Chapter 117. Pitiful and Beautiful

The Golden Star that Enoch had given her seemed like the embodiment of fortune. But happiness was not like a diamond. It was more like a fragile blue glass bead that could shatter with the slightest impact…

The happiness Ellen had been holding onto all this time was just like that.

When she first chose him as her contractual marriage partner, back then, her own safety was all that mattered.

A transaction to exist as herself, to not be broken, to live humanely. That was all.

However, staying by his side, meeting various people, and enjoying a comfortable and peaceful life… she had come to realize.

This life was happier than she had thought.

A fleeting sweet dream. A fragile dream.

Why did I ask him to love me?

Was it because I was curious about love? Because I wanted to know what it felt like to be loved by someone? Because I resented not being loved even by my mother?

The reason could be all of the above. But in truth… looking back now…

Wasn’t I being greedy for him?

In the end.

A bitter self-mockery touched her lips.

“…That magic has such a backlash?”

It took a long time before Enoch muttered to himself. Ellen closed her eyes gently and then opened them. The feeling of self-reproach made her give up surprisingly quickly. In the end, all of this was something I brought upon myself. Yet, crying, struggling in agony, being scared… How foolish.

Nothing changes by doing that.

“…The backlash causes you to hate me after the magic wears off.”

The witch on the deserted island was alone again.

In the end, was she cursed by the person she loved? Was that the price she paid for deceiving someone’s heart?

Did the person she loved hate her until the end?

Or did he feel a bit of pity for her…

“…So, because of that backlash, I will end up hating you too?”

“…Yes. Although you want to keep me by your side now… that’s because of the love created by the magic. When that feeling disappears and hatred takes its place… you will…”

Abandon me.

You will find me unbearable to look at.

Ah, foolish Ellenore. Her eyes grew hot again. Even after crying so much. Even knowing that these tears were useless.

“Are you sure about that?”

“…Probably.”

“‘Probably’? That means it’s not certain.”

“I saw it in my mother’s diary.”

“Your mother’s diary?”

Ellen nodded silently. Enoch wiped away her tears with his fingertips. She felt burdened by his kindness. She felt guilty.

Now that the dream was broken, nothing could make her heart flutter anymore.

Unlike before, or rather, even before… but now, even more so.

His kindness was sad and heartbreaking.

“If it’s uncertain information, you can’t blindly believe it. That’s what I think.”

“……”

“I don’t understand why you’re so cornered and afraid. It’s a future that hasn’t come yet.”

Well, you… you’re not the one who will be hated… so you can say that easily…

Ellen gave up further conversation and sighed deeply. Enoch, thinking she had calmed down, took her out of the blanket and held her comfortably as he spoke.

“If you’re so anxious, you can confirm it with your foresight. Whether I will really end up hating you.”

“…There are futures that can’t be seen with foresight. And… the future doesn’t always unfold as foreseen.”

The ability of foresight is akin to omniscience. It seems grand, like becoming a god, but in reality, it’s not a very practical ability. It’s not essential for living a human life.

Moreover, it’s an ability that shortens one’s lifespan. She had no intention of revealing that fact to this man… Ellen bit her lip hard.

“Well… whether or not to use foresight for this is your choice, so I won’t force you. But.”

He grabbed Ellen’s chin. With his other hand, he pressed down on the nape of her neck. And then, he kissed her.

“Mm…!”

Ellen tried to push him away with both hands on his firm chest. But he held her so tightly that she couldn’t move. He poured a relentless, intense kiss on her.

His tongue invaded her mouth mercilessly, exploring the inside. He sucked so hard that her tongue felt numb, then bit her lips sharply. As soon as she flinched in pain, he pushed his tongue back in, exploring her soft and slippery inside to his heart’s content.

The sound of their mingled saliva continued as it wet their mouths. The kiss was so intense and sticky that it left her dazed by the time it ended.

With a light, finishing kiss, he licked her swollen red lips gently, as if savoring a sweet raspberry candy.

Ellen, panting for breath, stared at him blankly.

He’s so tyrannical and selfish. No matter how I feel. He’s a bastard…

“Regardless of the future, I have no intention of letting you go. Don’t assume I will. I like you, and I like what you give me. Enough to want to keep enjoying it.”

“Don’t… don’t assume you know.”

He kissed her lips again, lightly laughing. His reaction, as if finding everything amusing, made Ellen even more upset.

“No, I can assume.”

“…Do you think you’re an omnipotent god?”

“Of course, I’m not an omnipotent god. But I’ve never missed what I wanted. I don’t deceive my desires. Even if I end up hating you…”

He untied her indoor clothes and slipped his hand inside. Her soft, cream-like br*asts filled his hand. As always, the sensation was enchanting. He lowered his head, bit her earlobe, and whispered softly.

“How could I forget the pleasure you give me?”

“……”

“As you know, I have a severe hatred of humans and a strong aversion to filth. But it’s okay to touch you. What do you think that means?”

He kissed her neck lightly and took a deep breath as if savoring her scent. Her indoor clothes, now tattered, were crumpled in his grip and fell helplessly to the floor. Exposed to the evening air, the woman shivered delicately.

“It means you’re the only woman I want, Ellen.”

“……”

“I only desire you. Even now, look.”

He guided her hand to his lower abdomen. Below his navel, he slid her hand down in a straight line.

When her hand touched his hot, thick, and large c*ck, Ellen flinched. It was so hot it felt like her hand might get burned, and she wanted to pull it away. Enoch guided her small hand to grasp his c*ck, letting out a long sigh.

“Hoo…”

“……”

She could feel the pulse of his thick, veiny shaft beneath her hand. She desperately wanted to pull her hand away and escape. Enoch moved her hand along his c*ck as if m*sturbating, speaking.

“It will always be like this.”

“……”

“Understand? Ellen? You’re already mine, and I never let go of what’s mine.”

The man whispered arrogantly, lowering his long eyelashes and looking closely at her face with a smile. It was a smile that conveyed a sense of malice, cruelty, and ferocity.

“So give up. Whatever you’re scheming with that small head of yours. It’s all useless.”

If you show any sign of leaving, I’ll lock you up, he whispered sweetly, holding the trembling woman in his arms with delight.

Your frightened face is so lovely it makes my heart ache, Ellen.

* * *

Atreos, deep underground in the Kriemhild Palace where the royal family resides.

The occasional screams were from talented young members of the royal family subjected to magical implantation experiments.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Listening to the agonized cries like a symphony, Navaroa, the heir to the throne of Atreos, lounged lazily in his chair, swinging his feet.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Brother.”

A platinum-blonde woman approached and refilled his glass. Navaroa, smiling leisurely as if he were not a defeated man, held the golden goblet and answered kindly.

“I’ve become about 80% certain.”

“Of what?”

“The Grand Duchess of Bayern.”

Navaroa’s reddish-brown eyes, staring into the void, gleamed with a meaningful light.

“That woman, she’s probably a mage. And of an extraordinary lineage…”

“Hmm… but why hasn’t it been known until now?”

“Sometimes magic manifests late. Or maybe there was a reason to hide it.”

“What convinced you that she’s a mage?”

Navaroa, grinning, naturally looked at his half-sister who had sat on his lap. His gaze was as gentle as could be.

“The Holy Fire incident. When Circe’s flame turned white… And the matter with Victor Lopez, too. It all feels strangely interconnected. As if that woman is predicting our moves and helping the Grand Duke of Bayern… By the way, Pyrene, I told you not to do this.”

He gently scolded her as he pushed her away. The woman, called Pyrene, narrowed her brownish eyes, similar to Navaroa’s, and grumbled sulkily.

“I wish you wouldn’t forget that I’m your betrothed.”

“……”

A look of bitterness crossed Navaroa’s face as he looked at his innocent and submissive half-sister.

The Castilian royal family of Atreos, obsessed with producing powerful human weapons, considered consanguineous marriages normal, and Navaroa and Pyrene were also victims of this madness.

The only fortunate thing was that Pyrene had only undergone the magical implantation experiment once. The poor child, who had been broken like a malfunctioning automaton from the shock, followed her half-brother Navaroa blindly. Poor thing. Even though I have no intention of marrying you. He planned to abolish the custom of consanguineous marriages first when he ascended the throne.

Along with these dreadful magical implantation experiments.

“Ahhhhh! Ahhh! Save me, save me!”

How pitiful.

How unfortunate. The unlucky blood relatives of Castile, destined to be nothing but breeding horses or tools.

“…I still need the Grand Duchess of Bayern.”

“What? Why?”

“I need to confirm what kind of magic she possesses. If it’s magic that can help me…”

I need to make her mine.

He swallowed the rest of his words, thinking his half-sister would throw a jealous fit.

‘Well, even if Ellenore Bayern doesn’t have any particularly exceptional magic…’

If she is indeed a distant descendant of Circe.

Just that fact alone gives her symbolic significance.

The blood legacy of Circe, the first disciple of the great witch Hecate, who first awakened magic.

Who could be more suitable?

As the Queen of Atreos, the owner of the golden crown of Castile.

‘I’m looking forward to it. Pitiful and beautiful Ellenore.’

Navaroa’s reddish irises sparkled joyfully beneath his snow-white eyelashes, curving like a crescent moon.

* * *