Translator and Editor: nieye

Chapter 62

“…!” 

Eliana paused as she was about to take one more sip of the tea.

She had a bad feeling.

It felt like her stomach was churning.

Eliana looked at Gabriel with a questioning gaze, and then Gabriel burst into laughter.

“Don’t worry. The tea I offered you is just tea.”

“Your jokes are going a bit too far.”

Eliana put down her untouched tea, no longer being able to drink it. 

What a cruel joke.

This unnerving turn of events had spoiled the enjoyment of drinking her tea.

Gabriel replied in a light tone, despite the troubled look on Eliana’s face. 

“It’s not a joke, truly. That sparrow did indeed die.”

Eliana couldn’t bring herself to smile at Gabriel.

Her words implied that she had narrowly escaped being poisoned as soon as she arrived in the capital.

Eliana asked, her tone slightly bitter.

“What is your purpose in telling me this story separately?”

She carefully tried to mask her emotions, but her words carried a subtle sharpness. 

‘Why are you telling me this? And why at this particular moment?’

If she had faced a poisoning threat, she should have informed the imperial family, not Eliana. 

And it has been a long time since she arrived in the capital.

Now, she brings up this unsavory matter, which raises suspicion about her motives.

As Eliana observed Gabriel with wariness, Gabriel continued, 

“I thought long and hard about whether to share this with you.”

“If it’s a matter like this, you should have informed His Majesty rather than telling me…”

“I saw your past life.”

“What?” 

Eliana was left speechless.

She froze in the sudden atmosphere, similar to the question, “Do you know about religious enlightenment?”^[1]

While Gabriel appeared strangely calm about her statement.

She spoke with a troubled expression.

“It was an unfortunate life.”

“Wait a moment, Saintess. I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.”

Eliana interrupted her, confused by her words.

Gabriel maintained her gentle smile.

‘What’s going on? Did I misunderstand something? I’m so confused… but she seems surprisingly calm about what she’s saying.’

As Eliana struggled to interpret her words, Gabriel continued her story.

“It was supposed to be a peaceful life, but someone took that away from you.”

“…” 

“But even that someone was just a pawn. There was someone behind it all. Aren’t you curious about who it is, Miss Eliana Mussieux?”

Eliana fell silent.

It felt like she was using some kind of language from an empire she was not familiar with.

She seemed to be truly discussing her “past life”.

Of course, it could be possible that Gabriel was trying to lure her into some kind of trap.

People who ask about one’s past are trying to deceive the sensitive emotions of vulnerable individuals.

Eliana gathered her thoughts and couldn’t help but let out an incredulous smile as she asked, 

“Why? Are you going to blame it on Michael again?”

“Haha, it seems you don’t trust my words at all.”

Gabriel chuckled with grace.

‘Well, who would believe those words at face value?’

Eliana thought as she watched Gabriel speak without much context.

Gabriel didn’t shy away from Eliana’s gaze. 

Eventually, Eliana sighed deeply and expressed her viewpoint,

“I can’t understand any of this, even if I try to see it from the saintess’ perspective.”

“What exactly is it that you don’t understand?”

“Everything. Even if I experienced such a thing in my past life and Michael was the one who manipulated that person, I’ve moved past it.”

“Weak souls are easily drawn towards strong power. Haven’t you experienced that yourself, Miss Eliana?”

“What…?” 

“Is it really just a coincidence that Count Mussieux happened to have that bracelet at the right moment?”

“…Who are you?”

Only she, Verkley, and Count Mussieux knew about the bracelet.

Verkley wouldn’t have told Gabriel about the bracelet without a reason, and Count Mussieux had his own fears about revealing the truth.

Eliana, too, didn’t say a word.

‘How on earth does she know?’

Filled with suspicion, Eliana suddenly jumped up and maintained a certain distance from Gabriel.

For a moment, she wondered if she had given the bracelet to Count Mussieux.

The wary look in Eliana’s eyes prompted Gabriel to smile gracefully.

“I am Gabriel.”

She replied, her tone dry and lacking the usual laughter.

“I’m not asking because I don’t know that. Were you the one who gave him that bracelet?”

“I would never stoop to such despicable acts.”

Gabriel responded sharply as if she had heard something very unpleasant. 

But her response only fueled Eliana’s suspicion.

And Gabriel looked troubled.

“You must trust me. It’s the only way to keep you safe, Miss Eliana.”

“Then why do you look like the most dangerous one to me?”

“There are rules in this world that prevent me from revealing everything. Please understand that.”

“…” 

“But one thing is certain. This world is not safe for you, and I am here to help you.”

With a slow gesture, Gabriel pointed first at Eliana and then at herself. 

Eliana stiffened at the mention of “the rules of this world.”

As if she knew something more than she was letting on.

“What on earth…”

Gabriel sighed as Eliana stammered in confusion.

“I have no choice. I need to briefly reveal myself.”

Gabriel slowly rose and approached Eliana.

Eliana took a step back, realizing there was nowhere to escape in this confined space.

She could sense a powerful aura coming from Gabriel.

Much stronger than when they had first met.

Before she knew it, Gabriel was right in front of her, and Eliana flinched. 

Gabriel firmly grasped both of Eliana’s hands.

Then, like in a prayer, she knelt and placed her hands on her forehead.

At that moment, with a fluttering sound, golden wings unfurled from her back.

Up until a moment ago, the wings on Gabriel’s back were invisible, but now they vividly spread out. 

A sacred atmosphere enveloped the surroundings, and a bright light shone intensely, almost piercing the eyes.

‘I am Gabriel.’

It was only now that Eliana realized the meaning behind Gabriel’s earlier response. 

Gabriel’s name wasn’t just a simple introduction.

She was the Second Angel Gabriel.

The most noble angel after the First Angel Michael, now holds the position of Archangel in his place.

Her hair flowed not with a blue hue, but with a golden shimmer.

And her appearance seemed like gold sprinkled on a pure white canvas, creating a breathtaking sight.

Eliana couldn’t withstand the intense light and staggered, but Gabriel’s wings enveloped her gently. 

They were incredibly soft.

The appearance of the saintess, her powerful divine abilities, and her radiant aura were elements not present in the novel.

Eliana began to grasp the meaning behind these previously inexplicable events, one by one.

The Second Angel Gabriel was bestowed with the gift of “healing.”

What had been referred to as miracles of the saintess were, in fact, the miracles of the Angel Gabriel. 

Eliana was overwhelmed by the presence, a stark contrast to her initial encounter with the Hanev. 

Unlike her meeting with the Hanev, where she had been on edge, her encounter with Gabriel’s true form shifted her anxiety to a sense of awe.

Surrounded by her pure white presence, Eliana felt as though she were covered in filth, utterly humbled.

“Ah, indeed. The faith of those who believe without seeing.”

Gabriel recited a passage from the scriptures and then released her grip.

She seemed to regard Eliana with a sense of pity.

In an instant, the bright surroundings returned to their original state.

Eliana blinked her eyes and looked around. 

Gabriel had transformed back into the woman with blue hair, and her golden wings were now concealed.

Eliana, with trembling steps, carefully sat back down in her chair.

Then, Gabriel put her hands up on the table and stared at Eliana, her expression stoic.

The imposing atmosphere that she’d felt when she was closer had suddenly vanished. 

Eliana tried to avoid Gabriel’s blatant gaze.

In [ Blind Princess to the Emperor ], there were too many hidden secrets.

It could be because she hadn’t finished reading it yet, or perhaps things had changed due to her becoming the character herself.

In truth, at this point, she was questioning whether the knowledge she held was even true.

She felt like she was trapped. 

The fear of the unknown ending crept up on her.

Eliana cautiously initiated the conversation. 

“Um, Miss Gabriel?”

“Yes, Miss Eliana.”

“May I ask why you’re here?”

Eliana asked with a more polite attitude.

She felt that she should be careful and respectful in her approach.

Seeing Gabriel’s true form made Eliana’s body feel uneasy.

Gabriel seemed to stifle a laugh behind her hand as she observed Eliana’s sudden change of attitude.

“I’ve been tracking down Michael.”

“Ah…” 

“He disappeared long ago after his fall from grace, but recently, he suddenly appeared here, and that’s when I met you.”

Gabriel’s words hinted that Michael’s return and Eliana’s transmigration might not be coincidental.

‘You never know when Michael’s going to be manipulating their hearts.’

“Could it be the person who brought me here…”

Thinking about the cryptic “joke” she made last time, she couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, it was Michael. I don’t know the exact reason why he brought you here when you were living peacefully.”

T/N:

1. “Do you know about religious enlightenment?” is a typical pseudo-religious missionary statement in Korea, and also a meme for teasing these pseudo groups. ↵