on that fateful night of the mass poisoning incident at the Holy Eve Festival. However, Mia’s death caused her heart topletely break and shatter. Despite that, Rafina remained the Saint—a selfless figure who extendedpassion to the pitiful ones lying on the ground. She did not hesitate to kneel and lift them up, embodying kindness.
The somewhat broken imbnce between the harsh face of someone who ordered a purge and thepassionate face of the Saint, who sympathised with the weak, added to her peculiar charm. This duality made her charisma powerful enough to engulf the world.
“Please bring her in and treat her with courtesy.”
The reporting soldier bowed and briskly left the room. He held in his heart a loyalty tinged with fearful awe.
Finally, a slender woman entered. Her ck hair revealed glimpses of beauty, yet there was a smattering of grey, perhaps a result of fear during her time of imprisonment.
The woman knelt before the Empress Prte and bowed deeply.
“Your Highness, Empress Prte, I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude for saving me this time.”
“It is not a big deal. Please, raise your head. So, who are you?”
“It is an honour to meet you for the first time, Your Highness, Empress Prte.”
The woman looked sad, yet there was an ever so slight smile on her face as she gazed at Rafina and spoke.
“I am Valentina Remno.”
For a moment, the smile reminded Rafina of the sly smile of the Serpents before it quickly vanished. What lingered was the smile of a wounded woman, somehow sweet and ephemeral.
This is an extra edition that is meant to be a break from the original story. It urs in the Miabel Timeline, where Rafina bes the Student Council President and undergoes a significant transformation after Mia’s death.