Chapter 28

She couldn’t believe it.

Wasn’t it for revenge that she came to this Palace in the first place? Even though she changed her life in a second, she didn’t intend to miss getting revenge on those horrible people. But did she forget it with this type of kindness?

Maribelle Edenbert. How can you be so stupid when you’ve already died once?

Obviously, the experience of entering the Imperial Palace was enough to soften Maribelle. Kir, who tells stories filled with small jokes, Theovalt, who stands calmly by the side, and Azil, who softly caresses even the parts she isn’t aware of.

And Ethelred, who never let her hand go.

But, like willow dogs in the spring, they were easily taken and trust easily broken. Did she not know, after being ripped apart once, how fragile such a peace is?

It’s not that far yet. She can still return to her original plan.

Maribelle bit the inside of her cheek.

Yes, she should have done this right away.

“Do you remember my stepfather, whom I met the last time in the garden, Your Majesty?”

“Is he really your uncle?”

“Yes.”

Maribelle lowered her calm gaze to the floor, lifted it up, and turned to face Ethelred.

“The family is plotting to rebel against Your Majesty. I also heard it from eavesdropping, so I don’t have many details, but they claimed it will be done within a year.”

Ethelred was not surprised. Maribelle has been talking about her revenge, the scandal she caused in front of her hostile stepfather and cousin. All of the events were indirectly pointing to the information she was about to reveal to him.

“…does your revenge have anything to do with him?”

“Of course. My wish is for their necks to fall.”

Maribelle laughed as if to break the ice. Maribelle’s mood, which had changed in an instant, seemed unusual to Ethelred, but he thought it was due to her desire for revenge. He rested his chin in his hand that was supported by the armrest.

“Baldwin Peopil, the former Crown Prince, is still alive, as you may know. It’s no surprise that there are families that are ready to rebel with him.”

After all, it’s the Edenbert family.

Ethelred swallowed the words. The Duke of Edenbert has Innis in his pocket. It was difficult to tell how close his aunt was to the Duke of Edenbert, but he couldn’t ignore their relationship.

Furthermore Innis only cared about Baldwin, the Emperor’s Crown Prince not the Emperor.

‘I’ll have to ask Theovalt to find out about Innis’ involvement with the Duke of Edenbert.’

Lorentz, the acting Duke, had a cousin. A Marquis who inherited the southern region who also was Innis’s husband. He had never considered researching it before, but if the investigative network is narrowed down to focus on the Duke of Edenbert in this way, the story will be different.

He thinks he’s figuring something out. Ethelred gave a hazy smile.

“Let’s investigate based on what you told us and talk again when we get the results. Thank you for telling me.”

“Of course, this was supposed to be our deal, right?”

Maribelle flashed a bright smile. It was a smile like a frost flower. Even Ethelred can’t help but notice her strangeness because of her icy smile. When she overturned the table at Calende Palace, she wasn’t so cold.

It’s like, it’s back to the beginning.

Ethelred almost shook his head in surprise even with that thought. There’s no way. It can’t be, because Maribelle is still smiling so sweetly.

Maribelle wasn’t the only one who believed in their connection. Ethelred only glanced at Maribelle after that. She opened her mouth, as she always did, with a voice that sounded like it was stepping on the snow.

“Your Majesty, since I’ve provided you with information, may I ask you for one thing?”

“—Yeah.”

“I’d like to return the Empress title you gave to me.”

The words left a big impression on Ethelred. He replied without hesitation.

“Why?”

“It is really difficult for me to return such a valuable present, but when I consider it, I believe it is too much for me.”

“It’s a little too much for you. But why is that?”

“It’s not just a seat next to Your Majesty, it’s a seat where you become the Mother of the country. I can’t be that kind of person.”

Excuses that she had never thought of previously came out smoothly. Maribelle praised herself for the very plausible excuses she made on the spot.

“There are a lot of wonderful young ladies. When His Majesty is not there, there may be one or two ladies who are clever enough to handle state issues and compassionate enough to look after the poor—”

“Stop it.”

A voice painted in anger pierced through Ethelred’s suppressed teeth. He was still able to be patient enough.

“Maribelle, everything you say is right. I could find someone better than you.”

He crumbled as he laughed. It wasn’t as smooth as it had been the day before, and it seemed warped by anger.

“However, they would have already been right by my side if I had needed them. Do I even have to say these words?”

“Your Majesty. I’m more of a bad person than a good person. I’m too small to rise to that position—”

“I’ve already been labeled a tyrant, so what’s the big deal?” The use of Ethelred’s words was disapproved of. “Don’t give me that excuse, Maribelle; tell me the real reason. The reason you don’t want to take your place—”

“There’s nothing else.”

Ethelred’s back felt chills from Maribelle’s firm voice. Ethelred’s rage blew into the wind as well. It’s like the wind had completely leaked out from an inflatable.

With a heartbroken expression on his face, Ethelred turned away from Maribelle.

“I guess I didn’t give you enough faith if you say that.”

“It’s not like that.”

“That’s enough. Go. If that’s the case, the party should be changed to a place where an Empress candidate can be chosen.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Maribelle, I want to stop seeing you today.”

When he said that, Ethelred’s gaze was drawn to the flower bouquet on the desk. Maribelle turned her feet while silently seeing Ethelred’s side profile.

Her steps walked down the stairs and returned to the red carpet.

******

Ethelred’s words and attitude were mostly in line with Maribelle’s expectations.

Her words are true. Maribelle was a person who didn’t know how to respond to kindness shown to her. That immaturity had a big effect on the two of them.

‘Should I have said that in a different way?’

Softer? Even someone who speaks like that, however, will eventually soften. She won’t be able to take revenge if she’s weakened like this.

Those who are preparing revenge should prepare two coffins. The coffin where her enemy lies down and the coffin where she lies down.

‘This is right.’

It’s definitely the right thing to do. Why is she being so hesitant? Maribelle placed the folds of her palms to the corners of her eyes as she stood by the neck of her route.

It’s also funny because she can’t cry yet has tears in her eyes.

Maribelle could have had to stand there for a long time if no one was around, putting the weird feelings away.

“If you clench your fist like that, you’ll get hurt, I told you.”

Maribelle opened her hand slowly. It was as if she was gripping her hand unconsciously. With a shock of color distracting her, she moved her attention away from her bandaged hands and toward his hair.

The sunset dazzled her because it seemed to exist to supplement Azil.

Azil’s hair was shining brightly despite the darkening skies. He was gleaming as if he had turned his back on the world’s sunlight, striding into the dark moonlit sky that resembled Maribelle.

“I guess I’m the person you really need, Lady.”

Azil smiled with his eyes bent.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t look troubled every time I see you.”

Maribelle sighed coldly as she stared down at that sad-looking smile.

“—You have a talent for deception.”

“That’s what I’m good at.”

Azil moved a step closer to Maribelle after saying that. Maribelle stepped back two steps.

Azil slipped into someone’s mind far too quickly. Maribelle will be forced to cut Azil if he digs up her mind today.

She had no idea for whom this anger was intended.

Azil looked at Maribelle, who was wary of him with a bitter smile, and pointed to his bright face.

“Lady, can you see my face well?”

“I can see very well. So talk to me from there.”

“I can’t see your face. I don’t think I’ll be able to see it even if I take about three steps closer. Lady has her back turned to the sun.”

Maribelle looked back involuntarily. The red sun that blazed dazzlingly in her eyes was right behind Maribelle, as if trying to consume her.

“Probably not even an hour later, the sun will go down completely. Then I’ll see Lady’s face again, right?”

“…You have a good excuse.”

Azil raised his empty hands, smiling kindly.

“I told you, it’s my strength.”

Maribelle did not answer. What he was doing was obviously sophistry. Even if her face was not visible, Azil already noticed that Maribelle was unhappy. So it’s dangerous to come close. It’s dangerous, but why does she want to believe that poetic falsehood? She can’t figure herself out at all.

When Maribelle dropped her gaze, Azil already took one step closer.

“Give me your hand. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt sorry for a patient’s hand. If it reopens again, I won’t treat it.”

At Azil’s breathtaking words, Maribelle silently pushed out her bandaged hand. Now Maribelle couldn’t afford to notice that even these doctorly words of concern were acting.

‘I’m going crazy.’

Azil held Maribelle’s hand like an escort, only to stand there.

Why is this woman so distressed every time he saw her? Even the promise he made to stay away from her at best would falter if he saw her like this.

What good is there to show his Master’s woman his dark desires? As a matter of fact, he was planning to stay away from Maribelle. No matter how beautifully she smiles, no matter how much she whispers in her alluring voice, it was only a few minutes ago that he promised to keep his distance from her.

In Azil’s plans there was no Maribelle who was so cold and fragile as weak as ice and all alone.

‘Just this once.’

‘Let’s stay close just this once.’

Now that he can’t see her expression and hold her hand, he can turn a blind eye to her turmoil.

Until the sun sets he could pretend.