Chapter 23

Maribelle was confused. The fact that she was emotionally agitated and the memory that just came to mind. Contract marriage and Empress.

She became terrified of something she had never been afraid of since returning from the future to the present. Memories of the dark past, as if ink had been spilled. It was such a large blank that she wondered why she hadn’t paid attention until now.

What if she, who came into the palace to take revenge, tried to live a different life than she had in the past, but ended up following in the footsteps of the past?

Oh my gosh. Is there any other comedy like that?

“Maribelle, what’s wrong? What’s wrong with your face?”

Maribelle only looked at Ethelred, who had wrapped her cheek in anxiety, instead of responding. She can’t believe his frown isn’t more threatening. Maribelle thought it was amusing that such a contradiction could exist.

At the same time, the fact that Ethelred’s kindness was familiar and unfamiliar. Right. It was unfamiliar for her. Doesn’t that mean she’s on the knees of a tyrant who could unwittingly cut her head off at any time if she doesn’t watch out?

That means they’re almost there. Maribelle unintentionally laughed. When Ethelred saw Maribelle’s laughter, he straightened his brow.

“Why are you laughing so hard?”

“It’s ridiculous.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s strange how quickly we got close. I think I trusted Your Majesty more than I thought.”

She had never been aware of Ethelred’s dangers, come to think of it. Is it because of the agreement? Maribelle, on the other hand, probably guessed that wasn’t the case.

‘Perhaps because I believe Your Majesty is in my hands.’

It’s no surprise she’s never been on guard. Because he belongs to her. Of course, it’s like a sword in her hands.

Maribelle’s words were eager, but Ethelred, who was so strong, relaxed his face. The sharp eyes gave the impression of being gentle.

“Your trust is more pleasing than I expected.”

“Perhaps I should be worried about betrayal rather than Your Majesty.”

Ethelred didn’t respond. It’s a silent agreement. But he couldn’t bring himself to answer her because he was Emperor, so he just kept quiet. Fortunately, Maribelle didn’t give his silence much thought.

Maribelle was not paying close attention to Ethelred. It’s because the frustration she felt a while ago hasn’t gone away.

Arinel’s hair was brushed by the dark night. The moonlight pierced Maribelle’s brows, as if woven from her silver thread. Silence quickly became a language that kept the two of them in the garden.

Maribelle opened her mouth, aided by the glow of the sun on the neck pole and the night floating around her like a dandelion spore.

“In the old days,”

“Hm?”

“I’ve been betrayed before.”

As much as she throws it, it’s a dead end.

“I loved that person and wanted to do everything in my power to help. I did a lot of things I didn’t want to do. When I saw this person’s smile, my reasoning became hazy, and I did everything I could to protect it, even though I knew I shouldn’t.”

It was difficult at first, but once she opened her mouth, the words, like a tide, took precedence over the voices.

“I loved this person above all else. I thought I was loved as much as I loved this person. I loved this person enough to cover everything even if everyone else did criticize this person, but this person seemed to have something more valuable than me.”

Blinking. Hot tears ran down her cheeks when she opened her eyes. Without realizing it, a tear fell from her cheek.

“I’ve been betrayed. I’ve been betrayed since I thought we’d be together a long time ago.”

Such a distant affection quickly turned into hatred. Maribellel wanted to ask.

What the hell did you deceive me for, Arinel? Was there a demon who promised you eternal wealth in exchange for severing my soul? Did you tell anyone to hate me? Why the hell did you force me to drink poison?

However, Arinel, the man responsible for Maribelle’s death, is not present. Finally, the question of where to go became a heartless hatred that stabbed Maribelle.

His fingers, which were longer than Maribelle’s, wiped away tears from her cheeks. Ethelred’s red eyes were fixed on Maribelle.

“Don’t you hate that person?”

“I hate it. But I had forgotten that there is such a thing as old friendship.”

“Do you still love that person?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m not sure either.”

Hmm? Maribelle suddenly raised her head. Ethelred’s gaze had shifted away from Maribelle. His slanted gaze revealed a hint of anger.

“I’m not sure that person is worthy enough for you to be so emotional about.”

The gaze gradually returned. The returned gaze, on the other hand, was neither soft nor ticklish. He had a solemn expression on his face, as if he was trying to capture it with a gourd.

A predator with prey in front of it. They do not suppress their desires, nor do they try to conceal their sense of possibility. Maribelle was walking a tightrope between the teeth of a beast that could devour her with a single twist.

Ethelred’s red pupils flashed with desire, then faded away as if he were smirking.

“But there is one thing I am certain of. The fact that a smart person would never betray you.”

Oh, I guess it’s okay now.

Maribelle, who heard his voice that quickly became softer, dropped her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as she wondered where all the dangerous atmosphere had gone. But, for a brief moment, when Maribelle looked up and checked his face, she realized she couldn’t be happier.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Maribelle could tell that Ethelred was still smiling as brightly as he had the morning before.

‘Aha.’

She was wondering where all that dangerous atmosphere had gone, and now she knows. She’s not sure why, but let’s just stay put.

Maribelle initially decided to be relieved that his harshness was not directed at her.

*******

Kira burst into tears as she tightened her beret. Kir’s curly hair was especially curly because it was morning.

“I haven’t had breakfast yet, Your Majesty! I was thinking to myself what the hell are you going to say and—”

“Kir. Shut up.”

“Well, I don’t have to eat. Do you want to eat Kir?”

“Y-you traitor!”

Ethelred and Kir weren’t the only ones seated. On the blue morning before breakfast, the four men seated around a round table were sitting together and facing each other, as Kir had stated.

Ethelred, of course, held this meeting.

“I had a question for you because one of my acquaintances had been betrayed by a crush.”

“Is this about Maribelle?”

“No, the other—”

“Did the Lady have a crush?”

“Betrayed by the man you love, it’s even upsetting.”

“……”

Ethelred gave up hiding it.

“…Maribelle says she was betrayed by a man she had a crush on.”

“So what are you gonna do?”

“Of course I’m gonna catch and kill him.”

Ethelred declared for granted in response to Kir’s question. It was an answer that had no hesitation, as if it wasn’t worth reconsidering.

Right, Your Majesty was like that. Kir swallowed dry saliva.

‘Why would Lady say such a thing to Your Majesty!’

Maribelle, who had become a miserable Young Lady after being betrayed by the man she had a crush on in an instant, was about to draw the sword and watch it, but she was not present here.

“Everyone, keep quiet about this.”

Everyone in the seat was forced to nod solemnly at Ethelred’s command. It was even Theovalt who set the tone.

“But, Your Majesty, what will you ask us?”

“Do you have any idea who he is?”

He was well aware of the situation. It’s not surprising that he starts talking about a crush. Kir let out a sigh. Kir drew everyone’s attention in the wind.

Kir shook his head seriously, oblivious to the prickly eye on him, but one step later, he grasped the atmosphere.

“—Huh? Why are you staring at me like that? Why are you staring at me like that, Your Majesty? Could you poke me in the eye because there’s too much pressure?”

“Kir, you’ve been with Lady the longest. Do you know anything?”

“Do I know something? That she hates losing? That she can eat six cookies at once? It’s pointless to say good… Ack—!”

The “Ack!” at the end was caused by Theovalt hitting Kir on the head next to him. In contrast to Kir, who keeps his head up and goes out in public, Azil smiles casually and gives Theovalt a good look.

“Kir, use your common sense. Why do we need this information? Keep in mind what Your Majesty said.”

“Ah, crazy— It hurts like hell—!”

“Watch your mouth.”

Kir didn’t stop whining until he was beaten again by Theovalt. Azil defended him on behalf of the quiet Kir.

“If Kir said that, there’s nothing else for Theovalt to see. She has no way of telling him who she is in love with.”

“Have you ever met Maribelle?” says the narrator.

“Yes, I did treat her because she was hurt.”

Ethelred only nodded in response to Azil’s clever response. This is due to the fact that Maribelle, who shed tears without realizing it last night, did not leave his mind.

Ethelred lost his thoughts as Kir, who had grown accustomed to the pain, began to put a word.

“But, Your Majesty, do you really intend to accept Maribelle as Empress?”

“Kir, have I ever regretted what I’ve said?”

“No, that’s too sudden. Why don’t you go take a look? It’s been only a month. The Empress who entered the palace after a month, which is not recorded in history.”

Kir groaned and threw his beret on the desk, as if he was truly frustrated. Maribelle was Ethelred’s, no matter how kind he was to her. He was still convinced Maribelle was dangerous because she got Ethelred.

Theovalt was also silent because he shared similar thoughts with Kir, but there was someone who used Kir’s awkward silence.

“That Lady, I don’t believe she’s dangerous. Isn’t it better to have the Young Lady ascend to the throne of Empress rather than find a new candidate?”

It was Azil.