Only God
Chapter 397 - 352: The Princess’s Secret

Chapter 397: Chapter 352: The Princess’s Secret

"Die in my stead."

Anos spoke these words calmly.

For some reason, Mira felt a chill in her heart as she listened on the side.

Anos’s gaze did not fall upon the girl; instead, it landed on an empty space in the living room, her head hung low as if sinking into a long recollection.

"You will want to ask... did my mother die in my stead? Will you?"

Mira nodded; it was the first time she heard someone ask such a question.

Anos’s way of speaking always had a kind of strange elegance.

The Princess took a deep breath,

"It wasn’t like that at first.

In the beginning, a mysterious person told my parents that if they cast a little man out of gold and took out its heart to replace mine, all would be well."

"Mira, the heart replacement ritual went smoothly, and I lived on, temporarily."

"The Golden Heart beat inside my chest and would accompany me throughout my life, though it came with many inconveniences, perhaps living on was reason enough to be grateful to God."

Mira looked at Anos with concern and could not help asking,

"What happened afterward?"

Anos did not delay and went straight to the point:

"Afterward... you can probably guess, there was an accident, my father’s political enemies wanted to assassinate me, to make him lose his only daughter, his heir. That night, they broke through all blockades, chanting God’s name, burst into my bedroom, and a sharp blade pierced my neck, blood wouldn’t stop flowing."

"Can you imagine that feeling? Blood gushing incessantly in your throat but not spilling from your lips, instead flowing out from the middle of your neck..."

"I almost died, but my mother saved me. That mysterious person was still in our house; she begged them to save me, willing to offer everything, even her own soul."

Mira said in astonishment,

"So..."

Anos smiled bitterly, shook her head, and did not continue.

The answer was already evident.

Her words soaked into Mira’s heart, this child who felt so detached about death now experienced a senseless sorrow.

"It’s fine, your mother... will go to Heaven, where there are countless kind souls and Angels to keep her company..."

Mira tried her best to comfort Anos.

The Princess remained silent.

In the past, during the childhood of this noble of the Empire, her parents had taken her to be baptized, adopting the God above as her faith. Back then, everything was vague, she didn’t understand God, only obediently followed the instruction to believe, a carefree faith.

But after she fell gravely ill, after her mother left, the Scriptures she recited day and night gradually revealed their impotent true nature. Miracles don’t always stay; at least this time, they did not descend upon her.

She was abandoned, and her mother’s death left her nothing but an unfortunate childhood.

Perhaps, miracles do not exist.

Anos had long stopped expecting any miracles.

"Let’s hope so, Mira."

As Mira listened, she realized that Anos’s voice remained unsettlingly calm.

Anxiety started to grow in the girl’s heart, and she couldn’t help but ask,

"Didn’t my words bring you any comfort?"

The question was quite abrupt.

So abrupt that Anos couldn’t help but smile.

"Looking back, I’ve already learned to remain indifferent."

The Princess shifted her position, lying serenely on the chaise lounge,

"One’s own sorrow often can only be truly understood by those who experience it..."

Anos had not finished speaking when Mira moved closer.

The face outlined by darkness stood before Anos, and Mira stared intently at Anos, whose breathing couldn’t help but hasten a bit, as she smelled the scent around the girl’s neck.

It was a light fragrance mixed with saffron and sweet cheese.

"I understand," Mira said earnestly to Anos.

"I will definitely go to Heaven."

Anos retorted,

"Why are you so certain?"

Mira leaned in closer, almost pressing against the Princess’s face.

"Anos, you don’t know where I come from."

She was very close, and the Princess didn’t move.

"Where do you come from?"

Then, a piece of Scripture reached Anos’s ear.

"’I come from God.’"

Mira quoted the sentence from the Scripture,

"’Where God sends me, I go.’"

The Princess, upon hearing this, was stunned for a moment before shaking her head with a wry smile.

Naturally, she knew that Mira was a devout child, so it wasn’t surprising that the girl would use Scripture to convince herself.

"Alright, I believe you, no matter what you say."

Anos said so, her heart noncommittal, but her voice sounded quite sincere.

Mira was indeed fooled, and she asked hastily,

"Really?"

Anos gently pushed Mira away, her palm caressing the girl’s soft cheek,

"Really."

Swiftly, the Princess withdrew her touch like a dragonfly skimming water.

"That’s enough, it’s late, don’t worry about me, go back to sleep."

Anos spoke quickly.

Mira touched her cheek and then nodded vigorously.

The girl’s figure vanished into the living room.

Anos clutched her hand as if holding something, and then slowly took off the silk white gloves from her hands.

Just now, she had touched Mira’s face while wearing white gloves.

The Princess reflected on the girl’s various actions, recent memories washing over her mind—Mira’s small and warm palms, her own confessions in the darkness... Finally, Anos’s memory settled on the face that had drawn close to her.

Though these memories had occurred not long ago, Anos couldn’t fend off their impact; she was born in the cold North, knowing since she was sensible that she was a noble of the Empire, always holding an esteemed seat within the Imperial Palace atop Danschel’s mountain fortress.

Princess clenched the white glove involuntarily.

"...Mira."

Anos murmured.

After a while, she slowly relaxed her grip and put the glove into her pocket.

"I will slowly lose my emotions..."

Anos lifted her face in the darkness, talking to herself.

When the Golden Heart completely devoured her fleshy heart, feelings would be utterly estranged from the Princess, without a doubt. A person who has lost their sensitivity, almost absolutely rational, would be the most suitable Monarch; she would have enough energy to handle any state affair, no matter how complex or thorny, like a machine forged by the most renowned Dwarf Craftsmen that never rusts, always impartial.

Mira had once asked her if she ever thought about becoming Emperor, and at that time, she had not given a definite answer, only saying that for a woman, wearing a crown was a pipe dream.

The pinnacle of power lies in the Emperor’s Scepter and crown, like a solitary island in the vast sea, with no other land but itself, impossible to hide.

The Delos Family needed an Emperor from the Delos line, not to end in the second generation.