Though Abel didn’t show it, he was inwardly surprised.

Abel and Marian’s thoughts matched exactly.

‘I thought she was just a weak princess all this time.’

That didn’t seem to be the case. Abel, feeling better, rubbed Marian’s cheek with his thumb. Abel asked affectionately.

“What do you want for dinner? I’ll make anything.”

**

Abel showed his skills at dinner as well.

Rosette had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that Abel’s cooking skills were better.

After dinner, Marian took a bath right away. Knowing that she would soak until her skin wrinkled after meeting Cesare, Rosette sprinkled lots of perfumed oil in the water.

“……Lord Abel used to be a young duke. How did he become such a good cook?”

While rubbing Marian’s arm, Rosette muttered in a timid voice.

“It’s because he’s a mage. Cooking is easier when you do it like calculating formulas. The same goes for the opposite. That’s why the Duchess must have taught Abel how to cook.”

Marian spoke in a relaxed voice. When she met Cesare, all her nerves would be on edge. No, actually it wasn’t just when meeting Cesare. Every moment, Marian calculated all variables. Like establishing new magic formulas, calculating variables, and putting them into action.

She was preparing formulas for a new future while arranging the board and changing the placement of each person one by one.

‘I haven’t slept for days.’

She kept repeating the routine of falling into light sleep only to wake up chased by nightmares.

‘Even when I sleep, it’s a nightmare, and when I wake up…… it’s still a nightmare.’

Marian smiled bitterly. Though things were changing little by little, she was still in the same place.

“……You’re losing more weight, Your Highness. Are you not feeling well? You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately……”

Rosette massaged Marian’s head with a worried face.

“……It will get better gradually. Don’t worry, I’m not sick.”

Even if she was sick, she wouldn’t die. Not until she finished what she needed to do.

“Ah, and.”

Rosette whispered in a small voice.

“Princess Jains sent someone.”

Marian opened her eyes that had been slightly closed. She had been thinking she should probe again since things had been quiet!

Just because the marriage with Princess Jains was broken off didn’t guarantee the treaty would be broken. However, the treaty would become ambiguous. The treaty would be suspended until new conditions could be found.

‘If I can just buy that time.’

Marian narrowed her eyes. Rosette’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“She said she wants to meet Your Highness. I told them to come when you have time. As secretly as possible.”

“Thank you, Rosette. This is news I’ve really been waiting for.”

Rosette smiled proudly at Marian’s words. After watching Marian’s reaction, Rosette carefully asked.

“I was more helpful than Lord Abel, right?”

“Huh?”

Marian turned to look at Rosette with a surprised face. It was an unexpected question. Rosette awkwardly smiled while scratching her cheek. In doing so, some bubbles got on her cheek.

Rosette wiped it off and said.

“I wanted to be more helpful than Lord Abel. I’m more necessary than Lord Abel, right?”

Marian slightly opened her mouth.

“I’ve lived taking pride in being necessary to Your Highness all this time.”

It was before leaving for the battlefield. The last time Marian saw Rosette.

‘Run away, Your Highness. You don’t need to get involved in this stupid war. Run away and live comfortably…… doing what Your Highness wants.’

Rosette never betrayed Marian until the end. Marian couldn’t forget Rosette crying while holding her hands before she left for the battlefield.

‘You’re the only one who treated someone like me as a human being. Thanks to you, I could live like a human. Thank you, Your Highness. Was I…… also helpful to Your Highness?’

Rosette was someone who could do anything for Marian. When Marian was first accused of murdering Cesare, Rosette took the blame in her place.

As if Marian was the only reason for her life.

Marian felt choked up. Rosette hadn’t changed. Without even knowing it, Marian had been loved by many people. That feeling pierced her heart.

“Of course.”

Marian answered with a choked voice.

“You’re truly necessary, Rosette. You always will be.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You’re the only one who knows my secret.”

Marian touched her neck. Rosette made necklaces for Marian every time to hide the black line. Even the Empress’s maids who treated Marian like a doll didn’t know about it. It was thanks to Marian hiding it with illusion magic.

Rosette smiled broadly. How good it felt to see that face made her heart flutter.

**

Abel, who had been lounging at the entrance leaving Marian’s palace, straightened his body. Just then, Liebe was coming out. She stared at Abel with a puzzled face.

The man who had been smiling like he had a screw loose next to Marian all this time was now standing with a face like a winter storm had hit. Liebe frowned.

Just changing one expression changed the whole atmosphere. The air around him was filled with sharp edges.

‘That man is a dangerous type.’

It was amazing how he had hidden this until now. How could this be hidden? That killing intent, that malice. Liebe swallowed hard.

“Do you have something to say?”

“You know who I am.”

Liebe carefully nodded. How could she not know? The black-haired mage.

“Good that you know. It explains what I’m about to do.”

Abel grinned. That was all, but suddenly all the air surrounding Liebe disappeared.

“Huk! Keuk!”

Liebe clawed at her throat. She dropped everything in her hands and rolled on the ground without realizing it. Her face felt like it would burst and pressure built up in her eyes.

Just when Liebe thought she would die like this, she could breathe again.

“Huk, huk!”

Abel lowered himself to match eye level with Liebe. Bending at the waist, he parted his lips.

“……Marian has no sense of caution. She trusts people so readily.”

“Keuup, keu……”

Liebe dropped tears one after another. She didn’t want to cry in front of this crazy bastard but tears flowed without her control. Liebe glared fiercely at Abel.

“Since Marian sees only the good in people like this, I can’t just stay still. At least I have to doubt and be cautious. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Abel’s tone became even colder. Liebe muttered.

“Crazy…… bastard.”

“Right, I am crazy. But you know what? Could anyone live in this world without going crazy?”

Abel spoke ominously.

“Tell me your purpose for clinging to Marian. Why did you come?”

“I, I’m not clinging! I came to help Her Highness!”

“What are you trying to get from Marian?”

Liebe glared at Abel with blazing eyes. Everything inside Liebe burst out randomly. Pushed to the brink of death, Liebe’s eyes couldn’t see anything.

Liebe stamped her foot.

“That’s not why I came! You bastard! I, I! I came to be useful as a human being, not just as Lucerta’s floor scrubber! I came to help Her Highness, to help with the path she’s taking! Who are you to do this!!”

“Shh.”

Abel let out a heavy sigh. Following Abel’s movement, the air around Liebe became thin. She scratched her throat while panting.

“Speak quietly. I can still hear you. If you understand, make a circle.”

Liebe quickly drew a circle with her finger. Liebe gasped for breath again. How could a human be so ruthless and crazy?

He was someone who wouldn’t even blink if Liebe died here.

Liebe gritted her teeth.

What was more desperate was that there was no one to save Liebe in this remote place.

“I don’t like flies gathering around Marian. You understand? What do you think will happen if things like you keep getting drawn in? Marian will end up being eaten alive.”

“Y-you? What makes you so great?”

“So, you didn’t realize that just one pest like me is enough for Marian.”

“Are you trying to chase me away?”

“Oh no, of course not.”

Abel clicked his tongue slightly.

The things Liebe said didn’t seem like lies. But that didn’t mean he liked it either.

“Just do well by her side. With some tact. Don’t act stupidly like that tactless maid.”

Rosette?

Why Rosette?

She seemed quite sharp and fine. Her loyalty was also impressive.

“Ah……”

So that loyalty was the problem. Liebe let out an exclamation.

“……I’ll do well. Really.”

“Good. You’re quick-witted and know how to save yourself, I like that. Your name was Liube?”

“It’s Liebe, Lord Abel.”

Abel smiled brightly. Abel completely released Liebe. He even showed the courtesy of stepping aside slightly to let her leave the palace. But he didn’t forget the final warning.

“I don’t discriminate between men and women. They both harbor desires the same way.”

She would have known that without being told.

“When I see traitors, gender doesn’t matter. So think before you do anything.”

Abel tapped his head.

“Don’t tell Marian about our conversation.”

She would tell her everything.

Liebe gritted her teeth.