Cesare leaned back on the sofa with a thoughtful face.

Perhaps he had lived too recklessly, as his head wasn’t working properly. He sighed as he tapped his forehead.

The aide, who was temporarily acting as the head butler, watched Cesare’s mood.

He spoke softly.

“You have something to say, so you’re doing that. Go ahead.”

“The head butler is dead, Your Grace.”

Cesare’s eyebrows twitched.

“It was a miserable sight. He was dumped in a market alley with his body torn apart as if attacked by a beast.”

“The family seal ring?”

Cesare asked coldly.

“It was gone.”

“It would be reasonable to assume someone kidnapped him, stole the ring, and then killed him.”

“It appears so. The police will likely come to investigate soon. After all, it’s a murder case, and the condition of the corpse is quite alarming.”

Cesare nodded. This was something he had been prepared for. He reflected on the day the head butler disappeared.

‘I was with Vanessa when Marian came.’

And after having a good time with both women, the always-pretending-to-be-noble imperial princess left first. At that moment, Cesare narrowed his eyes.

‘Marian?’

What if she had another reason for leaving first? There was nothing particularly special about that day. Nor did the head butler have any motive to run away.

He thought about those who could steal the Madrian seal ring and use it valuably.

And he considered their connection to Marian. Cesare flashed a gloomy, snake-like look.

‘Marian.’

That name bothered him. Following one’s intuition can often be helpful when there are no clues.

‘If it bothers me, I should check it out.’

Cesare thought about Marian. That woman who always looked at him with an expressionless face devoid of any emotion. Skinny body, black hair, and those transparent blue eyes that inexplicably angered him whenever he saw them.

Thanks to her pale white skin, she sometimes looked unreal.

A delicate and fragile personality due to years of oppression.

‘That woman doesn’t have the guts to kill someone.’

But she had the ability to do so. Cesare ran his tongue over his dry lips.

Moreover, he needed to find out why Marian reminded him of Ellie every time he saw her. He paced around the room.

He should visit Marian by tomorrow.

Benjamin would be upset, but it’s something that could be quickly resolved by giving him money. The imperial family still needed money, and the Madrians had it.

“I need to visit the imperial palace tomorrow. Prepare money to offer to the Emperor.”

“…Again?”

Cesare’s eyebrows twitched.

“Is there a problem?”

“You’ve already disposed of many valuable lands to send money to the imperial family.”

“What about the hotels? We’re not running hotels for nothing. How’s the income in the territory? Is there a problem with the mines?”

Cesare listed the main sources of income for the Madrians. The aide spoke with a regretful face.

“You’re spending faster than we’re earning. If this continues, we won’t be able to sustain it.”

“Would the great Madrian family collapse over such a thing? Don’t worry. After the war ends, we’ll sweep up Lorenzo’s treasure lands.”

“…But, Your Grace—”

“Don’t make me say more! I have too many other things to think about!”

Cesare snapped sharply and ran his hand through his hair.

The aide swallowed a sigh.

From a young age, Cesare had been more talented at pursuing his interests than attending lessons. In fact, he wasn’t cut out to be the head of the family.

‘The day when the hundreds-of-years-old Madrian family collapses is not far off.’

The aide clicked his tongue.

**

When Abel returned, the large moon was at its highest point in the sky.

Even then, the lights in the imperial princess’s palace were still on. It was a small, modest, and secluded castle. The exterior of the castle was not properly maintained and had dried up. There was a limit to what one maid could do.

Abel thought of the owner of that castle. Marian, who was noble and unbending like an ice flower. When he saw her transparent blue eyes, he felt his insides turning.

Despite being hurt, injured, and having suffered so much, Marian was different from Abel.

‘What makes you so different?’

And that difference keeps catching Abel’s eye. The vulnerability hidden within that firmness keeps becoming seen. Abel smiled crookedly.

Sometimes he thinks about wanting to completely wreck Marian.

Abel resumed his steps that had paused.

A dense magical field was rippling around him. He had heard the imperial palace was famous among the capital’s people as a haunted palace, and indeed there were hardly any people in this area. As always.

Marian was waiting outside the door.

“Abel?”

“Why are you outside?”

“……Since it’s a dangerous task after all, I was worried.”

Marian smiled awkwardly. She’s not the type to push such tasks onto Abel and sleep comfortably. Since returning to the palace, Marian had been anxiously waiting only for Abel. Abel smiled sweetly.

All the thoughts he’d been having scattered. Whenever he looked into Marian’s blue eyes, the boundaries of his thoughts would blur. Abel gently brushed Marian’s cheek. She looked at him straightforwardly.

“I confirmed that Liebe Lucerta went beyond the capital. I placed several protective spells, so it should hold up well until they return from the west.”

Marian sighed in relief.

“Were there any pursuers?”

“None until I left the capital.”

Marian’s effort to buy time had been worthwhile. She distracted Benjamin’s attention by continuing to talk to him. It was mostly trivial personal matters, but fortunately, it seemed to have helped.

“……I’m really glad. Thank you, Abel.”

“Don’t mention it. Have you eaten dinner?”

Marian nodded.

“A little at the banquet hall.”

“Was there any trouble there?”

“The Empress slapped Benjamin. The reason was that he failed to properly look after the princess. His face was so badly bruised it turned blue.”

“And you?”

“As you can see, I’m fine. Unlike the Empress whose magic doesn’t work on him, Benjamin absorbs all magic.”

Marian and Abel entered the palace side by side. Rosette witnessed them walking together, exchanging casual conversation.

‘He returned safely!’

Rosette almost called out to Abel happily before catching herself. She shook her head vigorously.

‘Get a grip, Rosette! Have you forgotten what kind of man he is?’

That viper of a man acts like a gentle puppy around Marian, which keeps confusing her into thinking he’s a good person.

‘But……’

Though she wanted to strongly oppose it, seeing Marian with such a comfortable expression only when by Abel’s side confused her again. Was stopping them the right thing to do?

The thought lingered that perhaps he was the only comfort in Marian’s difficult life, and that might be the answer.

Marian smiles especially well when standing beside Abel. Whether she herself is aware of this or not is unclear. Abel safely escorted Marian.

Abel stood in front of Marian’s bedroom door and naturally bowed.

He kissed her blinking forehead and smiled sweetly.

“Wh-what did you just do?”

Marian’s eyes widened. Even the dense Marian couldn’t help but understand—this wasn’t something ordinary friends did.  

Abel moved silently. He pressed his lips lightly against Marian’s pale cheek before pulling away. In his heart, he wanted to strip her bare, to suck and bite until she melted beneath him, but if he did that, she would run.  

Slowly. Carefully.

“Marian.”

“……”

“I did really well today, didn’t I?”

Abel spoke like a gentle puppy.

“I deserve at least this much reward.”

“This…… This is a reward?”

Marian asked as if she couldn’t understand. Abel tilted his head.

“Why not? For me, it’s sufficiently comforting and exciting.”

Marian bit her lip firmly.

She had visited Cesare several times, pushed by the Emperor and Empress. Wearing transparent undergarments, shaking pathetically. It was a time when she was mentally very unstable.

Cesare despised Marian who came to him trembling like that.

‘Even someone like this calls herself a woman and seeks a man’s embrace.’

Recalling that day’s memory, Marian trembled.

‘What do you intend to do with that skewer-like body, coming all the way here? Still, since you’ve shown sincerity, I should at least have a taste. Lie down.’

Cesare, who was never a gentleman to begin with, was like garbage during such occasions.

‘Tsk. I really have no appetite for this. Marian, who would see you as a woman? Who would like a woman as tall and lanky as you? Only someone like me would keep you around. Now go back. I’ll pay you handsomely.’

Cesare broke Marian’s soul.

Marian who tried to find hope in such a man was truly naive and pitiful. She smiled bitterly.

“Do I look like a woman to you, Abel?”

“What?”

Abel asked blankly. What did that straightforward question mean?

Does she look like a woman?

‘Then have I been acting like a fool all this time?’

Abel frowned.

“Of course, Marian. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you in this world.”

She’s a woman who shines brighter than anyone even when standing alone. What man wouldn’t be captivated? Even now, standing with her back to the moon, she looked like a moon goddess.

Abel’s eyes softened gently.

“My noble Marian.”

Marian smiled sadly.

“You think I’m beautiful?”

“Yes.”

“This skinny, insignificant body?”

Abel immediately frowned.

“Did Cesare say such things?”

“……”