Chapter 47. What Are You Doing?

Asarim knew less about the North than Yuelina did.

So where and how had he heard about the temple?

Why would Asarim, who showed such indifference, be the first to say he wanted to see the temple?

“Suddenly curious about that?”

Asarim rose from his seat with a deflated smile at Theo’s question.

He walked slowly toward Theo. Theo maintained his rigid posture while seated, meeting Asarim’s eyes.

“Wouldn’t you be happier if I just left?”

“Those who should leave should leave. However,”

Theo slowly rose from his seat.

Asarim’s gaze naturally shifted upward. Theo looked down at him as he spoke.

“I’m curious about your real purpose for coming here.”

“Purpose?”

“Why you wanted to see the temple so badly that you prepared such expensive holy garments in advance.”

“……”

“Why you came to the North through the Bios Empire in the Central Region.”

Asarim’s gaze wavered for the first time at Theo’s firm, emotionless voice.

Theo didn’t miss that hesitation.

“Asarim. Even if you’re Yuna’s friend, I don’t just leave a stranger staying in my mansion without investigating.”

“You investigated me? What could you possibly find out about me?”

Theo smirked.

“True. While I couldn’t investigate you from the island village, I did look into how you entered the principality.”

“……”

“Not just the holy garments, but all the clothes you wear are quite expensive.”

“So what?”

“You stayed in the Bios Empire for quite a while. Did Delkan buy them? Or was it Delkan’s son?”

Asarim glared at him with a guarded expression and spoke.

“I have no reason to report to you. I came only for Yuna. I needed information on how to get here.”

Theo nodded briefly at Asarim’s words.

“Fine. If you want to see how your old friend is doing, go ahead.”

Theo stared directly at Asarim.

His deep blue eyes showed no emotion.

“And when it’s time to leave, leave quietly.”

Asarim bit his lip at Theo’s words.

“If it weren’t for you, Yuna would have married me.”

“That nonsense again.”

“This happened because I didn’t try to force her to stay like you did. I just missed my chance!”

“Right. You missed your chance.”

“!”

“Either way, I’m the one who married Yuna, aren’t I?”

Theo shrugged nonchalantly. Asarim gritted his teeth.

“You…!”

“I don’t care what you buy or what you scheme with money you got from Delkan or his son.”

Theo’s face remained cold as he looked at the enraged Asarim.

“But that’s as far as it goes.”

“Shut up!”

“Stop whining about how much you like her. It’s disgusting to watch.”

“Ha! Who are you to–!”

Unable to contain himself, Asarim grabbed Theo’s collar.

“You think I didn’t investigate you while coming here?”

“Oh?”

“People say you’re a murderer. No different from a demon.”

Theo remained cold despite Asarim’s provocation.

He had heard terms like murderer and war demon so many times they had become meaningless.

“No wedding ceremony, forcing Yuna into the tower attic, and what? Telling me that’s as far as it goes?”

For the first time, Theo’s unchanging expression creased into a frown.

Wedding ceremony.

Even the priest had said he didn’t know they were married because there was no ceremony.

At that time, she had kept her head bowed.

Like a sinner.

Theo shook off Asarim’s hand with an angry expression.

But Asarim grabbed his collar again.

“I heard countries were destroyed by your bloodshed, people dying of cold with nowhere to go. Does Yuna know about this?”

“Shut your mouth.”

“How could someone like you deserve Yuna? I can never let scum like you have her.”

Theo found Asarim’s words pathetic.

He couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh.

“What are you to Yuna?”

“We’ve spent our whole lives together. I know Yuna well, and I always will. That’s why I’m certain she’ll be unhappy living here.”

“Nonsense.”

Asarim glared at Theo with glinting eyes.

“You couldn’t even protect the person you should have protected.”

At Asarim’s final words, Theo’s demeanor instantly turned ice-cold.

Asarim raised the corner of his mouth in a smirk as he watched Theo’s face.

“Did you become a murderer after your mother died? Or were you always one?”

Theo grabbed Asarim’s throat with one hand.

It seemed like just a little more pressure would snap Asarim’s neck.

Even as his face turned red from lack of breath, Asarim sneered.

“Kugh, will you show this violent side to Yuna someday too?”

Theo’s hand tightened further around Asarim’s neck.

Already, blood vessels had burst in Asarim’s neck, leaving dark bruises.

“What are you doing right now?”

At that moment.

Yuelina, who had finished her prayers, came out and saw the two of them.

Yuelina ran toward Theo with a pale face.

“Theo! Let him go!”

Asarim smiled viciously while looking at Theo.

Theo bit his lip.

But finally, he threw Asarim aside and stepped back.

Yuelina rubbed Asarim’s back as he wheezed and coughed heavily.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah. I’m fine.”

There were clear handprints on Asarim’s neck left by Theo.

“Those marks… This is too much. We should call a physician.”

“No, Yuna. It’ll subside soon.”

Asarim spoke in a gentle, affectionate voice.

His expression showed nothing but warmth as he looked at Yuelina.

Supporting Asarim, Yuelina looked at Theo.

Theo didn’t avoid Yuelina’s gaze.

Her pink eyes like flowers were filled with tears, and her lips trembled, showing how shocked she was.

“Theo…”

Just as Yuelina was about to say something to Theo,

Asarim held her hand and shook his head.

“I’m fine. Don’t say anything.”

“No, Asarim…”

“But I am curious.”

Asarim looked at Theo with an aggrieved expression.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke. Why did you suddenly do that to me? I only said I was entrusting Yuna to you.”

Asarim hunched his shoulders with a cowed expression.

Theo wanted to crush and trample Asarim’s face right then.

But his fist hit the wall instead.

With a thud, the waiting room wall cracked.

Blood from Theo’s hand trickled down through the crack.

Theo walked past Yuelina and Asarim.

If he stayed any longer, he didn’t know what he might do.

Yuelina quietly watched Theo’s retreating back.

Her bloodless face was still deathly pale.

Asarim gently patted her shoulder.

“Yuna. Were you scared?”

“Yes. Very scared.”

“Let’s find the holy water quickly and leave. I can’t leave you next to such a violent person.”

“Asarim.”

“Yes?”

“I heard everything. All of it.”

Yuelina shook off Asarim’s arm and stood in front of him.

She looked up at him with clenched fists.

Trembling eyelashes and pressed lips. Even her wide-open eyes.

Asarim knew her expression well. Yuelina was thoroughly angry.

“Even if I had stayed in the village, I wouldn’t have married you.”

“Yuna.”

“We were friends and family. How could you say such things?”

Yuelina’s voice rose considerably. It seemed mixed with resentment, and also seemed unable to bear the disappointment.

Either way, Asarim became anxious and agitated.

Her angry expression had never been directed at him before.

Asarim frantically wracked his brain to make excuses.

If he said something, anything, and persuaded her, she would listen.

Like before.

Because Yuelina trusted him. Because she had been closest to him.

Because her smile, her happiness had shone brightest before him.

“Yuna. That person…”

“Asarim.”

“Yuna, please listen to me. Okay?”

“Don’t call me Yuna.”

“What?”

Asarim’s heart sank.

“You don’t have the right to call me that.”

Yuelina coldly walked past Asarim.