2.

The lukewarm gathering continued until evening. The Empress and Emperor had joined hands to capture the heart of Princess Jains, who would become a new member of the imperial family.

Marian maintained her place beside Cesare despite feeling tired.

It was good that the imperial family members and Cesare were gathered here.

Since Abel said he would come tonight, there would be a magical explosion soon. By being with them, Marian could secure her own alibi. After all, only Marian and Abel could cause such a magical explosion in Federico.

‘Well, it’s good that I got rid of one troublesome task.’

If this gathering hadn’t happened, she had planned to visit Cesare once more. As Marian this time. Though disgusting, he was perfect to use for things like this.

“Princess Jains, Federico has particularly good public safety. I don’t know if you felt it on your way here, but it’s managed cleanly. And……”

It was when the Emperor was once again listing off praises about Federico that the head butler suddenly rushed in, his face pale.

Before the Emperor could point out the butler’s rudeness, he blurted out.

“Your Majesty! So, something terrible has happened!”

The head butler panted for breath. He desperately uttered each word.

“Fi, fire has broken out in Tiens Third Street! It appears to be caused by magical power going berserk and……”

At that moment, everyone’s gazes turned to Marian. Marian set down her teacup pretending to be well-behaved. People’s gazes turned away from her. If Marian was here…… Come to think of it, Tiens Third Street?

“No, no way!”

The Emperor jumped up from his seat. Only Princess Jains didn’t know the meaning of that place among those present.

“You’re saying there’s a fire there!”

“Yes, Your Majesty! The owner of the magical explosion appears to be that person, and though we need to investigate more……”

The head butler swallowed.

“It seems no one has survived. Therefore, that person too is presumed dead.”

Clang.

The teaspoon Marian had been holding dropped. Only Princess Jains, who had no grasp of what was happening, spoke kindly to Marian.

“…… Are you feeling unwell?”

Marian shook her head with a pale face.

“I’m, I’m fine.”

Marian quickly lowered her eyes.

‘I’ll find you tomorrow.’

Marian thought while gritting her teeth.

‘He said he would come find me.’

So Abel must be alive. He must be faking his death as promised and coming to find Marian. Yet her heart sank heavily.

‘Don’t be stupid, Marian.’

Marian exhaled a shaky breath and raised her head. The head butler continued speaking in an agitated voice.

“At the request of the imperial guards, all remaining personnel are at the scene of the fire, carrying water to put out the fire. But given how large the fire’s range is, it doesn’t seem like it will be easily extinguished……”

The Emperor struck the table with his palm.

“This is no time to be sitting around! Anyone will do! We need to salvage even a penny from there! Helena, I’m sorry but you’ll have to eat dinner in your quarters tonight. Benjamin? Escort your fiancée back politely and return. You should at least dine together. And Marian.”

People’s gazes turned to Marian. The Emperor’s gaze was confused.

They could use Marian’s power to put out the fire. However, there was a risk that Marian might also cause a magical explosion and they could lose Marian too if something went wrong.

‘That won’t do.’

The Emperor made his decision.

“You return to your palace as it’s dangerous. Duke Cesare, may I entrust Marian to you?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of my fiancée. I will return after confirming Marian has safely returned to her bedroom.”

Cesare smiled softly.

The fire breaking out there meant the imperial family had lost their source of funds. And at the same time, it meant that guy he had always hated was dead.

For Cesare, it was a satisfying matter.

Cesare extended his hand to Marian with an even more joyful heart. Marian awkwardly took his hand.

Feeling even better, Cesare spoke to Marian.

“Marian, I’m glad to see you’ve recovered so much. I heard you were quite ill, are you alright now?”

Warmth filled Cesare’s eyes as he looked at Marian. Marian smiled faintly.

“I’m fine, Cesare. Thanks for your concern.”

“Then we can meet more often before the wedding. I was so disappointed when you didn’t come to the recent banquet. I really missed you, Marian.”

Cesare whispered sweet words while holding Marian’s hand.

Cesare’s hand was hot, but Marian’s body temperature turned rather cold. She felt like everything she ate would come back up. Marian tensed her toes.

“Me, me too.”

Cesare met Marian’s eyes.

At that moment, faces that should never overlap did so again.

‘Ellie?’

Cesare’s eyebrow twitched. Ellie and Marian were completely different. They only shared their height. Even their personalities were completely different.

‘Then why do I keep thinking of her?’

Cesare ran his tongue over his lips.

“Marian.”

Though he knew it couldn’t be possible.

“Do you know a maid named Ellie?”

Marian’s eyes widened. Suddenly, tension constricted her throat. Why did that name come up here? Could she have been found out? Looking at Cesare’s reaction, it didn’t seem so. Marian tilted her head as naturally as possible.

“I’ve never heard that name, Cesare. As you know, because of my poor health…… I barely interact with others.”

“……I see. She was a great help yesterday. I wanted to thank her, but that’s too bad.”

Cesare narrowed his eyes.

The fragrance Marian gave off with every movement kept overlapping with Ellie’s. Though it couldn’t be possible. Besides, Ellie’s bright beauty couldn’t possibly resemble Marian’s dull appearance. Cesare raised his eyebrow.

“If I happen to learn anything, I’ll let you know, Cesare.”

“……Thank you, Marian. Well, we’re here. Let’s get you inside. I’m worried you might fall ill again, given how weak you are.”

“Yes, Cesare.”

Cesare lightly kissed Marian’s forehead. Marian’s eyes sparkled. Seeing how desperately he searched for Ellie, he must have really enjoyed it. Thanks to that, Marian got a good idea. Marian silently chanted magic. A faint light flickered around her.

That light slowly seeped into Cesare. Marian deliberately placed a light kiss on Cesare’s cheek.

Close contact tends to make magic stronger.

“Take care, Cesare.”

Magic was mixed into Marian’s farewell. So subtle that ordinary people wouldn’t notice. Cesare’s eyes grew hazy. Marian’s lips moved.

“Ellie will visit you tonight. Cesare, you’ll have another good time with Ellie tonight. Aren’t you looking forward to it?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

A voice thoroughly soaked in magic mumbled dreamily. Marian gently caressed Cesare’s cheek. His mind melted at her touch.

“Then go and wait. For Ellie to come.”

Cesare nodded blankly. Marian snapped her fingers. As if that sound was a signal, Cesare gradually moved away from Marian.

Marian saw Cesare off with genuine joy.

Marian smiled coldly.

**

After Cesare had completely disappeared, Marian entered the palace. Marian’s steps gradually quickened until they turned into a run at the end. She looked around the palace while catching her breath.

‘It’s been quite some time since the explosion was reported.’

At least 30 minutes must have passed while Marian pretended to walk casually with Cesare.

Considering the time it would have taken for the explosion to be reported to the imperial palace, at least 2 hours must have passed. Marian’s lips trembled. If he had hurried, he should have arrived at Marian’s palace, and if……”

Marian’s lips moved.

“Abel……”

Her heart pounded thump, thump. Even as Marian searched through the palace, Rosette was nowhere to be seen. She was probably cleaning somewhere in the palace.

Marian flung open her bedroom door.

“Abel……!”

Marian’s voice rose a pitch higher.

And…

“Looking for me?”

A voice completely nonchalant rang out. Marian whipped her head around. Abel’s face, leaning against the corridor, was softly lit by moonlight. Only then did Marian’s trembling stop. Sure enough, he hadn’t died. Abel came to Marian as promised.

“You…… didn’t die?”

Marian asked before she knew it.

“Of course not. I said I’d come, didn’t I?”

Abel shrugged his shoulders.

Marian looked Abel up and down. He seemed to have come to Marian in one piece. But as she got closer, as Abel became more visible, she realized he wasn’t fine.

A pungent smell came from Abel. Marian approached in one step. Blood had clotted, split, and wounds were everywhere. Plus burn wounds on top of that. Despite being in such a mess, Abel looked at Marian with an indifferent expression.

Marian let out a groan between her teeth.

Just looking at it seemed to cause pain.

“Ugh……”

Marian carefully placed her hand on Abel’s arm. Abel stared at her with cold eyes. On his way in, he had seen Marian entangled with Cesare. Whatever she was thinking, he had also seen her kiss Cesare’s cheek herself.

Abel looked at Marian with a crooked gaze.

He didn’t like it.

“Does it hurt?”

“It hurts.”

Abel bluntly stated. Marian stroked Abel’s wounds while frowning. Actually, such wounds no longer caused him pain, but he just wanted to let Marian worry.

Marian grabbed Abel’s wrist with those thin fingers.