Led by a force she didn’t understand, Rosette turned and walked down the corridor. Banished to the room farthest from Marian’s bedroom, Rosette became trapped there.

The nuisance was gone. Abel stared at Marian in his arms.

“Did something scary happen?”

“……The world is naturally scary, Abel. That’s why things like this happen to you and me. Medicine that damages the womb… who would even think of such a thing.”

“So you’re angry?”

Abel asked gently.

“……Benjamin must not become Emperor. Someone like Duke Madrian must not rule over the people. This world needs a more worthy person to be its master. Federico must not fall now. Too many people will die.”

Marian lifted her head.

The anger and fear had subsided. Having Abel nearby made things okay. Abel repeated that he wouldn’t go to Lorenzo. Abel stayed by Marian’s side.

“You’ll stay by my side, won’t you, Abel?”

[Save more people than you’ve killed!]

The words that branded her like a stigma shook Marian’s soul. Abel smiled.

“Of course, Marian. I’ll be by your side whenever you want me to be.”

“……After you win the fighting tournament and reclaim your title as duke, the imperial family and Madrian will attack you, Abel. Madrian needs to fall before that happens.”

“Are you worried about me?”

She worried about everything. About Abel’s betrayal, about her own anger, about Federico’s downfall.

“Don’t worry about Duke Madrian. You focus on recovery. Everything depends on your victory.”

“Then what about you?”

Abel narrowed his eyes. An inexplicable precariousness emanated from Marian. She spoke quietly.

“I’ll become Emperor, Abel. I’ll become Emperor for you.”

And then Marian would die. After that, Abel would become Emperor.

“No one will ever hurt you again.”

Abel smiled readily.

Liar.

Marian talks about protecting Abel but says nothing about herself. She speaks of becoming Emperor while having dead eyes. Marian would sell herself if the moment called for it. Willingly.

Abel smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Marian.”

Abel made up his mind. He needed to assign someone to Marian. Since Marian was sensitive, it would have to be someone very delicate and experienced.

Something about Marian seemed terribly broken.

Those who made her this way would pay the price. Making the Crown Prince Benjamin impotent wasn’t enough. Abel wet his lips with his tongue.

He would break the imperial family just the same.

And as Marian said, she would become Emperor.

Abel decided this.

“I’ll have to work hard for your sake too, right?”

“Yes.”

Abel patted Marian’s back with a kind expression.

**

As soon as the magic was released, Rosette rushed over and insisted Abel should use Abel’s room. Rosette also insisted Abel should use the room farthest from Marian’s room. However, Marian said that while Abel should use a different room, it shouldn’t be too far.

Thanks to this, Abel was able to claim the room right next to hers.

Abel narrowed his eyes. His eyes, now accustomed to darkness and dim light, could identify most things even without light.

Abel moved his body like an agile beast. Despite his massive frame, his movements were nimble. Abel left his room without making the slightest sound.

Marian would throw herself away for any purpose she deemed necessary. Abel had absolutely no intention of letting Marian throw herself away like that. Abel smiled crookedly.

‘First, those damn clothes.’

For whatever reason, all the clothes Marian wore were worn out, torn, and short. It was completely different from other imperial family members who wore different clothes every day. People look different just by dressing properly. Even if Marian went on secret outings, he wished she had a few proper outfits to wear.

There were more necessities.

Food was as urgent as clothing.

There was a reason Marian was so thin. This palace had nothing proper to eat. Moreover, since Rosette did the cooking too, it was difficult to have quality meals.

Fortunately, Abel knew how to make a few decent dishes.

In the past, when he was still a young duke, he learned from his mother. His mother was a somewhat special person who occasionally acted in ways unbefitting a duchess.

One of those things was cooking.

Though he hadn’t done it in a long time and wasn’t sure if he could do it properly, he was confident he could imitate it.

While Abel lacked experience, he possessed a clever mind.

Anyway, clothes and groceries.

And, Duke Madrian.

Whenever Marian mentioned Cesare, those transparent eyes would fill with rare hatred. Clearly, Cesare was involved in something Marian wasn’t telling, in some filthy, dirty way.

Abel moved his steps leisurely. His walk was elegant and threatening, like a panther prowling in darkness. Abel stopped in front of Rosette’s door and knocked, tap tap.

“Who is it……”

“Open the door.”

Rosette let out a sound that was half scream.

“Wh-Why did you come!”

“Come out. I won’t do anything.”

Abel answered softly. Of course, Rosette didn’t believe him.

“I know that’s not true.”

Her teeth grinding suggested deep resentment. What had Abel done? Abel whispered quietly.

“Should I kill you here? I’m thinking it might be better to bring in an obedient maid myself. Though Marian would be sad.”

Click.

The door opened wide. Rosette glared at Abel with a pale face. The hatred pooled in her eyes was vivid. Beautiful eyes. Abel smiled like a satisfied predator.

“I’m planning to go out with Marian.”

Rosette trembled violently.

“Are you planning to kidnap Her Highness?”

Abel giggled with a face that said he was hearing complete nonsense.

“Write down what’s needed. Write down groceries. Write down clothes Marian needs too.”

“……What are you plotting?”

“What do you mean.”

“What are you trying to do to our Princess? Earlier, with Princess……”

Rosette swallowed. Rosette trembled as she barely managed to spit out.

“I saw you pawing at her. Disrespectful and dirty and vulgar……”

“What harsh words.”

Abel smiled crookedly. When Abel snapped his fingers, Rosette’s body floated up. Though she tried to scream, an invisible force covered her mouth.

Abel and Rosette’s eyes met.

Sparks flew between them.

Rosette’s eyes said she would kill Abel if she could. She was anxious. Abel would devour Marian whole at any time.

“Just answer what I ask. Stop picking at things.”

“Mmph!”

Rosette gasped for breath. Tears welled up in her eyes. The force blocking her mouth briefly disappeared. She quickly opened her mouth.

“There’s almost nothing to eat! They provide groceries about once a month but they give just a tiny bit! It’s not even enough for Her Highness and me to eat…… Her Highness has no clothes either. They said if they give her nice clothes she’ll run away! Those wretches. We don’t even have proper blankets! They said beasts with brains think of betrayal when they live in abundance!”

Rosette panted.

“Thank you, Rosette. That was a good hint.”

Abel turned away without hesitation. Leaving Rosette suspended in mid-air.

“I’ll kill you!!”

Rosette shouted, but Abel paid no attention. His eyes had turned cold.

He thought asking Marian directly wouldn’t get him proper answers. That’s why he deliberately visited Rosette without Marian knowing. Though she was brazen, she was a woman with the guts to say what needed to be said.

But to think Marian was being treated like that…

His already dirty mood was getting even dirtier.

Abel smiled coldly.

Rosette’s curses faded away. Abel knocked on Marian’s bedroom door. The door opened and Marian emerged with moonlight on her back.

“Abel? Couldn’t sleep?”

“Can’t sleep. And I’m hungry.”

“Ah.”

Marian smiled awkwardly.

Come to think of it, this palace didn’t have proper food now. Meat was hard to come by, let alone fish, and they had never tasted quality fruit.

With Abel’s build, it was natural to be hungry with such poor meals. Marian’s cheeks reddened as she only now realized this obvious fact.

“……Sorry. I wasn’t mindful. Soon, somehow……”

“What do you take me for, Marian.”

“Huh?”

“You saved me.”

Abel hid his anger and irritation and smiled pretending to be kind. He moved close to Marian. Eyes transparent like reflecting water turned toward Abel. Marian grabbed Abel’s arm.

“Did you think I would demand food from someone who saved me? You’re making me out to be a shameless person.”

“B-But, Abel……”

Marian’s words trembled.

It felt like any words would hurt Abel’s feelings. Abel had lived in the slave fighting arena for many years. He couldn’t have made proper money there, so Abel’s pockets must be empty too.

Just like Marian’s.

A miserable sense of kinship welled up.

“Don’t worry about money, Marian.”

“……But……”

“They say even bankrupt nobles can live for three generations. Great nobles tend to have significant hidden assets too. The Drakes wouldn’t have been different. Not all my ancestors were exemplary.”

“Then……”

“We have at least enough to live on.”

Marian’s expression relaxed at Abel’s confidence. That was fortunate in its own way.

“But it’s too late now. Tomorrow……”

“It’s not too late, Marian. Stop worrying.”

Abel took Marian’s hand, the gesture so natural that there wasn’t even time to feel awkward. Marian’s eyes widened as Abel pulled her closer.

“Let’s go out.”

Free air surrounded the two of them. Abel spread his magic field freely. The path leading outside opened wide.

**