Absolutely impossible my as$.

Since it happened, it was not impossible anymore, was it? Everyone was too busy denying the phenomenon rather than offering solutions.

The only useful report was Emerson’s document, sent along with pain medication.

The butler, looking at the same thing, said, “The cause is most likely due to past trauma.”

“Trauma.”

Right. That made sense.

Reizen crumpled the document in his hand with a fierce look. Between his tense fists, men’s faces were roughly crushed – all of them were Melissa Grey’s ex-husbands.

Normally, couples should be crazy with desire for each other after their marriage vows. But the problem was that only one side was desperate while the other wouldn’t respond.

According to investigations, her ex-husbands had not only attempted to r*pe her countless times but also tried to burn off the brand with hot irons on her living flesh.

Among them was even a madman who satisfied his s*xual desires by whipping her or having relations with multiple women in her presence.

Since these testimonies came from servants who worked in those houses at the time, most of them probably weren’t lies.

“…Oh my.”

The butler let out a groan-like sigh while reading the report. He seemed to have read the same part.

Treating her like an animal and beating her was commonplace.

She was barely treated as a human before finally being handed over to Marita Loge. It was a past that made it remarkable she was even still alive.

Reizen’s mood sank further.

While the woman’s situation was pitiful, they needed to find a solution, but the more he read the reports, the less he could figure out what to do.

The brand’s side effects were an unprecedented obstacle, with no previous cases to reference.

But it wasn’t something that could be put off either. The pain would only get worse with each passing day.

If he wasn’t going to remove the brand through death, he had two quick options. One was to forcibly take the trauma-ridden woman, and the other was to bring in another woman to somewhat relieve his desires, even if it was ineffective.

Damn. He had to laugh at how absurd it was even thinking about it.

“At this point, I have reasonable suspicion that His Majesty is determined to turn me into a son of a b*tch.”

If Vincent had matched him with Melissa knowing this background, it would certainly be an effective way to corrupt him.

What would happen if a publicly supported prince either r*ped his wife or committed adultery with other women?

Unless he was like the Emperor who did whatever he wanted without caring about others’ eyes, for someone like Reizen who heavily relied on commoner support, the damage on his reputation would be severe.

“But I can’t kill her either.”

That would only benefit the real culprit who killed David Moore.

Cases where the suspect dies tend to be forgotten by the public over time, so it would have been perfect if Melissa died taking the blame for murder.

They must have planned to hide behind her death forever.

But there were more than a few strange points about David Moore’s death.

There were unsettling aspects that couldn’t be easily dismissed, and Erich, who was in charge of the investigation, said ‘it seems to be an inside job.’

Though it was speculation, it was definitely something to look into carefully.

“…”

Besides that, there was another reason why he couldn’t kill Melissa.

The Empress’s side was already very displeased that Reizen, who had commoner support, had taken the judge’s position at a time when the parliament’s power was growing increasingly strong.

If he killed his wife, they would splash it across the newspapers and brand him as ‘the shameless murderer who killed his wife.’ This too would damage his image. It wasn’t beneficial in the long run.

Above all…

The very premise of killing a woman because he couldn’t have her despite being desperately aroused was unacceptable by his standards.

Wouldn’t that truly be animalistic and shameful?

This must be exactly the kind of corruption the Emperor wanted to see.

“Hmm… it’s a difficult problem.”

Even the old butler seemed to lack any particular insight this time, wearing a gloomy expression.

Even the information gathered from investigators scattered across the country wasn’t particularly useful.

As for his physical condition, he could barely pretend to be normal by taking Emerson’s medicine. Though with how strong the medicine was, he didn’t know how long he could last.

“His Majesty won’t give us much time either.”

“Indeed.”

Reizen agreed.

“Though the decision is difficult, you must choose one, Your Highness.”

If he killed the woman unable to endure the pain, that would be defeat.

If he forcibly took her or took another woman to cover the pain, that would be the path of becoming a son of a b*tch.

Neither choice was pleasant. However…

“Wait.”

Come to think of it, there wasn’t absolutely no solution. Though it would be close to a miracle, wouldn’t it work if Melissa Grey overcame her trauma?

At least giving her a chance to recover should be the priority.

But the old butler’s expression was dark upon hearing this. As if thinking it lacked practicality, he stroked his chin whiskers with a face full of doubt.

“Really… can a person change that easily and quickly?”

***

The next day, as expected, the Emperor sent an imperial decree.

The content of the decree was simple:

<Release Physician Horrux, and follow the physician’s prescriptions.>

It was a threat that if the order wasn’t followed, all positions would be immediately stripped.

Though it was a threat Reizen often faced, the Emperor knew it was effective and used it as his trump card.

The one who delivered the decree was Secretary Montes.

To ensure Horrux wouldn’t make mistakes again, they sent not only other servants and knights but even Secretary Montes with him.

It was a harsher measure than expected, as if they were trying to corner Reizen by holding multiple leashes around his neck.

Whilton, hearing the content of the decree, asked seriously.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean what should we do? Before losing our rice bowl, we have to listen to the one holding our lifeline.”

Reizen said sarcastically with narrowed eyes.

“I’ll do as they wish.”

And so Horrux was released.

Upon returning to the castle, Horrux was even more arrogant than before. Having made it clear to everyone who his backing was, he wore an expression that showed no fear even of the prince.

Moreover, with the imperial guards and servants assigned by the Emperor following him around, his nose was held so high it nearly touched the ceiling.

Whilton grumbled.

“He’s about to pierce through the ceiling.”

“…”

“Your Highness, do you see that bastard’s nose? It’s almost rivaling Mount Pitereste.”

Whilton seemed to be boiling with anger at seeing the ‘Emperor’s faction without the Emperor’ occupying the first floor lobby like their own home.

Standing with Reizen on the second floor balcony, he moved his mouth as though he wanted to spit down below.

Stop that, our servants will have to clean it up.

At Reizen’s restraint, Whilton swallowed his saliva.

“Can’t we just kick them all out?”

“If we kick them out. Different looking ones will just come again.”

“Still, the new ones would be better than these guys.”

Reizen snorted and said calmly.

“You didn’t know, but they’re all the same guys just wearing different heads. I know.”

“What a scary joke.”

“I’m serious.”

Anyway, he meant the core was the same. Whether new ones came, this one would be this one, and that one would be that one.

“It’s easier to deal with familiar faces actually.”

Understanding Reizen’s meaning, Whilton swallowed his complaints that kept trying to burst out. He was red-faced, unable to raise his voice since the person actually involved seemed fine despite his own fury.

“Your Highness.”

As if just returning from a walk, a woman wearing gloves with reddened cheeks greeted them.

A voice that made him wonder if this was what crystal would sound like if it became music rang in his ears.

“Lord Whilton.”

It was Melissa Grey.

***

The weather in the north was truly unpredictable.

One day it would sleet like late winter, then the next day spring shoots would sprout where the sleet had melted.

“Madam, look at this!”

Laila approached with a bright smile.

The girl who gave her a playful look gently opened her hands that were clasped like a shell. A yellow butterfly fluttered up through the small gap between her hands.

In that moment, what filled Melissa’s eyes was spring.

Her spring busily fluttered its wings and flew up in zigzags. Thus Melissa’s spring circled above her head about twice before flying away somewhere without saying goodbye.

How did she manage to catch that?

When Melissa praised her, saying it was the first time someone had caught a butterfly for her, Laila smiled bashfully with a wide grin.

“Hehe. Just. I thought you’d like it.”

Yes, she does like it.

Melissa responded with a gentle smile.

It had been eight days since the wedding.

But she had only spoken with Reizen once during that time, on that day. Melissa’s new husband seemed to have not the slightest interest in her.