Chapter 182 – Page-turner

Yuliana struggled to insert the key into the lock, noisily rattling it until she finally heard a click and the door creaked open.
When she stepped inside, she was greeted by a musty smell that was characteristic of an old, worn-out room.
Equipment was piled all around the room with a noticeable layer of dust collecting on their surfaces.
It was a room used by staff, true to the receptionist’s description.
The smell and sight of the room were something she’d never had to experience until now, and that made her gnash her teeth vehemently.

Since she had no luggage, Yuliana immediately plopped down on the dirty bed.
The old mattress squeaked with the slightest movement, and she couldn’t help but feel that each sound seemingly mocked her.
The former princess raised a fist in anger, but soon listlessly dropped it down as sorrow overwhelmed her.

‘Why must I suffer like this?’

Not that long ago, unimaginable treasures and riches were placed at Yuliana’s feet.
She had the attention of her parents and siblings, and the adulation of the people.
Everyone loved and supported her.
She believed she deserved all of it, as an inheritor of the Archwitch’s power.
And yet, now she was left with nothing—all her rightful dues had been taken from her.

‘It was all mine.’

Lifting her clothes, Yuliana glanced at a spot on her chest.
The always radiant power that had once shined brightly had disappeared without a trace.
In her disbelief, Yuliana had continued to claw and scratch at where the light should’ve been, over and over, until now the center of her chest was covered in unsightly wounds.

Triggered by the sight, fury surged through her once more, and she dug her sharp nails into her head and chest, gritting her teeth at the pain.
She recalled the letter she’d received shortly after the casino incident.
The sender was her brother, king of Aswan.

Do not ever show yourself in Aswan again.

What the devil did you do to us? What compelled us to mistreat and drive out Lydia? What did you do that made us listen to you and brand such a stigma on her! That’s not the only questionable thing you’ve done.
You also issued willful orders and forced many things to be done your way.
What sorcery did you cast on us?

Yuliana had been fretfully chewing on her nails as she read the letter, but couldn’t help but scoff at its contents. ‘What’s the big deal about exiling someone like Lydia? It’s only natural since I disliked her.
And sorcery? That was the great power of the Archwitch that you all succumbed to—that’s an honor!’

Lydia was an Aswan princess who was banished due to Yuliana’s machinations.
From a young age, she’d always harbored jealousy towards her sister, so she goaded her family into exiling her.
When Lydia was chased out, naturally everything in her room became Yuliana’s possessions.
Of course, Yuliana’s use of the Archwitch’s powers hadn’t stopped there, and she continued to use it many times to influence those around her to get her way.

However, the biggest blow came at the end of the letter.

You are hereby stripped of all titles.
Your name will be erased from the royal lineage of Aswan.
The things you’ve amassed shall be returned to their rightful owners.
Relinquish your possessions and begone.
Only our shared blood stops me from punishing you.
Just disappear.

How laughable.
Leave behind her possessions and disappear? Wasn’t this the same as sentencing her to death? She wouldn’t stand for it.
Far from relinquishing her possessions, she grabbed every piece of jewelry she could get her hands on before fleeing her residence.

Yuliana had been on the run ever since.
She couldn’t show her face anywhere, for fear of being chased.
No, even if no one gave chase, she still couldn’t reveal herself.
If someone were to see her in her current state and expressed pity, or worse, disdain, she wouldn’t be able to bear the shame.

The messenger who’d delivered the Aswan king’s letter had regarded her with contempt like she was a disgusting insect, as did the envoys, while the maids and attendants gazed at her and muttered, “Why in the world did we think the princess was beautiful all this time?”

She couldn’t stand it.
Everything was twisted.
Everyone had to love her.
Love, praise, and admire her! A sob wheezed out from her gnawed lips.
This was all her fault—Cecile.