Marian let out a heavy sigh and knocked on Abel’s door.

“Marian?”

The door opened with a low voice. Marian’s eyes grew round. As if he had just finished washing, Abel wore nothing on his upper body. Not to mention, his pants hung precariously low. Marian unconsciously blushed and turned her head away.

“I came because I have something to give you.”

Marian whispered in a small voice.

Abel stared at her reddened nape.

Marian was like a block of wood. Whether her brain structure was different from Abel’s, she couldn’t grasp any of the implications in his words. Even Rosette and Liebe found it frustrating.

While Abel was ready to devour Marian at any time, flicking his tongue, Marian wandered leisurely before him.

However, Marian was technically the strongest in this world. If it came to power, no one could defeat her. Marian’s composure came from her own strength. Even Abel acknowledged that.

To Abel’s eyes, which were brighter than others’, he could see all the aura and dense magical power flowing from her. Abel asked softly.

“What is it?”

Abel leaned his arm against the doorframe. His tilted posture cast a shadow over Marian.

So she does blush at such direct things. Abel’s smile deepened.

“This.”

Marian held out what she was holding. Because she wasn’t looking properly ahead, her hand wandered around before being caught by Abel’s hand.

Marian turned to Abel with a surprised face.

“I-I thought it might fade the scars a little if applied. Though it’s made for beauty purposes……”

“Ah. You’re worried about me? Hmm, is it unsightly?”

Marian quickly shook her head. Marian’s body was also covered in scars. Her back still bore the ones accumulated since childhood.

“Not unsightly at all! Just……”

“I know what you mean.”

Abel intertwined his fingers with Marian’s. Naturally, as if he’s trying to take the bottle. Of course, Abel put plenty of his personal feelings into it.

Marian’s lips trembled.

“……You’ll be participating in the fighting tournament soon. I thought it might be good to use if you get hurt there……”

“Thank you, Marian.”

“We all made it together, what’s there to thank?”

“For caring about me like this.”

Abel spoke softly.

During his time with Marian, Abel had realized several things. Marian was weak to fragile things.

“……I’m more thankful.”

Marian mumbled her words. Marian quickly pulled her hand away. Abel didn’t try to hold onto it.

“What are your plans for today?”

“……I’m going to watch horse racing with Helena.”

“Horse racing?”

“Yes. Going with all the noble ladies.”

It was light, everyday conversation. And as always.

“I’ll wait. Have a good time.”

Abel gave a gentle farewell. Marian nodded with an embarrassed face. If Abel were to leave, she would miss this farewell too much.

**

After Marian left, Abel sat on the bed.

“Hah.”

He let out a deep breath. According to the informant who visited at dawn, he heard the King of Jains had finally decided to enter the country. The King of Jains was planning to enter during the fighting tournament finals. The King of Jains had responded positively to Abel’s proposal.

The dozens of letters exchanged until now had finally borne fruit.

Abel’s eyes deepened.

A House Drake restoration movement was carefully rising in the North as well. The northern residents who had been ignored and oppressed were returning north with support from Giverny.

Abel had no intention of making a shabby return. If he were to return to Drake, he would do it in the grandest way possible, so the whole world would know.

He would take everything back from the one who sold Drake and the North and now acted as king of the North.

Victory in the fighting tournament would bring glory to Abel once again.

“……Marian.”

His only concern was Marian. Could he leave Marian in this hell-like place?

Marian’s slender fingers and wrists, and her bluish eye area.

Abel rubbed between his brows.

“Marian. What should I do with you.”

Abel stared at the medicine bottle, feeling as if Marian’s warmth still lingered on it. Strangely, he found himself softening when it came to her—like proof that there was still some humanity left in him.

**

Meanwhile, at the Empress’s palace.

“I hear Princess Helena is going out with Marian again today?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress traced her fingers over her necklace, which gleamed brilliantly.

Benjamin, sitting nearby, spoke in a dissatisfied voice.

“Should I tell Helena to stop associating with Marian? Seeing that filthy girl messing around in social circles is really despicable……”

“No, leave it. I hear the King of Jains is entering the country for the fighting tournament finals. Don’t do anything to upset Princess Helena’s mood. She already seems sensitive.”

“……Yes, Mother.”

Benjamin subsided. Benjamin had never gone against his mother’s wishes. Benjamin watched the Empress carefully.

“Tsk. These days, perhaps because Helena takes Marian around, her appearance is gradually improving. You shouldn’t feed too much to a beast you’re raising.”

The Empress let out a groan.

Benjamin was right. According to the maids, lately Marian had gained weight and her complexion had improved greatly. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Sigh. Raising a black-haired beast is inherently difficult. I should meet Marian in person.”

If one looked for faults, hundreds could be found. Making Marian submit and kneel had always been easy for the Empress.

“They’re going horse racing today?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I should go too. Get ready yourself. Helena will need someone to accompany her. And, you.”

Benjamin flinched. The Empress stared at Benjamin with frost-like eyes.

“Are you still meeting that girl these days?”

Benjamin swallowed hard and smiled awkwardly.

“How many times have I told you to be careful until the marriage? What if the Princess notices something? Should I have to end your children’s lives with my own hands for you to come to your senses?”

The Empress spoke icily. Benjamin’s face turned pale. He knew the Empress was someone who could definitely do that. The Emperor also had many women. The Empress had personally taken the lives of illegitimate children they bore. Countless young lives had been sacrificed.

Only Marian survived. Thanks to Marian’s birth mother running away as soon as she learned of her pregnancy.

Benjamin trembled.

“N-no. Mother, I’ll be careful. I’ll be careful.”

Benjamin bowed his head deeply as the Empress’s sigh filled the room. Why did her only son display such naive tendencies? The reason she hadn’t eliminated Benjamin’s illegitimate children was to keep them as a safeguard for any contingencies.

The current imperial family had no children except Benjamin and Marian.

If something happened to Benjamin, or if Helena couldn’t bear children, Benjamin’s illegitimate children would fill that position.

The Empress’s pupils gleamed coldly.

**

Marian and Helena sat together.

Helena gave Marian a knowing look. Because of her, Marian had gained some freedom in her actions. Helena also accompanied her to every social gathering.

Thanks to that, they could explain both Marian’s weight gain and her outings.

Helena had given many gifts to Marian, which gave Marian more freedom in her attire.

Today too, Marian wore clothes made by Giverny for her. They had been brought in through Helena. Though the Empress’s maids showed signs of discomfort, they had to yield before Helena’s name.

“Your Highness seems to be growing more beautiful. Duke Madrian should be careful.”

“That goes for Your Highness too, ahem!!”

One noble lady spoke thoughtlessly then quickly shut her mouth. Rumors of Cesare being addicted to alcohol and women had already spread widely. They said he barely went to the Ministry of Justice once a week. The noble ladies watched Marian carefully.

“Is something wrong with Cesare?”

Marian fluttered her eyelashes, pretending to know nothing. Everyone was being careful with their words, worried that Marian, who wasn’t well, might be shocked and fall ill.

Thanks to that, Marian had become skilled at pretending not to know.

“I’m supposed to meet Cesare the day after tomorrow.”

“W-we heard Your Grace and His Grace have become especially close lately.”

“Yes.”

Marian blushed.

“We do meet often. Cesare invited me to the ducal estate.”

“Ahem, ahem. It’s wonderful to see you two so close. This is Federico’s blessing indeed.”

What blessing.

Marian scoffed inwardly. Cesare was becoming more broken, addicted to the hallucinations Marian cast on him.

He hated going outside, just drinking and seeking women. In Cesare’s current state, he couldn’t even eat without women.

This too was part of the side effects caused by siren magic.

While the noble ladies were exchanging glances, someone shouted.

“Ah! His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Majesty the Empress are coming too! Oh my, there was no word they would come today.”

Marian turned her head. Indeed, the Empress and Benjamin were entering. Marian’s expression subtly hardened. The Empress was not an easy opponent. She was a woman who had survived alone in the imperial palace for a long time.

Marian knew that woman’s true nature inside and out.

Cold sweat ran down her back instinctively.

She recalled the violence the Empress had inflicted on her until now. Marian clenched her fist.

As the Empress drew closer, her heart beat faster.